In the early morning, logging in.
"Swish!"
Lin Zhao's figure appeared on the grand avenue of Fusong Great Wall. Less than ten seconds after he logged in, a figure flew from outside the city on a sword. It was Wu Zhi. Frowning her delicate brows, she said, "My lord, the 500 elite cavalry of the Snow Domain Legion are waiting outside the city. Where are we heading to… conquer?"
"Eastern Wu Kingdom."
Lin Zhao frowned. "I have reached an agreement with Li Chunyang of the Great Shang Dynasty. As long as we send troops to help them conquer the Eastern Wu Kingdom, the Great Shang Dynasty will establish a teleportation array for our Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, connecting it with Shanhai Pass. At that time, it will be much more convenient for us to purchase supplies from the human territory."
"Taking only Chu Yu?"
Wu Zhi said unhappily, "Why not bring Wu Zhi along?"
"Because of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond…"
Lin Zhao said helplessly, "You wield the Great Excalibur, so naturally, you must stay to guard the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. Wu Zhi, that is our home. Someone has to guard it. Currently, you are the strongest in the entire Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. Are you going to let Mu Zha guard it instead?"
"Even so…"
Wu Zhi furrowed her willow-leaf brows. "The Eastern Wu Kingdom has always been outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant towards the Great Shang Dynasty, and the two sides often clash. This expedition is dangerous. Even if you don't bring me, you should at least bring Mu Zha!"
"It's fine."
Lin Zhao smiled slightly. "Chu Yu is a tenth-realm martial artist and a sixth-realm sword cultivator. With her, it's enough. Alright, Wu Zhi, be good and return to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond immediately. The rest will be handled by Chu Yu and me. You and Mu Zha will guard the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, and Chu Yu and I will march to the Eastern Wu Kingdom. We are both doing this to rebuild our homeland, so our actions are the same."
"Mm."
Wu Zhi nodded gently. "Then I'll be going back?"
"Go."
Wu Zhi's figure soared into the sky, transforming into a rainbow light in the sky as she rode her sword, heading straight for the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond. On the city wall, Lin Wanhua, who stood proudly with her sword, frowned. Wu Zhi, such a talented sword cultivator, and so beautiful, treating Lin Zhao with such utmost respect, made Lin Wanhua feel a little displeased. No, she thought, I'll find an opportunity to force Wu Zhi to duel me later and beat her up!
...
Lin Zhao rode out of the city. Within Fusong Great Wall, a group of cavalry stood like a surging tide—the 100,000 cavalry of the Lin Lu Legion, all clad in dark green armor. Beside them were the 500 cavalry of the Snow Domain Legion, wearing the armor of the former Yunzhou cavalry, which looked somewhat out of place. However, Chu Yu, a tenth-realm martial artist, clad in armor and riding a warhorse, stood at the forefront of the crowd, exuding an imposing aura that somewhat restored the dignity of the Snow Domain Legion.
"My lord!"
Chu Yu cupped her fists and smiled at Lin Zhao.
Lin Zhao returned her smile. "Conquering the Eastern Wu Kingdom, are you nervous?"
"Not nervous."
Chu Yu laughed. "Conquering a small country like this that constantly shifts between the human and demon races, we have a clear conscience!"
"That's good."
Just then, a messenger rushed over, holding the token of Yu Rang, the deputy commander of the Lin Lu Legion. He said in a deep voice, "Bai Yi, your 500 people from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond have been assigned to the Seventh Battalion of the Tenth Regiment!"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded, took the token, and led Chu Yu and the others to the Tenth Regiment's location. The Lin Lu Legion had a total of 100,000 cavalry for this expedition, with each regiment being a phalanx of ten thousand men. Lin Zhao's contingent was in the seventh column of the ten-thousand-man phalanx, forming a battalion with another 500-cavalry phalanx. The commander of that cavalry phalanx was named Xu Ning.
"Commander Bai!"
Xu Ning cupped his fists from afar and said with a smile, "Once on the battlefield, swords and blades have no eyes. You must be careful!"
Lin Zhao smiled and returned the salute. "Commander Xu, you too!"
In the distance, the sound of a horn echoed, and the army slowly moved eastward, kicking up a cloud of dust. Behind the hundred thousand cavalry followed at least 200,000 porters, auxiliaries, and a small number of infantry, responsible for transporting supplies such as grain and equipment. After all, once on the battlefield, pure cavalry warfare requires a massive logistical support.
As for the situation where Yue Hao led fifty-three thousand cavalry northward in the past, carrying only a small amount of dry rations, it was a battle of no retreat. The purpose was to deter the morale of the demon race's army, but unfortunately, Yue Hao was defeated.
...
After a forced march of three hours, the Eastern Wu Kingdom's border appeared on the main map. It was indeed a small country, with its entire territory less than one-third the size of Yunzhou. Upon reaching the border, Yu Rang ordered the entire army to rest and await orders. Lin Zhao took the opportunity to log off for lunch. When he logged back in that afternoon, Yu Rang convened a meeting in his tent, requiring all the ten-thousand-man commanders to attend. Among them, a military order was specially issued to Lin Zhao, requiring him, a commander of only 500 cavalry, to also be present.
Inside the command tent.
The old general Yu Rang, with white hair, stood before the sand table and said calmly, "As you have all seen, the Eastern Wu Kingdom has detected our movements and is prepared. They began a scorched-earth policy several days ago, consolidating all their population and troops within the cities. Although the total strength of the Eastern Wu Kingdom is less than fifty thousand, attacking them one by one will be quite troublesome. Currently, we face a defense line formed by dozens of small cities. As long as we break through these small cities, our army will reach the capital of the Eastern Wu Kingdom, Ye City."
"Old General!"
A ten-thousand-man commander cupped his fists and said with a smile, "Please issue the order. We are all impatient. As soon as the old general gives the command, we will immediately lead the Lin Lu cavalry to charge and turn the mere fifty thousand defenders of the Eastern Wu Kingdom into dust!"
"Good!"
Yu Rang laughed heartily. "Assign the cities. Generals, attack with all your might. Rest assured, we have fought battles and shed blood on the battlefield, but the Great Shang will never treat us unfairly!"
"Yes, sir!"
Several military strategists distributed tokens one by one. Among them, Lin Zhao received three tokens. The 500 men of the Snow Domain Legion were actually assigned to attack three small cities near the northern border of the Eastern Wu Kingdom.
"Young Hero Bai Yi."
The old general Yu Rang narrowed his eyes and smiled. "You are the great general who guards the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, with five hundred elite cavalry under your command. Three border small cities of the Eastern Wu Kingdom should not be a problem, right?"
Lin Zhao chuckled inwardly. What border small cities? These were actually three strategically important towns. The closer to the border, the more heavily fortified they were. These three cities bordered the demon race and the Great Shang Dynasty. Each city had at least 1,000 soldiers defending it, and they were all elite troops, responsible for resisting both humans and demons. Although the Eastern Wu Kingdom was a fence-sitter, it had managed to stand for over a hundred years north of Fusong Great Wall, so it must have some capabilities.
However, he saw through it but did not expose it. He curled his lips and said with a smile, "Don't worry, our Snow Domain Legion will never disappoint the old general!"
For a moment, a group of ten-thousand-man commanders showed meaningful smiles, waiting to see Lin Zhao and his group make fools of themselves. Lin Zhao's smile was also meaningful. To be honest, the strength of the three northern prefectures of the human race was truly inferior to that of a century ago. Take the hundred thousand cavalry before them as an example. Apart from a few accompanying cultivators, the main general, Yu Rang, was merely a tenth-realm Sea-stepping realm martial artist. The foundation of martial artists seemed sparse. As for the ten ten-thousand-man commanders, the strongest was only ninth-realm, while others were seventh-realm, eighth-realm, and even some sixth-realm. This group could only bully vassal states. If they truly encountered the main force of the demon race, the results might be quite grim.
And why could he, Lin Zhao, attack the three border cities? It was because he had Chu Yu, a tenth-realm martial artist. Chu Yu's martial foundation was quite solid, very close to the peak of the Sea-stepping realm, and she was also a sixth-realm sword cultivator. Besides Chu Yu, among the 500 accompanying cavalry, there were many sixth and seventh-realm martial artists. As for third, fourth, and fifth-realm martial artists, they were as numerous as cow hair. In terms of strength, even a ten-thousand-man phalanx of the Lin Lu cavalry might not be able to defeat Lin Zhao and his group.
...
Upon returning to the camp.
Lin Zhao held a map, marking the locations of the three border cities, and said, "We are responsible for taking these three cities."
"Mm."
Chu Yu nodded gently, not finding anything inappropriate. On the contrary, she felt that it was natural for their 500 men to take three cities. Otherwise, the Lin Lu cavalry of the Great Shang Dynasty seemed unreliable, and even if they captured them, the losses would be heavy.
"Forward!"
Chu Yu gave the order, and everyone, led by their commander Lin Zhao, rushed towards a northern border city. The ground was instantly covered in dust. The hundred thousand cavalry scattered, each heading to their respective targets. At the same time, the commander Yu Rang soared into the sky and said to everyone with his martial energy, "During daylight today, after capturing the city, no harm shall come to the civilians. No civilians shall be harmed, and no property shall be plundered. Any violation will be dealt with according to military law!"
Everyone shouted their compliance.
Ten minutes later.
Lin Zhao led the 500 cavalry to a frontier small city at the edge of the northern border of the Eastern Wu Kingdom. On the main map, this city had a simple name: Tu City (Earth City). As its name suggested, it was dusty everywhere. Even the material used to build the city was earth. The city walls were only about five meters high, and the city wall was covered with flags. Archers with quivers on their backs looked coldly down at the city.
Tu City, with a garrison of 1200 men.
"My lord, how do we attack?"
Chu Yu glanced at the distant city and said, "Just flatten it?"
"No, there will inevitably be casualties."
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes and smiled. "I hope this expedition of the Snow Domain Legion can be bloodless. Chu Yu, the city walls of this Tu City don't seem very sturdy. How about you try punching them and leveling the entire city wall? After that, it will be the cavalry's domain. I believe the people of the Eastern Wu Kingdom are not stupid and will surely surrender."
"Yes, my lord!"
Chu Yu leaped into the wind.
"Archers, fire!"
On the city wall, a fourth-realm martial artist, a thousand-man commander, hastily gave the order. But before the arrows could be shot, the female martial artist swept past with a punch. The power of her fist was blazing, turning into a strong wind that swept over. Instantly, the west city wall of Tu City collapsed. Amidst the dust, countless defending soldiers got up, each looking stunned.
"Sea-stepping realm?"
The thousand-man commander got up from the dust and ruins, his face filled with horror.
Just then, a sword cultivator in white robes rode his horse over. He cupped his fists from afar and said in a deep voice, "The Snow Domain Legion is on an expedition by order. We hope you will surrender immediately. We will not harm a single soldier or a single civilian!"
The thousand-man commander collapsed completely, like a deflated ball. The other side had a Sea-stepping realm martial artist with them, so how could they fight?
The soldiers were also covered in dust, gritting their teeth. They wanted to fight, but they couldn't.
"We, are willing to surrender!"
The thousand-man commander knelt on one knee. In an instant, the garrison in the city knelt in a sea of people.
Lin Zhao waved his hand, ordering the 500 cavalry to take over the city.
...
"Yo~~~"
In the distant forest, an old gentleman emerged, dressed in a long gown, appearing to be a scholar. Looking at the Snow Domain Legion's cavalry taking down Tu City bloodlessly from afar, he smiled. "That's right. Less killing intent, more scholarly air. This is what a student of Suihan should be like. Otherwise, wouldn't they be going astray with Ding Muchen, becoming mere military strategists who only know how to fight?"
"Cough cough..."
A voice sounded in his ear, "Old sir, watch what you say. I haven't fought with scholars in a long time."
The old gentleman stroked his beard and said with a kind smile, "Control yourself, my lord of the Art of War!"
"Hmph!"
The person in the sky chuckled. "I am not in the human world. Please help my junior brother protect his path!"
"That is natural!"