Chen Sanshi immediately dismounted and slipped into the woods from which the sound came.
Behind a pile of scattered rocks, he spotted Han Cheng releasing a strange-looking haidongqing, a massive hunting falcon whose size and sharp presence placed it far beyond an ordinary bird—it was practically a spirit beast.
"Lord Chen," Han Cheng leaned against the stones, his voice weak but urgent. "The Grand Commander has sent word—we're saved."
"The Grand Commander says that the northwest's three prefectures are now locked in a decisive battle. He can't pull troops from the Eight Northern Garrisons or elite units for now, but he's managed to rally 50,000 garrison soldiers. Among them are the pre-selected vanguard candidates from all three prefectures—they're already on the move, marching day and night toward Yunzhou."
"Vanguard candidates?"
Chen Sanshi caught the key phrase. "You mean the same kind as me?"
"Exactly."
Han Cheng nodded. "Every year, the vanguard selection starts in the second month after spring begins. Many arrive early in Liangzhou, but the trials only begin once everyone has gathered.
"In about seven days, they'll reach Huanwen County, on the northwest border of Yunzhou. That will be the central base. From there, they'll divide their forces based on the current battle situation to relieve the different parts of Yunzhou.
"We're not too far from Huanwen County. At our pace, it'll take roughly seven days as well.
"But…"
He paused, his expression darkening. "To reach Huanwen County, we'll have to cross a river—the Hongze River, the largest river in the entire north.
"With forty thousand civilians under your lead, crossing will take who knows how much time.
"Lord Chen, I'll give the same advice again—abandon the civilians and the foot soldiers. Take the cavalry, move fast, and cross the river. Once you're over, you'll be safe."
He hesitated a moment before continuing. "Also… I think the Grand Commander gathered all these vanguard candidates on purpose—to use this war as a real test."
"Actual combat has always been part of the vanguard selection.
"After all, the vanguard isn't about fancy titles—it's about generals who can lead troops. If a commander can't fight a war, what use is high cultivation?
"This campaign in Yunzhou will be crucial.
"So, Lord Chen, you should hurry to Huanwen County. When you get there, your realm will determine your post and the number of troops assigned to you. If you arrive late, you'll lose your chance to make a strong impression on the Grand Commander."
He looked Chen Sanshi in the eye. "Think carefully."
"It's already decided, Brother Han. You don't need to say more."
Chen Sanshi's tone was steady.
If he had run at the start, it would have been cowardly—but to abandon everyone halfway? That would make it impossible to sleep at night.
As for the vanguard selection, he wasn't worried.
His cultivation speed wasn't slow, and with the Commanding Troops skill at his back, he'd stand out on the battlefield sooner or later—even if he didn't top the rankings at first.
Unless, of course…
The Grand Commander's Office was rotten inside, just like some of the corrupt garrisons.
But that seemed unlikely.
A truly rotten army could never achieve the kind of fearsome strength the Grand Commander's Eight Northern Garrisons were known for.
And even if it were that bad—where else could he go in the entire Great Sheng Dynasty?
"Good."
Han Cheng nodded. "As long as you've made up your mind. One more thing—please find an excuse to move the young master to the front of the formation. Don't let him stay behind for the rearguard."
"Understood."
They parted ways there.
Using the map as his guide, Chen Sanshi re-planned their route and had word spread down the column—their new destination was Huanwen County instead of Hengkang Prefecture.
"Seven days!"
"Even moving with civilians, that's doable!"
That was much better than the previous half-month estimate.
Still, pursuit was inevitable.
Three thousand barbarian cavalry weren't impossible to deal with—as long as they didn't have a tempering organs general leading them.
He had to reach the tempering organs stage soon.
Then he could gauge the enemy's strength properly and decide the next step.
That resolve in place, Chen Sanshi began his new routine.
For the next three days, he deliberately slowed his pace, hanging back at the end of the column. He used the time to train, then relied on Qianxun's unmatched speed to catch up again—repeating the cycle over and over.
The White Swan horse truly was a marvel.
Its endurance and power made this strategy possible.
Late that night, Chen Sanshi drank the last half-jar of Tiger Blood Wine, tossed a handful of spiritual grain into his mouth, and began practicing his spearwork.
Under the pale moonlight, the Reed-Leaf Spear in his hands stirred the cold wind.
Its movements blended the stability of the Golden Serpent, the swiftness of the Flying Serpent, and the ferocity of the Formation-Breaking Spear—three techniques, merged into one seamless flow.
White Snake Flicks Its Tongue.
Iron Ox Plows the Field.
Swallow Steals the Nest.
Yellow Dragon Lies Across the Path.
Each move flowed like water into the next, fierce yet graceful, his qi surging and his body glowing faintly in the moon's glow as the Unified Spear Technique slowly took shape.
Each movement of the spear connected flawlessly into the next. Every stance, every thrust merged into one seamless flow. The weapon in Chen Sanshi's hands could no longer be described as a serpent—it was a python. A mad, rampaging python—one that might one day transform into a dragon!
With the Unified Spear Technique surging through his veins, his blood went wild. It rampaged uncontrollably, boiling like fire, tearing through his body with chaos and agony so intense that he almost fainted several times. Only when he finally grasped the hidden rhythm of the technique—synchronizing his movements and breath perfectly with the wild pulse of his blood—did he seize control again.
When he stabilized it, the Blood of the Dragon and Elephant within him began to flow smoothly, able to expand or contract at his will. His entire being sharpened—his reaction speed, explosive power, and all five senses reached a new level. In the Moving Blood state, he could perceive threats from every direction, react instantly, and unleash terrifying bursts of force.
No wonder.
No wonder men like Xiang Tingchun, Luo Dongquan, and even U Muer could block his arrows with ease.
He had fought U Muer up close the most, and that bastard could spot flaws in his spearwork almost instantly.
In truth, this was the advantage of a martial artist at the early tempering organs stage. By using the surge of Moving Blood, their overall physical capacity soared—they could survive almost any assault, then retaliate with explosive might.
Defense and counterattack—those were the twin strengths of the realm.
But with Chen Sanshi's unique bloodlines—the Blood of the Dragon and Elephant and Nine Dragons Temper the Tendons—his blood surged faster and stronger than others of the same level, by not just a little, but by many times over.
[Technique: Unified Spear Technique (Beginner)]
[Progress: 0/500]
[Effect: Blood of the Dragon and Elephant; Nine Dragons Temper the Tendons; Body of Vajra; Dance of Frenzied Blood]
[Dance of Frenzied Blood: When Moving Blood reaches its peak—nothing can stand in your way!]
Nothing can stand in your way!
The name fit. Perhaps because the Unified Spear Technique merged so many styles, it naturally carried this essence of madness—ferocious, unrelenting, and unstoppable.
Speed, savagery, and endurance—all fused together. Was that not the true meaning of "frenzy"?
After reaching the tempering organs stage, his stamina advantage would only grow stronger. Yet now, anyone wanting to witness that endurance would first have to survive the storm of his spear's first assault.
Before achieving full mastery of the tempering organs, no opponent could last three exchanges with him.
"I've finally tempered my organs."
Chen Sanshi exhaled in relief.
Instead of rejoining the main force, he separated from his White Swan horse, letting Qianxun hide in the forest while he moved silently through the hills, lying in wait for the barbarian pursuit to arrive.
Both retreat and pursuit required rest.
Not every horse was like Qianxun—capable of traveling 2,000 li a day without tiring. Most mounts would collapse if pushed too hard. They needed frequent halts and fine feed to recover.
Every time the pursuers stopped to rest, Chen Sanshi would strike under cover of night—capturing stragglers, interrogating them for information, and leaving no witnesses.
In the end, he learned the truth.
The enemy's commanding officer was at most at tempering organs—Minor Achievement.
That was all he needed to know.
Without hesitation, Chen Sanshi discarded all restraint.
The only thing that could threaten him now was someone vastly higher in realm. As long as that didn't happen, his combination of spear, archery, and Qianxun's speed made him a ghost of the battlefield—a nightmare of hit-and-run warfare. Unless he charged headlong into the enemy's full army, no one could catch him.
"Enemy attack!"
The barbarian cavalry had just sat down to rest when a rain of arrows came whistling from the darkness, cutting down several soldiers before they could react.
When they looked ahead, there was only one figure—a lone warrior on a white horse.
"A Sheng spy!"
"After him! Kill him!"
They shouted in fury, spurring their mounts forward.
But the moment they gave chase, the white horse vanished into the shadows.
"Coward! Run while you can!"
"Whoosh—"
Before the words finished, more arrows came, fast and precise.
"Keep chasing!"
Again the white horse disappeared.
This happened again and again—over a dozen times. Each time the same.
"Enough! You're mocking us!"
The barbarian commander roared in rage. When the white horse appeared once more, he charged at the front of his formation, followed by more than ten elite riders.
But this time, the white horse's speed suddenly slowed.
When they drew within three hundred steps, Chen Sanshi suddenly turned his mount around. He charged straight toward them, loosing arrows as he rode. One after another, the soldiers behind the commander fell.
At ten steps, the bow in his hands vanished, replaced by his spear.
The barbarian commander also wielded a long-handled blade and had prepared to counter. Yet when the moment came, facing the killing intent pouring from Chen Sanshi, he froze—panic struck him before he could move. A sliver of fear crept into his heart, and he even thought about fleeing.
"Puchi—"
That single heartbeat of hesitation was enough.
The Reed-Leaf Spear pierced straight through his heart.
By the time the three thousand cavalry behind him arrived, the white horse general had vanished once more—like a vengeful ghost born of blood and moonlight.
A general who could snatch an enemy commander's head from an army of thousands—then vanish without a trace.
"Should… should we still chase?"
The deputy commander swallowed hard, frozen in place.