Hao Dehai had arrived in Maoshan several months ago. At that time, they had only just arrived and discovered the tomb. There was much about its inner workings that they did not understand. But over these past few months, they had gradually managed to uncover some of the clues within. He had thought that everything would soon be in his grasp.
But at this critical juncture, they had just received news. Wangjing had already dispatched a great army of fifty thousand soldiers. They were preparing to annihilate them in one fell swoop.
For the disciples of the Crimson Ghost Sect, this was not a matter to be taken lightly. Even if they were prepared, faced with the mighty, surging army from Wangjing, they seemed to have no chance of victory. In this situation, the mood within the Crimson Ghost Sect was one of widespread panic.
However, Hao Dehai remained full of confidence. Although he was a disciple of the Crimson Ghost Sect, he had once been a formidable military strategist. So, while in the eyes of others, this battle was a certain defeat, Hao Dehai didn't give it a second thought. He knew Lin Yun was a dangerous opponent, but he was, after all, not one of those incompetent fools.
"Hao Dehai," a companion grumbled. "A whole day has passed. I don't think they're coming this way at all. There are many roads into Maoshan. Why would they have to take this one?"
Hao Dehai shot his companion a cold look and snorted. "This is the fastest way into Maoshan. If they have any sense at all, they will certainly choose this path. What's more, all those people in the village were wiped out by them. I fear they have no idea that we already know their movements and have set up an ambush here in advance. If we want to successfully strike the Wangjing army, this is our only chance."
Hao Dehai spoke with the reasoned logic of a commander. But his companion couldn't be bothered to listen. If it weren't for the fact that Hao Dehai had an incredibly powerful master, he probably wouldn't even be qualified to command them here.
After speaking, Shi Yongchang turned and walked away. Even if he was dissatisfied, he didn't dare to vent his anger.
Hao Dehai also understood that within the Crimson Ghost Sect, many held enmity towards him. But he didn't care. This time, it all depended on what choice Lin Yun would make.
Just as everyone was thinking that Hao Dehai was dreaming, that the enemy couldn't possibly come this way, a vast army appeared in the distance.
Hao Dehai had been waiting for so long he was about to fall asleep. But now, seeing the mighty army, he leaped to his feet.
"Pass the word! All units, prepare for battle! This time, no matter what, we must inflict a heavy blow on them here!"
He roughly estimated that there were nearly twenty thousand soldiers. Although it was less than he had anticipated, it was more than enough. As long as they could heavily damage this army now, it would prevent Wangjing from making any rash moves for some time to come.
As Lin Yun led the army down this path, he had, of course, noticed the high cliffs on either side. This was indeed the easiest place for an ambush, and normally, there would be no means to counter it. Fortunately, he had come prepared. The People Panel had truly brought him a pleasant surprise this time.
But he couldn't just rashly send his soldiers into action. To do so would be to reveal his greatest trump card. So, Lin Yun deliberately had the army stretch its formation into a long, thin line. This way, even if the enemy attacked, they could only inflict losses on a small portion of his forces in a short amount of time.
On the cliffs above, Hao Dehai naturally noticed this as well. It was precisely because of this that he was certain that Lin Yun had no idea they had set an ambush here.
After a portion of the army had entered the valley, Hao Dehai gave the order. "Attack!"
In an instant, from the cliffs above, all the Crimson Ghost Sect disciples unleashed their treasures, launching an assault on the Wangjing army in the valley below.
Before, many had doubted Hao Dehai's judgment. But now, seeing the enemy arrive just as predicted, their confidence soared. They thought that this time, under Hao Dehai's command, they would surely win a great victory and receive a grand reward from their superiors.
But the instant that thought flashed through their minds, the unexpected happened.
The Wangjing soldiers, who were supposed to be the ones being ambushed, reacted with incredible speed, instantly launching their own counter-offensive measures.
Streams of brilliant light shot up from below. In a short while, the cliffs began to crumble. Some of the unprepared Crimson Ghost Sect disciples fell to their deaths. The ambush had instantly devolved into a chaotic meeting engagement.
Shi Yongchang rushed to Hao Dehai's side. "I told you this wouldn't work! It would only drag us into a bitter fight, but you just wouldn't listen! Now look! I'd like to see how you explain this to them!"
Hao Dehai said nothing. He just stood up quietly. "We have no choice now. Full attack. No matter what, we must annihilate them here."
Shi Yongchang thought Hao Dehai was delusional. Things had already reached this point, yet he was still thinking of wiping out the enemy here. If it were truly that simple, why would they have wasted so much time? But no matter what he said now, it was meaningless.
Just as they were preparing to completely slaughter the Wangjing soldiers, they heard a series of deafening roars from behind them.
In the next moment, they saw them—the missing portion of the Wangjing army. At some unknown point, they had appeared on the cliffs as well.
The already chaotic Crimson Ghost Sect disciples, upon seeing these soldiers, were so terrified their livers and gallbladders felt like they would split.
Only now did Hao Dehai understand that he had met a true master strategist.
His opponent had been guarding against this tactic from the very beginning. And he had even prepared a counter-measure for it.
Even though Hao Dehai was very intelligent, faced with such a formidable opponent, he was completely out of options.
Hao Dehai did not choose to flee. At this moment, he had completely given up. It was just a pity that so many disciples of the Crimson Ghost Sect had followed him right into the enemy's ambush.
Fang Yu'er was completely stunned. She had never thought the Crimson Ghost Sect possessed such brilliant tactics to be able to set up an ambush here. After all, those elders were all old monsters who only knew how to cultivate. What did they know of strategy? But she never imagined that all of Lin Yun's worries had actually come true.
She was lucky that Lin Yun had come prepared. Otherwise, the Wangjing army would have suffered disastrous losses this time.