Chapter 33: The Queshe Army

Fishing out the four fragments of the Fragment of Queshe Army Barracks from the River of Fortune, those four pieces indeed began to fuse.

As the fragments merged, a new Divine Artifact appeared in Jiang Zhaoming’s hand.

【Queshe Army Primary Barracks】: A Divine Artifact barracks originating from the Great Mong Plane, containing 20,000 Queshe Warriors at the Eighth Layer of the Tempering Bones Realm, 200 Queshe Captains at the Sixth Layer of the Blood Refining Realm, and 1 Great Queshe Captain at the Divine Power Realm.

【Remaining Fortune: Blue ×8, Green ×16, White ×39】

Looking at the information of the Queshe Army Barracks in his hand, Jiang Zhaoming’s grin nearly reached his ears; his delight overflowed from his expression.

Recalling the “Scourge of God” that once galloped across Eurasia in his past life, Jiang Zhaoming felt a burning excitement in his heart, eager to see the Queshe Army charging across the Northern Plains.

“Heaven truly aids me — just when I lacked cavalry, the Queshe Army appears.”

With the Summoning Card for the Queshe Army Barracks in hand, Jiang Zhaoming attempted to deploy the barracks.

Soon, he discovered that even across hundreds of thousands of miles, he could directly place the barracks in Anxi Prefecture.

After a brief consideration, he placed the Queshe Army Barracks on an empty plot of land north of Duwen County.

Next, he only needed to wait for Duwen County to discover the Queshe Army, and then he could naturally subdue them.

Having obtained the Queshe Army, Jiang Zhaoming was in excellent spirits and decided to stay at the Qin Residence for a few more days of cultivation.

Since he could communicate with the soldiers of the Black-Armored Army through his mind and learn of Anxi Prefecture’s situation in real time, he did not need to worry too much.

In the following days, Qin Peng gave Jiang Zhaoming several more sessions of special training.

Though the results were not as remarkable as the first time, Jiang Zhaoming still managed to advance smoothly to the Fifth Layer of the Blood Refining Realm, greatly increasing his cultivation speed.

On the sixth day of the first lunar month, dawn’s first light shimmered faintly.

After bidding farewell to his mother, Jiang Zhaoming’s dragon-patterned jade pendant flashed with brilliance, and in an instant, he traversed thousands of miles to return to his sleeping quarters in Anxi Prefecture.

Pushing open the palace doors, a gust of cold wind rushed in.

In the courtyard, a graceful figure was practicing martial arts in the snow, her thin garments unable to conceal her agile and powerful posture.

Seeing Jiang Zhaoming suddenly appear, Gu Landa hurriedly saluted, “Your Highness!”

She quickly donned her armor; the silver plates gleamed in the morning light, her heroic presence radiant.

“Why not train in the martial arena?” Jiang Zhaoming asked with a smile.

“Your subordinate feared missing Your Highness’s return and has been waiting here these past few days,” Gu Landa replied with cupped fists.

Jiang Zhaoming nodded slightly and walked outward with his hands clasped behind his back. “How fares the prefecture?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, all is well within the prefecture. Because of Your Highness’s generous gifts, the people had a splendid New Year, and the city has been full of joy and liveliness.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoming nodded with satisfaction.

“Other than that, has anything else occurred within the prefecture?”

At his words, Gu Landa’s expression shifted as she quickly said, “Reporting to Your Highness, word has come that another group of horse bandits was spotted outside Duwen County. Their numbers are still unknown. General Cheng has already led the Black-Armored Army to investigate, and news should arrive soon.”

Jiang Zhaoming nodded. “Summon Prefect Fan to the royal residence. I have matters of governance to discuss with him.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Gu Landa withdrew and used a talisman to notify Fan Kang.

Jiang Zhaoming went alone to the main hall and began reviewing the recently submitted documents.

After half a stick of incense’s time, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed outside the hall, and Fan Kang rushed in.

“Prefect Fan, how is it that after the New Year you seem even younger? Even your steps are faster now.”

Fan Kang’s brows were tightly furrowed as he quickly said, “Your Highness, you are unaware — an urgent report has arrived from Duwen County!”

Jiang Zhaoming gestured for him to calm down. “What does the report say?”

Wiping his sweat, Fan Kang answered anxiously, “Your Highness, it was not horse bandits outside Duwen County — it was a cavalry force of twenty thousand!”

“Oh? Cavalry? From which faction?”

“General Cheng did not specify, only that they were all tall riders on mighty steeds, armed with fierce bows, curved sabers on their backs, and short spears on their saddles. Their combat power is extremely formidable.”

The more Fan Kang spoke, the more alarmed he became, especially since they knew nothing of the opposing force’s origin.

Just then, the yellow paper in Fan Kang’s hand flickered again. He immediately picked it up to read.

His expression shifted from solemnity to joy — then to hesitation.

Seeing his changing expression, Jiang Zhaoming, though already aware of the contents, feigned concern. “Prefect Fan, what’s the situation?”

Fan Kang quickly replied, “Reporting to Your Highness! That army is called the Queshe Army. They came to Yili seeking food, but they refuse to burn or plunder — instead, they wish to make a deal with us.”

“What sort of deal? Speak, let me hear it.”

Fan Kang said gravely, “Their general told General Cheng that he wishes to duel with one of our commanders. If he wins, we must provide five million shi of grain; if he loses, he is willing to lead his army to surrender to Your Highness.”

“I have agreed. The duel will take place in the prefectural city.”

Fan Kang froze, his brows tightly knitted. After a moment of hesitation, he said slowly,

“Your Highness, our army is about to wage war against the Cangbei rebels. For a cavalry force to suddenly appear and surrender now — I fear this may be a ruse.”

Jiang Zhaoming waved dismissively. “No matter. I have plans for this. As for a feigned surrender—”

A faint, cold glint flickered in his eyes as his lips curled slightly. “If they dare play tricks, I’ll send them to the frontlines as cannon fodder.”

Fan Kang still seemed uneasy and wanted to persuade further, but Jiang Zhaoming’s tone was already decisive.

“If the enemy general dares enter my Anxi Prefecture City alone, then he places his life in my hands. Should he attempt anything treacherous, execute him on the spot. Prefect Fan, you need not worry.”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoming’s resolute stance, Fan Kang could only sigh and go make arrangements.

Before long, news arrived.

The opposing general, Aruba, had accepted the duel and would arrive in the city with Cheng Yaojin in two days.

“Your Highness, since the duel has been set, we must decide which general will represent us,” Fan Kang requested.

Jiang Zhaoming smiled faintly. “Let General Qin Wei take the field. He has recently gained new insights and broken through to the mid-stage of the Divine Power Realm.”

Hearing this, Fan Kang was overjoyed and hurried off to prepare the arena.

Jiang Zhaoming planned to make this duel a grand spectacle — a lively finale to the New Year for the people of Anxi Prefecture.

News spread like wildfire across the three counties; the commoners eagerly awaited, discussing this upcoming peak confrontation in every street and alley.

Outside Anxi Prefecture City, an open area was marked as the arena, surrounded by a sea of people. The cheers were thunderous.

Amidst countless gazes, Qin Wei ascended the platform clad in black armor, wielding a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, his stride like a dragon’s, his bearing fierce and mighty.

His gaze was sharp as lightning, spiritual power surging around him, faintly echoing with dragon roars.

Opposite him, a towering figure like a mountain strode forth — it was the Queshe Army’s Great Captain, Aruba!

He stood nine feet tall, his muscles bulging like forged iron, his wild brown hair woven into thick braids swaying in the wind.

His face was rugged, his nose high, his tiger-like eyes blazing with spirit, his whole body radiating untamed ferocity.

Most striking of all was the enormous curved blade on his back — its edge gleamed with chilling light, as though it could cleave mountains.

“Name yourself!” Qin Wei shouted sternly.

“Queshe Army Queshe Captain, Aruba!”

Aruba’s thunderous voice shook the ears of the surrounding crowd.

The two men locked eyes — and their battle intent soared skyward!

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