Douluo Dalu: Volume 40: Beginning of the War

by Tang Jia San Shao

  The Heaven Dou Imperial Army drew back five li like a tide before they stopped under Grandmaster and marshal Ge Long’s command, then again arrayed themselves into neat formations that looked as if they were ready to launch a second assault at any time. When the order to retreat came, the Golden Sacred Dragon had already split back into Grandmaster’s trio. When Tang San charged the fortress, Grandmaster had already ordered the other six Shrek Seven Devils to move up and prepare to support Tang San. They were just in time to welcome him back.

  Gathering with his comrades, Tang San immediately reached out with his left hand and pulled Xiao Wu close, whispering:

  “Give me a bit of strength, bring me back.”

  Saying so, he struggled to draw breath, swaying softly, scaring Xiao Wu enough to hurriedly infuse him with her spirit power and support him. The feeling Tang San now gave Xiao Wu was as if he might collapse at any moment.

  “Ge, are you alright?”

  Tang San softly shook his head,

  “Let’s get back first.”

  The Shrek Seven Devils had been together for so many years, they already completely understood each other. Oscar immediately produced a big recovery sausage, letting Tang San eat it. The six crowded around him, swiftly returning to camp.

  At the moment, the Tang Army was already moving again. Only, this time they didn’t attack, but rather swept the battlefield.

  Each of the crossbow bolts the Tang Sect forged was priceless, and they only carried one hundred twenty on their person, plus forty eight in the crossbow, each Tang Army soldier was only equipped with one hundred sixty eight bolts. That’s why they had to recycle crossbow bolts from the battlefield, to use them again. This was also why Grandmaster and marshal Ge Long didn’t lead the army the whole way back. With them as deterrent, the Spirit Empire army in Jialing Pass wouldn’t dare act without thinking hard first.

  The people on the Heaven Dou Empire’s side that could see something wasn’t right with Tang San was only those of Spirit Douluo strength and above, and Grandmaster who was extremely familiar with him. In the eyes of the common soldiers and even the spirit master legion, he was king Lan Hao returning in victory after crushing the enemy. In their eyes, Tang San was now simply synonymous with the word unequalled.

  “King Lan Hao! Long live, long live, long long live!”

  The two hundred thousand strong army gave Tang San a hero’s welcome. Each soldier raised the weapons they held high, cheering indiscriminately.

  Ordinary people could only see battles between spirit masters in the great spirit arena, and even then it was impossible to see Title Douluo level fights. For the majority of the common soldiers, this was the first time seeing spirit masters of this level fight. Tang San’s Seagod Trident had left too deep of an impression, and their cheering like landslides or tsunamis was completely unorganized, completely heartfelt. In their eyes, it was this young king Lan Hao defeating Spirit Empire Empress Bibi Dong as well as a host of Spirit Empire powers that had ld them to this victory.

  Heroes were frequently those with the deepest impact. The entire Heaven Dou Empire’s morale was already at a peak. Before this battle, who could have thought that the Spirit Empire’s spirit master legions would actually break so easily? Not even sixty percent of the Spirit Empire’s heavy legions had returned to Jialing Pass in the end. Those were losses of at least thirty thousand in the previous battle. Even more importantly, there was no longer any way of reforming the Spirit Empire’s all spirit master Sacred Dragon Legion.

  This was a perfect victory, a perfect victory nobody had imagined. The Heaven Dou Empire that had an absolute numerical advantage from the start, had relied on this battle to pressure the Spirit Empire till they almost couldn’t breathe. Not only was morale at the lowest, but a shadow had even been left in the hearts of those generals. So much that some even feld schadenfreude over the Sacred Dragon Legion’s losses. After all, the spirit legions’ lofty position had always in the past made people not only jealous, but those arrogant and despotic Spirit Empire spirit masters had always had a very strained relationship with the ordinary generals and soldiers.

  Tang San clenched his teeth and endured. The originally hundred something jin Seagod Trident that he would easily swing around, now felt like it weighed thirty thousand in his hand. His spirit power overdraft was a bit better, somewhat alleviated by eating Oscar’s big recovery sausage. His body was after all extremely tough. But, his mental strength’s overdraft was still immensely painful, as if his entire brain was hollowed out. And this mental strength was something he could only recover himself.

  Marshal Ge Long asked Grandmaster:

  “State Preceptor, won’t we assault once again? Right now is when our morale is highest, and enemy morale is lowest. Perhaps we can even charge into the city, and eve if not, we can still use attrition.”

  Grandmaster said:

  “The strategy is of course marshal’s decision. Only, I personally believe that now isn’t a good chance for assault. Even though Jialing Pass has low morale, the Spirit Empire’s soldiers also know what the pass being broken means for them. Most important is that there is still a Spirit Empire elite spirit master legion behind the pass. Marshal, absolutely don’t get careless because we defeated the enemy’s spirit master legion today. You saw the true power of a spirit master legion in our attack just now, but our six thousand spirit masters are far from being able to compare with any Spirit Empire spirit master legion. Them fortifying the terrain leaves our side’s Tang Sect unable to show the might of the Godly Zhuge Crossbow. If we force a charge, the losses might be disastrous.”

  Marshal Ge Long’s original haughtiness was already completely obliterated after this battle. Whether Grandmaster or Tang San, the strength they revealed and the might the Tang Army as well as the spirit master legion showed when commanded by Grandmaster, had given him a very large shock.

  Listening to Grandmaster, he pondered:

  “Fine. Our first battle was a great victory. Being too risky really is inadvisable. Come, pass on my orders. Sound the gongs for recall.”

  The Heaven Dou Imperial Army slowly withdrew, neatly returning to the camp fifty li away, and Xue Beng personally met them. Even though he didn’t understand why the army just withdrew, he didn’t express any concerns on the field. Questioning the commander before the troops absolutely wasn’t sensible.

  When they returned to camp, Tang San was already in a daze. He didn’t even know how he entered the camp and returned to his own tent. When Xiao Wu helped him lie down, he immediately fell into deep sleep. Ever since his mental strength reached the Boundless level, and especially after entering the Title Douluo level, this was the first time Tang San had been this severely overdrawn. He was even more exhausted than when he connected his father’s meridians or helped his mother resurrect.

  That one Asura Demon Light had exhausted Tang San’s mental strength, will and spirit power.

  Tang San slept for a full three days. Each of these days the Heaven Dou Imperial Army would routinely invite battle, but Jialing Pass remained shut. After the walls were quickly mended, they let the Heaven Dou Imperial Army shout and curse outside, no matter what going out to battle again.

  Tang San’s overdraft was admittedly severe, but Bibi Dong’s injuries were even more serious. Not only was she injured by the Seagod Trident, even more important was Tang San’s last Asura’s Light, which knocked Bibi Dong unconscious almost immediately. After being rushed back by the five Title Douluo, she always remained unconscious. Jialing Pass was already in a bit of chaos, fortunately there were still those five Title Douluo as well as the Angel Legion who managed to keep it under control. But they clearly didn’t agree to go out on the battlefield.

  The Heaven Dou Empire also moved over siege equipment, trying to siege the walls. But the results were minimal, and moreover came with large losses. Just as Grandmaster said, when the Tang Army’s hidden weapons couldn’t show their power, and the spirit master legion within the pas
s joined the defense, it was difficult for the Heaven Dou Empire to advance a single step even with millions of heroes.

  What Tang San first saw when he woke from unconsciousness was black hair flowing like a waterfall, Xiao Wu in white, leaning over next to him, sleeping very sweetly. Her silky black hair was like a blanket, drawing the outlines of her perfect curves. Looking at her, Tang San’s heart was immediately filled with tender feelings. His mental strength exhaustion was already almost recovered, and his spirit power was basically already restored without needing him to deliberately cultivate since he reached great accomplishment in Mysterious Heaven Skill.

  Quietly snuggling up to Xiao Wu, he pulled her into his arms. Feeling that rich feeling that made his pulse speed up, Tang San couldn’t help lower his head and softly kiss Xiao Wu’s red lips. He loved her too much, even such a simple embrace constantly stirred up the softest parts of Tang San’s heart.

  Four lips met. Xiao Wu’s tender body trembled slightly as she woke back up. As she opened her eyes and saw Tang San, her arms already half raised to push him away instead circled around his neck like water snakes, answering passionately. Her two slender legs even more directly twisted around Tang San, like an octopus, she fitted close to Tang San. That completely alluring feeling made Tang San’s blood boil almost instantly.

  Just as Tang San couldn’t help caressing Xiao Wu’s butt, and the two were already somewhat unable to hold back, a shout came from outside,

  “Xiao Wu, is little San awake?”

  Hearing this voice, Tang San and Xiao Wu separated as if by electric shock. Raising the tentflap, Liu Erlong walked in from outside. Seeing Tang San’s awkward expression and Xiao Wu’s charming blush, Liu Erlong immediately revealed an envious expression,

  “I’m sorry, I disturbed you kids.”

  “Mom——”

  Xiao Wu shyly jumped over to Liu Erlong, grabbing her arm and rocking forcefully to hide her embarrassment.

  Liu Erlong laughed in spite of herself:

  “Don’t shake, you’ll break my weary old bones if you go on.”

  Tang San’s mood had already recovered, smiling:

  “Aunt[1], you’re still very young!”

  Liu Erlong rebuked:

  “Enough flattery. Since you’re awake, me and your teacher can both be relieved. Recuperate properly, don’t mind what’s happening outside. The Spirit Empire is already playing a turtle in its shell.”

  Tang San said:

  “Aunt, I’ll go take a look anyway. Physically I’m already fine.”

  While speaking, he nodded apologetically to Xiao Wu, who gave him a warm smile in return, coming over to pull Tang San’s arm.

  “I’ll go with you.”

  As the State Preceptor as well as the Heaven Dou Empire spirit master legion commander, Grandmaster had a large tent of his own, specially for discussing strategy with the high level spirit masters. As Tang San and Xiao Wu were led there by Liu Erlong, the tent was already bustling. The Shrek Seven Devils were present as non voting delegates, and at the same time Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, Strength Hall master Tai Tan representing the Tang Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School master and spirit master legion deputy commander Ning Fengzhi, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School elders Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, and Shrek Academy dean Flender were also there. Not one wasn’t a high level power of the Heaven Dou Empire’s spirit master world.

  Tang San’s appearance immediately made everyone show happy expressions. Poison Douluo was the one who hid his thoughts the least, and directly stepped forward to give Tang San a big bear hug,

  “Little Freak, I knew you were more tenacious than a cockroach. How is it, all recovered?”

  Tang San laughed:

  “If an old freak like you is fine, how could I have any problems?”

  Grandmaster nodded to Tang San,

  “Since little San has come, he’ll attend as a non voting delegate. We’ll continue the conference.”

  Because Tang San was late, he didn’t insist on sitting in front even though his position in the Heaven Dou Imperial Army was exceedingly high. He just pulled up a chair and sat next to the other Shrek Seven Devils.

  Even though Grandmaster and Ning Fengzhi occupied the first seats in the big tent, seeing the calm and composed Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School master, Tang San couldn’t help sighing to himself. The events back then had in the end left repercussions. Ning Fengzhi’s judgement wasn’t wrong, but he had personally assumed responsibility for lessening emperor Xue Ye’s lifespan, otherwise, whether in terms of seniority or strength, he should have sat in the seat of the State Preceptor. This was presumably also the reason Ning Fengzhi planned to leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School master position to Ning Rongrong after the war. Ning Rongrong and the seven devils’ relationship would inevitably improve the misunderstanding between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Heaven Dou Empire, even more so when even if Xue Beng hated the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, he still wouldn’t dare really do anything to them. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was extremely closely related to the Shrek Academy as well as the Tang Sect, and these three great systems supported the entire Heaven Dou Empire’s spirit master world. Consequently, Xue Beng could only suppress the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School with authority.

  “Despite our army’s overwhelming victory in the first battle, heavily damaging the Spirit Empire army as well as the spirit master legions, the present circumstances are still extremely unfavorable to us.”

  Grandmaster continued his speech. Perhaps it was because of holding a high position these years, but his rigid face was a bit more dignified.

  “Our army might seem to have millions of heroes, with vast imposing manner, suppressing the Spirit Empire army until they don’t dare leave Jialing Pass. But in fact, with Jialing Pass fortified, they have it a lot easier than us. We have to guard against surprise attacks at any moment, but they have pretty much no concerns in that respect. At the same time, and most important, is that just because our army is big, the consumption of supplies is astronomical. We can’t afford delays. Even though we’ve always prepared all these years, if it drags out like this, before long the logistics won’t be able to keep up and our army will collapse without a fight. On the surface the Spirit Empire has much fewer troops than us, but relying on the natural defenses of Jialing Pass plus their enormous numbers of spirit masters, it’s very difficult for us to break through. Even if we want a war of attrition with the enemy, that’s also not that simple. The Spirit Empire possesses tens of thousands of spirit masters, but we only have thousands. If we don’t dispatch spirit masters during siege assaults, then our soldiers will be consumed at a frightening pace. If we send spirit masters, we basically can’t afford the losses. Either we find a good way to storm the pass, or, we draw the Spirit Empire out on the field again. And our conference today is on how we can achieve these two possibilities.”

  Listening to Grandmaster, practically everyone frowned. Jialing Pass was like a flawless stronghold, walls and moat incomparably firm, and behind stood a numerous spirit master army as the cornerstone of the defense. In such circumstances, the Tang Army the Heaven Dou Empire used to restrain the Spirit Empire’s spirit master legions couldn’t show their effect and effectively kill enemy spirit masters. The trouble they understood, the Spirit Empire naturally understood as well. The purpose of their current entrenchment was to drag down Heaven Dou.

  The original plan formulated by marshal Ge Long was for a war of attrition with the Spirit Empire, relying on the formidable national power to smash the enemy. But after the last few days of trying to launch assaults with the army, the result was completely different from the planned circumstances. Due to the large number of Spirit Empire spirit masters assisting the defense within Jialing Pass with powers like trees in the forest, the Heaven Dou Empire’s losses during siege assaults was astonishing. This wasn’t even the most important point, most important was that while the
y suffered large losses, the Spirit Empire’s losses could basically be neglected. If it went on like this, marshal Ge Long’s original plan would undoubtedly be broken.

  Siege equipment was basically nothing before spirit masters, practically the same as losses from soldiers. In the first two days, marshal Ge Long had once proposed that Grandmaster lead the spirit master legion to assist the assault, but Grandmaster had vetoed.

  Grandmaster’s explanation to emperor Xue Beng was very simple. If the Heaven Dou Empire possessed the same number of spirit masters as the Spirit Empire, assisting the assault was naturally no problem, it was just a question of losses. But, the actual gap in spirit masters between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Empire was too large. If the spirit masters assisted in the assault, as long as Jialing Pass turned their ballistae to fire on the Heaven Dou Empire spirit masters, they would definitely suffer disastrous losses. If their foundation was harmed, then there would be no way to continue this war.

  Xue Beng agreed with Grandmaster’s explanation, but the crucial point was that he wanted to wait until Tang San recovered to hear his proposal. The deep impression Tang San left in the first battle that day had also given this new Heaven Dou emperor a huge surprise.

  Only then did Xue Beng understand why his father regarded Tang San so highly, naming him as king Lan Hao. Besides the Tang Sect’s enormous effect on the Heaven Dou Empire, Tang San’s own growth potential was also the most important part. Only, even if emperor Xue Ye was resurrected, he might not have imagined Tang San’s potential would be roused quite this quickly.