Volcanic Age

Just because it was a war didn't mean that it lasted all day. A ceasefire was usually called at sunset, as both sides grew weary and retreated to regroup.

Most of the time, the attacking side was the first to retreat and signal a ceasefire.

"Enough!"

At the command of the Miao Family Sword Gate Master, the mercenary army pulled back. His voice was cheerful and very excited.

The Miao Family Sword Gate had suffered far fewer casualties than usual, while their enemies' losses had increased.

As soon as the battle ended, Zhou Xuchuan was met with a warm welcome.

"Sir Ten Man Commander! No, Hyungnim!"

"Let us follow you! Commander!"

"Please take us under your wing!"

The Evil Faction and its mercenaries didn't value their pride, especially the low-level grunts. They quickly ran to Zhou Xuchuan and bowed their heads to him, begging for protection for the next day's battle.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's go get our day's wages first."

As he received his two silver taels, someone approached him.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Miao Zhenpei."

"The Miao Family's Left Sword."

"Yes."

Miao Zhenpei smiled, pleased that Zhou Xuchuan had recognized him immediately he introduced himself.

A swordsman who used his left hand to display the Miao Family Sword Technique, Miao Zhenpei was a Transcendent expert, hard to find within the Evil Faction and a part of the One Hundred Experts Under Heaven.

He was also the younger brother of the Miao Family Sword Gate Master and was responsible for leading the front lines.

"What's up?"[1]

"I saw you earlier. Your archery and command skills are extraordinary. If it's okay with you, I'd like to promote you to a Hundred Man Commander and have you take command starting tomorrow. Of course, you'd get a corresponding raise."

"Sounds good."

"Looks like your personality is as refreshing as your technique. Then, I'll be in your care, Resonating Death Bow."

Miao Zhenpei smiled kindly.

"Resonating Death Bow?"

"Haven't you heard? It's the nickname everyone's calling you after today's battle. The arrow that kills with each twang of the bow."

"I'm a swordsman, you hear?!"

"Ahaha. Looks like you're good at joking, too. I'm starting to like you even more."

Miao Zhenpei patted Zhou Xuchuan on the shoulder and left.

After a few steps, Miao Zhenpei's adjutant approached and whispered something in his ear. Miao Zhenpei listened intently, his expression sharpening as he focused on the quiet conversation.

"Excuse me, but who is that fellow?"

"The Resonating Death Bow. Zhou Something or another. He'll die tomorrow anyway, so don't worry about it. Put him out front to draw attention, then move the main force away from him. He's just some bastard who uses a bow."

"Understood."

Miao Zhenpei and his adjutant continued to whisper to each other, most likely assuming that the surroundings were noisy enough that they wouldn't be overheard.

"Ah, so that's what's going on," Zhou Xuchuan muttered.

Even though he had distinguished himself in actual combat with his bow, it wasn't enough to erase the deeply rooted negative perception of the bow itself.

Although he initially thought that Miao Zhenpei was a good-natured guy who had a good impression of him, it seemed he was just trying to use him.

"Wasn't that the Miao Family's Left Sword?"

"That's so incredible, Hyungnim!"

The nine men he had originally commanded were the first to approach him, quickly followed by dozens more.

From then on, the other ninety-one men who had joined Zhou Xuchuan and the others were all under his command.

"I've never had a younger brother like you."

"Agk!"

Zhou Xuchuan's palm slapped Tie San's head.

How embarrassing!

Tie San's eyes momentarily widened in anger, enraged at being scolded and embarrassed in front of the other subordinates.

Smack!

When Zhou Xuchuan raised his hand again, Tie San quickly lowered his gaze.

"Tomorrow, no, from today onwards, I will be your Hundred Man Commander. Most likely, those of you here today will be joining me again tomorrow."

Roar!!!!

The men were delighted.

Half of them were wanderers, while the other half were from small sects within the Evil Faction, so weak that they weren't even considered proper martial disciples.

Among the newly formed Hundred Man Regiment, there were two First Class experts, eight Second Class, and the remaining ninety were Third Class.

It was truly a force that could make one exclaim in admiration.

"Your names are now Tie Yi and Tie Er."[2]

Zhou Xuchuan pointed at the two martial artists First Class martial artists.

"You crazy bastard!"

The newly named Tie Yi, a warrior of the Evil Faction, snickered in disbelief. Murderous intent flickered in his eyes.

"I was planning on staying quiet and taking over the Hundred Man Regiment once you died tomorrow, but I guess that's not necessary."

"I realized it from the moment I saw your eyes a while ago. That there really was no one in the world, one could really put their faith in…"

There was no way that such a hastily assembled group of people would trust Zhou Xuchuan right away. Within the Evil Faction in particular, it was normal for people even on the same side to be blinded by greed and strike when one's back was turned.

"You expect me to follow the orders of a bastard who only uses a bow?" Tie Yi spat, drawing his sword.

As expected of a First Class martial artist, his fighting spirit was extraordinary.

"I am a swordsman of Mount Hua."

"Hmph! It's obvious you lied about that because you were worried you wouldn't get hired if you said that you were an archer. That sword is probably just for show, too!"

"I'm serious. I'm from the Righteous Faction."

"What bullshit! I'll make an example out of you for the others!"

Tie Yi pounced.

***

Those who wandered around the battlefield selling weapons and supplies were called war merchants.

Among these "so-called" war merchants, there was one group that had recently become famous.

The Gold Will Merchants.

The Gold Will Merchants had been active since the conflict in Guizhou and were well-known in this field. Even after they expanded into a full-fledged company, they still went around the battlefields to conduct their business.

However, there was one issue with their reputation.

The fact that they sold to anyone, without distinction between the Righteous Faction, the Evil Faction, and even between the enemy and their allies.

Because of that, many didn't like them. However, the popularity of Gold Will Merchants never waned, and their services were always in demand because they consistently supplied the right goods for the right situation and with the right quality.

Often, unscrupulous war merchants would deliberately bring inferior goods to the battlefield and sell them at outrageous prices.

If you don't like it, then don't buy it!

They didn't raise their prices for no reason, either.

Considering the situation those on the battlefield were in, where supplies were low, but needs were high, they had no choice but to buy from whichever merchants they could find. After all, if they didn't, they might be wiped out immediately.

Most war merchants didn't bring inferior goods to the battlefield because they were afraid of retaliation. However, there were always a few who recklessly sold inferior products, believing that those they sold to would be quickly wiped out, or simply trying to make a quick buck and disappear.

To avoid such scams, most tried to trade with the Gold Will Merchants, who, while not very pleasant, were highly trustworthy.

"So, if you need anything, buy it from the Gold Will Merchants, no matter what. Everyone else is a scammer."

"...understood," Tie Yi replied gloomily. His cheeks were swollen and red, and for some reason, the sword he was holding was half-broken.

Behind him stood the rest of the Hundred Man Regiment, their faces not much better. They all looked incredibly gloomy.

"All of you idiots spend your salaries on alcohol and prostitutes the moment you receive them. Are you all mayflies? No, invest in your weapons and medicine first," Zhou Xuchuan scolded.

"Don't they say a master doesn't care what sort of weapon they use?" someone asked.

"Are you all masters?"

"No."

"Right?"

For some reason, it felt like they were all being deceived.

"Sir Hundred Man Commander. Well, I prepared a sword before I came here," a man in his mid-thirties spoke up.

Zhou Xuchuan's gaze shifted toward him.

"Where?"

"In Fu'an…"

"Who did you buy it from?"

"They said that there was a good blacksmith in Fu'an…"

"Who introduced you to him?" When Zhou Xuchuan asked persistently, the man shrugged and replied with less confidence.

"A warrior of the Miao Family Sword Gate…"

"Hmm."

Zhou Xuchuan glanced around, confirming there were no disciples of the Miao Family Sword Gate nearby before muttering under his breath.

"Don't you think that's a collusion between them and their local merchants? Your sword's quality is questionable, so go get a new one."

"Excuse me, Sir Hundred Man Commander. I just stole this during the battle. It's not broken, and I don't think it's been used much, either…"

"Did you get it from a corpse?"

"Yes."

"No, that weapon is definitely bad. That must be why that corpse was killed. It's better to throw it away and get a new one. Yes, the quality is definitely the best at the Gold Will Merchants."

Even with such ridiculous advertising, there had to be a limit…

It was so strange that some of the men started to doubt Zhou Xuchuan's intentions.

"Real… ly?"

"Are you stronger than me?"

"Well… no, but…"

"Then stop asking me questions! Thwack!"

The Hundred Man Regiment quickly spent all of their earnings on weapons.

However, it wasn't as much of a scam as it seemed.

These men weren't falling like weeds every day for nothing.

Living a life where they couldn't guarantee their survival, most of them used their rewards for immediate pleasure. But their survival rates would increase dramatically if they invested in better weapons or medicine.

"Okay, now let's rest in preparation for tomorrow. Go to bed."

***

The next day dawned.

People flocked over like clouds converging over the hills.

"Hmm."

Miao Zhenpei opened his eyes and fiercely glared at the camp built on the hills. Today would be the last day he would have to see that camp.

"Let's go!"

Roar!!!

The Miao Family forces responded in kind to Miao Zhenpei's shout. Each of them swung their swords desperately.

A bloody wind swept across the hills, carrying with it the stench of rotting corpses and the sharp tang of fresh blood.

"Take care of the Resonating Death Bow first!"

The enemy shouted for Zhou Xuchuan's head, likely aware of his actions from the day before.

"Protect the Hundred Man Commander!"

Roar!!

The Hundred Man Regiment rallies around Zhou Xuchuan, raising their swords in defense.

A hundred people clashed against a hundred people, yet even amidst the chaos, it was easy to distinguish which side each combatant was on, thanks to the weapons held in their hands.

"To think you'd be afraid of arrows, you fools!"

"How can you still call yourselves men after doing that?"

"Fuck off, you bloody cowards!"

On the side of the Flashing Waterfall Saber Gate, a group of particularly conspicuous brothers advanced while swinging their large sabers.

Every time they swung their sabers, the martial artists belonging to the Miao Family Sword Gate fell like autumn leaves.

"The Four Dogs of the Flashing Waterfall!"

The warriors on the side of Miao Family Sword Gate trembled and retreated.

In the Flashing Waterfall Saber Gate, there was a group of disciple brothers who were known not only for their exceptional skill but also for their bad tempers.

They were the Four Dogs of the Flashing Waterfall.

The First and Second Dogs were in the Peak realm, while the Third and Fourth Dogs were among the best in the First Class. Their presence on the battlefield was a clear sign that the damage to their forces the previous day had been significant.

"Kill them all!"

ROAR!!!!

At the shout of the martial artist, most likely the First Dog, the Flashing Waterfall Saber Gate warriors and their mercenaries advanced, their fighting spirit blazing.

The situation, which had been in the Miao Family Sword Gate's favor just moments before, quickly reversed, and the battlefield was soon filled with screams and blood.

"RAAAH!"

The Four Dogs of the Flashing Waterfall rushed forward, roaring with all their might. All four were large, like wild boars.

"Agk!!"

The members of the Hundred Man Regiment guarding Zhou Xuchuan were unable to hold out for long and fell helplessly.

"One!"

Thwip!

As Zhou Xuchuan released the bowstring, the arrow nocked in its center flew forward. It spun through the air, cutting through the wind before drawing a straight line toward its target.

The arrow aimed for the forehead of the youngest-looking Dog standing at the front.

"You dare!"

The Fourth Dog sneered, instinctively raising his saber to shield his face.

Clang!

The arrowhead struck the saber with such force that the impact reverberated through the metal, sending a jolt down his arm.

His face twisted in confusion. The sheer force from blocking a single arrow had caught him off guard, the backlash far stronger than he had anticipated.

Is this supposed to be archery?

No, that archer must have infused his qi into the arrow.

If that was the case, then the Fourth Dog was certain that the archer before him was using a martial art. However, he had never heard of or encountered an archery technique that was this powerful.

Moreover, its maneuverability is no joke!

The Fourth Dog tensed, realizing he couldn't underestimate their opponent simply because he was an archer.

"You idiot! What are you doing, just standing there blankly?!"

Third Dog brushed past Fourth Dog.

"Be careful, Hyungnim!"

"An archer, whatever. It's just a matter of closing the distance between us anyway!"

1. He starts talking in slang, most likely to try to disguise himself. ☜

2. Tie San means Iron Three, so he's back-naming these two into Iron One and Iron Two… ☜