8: Thunderhorn Bull

Just as dawn broke, Shen Xiaochuan stood on the earthen platform in the center of the camp.

The platform was already surrounded by people—both natives and newly arrived refugees. Little Stone squatted right in front, holding his bowl and looking up at him.

“As I said yesterday, everyone will eat their fill today.”

Shen Xiaochuan's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

“Open the granary now, and cook four thousand catties of grain.”

As his voice fell, more than a dozen cooking staff immediately sprang into action. Large pots were set up, rice was poured in, and chunks of wind wolf meat were tossed into the pots as well. Flames ignited and burned brighter, and a rich aroma quickly spread through the air.

Chen Yan walked over and asked in a low voice, “Lord God, are you really going to cook all four thousand catties of grain? The remaining food will only last three days at most.”

“Lasting three days is useless.”

Shen Xiaochuan stared at the boiling pots. “I want everyone to remember this day—if you follow me, you will eat.”

When the first batch of porridge was distributed, the scene was somewhat chaotic. Some people shoved, others shouted. A young woman squatted on the ground, crying while clutching her bowl, her child desperately drinking from it in her arms.

Little Stone ran back, still chewing meat. “My Lord! There really is meat!”

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. “Go back and tell your mother, there will be more tomorrow.”

The crowd gradually quieted down. Everyone held food in their hands. The elders sat under the thatched sheds, eating slowly, and the children licked the bottoms of their bowls. No one spoke, but their eyes were clearly different now.

A System notification appeared:

[Believers' Sense of Belonging has greatly increased]

[incense value +10]

Shen Xiaochuan did not look at the panel. He turned to Chen Yan and said, “Tell the recording team to write down all the names properly. Who ate how many bowls, who helped out—register everything clearly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Early the next morning, everyone was reorganized into teams.

Over seven thousand people were divided into three groups: two thousand went to cut trees, two thousand went to quarry stone, and three thousand set out with Shen Xiaochuan to Scout the route.

“The target is the hills to the east.”

Shen Xiaochuan pointed at the map. “Find flat ground, find water, find places suitable for planting grain. Also, check if there are any usable resources.”

Chen Yan checked the list: “The logging team is equipped with three hundred axes, and the quarrying team has hammers and crowbars. Our team will carry enough rations and weapons and travel light.”

“One more thing before we depart.”

Shen Xiaochuan looked at the warriors. “It's not safe outside. If you see anything unusual, do not act rashly. Listen to orders. Staying alive is more important than killing the enemy.”

The teams lined up and advanced eastward.

After traveling for two hours, the ground began to undulate. Loess slopes connected to low hills, and a patch of grayish-green forest was vaguely visible in the distance.

“Halt.”

Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand to signal.

“Send Light Cavalry two li ahead to Scout. Archers, occupy the high ground on the left.”

One hundred Archers quickly ascended the slope and occupied the vantage point. Scouting Spirits flew out, patrolling back and forth ahead.

“Report!”

A Scout quickly ran back. “Signs of large creatures discovered in the valley ahead. Deep hoof prints on the ground.”

“What is the number?”

“Can't see clearly, but at least several dozen.”

Shen Xiaochuan squinted toward the valley. The wind at the mouth of the valley was strong, making the banners flap loudly.

“Form ranks.”

He ordered, “Defensive Circle Formation. Spears outward, Shieldbearers forward.”

The warriors moved swiftly, linking their shields into a circle, with spears protruding from the gaps. The Archers stood ready with nocked arrows behind them.

Just as the defenses were completed, the ground suddenly shook.

A low roar came from the depths of the valley.

Immediately afterward, a giant beast charged out.

It resembled an ox, but was three times the size. Muscles bulged beneath its dark gray hide, and ridges of bone protruded along its back. Most terrifying was the spiral horn on its forehead, faintly glowing blue.

“A Thunder-Horned Savage Bull?”

Chen Yan's expression changed abruptly. “An Excellent-Grade Exotic Beast! Thick skin, fast speed, and it can release electricity!”

The Savage Bull stopped fifty paces away, white mist spraying from its nostrils, its eyes locked onto the crowd.

“It's separated from the group.”

Shen Xiaochuan gripped his Battle Saber. “We have a chance.”

“Lord God, don't be rash!”

Chen Yan grabbed him. “If this thing calls its herd, we won't be able to stop them!”

“I know.”

Shen Xiaochuan shook off his hand. “But what if it charges over? We can only fight.”

He walked ten paces forward, standing alone before the formation.

The Savage Bull finally moved. It lowered its head, aimed its horn at him, and suddenly accelerated into a charge.

Shen Xiaochuan remained motionless.

When the Savage Bull charged within twenty paces, he sharply dodged sideways and simultaneously swung his saber. The blade sliced into the side of the bull's neck, and blood gushed out.

The Savage Bull stumbled a few steps, crashed down onto its knees, convulsed twice, and then lay still.

The entire field was silent for several seconds.

Immediately, someone shouted, “It's dead!”

Shen Xiaochuan, breathing heavily, returned to the formation and said loudly, “First, drag this bull to the back. We'll deal with it later...” Before he finished speaking, the ground violently shook again.

It wasn't just one.

Fifty-three Thunder-Horned Savage Bulls surged out of the valley, charging straight toward them, their hooves sounding like thunder, shaking the earth.

Chen Yan's face paled, and he roared sharply, “Damn it! The scent of blood drew them here! Prepare for battle!”

“Shield Formation, hold your ground!”

Shen Xiaochuan drew his Battle Saber and commanded loudly, “Archers, aim for the head! Don't waste arrows!”

The first wave of impact arrived in an instant.

The Savage Bulls slammed into the shields, and the formation shuddered. Two men were knocked flying, lying motionless after they landed.

“Hold them!”

Shen Xiaochuan roared, “Spears into their legs! Don't let them get close!”

One Savage Bull breached the defense line and rushed into the crowd. Its horns gored two warriors, tossing them seven or eight meters away. Both men fell heavily to the ground, silent.

“Save them!”

Chen Yan led five men forward, using spears to force the Savage Bull back. One man dragged back the injured, while the other four attacked in rotation.

The Archers began firing. An arrow struck the bull's eye, and the bull bellowed and thrashed wildly, knocking over three more people.

“Switch to Incendiary Bombs!”

Shen Xiaochuan shouted, “Throw them to the front!”

More than a dozen Oil-Soaked Cloth Bundles were lit and thrown, bursting into flames upon landing, forming a line of fire.

Several bulls were burned, retreating with pained cries. But more Savage Bulls trampled through the flames and forced their way across.

“The formation is broken!”

Chen Yan yelled hoarsely, “The left flank has been torn open!”

“Fill the gap!”

Shen Xiaochuan raised his saber and charged toward the breach.

A Savage Bull lowered its head to gore a warrior. Shen Xiaochuan leaped up and slashed his saber toward the corner of the bull's eye.

The blade got stuck. He gritted his teeth, pulled it out, and slashed again with a backhand strike. This blow worked, and the Savage Bull crashed to the ground.

He himself was struck, and his ribs screamed in pain.

“Lord God!”

Chen Yan ran over to help him up.

“Don't mind me!”

Shen Xiaochuan pushed him away. “Go to the right! Only three men are left there!”

Chen Yan spun around and sprinted away.

The battlefield grew increasingly chaotic.

Six shields were shattered, and over thirty spears were broken. Nine people were confirmed dead, and twelve were heavily injured and lost combat capability.

A Savage Bull charged into the center and knocked down the command flagpole. The banner fell into the mud.

Shen Xiaochuan bent down, picked up the flagpole, and firmly planted it back in its original position.

“The banner is still here!”

He roared loudly, “Everyone is here! If you're not dead, stand up!”

A warrior with a broken arm grabbed his saber with his remaining hand and crawled toward the hind leg of the nearest Savage Bull.

Two more men joined in, vigorously hacking at the bull's Achilles tendons with Short Sabers.

That Savage Bull finally collapsed to its knees.

A new crisis immediately followed.

The remaining forty-plus Savage Bulls began running in circles, their speed increasing rapidly, and electric light emerging on their bodies. The ground felt slightly numb.

Chen Yan ran over, shouting loudly, “Lord God, they are about to charge collectively!”

“Everyone, immediately lie flat!”

Shen Xiaochuan roared, “Stay close to the ground, hands covering your head!”

The command was quickly relayed, and the warriors immediately dropped to the ground.

The next second, the herd launched its charge.

Boom—

The air current flipped over three broken shields. Dirt splashed, and gravel pelted their bodies with sharp cracks.

As the dust slowly settled, Shen Xiaochuan raised his head.

The sight before him was a mess.

Bodies lay scattered everywhere—warriors and Savage Bulls alike. The ground was stained with blood, mixing with the yellow earth to form brown sludge.

The survivors slowly got up, some helping their comrades, others picking up weapons.

Chen Yan walked over, clutching his arm, his clothes torn, and blood seeping through his fingers.

“Nine dead.”

His voice was hoarse. “Twenty-three heavily injured. Fewer than two thousand are still mobile.”

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. He walked up to a dead Savage Bull and reached out to touch its hide. It was hard as iron.

“This battle was not fought in vain.”

He said, “We held out.”

“Lord God...”

Chen Yan looked at him. “What do we do next?”

“Tally the casualties.”

Shen Xiaochuan straightened up. “Treat the wounded. Prepare to rest and reorganize right here.”

He bent down, picked up a broken spear, and thrust it firmly into the soil.

The wind blew across the battlefield; a corner of the tattered banner hung on the broken pole, swaying gently.