Chapter 186: The War Banner Points to Xia
entum Dao Yuan had gathered.He still remembered the feeling of freefalling, that heart-stopping sensation, as if his heart were about to leap out of his chest, carrying all his life force in a despera...Beyond the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons lies Frostwind Valley.
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This place is perpetually besieged by arctic winds. Idle cultivators, those who linger here, perish instantly, their bodies and souls frozen solid...
Only when the winter wind of the mortal world sweeps across the border every year will this extreme cold temporarily subside, making way for a passage.
> And during this month, the battles between humans and demons surrounding this passage were often fiercer than the frost wind.
In the Frostwind Valley during the winter month, red and white are commonly seen.
At one of the turns in the path, a man stood alone, his ear cocked as he listened to someone beside him. He nodded occasionally. “Mm,” he murmured. “Oh.” “I see.”
This man wore a white robe and silver spear, with clear eyebrows and bright eyes. He was truly unmatched in his bearing, the great Qi's valiant soldier for the south.
Frostwind Valley belongs to no single faction. Every time it opens, all forces can send people to compete with the demon clan for its resources. Regardless of any discord in the mortal world, at least behind the Ten Thousand Demons Gate, resisting the demon clan is the righteousness of humankind.
Before Jian Zhaonan, the man seemed to have seen hope for a successful persuasion. His words flowed with enthusiasm, almost as if he were commanding an army with his gestures.
As Ji Zhao listened, his hand suddenly shot up, and the world-renowned rifle in his possession seemed to dance across the sky like polished snow, piercing through the man's throat and emerging from the back of his head!
Life and sound vanished together, the person falling onto the snow of Frostwind Valley.
The course of events was very simple.
After a great battle, the demon clan temporarily retreated, and Ji Zhaonan and his companions occupied this mountain pass.
This person suddenly approached, using the pretense of a comrade to make polite conversation. As they chatted and chatted, seemingly by chance, they brought up some matters. They spoke of "a bird having flown, a good bow hidden," of monarchs fearing their ministers, and of how military prowess was in danger—
Ji Zhao nan did not wait for him to finish speaking.
Killing behind the Ten Thousand Demons Gate is a taboo, but there aren't many fools who would dare to fight in the Frostwind Valley.
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It's obvious what just happened to that person.
Bringing the mundane entanglements of this world to the Wan Yao Gate and spouting baseless provocations. If Jian Zhao Nan hears it, he'll take it to heart; if he doesn't, kill them, and don't blame anyone else.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, how many can truly discern right from wrong
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What is unclear, is mostly due to preconceived notions, or unwillingness to see.
How can you be so skilled
Standing on a giant rock across from them was a man in a black Taoist robe, carrying a sword. He usually had a cold and stern air about him, but now there was a hint of amusement in his eyes: "This person makes a good point. He's thinking of you both."
Yet, it was Jing Guo's divine presence, the celestial prodigy Chun Yu Gui.
In the mortal realm, they fought tooth and nail, swords drawn against each other. But after arriving at the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, they were able to speak calmly to one another, even fighting side by side to slay demons.
This is the world behind the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons.
A world that is not quite more cruel, nor more pure.
"A soldier is a master of deception, employing every means necessary. To have this message delivered here speaks to some skill on the part of those in Xia."
Ji Zhaonan curled his lips. "Is that all Are you really this naive What use do your words have for me Even if I were persuaded, wouldn't I still fear death"
Chun Yu Gui burst into laughter.
After laughing, he said: "There's no need to be so afraid of death. The Jing country gates are open for you, Zhao Nan. Let's see who dares to kill you"
Ji Zhao-nan seemed to be very interested, thought for a moment, and then said: "What was the name of that inner court prodigy who died last year"
Chun Yu Gui shrugged: "Life is full of unexpected turns."
"You've had too many surprises!" said Ji Zhaonan.
"You're welcome." said Chunyu Guiduo.
"Oh, what a surprise!" Ji Zhaonan sighed.
Chun Yu Gui lightly stepped on the stone beneath her feet and suddenly asked, "Tell me the truth. Was Zhao Xuan Yang killed by your Qi people"
He looked at Ji Zhaonan and emphasized, “Humans don’t deceive other humans.”
"Yes." Ji Zhaonan nodded without hesitation.
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He even excitedly recounted the events: "Originally, the Qi people were hospitable and enthusiastic. Jiang Wang gave Zhao Xuanyang face, so he walked with him for a few days. Unexpectedly, Zhao Xuanyang became greedy and actually wanted to take Jiang Wang to Yu Jingshan. Jiang Wang said, 'If you let me go now, I'll spare your life.' Zhao Xuanyang was furious and attacked, using the move Tian Jue Di Mie Jian, that guy, flattened the mountain! The Qi State prodigy wouldn't be so easy to deal with With a sword strike from Xianren—tsk tsk, there wasn't even scum left!"
Chun Yu Gui let out a cold laugh: "Stop it. He can't even beat Chong Xuan Zun, how could he possibly kill Zhao Xuan Yang"
"Can we defeat Chong Xuanzun Does it matter whether or not he can kill Zhao Xuanyang" Ji Zhaonan said, "The true strength of our Qi people will be revealed at the moment of life and death!"
Chun Yu Gui Leng said: "When Shi Xi Yao Wang comes later, you let me see what he's like."
Ji Zhao smiled faintly: "If it's for revenge on your behalf, I will."
>
There were a scattering of people around, Qi Jing's companions on either side kept silent and solemn.
People from other countries, on the other hand, all wore expressions of glee as they watched them bicker with relish.
Chun Yu Gui was too lazy to speak any further.
But Ji Zhao-nan said again, “What did you just say That Jiang Wang couldn't beat Chong Xuan-zun It’s very normal for the inner court to lose to the outer pavilion. Is it worth mentioning”
"How long has it been since you left the Ten Thousand Demon Gate"Chun Yu Guidao: "Jiang Wang's four-story building is complete, and Chong Xuan has already descended!"
“What a fearsome young man!” Ji Zhao sighed, then said, “Why are you so concerned about our Qi people Is it because your Jing state is already rotten to the core and there’s no one worth caring about anymore”
Regarding Ji Zhaonan's probing words, Chun Yu Gui just smiled and said: "I only know that you, the first person in Qi under thirty years old, will lose your title. What a peerless armor, a youthful spear, it's truly laughable. People have taken all the glory of their peers, now they are at the same level as you, and you have lost all your brilliance!"
Ji Zhaonan also laughed: "Although your agitation tactic is stupid and ugly. But I have to admit, you got to me. Wait, when I get back, I'll teach him a lesson."
But the moment his laughter landed, he surged with celestial energy, leaping out of the mountain ravine with his spear raised.
Chun Yu Gui was not slow in the slightest, hastening to meet him. His long sword was already in his hand.
With a sound like the bellow of an ox's horn, the demon race has arrived!
The collision of two great powers will naturally be reflected in military force. But war at the national level is by no means limited to military force alone.
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In the darkness, a voice said: “Jiang Shu broke his sword at Jianfeng Mountain before the meeting of the Yellow River. This was to make the people of Xia see clearly their reality and recognize the gap between them, thus wearing down their courage.”
>The re-solution of the Heavenly Observatory, is to have stripped away the external appearance of the Xia Kingdom.
Thus, Xia Guo's tough exterior has been cracked. Indeed, victory is at hand.
In that case, in your view, is the campaign against Xia a foregone conclusion another voice asked.
Both voices were extremely ethereal, obscuring the Dao and concealing heavenly secrets, making it utterly impossible to discern their true forms.
A voice from before said: "Being superior in force does not equal victory in the battle... There's no such thing as a guaranteed win. Xia Nation won't just let themselves be slaughtered. Even though Si Yuan is dead, his ambition remains unfulfilled. Though their strong army has been decimated, their blood courage still burns bright. This nation, though its outer shell has been cracked, its big claws remain. Even if the claws are broken, they still have sharp talons, sturdy teeth, and vicious internal barbs, making them far from easy to swallow! Moreover, Xia Nation's victory lies in a single battle, Qi Nation's in winning the entire campaign. The difficulty is vastly different. In my opinion, the outcome remains uncertain."
Si Yuan was the real name of Xia Xiangdi from that year.
The following voice was naturally recognizable, and simply asked: "So, what do you think, should we risk taking action this time"
"King Zhao has made it clear that he will not interfere in this war... Do you have time" the first voice asked softly.
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"Hehe." A following voice said, "Time is important to us, and unimportant. I just don't think letting Jiang Shu swallow Xia is a good choice."
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“Do you think Jiang Mengxiong is waiting for someone Jiang Shu sits in Linzi, is he waiting for someone” The first voice said: “Since you know this move is ‘adventurous’, we shouldn’t intervene.”
Then another voice was silent for a moment, and said: "You are right."
"Wait and see." The previous voice responded with the same words, "Time is important to us, and yet unimportant."
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Another voice, low and rumbling, chuckled softly. "Holy One," it said, "I've always been curious. Who are you"
"I don't need to know who your martial arts master is," the first voice said. "I only know your ideals, your aspirations. Those who share the same goals, why reveal their faces"
"Perhaps it's the way of life, paths diverge and connections are fleeting... We meet people but rarely truly understand their hearts. Who knows how many will walk this road with us to the very end" A voice responded, "You speak truth. Let it be so."
Then both voices vanished.
If someone were to eavesdrop on this conversation, they would surely be surprised by the identities of the speakers.
Because the Holy Spirit, the Valiant Hero, and King Zhao...are exactly the three leaders of the Equal Nation!
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The dragon has always been a mythical being, appearing and disappearing without a trace.
It is finally swallowed by obscurity, unheard of by the world.
On November 15, 2023.
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Cao Jie led a million troops from the state of Qi eastward. Along the way, small countries all avoided his path. The army stretched as far as the eye could see, with flags and banners fluttering in the wind, finally reaching the border of Xia.
Even several small countries actively mobilized their troops, eager to join the Qi army in battle.
Cao Jie refused to be drafted, saying, "I alone possess a hundred million talents and cannot allow any outsider as my teacher."
Even provisions and supplies were not requisitioned, only strict orders were given to all countries along the way to keep the supply lines for the army open.
Essential military supplies travel with the main army.
In an era of centralized state power, wartime supply was never like the kind seen in feudal times when families fought each other, transporting supplies in carts.
Ordinary storage boxes have limited capacity and cannot meet the needs of a large army.
Those items, which are extremely small in size but have a huge storage capacity and are very expensive, cannot be widely used in the military.
As for Qi, supplies were usually transported by storage chariots produced in the workshop, hauled by Chasing Wind steeds and overseen by dedicated escorts.
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These transport officers were the cream of the crop, elite warriors selected from the ranks. They possessed extraordinary skill. Their status in the army was extremely high, ranking alongside standard soldiers, and often called "Two Lords" by ordinary troops: "Flag Lord" and "Provisions Lord". Ji Zhaonan himself came from the Flag Lord corps.
Regardless of their current position, soldiers generally take pride in introducing themselves to each other by stating the year and army they served as a "mess sergeant."
The maximum capacity of a transport wagon and the speed of pack animals are both areas that construction officials need to focus on. This effort, in a sense, is also a reflection of national power.
The powerful nations, truly, are strong in every aspect. They are present in the lives of ordinary people, evident in their military strength, and reach into the highest levels of government.
The logistical support for an army of 100,000, a convoy of supply officers, and ten or so cargo wagons, would be enough to complete one journey.
In the grand battles of the national era.
Supplementation losses have been drastically reduced, the speed of supplementation has increased unprecedentedly, and the pressure on the supply line has also been reduced significantly.
Of course, supplies are still paramount during the process of marching and encampment.
Cao Jie led his army eastward, setting up flags along the way and calling on all the states to watch over them. He extended his lines for a thousand miles, ensuring the unimpeded flow of troops.
This battle flag has a name, it is called the "Banner of Conquest".
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It usually combines the abilities of warning, guiding, and attacking.
"Warning" is easy to understand, and it can even be said that the most important ability of a signal flag is to ensure the safety of supply.
All the signal flags respond to each other, a kind of long-distance communication. Although they can only transmit very simple warning information, this military tool is currently the only one that can maintain long-distance contact during war! Its preciousness is self-evident.
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Secondly, there is "Pathholder". The flag has two effects in this regard. One is to gather the earth and sky's energy of the established locations, which can help the arriving transport officials and Galewind Warhorses quickly recover their condition. The other effect is to increase the flight speed of the transport officials and Galewind Warhorses within its influence range. On a long supply line, these two effects are very important.
In addition, a battle flag generally also possesses a certain degree of offensive capability. Within the area covered by the battle flag, an escort officer can borrow the power of the battle flag to fight.
The banner is so important, Qi State's "Purple Extremity Banner" stands out among them. It is a powerful military artifact blessed by the might of the State of Qi!
From the Qi realm to the Xia realm, every hundred miles a post is erected, forming a line all the way, establishing a solid supply line.
Every flagpole has its dedicated soldiers guarding it. But simultaneously, every country along the way must provide corresponding protection during wartime. Should anything be lost...the hegemon will hold them accountable!
War is not a duel between one or two people, it's not simply a matter of drawing swords and deciding life or death.
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...but rather in every action, whether standing, walking, sitting, lying down, eating, drinking, urinating, defecating, or anything else at all, to do it thousands, ten thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of times... how can one control it with ease
When a person passes ten thousand, there are countless.
An army of over 100,000 soldiers is like a vast ocean.
The best of the army, the dragons and phoenixes among men.
A hundred thousand men are the pride of all under heaven.
A commander of millions cannot be an ordinary general.
On November 7th, the allied forces set out on their campaign. On November 15th, they reached Xia.
In just eight days, a million troops were brought in an orderly fashion to the Xia realm. The sight of their disciplined ranks and formidable presence was truly a testament to the qualities of a great general.
Of course, this was nothing out of the ordinary for Cao Jie. It wasn't something to boast about.
The first challenge he faced was that the Xia army directly abandoned the border, choosing to defend their walls and clear the fields, creating a hundred-mile white expanse. They set countless traps, using Taoism, tools, and mechanisms... all in an effort to delay the Qi army's advance.
The second challenge was Mount Jianfeng, which resembled a sword piercing the sky after the vast expanse of white land...
On the mountaintop of Jianfeng, personally overseeing the situation was the Great Xia Min Wang, Yu Liyang.
This was Cao Jie and Yu Liyang's first encounter.
No one wants a second time.
—Aside—
Speaking of which, today the courier arrived and I received the physical book. Now I can write the plot while referring to the paper map.
It's not as big as I imagined. I thought it would be a large map that could be hung on the wall. I imagined circling and dotting things on it with a pen, feeling like Cao Cao commanding his troops...
But now this is about the same size as my computer screen.inglu, there was no empty space left. All the space was filled with Ji Jinglu's martial intent.The tip of the sword landed on the clouds and mountains in the painting, like a speck of ink bursting ope...