Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors

Moreover, when the Mo Blade faced off against the long spear, the Mo Blade could also take advantage of its length to chop the spear shafts.

As General Deng Yuanjing once said during a bandit suppression, the bandits' foreign blades could sever more than ten spear shafts in a row.

And the two-handed Mo Blade, being even more powerful, easily chopped through spear shafts.

Compared to the great axe, it could stab and pierce, thus being more flexible.

Compared to short-bladed weapons like swords, it was a long-handled weapon, not only longer but also more powerful when swung with both hands.

Therefore, when regular cavalry fell from their horses, even if they wanted to draw their sidearms to resist, they usually ended up overpowered.

Of course, it had many disadvantages too.

Being able to do everything means mastering nothing, it was more complicated to use than a long spear, heavier than swords, and had weaker armor-piercing capability than great axes.

Moreover, it was relatively expensive to manufacture.

This meant that only a very few elite soldiers with both strength and skill could truly bring out its power.

And later, as heavily armored cavalry became prevalent, those capable of wielding the Mo Blade dwindled, and it was gradually replaced by the Mazha Blade and great axes.

Compared to the Mo Blade, although the cavalry lances were also very expensive, they were only used by elite cavalry leaders, whereas the Mo Blade was an infantry weapon.

With most generals later being from the cavalry, it was not surprising that fewer people used the Mo Blade.

But what if these disadvantages were mitigated?

For example, now, when the cavalry's rate of armor coverage was not so high, and the Liang Army happened to have a group solely composed of formidable Mo Blade soldiers.

Then, this weapon would indeed exert an unimaginable and terrifying power!

In historical records, Li Gaoling's use of the Mo Blade was described in just four words:

"Both horse and man shattered!"

And in this instance, Luo Ying indeed replicated that effect, where under absolute brute force, no other weapon could compete with the Mo Blade.

Of course, such an exaggerated effect like "Both horse and man shattered" was achieved through Li Gaoling's bravery.

Not every Mo Blade soldier could randomly slice through both cavalry and horse—it was too outlandish, unachievable by the weapon alone.

Unless, there was some Skytop Star technology incorporated into it.

Even so, Li Gaoling's engagement still led to an immediate setback for the rebel cavalry.

Once the Mo Blade Team confronted the cavalry and sealed off the breach, the battlefield's dynamics shifted in favor of the Liang Army.

For once the cavalry failed their charge and lost momentum, they were mere targets for relentless slashing in front of the Mo Blade.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

The rebel cavalry commander ordered, and all rebel cavalry hurriedly turned their horses, preparing to flee.

Meanwhile, as the rebels retreated, the order to pursue was also issued by the Liang Army.

The cavalry on the wings decisively attacked, flanking from both sides, while Luo Ying's infantry formation started to advance in pursuit!

It was impractical for only infantry to chase cavalry, but as long as the Liang cavalry efficiently attacked from the flanks and detained the rebel cavalry troop, it was only logical for the pressing infantry to advance seamlessly.

Luo Ying ran swiftly, despite wearing Ming Guang Armor and wielding a ten-kilogram Mo Blade, he still moved as if he was flying.

It felt almost like piloting a Gundam.

Was this the level of a legendary fierce general from ancient times?

Yet, after running for a bit, Luo Ying felt something was amiss.

He vaguely remembered that this part of history did not unfold as he was seeing.

Though he could not recall the exact details, Luo Ying vaguely remembered that it was Li Gaoling who had been in a dire situation and had turned the tables solely with the help of his Mo Blade Team.

But...

"The situation doesn't seem to have reached a desperate stage yet, does it?

Could this instance be cleared so easily? That seems unlikely.

But at this moment, it's already too late to flip through historical materials and examine the details of that time.

All the troops have already advanced; as the General, he can't lag behind but must move forward with them.

However, just when all soldiers of the Liang Army thought this would become a rout, the situation suddenly changed.

The elite cavalry of the rebels at the front, who were retreating, suddenly stopped!

At a command, countless warhorses reared up and neighed, and then the rebel cavalry neatly turned their horses around, reformed their lines, and faced the pursuing Liang Army once again.

And further away, similar trembling noises and rising dust signaled that the flanks of the Liang Army were also enveloped by the rebel's elite cavalry reinforcements!

Luo Ying instantly understood the current situation.

This was a feigned defeat!

The combat capabilities and organization of the rebels were terrifying.

In the entire battle at Xiangji Temple, more than sixty percent of the rebel soldiers died before they finally broke down, which proved they were a well-trained and highly organized elite force.

How could it be possible for the elite cavalry to break down just after the first charge, hindered by arrows, spears, and Mo Blades?

Under the circumstances, the Liang Army, eager for victory, had not considered the possibility of a trap and immediately pursued.

At this moment, as the fleeing cavalry of the rebels suddenly turned around and with reinforcements attacking from two flanks, the situation had become extremely critical for the Liang Army.

Under the renewed charge of the enemy cavalry, the formation of the Liang Army infantry instantly collapsed again!

And this collapse was more severe than the last.

During the pursuit, the infantry found it difficult to maintain a tight formation, and by the time they saw the opposing cavalry turning around to charge, it was too late to re-form.

The situation on the battlefield had reached a matter of life and death.

The front infantry line had been breached by the rebel's elite cavalry, and both flanks were attacked by the rebels. Once the rebel cavalry completely routed the Liang Army's lines, all the infantry would likely fall into disarray.

What followed would be a one-sided slaughter.

And once the front lines were annihilated, it was very likely that the effects would reach all the Liang Army to the rear.

And the final outcome of this battle could well be rewritten due to this failure!

What should be done now?

Just as Luo Ying felt somewhat at a loss, he suddenly discovered that he had temporarily lost control of the body he was inhabiting, and everything around seemed to enter some kind of interlude CG state.

He saw the character he was playing, Li Gaoling, actually taking off the Ming Guang Armor he was wearing!

He stripped off all his armor, and not even leaving his clothes on, he bared his upper body, revealing his huge, knotted muscles.

Luo Ying was a bit stunned.

"Hey? Fight if you must, but don't remove the armor!"

The importance of armor in a cold weapon combat is self-evident. With armor, there's confidence in braving the arrows and blades of battle.

However, at this moment, Li Gaoling really did take off his Ming Guang Armor and stood at the very front of the formation with the Mo Blade in his hand!

"Today's affair, if we do not use our bodies as bait to lure the enemy, fight them in battle, and seek life amidst certain death, then our army will be completely annihilated!

"The nation is in extreme peril; it starts with one man taking risks. That man will be me, Li Gaoling!"

What he meant was: Today's battle, if we cannot use our bodies as bait to fight the enemy and seek a way to survive amidst certain death, then our army is certain to be completely wiped out.

The nation is already in extreme peril; if someone must risk their life to stem the tide of imminent disaster, then let it begin with me, Li Gaoling!

With that, he took up his Mo Blade and stood proudly at the very front of the formation.

And before him, like an earthquake shaking the mountains, the rebel's elite cavalry surged towards them like a wall!"