Chapter 7

"Of course, if you grind it into powder and eat it, it can enhance your power. It’s even better than a twenty-year-old ginseng root," the man said, staring greedily at the wooden stone.

It turns out it’s for eating, probably a type of tonic. Tang Chun thought to himself as he walked to a secluded area outside, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began to cultivate the Nine Heavens Vast World Technique. Tang Chun found that if he held the wooden stone while cultivating, the effect was several times better than usual.

This was because the wooden stone contained an extremely concentrated amount of natural energy, several times denser than that in the natural world.

Moreover, it was very easy to absorb. If he could obtain a large amount, he might be able to break through to the second level of Qi Cultivation in a short time.

In this battlefield filled with the stench of blood, one must first have the ability to protect oneself. Otherwise, it would be too unjust to die at any moment. Over the past few days, Tang Chun had become familiar with a few soldiers in his tent.

"Three days have passed, it’s time to assign Tang Chun a mission," Hu Yanhao said to Tian Gang in the main tent.

"Tang Chun’s injuries aren’t fully healed yet. Isn’t it too dangerous to send him on a mission like this?" Tang Chun had saved Tian Gang’s life, and he was now concerned for him.

"I know he saved you, but we must separate personal matters from official duties. This is what the Third Princess ordered. We can’t let Tang Chun stay idle for too long, or he’ll live too comfortably," Hu Yanhao didn’t hide his thoughts from his confidant.

"Does the Third Princess mean to keep tormenting Tang Chun until the three years are up and then execute him?" Tian Gang felt a chill and asked.

"Pretty much, in three years, with Tang Chun’s weak body, it’s impossible for him to break through to the Eighth Rank and become a Fifth Rank General. He will die eventually. This poor guy, the son of a noble, has come to such an end. The character for ‘lust’ truly has a knife above it," Hu Yanhao sighed.

"Tang Chun says he was framed, General, what do you think?" Tian Gang asked.

"That’s none of our business. Do you want to overturn his case? The noble’s household is as deep as the sea, with many children. Siblings killing each other for inheritance is common. We’ve seen such things before. We shouldn’t get involved. It’s Tang Chun’s own problem. Who made him be born into a noble’s household," Hu Yanhao said.

"Of course, but he did save me. Can the next mission be a bit safer? And the Third Princess also instructed that Tang Chun should remain alive until the three years are up," Tian Gang said.

"I heard that the Great Yuan Kingdom has transported a batch of supplies from the capital’s Gong Mountain," General Hu Yanhao said.

"General, do you mean to send Tang Chun to raid or destroy the supplies? However, according to reports, the Great Yuan has dispatched Zhao Tong, a battalion commander, to escort the supplies.

Though he is only a regular battalion commander of the eighth rank, it’s said that he is upright and doesn’t flatter, otherwise, he would have been promoted to a general long ago.

His true strength is estimated to be around the Seventh Rank. Tang Chun is only a Second Rank, leading a group of Second Rank soldiers. Isn’t that just sending them to their deaths? Shouldn’t we send a powerful general to lead the raid?" Tian Gang said.

"No, our troops are tight, all on the front lines. You are also injured. This is decided. Tang Chun’s life or death is up to fate," General Hu Yanhao said sternly, and Tian Gang dared not speak up.

Soon, Tian Gang’s subordinate Fangzheng came in, saying to call Tang Chun to Captain Tian’s tent. Tang Chun followed Fangzheng into Tian Gang’s tent and found Tian Gang sitting in a tiger-skin chair.

"Tang Chun, there’s a mission assigned to our camp..." Tian Gang said.

"Zhao Tong has Seventh Rank strength. You’ve only given me about a hundred men, and not a single Fifth Rank expert. This leader position shouldn’t fall to me, right?" Tang Chun asked.

"Your main task is to burn the supplies. Capturing them is impossible. This is the General’s order, and I’m helpless. I think you understand some of the reasons," Tian Gang reminded him.

"I understand," Tang Chun nodded, knowing it was the Third Princess’s special ‘care.’

"If you can successfully destroy the supplies brought by Zhao Tong, I, Hu Yanhao, will appoint you as a hundred-man commander," General Hu Yanhao’s loud voice suddenly came.

Of course, Tang Chun understood. This was an impossible task. General Hu Yanhao was just giving him a favor.

"General, I’ll remember your words," Tang Chun bowed.

"I, Hu Yanhao, always keep my word. As long as you complete the task," Hu Yanhao was provoked by Tang Chun’s words.

In the afternoon, they prepared to set out.

Tang Chun stood solemnly in front of the square formation. This time, Tian Gang had opened a back door, lending him his protective armor, which, though a bit ill-fitting, was better than nothing.

Amid the wailing of the horns, Tang Chun led the team out. Of course, Tang Chun was also given a fine horse. Among the soldiers, a few Fourth Rank warriors also had horses.

These Fourth Rank warriors were decurions, each leading ten soldiers. A hundred-man commander led a hundred soldiers, similar to a company commander. In the Great Yu Dynasty’s rank system, this would be a ninth-rank position. The team traveled for a day and a night and stopped in a forest in a large mountain.

"Jiang Wei, any new information?" Tang Chun asked a decurion. This person was responsible for reconnaissance, similar to an intelligence officer in modern armies.

"They are about twenty kilometers away. Zhao Tong leads over two hundred men. However, they must pass through Tongqiao Pass to transport the supplies," Jiang Wei said.

"Leader Tang, we only have a hundred men, and they outnumber us. Moreover, Zhao Tong is very skilled, far beyond our capabilities. We must use strategy, not brute force, or we will all be wiped out," another decurion, Wei Liang, said.

"Yes, they must pass through Tongqiao Pass. It seems we can only set an ambush there," decurion Meng He said.

"No, no, not at Tongqiao Pass," Tang Chun waved his hand mysteriously.

"If not there, where else can we set an ambush? Other places are not suitable. The terrain is too open, and they can easily spot us," Jiang Wei asked.

"Luozi Beach," Tang Chun pointed to the military map.

"Luozi Beach? How can that work? It’s a wide, open beach with no place to hide. Can we bury ourselves in the sand? That would suffocate us," Meng He shook his head.

"Exactly, why can’t we hide in the sand?" Tang Chun said.

"Leader Tang, that’s impossible. We would suffocate," Wei Liang also thought it was impossible.

"We will all discard our armor and travel light, wearing clothes that match the sand color. Our army seems to have a set of yellow uniforms that are similar to the sand color. We will hide in the sand dunes. Isn’t there a cluster of reeds next to Luozi Beach?

We will use reed poles to ventilate the sand dunes, making them look like a cluster of reeds. Once Zhao Tong’s supplies arrive, we will immediately attack.

We will use short bows with flint to quickly kill the first wave of enemies. We few will focus on surrounding Zhao Tong.

As long as we act swiftly, we have a chance to survive. If we can’t deal with Zhao Tong, we are all dead," Tang Chun said with a commanding presence.

Thank you, brother 'agdhaha', for the support. Dog Brother appreciates it.

[Page Break for AD]

[End of AD]