Since Liu Jin wanted to attack Laojun Temple regardless of the cost, the soldiers were forced to risk their lives and build the plank road one after another.
In the end, after more than a thousand casualties, the plank road was built.
This is also because Xiang Nan and others were not sufficiently prepared, especially the preparations for igniting fire were too few.
Stones can only hit people, but it is difficult to damage the built plank road. The best way to destroy a wooden plank road is to burn it with fire. Xiang Nan used fuel several times to burn half of the paved plank road.
Unfortunately, despite preparations, the fuel reserves were still insufficient. In the end, the plank road was repaired, and the soldiers followed the plank road and passed through the stone forest.
However, although there was a plank road to walk on, they also paid a heavy price. From time to time, they were knocked off the cliff by falling rocks, causing numerous deaths and injuries.
But after paying a heavy price, Liu Jin still broke through the second level and reached the third level.
The third level is called One Line of Sky. As the name suggests, it is a narrow passage between two cliffs. When walking in the passage and looking up, you can only see a line of sky as thick as a line, which shows how dangerous the terrain is.
…
Upon arriving at this level, Liu Jin couldn't help but frown secretly. Knowing this level, you have to pay for it with your life.
Of the 10,000 horses he brought with him, now that they are dead, I'm afraid there are only more than 7,000 left. The battle loss rate was close to 30%, and morale was extremely low.
In fact, since last night, some soldiers have sneaked down the mountain and become deserters. It's just that no one dared to report to Liu Jin.
"Rush, rush over, whoever reaches Laojun Temple first, I will promote him to the position of Zheng Dao Tuan and reward him with five thousand taels of silver." Liu Jin ordered.
Hearing what he said, the morale that had hit rock bottom was finally cheered up. Later, Deputy Sword Commander Lan personally led his troops and attacked Yixiantian.
Of course, falling rocks and rolling logs were falling from the top of the cliff. Because the top of the cliff is more than thirty meters high, even a stone the size of an egg can easily break a person's head when it falls.
As a result, the soldiers suffered heavy casualties. Even if they used shields to form a shield wall to protect themselves, they could not withstand dozens of kilograms of rocks roaring down.
So in a short time, the canyon was filled with corpses. Falling rocks and rolling logs also blocked the narrow mountain road, making it difficult to pass.
"These damn rebels, if my father-in-law catches you, you will be cut into pieces and die a miserable death." Seeing the heavy casualties, Liu Jin couldn't help but get angry and said.
…
After more than 600 people were sacrificed, Liu Jin's army finally broke through the third level and crossed the sky.
However, Xiang Nan and others had already escaped to the fourth pass, Tongtian Gorge, before they passed.
Tongtian Gorge is located between two peaks, with gurgling streams and cascading waterfalls, just like the Milky Way upside down, so it is known as Tongtian Gorge.
The two peaks are connected by a suspension bridge.
At this time, the suspension bridge had been cut off by Xiang Nan and others.
If Liu Jin's army wanted to pass, they would either have to build a new bridge or wade across. Fortunately, the stream is only shallow, so wading is relatively easy, but you still have to climb up and down.
Especially the dense forest on the opposite side is very suitable for an ambush. Xiang Nan and others can launch a blocking attack while the army is crossing the river. So it is also a big difficulty.
When Liu Jin's army broke through the sky, passed through Baicaoping, and arrived at Tongtian Gorge, Liu Jin couldn't help but frown when he saw the dangerous terrain.
He didn't expect that a mere Tai Chi Sect would be so difficult. His 10,000-strong army was actually unable to attack this mountain for a long time, and even lost thousands of soldiers.
If it spreads, it would be a joke.
But now, the situation is like riding a tiger. You have to fight whether you want to fight or not.
After all, after defeating Laojunguan, he could still whitewash the situation and say that he had won. Otherwise, if we just retreat like this, we will lose all face.
Therefore, he still ordered to go ahead and charge forward at all costs. The only remaining deputy sword commander, Zhou Qin and Zhou, had no choice but to accept the order.
The former Deputy Sword Commander Lan had already died in the sky. He was hit in the head by a falling rock and died without saying a word.
…
Zhou Qin immediately led his troops to cross the river and attack Laojun Guan.
Fortunately, the river water has receded and there is one less risk.
Halfway across the river, dozens of arrows were shot from the opposite side. Although the accuracy was a bit off, there were too many soldiers who could not resist wading across the river. They were so densely packed and huddled that there was no way to avoid them.
Therefore, one wave can take away dozens of lives.
The frightened soldiers, who had little morale to begin with, all retreated.
"Anyone who retreats without permission will die. Come to me!" Seeing this, Zhou Qin immediately swung his knife and killed several people who wanted to escape one after another, finally frightening the situation.
But at this moment, a spear suddenly flew out of the woods opposite, not only piercing Zhou Qin, but also piercing several people behind him, turning them into candied haws.
"Deputy Sword Commander Zhou is also dead~" For a moment, the soldiers screamed and retreated.
The so-called defeat is like a mountain, and once morale is broken, it will easily collapse.
But the soldiers in front were frightened and backed away, while the soldiers behind were urged to move forward by the supervising team. The two parties then crowded together and were trapped in the mountain stream, unable to move.
At this moment, a rumbling sound was suddenly heard from the canyon, like thunder.
Just when the soldiers were confused, they suddenly heard someone shouting, "Run quickly, the flash flood is coming~"
Everyone looked up and saw the majestic torrent pouring down the river, like the Milky Way pouring down.
The soldiers quickly pushed each other and ran towards the shore, but unfortunately everyone was huddled together and couldn't move at all. Therefore, they could only watch as they were carried away by the roaring flash floods, with at least five hundred casualties.
It turned out that Xiang Nan had already ordered Deng Chang, Zhu Gui and others to build a dam upstream of Tongtian Gorge to block the stream. When the army passed by, he took the opportunity to release water, and it had a miraculous effect.
…
Seeing this, Liu Jin couldn't help but be so angry that his eyes were split.
He doesn't have many soldiers. If he continues to die like this, even if he captures all the Taijimen and executes Lingchi, it won't relieve his anger.
"Come on me, rush on me, rush forward at all costs." Liu Jin shouted at the top of his lungs.
But no matter how much the supervising team urged, the soldiers did not dare to rush forward.
After all, too many people have died. More than 2,000 people died in Nantianmen, more than a thousand people died in Shilin, more than 600 people died in Xiantian, and more than 500 people died in Tongtianxia... No one knows whether they will also die. Die here.
What's more, the food and grass were burned yesterday, leaving the army with no rice to cook. Many people have been fighting fiercely since the early morning until now. Their legs are weak and they have no strength to rush forward.
"Charge, charge, charge, or kill me if you don't charge!" Seeing this, Liu Jin couldn't help but said angrily.
So, the supervising team swung their swords continuously and killed more than fifty people in a row. The soldiers could only rush forward bravely.
But when they rushed over, they discovered that Xiang Nan and others had already escaped under the cover of night.
