blogombal Page 546
Page 546
Amidst bursts of fire and tremors, the terrifying power of the artillery barrages sweeping away enemies was truly awe-inspiring, and after three waves of fire, a new round would begin.
This process was repeated five times, and after the bombardment ended, the mountainous terrain in front of everyone was completely transformed.
Not to mention the numerous traps and mechanisms, it's extremely difficult to find even a living creature.
"Fifty men per squad, with forty Imperial halberdiers in front and ten archers and crossbowmen ready to follow!"
"Yes!"
The rigorously trained Imperial soldiers were divided into ten squads to lead the way and explore the area.
Meanwhile, the White Lotus Sect members in the mountains were in a state of extreme terror.
It's important to understand that the area covered by five rounds of artillery fire essentially had all the traps on the mountain destroyed, and even the hidden sentries were affected to varying degrees.
Even though they didn't die, most of the believers experienced temporary tinnitus from the thunderous roar.
After all, five rounds and fifteen (Li De's) artillery bombardments were absolutely overwhelming in terms of both shock and power for the average person.
"Oh no, Holy Mother! The Imperial army has begun its assault on the mountain!"
"Order everyone to retreat back into the village!"
"Yes!"
If the mechanism were still intact, they could use the terrain to their advantage and engage the imperial army.
But now that the organization is gone, a direct confrontation with the imperial army would only be suicide.
"General, the enemy camp is just ahead."
After traversing the treacherous mountain terrain, the group could already see the formidable mountain stronghold in the distance, seemingly an insurmountable barrier.
The surrounding terrain was undulating and difficult to cross, and a deep pit several tens of feet deep blocked their way, acting like a natural moat, with only one mountain path leading up to it.
Moreover, the stronghold's foundation appeared to be at least three zhang above their feet, and with the city walls built by the stronghold, it was situated on high ground, making it extremely difficult to attack.
"I didn't expect these bandits to have such a formidable defense here. Order the artillery battalion below to concentrate their firepower and begin shelling!"
"Yes, General, you are treacherous!"
The power of the red-coated cannons was intended to clear out the traps in the mountains, a comprehensive attack.
However, Li Xin was not a reckless man when faced with the formidable mountain stronghold.
Such a direct assault is absolutely not in their interest. Since there are still hundreds of cannons down the mountain, when is a better time to use them?
Chapter 633 The Resolute Determination of the Holy Mother of the White Lotus Fire Seed
Boom! Boom! Boom...
As a dense and terrifying barrage of artillery shells bombarded the vicinity of the fortress, some landing directly inside, others striking the walls...
Previously it was a blanket strike; this time it's a precision strike.
At least a hundred feet away, Li Xin and the others were not affected by the dense and terrifying artillery fire.
On the contrary, the White Lotus Sect members who were holding the natural barrier were thrown into chaos under the bombardment.
The power of the red-coated cannons might not pose much of a threat to top-tier experts, but how many experts are there in the White Lotus Sect? Most of them are just ordinary believers.
"I urgently need your help!"
The fortress was heavily fortified, making it difficult for imperial soldiers to breach.
After all, they didn't bring siege equipment when they were besieging the White Lotus Sect, and the mountainous environment made it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
"General, don't worry!"
Shangguan Jin Hong and the others exchanged glances and each sent out their capable assistants.
Jing Wuming, the young master, Jinshi, an elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect... while Lu Guanying, the leader of Taihu Lake, had only two men under his command: water bandits and mountain bandits, who were extremely familiar with mountain warfare.
The group stepped forward and, without saying a word, leaped across the surrounding undulating mountains.
They would leap across four or five zhang, step on the sharp pillars below, or use their claws like flying dragons... like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each employing their own unique methods, they approached the dilapidated walls of the fortress.
Watching those superhuman leaps, a look of surprise flashed in Li Xin's eyes.
"Crossbowmen, cover!"
"Yes, General!"
Having reached the enemy's 'dangerous wall' and seeing that the White Lotus sect members had reacted, Li Xin immediately ordered the archers to provide cover.
The shield formation defends against potential attacks from the surrounding area, while hundreds of archers and crossbowmen step forward in rows of one hundred.
The barrage of arrows targeted the White Lotus Sect followers on the city wall, helping a group of martial arts masters successfully reach the top of 510. This made the White Lotus Sect masters guarding the city wall look anxious.
If this continues, the city will surely fall and everyone will perish today.
However, in that brief moment of hesitation, a tall figure leaped in and stepped onto the high walls of the fortress.
Jing Wuming brandished a sharp sword, its blade flashing without a trace. In an instant, more than a dozen White Lotus Sect members who stepped forward were all killed with a single sword stroke. Even the sword light was so fleeting that it was impossible to see how Jing Wuming drew his sword.
"What a sword!"
Even though the guardians on duty were startled, they couldn't help but be shocked by the opponent's superb swordsmanship.
However, in the brief moment of his shock, the longsword killed countless gatekeepers, and with the many experts who came up one after another, let alone one guardian, even if all ten guardians were together, they might not be able to stop this overwhelming trend.
boom!
Suddenly, another thunderous roar erupted, but this time it wasn't from the red-coated cannon; instead, the gate of the drawbridge was lowered.
"kill!"
Upon hearing Li Xin's loud shout, the Imperial halberdiers charged in without hesitation.
This was the empire's military merit system. In the face of war, these halberdiers not only did not retreat, but each one charged ahead, fearing that they might kill one less person.
Accumulated military merits are the most direct way to get promoted.
At this moment, Zhao Gao also led his men into the fray. It should be noted that their opponents were not just ordinary martial arts masters, but the Grandmaster White Lotus Holy Mother!
Even though White Lotus Saintess is a level below Ancient Sword Soul, she is still a Grandmaster.
The White Lotus Mother had already sensed the crisis when the city walls were breached.
Inside the solemnly seated hall, only a handful of disciples awaited orders; they were the last hope of the White Lotus Sect.
"White Lotus Saintess, Red Lotus, Black Lotus, Golden Lotus!"
"Master!"
All four disciples could feel the heavy and solemn atmosphere at this moment.
They knew that the White Lotus Sect had reached a critical moment of life and death, and that there was even a greater than 90% chance of its demise.
"Although the Zhang family didn't participate in this imperial encirclement, almost all of the Nine Gates of Ghost Street, except for a few forces from the Sun Moon Cult, were present."
This terrifying force has joined forces; the Holy Church is doomed today. Therefore, in my capacity as the Holy Mother, I command you to take the Holy Church's legacy and escape from headquarters through the secret passage, hiding yourselves in the Nine Provinces, so that the Holy Church may preserve its flame!
"Master!"
The four disciples all looked at the White Lotus Mother with reluctance, their eyes filled with sorrow.
After decades of living together, they had long regarded the White Lotus Sect as their home and the White Lotus Holy Mother as their mother. In an instant, an atmosphere of sadness at parting was brewing and sublimating.
"Since Master knows that the Empire is coming with great force this time, why doesn't he leave with us?"
"With the Holy Mother present, the White Lotus Sect has faith!"
"Go ahead, I'm already a hundred years old, I've lived long enough!"
Moreover, if the Empire doesn't kill me this time, they will never let it go. I only hope that you can preserve the Holy Church's legacy, so that the White Lotus Foundation won't be severed in my hands.
"Take care, Master!"
Even ants cherish life, let alone them.
Even though they were reluctant to part, they still clung to the thought of living when faced with life and death.
As long as they continue the legacy of the Holy Church, they will have done right by the White Lotus Mother's sacrifice for them and by their current precarious choice to live.
Watching the four disciples lead ten core members of the Holy Church away through the secret passage under the White Lotus Mother's seat, the two elders couldn't help but sigh.
This great calamity for the Holy Sect is not unprecedented; however, each time the Holy Sect has managed to rise from the ashes, it is because their lineage has not been broken.
Wild fire, in spring!
Therefore, their mission was to hold back the imperial army and cover the escape of these disciples.
If even one person escapes, the White Lotus Sect can be revived.
Meanwhile, a group of experts had already stormed outside the main hall.
Even at the White Lotus Sect headquarters, the disciples were nothing more than a rabble.
While a one-on-one fight might be easy to kill an Imperial soldier, the White Lotus Sect disciples suffered heavy losses due to the coordinated efforts of the Imperial soldiers.
These were well-trained imperial troops, armed with armor, bows and crossbows, halberds, and other weapons. They could easily be defeated by a group of White Lotus believers dressed in mourning robes.
Moreover, there is a group of experts supporting them.
Even the ten top Dharma Protectors were entangled by Jing Wuming, Lu Guanying, Yingye Wang, and others.
And with an absolute advantage, they crushed their opponent.
At this moment, Zhao Gao and Shangguan Jin Hong rushed into the main hall. Inside, they saw the White Lotus Holy Mother, still graceful yet sacred and inviolable, sitting cross-legged on the white lotus throne, flanked by tall, imposing white-robed elders.
The faint aura of the White Lotus Mother seemed to blend into the world, carrying a sense of oppression.
Indeed, this White Lotus Holy Mother is truly a Grandmaster.
"Ding Peng the Demon Blade! Shi Long the Longevity Venerable! Shangguan Jin Hong! Marquis Xiaoyao!"
Including Zhao Gao, there were five peerless masters.
Moreover, there are many top-tier experts fighting against the Ten Protectors.
However, the White Lotus Saintess and the two elders were well aware of the strength of the Ghost Street group, and it was only a matter of time before the Ten Protectors were captured.
After all, these giants of Ghost Street are real, powerful figures who have emerged from the masses, and they are not people that these guardians can deal with.
"I've met senior!"
They looked at the White Lotus Mother, who appeared to be in her forties or fifties, but everyone knew that she was at least over a hundred years old.
It should be noted that the two white-haired old men were followers of the White Lotus Mother in the past, and were much younger than the White Lotus Mother.
Who could possibly surpass the beauty and charm of the White Lotus Saintess in her thirties and forties, outshining all others in the land!
"You all still address me as 'senior,' which shows you have some magnanimity."
As for advising everyone to leave, the White Lotus Mother was certainly not naive; it was merely a sigh.
"Since you're here, stay!"
A murderous aura surged in the eyes of the White Lotus Saint Mother.
Since there is no way to avoid it today, we should take as many people as we can, which can be considered as avenging the White Lotus Sect and relieving some of the pressure on the White Lotus believers.
Moreover, if it weren't for the help of these experts, how could the imperial army have broken through the White Lotus Sect's formidable barrier so quickly?
"Why be so persistent, senior!"
Persistence?
Upon hearing this, the White Lotus Saintess smiled disdainfully.
Is she persistent?
A group of 'robbers' stormed to her doorstep, determined to kill her, and then tried to persuade her to 'lay down her butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot.'
The White Lotus Mother did not speak further, but the white lotus beneath her seat suddenly began to turn.
The moment the lotus seat turned, a silver light exploded, followed by countless cold stars shooting towards the crowd.
Who would have thought that the White Lotus Saintess had such a treacherous and vicious hidden weapon? It shows no trace of the demeanor of a grandmaster.
Ding! Ding! Ding...
Amidst the explosion of countless cold stars, the group, who had been on high alert, were not hit.
Even though the sky full of cold stars gave everyone no chance to breathe, and the traps were a deadly trap, everyone present was a peerless master.