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As the morning wore on, the battlefield became a maelstrom of clashing steel, roaring flames, and the cries of battle-hardened soldiers. Lie Fan, overseeing the battle from the center of his formation, remained focused and determined. He knew that this skirmish was only the beginning, and every move he made would be crucial in the long and arduous campaign to come.
The Climbing Tigers, Lie Fan's specialized siege engines, proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for Cao Cao's men. None of their arrows could pierce the Climbing Tigers' defenses, and the operators were well-protected, making it impossible to target them effectively.
As their attack failed, the Climbing Tigers reached their desired positions, and the operators began to set up the siege ladders so that their comrades could climb up the Hulao Pass Wall.
Cao Cao, seeing the inevitable breach, quickly adapted his strategy. "Pull back and form a defensive line!" he commanded, his voice carrying over the chaos. "We must hold the walls and repel the invaders!"
His generals swiftly obeyed, rallying their troops and positioning them to guard the walls against the incoming assault. The defenders tightened their ranks, shields raised and weapons ready, creating a formidable barrier against the climbing Qilin Army soldiers. Lie Fan's men, eager and battle-ready, began to ascend the ladders, led by their generals.
Lie Fan, observing the successful deployment of the Climbing Tigers, gave a nod of approval. "Now is the time! Show them our might!" he shouted, his voice ringing with authority.
Zhang Liao, Huang Zhong, Taishi Ci, and Dian Wei led the charge up the ladders, their presence a beacon of strength for their men. The climb was arduous, but their resolve was unwavering.
As they reached the top, they immediately engaged Cao Cao's defenders, their swords flashing and striking with lethal precision. The clash on the walls was fierce.
Zhang Liao's relentless assault cut through the enemy ranks, his blade moving with a deadly grace. Huang Zhong's arrows continued to find their marks, picking off key targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Taishi Ci's fierce combat skills were on full display as he carved a path through the defenders, while Dian Wei's sheer strength and indomitable spirit inspired those around him.
Cao Cao's generals, though outnumbered and facing the formidable elite of the Qilin Army, fought valiantly. Xu Chu, known for his unmatched strength, met Dian Wei in a clash of titans, their weapons clanging with tremendous force.
Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan coordinated their troops, forming defensive lines and attempting to hold back the onslaught. Despite the defenders' best efforts, the Qilin Army's relentless pressure began to take its toll.
The Climbing Tigers continued to deliver fresh waves of attackers, and the defenders found themselves gradually pushed back. The walls of Hulao Pass, once an impenetrable barrier, now saw fierce hand-to-hand combat as Lie Fan's soldiers gained ground.
Lie Fan, watching the battle unfold, remained vigilant. "Keep the pressure on them! We cannot afford to let up!" he ordered the drummers to intensify the beat, as he knew that maintaining the momentum was crucial to breaking through Cao Cao's defenses.
Cao Cao, observing the situation from a vantage point, knew that the walls were in jeopardy. He needed to reinforce his positions quickly or risk losing this critical stronghold. "Send in the reserves!" he ordered. "We must hold the walls at all costs!"
The reserves surged forward, adding fresh troops to the fray. The battle for the walls grew even more chaotic, with both sides locked in a desperate struggle. Lie Fan's men fought with unmatched ferocity, determined to secure their foothold, while Cao Cao's troops defended their ground while trying to push back Lie Fan's men out.
The battle on the walls of Hulao Pass reached a fever pitch as Cao Cao's reserves poured in, bolstering the defenders and intensifying the already fierce clash. Amidst the chaos, the Xiahou brothers, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan, coordinated their troops with skill and precision, proving to be formidable opponents for Lie Fan's elite warriors.
Seeing the need to disrupt their coordination, Zhang Liao issued a decisive order to the Chao brothers. Chao Bai and Chao Bo, eager to prove their mettle, sprang into action. They navigated the chaotic battlefield with agility, their sights set on their respective targets.
Chao Bai, wielding his twin club with deadly accuracy, closed in on Xiahou Dun. "Face me, Xiahou Dun!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the din of battle. Xiahou Dun turned, meeting Chao Bai's challenge with a fierce glare.
"Very well," Xiahou Dun replied, drawing his glaive. "Let's see what you're made of, young man!"
The two warriors clashed, their weapons meeting with a resounding clang. Chao Bai's brute strength and endurance were matched by Xiahou Dun's strength and experience. They moved with lethal grace, each strike and parry a testament to their skill.
Meanwhile, Chao Bo, known for his exceptional archery, targeted Xiahou Yuan. "Let's see if you can keep up with me, Xiahou Yuan!" he called out, nocking an arrow and taking aim.
Xiahou Yuan, a master archer himself, responded with a steely determination. "You're welcome to try!" he retorted, drawing his own bow. The two archers began a deadly duel, their arrows whizzing through the air with precision and speed. Each tried to outmaneuver the other, finding opportunities to exploit weaknesses and gain the upper hand.
The duels between the Chao brothers and the Xiahou brothers became focal points of the battle, drawing the attention of soldiers on both sides. The intensity of their combat served to both inspire and distract, creating openings and shifts in the broader struggle for the walls.
Dian Wei, Zhang Liao, Huang Zhong, and Taishi Ci continued to lead their men with unwavering determination. They pressed their advantage, using the distraction caused by the duels to push further into the enemy lines.
The defenders, though bolstered by reserves, found it increasingly difficult to hold their ground against the relentless assault, and was slowly begin to be pushed back once again.
Amidst the swirling battle, the duels between the Xiahou brothers and the Chao brothers grew ever more fierce. Blows and arrows were exchanged with a fervor that mirrored the larger conflict, each combatant seeking to assert dominance.
Xiahou Dun and Chao Bai clashed with unyielding ferocity, their weapons ringing out with each strike. Xiahou Yuan and Chao Bo, locked in a deadly dance of archery, loosed arrow after arrow, each seeking to outshoot the other.
The intensity of their combat radiated outward, influencing the ebb and flow of the battle around them.
However, the Xiahou brothers soon found themselves needing reinforcements to take command of the defensive line as the relentless pressure from Lie Fan's men began to take its toll.
Fortunately for them, however, Yu Jin and Cao Ren, ever vigilant and ready, surged forward to resume their command over the defensive line to halt Lie Fan's men from gaining any ground.
Yu Jin, a pillar of command and discipline, took up the position of Xiahou Dun's men. "Men hold your ground and put the title defensive formation! Xiahou Dun, don't worry I will take command of your men, focus on your duel!" he said, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve.
Cao Ren, with his tactical acumen, replaced Xiahou Yuan. "Xiahou Yuan focus yourself on the duel, I will regroup and support the troops. I will keep these Lie Fan's men at bay," he said, his calm demeanor belying the intensity of the situation.
The intensity of the battle escalated as Yu Jin and Cao Ren's timely intervention allowed Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan to fully concentrate on their duels. The Xiahou brothers, their focus sharpened, began to press their advantage. The Chao brothers, who had initially controlled the duels, now found themselves increasingly on the defensive.
Xiahou Dun's relentless assault began to overwhelm Chao Bai, his superior experience and skill turning the tide in his favor. Similarly, Xiahou Yuan's archery duel with Chao Bo saw the latter being pushed back, the younger archer struggling to match the veteran's precision and speed.
Sensing the shift in momentum, Huang Zhong and Taishi Ci moved to support the Chao brothers. Huang Zhong, a master archer himself, joined the fray against Xiahou Yuan, his presence immediately easing the pressure on Chao Bo. Taishi Ci, with his formidable combat prowess, stepped in to aid Chao Bai, balancing the scales against Xiahou Dun.
Despite the reinforcement, the duels remained fiercely contested. The Chao brothers, recognizing the growing threat from the seasoned Xiahou siblings, decided it was prudent to withdraw and regroup. They fought a calculated retreat, ensuring they didn't expose their backs to their adversaries.
Lie Fan, observing the prolonged engagement and the escalating complexity of the skirmishes, decided that it was time to pull back and reassess. He knew that pushing his men further in the current situation would be risky, especially with the increased resistance from Cao Cao's side and the stalemate in the critical duels.
"Signal the retreat!" Lie Fan ordered. The call was swiftly relayed through the ranks, and the Qilin Army began to disengage from their positions. The disciplined withdrawal was a testament to the training and coordination of Lie Fan's forces.
As the Qilin Army pulled back, the defenders of Hulao Pass, under the command of Yu Jin and Cao Ren, held their ground, ensuring that the retreat was orderly and without unnecessary losses. Cao Cao's troops, bolstered by their successful defense, refrained from pursuing aggressively, wary of potential traps and the strength of their adversary.
The battlefield gradually quieted, the clamor of combat replaced by the groans of the wounded and the shouts of commanders reorganizing their men. The skirmish had been intense, but it was only the beginning of a larger conflict that would determine the future of the region.
Lie Fan, having returned to his camp, gathered his generals and advisors. "We must reassess our strategy," he said, his tone firm. "Cao Cao's defenses are strong, and his men are well-led. We need to find a way to break through their lines without suffering heavy casualties."
Jia Xu and Xun You nodded in agreement. "We should analyze the weak points in their fortifications and plan our next move carefully," Jia Xu suggested. "A direct assault will not suffice, we need a strategy that will outmaneuver them."
Meanwhile, in Cao Cao's camp, a sense of cautious optimism prevailed. The successful defense had bolstered their morale, but they knew the respite was temporary. Cao Cao, with Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and his other advisors, discussed their next steps.
"We have held them off for now, but Lie Fan is a formidable opponent," Guo Jia remarked. "We must strengthen our defenses further and be prepared for their next move." Gu Jia's words received a nod from Cao Cao, who showed his agreement. "Indeed. We have seen their tactics, and we know their strength. We must use this knowledge to our advantage and ensure that Hulao Pass remains impenetrable."
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu
Age: 31 (198 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 825
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 936 (+20)
VIT: 598 (+20)
AGI: 583 (+10)
INT: 587
CHR: 96
WIS: 509
WILL: 397
ATR Points: 0