Shennong Dao Master-Chapter 1390 - 23: Absolute Heaven and Earth · Battle of Cultivators (Part 1)

"Whoosh"

Zhao Chuanzong released the bowstring, the sharp arrow precisely striking the neck of a Barbarian Soldier Commander who was galloping ahead.

"Puff~" The Barbarian Soldier Commander clutched his throat, blood gushing from between his fingers, and fell headlong from the green-maned horse to the ground.

"Buzz~"

Zhao Chuanzong felt his body suddenly heating up, Qi-Blood surging, sweeping away the previous fatigue.

"Gathering Yuan Late Stage."

Zhao Chuanzong felt a surge of joy in his heart.

He glanced around, seeing no trace of enemies, so he blew the Eagle Head Whistle around his neck, starting to gather his subordinates.

The piercing whistle echoed in the sky, and soon more cavalry gathered from all directions.

"Hundred Generals." The adjutant Liu Er appeared beside Zhao Chuanzong.

"How is the situation?" Zhao Chuanzong asked.

"The scouts sent out north from West Field City have all been killed, none escaped." Liu Er smiled, "I believe this fourth wave of eighty people should be the last of West Field City's scouts, after this they won't send anyone to probe again, just shrink back to defend the city."

"Hmm." Zhao Chuanzong nodded, "From this assessment, West Field City's troops are not numerous, probably only around a thousand people, same as the earlier intelligence."

The number of scouts usually allows a rough estimate of the army's size. Zhao Chuanzong had previously captured a live prisoner to question for information, and with leading Rangers outside West Field City to intercept the exiting barbarian soldiers, he could now mostly confirm the situation within the city.

"Inform Mechanical Master Zhang Wu to send the intelligence back to the rear army."

"Yes!"

...

On the nineteenth of January in the sixteenth year of Yuan Ding, Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, Long Xiao, and Chen Shijie issued the "River Crossing Battle Plan" to various armies.

After capturing West Field City, the Ten Suns Army crossed the Tianshui River in three columns heading southeast, via Lan Bay, Hu Ferry, Jiangcheng line, then crossed the Canglan River to join with Li Hao's Wuyao Army. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

All military supplies, except for necessary food provisions and small carts, horses, ships, were to be discarded. The thirty thousand troops around Wind Witch City were required to set off on the same day.

The commanding generals who received the order immediately organized their forces for withdrawal on the nineteenth of January, successively retreating from Wind Witch City, Yangbei, Tujiao, advancing toward West Field City and the Tianshui River.

On the twenty-third of January, the Azure Dragon Army first arrived outside West Field City.

On the twenty-fourth of January, Mao Hour, Azure Dragon Army of five thousand led by Long Xiao broke the resistance of West Field City's defending general and successfully occupied West Field City.

Noon at Seven Quarters.

"Tap, tap, tap~"

Zhao Xing rode into the city with Xia Jing, while Long Xiao busied himself searching for supplies.

As soon as they entered the city, they saw Long Xiao cursing as he kicked a burlap sack.

Zhao Xing and others dismounted and approached Long Xiao: "What did you find? I heard the battle losses were very low, why are you angry?"

"Damn it, there's no useful equipment at all, it's all edible stuff, it's really laughable how poor this is." Long Xiao pointed at a pile of burlap sacks on the ground, "I wanted to replenish some arrows after occupying the city, searched for a long time but couldn't find their arsenal."

"Only found around a hundred spare ox bows and scimitars in the granary, and all are rough goods."

Xia Jing laughed: "West Field City's defending general is a small tribe leader under the Golden Feather Royal Court, with no more than fifteen hundred troops and only fifteen cultivators."

"For such a small town, how much military supplies can you expect? Having food supplies is already good, you still haven't grasped Mr. Zhao's battle spirit, isn't it better to have food?"

Long Xiao looked at Zhao Xing, who was reviewing post-battle summaries.

"Not bad." Zhao Xing closed the list, "West Field City is essentially a grain depot, not even considered a city. Counting all the indigenous residents, there are only a little over five thousand. Getting some food is very good already."

Long Xiao nodded, if Zhao Xing said it's good, then it's good.

"What's going on, what's going on, move away!"

"I want to see the General!"

Suddenly, there was commotion among the Armored Soldiers on the street.

Zhao Xing looked over, seeing a barbarian with wrinkled face skin like fish gills being driven away by the Azure Dragon Army.

"What's the matter?"

Long Xiao glanced: "An indigenous person, saying he wants to join us, he speaks some Great Zhou language. But I didn't agree, he's asked me twice already this morning, still not giving up."

"Why didn't you agree?" Zhao Xing asked surprised.

"Not of our kind, their intentions must differ." Long Xiao naturally said. "Although we don't kill barbarians, my Azure Dragon Army doesn't want barbarians either, even if he's sincere in serving, he's not easy to use, communication is inconvenient, not comparable to our soldiers trained for many years, taking him would be a burden instead."

"Your Azure Dragon Army is elite and doesn't need him, but he could be incorporated into other armies." Zhao Xing said. "You don't have to worry about them harboring ulterior motives, these barbarians hate the Royal Court people more, rather than the Great Zhou people."

"What kind of reasoning is this?" It was Long Xiao's turn to be surprised.

"West Field City's indigenous belong to the 'Kashen Tribe', but the garrison you drove away are from Golden Feather Royal Court's 'Kui Niu Tribe'." Zhao Xing said: "'Not of our kind, their intentions must differ', applies more fittingly between them, I reviewed the records, five years ago West Field City still had over thirty thousand residents, now only a little over five thousand remain, what do you think happened?"

Long Xiao pondered, Zhao Xing however waved his hand, calling the Armored Soldiers to bring the barbarian over.

"General, General, I am 'Wang Gang', willing to serve Da Zhou Divine Dynasty." The barbarian speaking clumsy Great Zhou language, Zhao Xing immediately knew the name was hastily taken, being a common Great Zhou name.