Neither side gave ground as they charged forward through the forest of blades and spears.
The battlefield had never been child's play. People died here; superiority was decided here, and so were life and death. It all depended on who was braver and more fearless. Those who shrank back in fear often stood a far greater chance of dying than those who charged headlong. Blades had no eyes-who knew whether, the moment you retreated, you would die at the enemy's hands or those of your comrades behind you?
"Kill!"
"Kill these mongrels!"
"Kill the Cangling dogs!"
"..."
When enemies met on a narrow road, the brave prevailed. Not only did the infantry fight with extraordinary ferocity, but the cavalry on both sides also charged back and forth, sending men and horses tumbling.
The Desert Star Cavalry tried to seize the opportunity to break away from the Shenzhou Army and strike its infantry's flank, only to be intercepted by the Shenzhou cavalry.
The Shenzhou cavalry also attempted to strike the flank of Great Desert City's defending infantry, but the Desert Star Cavalry intercepted them.
The battle soon reached a stalemate.
This was Qu Jianglin's first head-on clash with the enemy since setting out on his campaign. He knew it had to be this way. Time was pressing. After taking Great Desert City, he had to replenish his manpower immediately. Otherwise, once the Cangling Kingdom recovered its wits, both Situ Long, whom Jiang Hao had successfully intercepted, and Ouyang Mingyue farther away would send troops to converge on Great Desert City. Though he commanded two hundred thousand soldiers, penetrating deep into enemy territory alone still carried risks. The first hurdle was provisions.
In truth, everyone was gambling to some extent.
That was why time mattered so much, and why the battle was