We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 373: I, Bai Qi, Shall Repay with ʼA Nation as Giftʼ

Xiao Moʼs words landed in the military tent.

Everyone looked toward that young man named Bai Qi.

Zhao Guang and Li Jing were both very familiar with Bai Qi.

Because over this past year, they had witnessed Bai Qiʼs bravery on the battlefield.

Bai Qi, like the former Frost Prince, had achieved the merits of slaying generals, capturing flags, and being first to ascend the walls.

At that time, the Northern Pacification Prince had pointed at Bai Qi and said to them, ”This boy will surely accomplish great things in the future and will surely become an aid to my son.”

After that, the Northern Pacification Prince appointed Bai Qi as a deputy general and tried having him lead troops.

Bai Qiʼs methods of commanding troops increasingly satisfied the Northern Pacification Prince.

Otherwise, in response to Chu Kingdom this time, he wouldnʼt have had Bai Qi come now. However, making Bai Qi the main general, was there truly no problem?

It wasnʼt that Zhao Guang and Li Jing were jealous of Bai Qi, but they truly felt Bai Qi was too young.
Although the Frost Prince had also started leading troops at this age and had even destroyed Zhei Kingdom.

After all, logically speaking, for a nationʼs fortune to consecutively produce two fierce generals of the Frost Princeʼs caliber was truly too difficult.

”Bai Qi, if I have you lead troops to defeat Wu Qi, do you dare?” Xiao Mo asked again.

Bai Qi stepped forward and cupped his fists in deep salute, ”Since the general trusts me, how would Bai Qi dare to disappoint! If I donʼt defeat Wu Qi, this subordinate will present his head to the general!”

”Good.”

Xiao Mo nodded.

”You shall lead troops today. Bai Qi, if your decisions are simultaneously opposed by both General Li and General Zhao as deputy generals, then you cannot proceed. Do you understand?”

”Yes! General!” Bai Qi said seriously.

”General Li, General Zhao, Bai Qi is too young. If he becomes too spirited and his killing intent too heavy, you may obstruct him. For other matters, let him make the decisions.” Xiao Mo instructed.

”This subordinate receives your command!”

Li Jing and Zhao Guang both saluted simultaneously.

That same day, the three of them led sixty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry along with two hundred forty thousand infantry, a total of three hundred thousand elite troops, toward Tiansi City.

Within two days, Bai Qi and the others arrived with their army and completely took over Tiansi City.

The lord of Tiansi City had thought the famous general Xiahou Nan would come to defend the city, but the main general turned out to be a young man he had never even heard of.

For a moment, the lord of Tiansi Cityʼs heart began to panic again but thinking that he was sent by the Frost Prince, and that he could have Generals Li Jing and Zhao Guang serve as deputy generals, the lord of Tiansi City decided to first believe, then question.

Two more days passed, and scouts reported that Wu Qiʼs army was approaching.

Because Tiansi City did not occupy any natural stronghold and was merely a barrier, not to mention that Bai Qiʼs hundreds of thousands of troops staying in the city just to defend it would be even more constrained.

Moreover, both sides had similar troop numbers, not to mention there were sixty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry.

Therefore, after Bai Qi deliberated with Zhao Guang and Li Jing, they decided together to lead the army to face them head-on.

What the various nations most recognized was defeating the enemy army head-on.

If Bai Qi won head-on, he could completely shatter the enemyʼs morale and achieve victory in a single battle.

On the fourth day after arriving at Tiansi City, Chu Kingdomʼs army approached the city.

The three of them led their army to meet them in battle.

There were no conspiracies or schemes, everything was a direct confrontation.

Both sidesʼ commanders relied on their understanding of military formations and battle arrays to engage in a life-and-death struggle.

Bai Qi stood at the front army, like a black stone monument.

His gaze fell upon that distant, silent, and strictly fortified military formation.

It was currently autumn, and the wind beyond the frontier already carried some bone-piercing cold.

Rolling up withered yellow grass debris and dust, striking against cold armor, producing fine rustling sounds.

Zhao Guang looked at the Chu army across from them with their orderly military bearing and concealed yet palpable killing intent, and sighed, ”Truly worthy of being Chu Kingdomʼs fierce general. This army is no less than the Northern Frontier!”

”This General Wu Qi is indeed formidable. Without General Wu Qi, with how the Chu King squanders, other nations would have already taken advantage long ago.”

Bai Qiʼs voice was calm and unwavering, betraying no emotion whatsoever.

”However, no matter what, the current Chu Kingdom is no longer the Chu Kingdom of old, and like Zhei Kingdom, is merely in its twilight years.”

”Iʼve long heard of General Li and General Zhaoʼs great names.” Wu Qi rode his horse forward, greeting the two, ”I heard General Li has finally been enfeoffed as a marquis, congratulations.”

”Many thanks, General Wu.” Li Jing cupped his fists in return, ”General Wu is a famous general of this age, and my lord the Frost Prince has ambitions to pacify the realm. The Chu King is wasteful and incompetent. Rather than selling your life for him, General, why not join our Qin Kingdom and establish unprecedented merit!”

”Hehehe, many thanks for General Liʼs kind offer, but the late emperor showed favor to my Wu family. The Xiao family occupies the Northern Frontier and Zhei Kingdomʼs lands without rebelling, so how could my Wu family bring shame to our ancestors?”

Wu Qi smiled and politely declined.

”Speaking of which, looking at this young manʼs attire, he is the main general, but heʼs not the rumored Frost Prince. May I know your name?”

”Bai Qi under the Frost Princeʼs command, specially dispatched by the Frost Prince to Tiansi City to welcome the general!” Bai Qi cupped his fists in salute.

”Bai Qi.” Wu Qi silently repeated the name, his gaze sweeping over the opposing military formation, ”Never heard of you, but to receive the Frost Princeʼs favor shows you have some ability. To dare face this marquis head-on shows even more courage. I hope you wonʼt disappoint me.”

”This junior hopes to satisfy the general.” Bai Qiʼs gaze sharpened, showing no fear whatsoever.

Wu Qi nodded, ”Now that the Zhou rites have collapsed, most people have forgotten that warfare also has its protocols. This marquis hasnʼt had such a head-on contest in quite some time. Come! Beat the drums! Break the army! Take the city! Let me see if Qin Kingdom truly has so many young prodigies!”

With Wu Qiʼs command, thunder-like drum sounds rang out across the plain.

Both armies, already prepared, charged at each other!

The battle cries shook the heavens!

The Chu armyʼs front flanksʼ heavy infantry formations began advancing forward, their steps uniform, shields like walls, while the central formation held position.

”The Chu armyʼs two flanks move first, the center doesnʼt move.” Bai Qi frowned, ”Wu Qi wants to test my flanksʼ strength. Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, left flank first squad, attack. Right flank first squad, stand by.”

Horn sounds arose.

On the Northern Frontier armyʼs left flank, ten thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry began charging, a white torrent surging from the main formation, hoofbeats like muffled thunder.

They automatically divided into three streams during the charge, each stream over three thousand riders, in arrowhead formation.

Across from them, thirty-five thousand cavalry on the Chu armyʼs left flank, seeing the enemy army deploy, also accelerated their charge.

The two cavalry forces collided at a position slightly left of the battlefield center.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalryʼs arrowhead formation was incomparably sharp. The first cavalry stream pierced into the Chu army cavalry formation like an awl.

The second and third streams followed closely, widening the breach.

The white-armored cavalry wielded long spears from horseback, and wherever spear light passed, Chu soldiers and horses tumbled but the Chu army cavalry had numerical advantage and quickly flanked from both sides, attempting to encircle.

”Left flank second squad, attack.” Bai Qi ordered.

Another ten thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry surged forth, this time in a straight charge, directly striking the Chu army cavalryʼs flank.

”The Northern Frontier Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry truly live up to their reputation.” Wu Qi sighed, ”Pass the order, left flank cavalry retreat while fighting, draw the enemy deep. Right flank cavalry prepare, once the enemy left flank fully deploys, immediately charge the enemy right flank.”

Orders were conveyed through flags.

The Chu armyʼs left flank cavalry began orderly withdrawal, fighting while retreating, gradually luring the Northern Frontier Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry away from their main formation.

Bai Qi saw this change and smiled, ”Want to draw my left flank deep? Pass the order, left flank cavalry stop pursuit, third squad advance to provide support, first and second squads alternate withdrawal.”

”Right flank cavalry, all squads on alert. Central heavy infantry, first and second echelons advance fifty steps.”

The Northern Frontier armyʼs left flank cavalry suddenly stopped pursuing and began alternating cover withdrawal.

At the same time, the front two echelons of the central heavy infantry formation moved forward, like a giant beast extending two front claws.

”Bai Qi? Somewhat interesting.” Wu Qi no longer dared underestimate this young man, ”Pass the order, left flank cavalry stop retreating, regroup in place. Right flank cavalry, attack!”

On the Chu armyʼs right flank, thirty-five thousand cavalry began charging, this time at full speed, their target pointing directly at the Northern Frontier armyʼs right flank.

Almost simultaneously, Bai Qi ordered, ”Right flank Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, all squads attack. Central heavy infantry third echelon, move thirty steps to the right.”

On the Northern Frontier armyʼs right flank, all thirty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry surged forth.

They didnʼt divide their forces but formed a massive wedge formation, charging directly at the Chu army cavalry.

The two cavalry torrents crashed together on the right side of the battlefield with a heaven-shaking roar.

The Chu armyʼs front flanksʼ heavy infantry formations had already advanced to a position one hundred steps from the Northern Frontier armyʼs front lines.

The Northern Frontier armyʼs central archers began shooting, arrow rain pouring down, instantly filling Chu army shields with arrows but the Chu army formation remained orderly, continuing to advance.

Fifty steps.

Thirty steps.

”Spears!” An order rang out from within the Chu army formation.

The front three ranks of heavy infantry simultaneously leveled their spears, spear tips like a forest.

Ten steps.

”Kill!”

The Chu army heavy infantry crashed into the Northern Frontier armyʼs first echelon.

The sounds of shield collisions, spear tips piercing armor, and battle cries merged into one.

The first line instantly became a bloody meat grinder.

Bai Qi concentrated spiritual energy in his eyes, observing every change on the battlefield from behind the formation.

”The Chu army heavy infantry are well-trained. The first echelon can hold for two ke at most.”

”Pass the order, first echelon fight to the death without retreating, second echelon prepare to replace them.”

”Archers concentrate fire on the Chu armyʼs central formation, prevent their advance.”

Bai Qiʼs orders were quickly conveyed to each hundred-man commander through horns, formation flags, magical artifacts, messengers, and other means.

The Northern Frontier army archers redirected, arrow rain covering the unmoved Chu army central heavy infantry formation.

Arrows fell like a storm, and the Chu army central formation had no choice but to raise shields in defense, their advance speed slowing but soon, the Chu armyʼs central forces, eighty thousand archers, moved forward. After entering range, they began counterattacking.

On the battlefield, the outcome of the left flank cavalry engagement was becoming clear.

On the right flank battlefield, thirty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and thirty-five thousand Chu army cavalry fought to a stalemate.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalryʼs wedge formation cut into the Chu army formation like a sharp blade but Chu army cavalry continuously pressed from both sides, trying to encircle the wedge formation.

The Northern Frontier army formation began changing.

The fourth and fifth echelons of the central heavy infantry formation moved to both sides, making the central formation thinner but strengthening the flanks.

In the next moment, the Chu armyʼs central heavy infantry formation suddenly accelerated, their shield wall like a moving fortress, pressing toward the Northern Frontier armyʼs center.

The Chu Kingdomʼs flank cavalry also intensified their offensive, trying to break through the Northern Frontier army cavalry defense line.

At noon, the battle had continued for three hours.

Both sidesʼ military formations continuously changed, arrows carved with formations poured down like rain, causing explosion after explosion across the battlefield.

And just then, the Northern Frontier armyʼs center, five echelons of heavy infantry suddenly advanced forward simultaneously.

From the passage originally left open, thousands of light infantry charged out, wielding short spears and war sabers, emerging from the passage and striking directly at the Chu army central formationʼs flank.

The Chu army central formation was advancing when their flank was suddenly attacked, and the formation immediately fell into chaos.

”Hold steady! Both flanks close toward the center!” Wu Qi urgently ordered but it was already too late.

On the Northern Frontier armyʼs left flank, the remaining fifteen thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry all assembled, forming a sharp charging formation, directly pouncing on the junction between the Chu army formationʼs left flank and center.

That was precisely the weakest position in the Chu army formation.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry cut in like a white spear.

The Chu army left flank cavalry attempted to intercept but were crushed head-on.

After the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry broke through the cavalry defense line, they didnʼt pause at all, continuing to charge toward the side and rear of the Chu armyʼs central formation.

”Central formation, change to circular formation!” Wu Qi roared.

The Chu army central formation began changing formation, heavy infantry contracting toward the center, shields facing outward, spears bristling like a hedgehog but changing formation required time.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry had already arrived, charging into the Chu army central formation from the side and rear.

Chaos spread like ripples.

At the hour of wei, the Chu armyʼs central formation was already in disarray.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry charged left and right within the formation, dividing the Chu army heavy infantry into several pieces.

The Northern Frontier armyʼs central heavy infantry pressed forward along the entire line, engaging the Chu army head-on.

Although Wu Qi was very unwilling to admit it, the facts told him the battle situation was irredeemable.

In this head-on battle, he had lost.

”Pass the order, all forces retreat.” Wu Qi sighed and slowly spoke, ”Heavy infantry cover the rear, cavalry protect both flanks.”

”General!” Several deputy generals beside Wu Qi were unwilling to admit defeat.

”Retreat.” Wu Qi stared intently at that man in the formation, ”Remember his name. In the future, you will cross swords with him again.”

The gong sounded withdrawal.

The Chu army began retreating.

Heavy infantry formed dense formations, fighting while retreating.

Cavalry covered both flanks, resisting the Northern Frontier armyʼs pursuit.

Bai Qi watched the retreating Chu army, ”Pass the order, Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, pursue for twenty li then return. Heavy infantry clean the battlefield, treat the wounded.”

Both Li Jing and Zhao Guang agreed.

Wu Qi was defeated but not in chaos. Pursuing would result in great casualties. Simply driving them completely off the battlefield was sufficient.

The objective of this battle had already been achieved.

He rode his horse toward the battlefield.

On the plain, corpses lay everywhere. The Chu army left over seventy thousand bodies, and the Northern Frontier army also lost nearly fifty thousand but the Chu armyʼs most elite cavalry had lost more than half, and their heavy infantry suffered catastrophic losses.

As the sun set in the west, it dyed the battlefield blood red.

Bai Qi stood on a small hill, watching soldiers clean the battlefield, carry away the wounded, collect weapons, and pile up corpses to prepare for cremation.

Zhao Guang came to his side, ”This battle was a great victory. Shall we return to the main army and rendezvous with the Frost Prince?”

Bai Qi didnʼt answer.

He looked toward the direction where the Chu army had retreated, where dust was gradually settling.

”Itʼs not enough.” After contemplating for a long time, Bai Qi finally spoke.

”Not enough?” Zhao Guang didnʼt understand.

Bai Qi nodded, his tone full of sharp edge:

”This battle alone is insufficient to fulfill the promise this subordinate made to the Frost Prince.

I want to drive Wu Qi and his army into a desperate situation and break into Nanshan Kingdom!”

His voice was very calm, so calm it made Zhao Guang and Li Jing feel cold in their hearts.

”I, Bai Qi, was originally just a commoner. In the past, the Frost Prince did not abandon me and treated me with ʼthe courtesy of a cup of tea.ʼ

Today! I, Bai Qi, shall repay with ʼa nation as giftʼ!”