Chapter 104: Focusing on Those Who Didn't Come

After confirming there were no Wokou in the valley, Shen Qing's blood dragon phantom behind him slowly dissipated, the faint red blood qi filling the sky slowly faded, and the moonlight gradually returned to its clear, cold hue.

Shen Qing turned his head to look at the three generals: "Is the north side taken care of?"

At this moment, the blood dragon had already dissipated, and the three finally let out a complete sigh of relief.

Yang Hu wiped a few drops of sweat from his forehead: "Reporting to Young Master Shen, it's basically done; we three came to the valley first, and whatever remains should have been wiped out by the Yang Family Army, and those who surrendered should all be prisoners."

Shen Qing waved his hand and directly sentenced the prisoners to death.

"Prisoners? No need, pass the order to just chop them down."

He estimated that both the north and south sides were just cannon fodder; capturing them would waste space, and even feeding them slop would feel wasteful to Shen Qing.

Yang Hu nodded: "I'll give the order right away."

"By the way, Commander Shen, does the south side need our support?"

Shen Qing waved his hand.

"The south side? Perfect, you take people to help out and help clean up the battlefield."

Yang Hu was a bit doubtful.

"Clean the battlefield? Just find some carts, toss the corpses onto them and haul them away for disposal—wouldn't that be enough? Besides, there are still Golden Spear Army troops over there; why would we need to help clean the battlefield?"

Although he had doubts, he still responded.

Soon, Yang Hu led a thousand Yang Family Army soldiers to the south battlefield.

But as soon as he arrived at the battlefield, he was dumbfounded—the entire south exit had turned completely red, the ground covered in blood and severed limbs.

Meanwhile, the Golden Spear Army soldiers were picking up Wokou fragments all over the ground, and combined with Shen Qing's violent methods just now, he seemed to understand something.

No wonder they said to help clean the battlefield.

Outside the hidden path of Wangyue Valley.

Two thousand North River Army troops lay in ambush here, listening to the continual shouts of battle, feeling somewhat unwilling.

A soldier approached the colonel.

"Sir, why are we in this kind of place? We have wounded, and our ranks are indeed not full, but we fought our way here in bloody battles—we didn't lose!"

The colonel fell silent for a moment: "Commander Shen and the generals surely considered this; we have too many wounded, and the Wokou at the north and south exits will surely go berserk and charge, so letting the Yang Family Army and Golden Spear Army hold the line is definitely better for us."

"And didn't Commander Shen say that an important person would definitely pass this way? We have a chance."

Although that's what was said, the colonel's eyes also held reluctance.

Just then, several figures appeared on the forest path; judging by their attire, they were undoubtedly Wokou.

The colonel's eyes gradually began to go mad!

"They're here! They're here! People are coming!"

"Form up the whole army! Listen to my orders!"

"Charge!!!"

In an instant, the already unwilling North River Army exploded, everyone rushing toward the nine Wokou on the path.

"Looks like only nine? Damn it! Everyone slow down a bit."

As soon as he said that, not a single person slowed down; instead, their speed increased a bit.

Haven't you heard? There are only nine Wokou; if you run slow, you won't hit them!

Several wounded soldiers even had their crutches fly off, fearing to fall behind the main force.

The nine Wokou who came out instantly stared with wide eyes, their faces full of deathly ash.

"Oh no! There's also an ambush here! Young master, run! You must get back to the Sato family! We'll hold them off!"

Eight Black Snake Army guards drew their blades and slashed at the North River Army.

But sorry, the North River Army fought the Wokou and lost three thousand brothers; their fury exceeds your imagination.

Three grandmaster-level colonels, holding nothing back, directly condensed their strongest killing move to open a path.

With one strike, the three Black Snake Army guards were killed outright.

The remaining few Black Snake Army guards were also directly surrounded by the North River Army soldiers.

The Black Snake Army young master Sato Sho's eyes nearly burst with hatred, his hatred growing a bit more, yet he still turned and ran toward a side forest.

"I will definitely avenge you!"

Just then, a figure emerged from the darkness—another colonel of the North River Army—who leapt high and lunged at Sato Sho.

"It's you who invaded us! Do you still want to go home?"

"If you're going home, then what about our homes? Speak! Damn it!!!"

The towering anger and hatred fused into the colonel's elbow, violently slamming into Sato Sho's chest, blasting him backward to crash into a rock with a thunderous roar.

By the time the battlefield was cleaned and the bodies processed, it was already afternoon.

As usual, after the victorious return, Shen Qing set up a grand banquet outside Beiyun City.

However, unlike last time in Luoshui City, where only the chef of the Jinxia Pavilion was invited, this time they summoned the chefs of all the famous shops in Beiyun City.

Of course, this certainly wasn't because Shen Qing was craving to eat Beiyun City's unique delicacies.

It was to reward the three armies and simultaneously promote Beiyun City's economic development.

At the main table.

Yu Fei rose holding a jar of wine and looked toward Shen Qing.

"Commander Shen! I thank Commander Shen on behalf of the North River Army soldiers."

This form of address is also what Shen Qing requested; when alone, one may call him Young Master Shen, but in a crowd, one still addresses him as Commander Shen or similar.

This time's intelligence truly saved their lives; if that news had arrived even half a day later at night, the North River Army would have been unable to avoid total annihilation.

Having said that, Yu Fei tipped his head back and gulped down an entire jar in one go without pause, then reached for a second jar.

Shen Qing directly extended his hand, emitting true qi to press Yu Fei back into his seat: "One jar is enough; why are you drinking a second?"

You're scrounging food and drink, right? Leave some for the brothers.

Li Can and Yang Hu at his side both burst out laughing.

Shen Qing suddenly recalled Zhang Po, who had blocked him earlier and resisted the pirates; he turned to Li Can and said, 'General Li, the soldier you had guarding the south exit today was quite good.'

Li Can's eyes lit up: 'Oh? Who earned Sir Shen's praise?'

Zhang Po.

Li Can nodded thoughtfully, then after casually drinking a few cups, he left the main table and had someone summon Zhang Po.

Zhang Po felt uneasy: 'General Li, I've seen you before.'

Li Can nodded: 'Zhang Po, you really hit the jackpot today—Sir Shen personally praised you.'

Zhang Po tugged at his collar, sweat beading on his palms: 'Going into battle to kill the enemy is my duty.'

Li Can chuckled: 'A fine sense of duty. Tell me, have you studied?'

I studied a few years at a village school before joining the army.

What about military tactics?

I've read it, but I'm not familiar with it.

Li Can nodded.

That shows you have insight; for now, join my personal troops camp, and we'll assign other posts later.

Zhang Po froze, unable to speak: 'This... this...'

You're not willing?

Zhang Po hastily shook his head: 'No, I'm too willing! I'm so excited I can barely speak.'

Li Can's promise is no longer an empty promise—he literally shoved a piece of cake into your mouth.

As said, other posts will be arranged later; first you'll be assigned to the personal troops camp, where you can stay daily by Li Can's side to learn things—military tactics included.

Besides, the personal troops camp makes it easier to earn military merit—in other words, to boost Zhang Po's cultivation.

Zhang Po was also intensely curious about Shen Qing's identity—just what kind of exalted person; after Li Can merely praised him in a sentence, he personally came to promote Zhang Po into the personal troops camp, directly changing his life's course.

When Li Can returned to the main table, he saw a few more people—envoy s from the city's major families—who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

A black-clothed middle-aged man bowed respectfully: 'Congratulations to the three generals and Commander Shen on crushing the Japanese pirates...'

Before he could finish, Li Can, who had rushed over, interrupted: 'Hey hey hey, wait a moment.'

How are you speaking? Put Commander Shen first, then the three great generals, and say it again.

The black-clothed middle-aged man broke out in a cold sweat and hastily bowed again: 'Congratulations to Commander Shen and the three great generals on crushing the Japanese pirates.'

The Huang family has sent me with five thousand jugs of fine wine to comfort the troops.

Shen Qing gave a slight nod: 'Old Li, have someone check the wine; if it's fine, distribute it to the soldiers.'

He then looked into the distance, where a crowd was gazing: 'Are they all here to bring gifts?'

The scholar nodded, eyes bright: 'Exactly, these are the heads of the various major families and sects, and their sincerity is ample.'

I've recognized several already, boss—look: the one in purple is the Xu family head, and the red-faced old man is the Red Fist Sect head...

Shen Qing reached out to interrupt the scholar, then smiled.

You've been studying hard; in just a few days you already know them all.

But you just need to note down who came.

Please keep an eye on them for me.

Check who didn't come.