My Cultivation Starting from Archery

Courtyard.

Chen Sansi took advantage of the medicine's effects to practice his spear technique.

The utility of the Bone Nourishing Soup, in conjunction with the regulation of the Breathing Skill and Qi-Blood, conditioned his muscles and bones, producing a tingling sensation that made the pain inflicted on his body less intense.

[Cultivation Technique: Undying Golden Snake Spear - Upper (Not Entered)]

[Progress: 65/100]

[Utility: Blood of Dragon and Elephant]

"In a few more days, I'll be able to train my muscles."

"After muscle training, I'll visit Medicine Valley."

Recently, the number of live disappearances has greatly diminished, presumably, the Martial Arts Halls have restrained themselves, but not completely ceased.

Chen Sansi had also tried other uses of lamp oil.

For example, feeding a tiny amount to a rat.

Then the rat died...

Clearly, this stuff was not for eating.

It was most likely for starting fires.

"Huh—"

Chen Sansi wiped off his sweat and sat down at the stone table under the courtyard's plum tree, flipping through a few military books.

In the past two days, he had summarized two methods to improve his proficiency in commanding troops.

One, read military books and learn theoretical knowledge.

Two, practice, preferably practice military formations.

Actual combat would definitely improve proficiency, but there was no opportunity at the moment.

"Leading troops into battle is indeed a technical job, not just about taking a group of people to fight and that's it," he thought.

Chen Sansi benefited greatly.

Before deploying troops, planning must begin half a year or even longer in advance.

Decide how many men and weapons are needed, how much food and forage, how to transport them, and the estimates of losses.

If it's a campaign, one also has to consider the weather and climate, the difficulty of the journey, whether soldiers will be acclimated or face ambushes, and if so, where it's most likely to occur...

When dealing with a large number of troops, even relieving oneself requires special arrangement, not simply a matter of pulling down one's pants.

War is an extremely complicated affair, not something one person can take complete charge of; it requires the collective operation of an organization.

This demonstrates the importance of having capable people as subordinates.

Also, military formations.

According to the military books, special formations can enhance the combat power of soldiers to some extent.

For instance, killing a martial artist who has achieved Great Success in Blood Refining with a lower-grade technique usually costs about twenty lives. Under a special formation, the number can be reduced to fifteen.

It doesn't seem like that much on paper.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

But each digit represents a living person's life.

Small numbers add up, and a lot of manpower can be saved after a battle.

However, since they are called special formations, naturally, not everyone can learn them.

Firstly, the commander himself must understand it.

Military books have illustrations of formations, many based on the principles of Eight Diagrams, which ordinary people cannot fathom and require time for in-depth study.

Secondly.

Even if one understands it, they must be able to use it.

Practice is practice, combat is combat.

No matter how ingenious the formation, if it breaks after a single charge or falls into disarray once attacked, it is as good as useless.

Therefore, remote garrisons usually train in the most basic fundamental formations.

Only elite troops will apply special formations in actual combat. Experience more tales on empire

The top armies will even have formations composed of martial soldiers.

"Formations are still a long way off."

Chen Sansi had just finished teaching them Pile Work; he hadn't even distinguished between military soldiers and array soldiers, but fortunately, teaching martial arts skills also counted towards progress.

[Skill: Commanding Soldiers (Not Entered)]

[Progress: 48/100]

[Utility: None at the moment]

He should be able to enter the initial stage before the new soldiers' assessment ends.

"Chen Zongqi, assemble!"

The voice of Fang Zongqi came from outside the door.

"What's this about?"

Chen Sansi opened the door; it was still the noon rest time.

Fang Zongqi explained, "Lord Prefect and the new County Magistrate have come together to inspect our Households garrisoned soldiers."

"Which prefect, An Ding Prefect?"

Chen Sansi inquired.

After receiving a positive response, he couldn't help but think back to the threats made by Old Five Song before his death.

He wasn't nervous, deciding to wait and see how things unfolded.

Following Fang Zongqi to the Martial Arts Arena, most of the soldiers had already lined up, waiting for the inspection by their superiors.

Theoretically, the civil and military officials of the Great Sheng Dynasty were independent from one another, each with their own system of checks and balances; there was no hierarchy, and county magistrates did not have the right to inspect the troops.

Unless, of course, he was representing the faction of the Crown Prince, who supported this military expedition.

The crowd didn't have to wait long, roughly ten minutes later.

Xiang Tingchun arrived with two civil servants, surrounded by numerous martial artists.

The man walking in front was dressed in a noble scarlet robe, embroidered with geese in the clouds on the front, signifying his status as a Fourth Rank Prefect.

The other was wearing a blue robe, embroidered with the motif of cormorants, indicating his position as a Seventh Rank County Magistrate.

They did not give any speeches, simply chatting among themselves as they passed through the ranks and entered the Central Army Camp.

Chen Sansi noted the details.

The County Magistrate showed no sign of ingratiating himself with the Prefect, his superior; on the contrary, he even seemed somewhat arrogant.

Chen guessed the fellow must have quite the backing.

The County Magistrate didn't stay long, leaving after just a cup of tea's time, while the Prefect did not appear for quite a while.

Just as expected.

"Chen Zongqi, the Lord Prefect wants to see you," said Households Commander Liu, coming over with the message and reminding in a low voice, "This man has the Song family backing him. They don't dare to touch Lord Thousand Households, but since they found out you're involved, they will likely look for trouble with you. Be very careful."

"Thank you for the warning, Households Commander Liu."

Chen Sansi's brows furrowed slightly, but he was not afraid and headed straight for the camp.

The charge of treason had already been decided; regardless, they had no overt reason to act against him.

Hiding was not a solution; meeting face to face could clarify the other party's intentions, allowing him to find ways to cope.

He lifted the tent flap.

The atmosphere inside was not as tense as he had imagined; the spacious area contained only two people.

The Prefect in the scarlet robe sat in the principal seat, with a middle-aged bodyguard standing behind him.

With a smile, the Prefect began, "You must be Flag Leader Chen Sansi?"

"I am," Chen Sansi replied, saluting with his hands. "Lord Prefect, for what do you summon me?"

"I am a person who speaks his mind openly", the Prefect said straightforwardly. "Flag Leader Chen, your martial arts talent is extraordinary, and being confined to Po Yang County does you a disservice.

"Why not leave this place and become a bodyguard in my mansion? I will provide you with ample resources for cultivation, ensuring your transition to Hua Jin is worry-free. What do you say?"

A bodyguard?

Chen Sansi was initially taken aback, then quickly understood.

The offer seemed like a recruitment.

In reality, it was a cunning form of eradication!

With the annihilation of the Song family, the Prefect, as a backer, if he did nothing, how could he expect various martial arts halls to routinely pay tribute?

But the act was committed by Xiang Tingchun, and he couldn't afford to offend the Thousand Households, so he could only target Chen Sansi, a minor flag leader.

With the Tai Lei Martial Arts Academy's treason established, they couldn't publicly charge him with a crime.

Considering that the Prefect genuinely appreciated talent, he wanted to recruit Chen to his side and have him disappear from Po Yang County, which would also serve as a form of appeasement to the Martial Arts Hall.

But...

Chen Sansi had not easily reached his current position, on the verge of joining the Selected Point in the Eight Camps; would he now go and serve as a dog to a mere Prefect?!

He could even guess what the Prefect would say next.

As expected.

The Lord Prefect said with a feigned smile, "Chen Zongqi, I mean well for you. With the start of the war campaigns this spring, your cultivation is still shallow, and on the battlefield, swords and arrows are unforgiving. If by some misfortune, what a waste of talent it would be?"

The implication was clear.

Either accept to become a dog, or die in an 'accident'.

Killing intent surged in Chen Sansi's heart.

From Qin Xiong onward, a series of troubling events had followed one another.

He did not delight in violence.

Alas, each time he did not strike first, others would.

'I just want to practice martial arts in peace.'

'Why must everyone force my hand!'

He disliked the bullying from Xiang Tingchun.

What Prefect could withstand a bow of fifteen stones?

Chen Sansi resolved to deflect the matter for the time being.

Just then.

A cold, clear female voice rang out.

"Magistrate Ji, Chen Zongqi is a Selected Officer officially under our Governor Mansion. Snatching him away like this, isn't that improper?"