Gu Xiaoguan.
The former territory of the Human Race, this Gu Xiaoguan was once one of the northern border passes of the Xia Dynasty. However, after centuries of dynastic turmoil, the Xia Dynasty's strength gradually declined. Eventually, the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake and some ancient strongholds were breached in an instant, and the four northern tribes surged south, only to be halted at the Fusang Great Wall. Gu Xiaoguan itself had become ruins. Yet, due to the lower elevation of the Snow Ridge in this area, it remained the chosen route for the Human Race to march north.
Snowflakes drifted in the air.
Martial Marquis Yue Hao, clad in armor and a Marshal's cloak, leaped onto a large, ancient stone of Gu Xiaoguan. He looked out at the desolation around him and couldn't help but frown. "The footprints of our Human Race have not graced this place for many years. We are shamed before our ancestors and the people of the world!"
"My Lord."
A Senior General spoke in a deep voice, "The army has just received a Flying Fish Dispatch from the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, a battle report."
"Read it!"
"Yes!"
The Senior General unfolded the note and said, "On the tenth day after the Grain Rain, Chu Huaixi personally led the Heavenly Lake Army to attack Jiuzhangyuan. They successfully ambushed the main force of the demon race at Jiuzhangyuan, completely annihilating eight thousand elite troops from their vanguard."
"What?!"
Yue Hao trembled, "That demon elite, were they under Yu Zhi's command?"
"Indeed!"
The Senior General frowned, "I never expected Chu Huaixi to be so formidable. A few thousand remnants of the old army from the Great Chen Dynasty at Snow Domain Heavenly Lake dared to ambush Yu Zhi's elite legion. It seems the words in our Great Shang court were true: Chu Huaixi is a man of immense courage. Unfortunately, his loyalty lies with the Great Chen Dynasty, not our Great Shang."
Yue Hao sighed with a touch of melancholy, "A mere remnant commander from a dynasty that has already fallen could achieve such a feat. The so-called famous generals in our Great Shang court should be thoroughly ashamed..."
"Alas..."
The Senior General frowned, "In the court, there is constant debate between war and peace. Marquis Wen and Your Lordship are almost at loggerheads. Our Great Shang officials lack unity, otherwise, would the four northern tribes dare to look towards the south with such arrogance?"
"Hmph!"
Yue Hao said sternly, "Whether the court is unified is no longer within our control. For this battle, I only need the northern three prefectures to be united. When will the Yun Province cavalry arrive?"
"We have received their Flying Fish Dispatch. The vanguard of the Yun Province cavalry should arrive before sunset."
"Then... it's time!"
Martial Marquis Yue Hao turned and gazed south.
Not long after, the falling snow on Gu Xiaoguan began to tremble slightly. The sound of countless iron hooves shaking the earth grew closer. On the horizon, a dense mass of cavalry appeared in view, their hoofbeats resonating between heaven and earth. Their numbers were immeasurable. Yun Province, the foremost great prefecture of the Human Race in the north, with its vast territory and predominantly grassland terrain, nurtured the strongest and most numerous cavalry in the entire Great Shang.
A few days prior, upon receiving Martial Marquis Yue Hao's command, five hundred thousand Yun Province cavalry, like streams converging into a river, had galloped from various counties and towns towards Gu Xiaoguan overnight!
...
Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Days passed by.
Following the great victory at Jiuzhangyuan by the Heavenly Lake Army, the great demon Yu Zhi led the demon vanguard to retreat several hundred miles. Thus, these were rare peaceful days in the Snow Domain Heavenly Lake.
Lin Zhao spent his days practicing his boxing. His boxing intent grew increasingly profound, and his internal true qi became increasingly robust. He could vaguely feel that he was on the verge of a breakthrough, it was merely a matter of time. To break through from the fifth realm to the sixth realm would make him a true mid-fifth realm martial practitioner. In some prefectures and counties of the former Great Chen Dynasty, a mid-fifth realm martial practitioner could "proclaim themselves a Grandmaster and open a school to accept disciples."
One evening.
Lin Zhao finished a set of boxing with Xiao Shitō, picked up Xiao Jiuer from the study, and was preparing dinner when the sound of horse hooves echoed from outside. Chu Huaixi had arrived. He had not brought Chen Yu or Huang Tingyu, only a detachment of the Death-Defying Camp cavalry. Leaving the cavalry outside, Chu Huaixi entered the small courtyard alone.
"Greetings, Commander Chu!"
Lin Zhao immediately performed the martial practitioner's salute.
Xiao Shitō also bowed, while Xiao Jiuer quickly ran back to her room. What did she, Su Qingjiu, have to do with adult matters?
"Is Commander Chu here on business?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao then asked Xiao Shitō to tend the fire and cook, while he and Chu Huaixi discussed matters in the courtyard.
"Lin Zhao."
Chu Huaixi looked at the young man, his fondness growing with every glance. It was good that the Great Chen Dynasty had descendants like him. He smiled slightly and began to speak of business. "I have just spoken with Huang Tingyu and have requested you from him. From now on, you will no longer be a Centurion in the Vanguard Camp. How about becoming a Squad Leader in my Death-Defying Camp?"
"Huh?"
Lin Zhao was taken aback. Why was he being demoted?
However, he did not dwell on it and chuckled, "As long as I can go north of the mountains to kill demons, it doesn't matter where I serve."
"Good!"
Chu Huaixi said, "Since that is the case, pack your things and come with me to your future residence. And also... I will introduce you to your ten subordinates. Be prepared, each of these ten subordinates is extraordinary."
"Oh..."
Lin Zhao was momentarily stunned. "What about Xiao Shitō and Xiao Jiuer?"
"Let them eat at home."
"Yes!"
...
After bidding farewell, Lin Zhao followed Chu Huaixi on horseback out of the small town. They did not go to the military camp or the Marshal's mansion, but to a residence on the northwest side of the town. It was not far from the town, with a grand entrance. There were even guards from the Heavenly Lake Army outside. Chu Huaixi noticed Lin Zhao's surprise and smiled, "This courtyard is called the Mountain Peak Villa. It has over a dozen rooms, dedicated servants and cooks, and so on. From now on, you will be the master of this Mountain Peak Villa."
Lin Zhao was stunned.
He didn't say much, but entered the rather luxurious villa with Chu Huaixi.
Chu Huaixi strode ahead, lightly clapped his fists together in front of his chest, producing a muffled thunderous sound, and said with a smile, "Come out, everyone, and meet your leader!"
Immediately, doors opened everywhere. In a flash, ten young men and women emerged from various rooms. Each of them possessed a formidable aura. There were sword cultivators, spirit cultivators, and martial practitioners, but they all shared a common characteristic: they were all very young.
Chu Huaixi smiled slightly, "Let's introduce yourselves in turn?"
"Yes, Commander Chu!"
At the forefront stood a young woman in a white dress, holding a sword. She gently clasped her sword and cupped her fist, saying, "Xiu Zhi, nineteen years old, sixth realm sword cultivator, two Sword Contemplation Lakes, skilled in frontal combat!"
A young man in green robes said, "Luo Yang, eighteen years old, sixth realm sword cultivator, like Sister Xiu Zhi, skilled in frontal combat!" Da Feng Novel Network.
A sturdy young man filled with boxing intent cupped his fist, "Mu Zha, eighteen years old, sixth realm martial practitioner, born with divine strength, capable of delivering a punch equivalent to a seventh realm martial practitioner's force!"
"Lei Yue, sixteen years old, sixth realm cultivator!"
"Zi Ye, nineteen years old, sixth realm cultivator!"
"Gu Luan, eighteen years old, sixth realm martial practitioner!"
"Zhu Zhi, seventeen years old, sixth realm martial practitioner!"
"Wu Lian, seventeen years old, sixth realm cultivator!"
"Dong Hu, seventeen years old, sixth realm cultivator!"
"Hua Ping, seventeen years old, sixth realm cultivator!"
...
A group of ten people, five males and five females, none older than twenty, all in the mid-fifth realm!
Lin Zhao was somewhat taken aback. What was the concept of an eighteen-year-old sixth realm sword cultivator? What was the concept of a sixteen-year-old sixth realm cultivator? He had felt a sense of ambition, thinking he was somewhat of a genius and could turn the world upside down in this world. But upon seeing these people, he felt that he was not that uniquely outstanding after all.
"These children..."
Chu Huaixi mused, "are the ten most outstanding individuals of this generation of our Great Chen Dynasty. The Great Shang Dynasty selected ten people from across the land, right? Then these ten are the ten of our Great Chen Dynasty. And you, Lin Zhao, are the captain of these ten elites of the Great Chen Dynasty. From now on, they are Centurions, and you will be a Commandant. If they become Commandants, you will be the Commander of the Three Armies. Understand?"
Lin Zhao was overwhelmed with gratitude. He knew Chu Huaixi valued him highly, but he never expected Chu Huaixi to value him to this extent!
With these ten people entrusted to him, Lin Zhao understood that Chu Huaixi was grooming him to be the next Marshal of the Great Chen Dynasty. How great was this trust?
...
However, Lin Zhao was a scholar, and he would not shy away from his responsibilities!
"Lin Zhao!"
He stepped forward and cupped his fist, "Fifteen years old, fifth realm martial practitioner, first realm sword cultivator. I have no particular specialties, or rather... frontal combat, surprise attacks, flanking maneuvers, quick assaults, defense, I know a little bit of everything."
He was not being modest at all.
Immediately, a hint of amusement flashed in the eyes of Xiu Zhi and Luo Yang, the two sixth realm sword cultivators.
"Alright."
Chu Huaixi said, "Return to your cultivation. Tomorrow morning, Lin Zhao will officially take residence in the Mountain Peak Villa. He will be the sole master of this Mountain Peak Villa, your leader. Lin Zhao's orders are military orders and must not be disobeyed. Do you understand?!"
"Yes, Commander Chu!"
The group cupped their fists, then turned back to their rooms, without casting another glance at Lin Zhao.
...
Outside the Mountain Peak Villa.
Lin Zhao scratched his head and asked, "Commander Chu, is this serious?"
"Yes, it's serious."
Chu Huaixi looked at him and smiled, "If not you, then who else?"
"But why?"
"Because..."
Chu Huaixi smiled, "In terms of martial realm, you are outstanding among these people. In terms of sword cultivation potential, you might not be as good as Xiu Zhi or Luo Yang. These are merely differences in martial arts and sword arts. But the real difference is... you, Lin Zhao, have read military classics extensively and are well-versed in strategy. Besides your achievements in martial arts, you are also meticulous and steady, a talent for command. This is what these ten lack the most. These ten are capable of charging into battle and leading troops, but their ability to survey the overall battlefield situation is far inferior to yours. Therefore, even if your martial realm and sword cultivation realm are not as high as theirs, you are still the only suitable commander for these ten. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Lin Zhao."
Chu Huaixi looked at him deeply, "These ten young individuals are the most outstanding of this generation of our Great Chen Dynasty. They are so outstanding, they are bound to be quite arrogant. Therefore, you must earn their respect within a short period, so that you can better lead these ten to achieve great deeds for our Great Chen Dynasty."
"Yes, Commander Chu!"
Lin Zhao thought for a moment and asked, "Then... if I live in the Mountain Peak Villa from now on, what about Xiao Shitō and Xiao Jiuer?"
"That's easy. The backyard of the Mountain Peak Villa has quite a few rooms. You can have them cleaned out for them to live in. You can even dispatch soldiers and servants daily to escort Su Qingjiu. You don't need to personally attend to everything. You should focus more of your energy on cultivation."
"Yes, I understand!"
The young man watched Chu Huaixi's retreating figure and slowly cupped his fists, "Thank you, Commander Chu!"
Chu Huaixi, astride his warhorse, had already ridden hundreds of meters away but could still hear him clearly. He took down his wine gourd from his waist, took a drink, and said with a look of contentment, "It is I, Chu Huaixi, who should thank you. Thank you, Lin Zhao, for appearing..."