“Rumble!”
The sound of horse hooves and clashing armor approached from a distance.
A valiant general first came into view, clad in black Mingguang armor over a red Great Jin military uniform. He rode a magnificent warhorse covered in black iron barding, a long saber at his waist, his gaze like lightning, radiating an imposing Aura.
Behind him were rows of Wei Brave Cavalry, armored in iron, riding sturdy and powerful warhorses. The riders sat tall, holding long spears, with iron shields on their backs and long sabers at their waists.
Following the Wei Brave Cavalry were the Wei Imperial Guards, also in black iron armor with red linings. They held a spear in one hand and a shield in the other, with short blades at their waists. Their physiques were robust, and their breathing was long and steady as they moved, clearly indicating they were strong warriors in the Qi Refining Realm.
Archers followed the infantry, each carrying an exceptionally long bow on their back and a short blade at their waist. They too were clearly powerful warriors in the Qi Refining Realm, and judging by their robust physiques and light armor, they were not weak in close combat either.
The valiant general dismounted first and bowed to Wang Jin in the carriage, calling out:
“Your subordinate, Zhang Liao, leads 800 of my soldiers to pay respects to you, Lord. Forgive us for not performing a full salute while in armor!”
The armored soldiers behind him also shouted in unison:
“Greetings, Lord!”
Wang Jin looked at the majestic and powerful army before him, feeling a surge of excitement and a deep sense of security.
Wang Jin had initially assumed that the strength of the army summoned by the System would be roughly similar to those in games.
He hadn't expected that every Rank 4 soldier would be a master at the Perfection Stage of the Qi Refining Realm, and that their armor and attire had been entirely redesigned to better fit the Great Jin style.
Even more unexpected was that the first general provided was Zhang Liao, whose sharp Aura suggested he was at least in the Inner Energy Realm.
His martial prowess wasn't the most important thing; what mattered was that he finally had a great general capable of commanding troops in battle.
Over the years, Wang Jin had cultivated many people—talents skilled in commerce, guards like A'Hu, and scouts adept at gathering information—but he had lacked anyone knowledgeable in military tactics.
In these times, the art of commanding troops and strategizing was a Legacy of the noble families and military clans, and the Disciples of military strategists looked down on Wang Jin's small establishment.
Wang Jin's military knowledge from his previous life was limited to having read "The Thirty-Six Stratagems" and "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," knowing only about military posture and running for training.
However, he was completely clueless about things like beating drums to gather generals, signaling with banners, calculating military merits, marching and camping, logistics, and changes in military formations.
Wang Jin quickly dismounted from the carriage and tightly clasped Zhang Liao's rough, large hands:
“Wen Yuan, with you, I have no worries!”
A'Hu and the other guards, along with the people in the convoy, stared blankly at the mighty army and the clearly formidable general, wondering when their Young Master had cultivated such a force, and felt even greater awe towards Wang Jin.
Though they had questions, they dared not ask.
Those without curiosity live longer.
Zhang Liao, whose hand was held, could sense his Lord's earnest expectations through the strength of Wang Jin's grip and his heartfelt sigh of emotion.
Wang Jin pulled Zhang Liao by the hand towards the carriage.
“Wen Yuan, it’s a long journey; let’s get in the carriage. I have many things to ask you.”
“As you command.”
The soldiers summoned by Wang Jin merged into the convoy, continuing their journey...
“Assistant, which Zhang Liao is this Zhang Liao? Is he Cao Cao’s Zhang Liao, or my Wang Jin’s Zhang Liao?”
“Ding!”
“The soldiers and generals provided by the System are products of the System’s Fusion of the Host’s game knowledge and the historical records from the Host’s previous life, integrated with this world’s Law. They retain infinite loyalty to the Host.”
“This Zhang Liao possesses the abilities the Host is familiar with, as well as the martial prowess integrated from this world. However, he is neither the historical Zhang Liao nor the game Zhang Liao, and has no lord-vassal ties or historical experiences.”
“Enmmm, so, this is a Zhang Liao created by the System, with Zhang Liao’s abilities but not the original Zhang Liao, correct?”
“Ding!”
“Correct understanding.”
“So, will all the generals I summon in the future be like this?”
“Ding!”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing this, a great weight was lifted from Wang Jin’s chest.
First, the loyalty of the army and generals was ensured. Second, it was confirmed that there were no ties between the generals.
Otherwise, if generals from different factions like Wei, Shu, and Wu were summoned later, wouldn't they form small groups? And if faction leaders were summoned, wouldn't he be sidelined?
Wang Jin looked at the somewhat reserved Zhang Liao before him and asked:
“Wen Yuan, do you know where you came from?”
Zhang Liao was stunned by the question.
“Lord, your subordinate has no prior memory; I only know that I am here today to serve you.”
“Are you in the Inner Energy Realm?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Your subordinate has already gathered Qi into Protective Aura!”
“Gang Qi Realm?”
Wang Jin was overjoyed at the news. Although he had used money to cultivate many Inner Energy Realm subordinates over the years, he hadn't had a single Gang Qi Realm expert. This was the first time Wang Jin had ever seen a Gang Qi Realm master in his life.
In the Jianghu and Imperial Court, there were countless talents in the Inner Energy Realm. Their combat strength varied depending on the Cultivation Technique they practiced, their innate talent, and their mastery of different skills.
But!
Experts who could refine Qi into Protective Aura were exceedingly rare.
According to Jianghu rumors and the words of various great masters who had achieved Qi Refining into Protective Aura:
To condense Internal Energy into Protective Aura, one needed to refine their Internal Energy to a pure state and develop the potential of their Physical Body to its limit.
Only by comprehending the true meaning of one's own Dao on the brink of life and death, completing a transformation from the inside out, could one refine Qi into Protective Aura.
Once Protective Aura was formed, when activated in battle, Protective Aura would densely cover the body, making it difficult for swords and blades to wound, and strong bows and powerful crossbows to penetrate. The Protective Aura around the body possessed extraordinary power, and the Protective Aura unleashed was terrifyingly potent.
With the transformation of the Physical Body and spirit complete, one would possess immense strength, abundant energy, and extraordinary endurance. Clad in armor, they could carve a path through a thousand armies.
“Now! I also have a Gang Qi Realm master under my command!”