My Cultivation Starting from Archery

"Zzzzt—"

The Barbarian Thousand Households found an opportunity, slashing his blade across the corpulent body of the Sheng Dynasty military officer. The blade tore through the armor, skinned the flesh, sliced through muscle, and finally was halted by the tough bones, leaving a deep gash.

The opponent found the right moment and also swung his blade.

The saber technique was so flexible that even though he was a Refining Organ Martial Artist, he barely dodged it, leaving a shallow cut on his face.

"Get lost!"

The Barbarian Thousand Households swung his blade again, forcing the opponent back before he grabbed the reins and rode off, not willing to linger in battle.

This chubby Hundred Households was rather formidable.

Having achieved Bone Forging Perfection and being able to exchange so many moves with his refining organs skill, his saber technique was masterful, not at all like someone from the Bone Training Realm.

Killing him would likely take much effort.

He was out of time.

The young officer on the white horse charged toward the main camp.

Although it was uncertain how someone just at the Bone Training level could be so audacious—likely to be surrounded and killed—it was still essential to hurry back.

The prince was the Great Khan's most beloved youngest son.

If something truly went wrong,

all the heads of the Xi River tribe wouldn't be enough to make amends.

"Hum—"

Just as he turned, the sound of a slashing blade echoed again.

"Do you so wish to die?!"

The Barbarian Thousand Households, thunderously furious, blocked the attack with his blade then quickly turned it into a slash, ripping another gash on his opponent's body. His left fist, like a siege giant hammer, smashed thunderously into the chest.

Wang Zhi flew backward and fell off his horse, causing the frightened horse to flee.

"Cough cough…"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, seemingly oblivious to the pain as he immediately scrambled up, hurling his Mo Blade, severing the hooves of the Thousand Households' horse that was attempting to return to the camp.

"Hiss—"

The horse screamed in agony.

The Barbarian Thousand Households stepped on the horse's back and leapt off, landing smoothly.

His irritation unabated, he knew he had to kill this man.

At the main camp, there were at least others who had achieved Bone Forging Perfection and two thousand left to guard it; dealing with a young Hundred Households shouldn't be a problem. Even if one-on-one combat didn't work, they could surround and kill him within a short time.

Prior to this, he might have been overly concerned.

"I'm really done for…"

Wang Zhi wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, picked up a curved saber from the ground, and chopped down a Barbarian cavalry trying to sneak attack from behind. He then faced a Refining Organ General with a welding blade, estimating he could last about ten more rounds before likely dying.

On the other side.

The Small Car Suspension Array had lost its two sharpest blades, reducing its combat effectiveness significantly.

Out of ten men, only six remained.

Zhuang Yi had already been struck by three blades; though no vital points had been hit, he was near exhaustion.

Fang Buping and Zhao Qiao were also severely wounded.

Xu Bin and Zhu Tong were fine for the moment but were depleting rapidly and would soon be easy prey.

"Uncle Zhao, dying this way is worth it!"

Zhuang Yi strained to keep the formation intact, "It's better than being bullied to death."

"It's just a pity for Shi…"

Zhao Qiao, the weakest in cultivation, had survived this long only because of being looked after.

Amid the battlefield of flashing blades, they didn't even have time for last words.

Essentially, they were in a no-win situation.

At that very moment,

a voice full of deadly energy shouted, "Everyone, stop!"

From the distant rear,

a white horse slowly advanced.

On its back.

Chen Sansi held a spear in one hand and a sword in the other, with a half-dead Ninth Prince Yu Wen clutched in his arms. The dense barbarian cavalry automatically parted to open a path for him, none daring to make a reckless move.

"You..."

The pupils of the Barbarian Thousand Households trembled continuously, as if doubting what he was seeing.

Several Bone Forgers had stayed in the military camp.

Are they all... useless?!

It's not that he had been negligent; it was just a Bone Forger. How could it be possible!

"Everyone, stop!"

The Barbarian Thousand Households had to yell, "Everyone, stop!"

The chaotic battlefield suddenly fell silent.

"Who is this person?"

Wang Zhi leaned on his single-bladed saber, somewhat unclear about the situation.

Had Chen Sansi rushed back to the main camp just to capture this person?

"Your Highness!"

Hearing the barbarian's address for the hostage.

Where did Wang Zhi not understand?

This damn...

Seems like a prince!

That's really bizarre!

Xi River Tribe, on par with Po Yang, also belonged to a barbarian's god-forsaken place. How could there be a prince?!

"Well done, we've caught the Great Khan's bastard!"

Zhu Tong laughed heartily.

Everyone except him felt not the slightest bit of tension from start to finish, merely wielding his hammer, and while fighting, he even faintly touched the threshold of a breakthrough.

As for dying, by the time he realized he might die, Chen Sansi had already returned with the prince to rescue them.

For him, everything was very peaceful.

"What a big heart..."

Xu Bin envied, still feeling anxious.

Just one step away!

They, these people, were about to die under the chaotic blades!

"Let us go!"

Chen Sansi said sternly.

They were merely a squad formed by two Hundred Households called night watch.

Compared to the life of a prince, they were too worthless.

"Save me... save me!"

Ninth Prince Yu Wen, his face pale and trembling, said, "Thousand Households, save me!"

"Alright, you can go!"

The Barbarian Thousand Households restrained himself, "But the rest must stay!"

"Don't negotiate with me!"

Chen Sansi glanced, "There are seven of us, not one less! If anyone is missing, I'll chop off his finger first!"

"Don't... don't chop off my fingers, I still need to practice my sword!"

The prince's eyes brimmed with tears, regretting his demand to go to war.

Why are all those in Dasheng such fierce figures?

The military officers around his age were able to penetrate the enemy camp and capture the main general, it was simply terrifying!

That Sun Xiangzong, he must be some kind of three-headed and six-armed monster!

"Why aren't you giving the orders yet?!"

Chen Sansi tightened his grip on the sword's edge.

"Ah—"

The prince screamed in fright, "That Thousand Households, I don't know what you're called, just listen to him, let them go. If I am missing a finger, my father will slaughter your Xi River Tribe!"

"All retreat!"

The Barbarian Thousand Households issued an order.

Chen Sansi and several others gathered, "Bring the bodies of our fallen brothers!"

From his decision to his aim of capturing the prince alive, it only took a few minutes back and forth.

A few minutes.

Four men had died in the process.

Among them were his subordinates Li Dazhi and Xia Erniu.

In the battlefield, sacrifices are inevitable.

There's nothing to be sentimental about.

If there was no opportunity, then be it, but since there was one, it was best to bring the bodies back.

"Okay!"

Zhu Tong and Fang Buping immediately did as told, bringing two horses to carry the bodies.

"You still have the leisure to move bodies?"

The Barbarian Thousand Households clenched his fists till they turned white.

"Back off!"

The Ninth Prince himself gave the order without Chen Sansi's instruction, "Everyone, do not follow. Back off two miles, two miles!!!"

Damn...

Chen Sansi cursed in his heart, suspecting that this coward would probably help shout to open the gates if he were brought to the Yuwen Family's Great Capital.

Of course.

Having such an opponent spared him a lot of worries.

"Back off!"

The Barbarian Thousand Households commanded.

Chen Sansi and his six men rode their horses back the way they came.

The journey of four hundred miles could not be traversed at full speed like before.

From midnight to dawn, and from dawn to night, they missed the appointed rendezvous time with night watch.

...

Po Yang.

The Great Wall.

"My lord, night watch has returned!"

"Oh?"

Zhao Kang ascended the watchtower and spent a significant amount of time verifying identities before allowing the others to come under the wall for further inspection.

He sharply noticed something amiss, "Why are there fewer people? Aren't Hundred Households Chen and Hundred Households Wang back?" Explore new worlds at empire

"Not sure."

In the darkness, one could not see Luo Dongquan's expression, "The appointed midnight rendezvous passed without a sign of them, we can't just keep waiting, right? Zhao Kang, swiftly open the gates, we have urgent intelligence to report to the Lord Thousand Households!"

"Got it."

Zhao Kang ordered, "Open the city gates!"

"Weng Long—"

The heavy city gates opened.

More than twenty riders returned to the territory, heading straight towards the military camp.

Only Liu Jinkui stayed behind, calling out to the city walls, "Hundred Households Zhao, keep a sharp lookout. Perhaps Old Wang and Old Chen will return shortly!"

"Okay, rest assured."

Zhao Kang agreed outwardly but sighed inwardly.

The matter of the rendezvous, unless there was a major mishap, wouldn't usually be delayed.

And this mishap implied they were discovered by Barbarian cavalry...

The chances of their return were very slim.

...

"Uncle!"

Song Yan rode close to Deputy Thousand Households, whispering, "Did something happen to Mr. Chen and the others?"

"How would I know?"

Luo Dongquan scoffed coldly, "A mishap isn't so bad, it's just right for you to take over the position at Selected Point!"

"Uncle, I'm not capable..."

Song Yan lacked any fighting spirit, "I'm far behind Mr. Chen. He has mastered the Bone Strengthening Skill, while I have just barely achieved minor success in Blood Refining."

"Minor success in Blood Refining in four months, is that slow?"

Luo Dongquan spoke resentfully, "You're not worse than most people; it's just that you encountered a freak! After he dies, your joining the Eight Camps is certain."

The less naturally gifted someone is, the more they need to struggle.

Take his nephew, for example.

If he remained in Po Yang County, his highest achievement might be Refining Internal.

But if he went to the Governor Mansion, even as an outer sect disciple, he could achieve Hua Jin at the very least, perhaps even higher!

How could he not struggle?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

As for what Xiang Tingchun said...

He believed it only halfway!

Something about His Majesty targeting the Governor Mansion.

Was it even significant?

Even if not for the Selected Point.

It was necessary for thorough eradication!

In dealing with issues, one must be resolute.

"Yan'er, do you think I'm going overboard? Do you feel it's entirely unnecessary to escalate to a life-or-death conflict?"

Luo Dongquan gave a bitter smile, "Let me tell you a story.

"Many years ago, when Elder Yan was still young and going to the capital for an exam, he accidentally bumped into a then-current Third-Rank official.

"That official didn't do much to him, just scolded Elder Yan as a country bumpkin.

"Fifteen years later, when Elder Yan came into power, he found an excuse to involve the official in a major case. Not only was his family exiled and their property confiscated, but his daughters were also deliberately sold to the cheapest brothels...

"Perhaps Chen Sansi might forget the past unpleasantness, or perhaps not, but I cannot gamble, I cannot leave it to fate.

"Do you understand now?"

Song Yan seemed thoughtful, "I understand."

"Hmm."

Luo Dongquan nodded, satisfied.

Months ago, from when he tried to deceive Chen Sansi into giving up the Selected Point position, they were enemies, and even if there was just a one in ten thousand chance of retaliation, it needed to be nipped in the bud!

That was much better than having one day to hear that someone from the Eight Camps had become a Great General and spending days in fear.

Luckily, it all ended!

"Po Yang will soon see a large army's assault, you must perform well then!"

Luo Dongquan instructed.

...

Military cantonment, residence.

In the cold, dark courtyard, hung two lanterns, and a basin of charcoal fire blazed.

Gu Xinlan and the pregnant Mrs. Tong sat around the charcoal fire, quietly waiting for news.

Sun Li was practicing sabre techniques in the courtyard.

"How come there's been no news for several days? Before, no matter what he did, he would at least leave some dependable information."

Mrs. Tong spoke nervously, "My man hasn't actually fought in any battles... but he should be okay following your Brother Shi, right?"

"Yes."

Gu Xinlan's delicate fingers tightly clutched together, "Definitely, there won't be any issues."

Night watch operations were confidential, naturally not informing family members.

Sun Li knew, but she couldn't say; she just reassured, "Don't worry. My junior brother's level in Po Yang's domain, there aren't many who could harm him."

"Bang!"

The words had just ended.

The courtyard gate was kicked open.

Sun Buqi came in, flustered, "Sis, something's wrong! I was guarding inside the military camp and saw with my own eyes, the other two teams returned from outside the city, but Chen Sansi was nowhere to be seen!"