Chapter 17

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Chapter 17: A One-Man Charge

“These bandits are merely inferior.”

Qiao Mu sat beneath a tree while a soldier beside him tended to his wounds, his face showing regret.

Initially, he had wanted to die, but the enemy proved too weak.

He would have to try harder next time.

Qiao Mu had been struck by three arrows at the start, but the wounds weren’t deep. He could still move freely, though he had lost some blood and his face appeared slightly pale.

And he was the most severely wounded in this brief battle.

These bandits weren’t strong and lacked fighting spirit. They weren’t difficult to handle.

Moreover, since the official soldiers had the numerical advantage, apart from Qiao Mu who had boldly charged into enemy lines, the others barely suffered injuries.

However, at this moment, including the Bald Monk Soldier who was applying medicine to Qiao Mu’s wounds, the other soldiers’ faces bore somewhat unnatural expressions.

It was as if a group of ordinary working-class people who were just getting by suddenly had an outstanding genius among them, making everything seem strange no matter how you looked at it.

“Boss, why risk your life for such meager pay…” said the Bald Monk Soldier while bandaging the wounds.

“Don’t joke, who would risk their life for such a small salary?” Qiao Mu firmly denied.

“Then, you…” The Bald Monk Soldier hesitated to continue, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed Old Huang standing there in a daze.

Old Huang was quite shrewd. Being over forty, his vitality had begun to decline. In the recent battle, he had avoided direct engagement with the bandits, preferring to stay hidden.

Besides being kicked in the rear by Qiao Mu, he remained unharmed.

The Bald Monk Soldier observed Old Huang and suddenly said:

“Boss, could it be that you were protecting Old Huang because of your earlier promise? The one about ensuring his safety if there was a battle?”

Upon hearing this, Old Huang was immediately stunned.

A few days ago, when exchanging for the “Iron Crotch Skill,” Qiao Mu had indeed mentioned something like that.

However, no one, including Old Huang himself, had taken it seriously.

Although Qiao Mu was a centurion, he hadn’t cultivated internal strength and possessed just an ordinary human body. How could he protect Old Huang on the battlefield?

So, Old Huang had quickly forgotten about this incident.

But now they understood.

How to protect?

By using his body as a shield!

“This…” Old Huang was now at a loss.

He was already past forty, older in years, with prominent yellow teeth. Compared to the soldiers, he looked more like an aging farmer. His strength was unremarkable, just that of an ordinary soldier. Moreover, they had no prior connection, having met only recently.

Even the martial arts he practiced weren’t particularly serious, like the Iron Crotch Skill.

For someone like him, who only worked hard to earn money for his family, who would ever shield him? He wasn’t some beautiful maiden!

If it were another military officer, it would be fortunate enough if they didn’t use him as a human shield, let alone protect him.

Was that reasonable?

Old Huang couldn’t make sense of it no matter how he pondered.

“What’s wrong, monk? Feeling some regret?” Qiao Mu changed the subject.

“If you had shared your learned skills with me earlier, I could have protected you too.”

This Bald Monk Soldier had originally been a martial arts monk and should have had a Buddhist name, but he refused to discuss his background and name, so other soldiers simply called him “monk.”

The monk differed somewhat from other soldiers. Besides his martial arts skills, he was close to reaching his physical limits in training, so Qiao Mu paid special attention to him.

“Boss is joking,” the Bald Monk Soldier chuckled.

He felt somewhat ashamed at the moment.

He had previously thought Qiao Mu was taking advantage of Old Huang’s Iron Crotch Skill, so he never considered teaching his own skills and martial arts to Qiao Mu. But now his perspective had changed.

How could someone willing to protect his subordinates from arrows not want to benefit from his martial arts?

“I didn’t bring my martial arts manual with me, but if the boss wants it, he can ask when we return to Yan City,” the Bald Monk Soldier said earnestly.

“As for payment, we can discuss it when we receive our salary, there’s no rush.”

He hadn’t really intended to change his mind immediately; he just wanted Qiao Mu to help him block the bandits’ attacks next time.

If he truly had such intentions, he wouldn’t have stated it so openly.

The main reason was that Qiao Mu, an officer willing to shield his subordinates from arrows, made him feel inferior and he wanted to befriend him.

A soldier who disregards life and death naturally commands others’ respect.

Meanwhile, in the rear of the army, Military Officer Chu had also received Qiao Mu’s messenger.

“The forward unit encountered bandits, and centurion Qiao Mu was wounded in the first battle?” Military Officer Chu scoffed.

Injured so quickly? Wasn’t that rather weak?

If so, it seemed this Qiao Mu would be easier to handle than expected.

Perhaps he wouldn’t even need to plot against them. Qiao Mu might perish at the bandits’ hands.

“Understood,” Military Officer Chu nodded.

“Then relay the message to Qiao Mu to continue exploring. Since the bandits are fleeing, pursue them wherever they go.”

“If you discover their hideout’s location, you’ll be credited for it.”

Military Officer Chu led a substantial force of a thousand soldiers, following at a steady pace while maintaining distance.

From afar, they could hear sounds of combat and shouting from Qiao Mu’s position ahead, clearly encountering bandits again.

Officer Chu remained unhurried, slowly following behind.

Qiao Mu, as before, boldly charged into the bandit groups.

After several such encounters, Qiao Mu sustained additional wounds.

Unknown to them, the soldiers behind him were gradually inspired by his courage.

During the second encounter with the bandits, they fought close behind Qiao Mu.

During the third encounter, they began charging alongside him toward the enemy.

People’s hearts are made of flesh.

With a leader willing to shield them, always fighting at the front, others naturally won’t lag behind.

Even if they couldn’t shield their leader from a sword, they could still charge forward with him.

A brave warrior who fears no death, a warrior who shields his subordinates from arrows…

Qiao Mu had earned his soldiers’ respect through his actions.

After repelling the fourth wave of bandits…

Qiao Mu ascended a small hill and gazed at the small valley ahead.

The valley’s entrance was narrow, allowing only three or four people to pass abreast. The trees were lush, and the grass grew waist-high, making it perfect for an ambush.

“Old Huang, since you’re familiar with this area, does this valley have a name?” Qiao Mu asked.

“No.”

“Since it doesn’t, let’s call it ‘Fallen Wood Valley.'”

“Fallen wood? Does that mean fallen leaves? It’s not even autumn yet, where would fallen leaves come from?”

“It doesn’t mean much, just for good fortune.”

Qiao Mu held a long spear’s tip and carved “Fallen Wood Valley” on a nearby tree trunk, standing on the hillside overlooking the valley ahead.

Where would be a suitable place to die later?

He was seeking a pleasing feng shui location to eventually inter his body. Perhaps there would be some mystical benefits?

When he reached the valley’s entrance, he paused for a brief rest.

Just now, he had encountered several waves of bandits and had to fight and withdraw, retreating in this direction.

Qiao Mu considered whether the bandits’ hideout lay in the valley ahead, or if an ambush awaited, attempting to lure them deeper.

So proceeding forward might lead to his demise.

At that very moment.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind.

“Qiao Mu, why have you stopped? Didn’t I order you to continue exploring ahead?” Military Officer Chu approached with a stern expression.

He had been following at a distance all along, and upon seeing Qiao Mu halt at the valley’s entrance, he brought his forces over.

“There might be an ambush ahead…” Qiao Mu was cut off by Military Officer Chu’s irritated wave.

“As a centurion, is it your place to consider whether ambushes exist? If there are any, we will naturally provide support.”

“They’re merely thieves. These bandits cannot possibly match our Yan City Army. Don’t make excuses for cowardice.”

Qiao Mu regarded Military Officer Chu, who wore a stern expression while coldly staring at him.

“Or are you telling me you’re defying orders?” Military Officer Chu said coldly.

His hand already rested on his sword hilt.

He had heard that Qiao Mu was very strong-willed, having once dared to seize the city lord’s son in Yan City and threaten the lord himself.

So he had prepared for the possibility of resistance to his orders.

Should Qiao Mu show any sign of rebellion, he could immediately execute him under the pretext of disobedience.

An 8th rank martial artist could easily dispatch an inexperienced one!

Especially since he commanded a thousand soldiers and nine 9th ranked martial artists.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Mu’s reaction defied his expectations.

“Understood.” Qiao Mu obediently bowed and left, though there was something peculiar in his backward glance.

Strangely enough, he seemed to have found some sort of…satisfaction?

One could hardly comprehend Qiao Mu’s mindset.

Born immortal, he had always yearned for a worthy death.

If he were to die for defying orders, slain by an 8th rank military officer, Qiao Mu would consider it somewhat beneath him.

He finds no appeal in that.

But if Military Officer Chu orders him to face the mountain bandits and perish?

Qiao Mu could barely contain his immediate gratitude to Military Officer Chu.

Military Officer Chu, from this day forward, you are my dear brother!

Once I collect my payment and have funds, I shall return to end you!

…………….

“Boss, you’re already wounded. Shouldn’t you discuss with Military Officer Chu about having another centurion lead?” Old Huang prattled on beside him.

“Cease your talking, we cannot disobey Military Officer Chu’s commands.”

“But even still…”

Qiao Mu raised his hand to silence the soldiers behind him, and the voices immediately fell quiet.

This simple gesture revealed that after several battles, he had earned considerable respect within this hundred-man unit.

“Listen carefully.” Qiao Mu said:

“Be vigilant later. If we enter the valley and encounter an ambush, or if the bandits prove too strong, withdraw immediately. Military Officer Chu likely won’t abandon us.”

Qiao Mu merely suspected Military Officer Chu was targeting him, but lacking evidence, he couldn’t be entirely certain.

Besides, he still commanded a hundred soldiers. Surely the other side wouldn’t sacrifice these hundred men just to eliminate him alone?

So he issued this order.

Qiao Mu advanced forward, gripping a long spear in one hand. His garments were gradually soaked with blood, his back stained crimson from the bleeding.

After several battles, his body bore three arrow wounds and three or four sword cuts.

Though the martial artist who pushed his physical limits had reached peak human condition, he remained flesh and blood.

Qiao Mu could still fight, but his strength was waning.

Yet his wounded figure, viewed by the soldiers behind him, appeared remarkably dependable.

Especially to Old Huang, whom Qiao Mu had protected numerous times.

“The boss seems barely twenty, yet he’s truly reliable…” Just as he spoke these words, sudden shouts and screams erupted from all directions in the valley.

“Kill!”

From the grass, the forest, the slopes… bandits with turbaned heads emerged everywhere, flooding the mountains and fields.

A rough estimate put their numbers at hundreds, perhaps thousands.

“So many bandits hidden in Mount Dong?” Old Huang’s eyes widened as he trembled with fear.

From the start, these soldiers had assumed the bandits were just a scattered group, numbering perhaps two hundred at most. The official soldiers naturally held the advantage, but who could have anticipated…

“Why are you staring? Run!” Qiao Mu’s commanding voice rang out from ahead.

Old Huang and the others immediately turned to flee. As they ran, Old Huang instinctively looked back.

And they witnessed a scene they would remember for years to come.

The bandits covered the mountains like a dense mass, surging toward them like a tidal wave.

Qiao Mu stood alone, long spear in hand, before his soldiers like a solitary reef facing the oncoming tide.

“Is the leader staying to cover our retreat?”

“He’s our commander, yet he’s actually remaining behind to protect us?”

Old Huang and the others felt their minds go blank, not fully grasping the situation, their feet moving automatically.

Hundreds and thousands of bandits – this differed from their previous encounters.

Against such numbers, even a martial artist trained in internal strength would stand no chance. Their internal power would quickly deplete.

Even within this army of thousands, the sole 8th rank martial artist, Military Officer Chu, couldn’t possibly face them alone.

So… was Qiao Mu truly risking his life to protect them?

While their minds still reeled in confusion, they had reached the valley’s mouth.

However, at the entrance stood a group of soldiers. Though meant to be their reinforcements and allies, they now subtly blocked the retreat path.

“No unauthorized withdrawal! Those who disobey face execution!” Military Officer Chu’s eyes blazed as he shouted.

“This….”

“Does Military Officer Chu intend to engage the bandits here? We’ll be trapped in between!” The soldiers’ expressions immediately changed.

Military Officer Chu’s shout echoed through the valley, and Qiao Mu, at the front, felt his heart stir as he turned around.

His gaze traveled hundreds of meters to meet Military Officer Chu’s.

Military Officer Chu’s face remained expressionless, his gaze cold and distant as ever, as if Qiao Mu were invisible, or perhaps already dead, devoid of any emotion.

Seeing Military Officer Chu’s expression, Qiao Mu suddenly understood.

Military Officer Chu had indeed prepared for his death.

To ensure his demise beyond doubt, Military Officer Chu had completely sealed his escape route, while also trapping his hundred soldiers.

The thousand soldiers behind weren’t merely observing but slowly entering the battlefield, preparing for a decisive confrontation with the bandits in the valley. However, the narrow entrance prevented the thousand troops from entering quickly, effectively blocking Qiao Mu and his men’s retreat. It was clear that if battle erupted, these hundred soldiers caught between would have little hope of survival.

“If I don’t die, must a hundred of my men perish with me?” Qiao Mu immediately grasped Military Officer Chu’s intent.

At this moment, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Boss, what do we do now?” Old Huang’s voice quavered with fear.

This old man had always been shrewd. Though quick to flee, he had somehow ended up behind Qiao Mu again.

It seemed he suddenly recalled Qiao Mu’s promise.

“Don’t follow me this time, you needn’t charge with me,” Qiao Mu gripped his spear and stepped forward.

“Boss, what are you saying?” Old Huang and the others had fought alongside Qiao Mu before, and could vaguely guess his intentions.

Though frightened, gradually some began moving their feet, following Qiao Mu from a distance.

Initially two or three, then more joined. About ten soldiers started forward, including the still-trembling Old Huang.

“Don’t follow,” Qiao Mu turned to face the shaking Old Huang and others, suddenly smiling.

“Old Huang, do you want your wife widowed? Your children to face future hardships?”

“Huh?… I don’t want that.” Old Huang was momentarily confused by this strange question.

“You don’t want that? Then why act so noble?”

Qiao Mu drew a deep breath, swiftly moving forward and leaving the soldiers behind. From their perspective, he appeared to be the one fleeing desperately for his life.

Since Qiao Mu was born immortal, he had resolved to live this life freely and joyfully.

“What you cannot do, I shall do.”

“What you fear to say, I shall speak.”

“If you cannot die… then let me be the one to face death!”

A remarkable sight unfolded before the eyes of the soldiers behind and the thousand troops at the valley’s mouth.

A young soldier, clothed in blood-stained garments and wrapped in bandages, boldly charged toward the countless bandits, spear in hand.

If the previous Qiao Mu had been like a solitary reef standing before the tidal wave.

Now, however…

That solitary reef faced the surging tide and launched a courageous charge!

“Attack!”

The bandits’ thunderous cries echoed through the valley; the soldiers could barely distinguish individual sounds, but this scene burned itself into many soldiers’ memories.

The moment the two forces collided.

That solitary reef vanished beneath the roaring crowd in an instant.