Legend of Mir 2: Seeking the Truth in Marfa

Wuzhangyuan, located on the south bank of the Wei River, enjoys a commanding position, boasting flat terrain and a wide view. Looking out into the distance, the peaks of the Qinling Mountains appear faintly in the mist, while the Wei River meanders like a silver snake.

On the edge of the loess plateau, dozens of soldiers guarded the two generals from a distance, gazing into the distance.

"Sima Yi actually dared to set up camp with his back to the water. He is quite courageous." Yang Yi couldn't help but praise the well-organized and row-lined Wei army camp in the distance.

"How dare he? We have been in a standoff for more than 20 days. He has been hiding in the camp and refusing to come out." Jiang Wei snorted coldly.

"Oh? Sima Yi still refuses to fight?"

"A few days ago, the Prime Minister sent an envoy with three gifts: a woman's headscarf, hair accessories, and clothes. I didn't expect Sima Yi to be so patient and still refused to show his face."

"Sima Yi probably wants to use the tactic of delaying, just like the previous Northern Expeditions, to drag our army out of food and grass and automatically retreat. But he doesn't know that this time is very different. The Prime Minister set up a residence at the entrance of Xiegu Valley to store food and grass. He has rested and recuperated for three whole years, encouraged farming and taught military training. The Prime Minister also invented the wooden ox and flowing horse that can walk in the mountains, and developed the repeating crossbow. With sufficient preparations this time, the Northern Expedition will surely succeed!" Yang Yi said.

"Food and fodder are no longer a problem. The food you brought this time is enough for my 100,000-man army to use for six months. In addition, I have found two sorcerers with special abilities. I will have them clear out the Wei army's strongholds in the rear and weaken their strength. Once the time is right, we can launch a general offensive. My only concern now is the Prime Minister's health..."

"What's wrong, Prime Minister?"

"The Prime Minister rises early and goes to bed late every day, personally reviewing all military affairs, including punishments of 20 strokes or more, yet he consumes less than 2 liters of rice a day..." (Three Kingdoms: 1 liter = 200 ml)

“Why not admonish?”

"It's no use trying to persuade him. You know, the Prime Minister has long been accustomed to this. But his health is getting worse and worse, and it's really worrying. Last night, I observed the stars, and the main star above our army was dim and weak. I'm afraid..."

"...In that case, let's try a different approach. The Prime Minister is well-versed in astronomy, geography, the I Ching, and numerology. I've heard that he knows how to defy fate and prolong life..."

"Really?! Come with me, let's go and convince the Prime Minister together!"

"Okay. After meeting the Prime Minister, I will return to Chengdu to report."

※※※※※※※

Brooke and Bayin were slowly clearing out the Wei soldiers on a hilly path.

This is the 22nd day since the two men arrived at the Battle of Wuzhangyuan.

Zhuge Liang's reclusive nature made it difficult for Brook and his companions to interact. So, they sought to befriend Zhuge Liang's trusted general, Jiang Wei, and unwittingly demonstrated their special ability of teleportation. Under Jiang Wei's orders, the two teleported to the rear of the Wei army to eliminate a stronghold. While working for Jiang Wei and gaining his trust, they waited for Zhuge Liang to deploy the Seven Star Lamp, prolonging his life.

Wuzhangyuan is truly exceptionally difficult. Even the most common soldiers here have a health pool of 20 and an attack power of at least 1, double the damage of the similarly difficult 5-star Battle of Red Cliffs. Once these soldiers launch an attack, they unleash a flurry of attacks, not stopping until they've hit you four or five times. A regular cultivator might have been able to take them down with a single skill, but Brook happened to be the one to defeat them.

Brook's defense increased by 10,000 thanks to the Basalt Stone, and after his seventh transformation, he equipped himself with a full set of Dragon Slayer items. His health now reached 138,000, his magic power 28,000, and his defense 20,000. Brook held the front line, and even the minions' combos couldn't break his defense. With his attack boosted by his costume and Dragon Slayer equipment, a single Bloodlust spell could deal over 200,000 damage, practically instantly killing the minions. Yet, the two fought steadily, advancing step by step.

The reason for this was that there were many archers ahead, and the two had suffered great losses at their hands.

These ranged archers not only boast an attack power of 14,000, but their arrows also have a 20% chance of inflicting magical properties, either burning or freezing. Hitting a rocket arrow inflicts 10,000 HP worth of burning damage, ignoring defense. Hitting an ice arrow freezes the player in a mass of ice, immobilizing them for 2 seconds, with defense halved during the freeze. This type of ice arrow is far more powerful than the Dragon Empire's zodiac freezing, and is a powerful control tactic used in the Three Kingdoms battlefields. Fortunately, these archers have a slow firing rate, averaging one arrow every 5 seconds. Even so, if a group of archers continuously attacks, and if they're unlucky enough to trigger the freezing process repeatedly, they could be completely controlled to death.

On the first day of entering Wuzhangyuan, Brook was repeatedly frozen after entering too deep into enemy territory. Bayin rushed to save him, but was also killed. Then a group of spearmen rushed in with a swift attack, accompanied by archers. In less than five seconds, Brook and Bayin were both down. Fortunately, both had resurrection rings, and they activated the teleport ring while feigning death to escape the danger. Because of this, the resurrection ring's durability was reduced to 4/5.

Wuzhangyuan lacked the Heaven and Earth Forge, and thus had no way of repairing the artifact's durability. Therefore, for now, the two of them were proceeding cautiously, refusing to advance too far, not daring to underestimate these crossbowmen.

The two advanced all the way and finally saw their target: the captain of the line of troop stronghold. However, next to the captain of the stronghold was a Wei general, Xiahou Wei.

"Someone has been destroying our military strongholds these days. Are they the two of them?" Xiahou Wei asked in confusion.

"That should be it. One of these two can summon strange beasts, and the other can use fire and lightning. They are very powerful to be able to kill all the way here." said the personal guard.

"No matter how powerful they are, they are just two fragile warlocks. Follow me and kill them together!"

"Yes, General."

Although Xiahou Wei said it with ease, he was actually not careless. He did not come alone to kill, but brought more than 30 personal guards with him.

When Brooke saw that these guards had swords, shields, spears, and halberds, but no archers, he felt relieved and rushed forward to fight.

Brooke, braving the Wei soldiers' attacks, locked onto Xiahou Wei. Xiahou Wei had no idea this fragile warlock, with just over 10 HP, would have such strong defenses. His personal guards, far superior to ordinary soldiers, couldn't break through his defenses! The enemy's attack range reached a staggering 16 yards, and its power was terrifying: first, he poisoned him, then unleashed a ranged skill, dealing a staggering 36 damage!

Xiahou Wei turned and tried to run, but there was no chance. Bloodthirst paralysis, petrifying him for five seconds; just as it lifted, he was petrified again. Bayin's paralysis ring was already at level two. Then came a continuous freezing, and then petrification again. Brook and Bayin took turns controlling him, leaving Xiahou Wei practically unable to move.

In less than a minute, poor Xiahou Wei didn't even have time to use his ultimate move before he was killed by Brook and the other two. An intermediate life military book and a peerless order were dropped.

The drop rate of 5-star Shura difficulty is good. Stronghold Captains can drop elementary military books, and ordinary generals can drop intermediate military books. In fact, these people are quite strong, but Brook and Bayin are stronger than them.

Afterwards, all nearby soldiers, including the stronghold commander, were wiped out, and this border stronghold of Wei was sealed off. Although Wei would soon send troops to recapture the stronghold, at least during this period, this stronghold would not produce new Wei soldiers.

"It's almost time, let's go back and report." Brooke said.

"kindness."

The two flew back to Wuzhangyuan and found Jiang Wei in the Shu army camp.

"General, we have completed today's mission." Brook threw the heads of the stronghold captain and Xia Houwei to the ground.

"You actually killed Xiahou Wei? Very good!" Jiang Wei was overjoyed, then looked at the two of them and began to think.

In just over 20 days, Brooke and Bayin had already sealed off over 30 Wei strongholds and even killed Xiahou Wei. Their strength was truly remarkable. Although they had only known each other for a short time, it was certain they were not Wei spies. In that case, don't employ those you doubt, and don't doubt those you employ.

Jiang Wei thought about it again and again, and said to the two of them:

"Don't go to the rear of the Wei army for the next few days. I have an important mission for you! Come, sit down first, and I will explain it to you slowly."

Jiang Wei warmly invited the two generals to sit aside, and then began to speak:

"I'll have to inconvenience you into being guards for seven days this time. If you successfully complete the mission, I will petition the Prime Minister to promote you to deputy general..."

"Prime Minister, we need to use the Seven Star Lantern Array..."

"The outer perimeter is guarded by personal guards, and you are the last barrier! Therefore, you must guard the Prime Minister's tent. No one is allowed to enter without my consent! Can you do this?"

Brooke and Bayin stood up and clasped their fists. "Don't worry, General! We will firmly guard the camp. Not even a fly can get in!"