Chapter 1, Military Exercises

Everyone, do not be afraid; it seems that there are not many of them. Follow my command, form a formation, and charge together! Experienced instructors have also identified the underlying issues.

"The Dragon Tooth Army's Tiger and Leopard Battalion, a thousand cavalry guards." The leading officer shouted back loudly

The returning warriors, clad in dark robes and iron armor, rode on tall steeds, wielding crescent-shaped spears. With blood-stained cherry blossoms atop their heads, their expressions were solemn, exuding a faint aura of killing intent, clearly having just emerged from the brutal battlefield

Thousands of soldiers simultaneously let out a roar like that of a mountain

Therefore, the people of Tianfeng firmly believe that offense is always the best defense

Qi Tianyou raised his head for the first time, and a brilliant starlight flashed in his eyes: he shouted, "Order: everyone disperse, one person every ten steps, five people in a group, charge in a wave formation. Task: defeat them thoroughly. Remember, do not kill, but you may injure; use your horses to charge if necessary. Anyone who knocks you off your horse, remember their face; I want it. If a new recruit gets killed, it is their incompetence, a pointless death!" Anyone who knocks you off your horse, remember their face; I want it. If a new recruit gets killed, it is their incompetence, a pointless death!

Upon careful observation, it can ultimately be discovered that the weapons in the hands of these new recruits are all devoid of blades

They yearn so deeply to hear the voices of their loved ones

Among them, Mecca, Zhi Shui, and Tian Feng are situated on a fertile plain, thus they are collectively referred to as the Three Fertile Kingdoms

Among the cavalry behind, a valiant cavalry commander suddenly charged out, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, with a face as resolute and firm as if it had been carved from stone. "Halt!" the cavalry commander swiftly arrived beside Mu Xue.

A cavalryman beside him also chuckled and said, "Qin Shao, what should we do?"

The Tianfeng Empire, located to the east of the Guandian Continent, is an inland country

If the Storm Legion represents the strongest military force of the entire Tianfeng Empire, then the Dragon Tooth Army is the most formidable unit within the Storm Legion. As a member of the Dragon Tooth Army, this officer has numerous reasons to take pride.

The officer on horseback fell silent, letting out a gentle sigh. He then raised his whip and shouted, "Villagers! I have received orders from Lord Nanshang of the Town Supervisory Office to return to Qingye City for rest, while also recruiting soldiers and gathering provisions in preparation for further battles. Therefore, I cannot delay here any longer, and I ask for your understanding! During the rest period, I will allow my subordinate officers and soldiers to return home for a while, so I kindly request that you clear the way for us to return to the city."

More than a hundred cavalry began to form a dense formation, launching an assault on the red tent. The key to this battle was to use speed to overcome slowness, catching the opponent off guard. Once the command center was captured, the mission would be considered complete, and the new recruits' assessment would come to an end. Otherwise, as time passed, once the new recruits regained their composure...

They yearn to achieve merit on the battlefield by defeating enemies and making a name for themselves in the world

Once again, someone shouted: "Which banner does the Tiger and Leopard Camp belong to?"

Watching the distant vanishing dust, someone finally whispered, "So it turns out they have returned to conscript soldiers. Is this war still not over? How many more children will have to die this time?"

In the distance, a trace of astonishment finally flickered in Qi Tianyou's eyes

... ...

"Fang Hu, Fang Bao, take your people and go disperse the archers with me!" Qi Tianyou shouted

The fearless ferocity of the enemy cavalry struck terror in the hearts of the archers and resonated through the pages of the books simultaneously

In the distance, clouds of dust billowed as a fierce and powerful cavalry charged forward with shouts. The gleaming sabers in their hands cut through the sky, forming a brilliant silver tide, like a tornado on the horizon, wild and violent, creating a massive vortex of icy currents on the ground

The spirit is vast and boundless, fierce and uplifting

Cavalry! It is cavalry! someone shouted

"That is, every time we go to battle, the ones who die the fastest and the most are the new recruits," replied a cavalryman behind.

In the eyes of the two individuals, it seems that only each other's existence is present simultaneously

Without weapons, lacking fighting spirit, and devoid of relatively strong leadership, no matter how many people there are, they are merely a flock of sheep

We need real weapons! More people began to shout.

The archers, having lost their fighting spirit, no longer possessed any aim, rendering their shooting at the cavalry completely ineffective. At a distance of fifty meters, the cavalry swiftly closed in, and the archers, having lost their effective range and lacking the protection of infantry, were entirely exposed to the iron hooves of the cavalry

... ...

Qi Tianyou nodded slightly, his dark face showing no extraneous expression. He simply waved his hand, and behind him, a squad of soldiers followed him, rushing towards the new recruit training camp

The people of Tianfeng reside in the plains, with no fortifications to defend. In this world where wars occur daily, the only reliance they have is their fierce national spirit and strong military.

Thus, low sobs spread through the crowd like a plague

When the resounding charge sounded, the new recruits in the training camp were taken aback and stopped their actions, looking out towards the camp's exterior

With a swift motion of his hand, he effortlessly struck down several fleeing recruits, severing their heads and raising them high as he shouted: "Deserters shall be mercilessly slain! ... ... All units, counterattack! Let us not forget, we are soldiers too!"

They abandoned their spears for sabers, which were sharp and narrow. With a single stroke, they opened a long gash on the opponent's body. However, due to their careful exertion, although it appeared as if blood was splattering everywhere, the actual injuries were minimal. Yet, the bloody effect created was even more intense than that of using spears. This further amplified the chaos in the training camp.

Someone has started to run away

That is, after all, a population of ten thousand

"Have you seen my husband?" This is the soft inquiry of a young wife who remains alone at home.

The cavalry of Qi Tianyou had already gained absolute advantage from the moment they charged into the main tent of the camp. They were highly experienced, aware of their numerical inferiority, and since the opposing forces were not truly enemies in the conventional sense, they did not engage in a full-on assault. Instead, they advanced in small formations, disrupting the ranks of the new recruits, causing them to scatter in disarray, while simultaneously creating a large amount of smoke and dust, making it difficult for the enemy to immediately ascertain their numbers

What should we do? Qi Tianyou raised his eyebrows and said: "What use is watching the drill? I think we should test these new recruits with the guns and knives we have on hand. True gold fears no fire; today we will temper them. Let's see whether our hundred seasoned veterans, who have fought in countless battles, are more formidable, or if these nearly ten thousand new recruits are impressive. This will also let them know what is truly important when they are on the battlefield. Hehe, such opportunities to experience the atmosphere of battle in advance are rare."

At this very moment, they were obstructed by a heavily armored infantry unit—though their weapons were counterfeit, their armor was indeed genuine

The officer's expression was somewhat awkward: "In the Battle of Panshan, although our army was victorious, the Hongfeng Banner suffered heavy losses. Now, the Hongfeng Banner has been restructured and renamed as the Tiexin Banner"

The return of the expeditionary forces has caused the citizens of Qingye City to rejoice.

Throughout the history of the continent of Guanlan, there has never been an empire as powerful and warlike as Tianfeng. The warriors of Tianfeng are brave and tenacious, viewing combat as the entirety of life, yearning for honor and pursuing slaughter

After enduring arduous battles and achieving glorious victories time and again, aside from the noble honor and substantial rewards, what is perhaps most yearned for is the cheers from the elders and fellow villagers at home welcoming the hero's return

To the west of Tianfeng lies the Sacred Corridor leading to the central region. It is also the only place where Tianfeng can exit its borders without passing through other countries. Therefore, in order to avoid being strategically contained by other nations, the Kingdom of Tianfeng is compelled to deploy a significant military presence in the vicinity of the Sacred Corridor

This heart of escape, devoid of fighting spirit, spread rapidly among the crowd like a plague, causing an increasing number of soldiers to rush out of the camp

Although their spears were blunt, the cavalry did not dare to strike at their vital points with their sabers. For a time, neither side could gain the upper hand

The young man who had defeated the deserters has already begun to organize an archery team

As the distant Qingye Fortress came into view, the officer on horseback finally slowed his pace, and the cavalry following behind also gradually reduced their speed

Relying on the unique resource advantages of the abundant grasslands, the Tianfeng people possess the most powerful cavalry on the continent of Guanlan. They move like the wind, galloping like lightning, charging with a fierce roar, traversing barriers, and have become the most formidable ace force of the Tianfeng Kingdom

The burly man at the forefront possessed astonishing strength, wielding a blunted battle knife as if it were a heavy hammer. With a single swing, he unleashed a thunderous momentum, producing layers of meteoric green light, his force immense and unstoppable, sending a cavalryman flying off his horse. Following this, a flurry of spear-like staves relentlessly stabbed at the fallen cavalryman. Had it not been for the swift rescue from those nearby, he would have almost become the first cavalryman of the Dragon Tooth Army to be killed by a staff, and by his own comrades at that. Following this, a flurry of spear-like staves relentlessly stabbed at the fallen cavalryman. Had it not been for the swift rescue from those nearby, he would have almost become the first cavalryman of the Dragon Tooth Army to be killed by a staff, and by his own comrades at that

Unlike Tianfeng, the three neighboring countries each have their own natural defenses. Zhishui is guarded by the three layers of the Celestial Gates, while Jinghong Kingdom is protected by the formidable Hanfeng Pass, the foremost stronghold in the east, along with the Tian Mountain as its guardian. Meijia is defended by the treacherous waters of the turbulent Elang River, serving as a natural barrier.

Two groups of soldiers rush back and forth, engaging in mutual offense and defense. While the exchanges are visually impressive, there is always a sense that something is missing.

Mu Xue quietly watched the figure of Qi Tianyou receding into the distance, and without turning back, shouted loudly: "Brothers from the other posts, once we return home, take a three-day holiday first. Everyone take your rewards and enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

The red tent serves as the command center for the training camp. Occupying it signifies control over the entire command hub. On the battlefield, even when the army holds absolute advantages, there are numerous instances where the loss of the command center leads to disorganized command and ultimately results in the loss of the battle.

It is unclear whether the practice of executing deserters had an effect, or if the phrase "We are also soldiers" inspired everyone.

"Exactly, I haven't heard of it either," the group echoed in agreement

As the vanguard cavalry charged through the gates of the training camp, one of them casually swung his sword and knocked down the large flag in front of the gate. Then, with his long sword pointed to the sky, he shouted: "Kill!"

Discussion like a tide: "Which banner is the Iron Wind Banner? Among the two towns and six banners of the Dragon Tooth Army, I only know of the Iron Blood Town, Red Blood Town, Ghost Wind Banner, Fierce Wind Banner, Fire Wind Banner, Spirit Wind Banner, Flood Wind Banner, and Blood Wind Banner. How come I have never heard of the Iron Wind Banner?"

Looking at everything before him, a trace of a mocking smile appeared on Qi Tianyou's face: "It seems that someone knows about our arrival and has prepared a grand gift for us in advance"

"My son is also in your ranks; who can tell me his whereabouts?" An elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, anxiously inquired while grasping the hands of the soldiers.

The specialty of cavalry lies in their ability to penetrate and charge, maximizing their lethality against enemies by leveraging their speed advantage. Their greatest fear is encountering heavily armored infantry, known as the "fortresses of battlefield activity," characterized by their tough skin and thick flesh.

When Qi Tianyou arrived at a small mound not far from the training camp with his troop of iron cavalry, he could see a grand simulated confrontation unfolding within the camp ahead.

However, it was not the group of new recruits practicing that followed the sound, but the enemy cavalry charging forward with great momentum

Twenty-three cavalrymen immediately circled around the battlefield and charged towards the red tent from the left side

The eastern direction is the coastal nation of Zhishui, while to the south lies the nation of Jinghong. To the north of Tianfeng is the grain-producing powerhouse known as the Granary of Guanlan, Meijia.

The crowd gathered around surged with sparks of hope, crowding along both sides of the Avenue of the Sky, eagerly anticipating.

Qi Tianyou charged forward like a lone tiger, racing to the young man's side. With a single stroke of his blade, he unleashed a force that seemed capable of swallowing mountains and rivers. The young man raised his longsword with one hand to resist, only to feel as if a massive mountain was crashing down upon him, propelling his entire body into the air. With a gasp, before he even hit the ground, he had already spat out a mouthful of fresh blood

"Target, red tent, launch an all-out assault." Qi Tianyou commanded

"When the people are in the camp, the camp thrives; when the people perish, the camp perishes. Archers, abandon your bows and switch to swords!" shouted the young man

The outcome of this battle has already been determined

In a short period, many citizens of Qingye City began to pull the returning soldiers aside to inquire about the whereabouts of their relatives

At this moment, although this cavalry unit appears weary from their journey, they cannot conceal the sense of satisfaction and pride that comes with their victorious return

Mu Xue nodded slightly: "Yes, this is precisely why I called you here. Once we enter Qingye City, you will immediately go to the new recruit training camp. This time, we are not the only ones replenishing our troops. Therefore, we must act quickly. I want you to select the best three thousand new recruits for me at the earliest opportunity. I must warn you in advance, Qi Tianyou, that any soldier who joins our Iron Wind Banner cannot be a coward. I know you have a good eye, but I will reiterate my point. If you bring back even one coward, I will punish you. I must warn you in advance, Qi Tianyou, that any soldier who joins our Iron Wind Banner cannot be a coward. I know you have a good eye, but I will reiterate my point. If you bring back even one coward, I will punish you. Three thousand soldiers, I wonder how many lashes I will be able to give you."

With a whoosh, dozens of arrows shot into the air, whistling as they flew towards Qi Tianyou and the others

The officer replied: "Iron Wind Flag"

Some fortunate individuals encountered their relatives and friends. They embraced each other warmly, filled with excitement. They repeatedly inquired about each other's circumstances without any sign of impatience. Husbands reunited with their wives, fathers recognized their sons, and they were all overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears of joy while laughing heartily

"Do you know my dad?" This is the innocent voice of a young child, expressing a pure and untainted curiosity.

In an instant, the originally excited emotions of the returning villagers plummeted once again to the depths, and even those who had already seen their loved ones had to once again raise a heart filled with anxiety and fear for their relatives

It is indeed a real guy

The murderer is a young man with fair skin, delicate eyebrows, and handsome features, resembling a frail scholar. However, his expression carries a sense of determination, courage, and confidence, now intensified by a layer of dense killing intent. At that moment, the young man's gaze collided with Qi Tianyou's, creating a surge of soul-stirring impact.

The cavalryman merely chuckled and then cursed, "Damn it, shot by a few rookie soldiers, what a disgrace." He then severed the arrow's shaft with a single stroke, ignoring the pain, and continued to charge forward with all his might, as if that arm did not belong to him.

However, this time, no one listened to him anymore

A small-scale troop of trainees brandished their blade-less spears, engaging in confrontation with the "enemy." At the forefront stood a man, robust as a mountain, wielding a battle knife in his right hand and raising a steel shield in his left. As an infantryman, he was remarkably clashing with a cavalryman with great intensity. Beside him, a phalanx formed by dozens of new recruits firmly blocked the path of this iron-blooded elite cavalryman leading to the red tent.

Qi Tianyou's dark face bore no expression: "I have no home"

In the face of this sudden attack, all the soldiers were almost stunned, and the feelings of confusion and panic spread like a tide throughout the entire army in the next moment

Finally, soldiers have begun to engage in organized resistance

Thus, those who recognized their kin returned to the ranks, while those who could not find their relatives had to gather their spirits. They shouted loudly, raised their whips, and brought them down heavily. After stirring up a cloud of dust, the thousand riders and soldiers swiftly advanced along the main road towards Qingye City.

The officer was named Mu Xue. At this moment, Mu Xue waved his hand into the air and shouted, "Qi Tianyou!"

Then, at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in front of the red tent

The sound reached the officer's ears, and a proud smile spread across his face

War is the foundation upon which the people of Tianfeng rely for survival and development—Prologue of the Chronicles of the Tianfeng Empire

What surprised Qi Changyou greatly was that the arrows in the hands of this archery team, consisting of about twenty individuals, gleamed with a bright cold light under the sunlight

Objective: Right flank cavalry charge. Calibration distance, fifty meters, lock on target, fire! The young man overseeing from a distance shouted loudly

My brother is right in the Tiger Leopard Camp! Brother, brother, I am Dashan, where are you? This is the urgent call of a confused young man desperately searching for his brother or younger brother.

"They are the soldiers of the Dragon Tooth Army. The First Storm Army." The onlookers responded in hushed tones.

Qi Tianyou coldly observed the scene before him, merely offering a faint smile

The recruits, who had never encountered such a grand spectacle, finally revealed their true selves at this moment

On the battlefield, fear is the most undesirable mindset. It can render all efforts and training futile.

The new recruits clad in armor, armed with long spears, are conducting an offensive and defensive drill under the command of their respective instructors. The two sides are distinguished by red and blue cloth strips, and the faces filled with youthful vigor reflect their eagerness for battle. As the charge signal sounds, the red soldiers roar and launch their first assault against the blue side, which forms a circular formation to counter. The instructors behind them continuously shout: "Pay attention to your flanks, do not leave any gaps. Learn to maintain formation while on the move ... ... " As the charge signal sounds, the red soldiers roar and launch their first assault against the blue side, which forms a circular formation to counter. The instructors behind them continuously shout: "Pay attention to your flanks, do not leave any gaps. Learn to maintain formation while on the move ... ... "

Yet there are always some voices that will never return to their side

Don the helmet, change the armor, abandon the spear and use the sword... Sound the charge trumpet!

The riding whip points forward, drenched in blood: "Do you see it? We... are almost home."

A chill ran through Qi Tianyou's heart, and for some reason, a sense of despondency unexpectedly arose within him

"Are you soldiers of the original Hongfeng Banner? Then do you know my dog? He is serving in the Hongfeng Banner!" Some villagers began to call out.

Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Finally, someone reacted quickly and shouted out.

However, for the training camp, occupying the red tent is more significant in its symbolic meaning—since victory cannot be achieved through killing enemies and dispersing them, the only option left is to seize the command center

Without the fear of death threats, the soldiers fought earnestly, yet lacked the desperate spirit of life and death. The formation was well arranged, but when it came to the battlefield, it was uncertain how many would remember this formation.

Their armor is not brand new; some pieces are already severely damaged, and the spears bear cracks. The formation is not particularly orderly. However, their spirits are high, and their fighting intent is strong; they are true warriors forged through countless trials on the battlefield

Some began to cry out for their parents, while others fled in panic; some laid down their weapons and immediately surrendered; many were in disarray, armed yet unsure of what to do. There were also those who fought valiantly, but lacking support from their comrades, they found it difficult to turn the tide. What was referred to as a newly trained elite force quickly turned into a rabble.

Therefore, becoming a knight of the Tianfeng Kingdom is the noble ideal of every Tianfeng warrior

As expected of seasoned veterans who have fought in countless battles, facing the scattered rain of arrows, twenty-three cavalrymen simultaneously raised their leather shields, covering their horses with their bodies and shielding their heads with their shields, effectively blocking most of the vital areas. In the first round of shooting, only one cavalryman was struck in the shoulder by an arrow

He then signaled the troops to quicken their pace and hurry into the city. This time, he had a significant mission at hand, and it was truly inappropriate to delay any longer, let alone hold a family reunion.

One hundred cavalrymen simultaneously let out a loud shout

They consciously made way for the cavalry to pass and continuously shouted at the troops: "Which unit are you from?"