Mythical Three Kingdoms
Chapter 1850 - 1705: Lyu Meng in the Midst of Learning
[It's a pity that if the Will of the Empire hadn't been shattered by Huo Qubing, it wouldn't be in such a dire state now. However, even with just a remnant of the Will of the Empire, once locked on, it essentially triggers the fate of everyone involved.] Qiu Linbei silently thought as he watched the soldiers seemingly unleashing strength beyond their limits, realizing this was what remained of the Northern Huns' Will of the Empire.
Just like the Will of the Empire once controlled by Zhang Jiao that Zang Ba mastered, but far stronger than Zhang Jiao's Will of the Empire.
After all, the Yellow Turbans never established a nation. Although they had the desire for such a will, it never truly formed, unlike the Huns who genuinely constituted an Empire's Will back then.
Even though it was shattered by Huo Qubing before it could receive the blessing of all the empire's people, its essence remained unchanged.
Unlike the Yellow Turbans whose era vanished with Liu Bei fulfilling his promises and Zhang Jiao's Yellow Turbans being entirely wiped from history—this is the critical reason why the unformed Will of the Yellow Turbans gradually dissipated.
As for the Huns, even in defeat, they still exist. The Northern Huns inherit everything from the Hun Empire, they still exist. Though their current state no longer qualifies as an empire, it's merely insufficient to consolidate an Empire's Will anew.
It could be said that if the Northern Huns hadn't engaged the Han Army continuously over three centuries and fought two frantic battles at Tianshan, the remaining Will of the Hun Empire wouldn't have been depleted to this last trace.
Zang Ba, upon moving to his main unit, immediately activated his Legion Talent. The Sword and Shield Infantry raised their shields and advanced slowly, and in the next moment, with Xubo Cheng's outburst, Zang Ba clearly saw the difference in the Northern Huns.
"Quickly, send someone to notify the commander that this is the remnant Will of the Hun Empire. Although it's not dense, this kind of power is akin to a miracle," Zang Ba was startled at the sight, fully aware of what the Empire's Will signified.
Despite Zang Ba experiencing it for only a very brief time, it was enough for him to fully realize the might of the Empire's Will—it's the power capable of creating miracles!
Whether it's briefly summoning the dead from the past or significantly enhancing his Legion Talent with the faint trace of remaining power, it fully demonstrates how terrifying the Empire's Will is.
Immediately, Zang Ba turned to give instructions to his trusted aide nearby, grateful for being positioned in the Central Army for protection; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to report even if he discovered it.
On another front, Chen Xi and others were also observing the changes ahead. Kun Wan's Legion Talent was predictable, as was the choice and strength of the King of Dingling. The only unexpected factor was the Legion Talent of the Lan Clan.
"This was indeed unexpected," Chen Xi raised an eyebrow and said.
"Not really. During our previous simulations, we anticipated three Marquis Level military generals, ten Legion Talents, and two Military Spirit Legions for the Northern Huns," Xu Shu replied, turning to Chen Xi.
"What were the final results?" Chen Xi asked Xu Shu, his eyelid twitching.
"Our army will suffer forty thousand losses, almost annihilated. However, in the simulation, we captured the Chanyu, though two prominent figures escaped," Xu Shu explained to Chen Xi.
"Quickly analyze, if unsuccessful, seek Master Jia's assistance," Zhuge Liang suggested, turning to Lyu Meng, who was focusing his strategic analysis on the Legion Talents of Lan Clan, Kun Wan, and the King of Dingling.
"I'm already analyzing. Plus, don't you possess this capability yourself?" Lyu Meng retorted to Zhuge Liang impatiently, annoyed at the pestering.
Zhuge Liang wouldn't admit that his talent allowed him to locate Lyu Meng's Spiritual Talent, but he couldn't utilize the essence learned through Lyu Meng's talent.
If he could indeed leverage this learning capability, Zhuge Liang wouldn't make Lyu Meng's Spiritual Talent as effective as Lyu Meng himself proposed.
"That purple-white Legion Talent is combat-oriented. Its talent manifests two atmospheric attacks after striking the enemy, each subsequent attack weakening by ten percent," Lyu Meng explained swiftly.
"Only splits once?" Jia Xu immediately asked.
"No, it can split up to nine times, weakening by ten percent each time," Lyu Meng replied quickly.
Not bothering to ask how Lyu Meng assessed the opponent's Legion Talent, Jia Xu and others began strategizing to counter this specific Legion Talent.
"Xu Huang, Xu Gongming!" Cheng Yu immediately proposed, suggesting Xu Huang's capabilities perfectly countered this atmospheric attack type.
Zhou Yu promptly agreed and issued commands, passing orders layer upon layer until Xu Huang, donned in red armor with a cape draped over his shoulders, led his troops, charging forth like a sharp sword thrusting into the exposed Central Army of Northern Huns Cavalry.
Simultaneously, two large cavalry forces burst out from both sides, with Xiahou Yuan and Huang Zhong leading their respective troops to encircle the rear of the Northern Huns and Dingling forces.
Meanwhile, on the flank edges, Han Army infantry began advancing towards the Miscellaneous Hun's frontline. Crossbowmen started to draw their bows and arrows.
A thunderous boom erupted as tens of thousands of customized heavy arrows, each over a meter long, launched from the Longbows of Eastern Wu Archers, whistling through the air, blanketing the Miscellaneous Hun Legion commanded by the Northern Huns and tearing through an area of the Miscellaneous Hun under Northern Huns' domination.
"Counterattack!" Mii Lohe, understanding the King of Dingling's intentions, roared as he commanded troops to beat the drums, prompting the archers amidst the Miscellaneous Huns to instinctively draw their bows.
In the next instant, an arrow storm akin to a locust swarm descended, yet the Han Army's Sword and Shield Infantry, as if rehearsed numerous times, swiftly raised their large shields, tilting them to a sixty-degree angle.
With a succession of cracking sounds, other than a few powerful arrows penetrating the Great Shields and some unlucky individuals being hit directly, most soldiers emerged unscathed.
As the dense arrow rain was deflected, the infantry at the edges shouted as they charged forward. Behind them, archers, with the Great Shield lifted away, began shooting upward at a forty-five-degree angle, suppressing the opposing Miscellaneous Hun, allowing infantry to advance.
"That pale Legion Talent is external rotation. It will form four points around its user, and the rotational force generated will deflect all attacks toward these points," Lyu Meng discerned another talent, considering its learning value, though it required deep research to extract its essence while discarding the dross.
"So most ranged attacks would be diverted to those four points, and even melee weapons would be affected?" Chen Xi asked, his expression slightly stern.