Chapter 19: The Vanguard

Before Lishan, Wu Mi led his troops to arrive first. He gazed upon the towering mountains ahead, then turned to his men and spoke gravely, “Though the enemy is weak, this terrain is treacherous. If there is an ambush, it would be more trouble than it’s worth.”

“Who will lead a squad to scout ahead?”

The terrain of Lishan was complex, and the enemy had long dwelled deep within these mountains. To ensure absolute safety, Wu Mi chose the most cautious approach.

Of course, part of the reason was that he wanted to give Qin Jue an opportunity to earn merit.

After speaking, he deliberately glanced at Qin Jue.

But Qin Jue showed no interest.

What he sought was victory points; gathering intelligence was too time-consuming.

And such small achievements meant nothing to him.

Charging into battle, slaying generals, capturing flags—

If one were to make merit, it should be a grand one!

“Captain, I volunteer!” At this moment, eager to prove himself, Chen Xi quickly stepped forward and spoke first.

Wu Mi’s eyes darkened slightly. He nodded and instructed, “If you encounter the enemy, retreat immediately. Do not linger in battle!”

“Understood!” Chen Xi could hardly conceal his delight as he responded.

He immediately led his newly formed squad into Lishan.

“To the rest, stay put and remain vigilant!” Wu Mi commanded the remaining men.

Meanwhile, Chen Xi’s squad had already penetrated deep into Lishan.

Confidence shone on his face.

Within his team were former warriors from Lingyun Village.

Even before the battle commenced, Chen Xi had learned through certain channels the first target of their assault.

For this reason, he deliberately selected a captive from Lingyun Village to join his squad.

With the enemy’s help, the task of gathering intelligence became much simpler.

“This military merit is mine for sure!” Chen Xi thought to himself.

...

After about half an hour, Chen Xi’s squad returned successfully, having captured several Lingyun Village prisoners.

“Captain, there are no ambushes ahead, only a few scouts!” Chen Xi stood before Wu Mi, chest out, expression serious.

Wu Mi, seeing Chen Xi had completed his mission flawlessly, was quite pleased. “Well done. This merit is recorded for you!”

Chen Xi beamed. “Thank you, Captain!”

After speaking, he deliberately glanced at Qin Jue in the crowd, a hint of provocation in his eyes.

Qin Jue did not even spare him a glance.

Beside them, Xiao Wushan’s eyes darkened, quietly taking note of the man who dared to challenge their captain.

“Everyone, prepare to enter the mountains!”

With no ambush confirmed, Wu Mi ordered at once.

Over two hundred warriors set off immediately to clear the path for the main force behind them.

Soon, they beheld Lingyun Village.

Nestled in a valley, steep stone cliffs flanked both sides.

Before the village stood a towering wall.

Wu Mi did not rush the assault; instead, he sent men forward to call out, hoping to persuade them to surrender.

“Whoosh!”

However—

Their response was a single arrow.

Seeing such firm resistance, Wu Mi ceased his attempts at negotiation.

As the main force neared, he roared, “Charge!”

Over two hundred warriors surged forth fearlessly, weapons in hand.

Lingyun Village did not wait idly; its defenders drew bows and unleashed a storm of arrows.

Qin Jue acted decisively. He sent Zhang Qian, a mere second-rank warrior, to the rear, then led his squad like tigers released from their cages, charging headlong at the wall beneath a hail of arrows.

These ordinary arrows caused little harm to warriors of second-rank mastery and above, some even third rank.

They swung their weapons, pressing step by step toward the wall.

Seeing Qin Jue intent on claiming the first merit, Chen Xi grew anxious, hastily leading his squad to follow.

“Faster!” he shouted to his men, quickening his pace.

He would never allow Qin Jue to steal the spotlight alone!

Before long, Qin Jue’s squad reached the foot of the wall.

They swiftly produced grappling hooks, flinging them with force so that the sharp hooks embedded deeply between the stones.

In an instant, a dozen agile figures, like monkeys, climbed the ropes, racing up toward the battlements.

Atop the wall, Lingyun Village warriors raised heavy boulders, hurling them down with all their might.

The stones tumbled like mountains crashing down.

Their destructive power far exceeded that of arrows; even warriors could not withstand them head-on.

In moments, some men were struck and fell to the ground.

Qin Jue, gripping the rope tightly, eyes sharp as a hawk, watched the descending boulders intently.

His body moved deftly, using the wall’s rebound to dodge left and right, pressing upward.

To increase his agility, he had spent three victory points to boost his dexterity by one.

At the same time, Chen Xi arrived at the wall’s base.

Gazing at Qin Jue climbing, he gritted his teeth and began to climb as well, unwilling to be outdone.

However—

He was clearly less agile and physically weaker than Qin Jue.

In a misstep, a boulder struck his shoulder, and he tumbled from the rope, crashing heavily to the ground.

By now, Qin Jue was nearly atop the wall.

Seeing this, Lingyun Village warriors focused their attacks on him.

Boulders rained down relentlessly!

Qin Jue had no room to dodge, enduring the blows with aching limbs.

Yet still—

His hands never loosened their grip on the rope.

The physical endurance of a third-rank warrior, augmented by his constitution, made him extraordinary.

“Smash him down!” A minor leader atop the wall roared upon seeing Qin Jue still clinging on.

He snatched up a spear and, summoning all his strength, hurled it fiercely at Qin Jue’s head.

Whoosh—

The spear cut through the air with unmatched ferocity.

Qin Jue’s eyes darkened; he twisted aside just in time to evade.

Before he could catch his breath, even more boulders came crashing down.

Even for a third-rank warrior, earning the first merit was no easy feat.

Reluctantly, Qin Jue ceased climbing temporarily, clutching the rope and shifting his body midair to evade the relentless assault.

Fortunately, as more of their warriors began to climb, the enemy’s attacks scattered, easing the pressure on him.

The supply of boulders was limited.

Before long, the enemy’s offensive waned noticeably.

A gleam flashed in Qin Jue’s eyes. Seizing the moment, he pressed his toes hard against the stone wall and surged upward like lightning.

“Seeking death!”

The minor leader guarding the battlements snarled fiercely as Qin Jue drew near.

He thrust his spear suddenly toward Qin Jue’s throat.

Though warriors possessed extraordinary physiques, vulnerable spots remained—without martial arts to enhance defenses, injury was easy.

Qin Jue’s expression was cold and resolute as he drew his waist blade, swinging it horizontally.

“Clang!”

The spear struck the blade with a heavy metallic ring.

The minor leader’s face twisted in rage; his blood surged, muscles bulging, veins protruding, as he tried to force Qin Jue off the wall with brute strength.

But Qin Jue was no less strong.

Steady as a mountain, single-handedly wielding his blade, he resisted the attack and pressed upward.

The minor leader’s expression shifted; he had not expected Qin Jue’s strength to be so formidable.

Seeing Qin Jue closing in, he shouted, “Help me!”

Nearby warriors responded swiftly, spears poised to strike at Qin Jue’s vital points.

In an instant, spear shadows crossed and shimmering blades flashed.

Qin Jue’s eyes were sharp and hands quick. He used his blade to fend off the minor leader’s spear, then swung again, slashing at the incoming spears.

“Clang clang clang!”

Empowered by great strength, his blade cut through the metal shafts with ease.

The warriors atop the wall were stunned.

Before they could react, Qin Jue used the momentum, pushed off the wall, leapt up, and landed firmly atop the battlements.

Below, Wu Mi, overseeing the battle, watched Qin Jue ascend the wall.

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, then he nodded slightly, silently admiring, “Still as brave as ever.”