Chapter 5, Beast Riders

Among all the military branches of empires and federations, newly enlisted soldiers can only choose from the spearmen, two-handed swordsmen, and archers. After one year of training, those with potential will be selected to enter higher-level camps. For instance, spearmen can become squire knights or axe warriors. The archer camp often selects the strongest soldiers to become longbowmen. Only in the swordsman camp are those with poor physiques and no promising prospects sent to the two-handed swordsman camp. Although outstanding two-handed swordsmen have the opportunity to become squire knights, they must also learn to wield other weapons, and such opportunities are quite rare. Moreover, very few two-handed swordsmen actually enter the battlefield. If it were not for the minimal cost of equipment required for this branch and its role in maintaining public order, it would have long since disappeared from the military branches of various countries.

Before the Mercenary King rose to fame, swordsmen were considered a low-level troop type within the army and were rarely deployed as a fighting force in conflicts

The middle-aged man, who originally intended to astonish Amy, found his own jaw nearly dropping to the ground upon seeing the enormous white wolf

What the young Amy did not know was that among the three known continents, the highest-ranking warriors are the Dragon Knights. However, due to the extreme rarity of dragons, especially those willing to cooperate with humans, the emergence of Dragon Knights cannot be deliberately cultivated. The total number of known Dragon Knights across all nations does not exceed 30. Although Dragon Knights are powerful, they are difficult to employ as conventional troops. The total number of known Dragon Knights across all nations does not exceed 30. Although Dragon Knights are powerful, they are difficult to employ as conventional troops

In any combat environment, ambushes and surprise attacks are most effective against dual-wielding swordsman units.

"Do you know why I always call you son?" Chi Hanfeng threw out a big burden

Faced with a more ferocious expression, Chi Hanfeng immediately changed his tone, flattering the wolf by stroking its long fur: "No, no, what I meant to say is that after three years, Xiao Bai, you have grown up and become even more handsome."

How much strength is required to use a cleaver as an axe

Xiao Bai... the fallen noble crouched down to stroke the wolf's ears, lamenting, "We haven't seen each other for three years. I had hoped you could recuperate in the Sacred Garden of Illusory Beasts and become the King of Illusory Beasts... However, now you have given me the greatest surprise, which is that I find you have completely put on weight..." Chi Hanfeng suddenly screamed hysterically, tearing at the wolf's ears with his hands, the pure white fur scattering everywhere... However, now you have given me the greatest surprise, which is that I find you have completely put on weight..." Chi Hanfeng suddenly screamed hysterically, tearing at the wolf's ears with his hands, the pure white fur scattering everywhere.

Under the dazzling light of Her Excellency Amy, an increasing number of battlefield commanders and professional mercenaries began to employ longswords. The two-handed swordsman class has also officially developed in a systematic manner. Within the regular army, four entirely new soldier classes have emerged

Next to the Dragon Knight is the Phantom Beast Knight. The Phantom Beasts can utilize the power of barriers to hover in the air; however, most Phantom Beasts do not possess magical abilities and cannot compete with the Dragon Knight in one-on-one combat.

In the spring of the year 195 of the Red Moon Calendar, at the southern end of a natural small village called Haike, near the estuary of the Warm Water River on the frozen continent, there was a dilapidated courtyard surrounded by piles of primitive trees resembling small mountains.

Human beings are indeed a peculiar race. Living in a warm land and consuming the finest nutritional products, they do not necessarily enjoy good health, nor can they cultivate youths as strong as mountains. The boy before me is a contrary example; he has been relentlessly tormented day and night for three years by an uncle who claims to be a noble of the empire yet has an unclear background. He certainly has not had access to any super nutritional products, but with each rise and fall of his arms as he swings them, the muscles symbolizing strength seem to vanish like mercury from his waist and then reappear on his arms, only to disappear again.

Even the strongest lumberjack, when faced with the coniferous hardwood of the frozen continent, must rely on an axe to chop wood effortlessly. If using a machete, the thin blade will become trapped in the wood as soon as it penetrates, making it impossible to continue cutting. Often, it requires five or six consecutive strikes to cut through, and the machete's edge deteriorates very quickly

The early spring in Warm Water River is very cold, and most people wear thick snow beast fur coats from head to toe during this season. However, this boy, who is just over ten years old, is only wearing a pair of leather shorts. Sweat continuously drips from his forehead and body onto the ground, quickly turning into ice pellets, while white mist rises from his body

In this process, the ugly side of humanity is exposed in Mr. Chi Hanfeng in a vivid and unrestrained manner

When the white wolf saw Chi Hanfeng, a thick smile unexpectedly appeared on its fierce face, and its tail wagged back and forth, knocking Chi Hanfeng to the ground.

No matter how much Chi Hanfeng threatened or tempted her, Amy did not utter a single word—this was certainly not an acquiescence.

He ... ... uses. ... ... ... of ... ... is. ... ... ... chop ... ... knife? ... ...?

Amy, in fact, I am not an ordinary knight; I am the highest-ranking knight of the empire—the Phantom Beast Knight. I also hope that you can become a proud Phantom Beast Knight like me! I summon you in my name, come forth, Phantom Beast Spirit Wolf..." Chi Hanfeng tightly pressed his ten fingers together.

Amy cautiously touched the white wolf's fur, her eyes filled with curiosity

The swordsman unit inherited from the Mercenary King's lineage has become the core of the balanced offensive and defensive forces in the armies of various nations.

"Alright, Uncle Chi, I will be there shortly." Amy neatly arranged the firewood and walked into the small cabin that had just been built last summer.

The most terrifying and the most concerning for enemy commanders is the advanced class of dual-wielding swordsmen—known as the "Battlefield Ghost"—the Mad Eagle Greatsword Master

Starting today, you need to learn the use of weapons. In the future, you won't have to chop so much firewood in the afternoons, as the villagers won't be able to use it anyway. Dedicate half of your time each afternoon to studying weapons. Chi Hanfeng rarely speaks so solemnly.

I want to be like my father; I want to learn to wield a two-handed sword. Perhaps it is a case of extremes leading to opposites, for the talkative uncle made young Amy unusually reticent.

A massive pentagonal barrier appeared in the center of the room. After a dazzling flash of white light, a snow wolf, twice the size of an ordinary snow wolf, materialized in the middle of the room. Its fur, as white as snow, flowed smoothly from its head to its tail. Its enormous tail swayed gently, and its head rested on its two gigantic paws, Z - Z - Z - comfortably snoring.

Oh heavens, what sins have I committed? How could a noble knight of the empire have such disciples? Brother, I am sorry for you. I have never met my sister-in-law, and I feel so incompetent. I lack the ability to teach your child well. He aspires to be a lowly, unambitious dual-wielding swordsman

What kind of weapon do you like? Ah— I recommend a combination of a knight's lance and a longsword. It must suit you. This will become your favorite. Without paying attention to Amy's attitude, Chi Hanfeng began to forcefully recommend someone else's favorite to Amy.

Chi Hanfeng was very pleased with the terror that appeared on Amy's face after the white wolf showed up. He majestically rode on the wolf's back, taking the long spear and shield from the sides of the wolf with his left and right hands respectively. Proudly, he said to Amy: "How about that? Quite impressive, right? If I put on armor, it would be even cooler. And let me tell you some even better news: this kind of mount doesn't need you to provide food; it will go back to the barrier by itself to find something to eat."

"Why are you crying? A grown man should not be weeping like this, and without any tears or sorrow. You need not look through your fingers at me; I will not change my decision." It is said that black humor is a solitary lineage—often associated with demons, even the silent angels may occasionally utter some darkly humorous words.

The great swordman unit, whose breakthrough capability on the plains is on par with that of the battle axe warriors

"Indeed, you truly are your father's son, full of personality, and I like that," Uncle Chi said with a smile, patting Amy's little face. Suddenly, he pinched her cheek hard, revealing a big bad wolf expression: "No, this time I have the final say. You must learn to wield the knight's lance with me. I want to train you to become an imperial knight like me. What is the use of a two-handed sword? It is the lowest rank in the army. Look at the proper knights; in general situations, they use a one-handed thrusting sword, which can be paired with a shield. On the battlefield, it is always the knight's lance and shield that serve as the main force of war."

Hi ... ... click ... ... Hi ... ... click ... ...

What captivates countries the most is that the Phantom Beast Knights can be cultivated

Son, come here for a moment. The people in the room shamelessly continue to take advantage.

The awakened white wolf, irritated, violently shook off the human's annoying claws from its ears. Turning around, it revealed its enormous fangs and blood-red tongue, displaying a ferocious demeanor as if it were about to devour a human.

"Introduction to Swordsmanship" by Ichiko Iike

You see, among your peers, although you are relatively tall, you are not as tall as the barbarians, so a massive two-handed axe is certainly not suitable for you; based on my understanding of you, you definitely do not like the profession of an archer, which relies on ambushes to make a living; the combination of the crescent moon blade and shield has too little lethality, suitable for those without strength. Hammer-type weapons are becoming increasingly rare, destined for obsolescence. Wow... you aren't telling me you want to learn the infantry spear, are you? The spear is only used in the army, and it only counters cavalry, having no other use. As Chi Hanfeng spoke, he observed Amy's expression, trying to come up with the most likely words to persuade him.

It seems that without revealing my true identity, you will not be moved. The man, with his hands covering his face, sat motionless on the edge of the bed like a stone statue, his posture exuding an extreme coldness

The so-called phantom beasts are merely mounts for knights. The type of phantom beast affects the knight's combat power in different environments, providing various enhancements. For instance, if Chi Hanfeng competes against other knights with phantom beasts in the Frozen Continent, he will have a 50% increased chance of victory. If he faces an ordinary snow wolf knight, there is no need to fight; an ordinary knight has no chance of defeating a phantom beast knight.

From beginning to end, Amy was indeed frightened; the pressure exerted by the snow wolf in this area was overwhelming. When she saw such a large snow wolf appear out of nowhere, even an adult hunter would be left stunned and unresponsive.

When the kind snow wolf was deceived into showing a smile, Chi Hanfeng immediately flipped over and pinned the wolf beneath him. One hand grasped the long fur on the wolf's head, while the other hand delivered several hard punches to the wolf's head: "Damn it, if you dare to bark at me again, from today onwards, you are not allowed to return. You will guard the yard for me every night." The poor snow wolf cried out in anguish, sigh... it serves him right. As a mythical beast, he should know his master's temperament all too well; how could he expect to receive a favorable response from Chi Hanfeng? Wasn't this just asking for trouble?

In the middle of the logs, a youthful boy's voice can be heard rhythmically. If one were to enter the courtyard, they would see a boy chopping wood.

He spat into the palm of his calloused hand, then picked up a medium-sized axe from the side and swung it down in a circular motion. The large log in front of him, measuring 30 centimeters in height and half a meter in diameter, was split in half with a single blow. He then picked up a nearby machete, crouched down, and quickly chopped the wood into suitable firewood.