Chapter 414: Head-on Collision!

The Wind and Cloud Wheel whistled and spun in the air, like streaks of lightning tearing across the horizon, yet it had no effect.

On the battlefield, the Yellow Turban Army's equipment attacks grew ever fiercer, but the Halberdier Corps stood like a reef in the sea, unmoved no matter how great the wind and waves.

At this moment, the Halberdier Corps resembled a group of giants clad in heavy armor, wielding fine steel halberds, with an indestructible giant iron shield before them; facing any attack, they appeared calm and unhurried.

Under the cover of the giant iron shield, they steadily approached the Yellow Turban Army's position.

Meanwhile, many Taiping Sect members before the opposing formation watched as the heavy infantry legion—the Halberdiers—advanced steadily like a black steel torrent, a hint of solemnity flashing in their eyes.

The successive attacks of the Breaking Army Crossbow and the Wind and Cloud Wheel appeared somewhat ineffective against the giant iron shield's defense; they must quickly adjust tactics to cope with this indestructible line.

"Pass the order down, prepare the Vanguard Battalion!"

"Also, push out all the Thunder War Chariots in the formation!"

The Yellow Turban Army's Chief Commander stood on high ground, surveying the entire battlefield, he took a deep breath and issued the order in a low voice.

"Thunder War Chariots", their bodies fitted with sharp blades and powerful impact devices, can charge across the battlefield, destroying enemy formations.

With the commander's order, a flurry of activity arose in the Yellow Turban Army's position.

A squad of agile soldiers darted through the formation, holding specially made fine ropes and grappling blades with barbs—equipment that most assault units would prepare, now becoming specially made gear to counter the Halberdiers' iron shield line.

Their goal was clear: use these tools to climb over the giant iron shield and directly attack the Halberdiers behind.

At the same time, another squad of soldiers hurriedly pushed out several peculiarly shaped war chariots.

These chariots were conspicuously fitted with a giant mechanical wheel painstakingly researched by the Mo School, and the wheel's tip bore gleaming sharp blades that, under sunlight, flashed a chilling light that captivated the heart; obviously they were carefully designed to cut or push aside those indestructible formations.

The Yellow Turban Army's chariots began to roar, the mechanical wheel slowly rose, the blades flashed a chilling light, as if proclaiming the impending slaughter.

Amid the "click-clack" of meshing gears, the mechanical wheel reached toward the iron shield line as solid as a rock, attempting to cut open this seemingly impregnable defense.

The soldiers on the chariots focused entirely on operating the mechanical wheel.

"Boom—" a rumbling sound came from within the Yellow Turban Army's ranks, shocking the heart.

This tremendous roar was like distant thunder rolling across the sky, foreshadowing the coming storm.

Immediately afterward, dozens of roads suddenly split open before the Yellow Turban formation, like fissures in the earth, making way for the imminent emergence of a giant beast.

Yet, facing the Yellow Turban Army's new tactics, the Halberdiers showed no trace of panic.

These Thunder War Chariots had imposing bodies, sharp blades, and under sunlight gleamed with a cold light.

Like a beast on the battlefield, they roared, charging with unstoppable force toward the Halberdier Corps' iron shield line.

The wheels rolled, kicking up a cloud of dust, their momentum like a rainbow.

The Halberdier Corps, facing this sudden onslaught, still maintained a tight defensive posture.

The giant iron shield in their hands was as sturdy as a city wall, yet under the Thunder War Chariots' violent impact it also trembled slightly.

Nevertheless, the Halberdiers did not waver; they gritted their teeth, exerted all their strength to steady the shield, vowing to defend the line to the death.

"Hold fast! Hold fast!"

Several Halberdier Colonels at the front shouted loudly, encouraging the troops to hold their position.

Meanwhile, the agile Vanguard Battalion soldiers following closely behind the chariots began attempting to climb the iron shield.

They moved like agile monkeys, searching for footholds on the shield.

However, the Halberdiers seemed to have long anticipated their intent; the gaps between the giant shields were cleverly adjusted to be tighter, leaving the Yellow Turban soldiers nowhere to plant their feet.

Whenever they tried to find a suitable climbing point, they always discovered it had been cleverly sealed.

"Hmph! You think you can break our iron shield with such petty tricks? How absurd!"

Seeing the Yellow Turban Army's tactics repeatedly thwarted, Zhang He in the Halberdier ranks curled the corner of his mouth into a cold smile.

Yet the Taiping Sect members opposite did not therefore give up.

"All troops, hear the order! At any cost we must break through this line!"

As the order was issued, the Elite Yellow Turban Army troops that had followed behind them again launched a fierce assault.

Like a tide, they surged toward the Halberdiers' iron shield line, seeking a breach.

Yet the Halberdiers still maintained a tight defensive posture, giving the Yellow Turban Army no opportunity at all.

The giant iron shield seemed like an uncrossable chasm lying before the Yellow Turban Army.

The atmosphere on the battlefield grew ever more tense; each impact seemed about to tear the air apart.

Just then, a calm and resolute command suddenly came from within the Halberdier ranks: "Issue the halberd!"

This command thundered like a startling clap across the battlefield, shocking the mind.

The one issuing the command was precisely the Halberdier commander, Zhang He.

At this moment he stood expressionless at the front, his eyes revealing an unshakable resolve.

With the issuance of the command, the Halberdiers' iron shield line suddenly changed.

The giant iron shields, originally tightly joined, split open a gap, like a dark fissure appearing in a sea of shields.

Immediately thereafter, countless halberds forged of fine steel thrust out from the gap, like venomous snakes flicking their tongues as they lunged at the Yellow Turban Army.

These halberds flashed a chilling light in the sunlight, their unmatched sharp tips seeming able to pierce any obstacle.

For a moment, wails rose and fell before the Halberdier lines.

The Yellow Turban soldiers charging at the front were pierced through the body by the sudden halberds, blood spurting out and dyeing the battlefield red.

At that moment their expressions froze into eternal terror and unwillingness.

The Halberdiers, like cold-blooded killers, repeatedly thrust their halberds into the enemies' bodies.

Their movements were swift and precise; each halberd thrust aimed straight at the Yellow Turban Army's vital points.

The perfect combination of iron shield and halberd made their defense like an impregnable copper wall and iron rampart, leaving the Yellow Turban Army helpless; each sortie could take an enemy's life.

The battlefield reeked of heavy bloodlust and wails, as if a gruesome scroll unfurled before everyone's eyes.

Zhang He of the Halberdier formation coldly gazed upon all this, his eyes devoid of any pity or sympathy.

Under the Halberdiers' fierce assault, the Yellow Turban Army's offensive gradually weakened.

Relying solely on flesh and blood, a heart full of conviction cannot withstand these sharp halberds, nor break through this impregnable defense line.

At this moment on the battlefield, beneath the feet of the Halberdiers lie corpses and blood of Yellow Turban Army soldiers everywhere, as if a hell on earth.

(End of chapter)