166: All dead (asking for monthly ticket)

Chapter 166: Each with Their Own Schemes

“Reporting to This General,”

“Yesterday, 481 people responded to the summons, 321 completed Body Tempering, and 160 underwent Qi Refining.”

“Today, as of now, 342 people have responded, with Body Tempering….”

“This is the roster. Background checks have cleared over 300 people, with the rest still under investigation.”

Inside the Ninth Mountain’s Zhonglang Hall, armored figures stood in two rows. The ten Fushi Masters, with their hands on their waist-worn long sabers, stood ramrod straight, their gazes fixed forward.

The three leading Lang Jiangs were positioned in front of the ten Fushi, kneeling on one knee. Liu Qing, from the middle, pulled out a folded document from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

On the main seat in front, Chen Yuan listened to the report, frowning. With a single hand gesture, he pulled the document into his hand, flipped through it for a few breaths, then closed it and tossed it aside.

“Why are the numbers so low?”

“This General, please punish me. This subordinate’s work was ineffective.” Liu Qing’s expression tightened, and he quickly bowed his head to plead guilty.

The other two Lang Jiangs, Cloud Skyborn and Lu Ming, also spoke up to plead guilty.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy.

This was the first time the ten Fushi Masters had been summoned by the new Junior General This General. Feeling that he was in a bad mood, they dared not speak, only trying their best to keep their backs straight and not look around.

“Jinguancheng has millions of people, and now there’s a continuous influx of outsiders. These numbers are truly beyond This General’s expectations. When you three were conscripting, did you find any clues?” Chen Yuan was, to be honest, a bit frustrated.

He had prepared a large amount of resources and made many preparations to expand his forces, but as of now, after nearly two days, he heard that fewer than a thousand troops had been recruited. He felt as if he had been struck a heavy blow, and it was truly hard to bear.

A feeling of having power but nowhere to use it!

Below, the three leading Lang Jiangs looked up, exchanged glances, and then Liu Qing opened his mouth and said in a deep voice:

“This General, discussions about Youmen Pass falling and the Yao Race’s fierce advance are rampant in the city. The common people say that joining the army now is no different from seeking death.”

As Liu Qing said this, he glanced at Chen Yuan’s expression, then lowered his head.

“It is also due to the ineffective work of us subordinates!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan waved his hand, then raised it to pinch his brow, closing his eyes slightly.

“It seems This General expected too much!”

Perhaps the experience of conscripting troops in Baidi City had subconsciously given him a misconception. Now, recalling it, even when the people of an entire city faced the Demon Cult’s army at their gates, only a small handful of people went against the tide.

Human nature is such: seeking benefits and avoiding harm. The fire hadn’t burned them directly yet, so they still held onto a glimmer of hope.

However, there was still some disappointment!

“That’s enough!”

“Pass on my order: quickly settle the enlisted soldiers properly!”

“At this critical juncture, these people are still willing to join our Ninth Mountain. There must be no mishaps in their arrangements, or it will chill their hearts. Moreover, most of them may not have fought against demons before, so you must arrange for veterans to lead these new recruits, to avoid unnecessary losses of manpower.”

As he spoke, his gaze turned cold.

“Yes!” The three leading Lang Jiangs’ expressions became stern, and they responded in unison.

Then, Chen Yuan looked up at the ten Fushi Masters behind him, his gaze authoritative.

“And you ten Fushi, are the soldiers’ military equipment, horses, logistics, and ceremonial procession for the expedition prepared properly?”

The ten Fushi Masters, hearing the new Junior General This General’s question, looked solemn, and one by one, they stepped forward and bowed.

“Replying to This General, the Forging Department has prepared standard armor and sabers totaling…”

“Replying to This General, the Horse Training Department currently has 3,571 Meteor Horses…”

“…The Banner Department has prepared the This General’s Seal Bestowal Ceremony for tomorrow, featuring…”

“…”

Chen Yuan nodded as he listened to each report.

These ten Fushi Masters were proficient in their duties, which saved him some worry.

Then, he leaned forward slightly, and with a wave of his sleeve, it expanded against the wind, and streaks of light flew out from within.

“Bang”

“Bang”

“Bang”

A series of dull thuds drew the attention of the This Generals.

Thirty large black boxes landed in the center of the main hall, each covered with Talismanic Incantation Restrictions.

“Inside are various basic Medicinal Pills and Five Elements Talismans. The Medicinal Pills are for healing and replenishing Qi, and the Five Elements Talismanic Incantations assist in attacks. The expedition is imminent, so pass on the order to distribute them to the soldiers!”

These items were originally prepared by Chen Yuan to deal with the current situation and distribute to his soldiers. In this world, it’s difficult to stand alone; he deeply understood this, so he would not be stingy with his troops.

According to his understanding, ordinary soldiers of the Fa Shan Army usually only received salaries. Only those with meritorious service would receive rewards like Medicinal Pills and Cultivation Techniques. To climb higher, such as becoming a Small Banner or This General Banner, one would receive a personal identity token, through which they could accumulate points by military achievements and killing Yao, and directly exchange them for various martial Dao resources at the Fushi.

Normally, Medicinal Pills and Talismans were not something ordinary soldiers could afford to consume!

And these dozens of boxes of Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and other martial Dao resources, for Chen Yuan, who had raided many homes and was quite wealthy, were just a drop in the ocean.

After all, his original plan was to recruit soldiers and horses in one go, forming a complete Ninth Mountain establishment.

Upon seeing this, the This Generals first took a deep breath, then their faces showed great joy.

So many martial Dao resources would allow the soldiers to recover significantly on the battlefield.

At once, they bowed in unison and shouted:

“Yes!”

Then, flattering voices began to sound.

Some of the ten Fushi Masters were smooth-tongued, saying pleasant things to Chen Yuan, their new Junior General This General.

“This General truly cherishes his soldiers like his own children. This subordinate admires him.”

“Indeed…”

The atmosphere in the hall became a bit more lively.

Just then, Chen Yuan’s ear twitched, and he raised his hand, instantly silencing the hall.

Then, Chen Yuan’s gaze turned towards the upper right, and in his eyes, a shimmering golden light, like the reflection of a lake under the setting sun, quickly emerged.

Outside the hall, from the direction of the main peak, a sharp eagle cry was heard.

A silver streak of light shot towards the main peak. On it was a figure in broken armor, covered in blood and looking disheveled. An urgent shout echoed, like waves crashing, reverberating through the Yunding Mountain.

“Urgent report from the front line!”

“Urgent military intelligence!”

Chen Yuan sat up, his gaze burning. The other This Generals in the hall changed their expressions, looking at each other, their faces a bit uneasy.

It seemed there was a change on the front line, likely bad news.

Sure enough, in a moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside the Ninth Mountain’s Zhonglang Hall.

An armored soldier, with his hand on his saber, quickly walked to the hall entrance and shouted loudly:

“Report!”

“This subordinate greets Ninth Zhonglang.”

“An urgent report has arrived from the front line. Commander Pei has ordered Ninth Zhonglang to immediately go to the main hall for a discussion!”

Chen Yuan stood up abruptly, looked at the This Generals in the hall, his expression shifting. “We may not have time. Quickly prepare the troops. Recall all those on leave or on external duty.”

“Yes!”

Immediately, a group of This Generals quickly exited the hall, rushing down the mountain, each performing their duties to gather the troops.

As for Chen Yuan, he stomped his foot, transforming into a golden light, and flew out of the Ninth Mountain’s Zhonglang Hall towards the main peak. On the way, he happened to encounter Third Mountain General Chang Shan.

“Deputy General Chen, did you hear the commotion? Looking at this situation, something must have happened on the southern front line,” Colonel Chang Shan flew over, his rough eyebrows showing a hint of worry, and he whispered.

“Hmm, it was originally said to be three days, but plans often can’t keep up with changes. Perhaps we’ll have to set off very soon,” Chen Yuan nodded, noncommittal, and sighed.

“Nine times out of ten. I see, Deputy General Chen, your recruitment efforts these past two days seem to be a bit unsuccessful?”

“The people of Jinguancheng all say that following me is going to their deaths, so what can Chen do?” Chen Yuan said self-deprecatingly.

“Alas, that’s how the world is. However, with Deputy General Chen’s ability, as long as you don’t encounter those old monsters, you should be safe.” Colonel Chang Shan furrowed his brow, not in the mood to say much, as his own situation was no better than Chen Yuan’s, perhaps even worse.

“Let’s hope so.”

The two exchanged desultory remarks, each lost in their own thoughts, and soon arrived at the plaza in front of the main hall.

An armored soldier saw them, quickly came forward, his face showing a flustered expression, and hastily said:

“This Generals, quickly! Commander Pei was just overcome with anxiety…”

Colonel Chang Shan’s expression changed, and he quickly rushed inside.

Chen Yuan frowned, and with a sway of his body, followed closely behind.

Upon reaching the inner hall, they saw it in a state of chaos.

Several people were supporting Pei Yanhu, who had wide eyes, a flushed face, and twitching facial muscles, shouting:

“Commander!”

“Commander!”

“…”

In the center of the main hall, a Lang Jiang, whose armor was half-broken and stained with blood, knelt with his head down, trembling.

“Old Sheng, what happened?” Colonel Chang Shan’s expression tightened at the sight, and he quickly asked the Seventh Junior General, who was supporting Pei Yanhu.

“The Eleventh Junior General and Tenth Junior General, defending the southeast, were surrounded by the Yao Race and all died in battle!” The Seventh Junior General said in a low, urgent voice, his face grim.

“What?!” Colonel Chang Shan was greatly alarmed.

Chen Yuan’s eyebrows twitched upon hearing this news, but seeing Pei Yanhu’s severely distressed state, he felt something was off.

At this moment, Colonel Chang Shan’s voice came to his mind, “The Eleventh Junior General is Commander Pei’s eldest son.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan’s pupils widened slightly, and he looked at Commander Pei, sighing.

The hall was in a flurry for about half a cup of tea’s time.

Commander Pei, clutching a report tightly in his hand, which was trembling, and still panting heavily, slowly calmed down.

“Let go!”

He waved his hand. His formerly fierce and imposing Aura seemed to have lost its vigor.

“Commander?”

The others looked on worriedly.

However, Commander Pei tilted his head back and closed his eyes. After a few breaths, he opened his eyes, and his gaze became as before, only with a hint of inscrutability added.

He suddenly turned his head and fixed his gaze on Chen Yuan.

“Chen Yuan, the Seal Bestowal Ceremony will be brought forward. It will be held tonight at the third quarter of the Hour of Zi (around 11:45 PM). After it’s completed, immediately dispatch the troops!”

After speaking, the Deputy Commander looked towards the north, his voice carrying a chilling tone.

“Let those old fellows who are hiding and unwilling to show up keep hiding, heh heh.”

Pei Yanhu was referring to the high-ranking members of those aristocratic families and Sects. The Fushi had issued a summons for a meeting, but only three or four out of ten came. Many did not come, and among those who did, most were just Disciples sent to observe the ceremony. The truly powerful Sect leaders did not show their faces.

Some simply didn’t come, while others came but were just observing!

“Go and inform them!”

There will be another chapter later.