Shi Ning came to a tent where Shi Lang was arranged to stay. She gave him new armor and asked, “Big brother, do you need anything else?”
The terran shook his head and said, “A fresh horse and a spear.”
Shi Ning smiled and said, “Those have been arranged. Why do you need a spear? Your sword intent will be more effective, right?”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Sword intent is a hidden card. If a strong enemy shows up, I want to keep it a secret.”
Shi Ning understood what he was discussing and helped him wear the armor. The night was getting darker, and hundreds of soldiers gathered at the camp’s northern entrance. They were archers and shield bearers. Shi Ning stood before them and said, “I know that a few days ago, many of our brothers were sacrificed in this war. I want to ask if you all wish to avenge them?”
The soldiers nodded and replied, “Yes. Vice Commander Shi Ning.”
Shi Ning asked, “You have to follow the commands of the Acting Commander for this mission. Can you do that?”
The soldiers did not reply, and Shi Ning wanted to say something when Shi Lang stepped forward and said, “You all are not convinced of my strength, right?”
The soldiers stared at his face, lit up under the light of the torches. Shi Lang nodded and said, “You all do not have to follow orders from me, I can use strength to make you all submit to me, but we are on borrowed time here. If we do not successfully avenge the brothers who died a few days ago, the King will behead the Commander. Do you want that to happen? Do you know what will happen soon after the Commander is killed?”
The soldiers did not know how to answer him, and Shi Lang continued, “Send out the strongest one of you, and I will show you the capital. I have to make you follow my commands, and if we suffer even one casualty, I will take my head off and present it to the Commander as a token of atonement for my failure.”
The soldiers selected a strong man quickly and sent him ahead to fight. Shi Lang gazed at the man and said, “Come at me when you are ready.”
The soldier nodded and grunted as he dashed forward. However, he had just lifted a foot when a Shi Lang appeared behind him and patted the back of his neck. The soldier was surprised and could not understand what just happened. He turned around and asked, “Your realm is higher than me.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “I am a golden core practitioner, but do you expect the enemy to lower their strength because of you?”
Then he turned to look at all the people and said, “This is a war situation and not a sparring session where you get to learn from each other. Do you understand? Now I will ask you only once. If you agree, fine. If you don’t, I will take down the enemy alone, even if it costs my life.”
The soldiers were shaken. It was not the words but the aura radiated from Shi Lang. One soldier raised his spear and said, “I will follow you, Sir.”
Many people followed this chant, and then Shi Lang waved his spear to rally them out of the camp and onto the frontier to meet the enemy. The young man did not say much, leading the troops to the valley’s entrance.
Shi Lang raised his hand, and the troops came to a halt. He turned his back towards the valley and said, “The shield bearers will move in a formation. I want five people in the front with body-wide shields, and seven men behind them will handle the long spears. The people in the front will defend against the attacks, and the spear bearers will stab the enemy. I do not care if you have to walk over corpses but do not stop moving forward.
Move slowly, but move with conviction. Change the spear holders and the shield bearers every fifteen minutes. Share the workload. The rest of you will form a canopy of shields to protect your brothers from the enemy crossbows. Hundred of you will move through the valley.”
The soldiers nodded and immediately began to rearrange according to the commands. Shi Lang then looked at the other half of the force and said, “Your task is to kill the enemy at the top of the cliff. The strategy is similar: the archers will buy shields and spears, and the rear will be bought up. Kill any loose fish and anyone who tries to attack the troops in the valley desperately. You guys will be moving before the valley troops.”
The troops nodded, and the captains of the units distributed forces accordingly as they moved out. Shi Lang was watching everything from the front, and Shi Ning asked, “Brother, what do you think we should do?”
Shi Lang said, “You will follow the units on the left cliff and lead the forces more efficiently.”
Shi Ning nodded and smiled, “You should train me like this. What if I became too murderous and nobody married me?”
Shi Lang smiled and asked, “Is that not what you wish for day and night?”
Shi Ning chuckled and yanked her horse to follow the second unit of the forces. The terran watched her leave, and then he turned around to follow the unit on the right cliff. His resolve was firm, and he would do everything possible to make things work out for Shi Ning and the rest.
Shi Lang did not stay in the back but led from the front. He did not wish to let the troops act at all. He was going to dive head-first and kill the enemy. He spotted torches set at the cliff line and waved for the troops to halt. The next moment, he jumped off the horse and took two knives from his space ring.
The unit’s captain came over and asked, “Sir, what are we doing?”
Shi Lang said, “You all will traverse the cliffside after I start my attack. You will be pinching the enemy in the valley from the side. Do not rush and calmly lead the troops. Ensure that you all follow the formation like the first unit. You saw the details, right?”
The captain was surprised and asked, “But sir, the plan. This change is too sudden.”
Shi Lang smiled and patted the shoulder of the man as he said, “Surprise is what helps people carry out a successful attack. Follow your instinct when you do a task, and you will never fail.”
𝑂𝑽𝐥xt.𝓬𝗈𝐌
The captain had no idea what to do. The next moment, Shi Lang was spotted rushing up the cliff. His speed was fast, and the captain was shocked. The terran moved quickly and silently through the shadows. He spotted two guards on the lookout and sneaked up to them.
This was the world of cultivation, but not everyone had a spiritual sense. Shi Lang crept behind one of them, stabbing him in the throat, and quickly covered his mouth. The person struggled for a bit, and then he went limp.
Shi Lang then throws his knife at the throat of the enemy. These weapons were something he found in the Jiang Family. His speed was quick, and his aim was impeccable. The young man slowly moved around the enemy camp and began to pick and kill.
…
On the left side, Shi Ning led the troops from the back. She was still wary of charging in the enemy territory. The captain spotted the torches, and then he led the charge. The enemy has set up camps in a line along the cliff, so Shi Ning said, “Move in a diagonal formation, facing outside, and mind the enemy on the flanks.”
The soldiers roared, and Shi Ning yelled, “ATTACK!”
The troops charged up the hill. The enemy responded, but they were rendered helpless in front of the shields and spears. Shi Ning led a fast charge, and she did not waste any time. Mercenaries had no loyalty to anyone, they all loved money and freedom, and survival was their priority.
Shi Ning was smart, and she had placed the archers down the hill. None of them was spared. Two hours passed when Shi Ning finished dealing with her side of the enemy, and she quickly rushed to the cliffside to check the situation. However, to her surprise, the rebel forces were pinched between the troops from two sides. She raised her head to look at the other side of the cliff and found all the torches snuffed out.
She passed the command to clean up and regroup. They were headed to the opening of the valley. The troops were moving quickly, excited to meet to return with the victory. They have avenged their brothers and they have also saved the lives of their commander.
The raid was successful and now they wished to win this war altogether.
