Xiangcheng, Chenge Mountain.
Chen Yun and Cai Ruojin climbed to the high observation platform to survey the battlefield.
Von Zhao Chi, Zhang Chengfan, Wang Shihui, Zhao Ke and a group of Tang military officials and generals were accompanying him.
Ahead, the smoke and dust were swirling, with countless crossbows, wagons, and firewood scattered in an orderly manner. The stamping hooves of warhorses kicked up countless clouds of dust.
Of course, since this is a battlefield, there naturally can't be lacking armor-clad soldiers.
Looking ahead, one could see the yellow nest troops crowded.
The soldiers were layered innumerable times, with the outer layer forming an eight-trigram pattern, and the central camp presenting a scene of the Taiji.
Chen Yun carefully observed for a while, then looked over and said to Cai's nephew, "This eight-gate gold lock array is very clever. There are eight directions and eight gates. Each gate contains a twist of fate. For example, the southeast gate is the most outside, which is Tianfu, four palaces, Jia Zhou Yi, which is xun position. Inside is the door of life. Inside the door of life is Jia Chen Ren, Tianpeng. The innermost side forms the pattern of Xuanwu. Those who are not skilled in array laws lead their troops to rush in, and they will certainly be confused by it and lose their armor and shields in defeat."
Cai Ruojin nodded slightly, "The eight-gate gold lock array is an arrangement on the battlefield based on the eight directions of Qimen Dunjia, taking into account factors such as star positions and terrain. It is mainly divided into nine formation walls and eight gates, which are Xiu (Rest), Sheng (Life), Shang (Injury), Du (Block), Jing (Prosperity), Si (Death), Jing (Surprise), Kai (Opening). If the enemy enters any gate, one can manually adjust the formation to attack and kill them."
Chen Yun nodded in agreement, "When I read the Daoist scriptures, I have seen an introduction to the eight-gate gold lock array. Its advantage lies in focusing the attack on a weak enemy force using superior forces, relying on encirclement and rotation of combat, continuously consuming the enemy's physical strength. If it forms a surround formation, it can further demoralize the enemy and cause them to lose their composure. However, its disadvantages are also obvious. The entire army is divided into nine formation walls, which is very challenging for the person who arranges it. If they cannot coordinate the various formation walls, they may be at risk of being broken down by enemies one by one."
“The enemy's military forces are quite limited,” Cai Ruojin pointed to the southeast corner and said, "Therefore, as I mentioned before, hitting the door of life will lead people to exit towards the west through the Sheng Men. The array will definitely become chaotic. However, it seems that the bandits also know about the issue of insufficient military strength. They deliberately let demons occupy the door of life, using golden armor and bloodsucking demons to block people from attacking towards the west. This is the most crucial aspect."
Hearing the two men discuss the affairs of state, those standing behind them—Zhao Chou, Zhang Chengfan, Wang Shihui, Zhao Ke, and others—were quite surprised in their hearts. None of them had thought that although the two immortal elders were Daoists, they were so proficient in formations.
For a while, Zhao Chi, Yang Lie, and others who were standing behind Chen Yun understood that although he was young, Chen Yun had actually hidden a great deal within his heart, and was not as naive as he appeared.
Just as these people were secretly surprised.
Chen Yun suddenly smiled, "Since the method to break the formation is already known, all I need to do is defeat the demon cultivator, and the formation will break down without any attack needed."
Cai Ruojin looked down at the ground and said, "From my observation using the technique of witnessing qi, that demon cultivator is only a seven-level cultivator. Senior should be able to easily defeat him, but just be careful of the golden armor and bloodsucking demon."
Chen Yun was also using the technique of observing qi to look, though the distance was a bit far, he could only vaguely see that the Daoist in black robe was about 30 to 40 years old, with a beard about half a foot long. However, his essence glow could not be concealed.
"This person's cultivation is about the same as the Liu Guibai I once fought with," Chen Yun said casually, "Back then, Liu Guibai was ambushed by me with talismans, and his strength was not at its peak. Later, with the help of the divine sword spirit, I was able to defeat him. As for this black-robed Daoist, if it were two months ago, without the divine sword, I might not have been his match. Now, even without the divine sword in hand, I can easily defeat him. And that golden armor demoness is no trouble; just wait and see me cast a spell."
Cai Ruojin turned his head and looked over, saying, "Senior, the golden armor demoness is much more difficult to deal with than that demon cultivator. You must not take it lightly."
Chen Yun waved his hand and said, "No problem. Just wait and see me cast a spell, and you'll know why I said that."
The two observed for a while, getting a general understanding of the bandits' formation.
He was about to tell Zhang Chengfan to gather a team of horsemen to charge into the enemy's ranks.
Suddenly, the demon cultivator in the eight-gate gold lock array seemed to have noticed Chen Yun and Cai Ruojin using observation qi technique to probe. Seeing this, he somehow used some secret method to amplify his voice and said remotely, "Two Dao brothers on the city wall, do you want to see how my cultivation skills can enter the array? What's the meaning of hiding behind the wall and peeking?"
Chen Yun hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Cai's nephew, this Xie Daoist seems to be unaware of your cultivation."
Cai Ruojin blinked his eyes and said, "I sealed my true qi in order to scare him away without making any noise."
Perhaps he didn't get a response from them.
The Xie Daoist was very arrogant and noisy, saying, "Daring to act but not daring to take responsibility? You are such small fry. What sect and what school are you from? You truly bring shame to my Xuanmen!"
Cai Ruojin snorted and said, "Senior, should I go back to him or should I go back to him?"
"I'll handle this," Chen Yun said, channeling his true essence and calling out loudly, "Xie Daoist, since you want to know which sect and school I belong to, then wait well within the formation. The good Taoist will come to meet you with great magic!"
The Xie Daoist laughed loudly and said, "Okay! I will wait here. It seems that the Taoist friend is afraid to come!"
Exactly because of their conversation at a distance, all the soldiers on both sides had heard it.
Many people looked towards the Xie Daoist, and then involuntarily towards Chen Yun on the city wall.
The Xie Daoist's cultivation is incredibly profound. These days, the soldiers on both sides have seen it with their own eyes. He can stop a thousand soldiers and horses with one gold armor demoness, which can be said to be incredibly brave.
Now that the crowd saw Chen Yun with courage to "challenge" the Xie Daoist, everyone showed curiosity, wondering what extraordinary skills this young Daoist possessed and why he dared to engage in a fight with the Xie Daoist within the formation.
The dialogue in front of the formation has ended.
Chen Yun looked sideways at Zhang Chengfan, "General Zhang, please trouble you to lead a thousand cavalry to rush in from the southeast gate of Sheng Men and exit towards the west Sheng Men. As for the golden armor demoness and that demon cultivator, the poor Daoist will handle them."
On the battlefield, cavalry are considered a powerful force. If it's a small-scale cavalry, one horseman's combat power is about equal to five foot soldiers. With a thousand horsemen, one horseman is equivalent to ten foot soldiers. If it's a large-scale cavalry, each soldier's combat power is comparable to twenty foot soldiers.
The strength of Chen Yun's commanding a thousand cavalry to charge into the array is equivalent to that of ten thousand infantry. It can be said that this requirement is quite high.
Indeed, Zhang Chengfan looked a bit embarrassed upon hearing this and said, "Our Shendue Army only has seven hundred cavalry here. If we need a thousand, we might have to seek the help of Zhao the Governor."
In principle, it should be the time to break the enemy's line. Both the Shendue Army and Chen State's local army should cooperate with each other.
However, Zhao Chou declined without hesitation, "General Zhang, my Chen State has very few cavalry. It may be difficult to find three hundred cavalry to join you."
The remaining local military commanders and defense officers all remained silent, lowering their heads.
They were not actually unable to raise three hundred cavalry, but they didn't believe in Chen Yun.
Why?
Because it costs a great deal to train a cavalryman, which is equivalent to training ten to twenty foot soldiers. Chen Yun hasn't shown any exceptional skills, and what if he can't break through the enemy later? How would they handle it if he fails in the confrontation with the demon cultivator?
That would be like sending precious cavalry to die in vain!
That's why Zhao Chou and the officials of Chen State were unwilling to send cavalry to assist in the battle.
Chen Yun was actually unaware if Chen State had any cavalry, and he truly believed what he heard. Frowning, he said, "Perhaps with only seven hundred cavalry, it may not be effective."
Zhang Chengfan was different. He knew what Zhao Chou was thinking and squinted his eyes, saying, "Chen Xianzhang, please be assured. Our Shendue Army has seven hundred cavalry that is comparable to the precision of ordinary thousand cavalry. We do not need to dispatch troops from Zhao's office."
Chen Yun nodded and said, "In that case, you should now gather your troops, open the city gates, and prepare for the charge. I will come as soon as I see the demon cultivator act."
Zhang Chengfan said, "Very well."
After that, he turned and went down the city wall to gather his troops for the charge.
...
On the other side, the Huang Chao army.
In the central tent, General Meng Kai and many soldiers were discussing how to break into the city gate of Xiangcheng. Suddenly, they heard Xie Daoist and Chen Yun arguing across the array.
He was taken aback at once, knowing that the Tang army had summoned a " immortal ".
Upon considering this, Meng Kai felt slightly uneasy and quickly ordered someone to fetch Xie Daoist over.
A short time later, Xie Daoist entered the camp and walked in with his hands behind his back, saying, "General Meng, you wanted to see me?"
Meng Kai quickly stood up with a smile on his face, "Xie Xianzhang, just now I heard you challenging someone and also peered through the tent to take a distant look. I saw two people on the city wall. I just wanted to ask, do you have confidence in defeating both of them with one against two?"
Xie Daoist stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "General Meng, you underestimate me too much. Just now I used my spiritual eyes to probe and saw that the two Daoists on the city wall, the elder one has no cultivation, and the younger one seems to be practicing Inner Dan techniques. Although it somewhat restrains me, his cultivation is slightly lower than mine. Furthermore, I have set up an array. If he really dares to come into the array, I will make sure he cannot return!"
Hearing Xie Daoist's confidence, Meng Kai put his mind at ease.
The two chatted for a while, and Xie Daoist returned to the Life Gateway Array to guard it.
It was probably another half an hour or so.
Suddenly, the city gate of Xiangcheng was thrown open, and the drums were beaten three times.
Soon, Meng Kai saw from a distance that Zhang Chengfan, personally equipped and leading an army, was waving a red tassel lance and charging towards the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Array with about six hundred and seventy cavalry.
Upon seeing this, Meng Kai quickly donned his armor and mounted his horse, preparing to face the enemy.
Since ancient times after the Spring and Autumn Period, battles rarely involved frontal duels before the formation. Therefore, Meng Kai definitely wouldn't be foolish enough to charge into the battlefield and challenge Zhang Chengfan to a duel.
To say Zhang Chengfan led seven hundred cavalry to the front of the array, shouting, "Don't let bandits shoot cold arrows. Let's see the array."
Meng Kai stood on a high vantage point and recognized Zhang Chengvan. He thought to himself, "This man is a general of the Shendue Army, who is deeply familiar with formations."
Afraid that the opponent might notice his weakness, Meng Kai ordered all the camps to follow the red flag's command, changing their formations as needed.
The various camps received the order, and with a thunderous sound, the formation resembled the strength of a mountain range.
Zhang Chengvan stopped and stared at the formation for a long time from his horse and said to the cavalry, "I have arranged many formations before, but I have never seen such a change. However, Chen Xianzhang has ordered us to charge from the southeast corner, so you all should fight with all your might!"
"Yes!"
"Following General to life or death!"
The cavalry responded in unison.
Later, Zhang Chengfan officially declared war on the Huang Chao army and charged towards the Life Gateway Array with lightning-fast speed, leading the cavalry as if they were like lightning.
Suddenly, the two armies struck drums loudly and the shouts of battle filled the wild.
Zhang Chengvan led the seven hundred Shendue cavalrymen like a tiger descending from the mountains, dragging their horse spears and thrusting at anyone they encountered.
The bandit also wasn't afraid to show their strength. Many of their soldiers shouted loudly and charged towards Zhang Chengvan with a horse leading them, trying to block the path of the cavalry.
Zhang Chengvan rode to the forefront, seeing that the opposing general Han Lin and his scouting force were coming to block him. Without saying a word, he lifted his lance and swung it, instantly stabbing the enemy to the ground.
Instantly, the cavalry's momentum was greatly intensified.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The deafening screams of battle echoed within the array.
The Shendue Army was like a flood, sweeping through the battlefield and killing wherever they went, a sight of great might.
However, they didn't have long to enjoy the sight as a sudden, thunderous boom came from ahead!
Following that, the earth began to tremble, and a fierce burst of fire suddenly rose up into the sky. It was clear to everyone that Xie Daoist had made his move!
Zhang Chengvan and the seven hundred cavalrymen felt the fire surging before their eyes, as if they were in a sea of flames. They muttered to themselves in despair, "If Chen Xianzhang doesn't act soon, we're all going to be buried here!"
Just as they were thinking this,
Suddenly, a loud voice came from the direction of the city wall, "Xie Daoist friend, I've come to meet you!"
As soon as the words fell, amidst the tens of thousands of soldiers in Xiangcheng and the tens of thousands of bandits in the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Array, a ray of golden light formed an arch bridge-like shape like a rainbow and instantly plunged into the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Array!
Xie Daoist, who was performing the ritual on the Life Gateway Array, looked up in surprise and saw that where the golden light disappeared, there appeared a young and handsome Daoist dressed in a green silk gown and turban!
(End of Chapter)
