My Cultivation Starting from Archery

Dong Yulin thought of escaping, but was also overtaken and killed with a single blow.

In the blink of an eye.

The original high-ranking generals of Hongze Camp were now down to the last two.

Deputy General Chu Shixiong and Assistant General Xia Cong.

Chu Shixiong had drunk a little too much the night before and, in a dazed state hearing the war drums begin, donned his armor as quickly as possible, grabbed his broadsword, and staggered out of his tent, only to witness a bloody scene that left him standing there dumbfounded as if struck by a thunderbolt.

Xia Cong, on the other hand, seemed as if someone had drained all his spirit, his expression vacant as he "thump" fell to his knees, something inside his heart collapsing with his body.

"Xia Cong!"

Feng Yong tossed a sharp sword before him, "Take your own life with dignity!"

"Supervisor…"

Xia Cong lifted his head to look at the white-robed figure standing against the Heavenly Dome and couldn't help but ask, "Supervisor, why?! Are there traitorous officials in the court seeking to harm you? Why not report it to His Majesty!"

There was no response.

The previous night's banquet was their last chance.

"Xia Cong, enough with the idle talk."

Xu Bin urged, "It's not too late to abandon the darkness and follow our master now, otherwise, don't waste any more time."

"I, Xia Cong, am an orphan; my parents starved to death when I was three. It was the court that raised me, taught me martial arts, provided me with a stipend, and allowed me to don this armor. How could I act the part of a treacherous subject and rebel..."

Xia Cong slowly picked up the sharp sword, gently placing it in front of his neck, his resolute voice trembling slightly, "It's only a pity that I couldn't die on the battlefield..."

Having said that.

The edge of the sword slit his throat, his head drooping powerlessly.

"They only know there are orphans in Capital City, not where the orphans come from."

Chen Sansi muttered to himself, "Have you ever considered why your parents starved to death?"

Not everyone could have a great realization like Deng Feng.

"Chu Shixiong, it's your turn!"

Wang Zhi squinted his eyes, addressing the last one, "Finish yourself off!"

It wasn't until that moment.

That Chu Shixiong sobered up from his dream, the alcohol completely dissipated.

His eyes nearly splitting with fury, he bellowed, "Chen Sansi! I misjudged you, you truly are a treacherous subject and a rebel! I won't commit suicide. As I've said before, in death, I too am a loyal spirit of the Great Sheng Dynasty!"

"Then let me do you the honor."

Wang Zhi wasted no time, his True Qi swirling forth, empowering the Mo Blade, which seemed to transform into the very likeness of the Black Tortoise, coming down with the weight of Mount Tai.

In one strike, the outcome was decided, and Chu Shixiong was slain on the spot.

At the same time.

The soldiers of Hongze Camp were also fully assembled.

These soldiers, unlike Chu Shixiong and the others who were graced by imperial favor, basically came from ordinary backgrounds. To them, the concept of the "court" was somewhat vague in comparison to the white robe who led them into battles, personally storming cities first and numerous times leading them from death back to life; he was the true commander they trusted, only following "military orders" with no regard for imperial commands.

Moreover, the rumors of the court only bestowing false honors while sidelining the white robe and placing him under house arrest in the capital had spread in Hongze Camp soon after the first decree following Langjuxu Mountain.

In recent days, there had been secret rumors of a rebellion in the Three Prefectures of Guan Du, and although they were quickly suppressed, it did not mean they hadn't heard about it.

While 150,000 soldiers of the West Territory lay down their lives on the frontline, there were actually people in the court making deals with the Immortal Master, seeking to leave them for dead!

Now they even wanted to summon the white robe into the capital, most likely not just to confine him, but potentially to take his life as well!

How could they tolerate this?!

The deaths of several Assistant Generals were likely because they had aided the court in pressuring their master, akin to stabbing their comrades in the back; they deserved to die!

Chen Sansi stepped onto the high platform, looking down at the neatly ordered fifteen thousand soldiers.

There was no need for superfluous words between them, nor were they needed.

The silent understanding between them was forged in one battle after another, one unexpected victory after another, their mutual trust was born from repeatedly surviving deadly situations, emerging from mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

In this world, no one else could be trusted to stake their lives for one another, no one else could be more resolute without looking back.

Chen Sansi slowly spoke, not with a roar, but his voice was clear and resonating, "March out of the city, set off!"

"Boom, boom, boom!"

After just four words, the sound of the war drums echoed once more.

15,000 soldiers of Hongze Camp marched north from Eastern Yi!

...

The rooster crowed at daybreak, Tingtong just rising.

In recent days.

It was the end of the autumn plowing season and the latest time for planting Spiritual Grain there according to the court's decrees.

Fifty miles outside of Liangzhou City, there lay a vast expanse of fertile land spanning thousands of acres, which many people from both inside and outside of the city depended on, making it a bustling area each spring and autumn harvest.

Inside the fields, the mature yet unharvested Spiritual Grain waved like a green ocean, rippling with the autumn winds.

Spiritual Grain could also be harvested twice a year.

After the autumn grain harvest, it was time to reap the Spiritual Grain and plant new seeds.

Qi Dazhu led the villagers of Qingping Village here before dawn, ready to plant winter wheat or other crops in the remaining section of the field that had initially been reserved for Spiritual Grain by the government.

It wasn't much, but it wasn't negligible either.

It would just be enough to keep a crucial surplus for a big relieving breath next year.

Ever since the incident involving the Prefect of Liangzhou, Wu Youde, the government hadn't caused any more trouble, perhaps indicating that the court was finally taking pity on the people, granting them a reprieve for another year or two.

But just as the farmers were ready to start work with their tools.

The heart-stopping sound of horse hooves approached once again, heading straight for the most concentrated and bustling farmland of Liangzhou.