Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Liu Yunxin turned to look at Chu Li.
Chu Li spoke, “Let’s head inside.”
Liu Yunxin said, “Junior Brother Zhao, if you want to come out again after you’ve entered, you can only gain merits until you become a centurion.”
“Understood,” Chu Li replied.
Noticing how calm he was, Liu Yunxin knew it was useless to say too much. She then approached the entrance gracefully and showed her iron tag to a soldier. After the soldier scrutinized it, he passed it to his comrade.
After four soldiers had checked the tag, they took two steps back to make way for Chu Li and Liu Yunxin’s entrance.
A soldier ordered in a deep voice, “Follow me!”
With him leading the way, the three of them entered the military encampment.
As soon as they stepped inside the encampment, they were surrounded by large, spacious tents that were arranged neatly and evenly spaced. The spaces between each tent were wide enough for horses to gallop around.
They walked along the center of the main path and soon, they arrived at a vast martial arts field. Hundreds of horses galloped in circles as more than two hundred men poked the riders on horseback with long poles. The riders leaped and ducked, trying with all their might to evade the attacks.
Most of the riders were thin and agile, none of them were of large build. In fact, the big-sized ones were not nimble enough to avoid the attacks. They were too heavy and this would slow down the speed of the horses.
Chu Li scanned the area and compared them to the Ji Dynasty’s army. Then, he sighed.
The Ji Dynasty’s army might be stricter, but they were not as intimidating as this one.
Liu Yunxin spoke, “The Soaring Eagle Cavalry is a light cavalry. It’s known for its extreme agility and impressive archery skills. You’d better practice your riding skills, or else it’ll be tough for you to gain merits.”
Chu Li asked, “Which cavalry is a heavy cavalry?”
“The Black Bear Cavalry,” Liu Yunxin replied.
The soldier who was leading the way suddenly glanced at Liu Yunxin but did not say anything.
Chu Li asked, “In this case, don’t both cavalries belong to the same unit?”
“They all belong to the Grand General. When preparing for a battle, both cavalries will come together and the soldiers will be assigned accordingly,” Liu Yunxin explained.
Chu Li nodded.
The three of them went around the martial arts field and came to a large tent not far from the field.
This tent was no different from the rest. The soldier then walked to the front of the tent and gave a fist salute. “General, there are people here with a Soaring Eagle warrant who wish to meet you.”
“Enter!” A clear voice resounded from inside the tent.
The soldier gestured for Chu Li and Liu Yunxin to enter before he turned around and left.
Liu Yunxin stepped inside the tent gracefully with Chu Li following behind her.
The tent was well-lit with an armchair placed behind the large desk. The armchair was lined with a white tiger skin which was bright and flawless.
A young, thin man was sat in the armchair. He was handsome and his small mustache gave him an air of maturity.
He sat up straight as he read a book; his aura was formidable.
When he heard footsteps, he lowered his book slowly as if he was reluctant to part with it. Then, he looked at the two people.
“Greetings, General Yang.” Liu Yunxin curtsied and cupped her fists into a salute. “I’ve been sent by the Saint to escort someone to the Sharp Vigor Battalion.”
“Haha…” General Yang laughed heartily. He placed his book on the desk and returned a fist salute. “I’ve never expected you to come here personally, Patrol Liu. Pardon me!”
“It’s alright, General Yang.” Liu Yunxin smiled. “This is Zhao Dahe. He’s the one who killed Altar Leader Mo and has had his martial arts abilities crippled by the Saint. Because of that, he has been banished to the Sharp Vigor Battalion.”
“Crippled? Might as well not bring him here!” General Yang’s expression instantly changed and he shook his head. “The Soaring Eagle Cavalry doesn’t keep cripples!”Read more chapter on NovelFull
Liu Yunxin said, “General, you worry too much. Why would the Saint send a cripple here? Zhao Dahe has already recovered his martial arts abilities.”
“In that case…” General Yang Ping regarded Chu Li with knitted brows. “His martial arts abilities seem normal. Is he capable of killing an Altar Leader? I suppose he might’ve used some tricks?”
Suddenly, he was overcome with doubt. Did Liu Yunxin tell him that Zhao Dahe had already recovered his martial arts prowess just because he mentioned that he did not keep cripples? He was very familiar with Sun Mingyue’s methods and it was not easy to restore one’s abilities after losing it.
If one’s martial arts abilities could be recovered easily, Sun Mingyue would not have gone through the trouble.
Thus, General Yang was not sure if Zhao Dahe’s martial arts prowess was existent.
“Don’t you believe me, General Yang?” Liu Yunxin could sense his thoughts after observing his expression. She said wanly, “However, assuming Zhao Dahe has not restored his abilities, he is still qualified to enter the Sharp Vigor Battalion!”
“…Haha!” All of a sudden, Yang Ping laughed. “What do you mean, Patrol Liu? Since he has been sent here by the Saint, I’ll naturally accept him. The Saint doesn’t have to worry, I’ll treat him well!”
“You don’t have to give him special treatment.” Liu Yunxin shook her head gently. “He’s a genius, so use him wisely. Perhaps, one day, he’ll benefit you and help you with gaining some merits!”
“Oh…?” Yang Ping chuckled while he nodded. “Alright, I’ll keep the Saint’s words in mind and use him wisely. To tell the truth, the Sharp Vigor Battalion is almost out of people and there are only two left.”
“Huh…?” Liu Yunxin frowned. “Hasn’t the battle started yet?”
“There’s a skirmish going on right now,” Yang Ping said helplessly. “It has taken a toll on us. We have been losing a few men from the Sharp Vigor Battalion every day. At this point, we’ve used up too much manpower that it’s impossible for us to launch an attack again.”
“…Alright.” Liu Yunxin threw a glance at Chu Li.
Chu Li stood aside quietly. He was not terrified at all.
Liu Yunxin remarked wryly, “At least he has a place to utilize his skills.”
Yang Ping replied, “I was about to ask for some men from the imperial court and get some hardened criminals to replace my soldiers. Looks like it’s time!”
“Good,” Liu Yunxin said, “The Sharp Vigor Battalion won’t work without any soldiers.”
“Absolutely.” Yang Ping gave a firm nod.
Liu Yunxin cupped her fist into a fist salute. “In that case, I’ve fulfilled my duty and I shall leave now.”
She understood Yang Ping’s feelings. He did not want Zhao Dahe, but it was difficult to reject the Saint, so he had no choice but to keep him. However, he would not use Zhao Dahe. Still, he would end up using him one day due to the Sharp Vigor Battalian’s huge loss of soldiers.
Nonetheless, it was tough to predict how long Zhao Dahe would last under such extreme conditions.
When she thought of this, she felt that it was a pity but she could not say anything.
Yang Ping grinned. “Things are busy here, so I won’t hold you any longer, Patrol Liu!”
Liu Yunxin took one last look at Chu Li before she left the tent.
Now, only Chu Li and Yang Ping were left inside the tent.
Yang Ping looked at Chu Li from top to toe and his face darkened. He lowered his voice. “You’re Zhao Dahe, aren’t you? I don’t care who you are in the Holy Church of Light, what you have done and what achievements you’ve had. To me, none of these matters. You’re a new recruit!”
Chu Li replied in a low voice, “Yes!”
Yang Ping glared at him as if he was stabbing Chu Li with his gaze. “Do you think I’m insignificant?”
“No!” Chu Li answered him.
Yang Ping snorted. “No? Do you think I don’t know about your disciples from the Holy Church of Light? You’re very self-absorbed. Once you enter the Sharp Vigor Battalion, things are going to get tough for you! Your life and death are determined by me!”
Chu Li showed a fist saluted calmly.
Yang Ping did not like Chu Li’s attitude at all. It was obvious that he bore the horrible temperament of the Holy Church of Light. He was arrogant, domineering and egoistic.
To people like him who were not afraid of death, threatening him with the possibility of death was utterly useless.
“Do you still feel lucky? Do you want to gain merits to become a centurion?” Yang Ping returned to his desk, sat on the white tiger skin and asked lazily, “And after that, you plan on leaving the Sharp Vigor Battalion?”
Chu Li replied in a deep voice, “Yes!”
He could read Yang Ping’s thoughts and knew that talking a lot was not going to help. Hence, the best way was to shut his mouth.
“Haha…” Yang Ping threw his head back and laughed.
