Chapter 553: Murderer
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"From how things look, the people of Shang are rather hardy!"
Fang Yuan gulped the entire cup of sour wine and thought to himself.
The wine he was drinking was low in alcohol content and could not make him drunk. It was more like a cocktail.
Ever since he realised that the Shang people were created by him, he could feel a sense of familiarity with them.
Of course, it was only a tiny bit.
This sense of familiarity could at most make him help the Shang people out a little, but that was all.
"Jie..."
Meng Kuo entered the tent and had an uncomfortable expression on his face.
"Is there a problem out there?"
Fang Yuan wiped his mouth.
"Sigh... Senior Fang is unwilling to see you and had declined the possibility of rewarding you!"
Meng Kuo seemed jaded as he punched towards the table. "Someone is spreading untrue rumours against us in the dark. Senior Fang doesn't believe what I've said. He thinks that we have killed those 10 men together when it is actually all your effort. Because of this, I've lost a few fighters..."
"I see!"
Fang Yuan nodded his head but did not continue.
Why would he care about rewards from a lowly official?
He had come here to see the Shang army for himself, and at the same time, find out if there were powerful men here.
With such a large scale war, both sides would have to display their utmost might, right?
Fang Yuan was a tough nut to crack. He stared at Meng Kuo for a moment. It was impossible for them to even think of manipulating Fang Yuan.
However, if they really had such intentions, then it would be their mistake.
The heightened sense of dream masters led Fang Yuan to realise that Meng Kuo was speaking the truth.
On the next day, the people of Dongyi rode on their victorious momentum and arrived at the camp of the Shang army.
The Shang army started to form a defensive formation outside the camp as they awaited for the enemy's arrival.
Fang Yuan followed behind Meng Kuo and observed the army.
Things were evolving in this realm.
Compared to the Xia reign, the Shang army was more organised and well-trained. What had caught Fang Yuan's attention the most were the hundreds of chariots in the middle.
As the star of this war, the collective appearance of these chariots gave the Shang army an immense boost to their military capabilities.
Fang Yuan looked on with interest and realised that these chariots were crafted from bronze and wood. There were two carriages in front of each chariot which was able to accommodate 3 people. The one in the centre was the charioteer, while the ones on the left and right wielded a bow and a long dagger respectively. A few infanteers escorted every chariot.
With a hundred of these chariots, normal troops would not even stand a chance.
Meng Kuo was full of pride as he looked on. "The Shang Empire is the ruler of the lands with 10,000 chariots! Dongyi is a mere disturbance that will be easily dealt with!"
Fang Yuan's mind started to wander. '10,000 chariots will mean that there are 30,000 people! Adding up the number of infanteers, this army will be about 100,000-men strong! Is this the strength of the strongest country in the realm?'
Although the Shang Empire was the most powerful influence in the realm with King Shang as the only ruler of the empire, other countries still do exist, and each and every one of them had their own abilities. They seemed to only submit to the current king, but things might change when the king steps down.
The invasion of Shang army into Dongyi was a demonstration of power to the other countries.
Of course, this was only a small punishment for Dongyi. If the Shang Empire really wanted to wipe out the entire Dongyi, King Shang would have to personally lead the war.
Even so, the sight of the numerous chariots and soldiers would give anyone the jitters.
"Even though we suffered a minor setback yesterday, we are still superior to Dongyi... Those in front are but a few small divisions of Dongyi and they only amount to about 10,000 of them. Their weapons are also inferior to ours. How dare they go against our army? They're clueless!"
Meng Kuo had experience in weaponry and started to comment.
"Indeed..."
Fang Yuan observed the Dongyi army. They were not even organised and it was almost unbearable to look at.
Furthermore, as they arrived closer, a loud commotion could be heard. It was as though this army would crumble with a simple coordinated attack.
On the battlefield, victory was not dependent on how huge an army was.
Although there were significantly lesser troops in the Shang army, the Shang army appeared confident and steadfast. On the opposite end, the Dongyi army seemed divided. Anyone could easily guess which side would emerge victorious.
"Are the people of Dongyi that stupid?"
Fang Yuan was a little shocked.
The soldiers of Dongyi which he saw just yesterday in the forest were cunning men and were totally different from the Dongyi army today.
"Dongyi can be classified into 30 big divisions, and 36 smaller divisions within each division. They are not unified and as of now, we are up against the combined forces of 3 smaller divisions..."
Meng Kuo started to explain. "To be able to come up with these numbers is already no easy feat!"
"Alright!"
Fang Yuan was speechless. He gazed towards the battlefield.
Among the opposition's army, a single chariot slowly made its way forward and arrived before the Shang army. It was as though it was taunting the entire army.
"Taunting us?"
He was a little shocked. "Is this how things are right now? Oh! Something's not right! This is the presence of supernormal forces in this realm! This is a warrior with supernatural strength. Naturally, they were comparable and this could be the benchmark to decide who would be victorious."
"I am Guan Zhongbao from Dongyi. Who dares challenge me?"
The brute man who came forward steered the carriage with a single hand. His other hand was waving a battleaxe as he demonstrated his shocking martial arts.
'Oh, this person is above the average warrior. Do I finally get to witness some impressive martial arts?'
Fang Yuan's eyes glistened as he watched on.
No one could withstand such a taunt! Not long after, a chariot rolled out steadily from the Shang army with a warrior steering it from above. "Don't be cocky you thief! Face our wrath!"
"Rumble!"
The two chariots advanced forward and passed by each other.
Following a laughter from Guang Zhongbao, his axe was tainted with blood.
The warrior who stood out against him had a huge wound before his chest and blood was dripping from it. He fell from his chariot and the Shang army became silent in an instant. It was as though the entire army was held by the throat.
"This Guan Zhongbao is indeed one of the most powerful humans I've ever seen...'
Fang Yuan's eyes widened as he paid more attention to him.
At this point in time, among the soldiers, Senior Fang was passing down certain orders and another chariot steadily rolled out.
"Hmph! Lowly junior, face your death!"
Guan Zhongbao was still excited from his previous victory. His eyes turned red and he swung his battleaxe without fear.
"Whoosh!"
Two other chariots quickly arrived next to him. They were close enough to see the ferocious and cunning expression of Guan Zhongbao.
At this point in time, a warrior of the Shang army started to wield his sword.
The sound of the metallic sword led to the change in expression of the enemies and allies alike.
"Whoosh!"
With a glitter, the sword started to grow in size, as though it was a slithering green snake.
"Glittering sword?!"
Fang Yuan thought of an apt name for the sword.
As the two chariots rolled past each other once more, this time, it was Guan Zhongbao's palm which started to bleed. Without another word, he turned around and left.
"Thief, you shall die!"
The warrior shouted and the sword in his hands turned into a black dragon which flew out of his hands. It pierced through Guan Zhonbao from his back and emerged from his chest, pinning him dead on his own chariot!
This sword seemed to have heavenly powers!
"Great!"
Meng Kuo was stunned for a moment before starting to cheer. "That is Gentleman Jiu. I've heard that he had a unique encounter in the past and had learnt a unique set of swordplay skills. It's impressive indeed!"
"Gentleman... Jiu?"
Fang Yuan gazed towards the young man with the sword and nodded his head.
This person's skills in swordplay were indeed extraordinary and had a dao of its own.
However, it gave Fang Yuan a sense of familiarity. It reminded him of the martial arts in Da Qian.
"Such swordplay skills are likely to have been passed down since the Xia Empire! Is it now native to this realm ever since Da Qian took control of the realm?"
As Fang Yuan thought to himself, the Shang army started to cheer once more, irritating the Dongyi army in the process.
With the neigh of a horse, a person rushed out of the crowd. Meng Kuo scoffed. "These people are indeed uncivilised brutes with no manners!"
"If I were you, I would start to think about how to convince that Gentleman to our side..."
Fang Yuan replied coldly.
"What?"
Meng Kuo was in shock. With that, he watched on as Gentleman Jiu remained unfazed against this sudden attack. Wielding his sword, he was ready again.
The person riding the horse was extremely skilled in horse riding and wielded a long spear. He was conservative as the both of them tested each other out.
"Go!"
Suddenly, Gentleman Jiu repeated the same trick and the sword started to glitter.
The person riding the horse quickly retreated.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Gentleman Jiu's face was flushed as he chased after the horse. The sword in his hand was about to fly out.
"Hmph!"
At this point in time, the horse turned around and neighed.
"Whoosh!"
The person blew out a streak of hot air towards Gentleman Jiu.
"Thud!"
This magical swordsman fell to the ground with almost no resistance and was swiftly captured by the people of Dongyi.
"What?"
Senior Fang witnessed everything and started to exclaim in shock. "How could Jiu be so easily dealt with? Quickly send our soldiers and rescue him back!"
The position of a Gentleman was higher than that of a yeoman and Senior Fang had to prioritise the rescue.
"Dong! Dong!"
Drums were heard as the Shang army initiated the attack. Hundreds of chariots formed a single line and advanced in unison like a flowing river.
Infanteers followed closely behind the chariots.
"Kill!"
At the same time, the Dongyi army gave the signal to charge as well.
The person who captured Gentleman Jiu led the army and he started to continuously spew out white smoke. Whoever came against the horse would undoubtedly fall of the chariot and no one could come close to the horse.
"Jie!"
Meng Kuo was on a carriage as well. He was holding a bow in his hand as he looked towards Fang Yuan, seeking assistance.
Fang Yuan was too lazy to even wield a dagger. With his empty hands, he looked towards the person with much interest.