That afternoon, on Mount Funiu, the main forces of all three sides joined battle along the entire front. Almost from the outset, the Western Pass Army suffered grievous casualties and tottered on the brink, reduced to fighting desperately with its back to the wall.
The reason was self-evident. Before entering the battlefield, Zhang Xing had specifically adjusted his direction of attack, forcing the Western Pass Army to endure an assault from two sides early on. Both the Exorcising the Dragon Army and the Eastern Capital Army possessed overwhelmingly powerful spearheads, leaving the Western Pass Army unable to stop either their breakthroughs or the main forces sweeping in behind them.
The battle lines were torn apart, fortifications easily occupied, and the chain of command collapsed. More than half the troops struggled toward the emperor on the summit, sustaining themselves through their connection to the chessboard in the sky. The smaller remainder had effectively been cut off and surrounded by the other two armies. Unable even to rely on the chessboard, they became prey to be hunted.
Amid the melee, stories unfolded everywhere.
Qutu Da's central army launched a massive assault on Zheng Shanye's defensive sector. On the flank, First Grand Guardian Luo Fang was ordered to reinforce it and ran straight into his sworn younger brother Ma Kai fleeing downhill. Xue Wanping was killing with abandon when he looked up and saw the banner of his own brother, Xue Wanbei.
One could only say that these men from the Eastern Capital and Western Pass remained joined by sinews even when their bones were broken. Former brothers, sworn brothers, and colleagues now had to meet with blades. Yet at this stage, it would have been strange if they had lacked any resolve.
And so banners reeled backward, armor burst open, limbs were