"This is bad!"
Suddenly, someone shouted, "The vanguard, Zhu Rui, has gone to inform!"
"What?!"
Xu Sheng gritted his teeth. Things were getting more chaotic.
The Border Garrison Legion had over 20,000 men. Many were still undecided, some still hoping to join the Lingnan Legion. After all, the Lingnan Legion was also part of the Great Shang army; they wouldn't harm them. Others, however, didn't want to be subservient. The 20,000 men were in disarray until the sound of dense hoofbeats echoed from outside. Wang Jingzhi had already ridden to the front of the Border Garrison Legion's camp.
"Man the defenses, surround them, and prepare to annihilate the rebels!"
Wang Jingzhi squinted at the scene ahead and said, "Archers, prepare!"
"Commander Wang Jingzhi!"
From within the city, Xu Sheng slowly emerged, cupped his fists respectfully, and said, "We harbor no intention of rebellion. I implore the Commander to investigate!"
"Xu Sheng, I acknowledge you as a renowned general."
Wang Jingzhi smiled faintly and said, "This Commander pities your courage and loyalty, and is willing to give you an opportunity. Lead your men to join the Lingnan Legion. Furthermore, write a memorial of ten thousand words, signed by ten thousand men, exposing Zhou Yan's greed and recklessness, and present it to His Majesty. I am willing to recommend you as the Deputy Commander of the Lingnan Legion, with command over fifty thousand troops. Are you willing?"
"..."
Xu Sheng frowned.
"You should think carefully."
Wang Jingzhi's smile became increasingly insidious. "Regardless of today's outcome, the Border Garrison Legion of the Great Shang Dynasty will cease to exist."
"Understood."
Xu Sheng nodded, spun around, and rode back into the camp. He mounted his horse and said in a deep voice, "Wang Jingzhi has betrayed the Great Shang and intends to slaughter the two thousand loyal and brave soldiers of our Border Garrison Legion. Brothers, mount your horses with me. We will break out of this city and escape!"
"We are willing to follow you, sir!"
A group of cavalrymen followed Xu Sheng onto their horses. There were also some who remained hesitant, unwilling to pick up their weapons. Xu Sheng did not force them and led over 10,000 men to charge out of the camp. Outside, arrows rained down. Xu Sheng punched them all away and led his men straight forward, charging relentlessly.
Wang Jingzhi squinted and sneered, "Continue shooting with arrows. I want to see how many men Xu Sheng can lead out alive!"
"Yes, sir!"
On the streets of the border town, volleys of arrows were fired from both sides. Those behind Xu Sheng fell one after another, especially the archers and infantry. They couldn't go far. Many were shot dead before they even had a chance to draw their swords and sabers against the Lingnan Legion. Is good rewarded with good? That saying seemed to hold no truth in this border town.
Seeing the cavalry behind him constantly fall, their bodies riddled with arrows, Xu Sheng's heart grew heavier. He no longer held back. He swung his fists, and bursts of fist energy erupted, turning the obstructing Lingnan Legion soldiers into bloody rain. Since these people didn't consider him one of their own, he saw no need to treat them as such.
The southern gate of the border town.
Xu Sheng stood in the wind, wielding his saber, and continuously swept away swarms of arrows, covering the passage of the Border Garrison Legion's cavalry below. In the distance, Wang Jingzhi's gaze was icy. "There are two more city gates to the south. Immediately dispatch the Lingnan Legion's cavalry to attack from both directions and surround Xu Sheng's forces. Today, I will ensure not a single one of these traitors who betrayed our Great Shang escapes!"
"Yes, sir!"
Groups of men began to maneuver.
Xu Sheng glanced into the distance. Few remained with him; essentially, those who were still alive had escaped, and those within the city had mostly fallen. As he turned to exit the city gate, a sense of deep sorrow filled his heart. He had betrayed the Eastern Wu Kingdom and joined the Border Garrison Legion as a surrendered soldier. He thought he would have a chance to slay demons, but in the end, he was almost killed by his own kind.
The dignified Border Garrison Legion, once one hundred thousand strong, how many remained now?
...
Outside the city, after Xu Sheng led over 3,000 men out, he saw a group of people standing in the distant wind and snow. It was Lin Zhao and Chu Yu, with a thousand snow-land cavalry.
"Xu Sheng!"
Chu Yu said telepathically, "Lead them west. We will cover your retreat and intercept Wang Jingzhi's pursuit. Rest for a while ten li north of Fusu Great Wall, then cross the Washing Sword River with us and head to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool."
"Understood!"
Xu Sheng's heart was filled with emotion. "Thank you..."
"Block them!"
At the front of the group, Lin Zhao waved his hand, and a thousand snow-land cavalrymen instantly formed a barrier in front of the southern gate of the border town.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Wang Jingzhi leaped into the air, his hands behind his back, his gaze condescending as he looked at Lin Zhao, Chu Yu, and the others. "White Robe, what is the meaning of this? The Border Garrison Legion has betrayed us and defected. My Lingnan Legion is currently suppressing rebels for the Great Shang. Why are you blocking our path?"
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao's expression was grave. He cupped his fists and said, "Commander Wang Jingzhi, I mean no disrespect whatsoever. I merely believe that the men of the Border Garrison Legion, who fought bloody battles against the demons, are not the kind of people who would betray their country. There must be some misunderstanding between you. The conflict among humans is ultimately an internal struggle. Therefore, I implore Commander Wang Jingzhi to be clear-headed, cease hostilities, and reason things out. This would be the better course of action."
"Reason?"
Wang Jingzhi was so angry that veins bulged on his forehead. What reason could he reason with a wild general from the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool? However, Wang Jingzhi dared not completely fall out with them. After all, this White Robe was close to Han Yetang, and the woman beside him was a peak Sea-Crossing realm martial artist. Wang Jingzhi himself was only at the early Sea-Crossing realm. If a fight broke out, he might be able to hold on for ten moves, but after that, he might be doomed.
"Yes, reason!"
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. "I mean no harm. I simply hope Commander Wang Jingzhi and the men of the Border Garrison Legion can calm down. All of this is out of necessity. I ask Commander Wang Jingzhi not to blame me for what I am about to do."
"You..."
Wang Jingzhi frowned. "What are you going to do?"
Lin Zhao took out a Sword-Guiding Talisman from his embrace. Miss Lin's Sword-Guiding Talismans were indeed effective. He casually lit it and swept it out horizontally. The talisman's core hummed, and the aura of military conquest surged magnificently. Immediately, a radiant sword energy descended from the sky, directly striking the entire southern city wall. Bricks and debris flew everywhere. The entire southern city wall was reduced to dust under this sword energy. A deep, bottomless chasm, about ten meters wide, was even cleaved into the earth, preventing Wang Jingzhi's cavalry from passing.
"You..."
Wang Jingzhi's heart burned with hatred. He roared, "White Robe, what exactly do you want?!"
"Nothing much."
Lin Zhao looked respectful and cupped his fists at Wang Jingzhi. He smiled and said, "Let us bid farewell. I hope Commander Wang Jingzhi will do fewer things that weigh on your conscience, lest the ghosts come knocking one day!"
"You!"
Wang Jingzhi gritted his teeth, his hand reaching for his sword hilt, about to draw it.
But just as he was about to unsheathe his sword, Lin Zhao pulled out a thick stack of Sword-Guiding Talismans from his embrace. It was at least an inch thick, with at least a hundred pieces. Wang Jingzhi's face turned even paler. He retracted his hand and said, "Wang Jingzhi will remember today's events!"
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. "We're leaving!"
He led a thousand snow-land cavalrymen and swaggered away.
...
In the early morning, Lin Zhao and his group arrived at the agreed-upon location. The heavy snow had stopped, and sunlight streamed onto the snow-covered ground of the northern region. Looking back, the entire Fusu Great Wall was white.
"Sir!"
Xu Sheng had changed his address and cupped his fists at Lin Zhao.
"Mm!"
Lin Zhao nodded. "Your men... are all willing to go with me to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool?"
"Yes!"
Xu Sheng turned and raised his battle saber, shouting to the crowd, "Brothers, from this day forward, we will follow Lord White Robe, slay demons and monsters in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, drink heartily with me, or die gloriously in battle for the realm! What do you say?!"
Everyone raised their weapons in unison: "We are willing to go!"
"Good."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. "That's settled. Let's set off."
"Mm!"
After a headcount, Xu Sheng had brought over 3,500 human cavalrymen. Combined with those already in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, the force had actually exceeded 6,000 men, truly growing in strength within the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
...
After passing Grey Mist Mountain, they set up camp on the main road to rest and cook. The snow-land cavalry still had plenty of rations left, and they shared a good portion with Xu Sheng's men. Both sides had fought demons together before, and in an instant, smiles appeared on the faces of the cavalrymen. They were all humans, and most of them were young. They quickly bonded.
Lin Zhao, accompanied by Chu Yu, checked on everyone's injuries, applied medicine, and bandaged their wounds. They then continued their journey. Upon reaching the Washing Sword River, Lin Zhao called out to his aunt, the River Godess Lin Xingchu. Seeing the thirteenth-realm River Godess, who shone with golden light, Xu Sheng and the others were awestruck and knelt in a row by the river. They naturally became even more convinced of Lin Zhao's leadership.
Being able to lead troops in the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool and survive was a great feat in itself.
After crossing the Washing Sword River, they passed by Copper Mirror Lake.
Lin Zhao glanced to his right. Copper Mirror Lake remained as clear and reflective as a mirror. However, he was now a player, and his senses as a martial artist and sword cultivator had been lost. He couldn't sense whether the Peach Blossom Demon Han Yurou was still there. Moreover, their journey was rushed. He decided he would visit next time. After all, he couldn't truly forget each other in the Jianghu.
They walked until evening, reaching the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. At this moment, another bell chime sounded. The plot compensation had arrived.
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the plotline "Expanding Forces." You have received plot compensation rewards: current level experience +40%, Charm +1, Gold Coins +2000, Reputation +1500!
...
"Shua!"
A golden shower of light descended from the sky. Lin Zhao officially leveled up to 100. Now, he needed to return to Tianji City to complete his second class change quest, and also visit Miss Shen's Mohist shop. In fact, there were quite a few things to do.
On the mountain, a young boy and a little girl were waiting at the entrance to the Heavenly Pool Mountain for Lin Zhao's return.
One was Chen Ben, the other was Tong Yu.
"Uncle Xu Sheng..."
Upon seeing Xu Sheng, Tong Yu's eyes immediately turned red.
"It really is you, Lu Tong..."
Xu Sheng dismounted, filled with emotion. Lu Tong had grown a little, becoming even better. It seemed... he was already a second-realm sword cultivator.