My Cultivation Starting from Archery

"Who exactly is this person? Have Fan Shuzhen and the others send someone to test him—then we'll know!"

"As for military strength..."

"There really are only three thousand men!"

"Isn't creating the illusion of greater strength exactly what Fang Qingyun is best at? To say that I am falsely reporting military intelligence is utter nonsense!"

"Yes." Liu Huanrong said worriedly, "But with the mistrust that has already arisen, no matter what we say, it's unlikely they will easily believe us now."

"Send my son over!"

Li Gong gnashed his teeth and said, "I have only one son. They should believe us now, shouldn't they?!"

His eldest son was stationed in Yao State, west of Lingzhou.

"Tell them that any further delay in attacking the city will cause us to miss our war opportunity!"

...

Hu Lao Pass.

"What?!"

"Last night, just fifteen hundred of you took down more than ten thousand men?!"

"And with the assistance of the Duke of Thunder?"

"Not a big deal, right before my eyes, the big-bearded guy who was glaring at me moments before turned into charred ash moments later!"

"It seems my great Dasheng Black Armor troops really have divine help!"

"Nonsense, this is a formation from the Heavenly Book!"

"..."

Inside the city.

The Xuanjia soldiers animatedly recounted last night's events to each other, their morale soaring as they did so.

"Thrilling!"

Even Sha Wenlong was immensely pleased, "General Fang truly lives up to his reputation!"

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Chen Sansi said, "That downpour of yours must have scared the daylights out of them."

"Junior Brother, there's no need to flatter me; it's meaningless."

Fang Qingyun said indifferently, "You and I should continue to discuss our next strategies. After these two minor defeats, many of Nan Xu's generals will likely be coming to the front."

"There are four Profound Image experts, two of them at the level of Great Success."

"Senior Brother, quickly share your strategy for defeating the enemy. I am very curious, and waiting to learn from you."

"You are too modest, Senior Brother. Aren't you just making me nervously anxious?"

"Enough with the jokes, let's discuss serious matters."

Fang Qingyun said, "According to Junior Brother's earlier plans, we intended to sow dissension within the Xu and Qing forces, keeping them uncertain about the true strength at Hu Lao Pass, to delay their siege. However, I am at a loss as to the specifics of how to defeat the enemy."

After all,

this was an army of one hundred thousand!

The previous victories indeed had struck at their morale, but that was all.

"Merely sowing discord is not enough."

Chen Sansi spoke slowly, "I am certain that King Tang Li Gong will do everything in his power to gain Nan Xu's trust, so the Nan Xu Army will still come to attack the city. We must continue to slaughter them in another round, to the point where they not only mistrust each other but also fear Hu Lao Pass. Only then will their true fatal weaknesses emerge."

"Issue my order, two thousand men must continue herding horses every day without pause.

Also, Senior Brother, would you please write down all the recent fortnight's Heavenly Phenomena for me."

"Lastly, all other officers and soldiers, day and night, must practice the Heavenly Book Array without any slack!"

For several consecutive days,

the soldiers practiced the corresponding formations outside Hu Lao Pass based on the upcoming Heavenly Phenomena, preparing for any sudden need.

Finally,

the long-absent Commanding Soldiers panel reappeared.

[Skill: Commanding Soldiers (Great Success)]

[Progress: 0]

[Utility: ..., War Frenzy]

[War Frenzy: Commanding techniques peerless across the world; subordinates trained can become tiger and wolf troops, bloodthirsty and frenzied upon seeing blood, their might stacking overwhelmingly until unstoppable]

Gathering momentum!

To put it more simply, once engaged in fierce battle and with an advantage, they can keep expanding it until all the soldiers enter a berserk state like a war machine, persisting until the battle's end.

A full-blown frenzy!

When an army, each and every one not fearing death and with only the word "kill" in their minds, becomes a true war machine.

And with the addition of [Mainstay] for Calm in Crisis, ensuring the formation doesn't break, [How Can You Say We Are Dressed in Rags?] enhancing formation strength and soldiers' coordination, and finally, with the Heavenly Book and the Xuanzhu.

If the enemy doesn't possess High Realm Martial Artists capable of crushing the ranks, at the same level, it will be a steamrolling in an outright crushing state.

The problem lies exactly here.

The opposing side has two Profound Image experts at Great Success.

This demands observation of the third step to break through the one hundred thousand-strong army!

Beyond that,

before the final battle, it's also crucial to advance the Sword Qi Skill to small achievement.

The incense is sufficient; it's just a matter of time.

"Report—"

Zhao Kang rushed over in haste, "Sir! The entire Nan Xu Army has already arrived at the Great Village fifty miles away. They are coming in full force, claiming to be two hundred thousand strong, with four Profound Image Realm generals. Among them, a General named Peng is now quartered with the vanguard. He has personally led a contingent of over two hundred cavalry to call out for a challenge at the city gates."

"Peng?"

Chen Sansi quickly recalled this man.

Peng Yunheng.

Profound Image Realm Great Success.

An eminent general well-known in Nan Xu.

"Come with me to the wall!"

"..."

...

Nanxu Camp.

"Good!"

Fan Shuzhen, looking at the official from Yao State in front of him, finally made up his mind, "Strategist, Lord You, with Li Gong sending over his only son to assist, and after verifying with spies within Lai State, there cannot be more than three to five thousand troops at Hu Lao Pass. The great general who appeared the other night might have been brought by the Sheng Country Crown Prince, but there definitely won't be a third Profound Image practitioner. You may proceed with the siege at will."

Assistance in name,

but in reality, a hostage!

With him sending his only son over as a hostage, it was clear Li Gong was not lying. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

"There's no need to rush; I've already sent General Peng to call out for a challenge outside Hu Lao Pass," Ran Jingxuan said with composure. "General Peng is at Great Success in the Profound Image Realm, Sha Wenlong is no match for him. They have no choice but to send out that bare-handed powerful general to fight. With a little probing, we'll be able to gauge their strength and then decide when to attack Hu Lao Pass."