Chapter 188: Chapter 168 Bloody Battle at Iron Rock Pass (Part 2)

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Descending from the back of the city tower.

Dong Fang counted the warriors as they came down, “Everyone, call out your numbers.”

A moment later, the number of people was confirmed.

A total of ninety-eight people remained.

Dong Fang’s face darkened, a loss of a full 18 people from this defensive line after just one and a half rounds of battle.

There were 116 people before heading to the city tower.

In less than half a day, they had suffered a 15.5% casualty rate.

The percentage may not seem high, but keep in mind they were only responsible for this one section of the defense line.

There were a total of sixty segments of defense lines of similar scale on top of the city tower.

If other areas suffered similar losses, then just during this one and a half conflicts, a thousand men would have been lost.

And all of them were Beast Tamers!

Great Xia had just implemented a comprehensive armed reform to integrate Beast Taming into the military less than fifteen years ago.

Beast Taming wasn’t like hot weapons that could be produced and immediately put into use.

It was like ancient elite cavalry, requiring the nurturing of horses, nurturing of soldiers, and significant resource investment before it could be effective! Of course, the effect was also very noticeable, once a Beast Tamer was fully trained, a single person could exert the destructive power equivalent to a traditional tactical squad.

With variable skills and cunning abilities, as a Beast Tamer grew to higher levels, the destruction they could unleash far exceeded that of ordinary missiles and artillery.

If one became an Advanced Beast Tamer, they would become a deterrent force.

In these fifteen years, the northern war zone had trained about 30,000 military Beast Tamers who were battle-ready.

Dong Fang said, “Everyone go back and rest well, adjust your state, and be ready to relieve the brothers on the city tower at any moment.”

Speaking of this, Dong Fang paused for a moment, “The brothers we lost… you’ve brought them all down, haven’t you?”

“They were carried down during the battle,” said a nearby officer.

Dong Fang nodded.

Once the Beast Tamers on the city tower had exhausted their magic power, if the enemy launched another attack, it would be up to them to take their place.

“You all go rest,” said Dong Fang with a somewhat low spirit.

Chen Xing followed Dong Fang to the cafeteria.

The two of them ordered a bowl of noodles each. Even in wartime, food supplies were still maintained.

They sat down together with their noodles. Dong Fang took a couple of bites, then clenched his chopsticks tightly, as if struck by a thought.

Dong Fang muttered to himself, “The rear army is gathering at the fourth defense line. We have to secure at least half a month, but only a week has passed, and we must hold on for at least eight more days.”

At this, Dong Fang suddenly fell silent.

He himself wasn’t very confident; judging by today’s casualty rate, could they hold out for another eight days?

After eight days, how many comrades would still be alive?

Chen Xing guessed Dong Fang’s thoughts. He really wanted to earnestly tell Dong Fang that they had held out in the past, not just for eight days but for a whole month.

They had allowed the rear, at the fourth defense line, to successfully assemble enough strength to completely block this invasion from the Exotic Region outside of the fourth defense line.

But he knew that even if he said it, Dong Fang wouldn’t be able to hear it.

Chen Xing lowered his head and slurped his noodles energetically.

Actually, they tasted pretty good.

“In fact, how long this battle can last… primarily depends on General Gu and General Zhang,” Dong Fang suddenly said.

Chen Xing looked up at him, “Why do you say that?”

“Only an Advanced Beast Tamer can counter another Advanced Beast Tamer. Without them holding back the enemy’s Advanced Beast Tamers, the enemy would breach Iron Rock Pass much more easily. If the Super Rank beasts directly attacked the city tower, who could stop them?”

Chen Xing said, “I think General Gu and General Zhang can hold off the enemy’s beasts.”

Dong Fang shook his head, “They can only hold them off by exhausting all their strength. If they could defeat them, they would have repelled the enemy’s Advanced Beast Tamers when the first and second defense lines were breached.”

“Don’t we have other Advanced Beast Tamers? Why don’t they all come together to repel the enemy?”

Dong Fang shook his head, “No one knows what kind of trump cards the enemy holds. If they have something they haven’t used yet and our Advanced Beast Tamers all gather in one place, what if they’re wiped out by the Exotic Region in one fell swoop? What then?”

Chen Xing and Dong Fang discussed a problem, “I see there are some civilian Beast Tamers in the city too, why not conscript those civilian Beast Tamers?”

Dong Fang shook his head, “There are many civilians, and you might not believe it, but a large part of the reason the military began mass-training Beast Tamers was because of these civilian Beast Tamers.

In previous years, when Secret Realms appeared all over Great Xia, many people entered them and found opportunities, thus becoming Beast Tamers.

Some local powerhouses and Noble Families even gained considerable strength through this, and as you know, when people suddenly gain power, they tend to harbor different ideas.

So for better stability, the military started cultivating Beast Tamers on a large scale.

After mass training of Beast Tamers in the military, areas that were somewhat chaotic in previous years have now quieted down.”

“Your idea isn’t new; others have suggested it too. But on one hand, civilian Beast Tamers don’t like being restrained, and on the other hand, they haven’t received training to adapt to military formations, so joining the battlefield rashly may actually backfire.”

Chen Xing pondered thoughtfully, It did seem to be true.

Even in later generations, there was a subtle divide between military Beast Tamers and civilian Beast Tamers.

This divide wasn’t in other areas but lay purely in the very different ways of combat.

It is said that many of the military’s beasts were of the social type; they had mastered group combat tactics.

As for those at Jiuzhou University, including many civilian Beast Tamers and some corporate Beast Tamers, most had formed their own exploration teams.

The paths and directions taken by folks on both sides were quite different.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.

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Faint arguing voices could be heard.

Dong Fang put down his chopsticks and frowned as he walked outside.

He wanted to see what was happening. Who would cause a disturbance at such a critical time?!

He and Chen Xing went outside.

A group of Beast Tamers was arguing with an officer.

“What are you all quarreling about!” Dong Fang said coldly.

At the same time, he summoned the Snow Bamboo Swordsman.

The freshly-battled Snow Bamboo Swordsman emanated a strong and fierce aura!

The intense aura hit them, and the Beast Tamers, who were just shouting loudly, instantly quieted down.

It seemed they were quite fearful of the Snow Bamboo Swordsman’s icy killing intent.

“We’re not here to cause trouble!” one of the Beast Tamers shouted.

“Then what are you arguing about here.”

“Sir, they want to join the battlefield,” explained the officer beside him, followed by a bitter laugh. “But there’s a government policy not to accept civilian Beast Tamers, so I asked them to go back. They refused, and the noise got a bit loud.”

“I’m also a person of Great Xia, we want to contribute too. Why won’t you accept us, do you think I’m too weak? My beast has an Energy Level of fifty; it can go to the battlefield to kill those damned Exotic Region people,” shouted another Beast Tamer loudly.

“The Exotic Region people have broken through. I ran from North Iron City to Yuyue Pass, and from Yuyue Pass to Iron Rock Pass. Do I have to keep running next time? I don’t want to run anymore!”

“Right, we people of Liaodong are not afraid of death!”

“Before coming here, I even killed seven Exotic Region scumbags. It’s a pity they usually move in groups. Later when more showed up, there was no more opportunity,” said a big bearded strong man.

As soon as he said this, many people around turned their gaze toward him.

Seeing the people around looking at him, the big bearded strong man took a bag from his waist, turned the bag upside down, and a heap of jingling miscellaneous items fell out.

“I took this from some Exotic Region scum. It looks like a storage bag; it has a space as big as a rear carriage inside.”

“I see you are an officer, too. We want to make a contribution to our nation. If we were afraid of dying, we wouldn’t have come to enlist. There are quite a few Beast Tamers who want to help, and we can help make contact. You go and talk to your superiors. The frequency at which those Exotic Region bastards are attacking the city seems to be very fast, so you must be under a lot of pressure,” the big bearded strong man said to Dong Fang.

A hint of appreciation showed in Dong Fang’s eyes. “What’s your name?”

“Han Tianhu, my beast’s Energy Level is a hundred; that should qualify for the battlefield,” the strong man said proudly.

Dong Fang said, “I’ll go and ask. But if it doesn’t work out, don’t create disturbances, alright?”

Han Tianhu responded, “You’ve just come back from the front line; we respect you. Until we hear back, we won’t cause trouble! If anyone dares to, I’ll be the first to hold them down!”

Dong Fang, bringing Chen Xing along, found Gu Yuzhi.

After listening to what Dong Fang had said, Gu Yuzhi was silent for a moment, then spoke, “When the country is in trouble, anyone who steps up is doing the right thing.”

“But defending the city is a hard task. A lot of things sound simple to say… If they go up to the city walls, experience war firsthand, and some people die and then outright run away in panic, what happens?

There will be a hole in the defense, and in the ever-changing battlefield, the enemy might just take that opportunity to break through.”

Qian Peiquan said, “Old Gu, having some more manpower could actually be a good thing. Now that we’re defending the city, naturally we have to unite all the forces we can.”

“I think there might be a way to solve this.”

Qian Peiquan collected his thoughts, “We could first register the willing Beast Tamers, and carry out a vetting process to prevent Exotic Region spies from infiltrating.

We’ve already checked before, but it’s inevitable that some may have slipped through.

Civilian Beast Tamers have their own system, which we don’t fully understand, but they certainly know each other. They can ‘vouch’ for each other to confirm their identities.

These civilian Beast Tamers surely have a reputation locally. It’s a noble act for them to take part, and we can publicize their names. If there are any inappropriate candidates, the public can voice it, right?

After confirming identities, we can organize everyone, form them into squads based on their beasts’ Attributes and capabilities, and then conduct brief military training.

If any of them are unwilling to undergo training midway, they don’t have to go to the city walls. We can arrange other tasks for them.”

The others had no objections to this.

“Additionally, we should not let these civilian Beast Tamers group together. Making groups of ten and dispersing them into different defensive areas to coordinate with experienced military Beast Tamers, in a ‘veteran-led’ manner, will help them adjust to the war.

In addition, for the ordinary public, if there are those willing to contribute, they can also join the battle temporarily as militia.”

Gu Yuzhi’s eyes suddenly widened after hearing the beginning, but upon the last sentence she exclaimed, “Old Qian, have you lost your mind?”

Opening the door to militia at this time would result in how many civilians joining?

“We have enough supplies inside the pass, and weapons too,” Qian Peiquan interrupted her.

Having gathered materials from surrounding provinces, Iron Rock Pass was now well-stocked with various supplies.

Gu Yuzhi’s expression was uncertain.

The typically mild-mannered Qian Peiquan had fiercely sharp eyes at that moment, “They want to fight in the Exotic Region, then let’s fight! We, the people of Great Xia, are not afraid of death! Even if we die, we must take a chunk of flesh from them. If your whole nation doesn’t show a determination to be fierce and unafraid of death, others will always bully you!”

“Today is Fentian Giant City, but will other Giant Cities join in tomorrow?!”

“Spirit is something you forge with blood and soul!”

Gu Yuzhi didn’t expect that such a suggestion would come from Qian Peiquan, “Do you realize the consequences of doing this?”

Qian Peiquan calmly said, “I know. If so many civilians die, I must give an explanation. My beast taming skills aren’t as good as yours, and it seems there’s little hope for me to achieve Transcendence. But I still have to do something, right?”

Standing on the side, Chen Xing suddenly understood the origin of the two million militia at Iron Rock Pass.

The historical books did not detail the account but merely mentioned the feat of two million militia standing firm at Iron Rock Pass alongside a million and a half regular troops.

He suddenly had a surreal illusion of witnessing history unfold.

The public list was quickly published, and Iron Rock Pass immediately erupted into excitement.

People lined up to enlist in droves, and the temporary military department at Iron Rock Pass had to urgently announce that women, children, and the elderly who were not Beast Tamers should evacuate the pass as soon as possible.

Militia recruitment was strictly limited to those between the ages of 18 and 50.

At this moment, this majestic iron giant pass seemed to be infused with new vitality, transforming into a colossal war machine.