ATPnovel Chapter 4: Many People, A Glimpse into Life
Chapter 4: Many People, A Glimpse into Life
The wind and snow in the sky grew stronger, pelting Zhang Kui's armor with a dense rustling sound. The unicorn-like beast, its hooves kicking up dust, galloped towards the distant central army camp.
The central command tent was heavily guarded, with the faint glow of talismans illuminating the area.
Upon arriving, Zhang Kui immediately dismounted, handed the unicorn-like beast to a guard, and stepped forward to lift the curtain of the central command tent and enter the tent.
As soon as they entered, a powerful aura mixed with iron-blooded murderous intent swept over them, followed by several scrutinizing gazes.
Zhang Kui pondered for a moment, then ignored the prying eyes and walked straight toward Ji Li, the deputy commander of the central army who had just gestured to him.
The tent was brightly lit, with several large tallow candles burning, illuminating faces that were either dignified, arrogant, or profound.
The four tables in the first row on the left were already occupied.
The first was Deng Jiugong, the former commander of the army. With his flowing silver beard, he was old but shrewd, and his eyes were sharp as lightning, exuding the demeanor of a great general. He glanced at Zhang Kui and then continued to speak in a low voice to a spirited female general sitting behind him, who should be his daughter, Deng Chanyu.
The second was Zhang Guifang, the commander of the left army. It is said that his "calling name to dismount" technique was strange and difficult to defend against. The original owner of the dragon-scale armor on Zhang Kui's body was killed because his soul was taken away by this technique.
The third was Lu Xiong, the commander of the right army. He was mature and steady, with white hair and beard. He silently flipped through the map on the table, frowning in thought.
The fourth was a middle-aged man dressed in a marquis's robes, with slightly dark skin and a sinister look in his eyes. He was Zhang Kui's direct superior—the Marquis of the North, Chong Houhu. Upon seeing Zhang Kui enter, he didn't even raise an eyelid, letting out a barely audible snort.
Behind the Marquis of Bei stood a young general who bore a resemblance to him, staring intently at Zhang Kui with venomous eyes. This was Chong Yingbiao, Zhang Kui's predecessor. Clearly, this feud stemmed from Zhang Kui taking over his position as the grain commissioner.
The deputy commanders of the central army, Ji Li and Yu Qing, were positioned on the left side near the tent entrance. Seeing Zhang Kui approach, they nodded slightly, their eyes friendly. Zhang Kui gave a brief fist salute, then quietly walked to the rear, taking his place as a rear guard commander, precisely at the end of Chong Houhu's forces.
As soon as he stood still, a soft voice transmission came from beside Zhang Kui: "General Zhang, you are a little late. The Marquis looked unwell earlier, so be careful later."
Zhang Kui glanced to the side and saw Ji Li staring straight ahead, his lips moving slightly. Yu Qing, standing beside him, also gave him a "be careful" look.
"Thank you for the reminder, General Ji and General Yu."
Zhang Kui replied telepathically, indicating that these two confidants of Grand Tutor Wen had a good impression of him. As for Chong Houhu… after all, he was the Marquis of the North and his direct superior, so he still had to be careful. Of course, if that old fellow went too far and tried to test his strength, he would make sure he “died on the first try.”
The atmosphere inside the tent was heavy. Zhang Kui could clearly sense that there were at least seven or eight auras that were no less powerful than his, and some of them were as unfathomable as an abyss.
His gaze swept over those few people discreetly.
A Taoist priest with a face as blue as indigo, hair as black as cinnabar, and eyes filled with a fierce light, exuded a menacing aura. Beside him was a young general carrying a blood-red divine sword, who was probably Yu Yuan, who was under the tutelage of the Golden Spirit Mother of the Jie Sect, just like Wen Zhong. The young general behind him was his disciple, Yu Hua.
There was also a cold-looking cultivator wearing a golden headband, resembling a wandering ascetic, with a red light flashing on his head. He was probably Qiu Yin, a rogue cultivator who was said to have become a spirit from an earthworm after a thousand years of cultivation.
Finally, there were four Taoist priests dressed in different styles, each radiating a faint, precious light, and possessing profound Taoist cultivation. Gathered together, they formed their own aura: the Four Saints of Nine Dragons Island—Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba. These four were absolutely infamous on the North Sea battlefield, having killed more than a hundred demon race commanders and rebel generals.
"Quite a few immortals from the Jie Sect have arrived in the army..."
Zhang Kui thought to himself, "It seems the current situation is more troublesome than I imagined."
Suddenly, the tent fell silent.
Footsteps sounded, and Grand Tutor Wen Zhong emerged from the back tent, his invisible pressure spreading out, causing all the generals present, including the immortals of the Jie Sect, to unconsciously stand up straight.
Still dressed in military uniform, Wen Zhong's expression was calm, his divine eyes half-open, scanning the entire scene, and everyone present felt a sense of pressure.
"Please take your seats, everyone."
Wen Zhong spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "I have summoned you all here at this time because of a change in military affairs."
He walked behind the command table but did not sit down. He continued, "Yuan Futong, colluding with the demons of the North Sea and aided by unorthodox sects, continues to resist stubbornly. According to intelligence, the rebels have gained a powerful new ally: an ancient demon from the depths of the North Sea—the Overturning Sea Ancestor. This great demon has already attained the Golden Immortal realm. In his early years, he listened to the teachings of the demon master Kunpeng. He possesses great supernatural powers and can control wind, snow, and frost. The 'Northern Darkness Ice Soul Cold Light Array' he has set up has completely blocked the vital passage for our army—the Locking Cloud Pass."
"If Suoyun Pass cannot be breached, our army will be unable to advance. The previous probing attacks have resulted in the loss of many generals and thousands of soldiers, all of whom froze to death in the formation."
Listening to Wen Zhong's story, Zhang Kui was not in a hurry. After all, it was a battle between gods, and if the sky fell, there would be someone tall enough to hold it up. He had only one principle—develop cautiously and never be reckless.
"Therefore, the purpose of this meeting today is to deploy strategies to defeat the enemy," Wen Zhong's voice suddenly rose.
"Frontline Commander, Deng Jiugong!"
"Your subordinate is here." Deng Jiugong stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell.
"I hereby appoint your unit as the vanguard. Within ten days, forge ice-breaking and cold-weather equipment, select brave warriors, and await orders to launch a strong attack on the ravine, drawing the attention of the enemy's main force."
"Understood."
"Left Army, Zhang Guifang! Right Army, Lu Xiong!"
"Your subordinate is here."
"Your second division is to support the flanks and guard against any outflanking maneuvers by the rebels, paying particular attention to small-scale enemy harassment. When Deng Jiugong's troops attack, your second division must provide full cover using bows, crossbows, and magic!"
"Understood."
"Rear guard, Chong Houhu!"
Chong Houhu's spirits lifted, and he stepped forward: "Your subordinate is here."
"I order your unit to coordinate the army's food and supplies to ensure uninterrupted wartime supply! In particular, there must be no shortage of cold-weather clothing, hot food, or medicine."
"Zhang Kui!"
"Your subordinate is here." Upon hearing Wen Zhong's voice, Zhang Kui immediately stepped forward.
"The marching biscuits you oversaw the refining of are of great benefit to this campaign. Starting immediately, within seven days, prioritize the production of a batch sufficient to supply the rations of 50,000 vanguard troops. Can you manage that?"
"Yes, sir. I will deliver the rations needed by the army on time," Zhang Kui replied in a deep voice.
Chong Houhu's facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly. The more attention Zhang Kui received, the more resentful he felt.
Wen Zhong nodded, his gaze finally turning to the few Jie Sect cultivators, his tone softening considerably: "The Northern Dark Ice Soul Cold Light Formation still needs the divine abilities of you fellow Daoists."
Yu Yuan, the Immortal of One Qi, laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell: "Junior brother, rest assured, I have recently mastered the Vajra Body, which is impervious to swords and spears and fearless of water and fire. Taking down a mere Old Ancestor of the Overturning Sea is a piece of cake."
Qiu Yin also said in a sinister tone, "This is a good opportunity to test the methods of that old mudfish, Fu Hai."
The Four Saints of Kowloon Island, with Wang Mo as their leader, bowed and said calmly, "We four brothers are willing to go into the formation and have a battle with this Ancestor of the Overturning Sea."
"good!"
Wen Zhong laughed heartily, "Then I will trouble Fellow Daoists Yu Yuan and Qiu Yin to join the vanguard in breaking through the formation head-on. Fellow Daoists Wang Mo, Yang Sen, Gao Youqian, and Li Xingba, please seize the opportunity to infiltrate the formation's core and seek out the Overturning Sea Ancestor for a decisive battle. Please be careful, everyone, this formation is somewhat strange."
"good!"
The crowd responded in unison.
Military orders were issued one after another, and the entire war machine began to operate at high speed. The soldiers in the army all looked solemn, knowing that a tough battle was about to begin.
Prepare provisions and bake shortbread...
Upon returning to his camp, Zhang Kui immediately summoned the commanders of the ten battalions, including A, B, ..., R, and G, to clarify the allocation of supplies and to assign the task of refining marching pastries.
Being a leader is great!
"The Northern Dark Ice Soul Cold Light Array? The Overturning Sea Ancestor?" Zhang Kui was somewhat excited, and the surging Earth Witch Qi and Blood in his body seemed to be responding to him, with earth-yellow light constantly emerging.
"I wonder if this icy, chilling light can freeze the earth power of my Witch Clan?"
"Forget it, stop overthinking and get back to rummaging through my 'trash'."