Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1512 - 1455: Decisive Victory in the First Battle

Gao Shun effortlessly intercepted the North Xiongnu army that appeared directly in front, and then the Han infantry who had been attacked suddenly swarmed to eliminate the North Xiongnu who were caught off guard and tried to pursue Gao Shun.

[The cavalry is still too few. If General Zhang were here, we could have launched a frontal assault, and the North Xiongnu would have been scattered instantly. Unfortunately, such opportunities to trap the enemy in the heart of the formation are rare.] Zhuge Liang thought while dispatching the troops.

As the last unit from the northeast was redirected by Zhuge Liang, Xubo Cheng successfully broke through, but his rear army was immediately met with a fierce onslaught from Gao Shun, while the vanguard faced a frontal assault from Li Tong's newly arrived infantry.

At the same time, the army formation that had just opened up in the northeast to let Xubo Cheng through quickly closed in naturally, cutting Xubo Cheng's cavalry in half. His rear army suffered attacks from all four directions, and Xubo Cheng found himself powerless to retaliate.

As Gao Shun charged into the formation, he instantly felt the additional power boosting his attack. When the North Xiongnu were hit again and thrown into chaos, Gao Shun activated the Military Spirit and charged into the enemy's ranks, slaughtering them fiercely.

The North Xiongnu were already slowed down, surrounded from all sides, and further suppressed by the Eight Gates Heavenly Lock's ability to hinder Cloud Qi. In such a situation, despite their hatred and fighting spirit against the Han, they were thrown into disorder under the fierce assault of the peak Trap Formation.

Zhuge Liang did not hesitate to sacrifice troops to forcibly suppress the North Xiongnu's flanks, assisting the encircled Trap Formation in causing chaos within the surrounded North Xiongnu.

At this moment, Xubo Cheng had broken through Li Tong's final defense line in the northeast and was fleeing without looking back. He knew he had lost this battle and needed to take his remaining four thousand Northern Huns back to report to the Chanyu and await punishment!

With Xubo Cheng breaking Li Tong's last line of defense, Zhuge Liang visibly sighed in relief. His tens of thousands of troops were mere shadows; had Xubo Cheng realized this and dared to fight boldly, even limiting their speed might not have guaranteed more than a narrow victory.

After Xubo Cheng fled, Zhuge Liang watched him disappear onto the plains, then withdrew the Eight Gates Heavenly Lock. He adjusted the formation to greatly enhance the soldiers' attack and defense, thoroughly trapping the remaining thousands of Northern Huns in the formation.

When tens of thousands of troops suddenly turned into thousands, countless Northern Huns soldiers were taken aback. Even fools realized they had been tricked, but now they were hopelessly surrounded, losing the speed they prided themselves on, trapped in the heart of the enemy formation.

The few remaining cavalry capable of movement faced rear attacks from the Trap Formation. At this moment, all the Northern Huns warriors felt a profound sense of sorrow.

However, despite their sadness, the blood feud between the Han and Huns ensured not a single Hun soldier showed hesitation or retreat. They all leaped off their horses shouting "Kunlun Deity" to fight the Han Army.

Unfortunately, as a people born in the saddle, once off their horses and engaging in melee with Han infantry, the Huns were clearly outmatched in both experience and skill. In addition, Zhuge Liang frequently created opportunities for Gao Shun's Trap Formation to strike, rapidly exterminating the remaining Northern Huns.

With Zhuge Liang continuously mobilizing forces, he organized and dispatched soldiers to systematically clear out the Northern Huns among the Rebel Army. Hun segments previously divided by formations were encircled by organized Sword and Shield Infantry, murdered by Long Spearmen, and attacked en masse by Archers.

In the end, only a dozen North Xiongnu Guards remained standing together amid the larger army.

Jinn Hedan stood soaked in blood, his long spear broken, and the long sword he seized showing several nicks. Yet as they stood surrounded by thousands of soldiers, bitterness, helplessness, and disappointment filled their eyes, but there was no wavering.

"You have been defeated. I have no interest in killing you, surrender!" Zhuge Liang proposed, activating Sima Lang's Spiritual Talent to communicate.

"We Kunlun Deity descendants would rather die in battle than live on disgraceful enemy mercy!" Jinn Hedan didn't want to speak, but upon seeing Zhuge Liang, he responded reluctantly.

Zhuge Liang felt a headache coming. This Spiritual Talent, even friendly to animals, was somehow still ineffective on them, meaning they clearly just wanted to die!

"Fine, open fire!" Zhuge Liang raised his hand and signaled. Instantly, a rain of arrows fell, killing the last few people inside the formation.

"What a pity." Zhuge Liang shrugged as he turned away after having executed them. Gao Shun and the Trap Formation awaited nearby, while Zhuge Liang had already sent Li Tong off to clean the battlefield. Li Tong had no extra words this time.

Sometimes, the only thing that gains others' respect is capability. Li Tong never argued with Fa Zheng because Fa Zheng displayed wisdom that transcended his age. Likewise, this time, Zhuge Liang achieved the same.

"Thank you, General Gao, for your assistance. Without it, we wouldn't have won so effortlessly," Zhuge Liang expressed his gratitude to Gao Shun, acknowledging that although Gao Shun's cavalry was small, the destructive power he demonstrated on the battlefield was a clear indication of his strength.

"No need for thanks. Gongtai sent me, and your arrangements indicated I would come, so this victory is yours, Military Advisor Zhuge," Gao Shun replied coolly, though his demeanor softened when referring to Zhuge as a Military Advisor.

Gao Shun's calm gaze regarded Zhuge Liang. Infantry versus cavalry, even slightly outnumbered, still managed to kill nearly half of the opposing cavalry while sustaining less than a third of their losses – Zhuge Liang was exceptional by any measure.

Zhuge Liang cupped his hands respectfully. Thinking back, he didn't anticipate the battle turning out so smoothly. Xubo Cheng's entire force charged northeast; though Zhuge Liang predicted this, witnessing it happen stirred a thrill he couldn't suppress.

[In a battlefield, everyone instinctively preserves their core forces, and that's an exploitable opportunity.] Zhuge Liang mused quietly.

"I wonder, if the enemy had not advanced northeast, what would you have done?" Gao Shun asked Zhuge Liang with unchanged expression.

"It wouldn't have made much difference. Despite some bluffing, the North Xiongnu lost most of their speed due to the close-range ambush," Zhuge Liang replied with a smile, "Even if they didn't take my 'way out', I simply wouldn't have won as decisively."