Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 456: Victory in the First Battle

"They’re coming..."

Xia Zhining stood on the watchtower, her face serious as she looked at the "Jin Xia Soldiers" charging from the opposite side. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Beat the drums, prepare for the enemy!"

As Chen Mo issued the command, the war drums atop the high platform outside the Chen Army camp were beaten, and the deep drum sounds spread in all directions.

"Maintain formation and head directly for the enemy troops. Attack the crowded places, scatter them if you must. Leave the enemy general to me." Chang En, riding a tall black horse within the Xianzhen Guard, commanded.

The Signal Soldier spread Chang En’s orders throughout the Xianzhen Guard.

Chang En didn’t understand military tactics; these were taught to him by Chen Mo during last night’s discussion.

"Boom boom boom..."

With the order being spread, the drumbeat grew more intense. Chang En threw his helmet to the ground, his hair disheveled; he wasn’t used to wearing it and felt constrained. Holding a Horse-Cutting Saber, he roared, "Soldiers, follow me to slay the enemy..."

The Xianzhen Guard responded with vigor, quickly forming small formations, initially releasing three rounds of arrows, then charging towards the enemy with unstoppable momentum.

"Raise shields."

On the other side, facing the arrow rain shot by the Chen Army, Hu Shu shouted loudly. The puppet army’s shield soldiers at the front quickly raised their shields high, concealing their figures.

Yet, numerous Feathered Arrows sliced through the sky, causing cries of anguish within the dense ranks of the "puppet army," with many falling to the ground.

Despite being defectors to Jin Xia, Jin Xia remained wary of Hu Shu’s men. Not all Jin Xia Soldiers were fully armored, much less the defectors, lacking arrows and wielding weapons discarded by Jin Xia Soldiers.

Under the concentrated arrow barrage, the casualty rates among the "puppet army" surged, with some becoming panicked and beginning to retreat.

The result was being slain by the Jin Xia Soldiers in the supervision teams.

After enduring three rounds of arrow rain, the puppet army followed suit with shouts and surged forward.

During July and August, the plains were still lush with greenery. The wind danced across the land, making wildflowers of all colors sway, bathing in the sunlight and releasing their fragrance.

Yet, this beautiful scene was utterly destroyed by the brutal bloody battle of tens of thousands of soldiers from both sides, blood splattering about, white flower petals dyed red, grasslands appearing crimson.

Footsteps trampled the flowers into mud, bodies continuously falling, feathered arrows, weapons embedded in them.

The puppet army of defectors to Jin Xia comprised defense soldiers from northern cities and conscripted men by Jin Xia, barely trained. Aside from initially forming a complete formation, after charging, and intentionally being scattered by the Xianzhen Guard, soldiers from the puppet army could only fight individually. Often, dozens or hundreds grouped together, protecting themselves like hedgehogs.

Some panicked, looking around, starting to confuse friend from foe, ending up with heads soon rolling.

In contrast, the Xianzhen Guard had undergone rigorous training and battled with Prince Huai’s forces. Though not as strong as Divine Courage or Divine Martial, if divided by military tiers, the Xianzhen Guard was at least second-tier, while the "puppet army" wasn’t even third-tier.

The Xianzhen Guard formed formations using camps, their long spears like forests, pressing against the frail and weak "puppet army," forcing them to retreat continuously.

"Battle intent of the Xianzhen, death without life. Kill!" The Xianzhen Guard soldiers shouted, thoroughly scattering the "puppet army."

Chang En had never killed anyone before and didn’t want to.

So, during the charge, he showed leniency, rendering the enemy powerless without taking their lives.

But upon seeing his men mercilessly killed by enemy forces.

Chang En grew furious.

With a sweeping slash, he killed someone.

It was his first time killing, and he was stunned, the sensation of blood splattering on his face akin to hunting beasts on the mountain.

The enemy’s long spears stabbed from all directions towards him. As he froze, his warhorse was killed, but the spears aimed at him were blocked by protective Innate Spiritual Qi, and he was overturned onto the ground.

Yet, the enemy showed no mercy, continuing to kill towards him.

"Protect the General." Nearby Xianzhen Guard Soldiers gathered around Chang En.

"Kill."

With an angry shout, Chang En stood up, swinging his Horse-Cutting Saber, severing all the spears aimed at him, then moved slightly, using body technique to first flash short, then advance forward, finally sweeping out, releasing a blade beam with flames, slicing through a dozen attacking enemies at the waist, the air filled with a scorched smell.

"Victory!"

Witnessing this, a thunderous cheer erupted within the Xianzhen Guard’s formation, cries erupting from the throats of countless Xianzhen Guard soldiers.

"Kill."

After killing over a dozen people, Chang En’s eyes were bloodshot, running with his Horse-Cutting Saber towards the now-unguarded Hu Shu.

If the army is like a giant furnace, anyone entering gets their edges polished away.

Then the battlefield is a grindstone; even the gentlest person, after a bloody battle, becomes numb.

"Boom boom boom..."

Drums sounded from the left rear of the Xianzhen Guard, signaling the soldiers to charge towards the left formation.

"Retreat, retreat quickly."

Hu Shu was never a courageous man; captured by Jin Xia earlier, he surrendered after a brief scare.

Now seeing the army defeated within less than an hour of battle, he was frightened, turned his horse’s head, and prepared to flee.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

Yet at this moment, a blood-soaked Chen Army general was charging towards him, Horse-Cutting Saber in hand.

Though not mounted, on this battlefield where generals engaged, his speed seemed even faster than horseback.

Hu Shu realized at once this person’s strength wasn’t ordinary, urged his horse to flee, shouting, "General save me, General save me..."

A general so cowardly, dropping his horse and fleeing, even crying for help so miserably.

The already defeated puppet army completely gave up resistance and scattered, panicked with their heads in their hands.

"No retreat, no retreat, retreaters will be executed..." Jin Xia’s supervision team threatened.

"Worthless."

From the rear observation tower, Tie Muer witnessed this scene, immediately cursing furiously. Previously victorious over and over, and without encountering strong resistance, Tie Muer had never realized how weak Hu Shu was.

"General, I’ve said before, the Song People are not of much use." Yelv Nuku said.

Tie Muer lowered his eyes, then ordered, "Sound the retreat. General Yelv, this unit of Song People is still useful; don’t let them all die, lead your men to cover their retreat back."

"Understood." Yelv Nuku replied.

...

"Clang clang clang..."

The crisp sound of the Copper Gong echoed in Jin Xia’s camp.

Upon receiving the order to retreat, the supervision team no longer obstructed the fleeing "puppet army."

"Die."

Chang En knew this was the time the enemy would sound the retreat, and he couldn’t help but activate Spirit Burning Profound Skill, speeding up his body technique, then, with a fierce stomp, leapt up to chase down the fleeing Hu Shu.