```
Descending from the back of the city tower.
Dong Fang counted the warriors as they ca down, "Everyone, call out your numbers."
A mont later, the number of people was confird.
A total of ninety-eight people remained.
Dong Fang's face darkened, a loss of a full 18 people from this defensive line after just one and a half rounds of battle.
There were 116 people before heading to the city tower.
In less than half a day, they had suffered a 15.5% casualty rate.
The percentage may not seem high, but keep in mind they were only responsible for this one section of the defense line.
There were a total of sixty segnts of defense lines of similar scale on top of the city tower.
If other areas suffered similar losses, then just during this one and a half conflicts, a thousand n would have been lost.
And all of them were Beast Tars!
Great Xia had just implented a comprehensive ard reform to integrate Beast Taming into the military less than fifteen years ago.
Beast Taming wasn't like hot weapons that could be produced and imdiately put into use.
It was like ancient elite cavalry, requiring the nurturing of horses, nurturing of soldiers, and significant resource investnt before it could be effective! Of course, the effect was also very noticeable, once a Beast Tar was fully trained, a single person could exert the destructive power equivalent to a traditional tactical squad.
With variable skills and cunning abilities, as a Beast Tar grew to higher levels, the destruction they could unleash far exceeded that of ordinary missiles and artillery.
If one beca an Advanced Beast Tar, they would beco a deterrent force.
In these fifteen years, the northern war zone had trained about 30,000 military Beast Tars who were battle-ready.
Dong Fang said, "Everyone go back and rest well, adjust your state, and be ready to relieve the brothers on the city tower at any mont."
Speaking of this, Dong Fang paused for a mont, "The brothers we lost... you've brought them all down, haven't you?"
"They were carried down during the battle," said a nearby officer.
Dong Fang nodded.
Once the Beast Tars on the city tower had exhausted their magic power, if the enemy launched another attack, it would be up to them to take their place.
"You all go rest," said Dong Fang with a sowhat low spirit.
Chen Xing followed Dong Fang to the cafeteria.
The two of them ordered a bowl of noodles each. Even in warti, food supplies were still maintained.
They sat down together with their noodles. Dong Fang took a couple of bites, then clenched his chopsticks tightly, as if struck by a thought.
Dong Fang muttered to himself, "The rear army is gathering at the fourth defense line. We have to secure at least half a month, but only a week has passed, and we must hold on for at least eight more days."
At this, Dong Fang suddenly fell silent.
He himself wasn't very confident; judging by today's casualty rate, could they hold out for another eight days?
After eight days, how many comrades would still be alive?
Chen Xing guessed Dong Fang's thoughts. He really wanted to earnestly tell Dong Fang that they had held out in the past, not just for eight days but for a whole month.
They had allowed the rear, at the fourth defense line, to successfully assemble enough strength to completely block this invasion from the Exotic Region outside of the fourth defense line.
But he knew that even if he said it, Dong Fang wouldn't be able to hear it.
Chen Xing lowered his head and slurped his noodles energetically.
Actually, they tasted pretty good.
"In fact, how long this battle can last... primarily depends on General Gu and General Zhang," Dong Fang suddenly said.
Chen Xing looked up at him, "Why do you say that?"
"Only an Advanced Beast Tar can counter another Advanced Beast Tar. Without them holding back the enemy's Advanced Beast Tars, the enemy would breach Iron Rock Pass much more easily. If the Super Rank beasts directly attacked the city tower, who could stop them?"
Chen Xing said, "I think General Gu and General Zhang can hold off the enemy's beasts."
Dong Fang shook his head, "They can only hold them off by exhausting all their strength. If they could defeat them, they would have repelled the enemy's Advanced Beast Tars when the first and second defense lines were breached."
"Don't we have other Advanced Beast Tars? Why don't they all co together to repel the enemy?"
Dong Fang shook his head, "No one knows what kind of trump cards the enemy holds. If they have sothing they haven't used yet and our Advanced Beast Tars all gather in one place, what if they're wiped out by the Exotic Region in one fell swoop? What then?"
Chen Xing and Dong Fang discussed a problem, "I see there are so civilian Beast Tars in the city too, why not conscript those civilian Beast Tars?"
Dong Fang shook his head, "There are many civilians, and you might not believe it, but a large part of the reason the military began mass-training Beast Tars was because of these civilian Beast Tars.
In previous years, when Secret Realms appeared all over Great Xia, many people entered them and found opportunities, thus becoming Beast Tars.
So local powerhouses and Noble Families even gained considerable strength through this, and as you know, when people suddenly gain power, they tend to harbor different ideas.
So for better stability, the military started cultivating Beast Tars on a large scale.
After mass training of Beast Tars in the military, areas that were sowhat chaotic in previous years have now quieted down."
"Your idea isn't new; others have suggested it too. But on one hand, civilian Beast Tars don't like being restrained, and on the other hand, they haven't received training to adapt to military formations, so joining the battlefield rashly may actually backfire."
Chen Xing pondered thoughtfully, It did seem to be true.
Even in later generations, there was a subtle divide between military Beast Tars and civilian Beast Tars.
This divide wasn't in other areas but lay purely in the very different ways of combat.
It is said that many of the military's beasts were of the social type; they had mastered group combat tactics.
As for those at Jiuzhou University, including many civilian Beast Tars and so corporate Beast Tars, most had ford their own exploration teams.
The paths and directions taken by folks on both sides were quite different.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.
```
Faint arguing voices could be heard.
Dong Fang put down his chopsticks and frowned as he walked outside.
He wanted to see what was happening. Who would cause a disturbance at such a critical ti?!
He and Chen Xing went outside.
A group of Beast Tars was arguing with an officer.
"What are you all quarreling about!" Dong Fang said coldly.
At the sa ti, he summoned the Snow Bamboo Swordsman.
The freshly-battled Snow Bamboo Swordsman emanated a strong and fierce aura!
The intense aura hit them, and the Beast Tars, who were just shouting loudly, instantly quieted down.
It seed they were quite fearful of the Snow Bamboo Swordsman's icy killing intent.
"We're not here to cause trouble!" one of the Beast Tars shouted.
"Then what are you arguing about here."
"Sir, they want to join the battlefield," explained the officer beside him, followed by a bitter laugh. "But there's a governnt policy not to accept civilian Beast Tars, so I asked them to go back. They refused, and the noise got a bit loud."
"I'm also a person of Great Xia, we want to contribute too. Why won't you accept us, do you think I'm too weak? My beast has an Energy Level of fifty; it can go to the battlefield to kill those damned Exotic Region people," shouted another Beast Tar loudly.
"The Exotic Region people have broken through. I ran from North Iron City to Yuyue Pass, and from Yuyue Pass to Iron Rock Pass. Do I have to keep running next ti? I don't want to run anymore!"
"Right, we people of Liaodong are not afraid of death!"
"Before coming here, I even killed seven Exotic Region scumbags. It's a pity they usually move in groups. Later when more showed up, there was no more opportunity," said a big bearded strong man.
As soon as he said this, many people around turned their gaze toward him.
Seeing the people around looking at him, the big bearded strong man took a bag from his waist, turned the bag upside down, and a heap of jingling miscellaneous items fell out.
"I took this from so Exotic Region scum. It looks like a storage bag; it has a space as big as a rear carriage inside."
"I see you are an officer, too. We want to make a contribution to our nation. If we were afraid of dying, we wouldn't have co to enlist. There are quite a few Beast Tars who want to help, and we can help make contact. You go and talk to your superiors.
The frequency at which those Exotic Region bastards are attacking the city seems to be very fast, so you must be under a lot of pressure," the big bearded strong man said to Dong Fang.
A hint of appreciation showed in Dong Fang's eyes. "What's your na?"
"Han Tianhu, my beast's Energy Level is a hundred; that should qualify for the battlefield," the strong man said proudly.
Dong Fang said, "I'll go and ask. But if it doesn't work out, don't create disturbances, alright?"
Han Tianhu responded, "You've just co back from the front line; we respect you. Until we hear back, we won't cause trouble! If anyone dares to, I'll be the first to hold them down!"
Dong Fang, bringing Chen Xing along, found Gu Yuzhi.
After listening to what Dong Fang had said, Gu Yuzhi was silent for a mont, then spoke, "When the country is in trouble, anyone who steps up is doing the right thing."
"But defending the city is a hard task. A lot of things sound simple to say... If they go up to the city walls, experience war firsthand, and so people die and then outright run away in panic, what happens?
There will be a hole in the defense, and in the ever-changing battlefield, the enemy might just take that opportunity to break through."
Qian Peiquan said, "Old Gu, having so more manpower could actually be a good thing. Now that we're defending the city, naturally we have to unite all the forces we can."
"I think there might be a way to solve this."
Qian Peiquan collected his thoughts, "We could first register the willing Beast Tars, and carry out a vetting process to prevent Exotic Region spies from infiltrating.
We've already checked before, but it's inevitable that so may have slipped through.
Civilian Beast Tars have their own system, which we don't fully understand, but they certainly know each other. They can 'vouch' for each other to confirm their identities.
These civilian Beast Tars surely have a reputation locally. It's a noble act for them to take part, and we can publicize their nas. If there are any inappropriate candidates, the public can voice it, right?
After confirming identities, we can organize everyone, form them into squads based on their beasts' Attributes and capabilities, and then conduct brief military training.
If any of them are unwilling to undergo training midway, they don't have to go to the city walls. We can arrange other tasks for them."
The others had no objections to this.
"Additionally, we should not let these civilian Beast Tars group together. Making groups of ten and dispersing them into different defensive areas to coordinate with experienced military Beast Tars, in a 'veteran-led' manner, will help them adjust to the war.
In addition, for the ordinary public, if there are those willing to contribute, they can also join the battle temporarily as militia."
Gu Yuzhi's eyes suddenly widened after hearing the beginning, but upon the last sentence she exclaid, "Old Qian, have you lost your mind?"
Opening the door to militia at this ti would result in how many civilians joining?
"We have enough supplies inside the pass, and weapons too," Qian Peiquan interrupted her.
Having gathered materials from surrounding provinces, Iron Rock Pass was now well-stocked with various supplies.
Gu Yuzhi's expression was uncertain.
The typically mild-mannered Qian Peiquan had fiercely sharp eyes at that mont, "They want to fight in the Exotic Region, then let's fight! We, the people of Great Xia, are not afraid of death! Even if we die, we must take a chunk of flesh from them. If your whole nation doesn't show a determination to be fierce and unafraid of death, others will always bully you!"
"Today is Fentian Giant City, but will other Giant Cities join in tomorrow?!"
"Spirit is sothing you forge with blood and soul!"
Gu Yuzhi didn't expect that such a suggestion would co from Qian Peiquan, "Do you realize the consequences of doing this?"
Qian Peiquan calmly said, "I know. If so many civilians die, I must give an explanation. My beast taming skills aren't as good as yours, and it seems there's little hope for to achieve Transcendence. But I still have to do sothing, right?"
Standing on the side, Chen Xing suddenly understood the origin of the two million militia at Iron Rock Pass.
The historical books did not detail the account but rely ntioned the feat of two million militia standing firm at Iron Rock Pass alongside a million and a half regular troops.
He suddenly had a surreal illusion of witnessing history unfold.
The public list was quickly published, and Iron Rock Pass imdiately erupted into excitent.
People lined up to enlist in droves, and the temporary military departnt at Iron Rock Pass had to urgently announce that won, children, and the elderly who were not Beast Tars should evacuate the pass as soon as possible.
Militia recruitnt was strictly limited to those between the ages of 18 and 50.
At this mont, this majestic iron giant pass seed to be infused with new vitality, transforming into a colossal war machine.
Reviews
All reviews (0)