Fierce fighting raged in Canyon Pass.
The more than ten thousand Imperial Court troops trapped there were charging outward, prepared to face death.
Objects fell from above the narrow gorge, pounding down like a torrential rain; ambushers blocked both sides of Canyon Pass as well, making every step a struggle. Under these circumstances, surrender was impossible, because Qingliang Prefecture had limited troops and could not possibly risk taking charge of surrendered soldiers and officers. In other words... even if these Imperial Court soldiers did not fight back, they would still die.
So breaking out of Canyon Pass and joining their allies was their only way to survive.
However terrified they felt, they had to fight.
"Brothers! Reinforcements are coming toward us! Fight your way out!"
"Kill!"
"...!"
Within Canyon Pass, shouts to rally morale resounded like a rising tide. The commanders on the Imperial Court's side once again led their troops in an attempt to break out.
Compared with the enemy, Qingliang Prefecture had few soldiers, and most of the Qingzhou Guard troops were hidden along both sides of the cliffs, hurling deadly weapons down. The two sides of the exit depended entirely on the New Year's Watchers to hold them.
Relying on their powerful defensive weapons, they could keep the situation stable for now, but annihilating the enemy would take time.
On the cliff, Yang Nan looked out beyond the grassland. Smoke rolled along the roads on both sides; the Imperial Court's center and rear armies had already covered more than half the distance and were charging straight toward Canyon Pass.
He was frantic!
At the enemy's current speed, his side certainly could not finish off the Imperial Court troops in Canyon Pass before the reinforcements arrived. Once the enemy's two forces linked up, one supporting from outside and