Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 20: Selecting Generals and Establishing the Initial Team

After dealing with the backlog of military documents, Zhang Kui sat alone in the commander's tent and began to ponder.

Building a strong team is now an urgent matter.

Although Chong Houhu has left, his influence, built up over many years, is deeply entrenched, and the followers he left behind may not be truly loyal to him.

Grand Tutor Wen's trust was one thing, but whether Zhang Kui could firmly control this logistical lifeline was another. More importantly, the approaching Investiture of the Gods was like a sword hanging high, urging him to possess power that truly belonged to him.

Chen Qi, Zheng Lun, Wu Wenhua… these names flashed through his mind. They were unexpected delights, and he had to try to win them over. But relying solely on a few future “generals” was far from enough; a powerful force was built upon its soldiers.

His gaze fell upon the busy soldiers outside the tent. Selecting elite troops from the existing ranks would certainly be quick, but Zhang Kui soon dismissed the idea.

These soldiers are mostly ingrained in the military practices of this era, characterized by rigid hierarchy, fixed mindsets, and varying degrees of connection with their former commanders. Their loyalty is therefore highly questionable. Furthermore, their training methods and combat mentality are already established; attempting to transform them into a "modern," highly disciplined force with a unique spirit will face immense resistance and be extremely inefficient.

"A blank sheet of paper is the best canvas for drawing," Zhang Kui muttered to himself.

He thought of the concept of "the People's Liberation Army soldiers." In this era, it might be an overly idealistic term. But what he wanted was a close connection based on identity, belonging, and shared interests, rather than a simple superior-subordinate or employer-employee relationship.

He wanted to select from the common people: young men who had just been conscripted and had not yet been corrupted by the bad habits of military life; displaced people who had lost their homes in the war and longed for protection and recognition; and ordinary people with clean backgrounds, like pieces of unpolished jade.

They had nothing, so they were easier to satisfy; they were ignorant, so they were easier to mold. What Zhang Kui wanted to instill in them was not loyalty to the king of the distant Chaoge City, nor reverence for the ethereal Mandate of Heaven, but a more concrete and personal concept—protecting their home.

What is home? It is the land beneath their feet, the comrades beside them, and the team itself that will provide them with warmth, sustenance, and dignity.

As for defending the country? Zhang Kui's lips curled into a cold sneer. They were all feudal monarchs vying for power; the victor was king, the loser was villain. Who could be any more noble than the other? Serving for someone else's kingdom was neither his wish nor the ideal he wanted to instill in his soldiers.

What he wants to build is an army that knows why it fights and for whom it fights. Its core is "protection," a community of "collective interests." The soul of this army will be shaped by Zhang Kui himself, and its military philosophy will transcend this era.

……

The next morning, Zheng Lun, Chen Qi, and Wu Wenhua arrived at Zhang Kui's command tent on time to report. All three wore expressions of doubt and barely perceptible tension. Their ranks were neither high nor low, and they had no connection with each other; they wondered why this newly appointed, renowned commander-in-chief had summoned them all at once.

"Come in," a steady voice came from inside the tent.

The three men entered the tent one by one and paid their respects with military salute.

Zhang Kui did not sit behind the command desk, but stood in the tent, his eyes sharp as he carefully examined the three men.

Zheng Lun was the first person to come into view. He had a sharp face, a straight nose and a square mouth, and sharp eyes. He stood upright like a pine tree, and his cultivation was condensed and not revealed. He exuded a sense of righteousness and an inviolable majesty. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Human Immortal Realm, and his foundation was quite solid.

Chen Qi stood slightly behind Zheng Lun, his height was slightly shorter but more sturdy, his complexion was slightly yellow, he was taciturn, but his eyes were sharp and his aura was deep and composed. He was also at the Human Immortal Realm, but slightly inferior to Zheng Lun.

Finally, there was Wu Wenhua. His entrance nearly blocked the light streaming through the tent flap. Over ten feet tall, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, his muscles bulging like an iron tower. He wore ill-fitting, simple leather armor, his face both honest and somewhat awkward. What shocked Zhang Kui most was that, with his peak Earth Immortal cultivation and the powerful perception of an Earth Witch, he couldn't sense a single fluctuation of true essence or magical power within this man. Yet, the surging, boundless blood and qi beneath his skin, the pure physical strength like that of a primordial beast, almost bursting forth from his body, its intensity nearly matching that of his own Earth Witch realm body. This was simply a born physical superhuman.

"I summoned the three of you here because I heard that you all possess extraordinary abilities. Our army has always valued talent, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved." Zhang Kui withdrew his gaze, his tone calm yet authoritative.

The three of them quickly became modest.

Changing the subject, Zhang Kui began to test the three men's abilities, posing tricky and direct questions that covered a wide range of topics.

Zheng Lun answered fluently and clearly, demonstrating good military skills and decisiveness, and his words were full of righteousness.

Chen Qi didn't talk much, but every time he spoke, he hit the nail on the head. He was particularly insightful about how to utilize terrain and military formations to leverage one's own advantages, which made him appear calm and experienced.

Wu Wenhua, on the other hand, was somewhat embarrassed. He was mostly at a loss when it came to strategic issues, but he could still come up with some simple and useless truths, revealing his honest and straightforward personality.

After their conversation, Zhang Kui gained a deeper understanding of the three men's abilities and character, and became increasingly satisfied.

He walked back to his desk and sat down, his expression turning serious. "The talents of the three of you are wasted on your current positions. I have just been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Rear Army and am in dire need of capable men. I wish to recruit the three of you into my command and entrust you with important responsibilities. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, the three men were first taken aback, then their faces lit up with joy. Although they were all capable, they had never been given important positions in the officialdom, which valued lineage and seniority. Now that they had gained Zhang Kui's appreciation, how could they refuse?

"This humble general is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse," Zheng Lun said, bowing first in response.

"I am willing to obey the general's orders." Chen Qi followed closely behind.

"I...I'm willing too! As long as I have enough to eat, I'll have the strength." Wu Wenhua excitedly patted his chest.

"Good!" Zhang Kui clapped his hands. "Effective immediately, Zheng Lun is promoted to Deputy General of the Rear Army to assist me in handling all military affairs."

"Chen Qi was promoted to colonel and given command of a battalion."

"Wu Wenhua is promoted to the rank of Captain and temporarily put in charge of training new recruits and protecting supplies."

The three men bowed again in gratitude, saying, "Thank you, General, for your kindness in promoting us. We will do our utmost to help you."

Zhang Kui raised his hand in a gesture of support, indicating that they should stand up.

"Now that you have joined my ranks, you are my trusted confidants. Recently, I have been teaching you a profound and orthodox method that can strengthen your foundation, cultivate your vital energy, and enhance your cultivation. It is a method of supreme foundation."

Having said that, he pointed his fingers like a sword, and three points of clear light flew out from his fingertips and entered the three men's brows. This was the Nine Breaths Breathing Technique from the Thirty-Six Methods of the Heavenly Gang.

This profound and mysterious technique instantly captivated Zheng Lun and Chen Qi, leaving them ecstatic and awestruck. Even Wu Wenhua, who had never practiced it before, felt a refreshing breeze wash over him, his blood and energy seemingly invigorated, and his mind cleared considerably.

"In addition," Zhang Kui looked at Zheng Lun and Chen Qi, "I will bestow upon you two several protective divine abilities. Practice them diligently and do not slack off." Several more points of clear light shot out, and Zhang Kui passed on the cultivation methods of Subduing Dragons and Tigers, Making Sizes of Your Choice, and the Five Elements Great Escape.

As for Wu Wenhua, Zhang Kui thought for a moment and said, "Wenhua, your physique is special, and ordinary cultivation methods are not suitable for you. You should focus on refining your physical body and comprehend the Nine Breaths Breathing Method that I have taught you. Later, I will point you to a path that is more suitable for you."

"Yes, I'll listen to the general." Wu Wenhua nodded vigorously, without any objection.

Zhang Kui's generosity and the depth of his trust moved them to tears.

Zhang Kui nodded in satisfaction before revealing the real task: "The official positions have been granted and the teachings have been passed on. Now, I need the three of you to do something important for me."

"Please give your orders, General."

"I want the three of you to immediately begin selecting from the commoners' sons, newly recruited soldiers, and young refugees within the rear army's jurisdiction, choosing men of good character, strong physique, and pure heart. The number is tentatively set at five thousand; quality over quantity. I want to personally train a truly elite force."

Zheng Lun and Chen Qi were both quick-witted and immediately understood Zhang Kui's intention—to cultivate a loyal force absolutely devoted to the general. The two were even more excited; the general was treating them as his most trusted confidants.

After a moment's thought, Zheng Lun stepped forward, took out an ancient jade slip from his robes, and presented it with both hands: "General, if you wish to train a strong army, I, your humble servant, was once taught by a strange man a method for cultivating Daoist soldiers, called 'Crow Soldiers.' This army requires selecting individuals with Yin-attribute destinies and swift movements, and training them with secret medicines and formations. It can be trained into a Daoist army that moves like the wind, excels at harassment, and can trap and entrap the enemy. I wish to offer it to you, General, so that you may have some reference to it."

Seeing this, Chen Qi was not to be outdone and also took out a beast bone talisman: "General, I also have a method for refining 'Flying Tiger Soldiers' here. This method requires selecting those with vigorous blood and strong courage. After mastering it, the soldiers will all have the ferocity of tigers and wolves, charging into battle fearlessly. The formation they form is even more mysterious. I also present it to you, General."

Heaven is helping me! Zhang Kui was just worrying about how to train new recruits when these two ready-made Taoist soldier training methods were presented to him.

He took the jade slip and talisman, and after scanning them with his divine sense, he knew that these two kinds of Dao weapons were no ordinary items. They contained detailed records and each had its own mysteries.

"You two generals are very kind," Zhang Kui said with a smile. "I will borrow it for a while and study it carefully, hoping to gain something from it."

The two spoke in unison, showing no sign of unease.

"The selection of soldiers should be done slowly rather than hastily. You three will handle it later. Remember, the most important thing in choosing people is that they have a clean background and a pure heart, and only then should you consider their physical strength," Zhang Kui instructed in his final words.

"Yes, sir!" The three men clasped their hands in obeisance and respectfully withdrew from the command tent.

Inside the tent, Zhang Kui stroked the jade slip and talisman in his hand, having taken a solid first step in building his team.