Chapter 4
The blacksmiths forged new weapons and fixed the broken ones, the low soldiers spar each other with wooden swords and spears, the archers trained their skills and the commanders played chess and discussed the art of war.
Everything was in perfect balance until a tall figure dressed in black rags walked calmly throughout the camp. The man was about 2,3 meters tall, with a body filled with well-proportioned muscles. He had sword-like eyebrows and displayed a sharp gaze. This man was Bao Qiang.
Moments later, he was intercepted by the Captain who convoked him to the General's tent the pasted day.
" Sub-Captain Bao, may I know why you're dress in such a way!? "
A little smile formed on Bao's face, as he already prepared the perfect answer for such a question.
" Captain, what could it be if not the growth spurt of youth! For your information, I'm only 16 this year! "
The Captain almost fell to the ground upon hearing such a reply. Alright, it was normal for a kid at such age to grow at a rapid pace, but a case like Bao's should be the first and only in history.
Filled with doubt, the man was really at a lost. How could he argue against such fact?
" You're kidding me, right...? "
Laughing out loud, Bao Qiang really did not hope such a dull excuse would work out, but the Captain's reaction was still funny.
" Of course Captain, I was just joking you! Well, I don't know for sure, but this overnight transformation occurred after I took some pills General Chao gave me yesterday! Seriously, even I was surprised like such when waking up this morning... "
Recomposing himself, the Captain also gave a smile. Although he never heard that such magical pills existed in the world, if it came from General Chao, anything was possible. Dreaming of such transformation on himself, he once more gazed at Bao's body.
" Alright then! Please head to the Main Warehouse to get a new pair of clothes. After that, head to the north gate; the divisions are already gathering there and your men wait for your command. "
Saying his farewells, Bao Qiang continued his walk to the center of the giant camp. Such a huge structure was built at that desolate border because of the imminent danger coming from the neighbor kingdom.
Overnight, this kingdom dominated three smaller kingdoms at its sides and declared itself the Desolate Empire. However, despite the bold claim, now its power was only in par with Bao's Flood Dragon Kingdom.
Yes, his country really had bounds with the ancient Flood Dragons, as the Royal Family retained a faint bloodline, somehow impure.
After the war proclamation to all the kingdoms of the region, the two parties had been in a friction war without anyone coming out on top.
Dressing a whole new uniform, Bao Qiang finally headed to the north gate. From what he heard, the north frontline was only a few hours apart from the camp, a rapid trip by horse.
Yet, their depart was urgent since the enemy party already positioned themselves ate the Desolate Valley in a favorable spot, claiming one of the main hills. As so, it was destined to be a hard fight.
Another worrisome matter was that the resistance mounted there was anxiously asking for help from
It did not take long for Bao to reunite with the departing divisions. To be more specific, three full divisions with one hundred men each were being sent this time, together with the aid of an elite archer squad.
As s Sub-Captain, Bao had four soldiers under his command. Although it was a pretty s.h.i.+tty rank in the hierarchy, at least he ordered someone around.
" Good morning men! I'm Sub-Captain Bao and you'll be under my care during this mission! Any questions? "
Staring at him with disdainful eyes, one of the four men relayed in a disrespectful voice.
" I didn't know they were recruiting cowards for this army... "
Apparently, one of the deceased in Bao's spy mission was the man's close friend, and clearly, he held resentment towards Bao for being the only one to come back alive.
However, before the other ones could start laughing at his words, a heavy hand sent the arrogant man flying, cras.h.i.+ng to the ground unconscious.
A moment of silence swept through the group as Bao gave an evil smile to the remaining men.
" Well, I hope you guys know your place in this relations.h.i.+p... As your commander, I require absolute respect and loyalty. If any of you can't understand that, please feel free to join our friend over there. "
After such, cold sweat ran down the men's foreheads. One had to know that as experienced soldiers like them, to be sent flying with a simple slap, the other person was definitely powerful.
s.h.i.+vering all over, the three could only stare to the ground before Bao Qiang.
" at your command, Sub-Captain Bao! "
Then, as they began their trip through the dusty rood, Bao happily seated on his horse's back as he rejoiced in his heart.
" Who would have thought Father's "lessons" would come out handly one day? Oh, I can already imagine myself, commanding hundreds of divisions with peerless beauties on my arms... "
And for the first time in his life, Bao understood why individuals like himself and the Old Fog cultivated and faced such difficulties: For power. Power to command. Power to conquer. Power to do whatever one's heart pleases. This was the true way of a Free Devil through life!
Now, as he remembered his adventures at the capital, everything seemed like a child's play. With power, whole new doors would open for his hunt. Daughters and wives of Dukes and Marquises, beauties of secret cultivation clans...
As so, a long time pa.s.sed peacefully as the group advanced north. The trip was at a slow pace since that region was filled with hills and saws
Yet, as he was immersed in his daydreams, a white flash pa.s.sed by his eyes. In an abrupt jump, Bao dodged to the ground with a s.h.i.+eld on his hand. Lucky, he left one prepared on his saddle.
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A second later, thousands of arrows rained upon the divisions, taking multiples lives and crippling many.
The crowd of men was totally chaotic as wave upon wave of sharp metal cut through the sky from above.
However, amid the disorder, Bao slowly controlled his breathing and swept through his surroundings.
" Men, come to me and build a s.h.i.+eld war! "
As so, his three subordinates who were behind him and had time to react before being caught in the rain of death reunited by his side with their s.h.i.+elds.
As for the people around, they also began to maintain their ground and form small groups of s.h.i.+eld walls, slowly a.s.sembling together. At the time, Bao Qiang carefully opened a small hole on his left and observed the surrounding hills.
Clearly, the mainstream attackers were positioned at the northwest mound, with some precise arrows coming from east. In a flash, Bao quickly turned around to inspected the deceased.
Exactly like he thought! The arrow rain was just a distraction. A bit ahead, Bao could see the Commanding Group of the divisions completely dead on the ground, as so as some Captains and Sub-Captains lifeless at really specific locations.
Such could only mean one thing: they clearly outnumbered the enemy, but their target was never the whole divisions, but the Commanders of the expedition!
Understanding such truth, Bao immediately took off his half-dragon insignia and shouted to the rest.
" Anyone above the low soldier rank, immediately take off their identifications and disperse! Look around you, their targeting the command ranks from the east! "
Upon hearing the warning, every man of higher rank took off their insignias rapidly and mixed themselves with the surrounding men.
After such, the arrows did not take long to cease once more in a silent atmosphere.
Without delay, the remaining troops started to reorganize and arrange a permanent defense with the horse corpses. The wounded were treated and the surviving command officers reunited to discuss the situation.
A group of twenty individuals was in a circle with tense facial expressions as one of them read a small sheet of paper.
" We lost more than half of the command officers and about half a full division of low soldiers; with twenty-some wounded. Luckily, the archer squad reacted in time and there were no causalities among them. As for the horses, half were lost, together with half of the blacksmiths. "
" I would say we should retreat to the camp. But if such is done, our resistance at the Desolate Valley will surely succ.u.mb to the enemies, as so as the north frontline will be lost! "
A longe silence remained among the men after the man finished his report, and n.o.body dared to make any proposals.
However, as everyone was at a loss, a young man lifted his hand.
" Could I state my opinion on the matter? "