The central military tent.
Commander Qu’s robes swirled around his long garment, the slightly odd ensemble fitting him without a hitch. It exuded both the elegance of a Confucian scholar and the imposing presence of an unsmiling authority.
As he scrutinized the freshly reported military provisions’ figures, his brow creased into a deep frown.
The gathered generals and advisors within the tent remained silent, their expressions filled with restrained resentment.
“Report! The Wa-Yue Tribe is showing unusual movement, possibly heading toward Qingmu City!”
A messenger rushed into the tent and delivered the news. The heavy silence was immediately broken by the sound of someone slamming their hand on the table.
“Our military rations have been cut again.”
“Hmph! It’s no surprise, knowing how many corrupt officials skim from the top as it’s shipped from the Imperial Capital to the Southern Pass. Who knows how much actually gets here!”
“Eighty thousand men in Qingmu City—part of their provisions and pay comes straight from the Prince’s own pocket.”
“What’s the Emperor’s plan? To abandon Qingmu City entirely?!”
“Qingmu City is the shield of the Southern Pass. If we abandon Qingmu today, they’ll have us abandon the Southern Pass tomorrow. We might as well all hang up our armor and go home!”
The rising chorus of discontent was quelled instantly by a cold snort from Commander Qu.
“As commanders, we only need to remember four words: serve until d*ath.”
“Just now, who suggested we all quit? Thirty lashes for that one.”
The generals looked around awkwardly, all eyes landing on the man who’d spoken up the loudest.
The burly fellow gruffly accepted the punishment and trudged out of the tent.
The dull thuds of the lash striking flesh soon echoed from outside until Commander Qu resumed speaking.
“File the military report and let His Highness decide.”
“Let everyone know: starting today, alcohol is banned within the ranks, violators will be severely punished. That’s all.”
“Yes, sir.”
Moments later, the tent was empty save for him.
Commander Qu sat in silence for a while before calling over his personal guard.
“Where’s the Young Lord?”
“Out on the parade grounds organizing a formation fight with one of the famed prodigies. Bell Zhong was the one who initiated the challenge.”
“A formation battle, huh? That Young Lord can already stand toe-to-toe with Inner Scenery experts. If this prodigy doesn’t know how to handle formations, he’s in for a tough time.”
Commander Qu nodded. Talented individuals were often too proud. Perhaps this experience would teach him the harsh realities of the battlefield and remind him of the insignificance of individual prowess. With this lesson, Qu could later convince him to leave Qingmu City for good, along with Ke Mo and Ying Bing.
With that thought, the Commander exited his tent and headed toward the parade grounds.
—
Elsewhere.
The sun hung high in the sky, and the northern winds swept through, carrying an air of intense battle spirit that refused to be dispersed.
The one hundred soldiers moved in perfect synchronization, their collective power coalescing seamlessly. If the formation was a blade, then Zhong Zhenyue was its tip.
Dressed in heavy armor, the formation’s energy peaked around him. Even the shadow behind him emanated an aura of galloping iron horses and warriors, echoing battlefield cries.
Confronting this military formation, most would tremble in fear and lose all thought.
“Your physique is particularly suited to formation arts,” Ke Mo couldn’t help but remark.
“No wonder your ranking on the Qianlong List climbed so dramatically.”
With a grave expression, Zhong Zhenyue responded, “Could it be that you observed a sliver of the Divine Glare’s essence during your time in the South Border?”
He had long heard that among the Monster Clans, Zhu Yan, Qiong Qi, Ya Zhi, and Wu Zhi Qi were the fiercest fighters. Among them, Wu Zhi Qi had been long since vanished, while both Zhu Yan and Ya Zhi now took the form of Disaster Beasts.
Ke Mo shook his head. “This is not the Divine Glare’s essence but rather the remnants of the True Spirit bloodline’s power.”
“True Spirit?”
“Indeed.”
“Wow, this True Spirit bloodline feels so similar to the Divine Glare’s essence.”
“Indeed, the distinction between the two is rather slight…”
Watching from the commander’s platform, Zhong Ling scowled.
Great, they’re chatting like old buddies out here. What kind of respect is this?
The once-confident, proud Zhong Zhenyue had changed ever since returning from Yunzhou. He had become distant, more focused on martial arts, and—most of all—less interested in her.
All because of some rumored “Fierce Soul” wife chasing after her shadow?
She waved the banner, signaling the troops.
In military formation battles, orders were followed with no room for hesitation or delay.
In an instant, the power Zhong Zhenyue had gathered surged forward, and he was forced by the overwhelming momentum to shout out, “My sword has no eyes, Brother Ke, beware!”
“Let’s go!”
Ke Mo exhaled sharply, feeling battle spirit coursing through his veins, his very bl**d burning!
And boy, was it burning!
Quicker than the blink of an eye, a massive shadow of a spear barreled down on Ke Mo with a lethal edge. But this was just Zhong Zhenyue, who led the charge. From all around, a downpour of spears aimed at him from the formation’s soldiers rained down.
Clang!
A clash erupted, the forty warriors of the formation unleashing their combined might, crashing head-on against Ke Mo.
With a thunderous roar, a crater formed in the ground where they collided.
As the dust settled, the scene revealed something astonishing.
Zhong Ling stared wide-eyed, her mouth gaping open.
A strike powerful enough to shake a Sixth-Grade Disaster Beast had been blocked by one man!
And the sharp spears aimed at the young man’s chest just sparked harmlessly against him!
Human or beast, this was beyond what any ordinary warrior—or possibly even most Disaster Beasts—could achieve!
Could his physical strength rival that of an Inner Scenery expert trained in external martial cultivation?
And…
Wasn’t he supposed to be a swordmaster?!
Her worldview tilted slightly, but Ling still gritted her teeth and continued directing the formation.
Her skills in commanding the formation were commendable. Seeing that brute force wouldn’t work, she ordered her troops to adapt, turning the soldiers into waves upon waves of relentless attack. It was like water dripping through stone, aiming to wear him down bit by bit.
One word: endurance.
Even Inner Scenery experts could be drained to d*ath in the wrong formation.
“Good!”
Ke Mo stood in the midst of the chaotic tide, standing firm like an age-old rock battered by ceaseless waves. The Ya Zhi True Spirit roared with pleasure.
His strength surged as he swung his hammer, his seven primary meridians and thirty-six main channels channeling boundless energy, growing stronger with every fight!
“Roar!”
The True Spirit of Ya Zhi, finally recognizing this youth as worthy, willingly transformed into a streak of light and merged into the Stone Monkey God紋.
A brief flicker was all there was, but Ke Mo’s battle intent was now at its peak!
Boom!
Calm Before the Storm!
With a single hammer blow, the ground buckled beneath him like a tidal wave. The powerful force erupted outward, striking every soldier in the formation. Even those with rooted stances couldn’t withstand it, falling in all directions, and the formation shattered instantly.
Zhong Zhenyue stumbled back, caught himself with his spear, managing not to fall flat on his rear.
Zhong Ling, meanwhile, was completely stunned. Her command flag slipped soundlessly from her hands.
At the entrance of the parade, Commander Qu crossed his arms behind his back, stepping onto the field.
“If this kid were to join the army, in time…”
He gazed intently at the youth striding proudly, shirtless, with the aura of someone in their prime.
“He would surely become a ten-thousand-strong warrior… A veritable Divine General.”
—
PS: The book’s going to be spot-checked today, so changes are set in stone for now. Once that’s done, I’ll correct any missed typos instantly!
Every day I see the audience supporters recharging their energy and it makes me more nervous and excited than when I check royalties. Could this little bookworm possibly reach the Top 10 in the gift rankings? (Rubs hands anxiously.)
