"You're asking me?"

The newcomer turned his head and glanced at Gong Shuwu.

The sharp, long nails pointed to himself.

His scarlet, cloudy eyes looked somewhat dazed.

For reasons unknown, Gong Cheng didn't make a move, only warily watching the stranger who had suddenly intervened. He initially thought the newcomer was a military officer under Shen Tang, but judging from his second uncle's reaction, the two didn't know each other. If that was the case, why did this person appear so promptly?

Gong Shuwu was stumped by the question "Who came?"

"Of course, you should ask your benefactor."

The newcomer's aura was stronger than his own, but not as strong as Gong Cheng's.

However, judging from the fact that he could withstand Gong Cheng's attack without suffering any backlash, this person's strength is at least at the sixteenth-rank Grand Master level, or even the seventeenth-rank General of the Four-Chariots. A martial artist of such strength shouldn't be unknown. Moreover, this person saved him; he's a friend, not an enemy.

The man who came said, "A soldier from the vanguard battalion."

Sixth Brother said he's now just a lowly pawn.

Gong Shuwu and Gong Cheng both fell into an eerie silence.

A martial artist of such strength and courage, merely a lowly soldier in the vanguard? Gong Shuwu was thankful he no longer had flesh and blood; otherwise, he would surely be blushing with shame right now. What was wrong with his eyes? How could he not have noticed such a powerful figure?

Let the other side be treated like a lowly soldier?

Such a humiliating disgrace! Gong Shuwu asked himself, even someone as reserved as him couldn't bear it. He would be letting down his strength if he didn't find his superior and beat him half to death to avenge this humiliation!

The visitor clearly could not understand Gong Shuwu's thoughts.

He wasn't good at reading people, let alone with Gong Shuwu, whose eyes were practically nonexistent, only two weak flames remaining in their empty sockets. How could a normal person glean anything from two flames? Seeing that Gong Shuwu had nothing to ask, the man turned his attention back to Gong Cheng, grinned, and asked, "Hey you, how many military merits is your head worth?"

Gong Shuwu said: "A priceless treasure."

This is clearly not something an uncle should say.

Gong Cheng's lips twitched slightly. He could see through the newcomer's strength at a glance—even though he had just expended a lot of energy, he shouldn't have been able to have his head taken by this person. He said, "I am not very familiar with your Kang Kingdom's military system, so I can't give an exact figure for how much military merit a head is worth. However, if you can take it, the position of the person next to you can also be yours."

The head of one of the elite combat forces in the Northern Desert.

If it could be cut down, it would have a huge impact on the entire war.

The newcomer wasn't big enough to understand the hidden agenda in their words, but he did understand one thing: Gong Cheng's head was extremely valuable, worth a lot of military merits. Sixth Brother was right; killing people here was far more worthwhile than tearing apart those ants.

"Sixth Brother is truly wise."

"Tearing one of you apart is worth more than tearing apart a million ants."

Gong Cheng was merely somewhat timid, but he was still quick-witted, immediately sensing the chilling undertone in the man's words. The "ants" the man spoke of were likely referring to the Northern Desert troops he had brought. He spoke the most terrifying words in the most innocent tone.

Gong Cheng's expression visibly became more serious.

"Then you have to have the ability to do it."

The mental pressure from a single Gong Shuwu or dozens of ancestral spirits far outweighed the physical pressure on him. His reckless fighting style only made him look pathetic and increased his martial energy consumption, but it didn't give him a sense of impending death. The strange martial artist before him was also of lower strength than him, but even Gong Cheng would find it extremely troublesome to be attacked by these three groups together.

"Then let's give it a try!"

After the person finished speaking, he pounced on the attacker like a wild beast.

Ordinary martial artists typically use swords, spears, and halberds as weapons to kill and defend themselves, but this strange man is different. His hands are empty; the only weapons he possesses are his claws. These claws can hardly be called "human hands" at all; their surface gleams with a thick metallic sheen, and their fingers are sharp and razor-sharp. He approaches Gong Cheng and tries to grab Gong Cheng's weapon with his bare hands, completely disregarding the weapon's sharpness.

bite--

After a sharp sizzle, sparks flew everywhere.

The strange man's hand wasn't severed in two as expected. Instead, it gripped the weapon firmly with its claws, the force so great that even Gong Cheng couldn't immediately budge it. Moreover, the tips of the claws left several marks on the weapon, demonstrating the incredible hardness of those iron claws!

With Gong Cheng's weapon restricted, Gong Shuwu seized the opportunity, raised his hand to conjure a long saber, and wielded it with both hands, swiftly slashing.

Gong Cheng gathered his energy in his hands and used them to protect his arm to block.

The blade of light cleaved through the armor collided with the scales of the arm guards.

Explosions occurred one after another.

The commotion here was so great that even the two armies fighting in the distance could see it! Among the Kang Kingdom's troops, a group of people stood out. These people were also wearing Kang Kingdom's standard military uniforms, but their arms were wrapped with very conspicuous bright red cloth strips, which indicated that they were military doctors.

Despite the shortage of troops on the battlefield, the medics were still carefully protected. Occasionally, some stray soldiers would manage to escape, but the medics managed to cut them into pieces with their swords and knives. Before long, every medic was covered in blood.

One of them was particularly different.

This man was also a military doctor, but at this moment he became the backbone of the group.

He spoke calmly and clearly, directing everyone's actions with a focused and unhurried voice. He was incredibly observant, knowing before anyone else where the enemy was approaching, how many there were, and how many men were needed to kill them. These medics weren't just skilled in medicine; they also practiced self-defense techniques in their spare time. On the battlefield, swords and spears are indiscriminate, and medics themselves could face the threat of enemy blades at any moment. Therefore, after overcoming the initial chaos, the medics became quite adept. Occasionally, when someone was injured, the available healers could lend a hand.

The physicians of the medical profession are powerful and domineering.

Ordinary knife and gunshot wounds can stop bleeding in a few breaths.

This resulted in the medics appearing horribly injured, but in reality, none of them suffered fatal wounds; if their clothes were removed, their wounds wouldn't even bleed. The logistics team managed to stabilize the situation, and with Yu Zi's powerful amplification of her incantations benefiting the entire army, the number of enemies able to reach the medics visibly decreased. With the pressure greatly reduced, the medics' eyes revealed a sense of relief at surviving such a close call.

They kept glancing at the "backbone" out of the corner of their eye with curiosity.

Everyone's eyesight isn't blind.

I just clearly saw this person not only use the magic of medicine to save a soldier, but also use the unique literary energy barrier of a scholar to hold back the charging enemy cavalry, buying everyone precious time to kill the enemy with their spears. In other words, this person is both a scholar with a literary heart and a physician! Such a talent—

The group's strange gazes fell on the red cloth strip on the other person's arm.

The insignia for military doctors is crimson with white markings tattooed on top, each marking corresponding to a rank. The insignia on this person's arm is the simplest, indicating they are a trainee medic, responsible for odd jobs like cleaning the wounded soldiers' quarters, preparing and dispensing medicine, changing bandages for soldiers… doing the most strenuous and physically demanding work…

The person wearing this badge is actually a dual cultivation prodigy!

He's more than qualified to be the head of the military medical team!

Capable of healing, fighting, and commanding operations...

Who exactly recruited him?

Why hire people but not give them the appropriate position and benefits?

The group of military doctors had countless questions swirling in their minds.

They dared not ask.

The "backbone" of the group, the center of attention, had no time to notice these glances. When the pressure of the battlefield lessened, he kept glancing into the distance, at the place where Uncle Gong had made his arbitrary decision. As an ordinary military doctor, Fang Yan initially had no idea what was going on.

By the time they found out, the army was engulfed in chaos.

Shao Chong, that brat, came looking for him immediately—searching and tearing at people along the way! He tore apart dozens of bodies, half-eaten, lying along the path he had come from, their eyes filled with worry: "Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother, where are you?"

Fang Yan wiped the blood off his face.

He shoved away the young man who had come closer, and said with a hint of lingering fear, "You brat! Is the battlefield a place where you can just act recklessly? I almost stabbed you with my sword just now!"

Shao Chong's expression was indifferent.

With Sixth Brother's meager fighting skills, even if I stood still and let Sixth Brother stab me with his sword at will, he wouldn't be able to pierce my flesh.

Fang Yan tried hard to ignore Shao Chong's expression to avoid losing control of his anger. Shao Chong, meanwhile, killed while counting: "One military merit, two military merits, three military merits..."

Shao Chong's brain isn't working properly.

He only knows numbers in the tens.

If you count to ten, you can only start over from one.

Sometimes, when they get so caught up in the fighting that they forget where they are.

If he can't remember, he goes to Fang Yan.

Fang Yan lost his patience and cast the [Five Virtues of a General] spell on Shao Chong, sending him to go play with Gong Shu Wu. He added as a final instruction: [Kill the enemy if you can, otherwise bring the General back. Timely reinforcements will also earn you military merit!]

As long as you stop counting!

Shao Chong naturally sensed the aura emanating from Gong Shuwu's side as well.

He had been eager to try for a long time.

These fragile ants in front of him did not arouse his interest at all, but without Sixth Brother's permission, Shao Chong did not dare to run too far.

Upon receiving the pardon, my heart immediately flew there.

But before leaving, Sixth Brother still wanted to give a few words of advice.

[Thirteen, did you bring everything?]

With Ji Moqiu absent, Shao Chong's illness could only be suppressed and balanced by precious external objects. At first, Fang Yan and Chao Lian thought that this "precious external object" would be difficult to obtain, but to their surprise, Ji Moqiu took out a tiny human figure, no longer than a finger, from his sleeve.

Ji Moqiu said earnestly, "Just believe in my god!"

Fang Yan and Chao Lian: [...]

Although they don't have a specific faith, they will go into Buddhist temples and Taoist temples to burn incense and pray for blessings. Their faith is flexible, but Ji Moqiu's approach seems unreliable no matter how you look at it.

Ji Moqiu was still preaching there: "Every day, morning, noon, and night, we have to burn three sticks of incense. After burning the incense, we sing a song or do a dance. Our god usually enjoys this kind of thing..."

Shao Chong scratched his head: [Like Shao Bai usually does?]

Ji Moqiu nodded emphatically: 【Mm.】

Shao Chong said, "Okay, I believe you!"

Fang Yan and Chao Lian couldn't believe it.

Strangely, ever since Shao Chong believed in this evil god, even when Ji Moqiu was away for several days, Shao Chong's mental state remained very stable. Fang Yan was more inclined to attribute this effect to psychological factors, but—better safe than sorry.

Bloodshed and violence can easily lead to impulsive and uncontrollable behavior.

With the statue of the deity with him, Fang Yan felt a little more at ease.

Thus, the scene unfolded where Shao Chong arrived just in time to rescue Gong Shuwu. As Shao Chong saved him, he felt a surge of pride. He would first claim the merit for the rescue, then kill Gong Cheng, take his head, and the merit for beheading a general would also be his.

He used his military merits in the rescue operation to make his sixth brother a great doctor.

Then use the merit of beheading the general to make the twelfth brother the great general!

Fang Yan sensed Shao Chong's aura.

Once I confirmed that the other person was emotionally stable, I finally felt relieved.

With the Northern Desert troops suppressed, the pressure on logistics eased considerably, finally freeing Fang Yan to do other things. When the army medic came looking for him, he raised his hand and cast a spell, taking a single step several meters forward. Ignoring everyone's worries, he headed straight for the most intense fighting area. From afar, he saw the familiar aura of martial energy. Fang Yan, sword in hand, charged at the Northern Desert soldier who had launched a sneak attack, piercing his throat with a single strike.

A familiar martial energy brushed past his ear.

He killed the enemy soldier who was out of sight with a single blow.

"Why is Sixth Brother here?" Chao Lian, disguised as a soldier, looked surprised. After speaking, he sensed the surroundings again but couldn't find Shao Chong. Shao Chong's aura was very far away from him. "Where are the thirteen people?"

Fang Yan said, "They went to steal military merits."

Lu Ji, who had come to hunt down the severely wounded general from the Northern Desert, was nearly driven mad with rage.

Because her target was finished off by Chao Lian!

Chao Lian had seen Lu Ji from afar.

"What's Vice General Lu doing here?"

Lu Ji: "..."

As the chaotic battle drew to a close and the shouts of battle subsided, the horizon began to lighten with the first light of dawn. Lu Ji, completely forgetting his injuries and exhaustion, led his troops in pursuit for over ten miles before reluctantly turning back. Yu Zi, meanwhile, led his troops back to the battlefield to fetch Gong Shuwu.

The army continued its rapid advance without stopping.

Everyone looked anxious, but they had little hope in their hearts.

Highly skilled martial artists often settle their differences in a matter of dozens or even hundreds of moves; the greater the difference in strength, the shorter the battle. It seems General Gongshu Wu has met with misfortune.

Despite these suspicions, they still went. Rather than welcoming back the general himself, they were bringing back the body of Gong Shuwu, who should not and could not be left to rot in the wilderness.

Yu Zi's eyes were bloodshot.

A closer look would reveal that her current state was quite abnormal; there was not a trace of scholarly energy emanating from her, making her appear as ordinary as a normal person. Both her body and mind were beyond their limits, yet she hadn't collapsed, relying solely on a last breath held in her chest.

finally--

In the field of vision, there appeared a place that had been reduced to scorched earth by lightning.

Two figures appeared in the wilderness.

As the sun slowly rose above the horizon, the first rays of sunlight fell upon them, and Yu Zi could barely make out the general shapes of the two figures. One figure was sitting, and the other was standing to the side, their weapons buried in the ground at their feet, their backs to the army.

Yu Zi and the others recognized it at a glance as Gong Shuwu's armor.

"General—"

"General... Waaah..."

"Great General—"

Some of the less seriously injured generals spurred their horses on, staggering off from a distance of a dozen or so feet from Gong Shuwu, and galloped towards him. At this sight, some people couldn't contain themselves and broke down in tears.

The sound of crying seemed contagious.

From one person crying, to a group of people crying.

Finally, it was the soldiers of the first army who were crying.

Yu Zi, sitting on horseback, swayed slightly.

At this moment, the general's armor moved slightly.

He turned towards the crowd.

A snow-white skull was exposed.

The skull opened and closed its mouth, emitting a voice familiar to everyone: "Are you here to give me a funeral?"

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