As things stood, Li Yuanqing and Li Shiran could only pray for Li Chang'an to return as soon as possible.
The two of them alone could never hope to turn the tide of this disaster.
...
Under the rain of fire sent down by the Cultivators, the combined forces of the Great Yuan and the Qiangman quickly tore a breach in the defensive line constructed by the Great Zhou.
Enemy soldiers flooded toward the second line of defense like a tidal wave.
Li Yuanqing was so furious he could have shattered his teeth, but there was nothing to be done. He could only pull back as many soldiers as possible from the first defensive line and redeploy them to defend the second.
The trenches of the first line were deep, with fortresses and tunnels forming a sprawling network that allowed the rear to support the front at a moment's notice. It had been the Great Zhou's most formidable barrier.
