“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Cannons and crossbow bolts exploded continuously in both camps. The shockwaves and shrapnel from the exploding shells were lethal to ordinary soldiers.
In the context of large-scale weapons, the Great Feng army was almost obliterating the Kang nation’s troops in a crushing manner. This was one of the pillars supporting Great Feng’s dominance over the Nine Provinces. Even though the Witch God Cult had secretly acquired a large number of cannons and ballistas over the years, without the maintenance of術士 (Shushi, Technicians), the performance of the magical weapons and the power of the shells were greatly diminished.
Moreover, magical weapons were constantly being updated and upgraded. The performance gap between old and new weapons was enormous.
Nan Gong Qianrou led the heavy cavalry, breaking away from the main camp and avoiding the firing range of cannons and wagon-mounted crossbows. They launched a charge from the right flank of the Kang army.
The Kang army quickly realized the approach of this heavy cavalry force. They maintained their artillery and ballista fire, engaging in an artillery duel with the Great Feng army, while their archers and arquebusiers began firing at the advancing cavalry force of over ten thousand.
After several volleys, the archers and arquebusiers promptly retreated. At this moment, a group of cavalry wielding Modao (long-handled sabers) charged out from the Kang army – three thousand strong.
The Modao rose to prominence in the early Great Zhou dynasty. Weighing over eighty jin and forged from fine iron, only top-tier strong soldiers could wield them. In those days, without 術士 (Shushi, Technicians), the Great Zhou relied on twenty thousand Modao troops to dominate the battlefield unrivaled.
Each Modao wielder was at the peak of the Refining Essence realm, swinging the Modao with ease. Under the Modao, both men and horses were shattered. They were specifically designed to counter heavy cavalry.
Great Zhou was truly a nation established through martial prowess, the most glorious era of the martial way.
In the middle and late periods of Great Zhou, as national power declined, the reputation of the Modao army waned. By the time of Great Feng, due to the limited martial cultivation of soldiers, the Modao army had retired from the stage of history.
However, the Modao army had been preserved in the Northeast, continuing to this day. This was because the witches of the Witch God Cult could stimulate the potential of soldiers, enhancing their vitality and achieving a short-term surge in combat power. Thus, the threshold for the Modao army was significantly lowered.
Three thousand Modao troops charged towards the ten thousand Great Feng heavy cavalry, showing no fear, but rather brimming with hot-blooded enthusiasm.
One slash could shatter both man and horse, specifically designed to break heavy cavalry.
Nan Gong Qianrou’s beautiful face twisted into a fierce grin. The Nine Provinces only knew that among the cavalry, the barbarian tribes were supreme, and after the Shanhai Pass battle, the Jing nation’s cavalry became the most respected.
Great Feng’s cavalry was considered worthless.
But was that the case?
The reason Great Feng’s cavalry was scarce was only due to the lack of excellent warhorses and suitable pastures for raising horses.
Scarcity didn’t equate to weakness. Over the past twenty years, Wei Yuan had analyzed the reasons for more than ten minor defeats in the Shanhai Pass battle, all due to the severe disadvantage of cavalry.
Great Feng didn’t have a brave and battle-hardened Modao army, and the combat strength and cultivation of their soldiers couldn’t compare to the glorious period of Great Zhou. How could they enhance the power of heavy cavalry on their existing foundation?
Wei Yuan’s decision was: Equipment!
Great Feng didn’t have witches who could stimulate soldiers’ potential and enhance their combat power. Nor did they have the strong soldiers of Great Zhou.
But Great Feng had the Celestial Observatory and 術士 (Shushi, Technicians).
Few people knew why Wei Yuan had frequently visited the Star-Gazing Tower over the past twenty years. But after this battle, the ten thousand sets of heavy cavalry armor that Wei Yuan had poured his heart, strength, and wealth into creating over twenty years would make a brilliant stroke in this campaign.
The Modao army, long abandoned by Great Feng, was nothing more than an old relic covered by the dust of history!
Ten thousand heavy cavalry fiercely cut through the Modao army, sending men and horses tumbling.
Nan Gong Qianrou led from the front, her brown pupils replaced by blood-red, veins bulging on her face. She looked less like a human and more like a beast that had lost all reason.
Witnessing this scene, many commanders from both the Kang Army and the Great Feng Army furrowed their brows.
In the previous siege battles, the heavy cavalry hadn’t had a chance to show their true capabilities. Therefore, even their side wasn’t clear about the real combat power of this heavy cavalry unit.
Except for Wei Yuan and Nan Gong Qianrou.
At this moment, from within the Kang army ranks, a grand, ethereal chanting arose, layer upon layer, making it impossible to discern the specific content.
Spiritual energy began to proliferate across the entire battlefield. The Modao troops who had just fallen, their blood not yet cold, began to rise again. Some had lost their heads, some their arms, and some had their chests pierced through, but they truly stood up once more.
They rejoined the battle.
For witches, as long as the corpses weren’t torn to pieces or burned to ashes, they were an inexhaustible source of troops.
“Awooo…”
Continuous howls echoed from high above. Huge flying beasts glided on their wings, passing over the Great Feng army, and dropping stones, oil, and other objects.
The gates of Yan Capital opened, and the Yan nation’s troops poured out, attempting to catch the Great Feng army in a pincer attack with the Kang army.
“Raise shields!”
Chen Ying, a rising star in the military and commander of twelve thousand Imperial Guard, calmly issued orders: “Artillery units one, six, and eight, turn around! Crossbow units two and four, turn around! Assault teams, follow me and charge!”
As he shouted, he also conveyed his orders by waving small flags.
The infantry raised their shields to block attacks from above, while some of the artillery and wagon-mounted crossbows turned to fire at the Yan troops rushing out of the city.
Amidst the thunderous cannon fire, Chen Ying led five thousand light cavalry and ten thousand infantry, charging fiercely to meet the Yan army.
…
The battle raged from day into night. The Yan army retreated into the city, leaving over eight thousand corpses behind. The Kang army also suffered heavy losses and withdrew thirty li.
The Great Feng army found itself in an extremely awkward predicament, caused by three factors:
First: Setbacks in the war effort.
Yan Capital was easy to defend but difficult to attack, more challenging than the seven cities already conquered. Moreover, Yan Capital was teeming with experts and had a strong military force, with a Third-Rank witch in command. Capturing it in the short term would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
With the reinforcement of the Kang army, attempting another siege was now impossible.
Second: The supply line had been cut off.
Without a supply line, the Great Feng army was like a tower without a foundation – collapse was only a matter of time. This sharp blade thrust into the belly of Yan had now lost its edge.
Bonfires blazed, and inside the military tent, the young faction led by Chen Ying and the Wei Yuan faction led by Nan Gong Qianrou gathered together.
Chen Ying stood before the sand table, pointing and explaining:
“The strategy of Kang and Yan is clear as day. They intend to trap us beneath Yan Capital until we run out of food and ammunition, or scatter and flee. Then they’ll divide and devour us. We’re almost out of provisions. By the day after tomorrow, we’ll have to start slaughtering horses for meat.”
A commander grinned and said, “I’ll take charge of raiding for supplies. There are quite a few villages near Yan Capital, so we should be able to scrounge up some food. We absolutely cannot kill the horses.”
Chen Ying snorted, “General Zhao, then I’ll leave that to you. Lord Wei’s task for us is to hold out for ten days. Six days have passed, and we need to endure for four more days. After four days, we retreat.”
He paused, sweeping his gaze over the assembled commanders. Seeing their low spirits, he pondered for a moment, then said frankly:
“To be honest, this battle has been bizarre from the start, and the cutting of our supply lines even more so. I still don’t understand Lord Wei’s intentions. But military orders are like mountains – even if Lord Wei ordered me to charge through a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I wouldn’t blink an eye.”
“We still have thirty thousand brothers left. After four days, I don’t know how many of them will survive, or if I’ll even survive myself. But the Witch God Cult has been pushing us too far these past years.”
“They colluded with court officials, embezzled our Great Feng’s military resources, and supported bandits in Yun Province, making people’s lives miserable. Now, they’re even trying to occupy the north and surround our Great Feng’s northeastern border.”
“Even if our entire army is wiped out in this battle, we must exhaust the forces of Yan and Kang. Gentlemen, are you afraid of death?”
“Afraid of shit! Those who dare to step onto the battlefield aren’t afraid of death,” one commander cursed.
“It’s just four days, right? I’ll still be alive and kicking after four days.”
“If Lord Wei wants us to drag it out, forget four days, I’ll complete the mission even if it takes forty days.”
Everyone looked towards Nan Gong Qianrou. This effeminate Golden Gong said calmly, “I will lead ten thousand heavy cavalry to leave tonight.”
Chen Ying stared at her intently: “Lord Wei’s mission?”
Nan Gong Qianrou nodded.
Chen Ying looked at her for a long time. Finally, this handsome young man smiled and said, “Alright, you can focus on your task. Leave this to us.”
Nan Gong Qianrou didn’t respond and turned to leave. Just as she was about to exit the tent, she suddenly stopped. Nan Gong Qianrou slowly scanned everyone’s faces, looking carefully. She took a deep breath and clasped her hands in salute:
“Everyone, take care!”
“Take care!” the officers replied solemnly.
Nan Gong Qianrou removed her helmet and gently placed it on the ground. She bent down, pausing for a few seconds, then strode away.
…
Yan Capital.
Candles blazed in the grand hall as Nur Haci sat high on his throne, listening to his ministers’ discussions.
Compared to the predicament of the Great Feng army, the atmosphere here was noticeably more relaxed, even joyful.
After six days of defending the city, the Great Feng army had only attacked on the first day. After losing thousands of men, they had retreated in disgrace and hadn’t launched a second assault.
In contrast, with the arrival of Kang reinforcements, they had achieved a pincer attack and cut off Great Feng’s supply lines, depriving them of provisions.
They just needed to hold out for a few more days, and Great Feng would have no choice but to retreat. With their current remaining forces, they could no longer siege the city. In other words, the capital was as stable as Mount Tai, unafraid of any feint by the Feng army.
Once they retreated, Yan and Kang could even pursue them.
Victory would belong to the Witch God Cult.
This way, the so-called Great Feng Military God wasn’t as terrifying as imagined.
The turn of events had given the people of Yan a strong sense of confidence. The reputation Wei Yuan had built during the Shanhai Pass campaign was instantly diminished.
“Hehe, it seems this Great Feng Military God isn’t so skilled at sieges after all.”
“Perhaps twenty years of court politics have worn away his edge. Indeed, after twenty years without leading troops, times have changed.”
“With just this one battle, our Yan will trample on Wei Yuan’s name and shock the Nine Provinces.”
“Bringing only a hundred thousand troops and thinking he could fight his way to our headquarters? What a pipe dream.”
Wei Yuan led his army north, encountered strong resistance in Yan, and ultimately failed, fleeing back to Great Feng territory with his remnant forces… This would surely be recorded in the history books.
Nur Haci turned his head to look at State Preceptor Yierbou, who held a golden staff and was wrapped in robes. He smiled and said:
“State Preceptor Yierbou, once we repel Wei Yuan, we can divide our forces and assist Kang in pacifying the northern border. After this battle, Great Feng will struggle to send reinforcements. The three million li of northern territory will enter our Witch God Cult’s domain.”
Yierbou said calmly, “The northern border conflict isn’t urgent. The headquarters’ order is to annihilate the Great Feng army within our borders, especially Wei Yuan. We can’t let him return to Great Feng.”
Nur Haci was taken aback and secretly frowned.
He didn’t understand the significance of this order from headquarters. War wasn’t a brawl; one’s vision should always be on the long-term and big picture, not on one or a few individuals.
Repelling the Feng army and seizing northern territory was far more important than killing Wei Yuan.
Yierbou continued, “However, being able to intercept Wei Yuan within Yan’s borders is indeed an unexpected joy. You’ve completed your task perfectly. I’ll request a commendation for you from headquarters.”
Nur Haci smiled, “Thank you, State Preceptor.”
Suddenly, Yierbou tilted his head, assuming a listening posture.
The whispers in his ear were ethereal and illusory, layer upon layer as if countless voices combined as if coming from another world.
Yierbou’s expression changed from calm to stern, from stern to ashen, so quickly that Nur Haci was bewildered.
“The Witch God is summoning me… Wei Yuan?!”
Yierbou transformed into a black light and shot out of the hall, instantly disappearing into the night.
“Wei Yuan?”
Nur Haci frowned, his face showing confusion.
The ministers and generals in the hall looked at each other, momentarily baffled.
What had Wei Yuan done to anger State Preceptor Yierbou so much?
Ten thousand li away from Yan Capital, in the capital of Kang, a similar black light broke through the sky, swiftly flying towards the northeast.
…
As dawn approached, Nan Gong Qianrou led ten thousand heavy cavalry and finally arrived at the location specified by Wei Yuan.
It was a valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a babbling stream.
Nan Gong Qianrou ordered the cavalry to rest in place. Throughout the march, she strictly followed the rules set by Wei Yuan: rest every ten li, clean the horses’ mouths and noses, water, and feed every thirty li.
Bonfires blazed, boiling pots of vegetable soup.
The grain had been looted from villages along the way, while the vegetables they had brought themselves. Thinking of this, Nan Gong Qianrou was reminded of that despicable person who competed with her for favor.
Before the army set out, Xu Qi’an had suggested a plan to Wei Yuan: dry and roast vegetables, completely squeeze out the moisture, and then seal them in sheep intestines.
Each soldier carried one jin of dehydrated vegetables, which wasn’t heavy, but when rehydrated with water, the quantity was substantial. Sprinkled with a handful of coarse salt, the taste was touching.
Nan Gong Qianrou drank the vegetable soup, grabbing rice grains with her hand, eating while pondering her adoptive father’s purpose in having her separate from the main army.
The direction Wei Yuan had given was south, contrary to the main army’s line of march.
Nan Gong Qianrou vaguely realized that her adoptive father’s twenty years of effort in designing and crafting these ten thousand sets of heavy cavalry armor might have another use.
That’s why she had to separate from the main army. Her father’s idea was to minimize significant losses to this heavy cavalry unit.
But what was the significance?
Just as Nan Gong Qianrou thought this, she suddenly heard a voice behind her: “You…”
She whirled around to see a plain-looking white-robed 術士 (Shushi, Technician) standing behind her, having appeared without warning.
This white-robed 術士 had typical Central Plains features: soft contours, neither sharp-angled nor deep-set eyes, with slightly thick lips, giving an impression of simplicity.
Nan Gong Qianrou reflexively leaped up like a bounding antelope, quickly putting distance between them, while drawing her sword and shouting, “Who are you?”
The heavy cavalry promptly dropped their bowls, drew their swords, and mounted their horses, their actions swift, displaying high military quality.
The white-robed 術士 unhurriedly said: “all…”
Nan Gong Qianrou shouted again: “Who are you?”
This white-robed 術士 had appeared behind her silently; his cultivation must be far above Yang Qianhuan’s.
The white-robed 術士 said: “came late…”
After a pause, he finally completed the sentence: “…ly.”
“You all came late?” Nan Gong Qianrou finally understood his words and exclaimed in surprise, “You were waiting for us? Did Father send you?”
The white-robed 術士 nodded.
Nan Gong Qianrou sighed in relief and quickly asked, “Who are you, sir? What arrangements does Father have for us in meeting you?”
The white-robed 術士 looked at her calmly and said in an impassive tone: “I am the Supervisor…”
Nan Gong Qianrou’s expression changed drastically.
The Supervisor?
He’s the Supervisor?! No, how could he be the Supervisor, I’ve seen the Supervisor before… Wait, it doesn’t have to be the Supervisor’s true body, it could be an avatar. Yes, that would explain why he appeared behind me without my noticing…
What exactly is Father planning by having us meet the Supervisor?
Nan Gong Qianrou took a deep breath, bowed respectfully to show deference to the Supervisor, then heard the white-robed 術士 say: “‘s second disciple!”
“Second disciple?” Nan Gong Qianrou was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: “You’re the Supervisor’s second disciple?!”
The white-robed 術士 smiled and nodded steadily.
…Nan Gong Qianrou’s face twitched continuously.
Suppressing her annoyance, she asked, “What exactly are Father’s arrangements?”
The white-robed 術士 said solemnly: “I…”
Then he fell silent.
Having experienced this before, Nan Gong Qianrou wasn’t impatient. She waited patiently, taking the opportunity to recall what she knew about this 術士’s identity. The Supervisor’s second disciple had been away for years; Nan Gong Qianrou had only heard of him but never met him.
Unexpectedly meeting him today, this second disciple was, well, truly worthy of being the Supervisor’s disciple.
Ten minutes later, the white-robed 術士 finally squeezed out the second half of his sentence: “…don’t know!”
“I don’t know…” Nan Gong Qianrou’s expression had become somewhat ferocious.
The white-robed 術士, completely oblivious, smiled at Nan Gong Qianrou, raised his hand, and gently wiped away Nan Gong Qianrou’s existence, wiping away the existence of ten thousand heavy cavalry.
…
As dawn broke, the golden-red morning light spilled across the sea, creating layers of scattered golden light.
Atop Jing Mountain, on a tall watchtower.
A sentry wearing a sheepskin coat and a warm hat yawned and took a swig of sheep’s milk wine from the water skin at his waist.
After autumn, the climate on Jing Mountain had turned sharply colder. The salty, damp sea breeze felt like tiny knives on the face, gradually scraping the skin, making it dry and rough.
The sentry glanced far into the distance at the tall altar, vaguely seeing two indistinct statues that had stood for over a thousand years.
For mortals whose lives span barely sixty years, these two statues seemed to have existed since time immemorial, unchanging.
“Hey, hey, wake up, it’s almost time to change shifts.”
The sentry drinking sheep’s milk wine kicked his companion awake.
His companion rubbed his eyes, waking with dark circles under them, yawning lazily as he said:
“Fuze’er, I heard the situation in the north is looking great. I want to go to the battlefield and earn some military merits. I could get promoted and loot some wealth. Then I’d have money to marry a wife.”
Fuze’er took another swig of sheep’s milk wine and shrugged:
“Foolish. If you could go to the battlefield, why bother spending money to marry a wife? Just grab eight or ten barbarian women and bring them back. Wouldn’t that be more enjoyable?”
His companion sneered, “Barbarian women are fiercer than tigers and wolves. Is that little bit of meat between your legs enough for them? You’re only good for showing off to mother sheep.”
“You bastard, what did the mother sheep do wrong for you to treat them like that?” Fuze’er cursed.
Suddenly, Fuze’er, who was looking out to sea, froze. He rubbed his eyes as if doubting what he saw.
On the shimmering sea surface, at the edge of the horizon, a huge warship appeared, followed by two, three, five… a total of twenty warships in a triangular formation, riding the wind and waves, speeding towards them.
Flags fluttered on the warships.
At the bow of the lead ship, a figure in green robes stood with hands clasped behind his back, his clothes fluttering, his gaze calmly fixed on Jing Mountain.
“Woo woo…”
The sound of horns rose from the watchtower, spreading across all of Jing Mountain and through Jing Mountain City built along its slopes — this mighty city teeming with high-ranking witches.