Chapter 373: Chapter 147: Sunset Blood Battle! Galloping Freely!_1
Su Changkong had no idea that he was already being targeted by a terrifyingly powerful warrior.
As ‘Hong Zhenxiang’, Su Changkong, along with a group of Dafeng Iron Cavalry, rushed to the Sunset Plains.
Three days later, Sunset Plains.
The Sunset Plains, stretching out into the distance, were entirely flat, featuring only flora—some as short as scrub brushes, others tall enough to reach a person’s knees. The rustling winds across the plains imparted a sense of serenity and silence, with the air carrying the fresh scent of grass.
This was the Sunset Plains, and at its end lay the territory of the Ferocious Wolf Clan. To resist the Ferocious Wolf Clan, at the edge of the Sunset Plains stood the Sunset Fortress, where the majority of the Dafeng Iron Cavalry were stationed year-round.
“Is this the Sunset Fortress?”
Su Changkong gazed at the distant Sunset Fortress, constructed of black rock, with high walls towering over ten Zhang. The wall was manned with soldiers clad in black battle armor.
The entire Sunset Fortress was not smaller than some county seats, with three to four hundred thousand Dafeng Iron Cavalry and logistics personnel, totaling over five hundred thousand people!
“It’s Commander Hong, Prefecture Lord Pei and the others! Open the gates!”
Atop the walls of the Sunset Fortress, a sentinel spotted Su Changkong, Pei Yang, and others at the front of the column and immediately ordered the soldiers to open the gate.
“Boom!”
The massive gate was heaved open by several soldiers who had achieved Body Refinement Great Achievement, making a deep, echoing sound.
Su Changkong and the others entered through the gates into the Sunset Fortress.
“Subordinate Ma Caijun pays respects to Prefecture Lord Pei!”
Within the command tent of the Sunset Fortress, Pei Yang sat at the principal seat while Su Changkong took his place beside him. A tall man outfitted in bronze battle armor saluted Pei Yang respectfully.
Ma Caijun, one of the Four Great Generals of the Dafeng Iron Cavalry, and aside from Hong Zhenxiang and Jin Buhuan, the other two were Ma Caijun and Pei Yuexian. Su Changkong was now seeing both Ma Caijun and Pei Yuexian.
Pei Yuexian was the third sister of Pei Yang. By her age, she should be in her thirties, but she appeared no more than twenty-something. With a stern face and striking beauty, she wore her hair in a short, clean-cut style that lent her an air of a heroic woman.
“Commander Ma, any news from the Ferocious Wolf Clan?”
Pei Yang nodded and inquired about the latest news regarding the Ferocious Wolf Clan.
Ma Caijun spoke seriously, “The Ferocious Wolf Clan has already amassed hundreds of thousands of elite troops. I estimate that within the next few days, they will advance upon us in full force.”
“All right, everyone, prepare for battle and be ready to meet the enemy at any moment!” Pei Yang nodded. He had also experienced the previous bloody conflict and knew that the great battle between the two sides was unavoidable. It would only come to a halt when both sides suffered a significant number of casualties.
“Strange… why is Commander Hong so calm?”
Pei Yuexian, seated to one side, looked at Su Changkong with a touch of confusion.
In Pei Yuexian’s memory, Hong Zhenxiang was someone who became very excited and passionate in the face of war, but the current ‘Hong Zhenxiang’ was exceptionally calm, quiet and reserved.
The fewer people knew about ‘Hong Zhenxiang’ being an impostor, the better. Only a select few, including Pei Yang and Di Hen, were in the know.
What Su Changkong needed to do was to charge into battle, inspiring the morale of their soldiers on the field. He had no concern for other matters!
Pei Yang learned of the recent matters concerning the Sunset Plains from Ma Caijun and the others. He instructed them to report anything to him immediately and then let them attend to their own duties.
“Commander Hong, this way.”
Di Hen, serving as Su Changkong’s deputy, arranged for his accommodations and reported various pieces of information to him.
Su Changkong settled into a residence located near the gate of the Sunset Fortress.
Su Changkong was not well-versed in deploying troops but didn’t need to be personally involved in such matters and was quite at ease most of the time.
“Make the most of the time to practice martial arts!”
Not wasting any time, Su Changkong began his martial arts training within the residence, focusing mainly on the Guiding Technique, which still had room for improvement. This Guiding Technique was a Health-preserving Technique from Ancient Times.
Although it wasn’t much use in enhancing fighting ability, practicing it to a high level allowed Su Changkong to sense the existence of nature’s spiritual energy, which indicated its extraordinariness. Combined with the benefits of increasing lifespan and potential, Su Changkong spent significant effort on it!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With mind, breath, and body in harmony, Su Changkong practiced the Guiding Technique, progressing towards the 8th realm. Breaking through was only a matter of time, though it was not expected to happen quickly!
“Ding-dong-ding-dong!”
Sunset Fortress, however, would not afford Su Changkong the peace to continue his practice; three days after his arrival, at noon, the melodious sound of a bell rang within the fortress.
“Has the Ferocious Wolf Clan launched their attack?”
Su Changkong halted his practice, knowing that the bell signalled a warning.
Shortly after the bell sounded, Di Hen appeared in Su Changkong’s residence, rushing to inform him, “Commander Hong, scouts have spotted troops from the Ferocious Wolf Clan approaching. Please prepare yourself and come with me to the east city gate.”
“Hmm.”
Su Changkong nodded, donned his battle armor, armed himself with a saber, slung a large bow across his back, and followed Di Hen to the east city gate.
“Commander Hong!”
Above the east city gate, Generals like Ma Caijun, Jin Buhuan, Pei Yuexian, and others were already present and greeted Su Changkong, who only nodded in response.
“Is that the Ferocious Wolf Clan’s army?”
Su Changkong stood on the wall, peering into the distance; on the plains several Li away from the Sunset Fortress was a dense mass of soldiers. These troops were arrayed in orderly formations, armed with swords, spears, and shields. Among them, banners fluttered in the wind, each emblazoned with a black flame and a fierce wolf’s head.