Chapter 500: The Lane

The wheels of the cannon cart rolled over the stone slabs, their rumbling echo reverberating through the narrow lane. The crutch tapped against the stone with a dull thud. Wu Dacai glanced down — the old cloth wrapped around the crutch's tip was gone, so he had to set it down more lightly.

The sounds of battle ahead drew steadily closer, wails and agonized screams mingling with the clash of weapons. Wu Dacai looked back. Among the Heavy Infantry was one especially towering figure; even among the Heavy Infantry, he stood head and shoulders above the rest. This Xu Lengzi had a reputation in the army. He wore the heaviest armor and always stood out during inspections on the Drill Ground. Wu Dacai recognized him by his build alone.

His heart steadied a little. Wu Dacai gripped his Self-Igniting Arquebus tightly. The twenty-odd men filed into a single line and advanced slowly along the lane.

The white smoke from the burning thatched roofs grew thicker, filling the nostrils with the acrid stench of burning Forage. Visibility ahead was poor.

Several blurred figures appeared in the smoke ahead. Wu Dacai shouted in his Anqing accent, "Cavalry Camp, kill the Slaves!"

The foremost figure on the opposite side halted. The Anqing Army men said nothing, staring across with rapt attention. The Artillery Chief held the Fire Rope over the Fire Gate with one hand, shielding the Fire Gate with the other.

Two sharp cracks rang out. Two Arrows whistled out of the white smoke, hurtling straight toward them. Wu Dacai's scalp went numb. The Cannoneer in front of him cried out and toppled backward. The other Arrow grazed past his crutch; a muffled grunt came from behind.

Without waiting for Wu Dacai's order, the Bronze Cannon roared. Thick white smoke blasted into the lane. The two-and-a-half-jin cannonball shot through the haze into the murky lane. Ahead came the dull, sickening sound of limbs and bone being shattered.

Screams echoed through the narrow lane, along with panicked shouts and chaotic footsteps.

Wu Dacai bellowed, "Another round of Canister Shot!"

The Cannoneer lay on the ground, an Arrow in his belly. The Artillery Chief took over himself, receiving the Canister Shot from the Civilian Laborer behind him. He loaded just as swiftly, and fired the moment he finished. After the Cannon fired, the lane was completely blanketed in white smoke. From within the smoke came only low groans.

In such a confined space, sixty Canister Shot pellets would tear anything they encountered to shreds.

Wu Dacai had two Heavy Infantrymen take the lead. The two Civilian Laborers carrying cannonballs helped push the cannon. The column continued advancing through the lane, their vision obscured.

After pushing forward a stretch, dismembered Qing Army bodies appeared on the ground. The cannon cart needed the Civilian Laborers' help to move forward. Suddenly, that unfamiliar accent came from ahead again. Several figures were hurrying this way through the smoke, talking as they walked. Wu Dacai waved his hand. The lead Heavy Infantrymen stepped aside. The Artillery Chief fired another round ahead. Screams erupted in a chorus throughout the lane.

At that moment, a Cannon shot rang out from the north, signaling that the Anqing Heavy Infantry originally deployed there still held — the defensive line had not completely fallen.

Wu Dacai's heart burned with anxiety. The Cannon firing meant the northern battle line was still fiercely contested. At such a critical juncture, a single ounce of strength could decide victory or defeat.

The lane was littered with Qing Army corpses. Further ahead, there were only severed limbs. The cannon cart could no longer move quickly. Wu Dacai immediately waved his hand. "Heavy Armor Soldiers, advance first!"

The Heavy Infantry Squad behind immediately rushed forward, moving past the cannon cart, followed by those Firearm Soldiers. Only now did Wu Dacai take a closer look at them. Some looked excited, others trembled with fear. Aside from the Team leader, they were all youths of fifteen or sixteen, somewhat thin and frail in build, though their movements were indeed nimble. The Firearm Soldier who had loaded his gun earlier was trailing at the very back, tear streaks still on his face.

Wu Dacai paid him no mind. Leaning on his crutch, he followed behind the Heavy Infantry, dodging the Qing Army corpses on the ground as he went. The Heavy Infantry ahead fought as they advanced, immediately beating and hacking any Qing soldier they saw still moving on the ground.

Visibility, however, grew even worse. Wu Dacai looked up. Ahead was a burning thatched hut. Its roof had now collapsed. Amid the thick smoke, ash and sparks swirled, surging down the lane toward them.

This lane was not long. Past this burning thatched hut, it should reach its end. Flanking that end was the extended northern defensive line. The battle cries were coming from that direction.

Xu Lengzi strode boldly at the front, a double-handed crescent axe held crosswise. Wu Dacai coughed twice and glanced back. The few Firearm Soldiers were still there, but the Cannon's position was no longer visible.

Wu Dacai followed behind Xu Lengzi through the smoke. Beside him was the Heavy Infantry Team leader bringing up the rear. His strength was flagging; his legs felt weak. He moved close to the wall, using it for support. A half-closed door panel appeared ahead. Wu Dacai reached for it.

Suddenly, the door panel was violently slammed open from inside. A dark figure burst from the thatched hut, tearing through the swirling smoke, raising a Bone Mace to strike at the Anqing Heavy Infantryman ahead. The figure's arm collided with the side Wu Dacai used his crutch. His crutch and Self-Igniting Arquebus flew from his hands instantly. The impact sent him sprawling flat on his back.

More figures rushed out of the thatched hut. The lane erupted everywhere with unintelligible shouts. No one knew how many Qing soldiers had charged into the alley.

Wu Dacai was dazed from the fall. Fierce fighting raged around him; feet constantly trampled over his body. Wu Dacai struggled to flip over and crawl toward the base of the wall. Suddenly, a heavy weight slammed onto his back. His chest crashed against the stone slabs, the pain so intense he could not draw breath.

The two men who had fallen on his back were locked in a grapple. Both were Heavy Armor Soldiers, together weighing far more than three hundred jin. Wu Dacai strained desperately to lift his shoulders, giving his chest a sliver of space. He barely managed half a breath before his strength gave out and he collapsed flat again. He crawled forward with all his might, his Fingers digging into the gaps between the stone slabs, but his pinned body would not budge. The veins on Wu Dacai's face bulged; saliva dripped uncontrollably.

The two grappling Heavy Armor Soldiers rolled over once and finally tumbled off Wu Dacai's back. Wu Dacai sucked in a sharp breath and vomited a Mouthful of food, instantly overwhelmed by tears and mucus from the stomach acid.

After several ragged gasps, Wu Dacai crawled with all his might to the base of the wall. Laboriously, he Turned Around and leaned his back against the earthen wall.

In the smoke-shrouded lane, the clang of blades striking armor rang out incessantly. Everywhere, men fought and hacked at each other. Wu Dacai's eyes swept frantically over the ground. He did not see his lost crutch. His vision was filled with the two grappling Heavy Armor Soldiers. Wu Dacai could tell them apart: the Anqing scale armor had larger plates, and the Helmet was a round dome with a brim.

He suddenly spotted his Self-Igniting Arquebus, fallen against the opposite wall. Wu Dacai struggled to stand, but his arms gave way and he slumped back down.

At that moment, the Bright Armor Tartar gained the upper hand, pinning the Anqing soldier to the ground. He drew a Cloud Ladder Blade and stabbed downward.

In desperation, Wu Dacai tried to lunge forward, but a sharp pain shot through his leg the moment he moved. He had no strength at all and immediately pitched forward again.

In his haste, Wu Dacai saw a Line Spear on the ground. He grabbed it and jabbed wildly at the Tartar. Lying on the ground, he could not coordinate his Waist and legs, relying entirely on his arm strength. The Spearheads clanged against the Tartar's Bright Armor, but could not penetrate it at all.

The Tartar acted as if nothing was happening, continuing to swing his Cloud Ladder Blade, still hacking and stabbing at the Anqing Heavy Infantryman on the ground. The Anqing Heavy Infantryman screamed in terror, raising his Iron arm-guards to block. The Tartar then pinned his hand and drove the Cloud Ladder Blade toward his neck.

Wu Dacai's hands were already weak from stabbing. His arms went limp, the Spearheads dropping to the ground. He watched in despair as the Tartar's Cloud Ladder Blade pushed aside the Throat Guard. At the edge of his vision, a figure suddenly appeared, running quickly closer. The figure stopped and raised a Fire Lance toward the Tartar.

A loud bang erupted. Wu Dacai watched with his own eyes as the sturdy scale armor plates on the Tartar's chest burst apart. That seemingly indestructible Bright Armor Tartar collapsed as if all his strength had been instantly drained, pitching headfirst to the ground, utterly motionless.

Wu Dacai panted rapidly. Only then did he Turn Around to look. The shooter was a thin Firearm Soldier of fifteen or sixteen. After firing, he let out a shriek, dropped his gun, turned, and ran back out.

The Fire Lance lay on the stone slabs. Wu Dacai focused his gaze on it — it was just an ordinary Self-Igniting Arquebus.

"Fire Lance. A Self-Igniting Arquebus!"

Wu Dacai muttered twice, then hurriedly crawled toward the opposite side. He clutched the Self-Igniting Arquebus tightly in his hands, and his heart instantly steadied. After resting a moment, he used the Fire Lance for support and finally, slowly, stood up.

Roughly ten Qing soldiers had charged out, both Bright Armor and Dark Armor. Few remained now. Five Anqing Heavy Infantrymen were still standing. Two Firearm Soldiers were down. The Cannon further back was nowhere in sight.

Wu Dacai looked ahead. Xu Lengzi had just hacked down a Dark Armor Qing soldier. Wu Dacai wanted him to wait for the Firearm Soldiers and the Cannon, but Xu Lengzi headed straight for the north. The three Heavy Infantrymen beside him immediately followed.

Wu Dacai shouted back for the Firearm Soldiers to follow. Two Firearm Soldiers were desperately smashing the butts of their guns against wounded Qing soldiers on the ground, showing no reaction to Wu Dacai's order.

Another Cannon shot rang out from the north. Wu Dacai could not worry about much else. The primary task now was to seal the battle line. He could not wait for the others. Leaning on his Self-Igniting Arquebus, he followed Xu Lengzi's direction. Ahead, thick smoke billowed, stinging his eyes into a stream of tears. Soon, he passed the burning thatched shed.

Flames flickered from the collapsed thatched roof. Coughing, Wu Dacai passed through the thick smoke. His vision instantly cleared.

At the end of the lane was a slightly larger courtyard. The ground at the entrance was covered with dead and wounded soldiers. The walls and ground were smeared with bloodstains.

Surviving soldiers from both sides still grappled. The nearest was a Bright Armor Tartar. His armor was covered in blood. His back was to Wu Dacai. He was using a broken Line Spear to stab a curled-up Anqing Cavalryman.

The Anqing Cavalryman was already gravely wounded, shielding himself with his arm, moaning ceaselessly. The Bright Armor Tartar paid no heed. His movements were sluggish as he repeatedly stabbed viciously with the Line Spear.

The foremost Anqing Heavy Infantryman rushed over, raising his Blade Staff and striking the Bright Armor Tartar's head twice. Two dents appeared on the Helmet. The Bright Armor Tartar's head lolled sideways. His body swayed but steadied, seemingly unresponsive to the attack. The Line Spear in his hand continued stabbing the Anqing Cavalryman.

Wu Dacai hurriedly balanced on one leg, but just as he raised his Self-Igniting Arquebus, Xu Lengzi had already blocked his line of fire. Xu Lengzi walked behind the Bright Armor Tartar, raised his double-handed crescent axe to its highest point, and brought it down with a great shout. Sparks flew from the Helmet. The crown of the helmet caved deeply inward. The Bright Armor Tartar's entire body went rigid, swayed twice, and then crashed stiffly to the ground.

The other Heavy Infantrymen hacked at the few remaining Qing soldiers. The Qing soldiers here were already at the end of their strength. Soon, not a single one remained standing.

By now, Wu Dacai was drenched in sweat, wanting only to lie down and rest. Suddenly, he heard a Cannon shot from behind the spirit screen wall of that residence.

The Heavy Infantrymen heard it too. Xu Lengzi led the three Heavy Infantrymen inside. Wu Dacai gritted his teeth and followed, leaning on his Fire Lance.

This residence must have belonged to a wealthy family in the village, one of the few with brick walls. The Cannon on the northern defensive line was inside this courtyard. A breach had been dug into the courtyard wall to serve as an emplacement.

After rounding the spirit screen wall, several corpses appeared on the ground. Wu Dacai swept his gaze warily. Xu Lengzi did not pause, entering directly into the second courtyard. The three Anqing Heavy Infantrymen followed him, also stepping through the gate of the second courtyard.

Wu Dacai limped through the gate. In the second courtyard, beneath the north-facing wall, corpses from both sides lay everywhere. The ground ran with rivers of blood. That Cannon was no longer in its emplacement; it lay toppled beneath the steps on the eastern side. The four Cannoneers lay fallen around the Cannon, each with several Arrow shafts protruding from them. It looked as though Qing troops had broken in, and the cannon Team had tried to shift position to defend, but ultimately failed.

Five Qing soldiers were scattered around the courtyard, each holding a bloodstained two-handed weapon. All five wore Bright Armor. One among them wore a rarely seen, exceptionally fine suit of Mountain Pattern Armor.

Seeing the Anqing Heavy Infantry enter, four Qing soldiers converged toward the Mountain Pattern Armor Tartar. The Mountain Pattern Armor Tartar held a Step Bow, but his Arrow quiver was empty. Yet he showed no panic. He Turned Around to face the Anqing soldiers and shouted. The Qing soldiers immediately formed a line. The Face Armor all five wore was painted with hideous red Demon-Fighting Mask faces. Paired with their Bright Armor, they looked like silver demons.

The Anqing Heavy Infantry were likewise fully armored. The four men spread out in a line, confronting the five Qing White Armor soldiers.

In the blood-soaked courtyard, both sides, each gripping heavy troops, approached cautiously and slowly.