We stood on the high ground man-made as we watched a dark cloud crest the horizons. Like a bunch of flies gathering together to annoy the hell out of you. The demon army looks fierce and their numbers look mighty.
Looking at my own comrades, I felt a bit of pride for the Humans. Even though we were spread out according to legion then by company. Our long defense line could just about beat the enemies.
Even at our backs, preparations for failure or alternating plans were being held. A second army camped behind us, ready to charge forth.
Tsk, I looked back to the front and pulled out my long bow from my storage ring. I ran my fingers down the metallic surface, listening to the metal scrap metal.
I turned to my men who had all kinds of looks. Some gripping the hilt of their weapons with a nervous fear. Others bouncing on their feet with an excited, killing look plastered on their faces. I believed this is a day they would talk about for a while.
Or day they will be buried in the sweet, sweet earth.
I pulled out an arrow and notched my bow, taking up proper stances. I angled the bow a bit and let it loose. The arrow sailed high, arcing over the great fields, dropping down almost eight hundreds meters away.
That is just a casual pull.
Smiling, I move to the middle of my formation.
“On my word, activate the formation.”
The sun tick by and they approach the arrow.
The breeze swept through the lands and one of the demons in the forefront grasped the arrow.
I chuckled and pulled out a quiver, attaching it to my hip.
They passed hundred and fifty meters in front of where the arrow was.
“Activate.”
The air around my company stilled as the ground around us turned to ashes and the dirt blanken. I pulled out an arrow as I transitioned into a titan of a man. My four squads turned into dragons that flew around me.
Laughing, I pulled out a flaming arrow and fired at the incoming demons. I couldn’t see the looks upon their face but I could feel the blast that could rival a missile. I sprayed the weakest side first, devastating the west side so those weak brothers wouldn’t fall first and disrupt the rest of the men. Then I angle for the back line, watching as hundreds of demons melted or fly into the air as if they were debris being tossed around by strong winds.
Even though I fired off a quiver of sixty arrows, it didn’t change the picture much. I thus deactivated the formation and allowed my men to restore much of their qi before the real battle took place.
“I think that will earn us a lot of rewards if the Crown Prince is true to his word.” Qin Shun spoke up from the rear.
I chuckled and put my bow away. I think I made the demon leader pissed as they rushed forward. Flying across the ground and covering the short distances.
I yanked out my saber, keeping the sheath in hand as I met the axe wielding front line-up. He must have been cocky fucker because he slammed his axe down as if he would cut me in half but he was merely golden core.
My saber blade slapped his axe back up and then pierce his soft chin. I kicked him back into his people, slowing them down enough for me to assist the two people beside me with quick jabs of my sheath aimed at the vital points.
It was enough to temporary stun them. After all, a second in a chaotic battle could mean life or death. For them, it just meant they would end up dead. I danced with the little space provided. Always kicking my foes backwards to give me room to assist those beside me. I noticed right away, the squad leaders started copying my move.
With the tactical formation passive running through us, it boosted their powers two stages above their normal ability. Their blades would give off traces of fire as I am the head and eye of the formation.
**
I took a moment to wipe the sweat off my face and glance at the sky. Shit felt like we had been fighting for nine hours but it looked to only be two. I looked at Squads leaders who were panting and stuffing their mouth with recovery pills I refined on the ship.
Great thing I had foresight.
“Activate formation!”
I hadn’t fully recovered but this would be enough to give our comrades a tide turner. My company turned into dragons and attacked straight away. Terrifying flames poured out the four dragons mouths. Sweeping away the enemies in front of us. Those that were strong enough to withstand such high temperatures caught claws to the face.
I knew we had shock them because we managed to catch the entire line facing the Eagle Legion by surprise but the other sides blew horns and started retreating. Before I could do some real damage a Void realm rushed forward.
“Fall back on me!” I yelled while stepping forward, swinging my blade in a perfect three-point jab.
The void realm demon deflected all with his palm and we exchanged a number of rounds before my own back-up showed up. The Void realm demon flew off quickly and I dropped the formation.
Cough, I am so glad I wasn’t the first to drop onto my ass while breathing like I just got into a fight with a world class boxer.
Human Void Realm looked at me before falling back. A horn for retreat was called and we moved towards the gate. The next army would hold the field while we attended to our injuries. Well, my company didn’t have to bother about that. Having an alchemist among us sure felt great.
“Do you see the looks on their faces? Bastards were shell shocked!” Qin Shun spoked excitedly.
Hou Yu shook his head, “They might have been shocked but what you see now is pity, not respect.”
Qin Shun snorted, “What do you mean old man? All I see is jealousy on their faces. Sweet Sweet Jealousy.”
Hou Yu patted Qin Shun's shoulder while shaking his head.
“Exactly, when someone is jealous. Their first instinct is to possess what you have. However, nobody stronger than us made a move. Why?”
Hou Yu pondered for a second then looked at me like I was the answer. Cheng Da laughed and nodded his head towards the black stallion headed towards us from the front of the formation.
“Because the Crown Prince already set his eyes on us as prey and nobody wants to offend him to get the pie first.”
Hou Yu nodded, “Exactly why the experienced soldiers have pity in their eyes instead of respect and worship. Young lad, you have lots to learn.”
Qin Shun looked at me for confirmation but I am younger than him. Ignoring age, I am from another world. How am I supposed to know how these people think?
“Some people seek self-gain first and foremost. Though I guess you can say that if they think they are superior to you then they have the right to take your stuff. To be fair, it is a really good move to give something away before someone can threaten you for it. This stops you from needlessly dying or from attracting trouble in the form of those sneaky rats who will attack from shadows.”
I lectured and moved ahead of the group to greet the Crown Prince. I saluted with a slight bow of my head and clasp of my fist. When my head came back up, I noticed he had a raised eyebrow as if expecting something.
Didn’t he understand that gains are both ways? He isn’t superior to me in personal strength and if we go off wealth and status then as an Alchemist I can gain all that within a short time. So then what did he have that I didn’t? Well, he only had his background which is the Royal family of Tian Continent but ho, that isn’t much.
“I took a blood oath to the Dragon race not to pass down their tactical formations or knowledge they bestowed me. But if you are willing to pay me contribution points, then I can create a few basic tactical formations that will be handy to a small group of people.”
I suggested while shrugging my shoulders.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
The Prince studied my face for a while but not seeing me look guilty, he glanced at my team.
“I understand such constraints but I am not here for that matter. I noticed that your men were taking Qi Recovery Pills and some kind of Body Recovery Pill. What grade are they and do you have more to sell?”
Oh, I see. He probably had his own tactical formations. How embarrassing.
“Grade five pills and I don’t have much left.”
The Crown Prince nodded and tossed me a badge with a dragon head on it.
“This will allow you to purchase herbs at a discount price. Provide twenty percent to me after you make more.” he spoke as if I had to do so and left.
The crown Prince glanced at the members of my company. He snorted and turned his Stallion, heading back to the front.
I slipped the badge into my ring and turned to my people.
“Go straight to the barracks. Get a good night rest. Tomorrow, first light, I want you up and ready to practice. I saw a lot of things that are disappointing. We are going to spend the next few days clearing that mess up. I only want to see Elite soldiers not common mismash fodder.”
I raised my voice only for those in the back to hear.
***
I pushed Cui Rong’s fat thigh and upper body off me. Such a wild sleeper, I can’t count the number of times she kicked or punched me. It got to the point that I am almost sure that she is doing this on purpose.
As my mother used to say, you can’t train a wild woman into a housewife. Better to just find a good, docile, little nerd and settle down.
I took a passing glance out the window and noticed my company slowly flooding out of their barracks. The sun hadn’t even truly risen from its slumber yet but they were already moving.
Ah, I’m so proud.
I quickly washed my face before kicking Cui Rong. Hardest fucking sleeper I ever met.
Cui Rong lifted her head and wiped her mouth while staring at me with slanted eyes. She turned her head towards the window before dropping back down like it wasn’t time yet.
I slapped her thigh and she shot up.
“Sun not even up!”
Did she sound like she is telling me or complaining?
Wait, I can use her as an example. Who cares if she doesn’t come to my bed after this. Not like she is the only female in the army. I’ll just move on.
I grabbed my saber and walked out to find my men already in formation. I pace in front of them with a smile on my face. Haha, I’m a bit happy.
“A lot of you practiced martial techniques that are showy, flowery, and without decisive killing intent. This is fine for things like competitions among sects, clans, or betting arenas.”
I glance at the sky turning from the black ink to purple-orange landscape.
“In a battle, you have to be decisive and every movement should be rotation of a killing strike into setting up for the next killing strike. So I need you to spread out and we will learn a battlefield killing technique.”
The troops didn’t have any hesitation and I glanced back to see Cui Rong running out. She tried to slip into the formation but ran into a red wall. She bounced off it and landed on her ass, her head slowly turning to me.
I took out training weights I had to utilize and threw them before her. They created a small crater when they landed.
“Put them on and run five laps around the barracks before falling in.”
Cui Rong hesitated but eventually conceded and put them on. Haha, I could see the effects immediately. Her body sunk down until she was in crab form. She dragged her feet rather than lift. Each step left an imprint in the hardpack dirt.
The company snickered at her while she struggled to get moving. Obviously she was trying to use qi to alleviate the mass but the weights change mass upon feeling the aura of qi. They become heavier and heavier the longer you use qi.
Which meant it took her no time to eat dirt.
I turned to the company and began showing the movements of the Fiery Dragon Dance. Each attack consists of three in one, meant to represent three talons. This is only the first form with a total of six attacks that transition into the next smoothly. If perfected to the highest degree, it will allow them to exert sixty percent of their power without fail.
This could be considered the greatest exploitation of martial arts techniques without the huge drawback of expending loads of qi.
***
“It seems your Great Tian Dynasty picked up another diamond. Even someone trained specifically by the Fire God Palace. Those picky bastards finally accepted another disciple.” a potbelly man said while stirring a pot of wine with golden rod.
The Martial Monarch of the Great Tian Dynasty merely smiled.
“He has promise but you should consider how your people will handle the demons' next attack. They surely will have their own tactical formations and void realm experts awaiting for the next slaughter.”
The potbelly man shrugged.
“It isn’t my job to teach them how to fight a war.”
The beautiful woman resting on the couch, sighed.
“Pass down an order. People will be investigated for killing their comrades. Demoted and lost contribution points for causing the deaths of comrades. People with negative points will be subjected to prison for a hundred years. The continent with the most deaths, their monarch will have to pay compensation to the others.”
The Potbelly man's eyes wrinkled as his hands stopped twirling the golden rod. He nodded his head that he understood and vanished.
The Martial Monarch of the Great tian Dynasty snickered while pulling the wine pot over.
“Aren’t you going to inform your Duan Dynasty troops?” He spoke to an elegant lady in white swordsman garb.
The Swordswoman looked at the Tian Dynasty Monarch with a serene smile.
“Our Crown Prince isn’t foolish. Besides, I heard your Crown Princess is coming. You should be seeing to her protection. If you lose such a talented Princess with Phoenix bloodline, then you might as well wash your neck.”
Tian Monarch lifted the pot and took a large drink before sighing in pleasure.
“Arrangements already made but I also heard rumors of your own Princess coming to the field. Mm, but she doesn’t have any bloodline or talent to rely on. I wondered if you could keep her alive with that spoiled behavior she exhibits. Tsk, a breeding cow with the deposition of a Marital Monarch. How interesting.”
***
I just finished refining pills for the day when Cui Rong finally finished her laps. Just a single look to the sky is enough to see that the sun has long fallen and the moon is driving to the peak of the world.
I laughed at her disheveled appearance. Her hair plastered to her body, her close soak and stain with white sweat stains. There’s even a slight stench emanating from her. I guess girls don’t all smell like fragrant gardens when they sweat.
I took off the weights and carried her to the shared bathroom. Dumping her into the artificial lake. I climbed out of my clothes and helped her bathe then soak by heating up the water to help ease the soreness in her muscles.
Ah, how I wish someone had done this for me.
*
I felt proud at my achievement. Even as the summer came with its unbearable heat that even me, a person with fire bloodline felt unbearable. Imagine walking around in over hundred degree weather in stuffy armor? It’s pure torture. Even the fucking Palace wasn’t this inhumane.
I walked behind the front line. My arrows flashing when one of the members were facing someone stronger than themselves. I always target vitals or joints. If I couldn’t kill them, then I can disable their limbs.
My men were showing off the Fiery Dragon Dance. Their swords’ points always seek the enemy's vital point, always aiming for the quickest deaths within the shortest time. Even if they failed to achieve it, they would still be set up for the next attack due to the demons on the same level or weaker being put on defensive.
Those stronger had to worry about my arrows and the sword in front. Making it harder for them to exert their advantage with their realm state and brute strength.
Even under the hot sun, with the stench of burnt blood. We slaughtered demons. Our killing intent rose like a storm off the coast. Our momentum built up like a hurricane dancing in the sea before rushing onland.
Days, weeks, months went by as we shed the blood of our enemies. Some of my men might have fallen but their spirit never left us.
When we weren’t training to kill, we were killing. When we weren’t killing, we were training to kill.
Such a torturous training quickly showed its fruits. I think I had the company with the most nascent soul realm experts. Those that survived quickly promoted stages as if their very essences were stimulated under the tenuous conditions.
I wiped the blood from my face as the demons called a retreat. I didn’t relax like those of the other companies. My men popped pills into their mouths and ready themselves for another encounter. Sometimes the demons would attack right after they retreated. Catching enemy off-guard. This method slain many of the human alliance. Even eliminated some of the weaker legions outright.
Just as we all thought that the demons had retreated past their old campsites, void realm experts shot forward.
They wasted not a single second in attacking the human alliance.
“Formation, activate!” my voice rang out over the cries and panic caused by the attack of supreme experts.
My company wasn’t the only one to form up into a tactical formation, thus when my titan rose into the sky. A Golden Armored Titan wielding a spear also rose.
The counter-attack began and my dragons gripped a void realm expert's limbs while I decapitated him. Haha, this is the differences between overwhelming strength and overwhelming numbers.
Cowards unite!
Like a dragon in the sky, we cheated and killed four demons void realm experts before those fighting with our void realm experts began retreating.
Summoning a bow made of flames, I shot three more down before deactivating the formation that began dragging heavily upon my company qi reserves. Unlike last time, my men didn’t fall on their asses even though we were all gasping for air like our souls were drowning.
The horn for returning rang out and my Eagle legion walked behind the Great Tian Dynasty. Establishing that we had the second strongest army, though even if we had the first. I doubt the Tian Dynasty would have conceded their position.
The Martial Monarch showed up in the air before us as we entered the gates.
“Good job today. Your contributions to the war have saved us plenty of effort in the future. This is the good news. The bad news is that the demon horde has shrunken in numbers and is retreating far away. Thus we will now allow each legon to strike out tomorrow to cover ground and retain precious resources. What you find is yours but you will have to pay taxes if you require our help to hold or defend what you claim as yours. That is all.”
He left and chatter rose up.
I didn’t leave my men in the clusterfuck to discuss this. I am too sweaty and dirty to stain around a bunch of other sweaty and dirty bastards talking about what ifs.