Chapter 592: Recuperation

Chapter 592: Chapter 592: Recuperation

Wu Kai had just stepped out of the physician’s tent, his face dark as iron. Three more scouts had been struck by poisoned arrows, their bodies burning hot and unconscious. This was the Barbarian Race’s harassment—small groups slipping past the frontline defenses, lying in wait to ambush lone scouting parties, using long tubular blowguns to launch attacks from the woods. Often, there was no warning.

Ever since passing through Red Mountain Valley, these raids had happened intermittently all along the way.

Wu Kai had anticipated this, and the warnings had been sounded back when they crossed Wu Lake. Along the road, he’d seen plenty of wagons returning empty except for wounded, comatose soldiers—just like the cases he’d observed in the physician’s tent.

According to the physicians, the poison afflicting these soldiers wasn’t fatal, but would cause prolonged high fevers, requiring copious water and rest, making them unfit for forced marches. Their recommendation was to treat them simply to suppress the toxin, then send them back to Wu Lake on carts to recover, returning when they healed.

Return to Wu Lake? That was not just an issue involving a few wounded. Each wounded soldier would require at least two others to escort and transport him, along with consumption of supplies and medicine.

Not saving them was never an option, nor would Wu Kai consider it. What he needed to do was stabilize the injured, move them to the Central Army’s collection point, and then let the Central Army arrange for their transport back to Wu Lake for recovery.

It was obvious this was deliberate by the Barbarian Race. They clearly possessed poisons capable of killing with one strike, yet chose toxins that severely wounded but didn’t instantly kill. The move was undeniably cunning.

In the entire Mixed Army, just these past days, nearly fifty poisoned wounded had already been sent away. Counting escorts, at least a hundred effective troops had been pulled from formation, sent in the opposite direction.

"Report! Assistant General Li orders the lord to proceed immediately to the Central Army Tent for a military council!"

Wu Kai strapped on his sword and rose at once, showing his credentials and codeword along the way as he entered the Central Army Tent of the Mixed Army.

Assistant General Li was already present, seated on a small stool along the left side of the tent. Another assistant general occupied the right. Behind each sat small benches.

Wu Kai knew his place. Once the guard called his name, he bowed and entered, stepping briskly to sit behind Assistant General Li.

This was Wu Kai’s first time encountering the Mixed Army’s Military Marshal Yao Tianning—a tall, thin, pale-faced middle-aged man with formidable presence. Wu Kai couldn’t sense his Cultivation, except that it surpassed his own. The tent was silent, save for breathing and the callings outside.

Soon, everyone had arrived. The tent flaps closed; the Concealing Array inside activated. Lights were lit. Seated at the head, Yao Tianning finally spoke: "You’ve all worked hard on this journey." He raised a hand to halt any replies, continuing: "Since we passed Red Mountain Valley, the Barbarian Race’s raids have grown increasingly rampant. Each unit must reinforce their scouts to prevent surprise attacks. If you spot the Barbarian Race, send word at once—do not advance rashly to engage.

Also, when you return, all formations are now officially entering combat status. Orders will be distributed now."

With that, Yao Tianning signaled his deputy, who handed two Triple Restriction copper rods to the assistant generals seated to his left and right. Each took a rod, immediately unlocking it with their Waist Token as well as True Qi and Soul resonance, glancing over the orders swiftly before re-sealing them. The contents were considerable, but the setting wasn’t right to pore over details—they’d have to do so later.

Then, having read the Order, Yao Tianning and the two assistant generals stood, gesturing for the others to remain seated, before approaching a six-foot-wide tactical map for the day’s primary strategic briefing.

"The Daoxing Chief’s Office has given our Mixed Army a three-step order. The first part we’ve completed: forced marching and integration along the route. I’ve observed covertly and found you’ve done well.

The second part arrived after we crossed Wu Lake—you should have guessed it: the ’full-speed march’ order. For this we left behind half our supplies. These shortages will be gradually replenished after reaching our garrison. Our abandoned supplies will also be sent forward by the Daoxing Chief’s Office’s Supply Battalion. Make sure your subordinates are clear on this—don’t let them brood or panic over the matter.

Let me reiterate: anyone caught gossiping or speculating on military strategy in camp faces one fate—death!

This is a point I expect you all to heed. Ahead lies the battle array and killing field—there can be no loose sand within. Any signs of trouble must be dealt with swiftly and ruthlessly.

Now, to the main strategy: This is where we’ll be stationed!" Yao Tianning struck the map emphatically at a marked red spot, beside which were two characters: Jianchuan.

"Jianchuan’s terrain is complex—scattered stony beaches and small waters. Currently, all three main road junctions are tightly guarded by our camps, but the Barbarian Race is pressing hard, casualties mounting. We’ll rest here for a day, and tomorrow afternoon officially enter Jianchuan’s defensive zone. Details remain uncertain, but be prepared for tough fighting..."

He called it strategic briefing, but really it was a situation report and final rally to the officers. The officers, in turn, would do likewise for their soldiers when they returned. In this way, the morale of the Mixed Army was stirred layer upon layer.

Leaving the Central Army Tent, Wu Kai was summoned to Assistant General Li’s tent for further instructions. By the time he returned to his own camp, it was nearly noon.

He relayed the morning’s messages to his deputy for dissemination, then, as usual, donned his full gear for a camp inspection. It was his habit—whenever encamped, he’d patrol at least twice a day. Show his face, exchange a few words with the soldiers below, even settle a dispute or two. The daily life of the military was tedious and rigid; it was through such routines that officers gradually inspired reverence and awe among their men.

"Sir, there’s something outside the camp!" The outpost sent word. The deputy quickly found Wu Kai during his patrol and whispered the update.

"What’s the situation?" Wu Kai didn’t believe—given the presence of the army and the frontline ahead—that any Barbarian Race force could threaten the camp.

"The outpost says it looks like a group of retreating wounded."

"Retreating wounded? Let’s go take a look."

Wu Kai turned at once for the camp entrance. Soon enough, he saw a long procession passing along a makeshift road outside. Nine out of ten wore bandages. The rest weren’t unscathed either—being hauled on flatbeds or carts, dragged along.