Chapter 542: New-Style Equipment of the Northern Lands

Just as the Yue Family Army was winning successive victories in Huainan, practicing the 'steady and solid' strategy, the Black Cloud Stronghold of the Northward Aspiration Army also received a special batch of 'guests'.

They were not living people, but a batch of newly improved armaments personally escorted by Zhao Lao Nian, transported across the light curtain from within the Chen Dynasty's territory.

In the open space before the commander's tent, several heavy wooden boxes were carefully opened.

Lin Chong, Wu Yong, Chao Gai and other core commanders of the Northward Aspiration Army gathered around, curiously examining the contents of the boxes.

Chen Wen also stood to the side, his eyes holding scrutiny and anticipation.

"Gentlemen, please look at this."

Zhao Lao Nian picked up a peculiarly shaped crossbow mechanism.

It is slightly larger than a ordinary hand crossbow, the bow body showing a deep, dark brown wood grain, key parts wrapped in polished metal components, the arc of the bow arms appearing specially calculated, making them smoother and more powerful.

Most striking is that beneath the bow body, a rotatable disk-shaped mechanism with a slot has been added, together with a wooden support curved like an ox horn.

"This is the improved 'Demon-Slaying Crossbow'."

Zhao Lao Nian skillfully lifted the bow body, placed the ox-horn support against his shoulder socket, and flicked the disk mechanism, producing a crisp 'click'.

"Compared to the old version, improvements were made in three main aspects."

"First, the bow arms use the newly discovered 'iron-thread wood' core material from the Chen Dynasty's Ministry of Works, mixed with a small amount of refined Nether Energy Crystal Ore powder, giving elasticity and toughness far surpassing ordinary wood, and greater resistance to Nether Energy erosion."

"Second, this 'Linking Disk' has been added."

He pointed to that disk mechanism.

"It contains five specially made short bolts; by rotating this disk, rapid continuous firing can be achieved, eliminating the need for reloading in battle."

"Third, this is the 'Shoulder Rest'."

It makes shooting more stable, aim higher; even a raw recruit, after a little practice, can achieve a noticeable hit rate within twenty paces.

He set down the crossbow and picked up something about the size of a palm, shaped like a bronze bell, but its surface engraved with fine, intricate patterns.

"This is the 'Mind-Settling Bell', also an improved version."

"Its core is a small piece of Nether Energy Crystal initially purified by the power of Fortune Momentum, encased in a special alloy, engraved with the 'Clear Mind' and 'Break Illusion' runes."

"It does not produce sound by shaking; rather, when it senses a certain concentration of Nether Energy fluctuations that have a bewitching or mind-confusing effect, it emits a specific frequency vibration that is hard for ordinary people to hear but can effectively interfere with and weaken such fluctuations."

"Worn on the body, it can effectively resist the mental intrusion emanating from the Iron Crow Army's 'Nether Shade' or certain adepts of mind-bewildering arts, keeping the mind clear."

Listening to Zhao Lao Nian's explanation, Lin Chong and the others' eyes lit up repeatedly.

They are all veteran battlefield commanders, naturally understanding what these improvements mean.

The rapid-fire crossbow means firepower can be doubled in a short time; whether blocking a charge or suppressing arrow towers, the effect will be worlds apart.

And that Mind-Settling Bell is even more a countermeasure against the Iron Crow Army's uncanny tactics, able to greatly reduce non-combat losses and steady morale.

"Good stuff!"

Chao Gai rubbed his big hands, wishing he could immediately grab a Demon-Slaying Crossbow to try it out.

"Old Nian brother, how many of these do we have now?"

Zhao Lao Nian smiled.

"The first batch that arrived includes fifty Demon-Slaying Crossbows, with matching short bolts numbering two thousand five hundred; one hundred Mind-Settling Bells.

Further supplies will be replenished continuously according to usage and material availability."

He looked toward Chen Wen.

"My lord, what do you think..."

Chen Wen stepped forward, picked up a Demon-Slaying Crossbow, weighed its weight, and then examined the exquisite 'Linking Disk'.

"Distribute them, prioritizing issuance to all scouts and the elite troops under Instructor Lin's command."

"Let them become familiar with the operation as soon as possible."

"Mind-Settling Bells must be worn by scouts, night patrols, and officers of company commander rank and above."

His gaze swept over the crowd.

"The Jin have just suffered a defeat; they will not resign themselves to it."

"Next time they attack, they may have new tricks."

"These new pieces of equipment may prove very useful."

Everyone solemnly agreed.

The distribution of the new equipment caused quite a stir in the Northward Aspiration Army.

Especially the rapid-fire Demon-Slaying Crossbow made those who received it reluctant to put it down; on the training field, the sound of test shots 'click-click' never ceased.

Although the Mind-Settling Bell looks unassuming, some veteran soldiers, recalling past encounters with the Jin army or strange incidents where they occasionally experienced mental unrest, auditory and visual hallucinations, treasured it all the more, stringing it on a leather cord and wearing it close to the body.

The opportunity came soon.

A few days later, a unit of about a hundred Jin cavalry, escorting several persons whose attire did not resemble soldiers but rather shamans or wizards, appeared near a village on the edge of the Northward Aspiration Army's controlled area.

They did not immediately loot, but instead rode around the village's outskirts; those few shaman-like figures held bone staves or rattles, murmuring incantations, as if conducting some ritual.

The Northward Aspiration Army squad on patrol happened to be equipped with three newly arrived Demon-Slaying Crossbows and five Mind-Settling Bells.

The squad leader was a veteran soldier named Zhang Dandan.

He sensed that this Jin force was out of the ordinary, immediately ordering the squad to occupy a small hill outside the village, lie in wait concealed, and simultaneously sent someone racing back to the stronghold to report.

Just then, the shamans' ritual seemed to have been completed.

They pointed their bone staves at the village, and an invisible wave that made people agitated and even produced faint fear hallucinations spread out like ripples on water.

The village instantly erupted in chaotic clamor of chickens flying and dogs barking, faintly mixed with villagers' terrified cries.

"It's the Jin dogs' sorcerers!"

Zhang Dandan only felt a surge of vexation in his chest, and his vision seemed to blur somewhat.

But the Mind-Settling Bell on his chest immediately transmitted an extremely subtle yet refreshing vibration that lifted his spirit, and that discomfort quickly faded by more than half.

He turned to look at his subordinates; although they were also somewhat agitated, under the effect of the Mind-Settling Bells they quickly steadied their minds, though their faces turned a little pale.

"Fortunately!

"If not for this bell..."" Zhang Dan secretly thought it was a lucky break.

He immediately realized he must stop these demons, or the village would be doomed.

"Crossbowmen, ready!"

He let out a low shout.

Three soldiers armed with Suppressing-Evil crossbows immediately stepped forward, lying prone behind the earthen slope, aiming at the several shamans who were casting spells.

"Fire!"

"Click! Click! Click!"

The three mechanism sounds almost merged into one.

Five bolts (one crossbow already loaded with two shots) shot like a serpent's tongue, lightning-fast toward the target!

Those shamans were fully focused on casting their spells, never expecting such a fast, precise, and silent (compared to bowstring vibration) strike to come from afar.

Caught off guard, two shamans were pierced through the chest or throat by the bolts, letting out a miserable cry before collapsing dead.

Another shaman had his arm grazed, his spell instantly interrupted.

The eerie aura enveloping the village came to an abrupt halt.

The escorting Gold Army cavalry were shocked, drawing swords and bows, charging toward the direction from which the arrows came.

"Retreat!"

Zhang Dan showed no hesitation, immediately issuing the order.

The squad quickly retreated, using the terrain.

The three crossbowmen, while retreating, skillfully rotated the Linked-Heart disc, reloaded the bolts, turned and fired several rounds of precise rapid fire, successfully hindering the Gold Army cavalry's pursuit.

By the time Lin Chong led the reinforcements to arrive, the Gold Army had already dragged away the shamans' corpses, retreating resentfully.

Aside from some fright, the village suffered no major losses.

Although the battle was small in scale, its significance was far from ordinary.

The new equipment first showed its power; the Suppressing-Evil crossbow's continuous fire and accuracy, and the Stabilizing Spirit Bell's remarkable effect against spiritual erosion, were proven in combat.

More importantly, the Northward Aspiration Army found an effective way to counter the Gold Army's uncanny methods, greatly boosting morale.

The news returned to Black Cloud Stronghold; Wu Yong fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"To do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools.

Assistant Minister Zhao's arrival is truly timely rain."

He looked toward Chen Wen.

"My lord, with these weapons, our army's confidence will be greater when facing the upcoming storms."

Chen Wen nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the map spread on the table, then turning toward the more distant south.

The equipment in the north has been updated, and the southern allies are also growing steadily.

The force opposing the Iron Crow Army and the script it controls is gradually accumulating.