Chapter 160: Before the Decisive Battle
Dawn broke, but the fighting at Mount Nangong hadn’t ended. Instead, a different kind of activity filled the air.
Those unable to fight – farmers, women, children, the elderly – assisted by the reinforcements from the other villages, began clearing the debris and rebuilding the damaged walls.
More and more people arrived, the atmosphere at Mount Nangong strangely festive despite the recent battle.
Although Goupan Village, Heshou Village, and the others didn’t have many skilled martial artists, they sent hunters, craftsmen, and laborers to assist in the rebuilding efforts.
Shi Hao, along with the leaders of the Nine Villages, gathered in the main hall, studying a map and discussing their strategy.
“The Hanyang Gang won’t give up so easily,” Shi Hao said, his gaze sweeping over them, “Their expansion has been too rapid, absorbing many factions. A setback here would weaken their momentum and encourage further resistance. They need to control the Ba Mountains to conquer Shu and connect with their allies in the south. And they need to make an example of us.”
He took a deep breath, “This is their biggest setback so far. If they don’t crush our resistance, it will inspire others to oppose them, which they cannot tolerate.
“They have to defeat us decisively, a brutal and decisive victory that will intimidate all the other factions in the Ba Shu region.”
Jing Shilong of Shennong Village said worriedly, “Many gangs and factions have surrendered to the Hanyang Gang. They’ll be forced to attack us. We’re still outnumbered and outmatched.”
Shi Hao nodded, “That’s true. But the Ba Mountains offer many strategic advantages. If they attack in small numbers, they’ll be easily defeated. If they attack in large numbers, we can use the terrain to our advantage, setting ambushes, using fire and water attacks. If everyone participates, even those without martial arts skills, we can prevail.”
Gong Muhong said, “But that would mean forming a militia, which could attract the attention of the barbarian court.”
Shi Hao said, “That’s precisely what we’re going to do… form a militia, or rather, we won’t call it a militia, but we’ll organize and train our forces like one.
“This will undoubtedly attract the attention of the court, but firstly, the Ba Mountains are remote, and the court is preoccupied with other rebellions. We’re not openly rebelling, and we’ll even officially request permission to form a militia… Of course, we’ll do it regardless of their approval, but I suspect they’ll turn a blind eye.
“The Hanyang Gang’s rapid expansion has alarmed both the court and the Six Gates. They won’t tolerate it. Right now, it’s still a conflict between gangs, but once the Hanyang Gang controls the Ba Mountains, they could easily launch a full-scale rebellion.
“Allowing us to form a militia, although a potential risk, can contain the Hanyang Gang’s expansion, which is in the court’s best interest.”
“And with Huang Facai and Zhao Xuanding’s connection to Hong Chui, the Thunderclap, in Lingnan, and Sheng Menghui being his pawn, once that information spreads, the court’s focus will shift from our local militia to Hong Chui.”
“Considering all this, I don’t think the court will interfere with our… preparations.”
The others exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
They had been worried that forming a militia would attract the barbarian court’s wrath, but now, analyzing the situation, it was clear the court had bigger problems.
Shi Hao spent the next few days working tirelessly.
He felt like a wheel, constantly spinning, never stopping.
The situation changed rapidly, yet also seemed stagnant.
Incidents, both major and minor, and clashes with the Hanyang Gang, were constant.
Information, clues, reports of conflicts… they flooded towards him, a never-ending stream.
He barely had time to sleep, only an hour or two each day.
He had read stories about strategists who, with a few clever calculations and well-placed instructions, could control battles from afar, effortlessly.
Now, in a similar position, he realized it was all a lie.
So many things were beyond his control.
And not just him, but his enemies as well.
Many conflicts erupted unexpectedly.
And a small incident could quickly escalate.
The Hanyang Gang was strong, and they were weak. This was a fact.
This meant the Hanyang Gang could afford to make mistakes, but they couldn’t.
Yet, despite his careful planning and analysis, mistakes were inevitable… Fortunately, the Hanyang Gang either missed their opportunities or made even bigger mistakes.
The idea of a flawless strategy was a myth. Often, it was just a matter of who made the fewest mistakes… or whose mistakes were less catastrophic.
He had imagined strategists calmly directing battles from afar, their every move perfectly calculated.
But the reality was a constant struggle, dealing with one problem after another, a never-ending stream of trivial matters.
A light drizzle fell over the Ba Mountains.
The air grew colder with each passing day.
But the rain couldn’t dampen the flames of conflict.
The Nine Villages had repeatedly repelled the Hanyang Gang’s attacks.
And the rapidly changing situation forced the Hanyang Gang to act decisively.
As the various gangs and factions under their control gathered, preparing to march on the Ba Mountains…
“Huang Facai is personally leading the attack,” Shi Hao said, looking at the map, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.
He sat in a study at the Gong family manor, reviewing the latest intelligence reports.
A light rain fell outside, the cool air drifting through the open window, offering a brief respite from his worries.
He hadn’t had time to practice his martial arts these past few days, and he could feel his cultivation stagnating.
Although his Daoist and demonic energies were still circulating, balancing and reinforcing each other, his focus on strategy and planning had hindered their growth.
“Brother Shi,” Du Yuejiao entered the study, carrying a bowl of hot soup, “You should rest.”
Shi Hao grunted and stood up.
He took the soup and walked to the window, looking out at the rain.
He took a sip, the warmth spreading through him.
“Brother Shi, why don’t you lie down for a while?” Du Yuejiao whispered, “You haven’t slept properly in days.”
Shi Hao shook his head, “There’s no time.” He turned to her, “Gather everyone. We have to discuss our strategy.”
In the main hall, Yan Zhuxia, Gong Muhong, Daoist Chuan, Jing Shilong, Zhao Peng, and the others had assembled.
“From what we’ve gathered, the Hanyang Gang is about to launch a full-scale attack under the banner of the Hanyang River Alliance,” Shi Hao said, looking around, his voice low, “All the gangs and factions under their control will be forced to participate. They’re desperate.”
The others exchanged glances.
Shi Hao continued, “Huang Facai is ruthless. Anyone unwilling to attack us will be eliminated. And many of the smaller gangs, who had been biding their time, hoping to avoid conflict, will also be forced to fight.
“His brutality will create resentment, and even if he conquers the Ba Mountains, it will come back to haunt him. Even some of the gangs who joined him early on, hoping to profit from his expansion, haven’t gained much, but they’ve suffered heavy losses in his attacks on us.
“His methods will lead to his downfall. The Hanyang Gang will eventually collapse. That is our ultimate victory.”
He pointed at a large map hanging on the wall, “Mount Nangong and Azure Dragon City will be their main targets. We’ve placed obstacles and flammable materials at One Line Canyon. Although the recent rain makes a fire attack less effective, we can still use the terrain to our advantage, creating a bottleneck and then unleashing a barrage of burning logs and rocks, inflicting heavy casualties.
“I doubt they’ll use One Line Canyon, but we can’t be certain…”
Jing Shilong said, “It’s the fastest route, but they would have to be fools to use it.”
Shi Hao said, “Huang Facai’s actions are either foolish or desperate. And he doesn’t care about the lives of those he’s coerced into serving him. He might send a small force to attack One Line Canyon as a diversion. It would be a suicide mission for them, but he doesn’t care. We, however, have to be prepared.”
“And these locations…” he pointed at several other spots on the map, assigning tasks.
After assigning everyone their roles, he looked at them and said, “The battlefield will be chaotic. We don’t know all the enemy’s techniques and abilities, and there might be hidden dangers, unknown experts. Be adaptable and resourceful. Communicate with each other, and support each other.
“But remember, they will be even more disorganized than us. Don’t panic. Stay calm, and work together.
“If we persevere, they will break. Remember this… it’s crucial.”
They nodded, discussed the plan further, then left to prepare their forces.
A martial artist rushed in, “Master Shi, a young lady is here to see you. She claims to be a friend.”
Shi Hao was surprised, “A young lady? A friend?”
“She calls herself Yue Ya’er.”
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