Chapter 156

Chapter 156: The Situation at the Border

The situation at the eastern border underwent several changes over the past ten years.

When Yang Guanfeng and Han Wang first arrived, they faced bandits attempting to invade the Zhuhu Dynasty – mostly failed rebels from the Eastern Wilderness who lost their uprisings.

By the fourth year, new regimes emerging from Eastern Wilderness’ collapse began stabilizing.

The former Great Prince of the East Wilderness Dynasty claimed the entire eastern territory, while the Third Prince and Seventh Prince divided western lands along a great river, occupying north and south respectively.

The Zhuhu Dynasty shared borders with the Seventh Prince’s entire western frontier and part of the Third Prince’s territory.

With this three-way balance established, rogue soldiers dwindled and border tensions eased.

This allowed Zhuhu’s top officials to consolidate domestic powers, enabling the Yang Family’s rapid growth during this period.

Three years of relative peace followed, with frontline troops experiencing only three minor clashes monthly and fewer than five major battles annually.

But everything changed in the seventh year when sect powers intervened, throwing the border into turmoil.

Backed by sects, the Seventh and Third Princes renewed their ambitions toward Zhuhu’s territories.

The dynasty responded by deploying more cultivators, including Huang Yan’s group from the Huang Family.

Three more years of fighting brought them to the present day.

Notably, 70% of tactics used by ordinary soldiers against cultivators emerged during these recent sect-influenced years.

Sects not only supplied resources but secretly sent skilled disciples to battlefronts – key reasons for Tiger-Chasing’s rising cultivator casualties.

The current frontline proved more dangerous and unpredictable than ever, demanding constant vigilance even from cultivators.

After leaving Yang Guanfeng’s tent, Han Wang retreated to rest silently.

"Ah, who knows how long we’ll be stuck here?" complained a new cultivator, craning his neck. "The squad leader didn’t even ask our names before assigning duties!"

"Easy, friend," his companion patted him. "Five days here without trouble! I hear the war’s winding down – we might go home in six months."

Both men shared Yingxuan’s fifth level of Gathering Qi cultivation. Hailing from heartland Gathering Qi families, they’d reached Wang Hai City fifteen days prior.

"Miss, we’re from Molin," one addressed Yingxuan. "Your origins?"

"Qiulu."

"Ah! Fine place! We’ll need a guide when we visit after this war." The talkative man grinned.

Yingxuan nodded after brief consideration. She considered warning them about the ongoing eastern conflict’s severity, but their carefree laughter suggested warnings would fall on deaf ears. She stayed quiet.

That night, the first half remained quiet.

But during the tiger hour’s third quarter, resting soldiers suddenly awoke to urgent war drums pounding.

"The Eastern Wilderness rebels attack!"

After the shout, two new Martial Cultivators rushed from their tent to find Yang Guanfeng, Han Wang, and Yingxuan already armored and ready.

"Stop gawking! Move!"

Yang Guanfeng snapped. The recruits scrambled back to don their armor.

Han Wang watched them fumble, muttering, "Walking corpses."

"You’ll lead those two later," Yang Guanfeng ordered.

"Understood… Master."

Yang Guanfeng turned to Yingxuan: "With me. You’re main assault today."

"Yes, squad leader!"

Yingxuan followed him toward the clashing armies.

Han Wang waited until the newcomers dawdled out, then fixed their sloppily fastened armor.

"Friend, why fuss? We’re mid-stage Gathering Qi cultivators," one protested.

"Yeah, we’ve had our share of fights."

Han Wang finished adjusting their gear before speaking: "Listen well. Today’s plan – Yang Guanfeng and Yingxuan lead the attack. We three act as decoys. Move when I say, stop when I say. No heroics. Clear?"

"Uh… clear."

"Move out."

Han Wang took a different path. The recruits stifled laughs watching his limping grasshopper-hop gait.

They exchanged smirks, showing no tension. Though warned earlier, these mid-stage Gathering Qi cultivators couldn’t take ordinary soldiers seriously.

Half an hour later, they reached a bushy hilltop. Han Wang signaled to hide their auras.

Through the foliage, they saw battle already raging below.

Han Wang channeled faint spiritual power to his eyes, scanning the terrain. Experience revealed Yang Guanfeng and Yingxuan’s positions.

"Good ground. Now to bait out their serpent crossbows."

He turned to explain – and froze. One recruit had removed his armor.

"Idiot! What’s this?!" Han Wang growled.

"Chill, Friend! This tin can slows me down."

"Put. It. Back."

The cultivator opened his mouth to argue, but Han Wang’s glare froze the words.

"Fine, fine…"

Han Wang seethed inwardly. Newcomers never listened until death taught them.

Suddenly, a third-level Gathering Qi cultivator burst from enemy lines.

The Tiger-Chasing forces had been winning until this red-faced newcomer charged in, turning the tide instantly. Han Wang recognized the look – another fool tricked into being cannon fodder.