Zhao Cheng's First Battle, Opening the Blade with Blood

"From now on, Zhao Cheng is your Squad Leader, and Feng Quan will serve as Wuzhang for the time being, primarily responsible for assisting Zhao Cheng."

Although Meng Tian was a Five-Hundred Commander, he had climbed his way up from the very bottom, one kill at a time.

These few squads under Feng Quan were the elite scouts of the Assault Cavalry Battalion and his original subordinates, which was why he was so familiar with them.

In the military system of the Qin State, five men formed a Wu, with one leading four; ten men formed a Shi, with two Wuzhangs among them. The Squad Leader did not belong to these ten, but was an independent commanding officer who would lead the charge in battle.

Therefore, although Feng Quan was now a Wuzhang, he had no soldiers to lead, and Meng Tian had not assigned him any others.

For one, his role as Wuzhang was only temporary; it was estimated that Zhao Cheng would be promoted again before long, allowing him to return to his original post.

For another, Zhao Cheng had just joined the Assault Cavalry and had no experience in war, so he needed someone to assist him and impart wisdom. Feng Quan was an experienced veteran of the Assault Cavalry who had been through countless battles, making him highly capable of assisting Zhao Cheng.

Meng Tian looked at Zhao Cheng, and Zhao Cheng nodded to show he understood.

Meng Tian then returned to the front to continue leading the army forward.

The next day at noon, southeast of Ye County.

It was late autumn, and the mountain walls of the Funiu Mountain Range were dyed red by maple leaves. As the withered leaves fell, there was a sense of desolation.

The main army passed through the official road, and they could already faintly see the Fang City Pass built against the mountains. This was the Chu Fang City previously constructed by the Chu State; it was a pass that could be held by one man against ten thousand, and it had yet to be conquered.

Outside the pass, countless corpses were piled up, and blood had stained the ground red.

Within the Qin army, Meng Wu looked into the distance, a bright light flickering in his eyes, his plan already set.

"This place is the natural gateway to the east of Nanyang. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Although capturing it would allow us to strike directly at the east side of Wan City and cut off the land connection between the Han Army and the Chu State, the Han forces are using this dangerous terrain to block us. A frontal assault would cost more than it is worth..."

Meng Wu waved his command flag, and the main army ignored the Han defenders at Fang City Pass, pressing straight toward the south gate of Ye County.

The pressure was now on the Han troops stationed at Fang City. If Ye County fell, the northern gateway to Nanyang would be wide open, but if they moved to support Ye County, how could they ensure the safety of Fang City Pass?

While they were anxious and conflicted.

Behind the Qin army, fifteen hundred light cavalry quietly diverted, galloping along the Funiu Mountain Range and merging into the Zhi River valley to the west. Their hooves, wrapped in thick hemp cloth, trod upon the piles of dead leaves, making a dull sound as they headed straight for the south side of Fang City Pass.

Meng Tian took the lead, and behind him on the left was the Flying Cavalry, Zhao Cheng.

"Father's advance on Ye County is meant to put pressure on Fang City Pass. Regardless of whether they split their forces, there will be gaps in their defense. We are raiding the south side of the pass; success depends on secrecy. There will be no shortage of scouts and hidden sentries on this path. Soon, the five hundred assault cavalry will be scattered. With you as the vanguard, this honor of being the first to scale the walls depends on you!"

Meng Tian galloped forward, looking back at Zhao Cheng with a smile.

A precious sword, once unsheathed, must be stained with blood to sharpen its edge.

This was Zhao Cheng's first battle, and he intended to give him every opportunity!

Zhao Cheng's eyes were like torches as he cupped his fists and smiled, "Many thanks, Brother!"

Meng Tian nodded, waved the command flag in his hand, and a whistle sounded.

"Two hundred scout cavalry, take orders! With Zhao Cheng as the vanguard, scout fifty miles ahead. If you encounter hidden sentries or scouts, kill them all! If the opportunity arises, attack the south side of Fang City. We shall strike from within and without to break the pass!"

"Understood!"

Zhao Cheng spurred his horse, and the tall, sleek black steed beneath him instantly surged forward. The strong wind felt like a blade, blowing his hair back.

Behind him, countless scout cavalry followed from both sides, spreading out like a formation of wild geese crossing the sky, scattering toward the distance!

As the terrain widened, the distance between the two hundred galloping horses grew. Behind Zhao Cheng were only his ten men and the still-sullen Feng Quan, who was following closely at his side.

Feng Quan did not know how he had lost; when he woke up, he had already been carried a long way on the back of a horse.

But regardless, he was in awe of Zhao Cheng's horsemanship. Moreover, he was a man who honored his bets; since he had lost, he would assist Zhao Cheng properly and impart all his experience.

"Squad Leader, there are hoof prints here, and branches have been broken. The direction is south. I reckon it won't be long before we run into enemy scouts!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he saw Zhao Cheng draw his bow and nock an arrow. His powerful arm strength seemed capable of holding up the heavens; the Ebony Bow, which looked heavy and solid, was instantly pulled to its full extent, like a full moon!

What shocked Feng Quan most was that this guy had actually nocked three arrows at once!

Was there such a way to shoot?

While he was stunned, the bowstring snapped!

The three arrows did not fly wildly as Feng Quan had expected, but shot straight ahead like meteors, like lightning, disappearing in an instant, piercing through branches and crossing the wild forest, vanishing from sight!

Then, to his horror, faint screams and cries of alarm came from the distance.

Just as the cries faded, Zhao Cheng, still galloping, drew his bow a second time and fired two more arrows!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Two whistles rang out!

Two more screams came from the distance!

And then, silence...

Feng Quan swallowed hard, his mouth dry. I just saw the traces, brother, and you've already killed them all!?

What kind of eyesight is that!?

And at this galloping speed, at this distance, firing multiple arrows at once—how on earth did you hit them, big brother??

Do you have to be so godlike?

It makes me look so useless!

"Keep up!"

Zhao Cheng let out a sharp cry ahead and suddenly accelerated, leaving the eleven men behind him no time to be shocked as they scrambled to follow.

This terrain was a true test of horsemanship; even for these elites of the Assault Cavalry Battalion, it was impossible to maintain high speed while galloping through the relatively sparse forest.

Yet, looking at Zhao Cheng, the man seemed to ignore the thickets entirely, as if he and his horse had become one, dancing through the woods!

He showed not a hint of awkwardness or panic, moving with the utmost ease, while his subordinates couldn't keep up with his pace at all, forced to watch him pull further and further away.

"Slow down, brother!"

Feng Quan's forehead was drenched in sweat; he had truly never seen such a god-like man!

Only now did he realize that the Five-Hundred Commander wasn't trying to undermine him or steal his position—he had been giving him too much face. For a god-like man such as this to take his spot, a lowly Squad Leader, what need was there for a contest or for him to be convinced?

Based on that display of archery alone, becoming a Squad Leader in this Assault Cavalry Battalion would be an instantaneous affair.

According to the military code, beheading one armored soldier earned the rank of Gongshi, one qing of land, a residence, one servant, and the military rank of Wuzhang!

Beheading two earned the rank of Shangzao, doubling the land, property, and servants, and the military rank of Squad Leader!

Judging by those few arrows just now, his position as Squad Leader was already well-deserved, and since he had killed scouts—the elite cavalry of the enemy army—those heads were worth far more!

While they marveled, the group caught up to Zhao Cheng's pace, only to see five headless corpses lying on the ground, with five heads already hanging from Zhao Cheng's horse.

Zhao Cheng was stained with blood, his hands crimson, his face slightly pale, yet his eyes were overflowing with Sha Qi. Far from being frightened by the blood and corpses, he seemed to have had some kind of ferocity ignited within him!

Combined with his sturdy, tiger-like physique and his spirit as blazing as the sun, he made one feel as if they were facing a vicious beast!

Even Feng Quan felt a chill run down his spine.

This guy was a born god of slaughter!

Excitement flickered in Zhao Cheng's eyes, his heart hammered against his ribs like a drum, and his hands trembled slightly.

To be honest, this was his first time killing a man. The feeling was indescribable and uncontrollable; there was indeed discomfort, but it was overshadowed by a fierce, trembling thrill—an exhilaration like a wild wolf encountering blood—as a primal ferocity awakened within his heart.

At the same time, what excited him even more was the information transmitted from the system.

[You have killed an enemy, plundering 48 years of lifespan!]
[You have killed an enemy, plundering 35 years of lifespan!]
[You have killed an enemy, plundering 37 years of lifespan!]
[You have killed an enemy, plundering 42 years of lifespan!]
[You have killed an enemy, plundering 18 years of lifespan!]
[Current Remaining Lifespan: 246 years, 7 months]

With a current lifespan of over two hundred and forty years, killing enemies actually allowed him to plunder their lifespan at a full ratio!