The war drums on the mountainside of Tianchi Army signaled the start of a slaughter. The eight thousand demon troops' formation was in disarray under the artillery fire. As they attempted to retreat, the Tianchi Army's strongest Decisive营, a thousand cavalry, descended from the mountain, cutting off the demons' escape route. Simultaneously, the Formation Breaking营, Ironclad营, Broken Halberd营, and Valiant Might营 launched a major offensive from the southern jungle. The Flash Strike营, composed of individuals with immense strength, light armor, and wielding battle axes, charged down the mountain, killing demons with a single axe blow each. Just as the demons were planning to detour and retreat north, they discovered the vanguard's thousand cavalry had returned, completely sealing their last escape route.
In the battlefield, Chu Huai Xi, a cultivator at the Sea-Stepping realm, moved as if in an empty realm. He let his warhorse charge forward, his body surging with fist intent, continuously unleashing waves of fist energy that resembled rolling blue tides, specifically targeting the accompanying cultivators among the demon army, especially those in the Middle Five Realms. One punch each, no mercy shown. A Tenth Realm martial artist's fists were too formidable; they could even challenge Eleventh Realm cultivators in the Middle Five Realms. On this battlefield, he was practically invincible.
Huang Ting Yu also drew his sword repeatedly, his sword light weaving through the demon ranks. He too focused on killing, specifically targeting Middle Five Realm demons, one sword stroke at a time. This made Lin Zhao slightly curious: could this old rogue truly be an Upper Five Realm Sword Immortal?
Chen Yu led the Swift Wind营 in a rapid charge, her delicate fists imbued with fist intent. Though beautiful, she showed no mercy when killing demons.
Amidst the crowd, Lin Zhao, a Fifth Realm martial artist, also performed exceptionally. His fists, imbued with the power to charge through the heavens, erupted amongst the demon ranks, sending multiple demons flying with a single blow. Leading his contingent of a hundred cavalry, he charged fearlessly, his prestige momentarily rivaling that of the Decisive营, ranked first among the eight Tianchi battalions.
During the fierce battle, the demon army was ambushed and surrounded on all sides. Their morale had already collapsed, but their inherent ferocity drove them to continuously counterattack. For a time, the human cavalry's spears were laden with demon corpses. If the demons wished to exterminate humanity, why wouldn't humanity wish to exterminate demons? Neither side held back in their assault.
...
The fight continued until noon. The snowy ground as far as the eye could see was stained red with blood. By afternoon, the victor was decided. The Tianchi Army began to clear the battlefield, collecting the bodies of their fallen comrades and tending to the wounded. As for the demon corpses, after salvaging valuable treasures and wealth, they were left exposed in the wilderness, unattended.
At dusk, inside the Tianchi Army's command tent.
Everyone wore joyous expressions, and no one was unhappy.
"Marshal Chu!"
Liu Ping, the commander of the Formation Breaking营, cupped his fists with a smile. "Our army has annihilated a full eight thousand elite demon soldiers this time, not letting a single one escape. We lost over six hundred brothers, and over a thousand were wounded. This can be considered an unprecedented great victory in the history of human battles against demons! This battle alone is enough to make the Tianchi Army renowned throughout the land!"
Chu Huai Xi nodded with a smile.
Ma Fei Yu, the commander of the Flash Strike营, held a blood-stained battle axe and chuckled, "This axe has probably beheaded over a hundred demons. It was truly exhilarating!"
Chen Yu smiled and nodded, "Commander Ma, you've worked hard!"
Ma Fei Yu quickly cupped his fists, "I dare not speak of hardship, only loyalty to the nation!"
Wang Jiang, the commander of the Valiant Might营, said with a smile, "In this battle, my Valiant Might营 killed over seven hundred demons. It was a truly satisfying fight!"
Huang Ting Yu smiled faintly, "Everyone had a satisfying fight, a satisfying fight."
Chen Yu narrowed her beautiful eyes and said with a smile, "While we are all happy, shouldn't we also consider who enabled the Tianchi Army to achieve such a glorious victory?"
"Lin Zhao."
Liu Ping of the Formation Breaking营 chuckled, "Indeed, we underestimated this youngest centurion of the Great Chen Dynasty!"
Chen Yu turned to Chu Huai Xi and said with a smile, "Marshal Chu, this victory for the Tianchi Army was thanks to Lin Zhao's counsel. If Lin Zhao hadn't seen through the demon commander's intentions, we likely wouldn't have achieved such results. Should we not reward Lin Zhao or promote him?"
"This..."
Chu Huai Xi chuckled and said, "Lin Zhao is already a centurion. Further promotion would only be to commander. All of you commanders are currently working diligently, so there are no vacancies for him. How about... we bestow upon Lin Zhao the position of staff officer in the command tent? In the future, Lin Zhao can participate in command tent discussions as a centurion, and we will allocate a thousand Qing Fu coins from the army treasury as a reward for him. What do Your Highness think?"
"That's fine, that's fine~~"
Chen Yu chuckled and nodded.
...
Demon encampment.
In a crimson military tent, a young woman clad in red armor slammed her palm onto a bronze table, causing it to shatter. She exuded a demonic aura, and her beautiful eyes burned with fury.
Yu Zhi, an Eleventh Realm great demon, commander of the demon vanguard, commanded fifty thousand demon vanguard troops. The eight thousand elite soldiers of the vanguard corps, who engaged in contact with the human army today, were completely annihilated. This enraged Yu Zhi immensely.
"My lady!"
A demon commander of ten thousand soldiers cupped his fists and nodded, "Please calm your anger... this battle truly exceeded our expectations."
"Why? Why!?"
Yu Zhi's body erupted with terrifying energy, her eyes glaring fiercely at her subordinates as she roared, "Why were they able to ambush us so precisely on our marching route? The location, the timing, not a single detail off! Who is it? Who among the Tianchi Army saw through my intentions, saw through my strategy of luring the enemy deeper?"
"Could it be Chu Huai Xi?"
A commander of ten thousand soldiers with wings behind him said calmly, "Chu Huai Xi is known as the foremost general in the north of humanity, with brilliant military achievements and exceptional command. Could it be him?"
"Impossible!"
Yu Zhi gritted her teeth and said, "I have clashed with Chu Huai Xi for many years; I know his capabilities best. Chu Huai Xi is too cautious in his deployments. Thus, he wouldn't suffer a great defeat, but he also wouldn't achieve a great victory. Yet today, they went all out, transferring most of the Tianchi Army's main force to the south of Jiuzhang Plain. If our army were to press south with full force now, the Tianchi Army would surely be defeated. According to Chu Huai Xi's usual style, he would never employ such a risky, unconventional tactic."
A demon cultivator in a gray robe slowly rose. Also at the Eleventh Realm, he narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Hmph, they were just lucky to win. My lady need not be angry. We still have forty thousand troops. As long as we establish a firm foothold, we can be invincible at Jiuzhang Plain."
"No need."
Yu Zhi shook her head and said, "Shao Shi Yu has already arrived at the Snow Region Tianchi. It is said that she has been transferring thirty thousand Vermillion Bird营 cavalry from Shanhaiguan to Tianchi Ridge. Our true threat is no longer Chu Huai Xi, but Shao Shi Yu. Send an order to retreat five hundred li and temporarily avoid the human army's sharp edge. After all, this is merely a diversionary attack."
"Yes!"
"Wait!"
"My lady, is there anything else?"
"Investigate." Yu Zhi raised her hand, her beautiful eyes filled with anger. "Send spies to investigate who proposed ambushing our main force south of Jiuzhang Plain. I want to know who could have guessed my intentions. Find them, and I will kill them with my own hands!"
"Yes, my lady!"
...
Several days later,
News of the demon vanguard's full retreat spread throughout Lingbei. Chu Huai Xi took advantage of the situation and withdrew his troops, leaving only scattered forces to guard Jiuzhang Plain. The main force returned to Tianchi Ridge. It was late spring at Tianchi Ridge, and the soldiers could finally rest properly. Furthermore, Tianchi Ridge had campsites, which were far better than enduring the elements in the north.
Lin Zhao also returned to Tianchi Ridge with the Tianchi Army. After fighting outside for many days, he truly missed his little Shi Tou and Xiao Jiu'er at home.
Early morning.
The youth of today was already a regular officer of the Tianchi Army, clad in centurion battle armor. He led a magnificent white steed, a gift from Chen Yu. A sword and a spear were slung across the horse's back. What set him apart from other vanguard centurions was that Lin Zhao still carried the silk-wrapped ancient sword on his back, making him appear exceptionally unique.
The morning in the small town had already begun to bustle with activity. The cries of fried dough vendors, the hoofbeats of Tianchi Army cavalry visiting relatives, and the crying of children in the morning mingled together, making Lin Zhao feel that everything was still so familiar. As he passed by the front street bookstore, Qin Sui Han was drying books that had been exposed to dampness. Upon seeing Lin Zhao stop his horse in front of the shop, Qin Sui Han simply nodded with a smile and said nothing.
Lin Zhao cupped his fists with a smile and rode away.
Passing by Bai Wei Xuan.
"Third Shopkeeper, you're back!"
Jia Zhong leaned on the counter and smiled as he greeted him. "You look so energetic! Our Third Shopkeeper has unintentionally become a young general now~~~"
Qing'er Sao emerged from the inner room, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, Third Shopkeeper's spirit and demeanor are completely different now! In another two years, Sister will find you a good match, I guarantee it will be the most beautiful girl in Tianchi Ridge. When you marry and have a few stout sons, it will be bringing glory to the Lin family~~~"
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded, "That's right, that's right. I must be going now..."
"Mm-hmm, go ahead and be busy!"
Upon returning to his ancestral home, only Xiao Shi Tou was practicing his martial arts. Xiao Jiu'er had already gone to the academy.
Lin Zhao missed Xiao Jiu'er dearly. He asked Xiao Shi Tou to continue practicing and tied his horse in the courtyard. Then, he went to the academy. Standing outside the academy window, he watched from afar as the little girl held a book of sages, seemingly studying diligently with the teacher. In reality, she was secretly exchanging whispers with the children in the classroom and sneaking pieces of maltose, which made Lin Zhao smile knowingly.
Life was like this, and everything was just right.
...
On the way back, as he passed the stone bridge, he encountered a few people.
Two men and two women. The men were Su Xing He and Yi Shi Cang Liang, and the women were Shen Xing Chen and Leng Yan.
Lin Zhao, clad in armor with two silver stars on his collar and the sword on his back, the standard attire of a general, walked directly towards Shen Xing Chen and Leng Yan.
"Lin Zhao!"
Leng Yan spotted him immediately. Seeing Lin Zhao, who now looked like a young general, her heart pounded, and she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. She stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Are you looking for me?"
"Not looking for you, Miss Leng."
Lin Zhao looked at Shen Xing Chen and said, "Shen Xing Chen, I don't know how to begin, but... in my dreams, someone mentioned your name."
"Ah?!"
The beautiful Shen Da's eyes widened, and she was too astonished to speak.
...
Beside them, Su Xing He's hand had quietly moved to his sword hilt.