Chapter 416: Zhang He's Halberd! Lián Páo's Blade Ward!

Under Zhang He's leadership, the halberdiers displayed astonishing toughness and combat power, their halberds gripped tightly in both hands thrusting at the enemy like shells leaving the barrel, each thrust precise and powerful.

Although the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry were brave and skilled in battle, they had no good way to deal with the halberdiers' circular formation for a time.

They tried to find a breach, but each time they were blocked by the halberdiers' tightly coordinated defensive line.

The smoke on the battlefield grew thicker, and the fighting between the two sides became increasingly brutal.

"Counterattack! Don't give them a chance to catch their breath!"

Zhang He saw the enemy's offensive ease slightly and immediately gave the order.

"Ding! Zhang He's Halberd skill activated!"

"Halberd: Halberd Warrior, one against ten, this is Zhang He's unique skill."

"Effect 1: Activated during a duel, Martial +3"

"Effect 2: Activated when commanding troops, Commander-in-Chief +1, Martial +1; if combined with the exclusive troop type 'Halberdiers', Commander-in-Chief +2, Martial +2, simultaneously soldier morale rises, combat power rises, stamina rises, coordination rises, rapport rises……"

"Zhang He's current base stats: Commander-in-Chief 95, Martial 96, Intelligence 80, Politics 76."

"Zhang He's Halberd skill Effect 2 activated, when commanding troops: Commander-in-Chief +1, Martial +1; if combined with the exclusive troop type 'Halberdiers', Commander-in-Chief +2, Martial +2; Zhang He's Commander-in-Chief +1+2, Martial +1+2, his Commander-in-Chief rises to 98, Martial rises to 99!"

At his command, the halberdiers surged toward the opposing Iron Wall Guard like tigers released from a cage.

Halberd and shield formed an impregnable offense-defense system, leaving the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry on the battlefield at a loss for a time.

At this moment, Zhang He conducted the battle like a maestro on the battlefield, directing with effortless ease.

Although Zhang He's halberdier corps temporarily steadied its footing under his command, facing the two equally elite units of the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry, the situation remained stalemated.

The three sides engaged in a fierce tug-of-war on the battlefield, with lives being lost and blood flowing at every moment.

The Iron Wall Guard surged like a steel torrent, their huge shields, identical to those of the halberdiers, advancing like moving fortresses, step by step approaching the halberdiers' defensive line.

Each shield strike seemed to aim at completely destroying the halberdiers' defensive line.

The Xuanbiao Cavalry, meanwhile, were like ghosts on the battlefield, maneuvering flexibly, their lances flashing cold light in the sunlight.

Zhang He, in the midst of the battle formation, saw the halberdiers gradually falling into a disadvantage under the pincer attack of the two elite units, and his heart sank.

"Hold fast! Halberdiers, follow me to withstand the enemy's assault!"

Zhang He waved his halberd in hand and shouted loudly.

His voice, though tinged with fatigue, remained full of dignity and determination.

The halberdiers, hearing Zhang He's shout, were instantly invigorated.

They gripped their long halberds tightly, exerting all their strength to resist the enemy's advance.

Although their steps faltered from prolonged combat, their gaze remained steadfast.

However, the offensive of the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry did not weaken.

They seemed to notice the fatigue of the halberdier corps, and their attack grew ever more fierce.

The Iron Wall Guard's huge shields pressed toward the halberdiers' line like mountains, while the Xuanbiao Cavalry's lances sought gaps in the halberdiers' defense like poisonous snakes.

Seeing the battle turn against him, Zhang He felt extremely anxious.

He knew this could not continue; he must find a breakthrough.

While directing the halberdiers to resist the enemy's advance, he covertly observed the battlefield's dynamics.

Finally, he discovered a weakness in the enemy.

Although the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry were brave and skilled, there existed a subtle gap in their coordination.

"Halberdiers, follow me in a charge! Break through the enemy's line!"

Zhang He felt a surge of joy and immediately issued the order.

At Zhang He's command, the halberdiers charged toward the enemy's line like shells leaving the barrel.

The Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry were caught off guard by this sudden charge, and their line was instantly torn open a gap.

However, Zhang He did not relax because of this.

Instead, he continued to wave his halberd, leading the halberdiers in further charges to break the formation and advance forward.

Seeing the line breached, the colonel of the Iron Wall Guard was startled, but he did not panic.

He waved his huge shield and shouted loudly: "Hold fast! Don't let them break through!"

Following his shout, the Iron Wall Guard quickly adjusted their formation, attempting to block the halberdiers' charge.

The leader of the Xuanbiao Cavalry also did not stand idly by.

Wielding his lance, he led the Xuanbiao Cavalry to continue launching fierce charges from the flank against the halberdiers.

Seeing the halberdier corps firmly held by the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry, the battlefield atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

At this moment, the Commander-in-Chief Lián Páo stationed at the rear of the battlefield, his eyes like torches, closely watched the situation ahead.

Clad in heavy armor, although advanced in years, his dignity was not inferior to that of the young and strong, a solemn killing aura naturally emanated.

Seeing the halberdier corps firmly held by the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry, his steps forward appeared difficult and heavy.

Lián Páo at the rear of the battlefield narrowed his eyes, a dignified aura emanating from him.

"Ding! Lián Páo's Blade Ward skill activated!"

"Blade Ward: Forging loyal souls in the iron-blooded battlefield, Blade Ward raised high to pacify the borders, this is the exclusive skill of the Four Great Generals of the Warring States—Lián Páo!"

"Effect 1: When in an offensive state, self Commander-in-Chief +2, army Martial +1."

"Effect 2: When substituting attack for defense, or defense for attack, self Commander-in-Chief +3, army Martial +2."

"Effect 3: When in a defensive state, self Commander-in-Chief +4, army Martial +3."

"Lián Páo's current Commander-in-Chief is 100, and being in an offensive state, Blade Ward Effect 1 activates: Commander-in-Chief +2, Lián Páo's Commander-in-Chief rises to 102!"

He lightly waved his command flag, and instantly the war drums thundered; the soldiers of the Cangzhou Army, hearing the drums, surged forward like a flood.

"Cangzhou Army, hear the order! All troops, march out, support the halberdiers!"

Lián Páo snorted coldly and loudly issued the command.

His voice was deep and powerful, penetrating the clamor of the battlefield, echoing in every soldier's ears.

Following Lián Páo's order, the Cangzhou Army, which had been on standby, like an awakened giant beast, began to slowly move forward.

The "ka-ka" sound of clashing iron armor was like the drumbeat of advance, stirring the soldiers' fervor.

The Cangzhou Army is the main combat force under Su Ye's command now; their troop composition is more perfected, with heavy infantry wielding spears, agile archers, and cavalry clad in heavy armor.

At this moment, they were like a flood, surging forward, straight for the center of the battlefield.

The infantry held spears and shields, advancing steadily in tight formation.

Their shields in hand were like moving walls, while their spears resembled dense trees in a forest, forming an impregnable defensive line.

The archers followed closely behind, their longbows already drawn to the full, awaiting only a command to unleash a volley of ten thousand arrows.

(End of chapter)