Volume 1, Chapter 22: Madness (Part 7)
1784 Words
When someone hates another, many people will disregard everything and seize any opportunity to kill the person they hate!
Lang Xiang was no exception!
Seeing Lang Xiang charging towards him, the hatred in his eyes was clear even from a distance. Zhang Guchen couldn't help but shout inwardly, "Damn it, why is he coming at me? I'm just a lowly soldier in the Nine Cauldrons Realm!" Although he was in the Nine Cauldrons Realm, if you were to ask who Lang Xiang hated most, even Zhang Liu would be ranked behind Zhang Guchen.
"Damn it, I can't escape." Zhang Guchen cursed inwardly. He couldn't escape; turning his back to a Hundred Steps Realm cultivator was tantamount to courting death!
"I'll fight!" Zhang Guchen gritted his teeth, looking at Zhang Liu and the others chasing after him. If he could hold off Lang Xiang and prevent Zhang Liu from catching up, there might still be a chance.
Whoosh!
Taking a deep breath, knowing escape was impossible, Zhang Guchen stopped running and directly drew an arrow, nocking it onto the powerful bow.
*Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!*
The bowstring vibrated incessantly!
Arrows shot wildly from Zhang Guchen's hand, like a long black thread connecting him and Lang Xiang.
*Bang!
Bang!*
The first arrows were shattered by Lang Xiang's released internal force, one after another. Later, the arrows began to break from the force, then were deflected by the released internal force!
This indicated that Lang Xiang's internal force was insufficient, and the power was decreasing!
"Not good!" Lang Xiang's heart changed drastically, but being in mid-air, he could no longer change direction!
The arrows continued relentlessly, one after another!
Zhang Guchen also fought desperately; his fingers, used for nocking the arrow, were already broken and bleeding profusely.
The frantic drawing of the bow also damaged the muscles in Zhang Guchen's arm, a piercing numbness and pain washing over him, turning his face pale.
In a fleeting instant, all the arrows at Zhang Guchen's feet were shot down, leaving only one arrow nocked on his warbow.
Whoosh!
Ignoring the pain in his arm, Zhang Guchen focused his mind and held his breath, slowly drawing back the last arrow!
Thud!
The warbow snapped, and the muscles in his arm tore! The arrow, however, soared into the air like a dragon's roar!
This arrow possessed more power than any of the previous ones; it carried Zhang Guchen's final, desperate gamble!
The arrow pierced the air, reaching Lang Xiang's chest in an instant.
A flash of light, and Lang Xiang watched helplessly as the arrow pierced his crumbling inner energy shield, then, with undiminished speed, pierced his armor, then his skin, muscles, internal organs, and back again.
Strangely, time seemed to stand still at that moment. Lang Xiang could clearly see how the arrow pierced him, even the splattering blood was visible clearly, the bright red blood dancing and shimmering in the morning sun!
Like fireworks bursting forth, the final moment is also the most dazzling!
"Host has completed the mission to attack the demon race's border,"
the system notification sounded in his ear. Exhausted and completely drained, Zhang Guchen felt a wave of relief and promptly passed out.
When Zhang Guchen awoke again, he was tied to a horse.
Looking at himself bound, Zhang Guchen was completely bewildered.
"Haha, you're awake! I thought you'd sleep until you reached the military fortress," Zhang Liu said, patting Zhang Guchen and laughing.
Seemingly noticing Zhang Guchen's confusion, Zhang Liu explained, "Everyone's injured right now, so we couldn't take care of you. That's why we tied you to the horse."
As he spoke, Zhang Liu untied Zhang Guchen. "Thanks to you this time, kid. I keep my word; I always do what I promise." He then gave Zhang Guchen a reassuring look.
"What did you say?" Zhang Guchen wondered, then still smiled and said to Zhang Liu, "Thank you, sir!"
"Hmm, rest well."
On horseback, Zhang Guchen looked back. When they came, it was a hundred-man team, but now less than half of them were returning.
And that half included the wounded soldiers, meaning that half of them would never return from this battle. "One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand!" Zhang Guchen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Those who died in battle were dead, but those who survived still needed to live.
Among the remaining men, there was almost no sadness; instead, there was a hint of excitement.
This was because Zhang Guchen didn't understand the border army. Death was the most common thing in the border army. They were used to it, or rather, numb to it. They might feel sadness, but it would never last long.
At this moment, Zhang Liu had led them to conquer a demon fortress, which was a great achievement for the border army. Moreover, before leaving, Zhang Liu waved his hand, ordering everyone to plunder the demon fortress to their heart's content.
In a border fortress, supplies were scarce, but for a force of less than fifty men, it was a massive amount.
So, aside from one horse used because Zhang Guchen was unconscious, all the other horses were piled high with supplies. Even the soldiers carried large bags and bundles on their backs, their faces beaming with excitement. This military supply was enough for each of them to live a comfortable life.
Those who deserved promotions would be promoted, those who deserved wealth would be wealthy—this was war!
Ouch!
After moving his body slightly, Zhang Guchen immediately felt a tearing pain in his arm.
"Your arm seems to have a torn muscle. You need to go back to the fortress for treatment. Don't move it for now," Song Yuan said with a smile, exuding a friendly aura.
Although he didn't know why Song Yuan was suddenly so friendly, as the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, so Zhang Guchen smiled back. "Thank you for the reminder, Lord Song."
"Lord Song what?" Song Yuan was a little annoyed. "I'm older than you, so please, just call me Brother Song."
"Brother Song."
"Haha, good brother!" Song Yuan patted Zhang Guchen's shoulder happily, making Zhang Guchen wince.
"Uh, sorry, sorry." Song Yuan looked embarrassed as he patted Zhang Guchen's injured arm, apologizing repeatedly.
"Brother Song, it's alright, don't worry about it." Zhang Guchen smiled, but couldn't help thinking to himself, "You must have done this on purpose."
Perhaps to break the awkwardness, Song Yuan leaned closer to Zhang Guchen and asked in a low voice, "Do you know why our centurion requested to attack this demon fortress?"
"Huh? Why?" Zhang Guchen was surprised. He had always thought it was an order from above, but judging from Song Yuan's words, it was clearly not.
"This story begins when I was on patrol..."
As they walked, Song Yuan slowly recounted the events to Zhang Guchen.
"So, based on the information I gathered, our centurion decided to take a gamble."
After listening for a while, Zhang Guchen finally understood what was going on. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Damn it, it's truly a case of 'one general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand!'"
Looking at Song Yuan's subtle smugness, Zhang Guchen seemed to understand why Song Yuan was trying to curry favor with him. Between the lines, it was practically a blatant declaration that, apart from Zhang Liu, his contribution was the greatest.
"Lord Zhang's success this time is largely thanks to Brother Song." "Haha, not at all, not at all. It's all thanks to the unity of the soldiers. I dare not accept such praise." Though he said he didn't deserve it, his smile was barely concealed.
"If Lord Zhang becomes a captain this time, Brother Song will be a centurion. I hope Brother Song will take good care of me then."
"Brother, we'll have to help each other then. After all, your contribution was significant. If it weren't for your last arrow, we would have all failed." Song Yuan patted Zhang Guchen carefully, his face full of admiration.
Thinking back to that situation, Song Yuan still felt a chill run down his spine.
If Zhang Guchen's last arrow hadn't succeeded, the best-case scenario would have been Zhang Guchen's execution, and Song Yuan and the others returning to Shangshui Fortress in disgrace, like stray dogs.
Fortunately, heaven blessed them; Zhang Guchen's last arrow not only killed the Wolf Clan Captain but also propelled Zhang Liu and Song Yuan to high positions.
From now on, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Zhang Liu would be a Captain, a figure recognized by the Great Emperor Dynasty and listed among the top in the Governor's Office. With one person achieving success, even their chickens and dogs would benefit; would Zhang Liu, now in high positions, mistreat Song Yuan and the others?
"Moreover, we obtained most of the supplies from the Demon Fortress this time. Whether we hand them over or sell them privately, it will be enough for us to live a prosperous life."
"I have these supplies too?"
"Brother, what are you saying? If it weren't for you, who could get these supplies? If you didn't have any, I'd be the first to object." Hearing Zhang Guchen's words, Song Yuan immediately adopted a brotherly demeanor, ready to risk his life for his brother.
Seeing Song Yuan's expression, as if he wanted to stab him in the ribs right then and there, Zhang Guchen was speechless. Song Yuan used to be such a composed person; what had happened?
Actually, Song Yuan had his own plans.
From that last arrow, it was clear that Zhang Guchen was no ordinary person.
A Nine Cauldron Realm cultivator could kill a Hundred Steps Realm cultivator, even if the Hundred Steps Realm cultivator was severely injured and then killed—something a Nine Cauldron Realm cultivator couldn't even dream of.
Now, there was such a living example before their eyes: a Nine Cauldron Realm cultivator had killed a Hundred Steps Realm cultivator.
This young man was definitely not to be underestimated. It's just that Zhang Guchen had only been in this world for a short time and didn't understand the difference between the Nine Cauldron Realm and the Hundred Steps Realm, so he hadn't realized it yet. Only two people in the entire group truly understood: Zhang Liu and Song Yuan.
That's why Zhang Liu told Zhang Guchen that he wouldn't forget his promise and would definitely remember it.
That's why Song Yuan was close to Zhang Guchen, telling him things that weren't very important—partly to let Zhang Guchen understand the situation, and partly to bring the two closer.
And all of this stemmed from their strength!
- Writer
