"Set up camp, cook food, rest. An hour later, we set off again."

  Order after order was issued from Chiang Kung-ming's mouth, and all the soldiers were executing them with precision.

  Since leaving the battlefield, for some reason, the tens of thousands of troops led by Bao Qianying stopped pursuing despite having an absolute advantage in numbers.

  Since there were no pursuing soldiers, they naturally didn't need to hurry.

  The army of 20,000 is a force not to be underestimated, at least on the road to Wudang City, no Xiongnu troops can pose a mortal threat to them.

  However, Jiang Gongming, who usually adhered to Zhuge Kongming's cautious attitude towards all things, still maintained a cautious and vigilant demeanor, as if facing a formidable enemy, and the number of scouts and sentries was three times that of usual marching.

  During this period, he did not return the command of this unit to Fang Lingchen. All orders were conveyed from him downwards. As for Fang Lingchen, he did not have any dissenting words, at least on the surface, he did not show a hint of dissatisfaction.

  Xu Haifeng and Jiang Kongming sat opposite each other, the food in front of them was just some flatbread, but even this coarse grain flatbread was already the highest grade of military rations.

  Due to the hasty breakout from the siege, it was impossible to carry a large amount of baggage. Each person only had a small amount of dry rations on them, and after several days of marching, they were immediately depleted.

  The food for 20,000 people is not a small number and cannot be obtained out of thin air. To get supplies, they must go through large towns. At this time in the north, most areas have fallen under the control of the Xiongnu people. Although they strictly followed the order of Huhanye Chanyu, did not kill many people, and the backlash from the civilians was not strong, but in name, they were no longer part of the Han territory.

  They both casually picked up their flatbread and dipped it in clear water, eating slowly.

  Jiang Kongming closed his eyes slightly, and in his heart, he secretly sighed. This time, on the trip to the northern border, several predetermined goals were not achieved, which exceeded his expectations.

  The twenty thousand strong army of the Red Ocean, although still under his command at this time, was destined to be handed over to Feng Qiu's hands. With the addition of this fresh force, would it bring fortune or disaster?

  The Fang family's three brothers now only have Fang Lingchen left, but this stubborn old man is not to be underestimated either. If the master had arrived a step later, it would have been too late.

  Twenty thousand seasoned iron cavalrymen, just thinking about it makes his flesh ache.

  Whether it was the speed of the Eagle's march or the strength of the Red Ocean Army, they had all exceeded his highest estimates, and such changes were indeed difficult for him to accept.

  He let out a deep sigh, even the real Zhuge Liang had his Street Pavilion defeat, let alone this fake one. As the saying goes, planning is done by man, but success is determined by heaven, indeed there's reason to it.

  A commotion came from the periphery of the team, Xu Haifeng turned his head to look around, Jiang Kongming's eyesight was not enough, so he took out a pair of binoculars. After a moment, he revealed a delighted smile: "Good kid, you've done well, and you're back so soon."

  Several mule carts slowly approached the army, led by Jin Guanghua. As early as last night, Jiang Kongming had assigned him to lead over a thousand soldiers to surrounding towns to purchase food. However, their purchasing method was somewhat tyrannical, targeting the largest houses in the towns, breaking in forcibly, regardless of whether the owners were willing or not, and forcibly buying half of the grain.

  Of course, they will leave enough silver. Only, in this chaotic war-torn era, the factors that drive up prices are not within their consideration.

  Although the gentlemen were deterred by the face of these wolf-like soldiers and did not express their objections on the spot, when they turned their backs and left, the smiling faces that accompanied them immediately changed to a completely different expression, and the sound of loud curses was incessant.

  "How many things have you got?" Jiang Kongming asked immediately as Jin Guanghua handed over the task and came to their side.

  "Many." This burly northerner's face was flushed with excitement as he said: "Military Strategist, sir, this time you guessed wrong."

  Jiang Kongming looked at him inexplicably, although he had the ability to read minds, a good sword should be used at the knife's edge. Facing this big roughneck and not needing to show off, he didn't bother using this rather tiring ability.

  "What's wrong?" Xu Haifeng asked curiously. Jiang Kongming had made a mistake, which was an extremely rare thing to happen.

  Jin Guanghua said loudly: "Not everyone is unwilling to take out food as expected by Military Adviser."

  Jiang Kongming was taken aback and asked, "Is someone willing to sell grain?"

  "No, it was a gift." Jin Guanghua pointed to the mule cart behind him and said: "We searched for a whole day and only forcibly purchased 30% of the food, but when we arrived at a small town, they heard that we were from the Red Ocean and immediately donated most of the grain in the town, and also allocated ten mule carts. That's why we came back so quickly."

  "Are they asking for nothing?" Jiang Kongming asked skeptically, he didn't believe that there were such good people in this world.

  Golden light flashed heavily as he shook his head and said: "Military strategist, they are asking us to do something."

  "What's wrong?" Xǔ Hǎifēng asked calmly.

  Jiang Kongming sneered in his heart, knowing that there was no free lunch in the world. He wondered what outrageous demands they would make. Considering their relatively sensible attitude and the fact that they had handed over the grain, as long as it wasn't an excessive demand, General Jiang would naturally consider it slightly.

  Jin Guanghua suddenly bit his lip heavily, and when he let go, there was a clear row of tooth marks on the lower lip: "They asked us to drive the Xiongnu people back."

  Jiang Kongming's face froze with a mixture of disdain and cold smile, his mouth slightly opened but unable to utter a word.

  No matter how intelligent he is, he absolutely cannot think that the demands of these ordinary townspeople are so simple and direct. They don't even consider their own interests at all.

  Is human nature inherently evil? Or is it inherently good?

  At this moment, Jiang Kungming's mind, which was full of utilitarianism, had a slight ripple.

  It seemed as if he had sensed something, and although Xu Haifeng hadn't spoken, a hint of warmth also appeared in his eyes.

  On the outskirts of the army, two people were walking side by side. The patrolling soldiers saw them and couldn't help but show respect. They were Lü Yangming, who held the Fast Sword Gate, and Lin Yixing, the master of Meilin Mountain Villa.

  Fang Lingchen's breakout battle was extremely bitter, and the two of them followed Fang Lingchen as he charged forward, experiencing life and death together. The three top-notch experts formed a trident that was invincible on the battlefield, unstoppable. If not for this, they might not have been able to break through Bao Baoyu's 30,000-strong army's encirclement.

  Through this battle, the two of them established extremely high prestige in the army, to the extent that although they held no official positions, all soldiers who saw them would spontaneously salute.

  They walked out of the military camp in a slow and leisurely manner, coming to a deserted grassland.

  For these two guests, the rules that prohibit unauthorized entry and exit from the military camp do not apply. This is a privilege granted by Jiang Kung-ming, and also a manifestation of respect for them.

  Although they can't be compared with the likes of Xu Haifeng, a master of the highest level, as a first-rate cultivator, they are still worthy of being revered by others.

  "Brother Lü, you seem to be very familiar with the military career. Have you been a soldier before?" Lin Yexing asked. The two families were originally at odds with each other and knew each other's ins and outs. In his memory, Lü Yangming had not joined the army.

  After the battle of life and death, especially after Lü Yang saved his life, there was a subtle change in their relationship. Although it can't be said that they were as close as brothers, they were no longer as hostile as they were at first.

  "Alas... I've never been a soldier, but indeed spent many years in the military camp." Lü Yangming sighed, recalling past events.

  Lin Yixing hummed in response, her eyes full of inquiry.

  "It's nothing, really. Over the decades, the Xiongnu have invaded several times, and each time our Quick Sword Sect has had to join forces with them. After a long time, we naturally became familiar with each other." Lyu Yangming explained.

  "It turns out Brother Lü is still a frequent visitor to the army, I admire him." Lin Yixing felt somewhat unexpected and flattered.

  Lü Yang's face twisted into a bitter smile as he shook his head, saying: "It's not just our Fast Sword Sect that has suffered, the Northern Martial World has lost countless people here, and over the centuries, the number of deaths is too many to count."

  Lin Yixing heard him say with a heavy heart, knowing that he had thought of his son who died in battle in the northern border. This pain of losing a child, how could it be comforted? He thought for a moment and changed the subject: "Brother Lü, I have something unclear and want to ask you about it."

  "Please go on..." Lü Yangming said unexpectedly, looking at him with a glance.

  Lin Yixing's eyes gazed at his face, asking: "Younger brother just wants to know, why in the chaos of war, Brother Lü would save younger brother's life, this seems inconsistent with Brother Lü's usual character."

  Lyu Yang looked at him with no hint of hostility in his eyes, only genuine gratitude and a thread of doubt.

  He smiled slightly and said, "I don't know."

  "What?" Lin Yixing asked in surprise.

  "At that time, the situation was too chaotic, and I didn't know that the person I saved was actually you." Lü Yangming said calmly.

  "Is that so?" Lin Yixing didn't believe his excuse at all. The situation was indeed chaotic, but Lv Yangming was a first-rate master, how could he not even tell the people he rescued apart?

  The suspicious look on his face gradually faded away, and a thin layer of anger appeared. However, due to the other party's lifesaving favor, he couldn't afford to lose his temper no matter what.

  Lyu Yang turned his head around, ignoring his dissatisfaction.

  He let out a long sigh, and Lu Yang took big strides to leave. His words came from afar, but in the not-so-loud voice, there was an unexpectedly firm tone: "I only saved my comrades-in-arms, those who fought alongside me on the battlefield."

  Lin Yixing was taken aback, his body seemed to tremble slightly in the gentle breeze, and he muttered repeatedly: "Comrade... comrade?"