Chapter 596 Disfigurement (2)_1
The ferocity of this sword strike not only deterred the beasts that were pouncing on them but also greatly boosted the morale of the other people. The first wave of twenty-five guards, taking advantage of the beasts’ momentary hesitation, quickened their movements, striving to cut down these wild beasts with their swords.
The flute sounds driving the beasts continued, and those like Xiao Ruiyuan on the outer perimeter faced the greatest defensive pressure. Wild beasts relentlessly advanced in waves, and even from the distant mountains, one could faintly hear the growing roar of other beasts, compelling them to be ever more vigilant.
The second wave of guards was also busy, not only dealing with the "slip throughs" that broke through the first line of defense but also relieving guards from the first wave who were out of strength, fighting fervently to prevent the beasts from breaking through the second line. Otherwise, should any Princes sustain injuries, even if the guards survived and returned, they would be held responsible and even their families might suffer.
While King Heng and the others in the third wave were temporarily not required to take action, they dared not relax at all. These naturally ferocious beasts with strong offensive capabilities were not easy to deal with. It was only a matter of time before they broke through two lines of defense. By conserving their energy now, they hoped to take on the beasts more easily once they were worn down, and in doing so, minimize casualties.
The guards coordinated seamlessly with each other, and with Xiao Ruiyuan’s presence, capable of facing ten enemies alone, the group of beasts was momentarily unable to break through, resulting in many dead and injured, leaving severed limbs and broken bodies scattered across the ground. Several Princes and Sons, unaccustomed to such brutality, emptied their stomachs in disgust.
However, this brief victory did not last long. Compared to the wild beasts, human stamina drained more rapidly. About half an hour passed, and more than ten guards had been bitten and injured due to slowing movements from exhaustion, causing their defensive capabilities to decrease significantly.
While the other guards were relatively unaffected, once someone was injured and lost their defensive ability, others would immediately step forward to fill the gap and continue fighting. But those Princes and Sons, fearing being devoured by beasts, watched the dangerous scenes unfold with ashen faces, cursing the guards for their incompetence.
Among them, Prince Qi was the most vociferous, kicking at several injured guards who had lost their defensive strength and were brought to the inner circle, berating them with bulging eyes, "You useless trash, if you dare let these ferocious beasts injure me, I will ensure Emperor Huian hears of this, and you will be charged with neglecting your duty and your entire families will be executed."