This time, Qin was launching an offensive against Chu!
Had the Hangu Camp truly been wiped out, it would have been a great loss for Qin.
The conquest of Chu would have had to be postponed until the kingdom had recovered.
However, with Zhao Feng's intervention, everything changed.
The Hangu Camp remained intact, and the casualties from Mi Qi's betrayal were minimized.
With no losses suffered, King Qin naturally decided to deploy more troops for the attack.
Furthermore, he aimed to strike Chu with a swift and unexpected blow.
Zhao Feng's Wu'an Camp, located in Yunzhong City, was the ideal staging ground for such an offensive.
Heading south led directly to Chu.
Marching eastward in the past had led to Yan.
Perhaps when Ying Zheng chose Yunzhong City as a military base, he had already planned for this moment.
He had long been preparing for the conquest of Chu.
"Master," Zhang Ming asked, "Shall we depart immediately?"
"Lead the guards and set out first. I will travel ahead on my own," Zhao Feng responded firmly.
"Understood," Zhang Ming replied without hesitation.
He was well aware of his master's extraordinary abilities. No matter how fast the cavalry rode, they could never match Zhao Feng's speed.
"This battle..."
"It will establish my position as a National Commandant."
"Once I attain that rank, I will at least receive a Tier-3 Treasure Chest."
A gleam of excitement flashed across Zhao Feng's eyes.
Achieving the rank of National Commandant was the highest honor he could attain as a minister of Qin.
After that, the only way to obtain treasure chests would be through future opportunities.
However, now that he had learned about the world beyond China and the existence of demons and immortals,
these would eventually become his prey.
Since the heavens had severed the path to immortality,
there was no immediate threat from celestial beings.
Furthermore, the fortune of China remained intact, preventing the immortals from descending.
As for mortal cultivators,
any who dared to appear would be slaughtered and turned into nourishment for Zhao Feng's growth.
Only two nations remained in China.
Zhao Feng had to seize this opportunity.
After conquering Chu, the unification of the world would be within reach.
After bidding farewell to his mother and wives, Zhao Feng departed.
He found a secluded spot, soared into the sky, and summoned his black dragon, flying straight toward Yunzhong City.
Meanwhile, within his small world,
under the meticulous arrangements of the Dark Court's agents, everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
The first batch of original inhabitants had successfully settled in and begun their work.
In the future, even more people will migrate there.
Zhao Feng aimed to transform this small world into his secure stronghold a haven.
If China ever became truly unstable,
his loved ones would be relocated there.
Then, he could conquer without worry.
Within a single day!
Yunzhong City.
Inside the military camp.
"Greetings, My Lord!"
The commanders of the three main divisions, along with numerous vice generals, all gathered in the main hall and saluted Zhao Feng.
"Be seated."
Zhao Feng waved his hand.
"Thank you, My Lord!" The generals responded in unison before taking their seats according to rank.
"I have just received a secret decree."
"The Wu'an Camp will march south to attack Chu."
Zhao Feng's voice was firm and resolute.
Upon hearing this,
all the generals' faces lit up with anticipation.
They immediately declared in unison, "We swear to follow My Lord to the death!"
"No need for unnecessary words," Zhao Feng continued.
"Yang Bo!"
"Present!"
Yang Bo immediately stepped forward.
"In warfare, logistics are paramount."
"How long can our current rations sustain the army?" Zhao Feng inquired.
"My Lord," Yang Bo responded without hesitation, "we have provisions for only two months."
"The King's decree has already stated that all grain from the Duchy of Duguang will be allocated to our Wu'an Camp."
"I order you to immediately send envoys to the Yan region to meet with Governor Cai Ci."
"Carry the royal edict and command him to gather supplies at once."
"Within a month, the provisions must reach our military supply lines."
Zhao Feng's tone was unwavering.
"Understood!" Yang Bo answered decisively.
"This battle..."
"The King has issued the decree in secrecy. Aside from the generals here, no one else is aware of it."
"This war will be a battle of speed!"
"We shall strike swiftly and break through Chu's defenses in one blow!"
"In this campaign, Zhang Han will lead the cavalry and raid Chu's territory alongside me."
"Tu Sui and Li You will lead the main forces in the rear."
Zhao Feng's voice carried a sharp determination.
"Understood!" The three generals responded in unison.
"My Lord," Wei Quan interjected, "no army moves without provisions. Our Wu'an cavalry numbers one hundred thousand; we must prepare dry rations for them."
"Yang Bo," Zhao Feng commanded, "instruct the field kitchens."
"Tonight, they must work at full capacity to prepare at least seven days' worth of dry rations for each cavalryman."
"If they can produce more, I will reward them accordingly."
Yang Bo immediately bowed. "Understood, My Lord!"
"That's all."
"Everyone, make your preparations."
"At dawn tomorrow, we march south!"
Zhao Feng's voice echoed through the hall.
"By your command!" The assembled generals responded with unwavering resolve.
The generals all stood up, bowed, and quickly withdrew.
After giving his orders, Zhao Feng did not leave.
Instead, he sat down cross-legged and began cultivating.
Ever since learning the truth about this world from Guiguzi, Zhao Feng did not dare to waste any time. With the support of Qin's national fortune, Zhao Feng would cultivate and improve his strength whenever he had the chance.
Two days later!
The northern border city of Chu.
Qufu City.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, this city was the capital of the State of Lu.
However, time had passed, and it had now become a frontier city of Chu, once bordering Zhao but now bordering Qin.
Since the fall of Zhao and the stationing of the Wu'an Camp in Yunzhong City, Qufu City has been reinforced by Chu.
Five thousand Chu soldiers were stationed there.
The defenses were strict.
Besides these five thousand troops, many other cities behind Qufu had also been heavily fortified.
Though the three factions of Chu vied for power, they remained highly vigilant against Qin. If Qin were to destroy Chu, their authority and prestige would be lost forever.
On the city walls.
The banners of Chu fluttered in the wind.
Thousands of Chu soldiers patrolled the walls.
Lookout towers kept watch over the distant horizon.
The defenses appeared tight and without gaps.
Apart from the patrolling soldiers, many Chu troops sat together, chatting idly.
Though this was a border city and had received reinforcements, two to three years had passed since Qin destroyed Zhao, and no battles had broken out.
Over time, even a border city would grow complacent.
This wasn't just true for Chu - Qin's border garrisons weren't overly cautious either.
Only when the enemy truly arrived would they feel the urgency.
Complacency was dangerous.
In Qin, the only border that remained ever-vigilant was the northern frontier.
Compared to the fellow kinfolk of the Central Plains, the northern barbarians showed no mercy whenever they attacked, it was a full-scale invasion.
Just then
Thump, thump.
Thump, thump, thump!
The walls of Qufu City seemed to tremble.
Many Chu soldiers instinctively looked out into the distance.
A dark tide of cavalry surged toward the city.
Along with them came countless black banners waving in the wind.
"Not good!"
"Enemy attack!"
"Qin army incoming!"
"Report to the general at once!"
"Prepare for battle!"
In an instant, a sense of crisis swept through Qufu City, sending both its soldiers and civilians into a panic.
The earth rumbled.
Warhorses galloped forward like rolling thunder.
From the direction of Qin, a vast cavalry force advanced toward the city.
But as they neared, the Qin cavalry began to split one force charged straight for the city's main gate, while another veered toward a different gate.
Zhao Feng had already obtained intelligence on Qufu City before the assault.
With only five thousand defenders, splitting the attack would divide their forces, making the city easier to take.
This assault
Ten thousand Qin cavalry.
No siege weapons.
Zhao Feng himself was the greatest siege weapon.
With a single strike, he could shatter the city gate.
Then, the Qin cavalry would pour in like a flood.
The time for the unification of the world was near there was no longer a need to hide his strength.
His feat of breaking down a city gate alone had already spread across the land. There was no point in concealing it now.
As the Qin cavalry divided, Zhao Feng rode forward.
He wielded the Overlord Spear.
Racing toward Qufu's main gate, five thousand Qin cavalry followed closely behind him.
Shouts rang through the air.
The thunder of hooves roared like a storm.
"Arrows!"
Still, on horseback, Zhao Feng gave a loud command.
At once
He drew the Divine Arm Bow, which he had personally forged.
Pulling ten arrows from his quiver, he infused them with his powerful True Essence.
The Qin cavalry behind him also drew their bows, nocking arrows to their strings.
Even at full gallop, each soldier remained steady, their bows firm, their eyes locked onto their targets.
As soon as they entered the firing range
"Break!"
Zhao Feng shouted.
Thwang!
The Divine Arm Bow let out a deep twang as its string vibrated.
In an instant
Ten arrows shot forth, each glowing with a golden True Essence radiance.
Had it been nighttime, one could have seen ten golden streaks of light cutting through the air.
In the blink of an eye
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosive bursts of True Essence erupted.
The city gate and the surrounding walls were instantly shattered.
The soldiers stationed behind the gate several dozen feet in were engulfed by the True Essence explosion, and killed in an instant.
"What is this?!"
Many Chu soldiers looked at each other in horror.
This was a power beyond their comprehension.
But Zhao Feng and his elite Qin cavalry had no interest in their shock.
"Wind, wind, wind!"
"Great wind!"
Battle cries filled the air.
Killing intent surged like a tidal wave.
Countless arrows soared into the sky, raining down upon Qufu City.
Arrows fell like a storm.
Countless Chu soldiers perished under the relentless barrage.
The Qin cavalry charged forward, unleashing arrows as they pressed the attack.
"Shoot!"
A Chu general roared from the city walls.
Arrows flew from the walls in return, pelting the advancing Qin riders.
Amidst the rain of arrows
Even as the Qin cavalry dispersed, casualties were inevitable.
"Qin elite soldiers!"
"Kill!"
This time, Zhao Feng didn't even bother to dodge. Instead, he directly used his true essence to protect himself. Even though arrows rained down on him, they were instantly deflected by the energy shield surrounding his body.
Very soon
Zhao Feng was the first to charge into the city through the gate he had just destroyed with a single arrow.
The Overlord Spear swept across
The dozen or so Chu soldiers in front of him were instantly slain.
With Zhao Feng's current strength, dealing with these low-level soldiers was nothing short of an overwhelming massacre.
"Killed a Chu soldier, obtained 1 point of Dragon Elephant Power."
"Killed a Chu soldier, obtained 1 point of True Essence."
"Killed a Chu soldier, obtained 1 point of Divine Speed."
"Killed a Chu soldier, obtained 1 point of Divine Sense."
...
With just a single sweep of his spear, the long-lost system notifications for battlefield attribute collection reappeared.
What surprised Zhao Feng was that after his system had undergone a great transformation, it still maintained the previous rule each enemy killed was granted only 1 point.
"It seems that 1 point is the minimum threshold."
"This is great news."
"This way, my strength will grow even faster."
A smile flashed in Zhao Feng's heart.
Then
He spurred his horse forward.
The Overlord Spear in his hands danced wildly.
Empowered by the true essence
Zhao Feng transformed into a god of slaughter, mercilessly reaping lives.
"Kill! Kill them all!"
"Slaughter every last Chu soldier!"
"Kill"
Behind Zhao Feng, countless Qin cavalry charged into the city one after another.
They trampled over the corpses of fallen Chu soldiers, unleashing a brutal massacre.
Although the Chu State had made some preparations
They were utterly powerless in the face of the elite warriors from Wu'an Camp, battle-hardened from countless wars.
Against an army three times stronger
The Qin forces launched a one-sided slaughter.
By dusk
The battle had ended.
"Your Majesty!"
"The Chu army inside the city has been completely routed."
"We have slain over 20,000 enemies and captured another 20,000."
"Our losses were less than 5,000."
"A decisive victory!"
Zhang Han reported respectfully.
"Leave 5,000 elite troops to guard the prisoners."
"The rest of the army shall rest for two hours, then continue marching with me." Zhao Feng commanded.
"Understood!" Zhang Han responded immediately.
"Next"
"Before the Chu army can react, we must swiftly break through their border defenses."
"Shatter their fortifications."
"Also, tell Tu Sui and Li You to speed up their march."
...
Chu State, Yingdu
Royal Court Hall
On the throne, the King of Chu sat upright. Despite his regal position, he was still a young man, not yet thirty.
Below him
The court officials stood in silence.
"Ministers"
"The Qin army is launching fierce attacks, and Supreme General Xiang Yan has sent multiple urgent requests for reinforcements."
"When will you mobilize troops to aid him?"
King Fu Chou spoke, but his tone carried hesitation perhaps even a trace of pleading.
As king
He wielded almost no real power.
All authority lay in the hands of the Three Great Clans.
At this moment, his gaze shifted toward three individuals standing at the forefront
Th.e heads of the Three Great Clans.
They also held the highest positions in the court.
"Your Majesty."
"Supreme General Xiang Yan commands over 200,000 troops, more than enough to fend off the Qin army."
"According to our intelligence, the Qin army has not mobilized their full forces only their weakest division from Hangu Camp."
"With Xiang Yan's capabilities, he can easily hold the line and prevent the Qin army from advancing."
Zhao Wen smiled indifferently and bowed slightly.
"Indeed."
"With Xiang Yan at the helm, there is nothing to worry about."
"The Qin army is nothing to fear; they won't break through Fangcheng."
"Your Majesty need not worry."
"What we should focus on now is waiting for Qi State to send reinforcements. Once Qi joins the war, Chu will have no reason to fear Qin."
The other two ministers chimed in one after another.
Clearly
Each of the Three Clans had their agendas.
But their shared goal was to preserve their strength.
After all, in their eyes, Xiang Yan was not someone to be trifled with either.
"But"
King Fu Chou frowned, wanting to refute them.
Yet, looking at the three powerful ministers before him
He ultimately let out a helpless sigh.
A king with no power
Was even less significant than a mere military officer commanding thousands.
Just then
"Report!"
"Urgent message from the northern border city!"
"Your Majesty, please make a swift decision!"
A messenger rushed into the hall, his face filled with terror.
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