Chapter 906: Jump to the Death
In the face of overwhelming superiority in weaponry and organization, numerical advantage and individual bravery were not enough to turn the tide of battle.
Maeda Masao quickly realized why the contingent in Hisai Castle had ended in complete annihilation.
Against heavy artillery, even Xiantian Beings below the Guizhen stage would struggle to survive, let alone Houtian Beings. The blow to morale was no less devastating than when they faced the Black Robes Heavy Cavalry.
The blood qi of Martial Arts Practitioners specifically countered illusory techniques and could also suppress yin energy and resentment.
But firearms were inanimate objects, supremely yang and unyielding. A Martial Arts Practitioner’s blood qi had no effect on them, even if amassed to the level of a Manly Immortal on the battlefield, unable to block cannon fire. Ironically, the methods suppressed by blood qi, such as the Banished Immortals’ Joyous Cloud Shield, could withstand firearms entirely.
Tens of thousands of samurai charged en masse toward the defensive lines Spirit Guard Jia Shen had long prepared, like countless living targets, awaiting harvest at will.
The thunder of cannons rolled on without pause.
Spirit Guard Jia Shen stood on a vantage point, using a telescope to observe the battlefield.
Beside him, Li Zhuyu said, “Deputy Commander Jia Chen and his Black Robes Heavy Cavalry will enter the field any moment now. Maeda Masao has lost this gamble.”
“From the moment he put his wager, his defeat was sealed,” Spirit Guard Jia Shen replied expressionlessly, not even lowering the telescope. “If it were merely a difference in arms, it might be remedied. But these Sonno-joi rabble are nothing more than a disorderly mob. They are brave, but they fight separately, without coordination or organization. Even without the disparity in firearms, they would never be our match.”
Li Zhuyu produced an official document. “By order of the Sage Commander, we are to accept the surrender of the Sonno-joi faction after victory. But we must carefully screen and distinguish them.”
Spirit Guard Jia Shen was unsurprised. This had long been the established policy of both the Qizhou headquarters and the Xiujing field camp so as to win over the hearts of the Fenglin people.