Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 966 - 40: Encirclement (End)

Chapter 966 -40: Encirclement (End)

Pierre was cornered, unable to see the entirety of the hunting ground. Winters, standing atop the Greenhill, however, overlooked everything.

The sandstorm was calming, but the chaotic battle on the outskirts of the hunting ground not only did not cease but grew even more fierce.

Many small tribes that had been called to the hunt had already left, but soon they fled back to the hunting grounds as if something in the dust was chasing them.

Stag dispatched guards from the palace tents to quell the riot, while Winters quickly inspected and assessed the defenses of Greenhill.

All arrangements on the Greenhill by the Red River Tribe were meant to showcase power. To ensure that the imposing golden tent of White Lion was visible from all directions, the foundation in the center of Greenhill was artificially elevated, and deliberately no buildings or fortifications were built that could obstruct the view.

Overall, apart from its height, Greenhill had no geographical advantages.

All clues led Winters to his initial speculation: from the beginning, Greenhill had been the sweetest bait in the trap.

The younger members of the Red River Tribe who were left in the hunting field strung their bows and grabbed their spears, riding down from Greenhill; among the hunters who were rushing about, some seemed ready to move.

The arrows were already on the string, the bow arms creaking, just waiting for the furious war drums of the sky deity to strike.

“I’ll take you with me,” Winters told Erhulan. Time was of the essence, and Winters’ tone was firm, brooking no disagreement.

Erhulan was initially delighted but soon her eyes dimmed.

“White Lion is not on Greenhill, which shows that the outcome of this battle does not depend on what happens inside the hunting ground, but on what happens outside,” Winters explained succinctly. “Since the beacon already risen, leaving one royal tent and one banner on Greenhill is enough. You don’t need to continue being this bait.”

“Do you know? I dreamt of hearing you say this,” tears filled Erhulan’s eyes, her lips curving slightly, “but not like this.”

Winters didn’t care about the Red River Tribe, nor about White Lion, but he cared about Erhulan. He grabbed Erhulan’s arm and without further discussion led her towards the horse pens.

“I’m sorry… Little Lion is still on Greenhill…” Erhulan, tears streaming, stubbornly stood her ground, “…I can’t go with you…”

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

Suddenly, three consecutive cannon shots—the gunners of Greenhill were issuing a warning.

Winters looked towards the direction indicated by the smoke, only to see two groups of horsemen colliding head-on.

One side was clad in iron armor, their headdresses fluttering, clearly Red River Tribe Cavalry; the other, dressed like regular hunters, was of unknown identity.

At the edge of the hunting circle, Red River Tribe cavalry stayed within the felt walls; the leading Hong Lingyu [Black Sheep] shot three warning arrows and shouted fiercely: “[Herde Language] If you still revere White Lion, withdraw immediately! Dismount! Step over the felt wall and you will be killed on sight!”

However, the approaching Herde horsemen were already panic-stricken, crying for help while indiscriminately crossing the felt walls.

The Red River Tribe’s Hong Lingyu [Black Sheep] made a harsh decision and roared the order: “[Herde Language] Those who entered the hunting circle, kill without mercy!”

After speaking, Hong Lingyu drew the bow fully, and one warning arrow nailed a Herde hunter trying to climb over the felt wall.

The sound of the arrow broke through the air like the command for slaughter, and the armored Red River soldiers did not hesitate any longer; they brandished sabers and shot arrows without restraint.

Those who fled over the felt walls continuously fell dead; seeing the dire circumstances, those who tried to escape along the sides of the felt walls were also caught up from behind and cleaved to death, only those who managed to escape back to the outer side of the felt walls were lucky enough to survive.

However, the escape of the Herde hunters outside the felt walls only prolonged their lives a moment longer.

Soon, another group of cavalry emerged from the dust, yelling “Red River Tribe suppression,” slaughtering all the Herde people who had escaped the felt walls.

“[Herde Language] Red River Tribe suppression?” The real Red River Tribe Hong Lingyu [Black Sheep] exploded in anger: “[Herde Language] Rotten flesh! Stinkier than the stuff pulled from a wild boar’s intestines! They are the rebels, the hungry wolves!”

Black Sheep gripped his riding spear and charged forward towards the enemy leader: “[Herde Language] By the gods above! Kill!”

A crowd of Red River armored cavalry cried out in unison, following their hundred riders leaping out of the felt walls.

Saber against saber, bow against bow, the two groups of cavalry engaged in a bloody melee.

As soon as Red River people engaged with the enemy, they suffered setbacks; their curved swords and spears hit the enemy’s bodies only to produce a dull sound without any bloodshed. The enemy’s maces and war hammers targeted specifically the necks and heads of the Red River armor.

Black Sheep instantly realized something was wrong and roared with all his might: “[Herde Language] The pups are wearing hidden armor! The pups are wearing hidden armor!”

Without needing any reminder from Hong Lingyu, those Red River armored cavalry who had suffered but were still alive had already discarded their spears and drawn their maces to continue fighting the enemy.

Witnessing this engagement, Winters remained silent, but his tightly furrowed brow and tense cheeks already offered a silent judgment.

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Green Plumed Feathers [Stag] was also a witness to this engagement from above on Greenhill; flags fluttered, and cannons fired continuously, with Stag frantically directing more troops.

Winters stopped watching; he pulled Erhulan and strode towards Little Lion’s tent.

Black Sheep’s engagement acted like a starting gun; the moment Winters turned, another dozen cavalry units leaped from the felt walls and charged into the hunting ground.

Each cavalry unit was shouting “White Lion arrows order,” “Red River Tribe suppression,” even disturbing the minds of the Eagle Forest Tribe’s troops.

Eagle Forest Tribe, the maternal tribe of White Lion, was always considered to be the closest ally of the Red River Tribe. As a vassal tribe participating in the hunt, they were hidden among the many tribes outside the hunting circle.