A Book Hidden Within the Soul

The sound grew louder and louder, clearly coming from the training ground.

From afar, Qiu Yan turned his head and looked over. He could clearly see that on the Sand Battlefield, which occupied a third of the size of the military camp, a person was surrounded by a crowd. The person looked quite old and had a weathered face.

However, the person was quickly surrounded, and Qiu Yan's gaze was interrupted.

Faced with this situation, Yang Zhong and Xiao Jian showed no unusual reaction, as if it were commonplace.

Speaking of which, after entering the camp, Xiao Jian's aura was faintly connected to that of the barracks, and the heaviness in his heart was gradually dispelled. The heavy and oppressive aura on his body caused by worry slowly changed.

"This environment can indeed change a person's mindset. However, it's only because Xiao Jian himself is a soldier, and this barracks has gathered the will of many soldiers, that it can have such an immediate effect..."

At this moment, Xiao Jian noticed Qiu Yan's expression and explained, "After this training is over, it's not appropriate for us to interfere too much with what the soldiers do. Their exchange of experiences is for the squad leader and fire chief to uphold justice."

"Exchange experiences?" Qiu Yan's expression was slightly strange, but he didn't press the matter. He knew that training and leading troops required a balance of tension and relaxation. Being a soldier was a dangerous profession. When facing the enemy, they were risking their lives, which was already a huge pressure. If the soldiers and officers also interfered from time to time, the pressure at home could very likely cause a violent backlash in the end.

Just as he was pondering, Xiao Jian glanced at Pang Qianru and Yang Zhong, said a few more words, and then led Qiu Yan into the camp. However, the two did not head straight for the training ground, but instead entered the continuous rows of military tents.

When setting up a military camp, individual tents must be erected, forming different parts, each with its own plan and function.

As the two traveled inward, at each place they arrived at, they were first greeted by guards and sentries, with sentries every five steps and posts every ten steps, involving many secret codes and Mnemonic.

This is because although the Divine Ability are suppressed within the camp, there are still many methods that can be used outside the camp in advance, which must be guarded against.

However, this also gave Qiu Yan a lot of insights, making him realize the significance of barracks layout.

To the average person, a military camp is merely a place where soldiers and generals gather. But Qiu Yan, after observing the Qi and Blood, understands that there is much to learn about setting up a military camp. It requires subtle alignment with the formation to truly utilize the Qi and Blood of the soldiers and generals and reduce unpredictable events.

Right now, as he walks through the camp, witnessing each part and comparing it with the sentences he has read in books and classics, the memories in his heart are slowly coming back to life.

"I see. The ancient texts mentioned the different functions of camp gates, arrow towers, hidden sentries, visible sentries, provisions, and supplies. While reading, I didn't really understand them, but only after actually walking in the barracks did I realize the intricacies involved. The distances and locations between camps are actually quite complex, and their coordination plays a role when deploying troops. Even if a camp is attacked, with proper arrangements, it's possible to overcome the initial chaos, effectively support each part, and ultimately turn the danger into safety."

Qiu Yan had already read through all the books in the Military Pavilion. On the Four Sections Bookshelves in his soul, he conjured up books containing Military School information, but they were more like inanimate objects, simply records.

But as Qiu Yan traveled north with the delegation to Dingchang, his understanding of the frontier military town deepened step by step. The book in his soul came to life, and the words recorded on it seemed to slowly come alive, jumping out of the pages, flowing in his mind, and finally gathering in his soul to brew.

Within that soul, a book slowly took shape, and the first volume within it already showed signs of solidifying...

After walking and stopping frequently, the two finally arrived at the central command tent.

Xiao Jian didn't shy away from any appearance of impropriety and let Qiu Yan enter. As soon as he stepped inside, a surge of information rushed in, giving Qiu Yan an instant feeling of having control over the entire army and the overall situation, as if all the changes in the entire barracks were reflected in his mind.

However, this was just a temporary illusion. In this military camp, it was difficult for Divine Ability to gain a foothold, so they dissipated after a moment.

"I see. The central command tent is called the central command tent, which is the core of the entire military formation. The generals sit inside and can stabilize the army with their own Fortune..."

The layout of this central command tent was not complicated, with a few chairs and a few low tables. The wood on the tabletops had faded, and there were still many traces of water stains.

After looking around and leaving the main tent, Xiao Jian led Qiu Yan to the soldiers' quarters.

Before even reaching the destination, a commotion could be heard. Then, groups of men could be seen moving between the various tents and wooden huts. Some were gathered in small groups, while others were shirtless, chatting and laughing. Some were even wrestling, their arms around each other's shoulders, with many onlookers cheering them on.

As the distance shortened, the stench wafted over. The barracks were inhabited by men, and although they were near a river and had no shortage of water and designated bathing time, most of them were not particular about hygiene and their presence together created a strong odor.

As Qiu Yan continued to smell it, he frowned.

Xiao Jian then said, "Don't be surprised, Scholar. We are all men of Great Rui, sent to this harsh and cold place to guard the border. We are surrounded by swords and armor every day, so it's inevitable that we will have some of the smells in the army." He thought that Qiu Yan disliked the smell of the army.

Qiu Yan shook his head. Relying on his senses and the connection with the Military School Order, he had already discovered that the air was filled with the smell of disease, which was everywhere. The smell, dampness, and filth were the very soil in which it grew and thrived.

Epidemics have always been a major enemy of Human Path. Since High Antiquity times, mankind has been constantly fighting against them, which has led to the development of medical skills, the identification of many medicinal materials, and the emergence of the Medical School.

As time went by, the legends of the Medical School gradually faded into the Historical River, but the skills Medical School passed down had already spread throughout the Central Plains and flourished everywhere.

However, this military camp did not have a dedicated Wounded Soldiers' Camp for the wounded and sick; there were only two accompanying doctors whose skills were only average.

However, although Qiu Yan noticed the epidemic, he did not immediately offer any advice. It was not that he was deliberately holding back, but rather that speaking out might not be helpful, and speaking rashly would only make him seem like he was trying to take matters into his own hands.

"Although I have the title of top scholar, it's like crossing a mountain when you're in a different Literary Dao. A scholar who has achieved the highest rank in the civil service should instruct Military School strategists on how to treat injuries and illnesses. This might cause a great deal of trouble and invite criticism, and no one would really take it to heart. Actions speak louder than words..."

Just as Qiu Yan was pondering, the soldiers along the way came over. They all recognized Xiao Jian and greeted him as "Young General" with smiles on their faces.

It's clear that Xiao Jian enjoys considerable prestige and is well-liked in the army.

Immediately afterwards, the soldiers turned their questioning gazes to Qiu Yan, and upon seeing his Confucian robes, they all revealed expressions of disgust and contempt.

"Another scholar?"

"Who is this man, Young General?"

"Could it be someone sent by the imperial court again?"

Some people asked questions, while others scoffed.

"Don't talk nonsense, this is the top scholar in the imperial examination."

"Top scholar?"

Upon hearing this title, everyone's gazes changed noticeably, their expressions becoming much more subdued. The contempt and disgust disappeared, replaced by solemn expressions.

These people live in this continent and do not have aristocratic family backgrounds, so they still value the title of Number One Scholar very highly.

Xiao Jian was about to continue speaking when hurried footsteps sounded beside him, interrupting him.

The ball provided cover as he looked in the direction of the sound and saw two men, both of considerable age, carrying first-aid kits. They were running quickly, sweat beading on their foreheads, but upon seeing Xiao Jian, they turned back to greet him.

"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities," Xiao Jian waved his hand. "Why are you in such a hurry? Is someone seriously ill? Or perhaps..." He wanted to ask if there was an epidemic, but there were too many people around, and if he asked rashly and got an affirmative answer, it would inevitably cause chaos.

Although they didn't pay enough attention to hygiene, how could soldiers on the march not know the dangers of illness?

The two doctors replied, "Reporting to the young general, we are here to see Old Kai..."

"Old Kai?" Xiao Jian frowned slightly, a hint of disgust in his eyes. "Then hurry up and go."

"Yes," the two said, turning and leaving.

On the other side, when Qiu Yan heard this name, his heart stirred, and he felt the change in the cause and Karma of Fortune, which faintly stirred the military strategy Great Canon brewing in his soul!

He then asked, "Who is this Old Kai?"

"Nothing special, just an old soldier." Xiao Jian was clearly unwilling to talk about this person.

However, the other soldiers nearby couldn't help but say, "Scholar, it's best not to ask this man; it might offend your ears."

"Isn't that right? This man is a coward. Whenever troops are sent out, he cowers in the back. His entire group died, but he survived."

"Yes, in countless fierce battles, countless brave soldiers have died on the Sand Battlefield, yet this coward always manages to come back unscathed."

"He's back, and yet he has no shame, wandering around every day as if afraid others won't know he's still alive."

Hearing the jeers, Qiu Yan roughly understood the reason. This Old Kai was a veteran of Kai Wei. According to others, he was a coward who was willing to sacrifice his comrades to save his own life.

"Such a person is bound to be ostracized by his comrades and will surely face dangers at every turn on the battlefield. I wonder how this person signed up and why he is the Essentials the book I am compiling."

With these questions in mind, Qiu Yan ignored Xiao Jian's attempts to stop him and went to a camp where he met Old Kai.

This man was the same middle-aged man who had been surrounded by the crowd on the training ground. Now, his eyes and nose were swollen, his clothes were stained with blood, and he was slumped in a corner of the tent, emitting a foul stench, and looking like he was barely breathing.

However, the moment Qiu Yan saw the person, his Fortune suddenly fluctuated!

Meanwhile, outside the military camp, across a river, four Hu people men dressed in narrow green floral robes sneered as they gazed at the camp.

One of Human Path, "Wait a moment, once His Majesty uses Military School Order to suppress the Qi-Blood Grand Formation in the camp, I will rush in and lure that person out or capture him!" (To be continued...)

P. S.: Thanks to "Warm Crystal" and "Lonely Star" for their monthly votes!