Post-Battle Gains (Part 1)

"Ding! Congratulations to player Jian Shang for leading two companies of Black Wolf Cavalry to annihilate a column of barbarians. Your service benefited the state; you defeated the strong with the weak, so rewards are doubled. You are specially awarded one special formation, Moonlight Heavenly Wolf Formation; one special item, Heavenly Wolf Battle Banner; Command increased by 6 points, Intelligence increased by 4 points, Martial Force increased by 1 point, Prestige 200, Merit 200. May you make persistent efforts and create further glories!"

Having finished examining the General's Skill Silver Light Blur, Jian Shang was pondering its meaning when the system's loud and pleasant prompt suddenly rang out in his mind again.

Jian Shang looked around in delight. The battle nearby had already been settled. In the distance, the Black Wolf Cavalry were returning and gathering, while some of them, under Jiang Sheng, Ma Qiang, Luo Sheng, and the others' instructions, were clearing and cleaning up the battlefield.

"Moonlight Heavenly Wolf Formation? Heavenly Wolf Battle Banner? Why do they both sound like things from the Northern Di?"

First came the Black Wolf Cavalry, then the Sky Wolf Formation and the Sky Wolf Banner. Jian Shang was rather speechless. Don't let this turn into something that looked just like a Northern Di army. Perhaps these related rewards had been issued because they had killed Northern Di people.

The Moonlight Heavenly Wolf Formation was an exclusive formation of the Tianle Tribe of the Northern Di. Its overall formation resembled the Sirius constellation, neat and uniform, stretching on without end like moonlight pouring down through the night. Overall combat power, stamina recovery speed, military morale, and fighting spirit were each increased by 30%; mobility increased by 50%; the target's overall strength was reduced by 10%. All effects were doubled at night. It was only effective for troops personally commanded by the user.

The Heavenly Wolf Battle Banner was a tribal artifact of the Tianle Tribe of the Northern Di. Blessed and empowered by the divine power of the Tianle Tribe's Sky Wolf totem, it increased the entire army's fighting spirit, military morale, cohesion, mobility, intimidation, recovery speed, overall combat power, and more by 10% each. It came with the skills: Heavenly Wolf's Blessing (a group healing skill, one-month cooldown), Heavenly Wolf's Wrath (a group attack-enhancing skill, one-month cooldown).

Current Grade: Human Grade weapon, 0/10000 (absorbs the souls of those slain by the army). With every grade increase, enhancement effects increased by 10%; it would never wear out and was only effective for the Black Wolf Cavalry.

The Moonlight Heavenly Wolf Formation was a glittering Sky Wolf statue, while the Heavenly Wolf Battle Banner was a flag mounted on a three- to four-meter pole made of unknown hardwood. Its background was dark black, embroidered with a glittering Sky Wolf design.

"They're all rare group items meant for armies. After all, once the army grows, even a slight enhancement can bring earth-shaking changes to its overall quality. The improvement won't be just a little!"

After examining the information, Jian Shang thought for a moment, then activated the Moonlight Heavenly Wolf Formation first. The Sky Wolf statue transformed into a burst of starlight and merged into Jian Shang's body, vanishing without a trace. At the same time, much more information regarding formations, Dunjia techniques, and the like appeared in his mind.

As for the Heavenly Wolf Battle Banner, he handed it to the standard-bearer among the Black Wolf Cavalry. He could hardly carry a banner himself while fighting battles across the land.

What troubled Jian Shang was that the Black Wolf Cavalry were currently only his personal troops. They did not even have a name, belonged to no faction, and were not under the Great Qin Empire's command. What exactly did it mean for them to wave a banner around everywhere?

"Jian Shang!"

As Jian Shang pondered, Jiang Yao, Jiang Qing, Sun Ji, and the others came over and called out to him.

"This was war—and it didn't even count as much. At this scale, it could only barely be called a battle!"

Jian Shang nodded in response. Pointing at the Earth around them, strewn with corpses, filled with neighing warhorses, and soaked in blood, he spoke in a heavy tone, almost as if talking to himself.

More than five hundred people had lost their lives just like that. Though most were barbarians, barbarians were still human. Their corpses remained bloody, savage, and terrifying.

"Don't think too much about it. This was a war started by the barbarians. We were merely defending our homes and country, saving the common people. Killing one barbarian meant saving countless compatriots!"

Jiang Yao also swept his gaze around with a grave expression. Then he patted Jian Shang on the shoulder and consoled him.

"Is that so?"

Jian Shang answered with a self-mocking smile. For Jiang Yao, Sun Ji, Jiang Sheng, and the others, that might indeed have been true—but what about himself?

It seemed he had never harbored any intention of defending his home and country or saving the common people. He was not that great. Even an army from the real world, if brought to this world, likely would not think that way either.

"Yes. Anyone who saw this situation would only clap their hands in delight and sing our praises. No one would blame us!"

Jiang Yao nodded firmly.

"Hehe... I hope so! By the way, how are your injuries?"

Jian Shang smiled and changed the subject. They had already killed them, and this was only the beginning. What was he sighing over? Was he going to stop killing from now on?

Of course, Jian Shang was only an ordinary person, with ordinary human emotions. It was mainly because this was his first time, as the commanding general, initiating a slaughter that had produced such a bloody scene, that he felt somewhat stirred. It would not affect anything.

"I'm fine! They're only superficial wounds. I haven't damaged any tendons or bones. They're probably not even as serious as yours!"

Jiang Yao's injury was on his arm as well. Hearing Jian Shang's concern, he waved his hand broadly and answered without care.

"If... I mean, if someone among us had died this time, would you blame me?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Jian Shang caught sight of Gao Hong looking at Jiang Yao in extreme worry. Something stirred within him, and he suddenly asked hesitantly.

"Uh..."

Everyone froze slightly and looked toward Jian Shang.

"Don't talk nonsense. That won't happen!" Gao Hong's face turned pale. She shot Jian Shang a glare and reproached him.

"There is no 'would or wouldn't'! Where there is war, there will certainly be casualties. Maybe tomorrow, it will be our turn—my turn!"

Jiang Yao and the others were Jian Shang's first batch of friends after entering this world. Moreover, they had not taken Jian Shang's provisions or pay, so they had no reason to risk their lives for him. Jian Shang did not change the subject and continued speaking.

"No! This road was our own choice. No matter the outcome, we will have no regrets!"

Seeing Jian Shang persist, and noticing the seriousness in his expression, Jiang Yao gazed into the vast Earth and answered solemnly and earnestly. After a pause, he looked at Gao Gong, Shi Ji, Yang Ning, and the others before adding, "I believe they feel the same!"

Upon hearing Jiang Yao's words, Gao Gong, Shi Ji, Yang Ning, and the others nodded heavily. Only Sun Ji, Jiang Qing, and Gao Hong showed no reaction. They were deep in thought, not blaming Jian Shang.

"Enough! What are you thinking so much for? The Jian Shang I know was never this wishy-washy!"

Jiang Yao bumped Jian Shang with his elbow and deliberately shouted in a bold, irritated tone.

"Haha... Just this once—there won't be a next time! By the way, Little Yang deserves the greatest credit today, and he even saved my life. See if there's anything you want; take whatever you like. The same goes for all of you. What's mine is yours, so don't stand on ceremony!"

Jian Shang laughed loudly, pointing at the weapons, armor, horses, supplies, and other items continuously being gathered together as he spoke generously.

Sun Ji gave Jian Shang a deeply surprised look, then fell silent.

Jiang Yao, Jiang Qing, Gao Hong, and the others showed little reaction.

"With one bow in hand, that is enough!" Yang Ning patted the Black-Gold Hard Bow on his back and spoke simply.

"There's nothing I want. You'll feed me anyway, and leaving it with you is the same. What, am I supposed to carry it all myself?!"

Gao Gong actually thought about it seriously. He stared wide-eyed at the battlefield below for a moment, then spoke words that were both amusing and thought-provoking.

"Haha... Then I'll keep it for you for now!"

Jian Shang laughed in reply. Glancing at the increasingly silent Sun Ji, he thought to himself:

This was the difference between brothers and subordinate generals, wasn't it? But how long could this relationship last?