Cutting Off the Supply Line

Inside the main army tent, Wang Xuanshan looked over the battle merit record that had been submitted, surprise showing on his face.

"This Li Xuancang is truly a talent."

Wang Xuanshan tapped the desk with his fingertips, his tone full of praise.

"From conscript to Five-Man Leader in barely over a month, his combat strength is outstanding, and he commands troops well. The squad under him has achieved even more remarkable results. With such temperament and strength, keeping him as a Five-Man Leader would be a terrible waste of talent."

Wang Xuanshan had a deep impression of Li Xuancang and knew something of his circumstances.

Zhao Changlin, standing nearby, cupped his hands and agreed. "My lord is absolutely right. Li Xuancang possesses exceptional courage and martial prowess, strictly observes military discipline, and has earned outstanding merit in slaying Barbarians and demons. He has long surpassed the requirements for promotion. In this subordinate's opinion, he can be directly promoted to Squad Leader."

A Squad Leader commanded two squads of soldiers, ten men in total.

His authority, treatment, and resources far surpassed those of a Five-Man Leader. He was already a genuine backbone of the camp's lower ranks.

At the border in these chaotic times, military merit reigned supreme. The capable rose to their proper places, and exceptional promotions had long been commonplace.

Wang Xuanshan did not agree at once. Instead, he fell into thought.

"In three days, we'll raid the Barbarians' supply route. Have Li Xuancang come with us. If he can earn merit then, promote him to Squad Leader."

"My lord has considered everything thoroughly. This subordinate admires you."

Since Wang Xuanshan had made his decision, Zhao Changlin could only obey.

After leaving Wang Xuanshan's tent, Zhao Changlin had someone summon Li Xuancang.

Summoned by Zhao Changlin, Li Xuancang did not dare delay in the slightest and arrived as quickly as possible.

"Greetings, my lord."

Li Xuancang respectfully saluted Zhao Changlin, filled with respect for this superior who had saved and promoted him.

Zhao Changlin nodded lightly. "Sit."

"Thank you, my lord."

Once Li Xuancang sat down, Zhao Changlin got straight to the point.

"I summoned you because I have something to inform you of."

"In three days, I'll personally lead a team to intercept and kill a Barbarian force transporting grain. You'll come with us. If you can earn merit, I'll guarantee your promotion to Squad Leader."

Li Xuancang's heart shook at those words, followed immediately by wild joy.

His promotion speed had already been fast. He had originally thought it would take some time before he could advance again, but he hadn't expected the opportunity to come so quickly.

Intercepting Barbarian grain supplies carried considerable danger, but for the sake of becoming a Squad Leader, it was entirely worth risking everything on one throw.

Li Xuancang immediately rose and cupped his fists. "This subordinate will obey all of my lord's arrangements."

Satisfaction appeared on Zhao Changlin's face. This was what he liked most about Li Xuancang: he obeyed orders and never shirked responsibility.

"Go and prepare properly. Remember, this matter is confidential. Do not reveal a single word to anyone."

Zhao Changlin gave the warning sternly.

"Rest assured, my lord. This subordinate will keep his mouth sealed."

After returning to his room, Li Xuancang had already calmed down and began preparing for the battle three days later.

Three days passed in a flash. Zhao Changlin led fifty Battle Soldiers, including Li Xuancang, out of the camp.

They arrived at Blackstone Valley, a place all Barbarian grain convoys had to pass through.

The gorge was long and narrow, with steep rock walls on both sides. The terrain was perilous and ideal for an ambush.

Zhao Changlin wore dark armor and a long saber at his waist. Standing on high ground, he fixed his sharp gaze on the valley entrance.

"The scouts report that a Barbarian grain convoy will pass through this valley within half an hour. The entire force, stay alert and await my command."

"Yes!"

Everyone answered in low voices, suppressing their breaths and gripping their weapons tightly, waiting only for the order to charge out and slaughter.

Li Xuancang hid within the brush, his blood and qi steady, not the slightest trace of aura leaking from his body. He was like a ferocious beast lying in wait.

His extraordinary senses made his brows furrow almost imperceptibly.

Something felt wrong. The surroundings were too quiet—so quiet that only the wind remained. Even the cries of insects and roars of beasts had vanished, while an inexplicable sense of danger quietly rose in his heart.

"Something's wrong. Could something unexpected happen?"

Li Xuancang remained on guard, becoming even more cautious.

He did not tell Zhao Changlin of his suspicions. After all, they were only suspicions, without any proof.

The arrow was already on the string and had to be fired. If he spoke of his doubts now, he might shake the army's morale.

A moment later, hoofbeats and the rumble of wheels came from the valley entrance. A group of Barbarian soldiers escorted grain carts slowly into Blackstone Valley.

There were roughly a hundred of them, all ordinary Barbarian soldiers. Their defenses seemed lax, and they appeared entirely unwary.

"Kill!"

The instant the enemy appeared, a cold glint flashed through Zhao Changlin's eyes. His saber left its sheath as he sprang from the forest first, charging toward the Barbarians in the valley.

"Kill!"

Fifty elite border soldiers roared in unison and surged after him, wielding sabers and spears as they poured from the forests on both sides. Their momentum was like a rainbow as they pounced directly toward the Barbarian grain convoy.

Just as they rushed into the valley and were about to clash with the Barbarians.

"Kill."

A heaven-shaking roar erupted from the rock walls on both sides.

Dense masses of elite Barbarians suddenly appeared atop the cliffs.

"Boom, rumble..."

Rolling logs and massive boulders came crashing down as if a floodgate had burst. A rain of arrows tore through the air, shooting madly toward the border troops in the valley.

"Not good, it's an ambush."

Zhao Changlin's expression changed drastically. He let out a fierce roar, his heart instantly turning cold.

They had come to set an ambush and slaughter their enemies, only to fall into the Barbarians' trap instead.

The Barbarians had long seen through their plan. They had deliberately released false intelligence to lure them into the valley, then laid down a net from which neither bird nor fish could escape.

"Argh!"

Rolling logs smashed down and arrows pierced flesh. Caught unprepared, border soldiers fell in swathes, their screams rising one after another.

"Ha ha ha! Kill them all!"

The Barbarian ambushers closed in from every direction, numbering more than two hundred. There were also over a dozen Body Tempering Realm Barbarian officers, Sha Qi surging around them like towering waves. They were far fiercer than ordinary soldiers.

"Form ranks and break through! Follow me!"

Zhao Changlin's eyes split with rage. He swung his saber, desperately blocking arrows and rolling logs as he tried to lead his men out of the encirclement.

But it was already too late.

Three towering Barbarian officers clad in beast-hide armor, their blood and qi surging, swiftly surrounded him in a pincer formation.

Sabers and axes came down together, their attacks incomparably savage.

"Zhao Changlin, you've walked right into the net. Today is your death day."

The Barbarian officers roared as they attacked, every move aimed to kill as they joined forces to besiege him.

Facing three alone, Zhao Changlin immediately fell into a disadvantage.

After only a brief exchange, several cracks had been hacked into his armor. His arm was wounded, blood gushing out, and his strength gradually failed him as danger surrounded him at every turn.

The slaughter in the valley was brutal. The border troops had already been outnumbered, and after suffering a surprise attack, their casualties were devastating.

In a short time, only thirty-odd of the fifty men remained. Severed limbs littered the ground, and blood flowed into a river.

"Bang!"

Li Xuancang possessed boundless strength. He charged and crashed through the enemy like a humanoid beast, cutting through the Barbarians with unstoppable force as he rapidly closed in on the grain supplies.

"Not good, stop him!"

"Don't let him get near the grain!"

"Block him!"

"..."

The Barbarians' faces changed dramatically. Fearless of death, they charged toward Li Xuancang.

"Get lost."

Li Xuancang swept his spear sideways. Every strike carried crushing force, and an ordinary Barbarian would be cut down with a single blow.

His strength rivaled that of the Mid Body Tempering Stage, yet in every aspect he crushed opponents at the Mid Body Tempering Stage. No one could stop him.

"Die!"

A Barbarian at the Early Body Tempering Stage charged before Li Xuancang, his saber chopping toward Li Xuancang's head.

Li Xuancang did not dodge. He exerted force through his arm, muscles bulging as he thrust his spear forward.

"Clang!"

The spear and saber collided with a thunderous crash, sparks flying in all directions.

"Argh!"

The Barbarian screamed as immense force slammed into him. Half his body went numb, and his saber flew from his hand.

"Pfft!"

Li Xuancang seized the opportunity and drove his spear through the man's head, blood and brain matter splattering everywhere.

Li Xuancang pulled out his spear. The Barbarian fell stiffly to the ground, his eyes wide open, unwilling to die.