The rumble of spring thunder echoed from the gathering clouds on the horizon. Search:\(?Complete?Book?God?Station) to read quality literature for free.

Mist flowed between the mountain ridges, and a gyrfalcon circled silently in the sky, patrolling the misty earth. Trees were visible and then obscured, occasionally revealing the aftermath of battle.

Blood pooled on the ground, congealing into a semi-viscous liquid that trickled down the hillsides in the morning light. Explosion marks scarred the grassy slopes; the gunpowder scent had dissipated, and corpses were impaled on long spears.

A small team moved through the bodies.

“Commander Luo went east, making one last search…”

“Jurchens could arrive any minute. If there are no wounded, we retreat…”

“Looks like no one’s alive.”

While searching for survivors, someone lit a fire stick, its tiny flame illuminating the faces as they spoke.

“Commander Luo fought a good battle. Most of these are Jin soldiers…”

“They look like Khitans. Several hundred in this area.”

“It was Commander Luo coordinating with the Fourth Division. I heard Chen Tian himself led the Fourth Division. After the battle, they moved on to the next engagement. Commander Luo chased after them for a while…”

“You're spouting nonsense. How do you know all this?”

“I asked when we met up with the Third Team. They were rescuing the wounded; we’re just cleaning up…”

As they spoke, a gyrfalcon's eyes flashed in the night sky. A moment later, a figure crawled towards them. “Gyrfalcon, Jurchens are coming from the north.”

“Second Young Master…you were told to stay here…”

“No time for talk, I’ll explain later.” The crawling figure twisted his neck and flexed his wrist, appearing easygoing. One of the adults grabbed him.

“Old Yu, you take them south. Second Young Master, what are you doing? You’re coming too.”

“I haven’t finished. Uncle Zheng, there aren’t many Jurchens, just a small scouting party, probably a vanguard checking things out. I’ve already observed them. If we take them out, the Jurchens will be blind in this area, at least for a day or two, right?”

“If you want to take them out, I'll do it. I promised your father…”

“No, I’m young, my light skills are good, that’s why I’ve already seen them. If you don’t take me, they’ll spot us immediately. We don’t have much time, no need to dawdle. Uncle Yu, you guys move out first. Uncle Zheng, come with me, be careful.”

The young man moved like an eel. With a flick of his hand, he darted into the trees. He wore camouflage, with bark and moss attached to his clothes. He crawled, his limbs moving minimally, like a spider or a turtle, becoming almost invisible at a distance. Zheng Qiming sighed and followed, with the others.

The young man running ahead was, of course, Ning Ji. Although his behavior was a bit roguish, his eyes were full of solemnity and alertness. He quickly told the others the location of the Jurchen scouts and disappeared into the bushes. Zheng Qiming, being larger, sighed and moved off in another direction.

Soon, the fight broke out in the thick fog before dawn.

The Jurchen scouts were not easy opponents. Although they were scattered and approaching quietly, the moment the first man fell to an arrow, the others were alerted. Figures darted between the trees, blades flashing in the darkness. Ning Ji squeezed the trigger of his crossbow and then lunged at the opponent he had been watching.

The Jurchen scout swayed, avoiding the arrow, and drew his saber. In the dim light, Ning Ji was shorter than average. The steel blade passed over his head, and the knife in his hand pierced the enemy's abdomen.

The Jurchen scout wore soft armor, plus thick clothing. Ning Ji's knife didn't penetrate deeply. The Jurchen grunted, grabbed the blade, and swung his saber in a counterattack. Ning Ji released the hilt and moved behind the enemy.

The Jurchen roared and turned, but Ning Ji was faster. He leaped onto the man's back like an ape and grabbed his head. Knowing he was in dire straits, the Jurchen jumped and slammed himself backward to the ground.

In the dizzying moment, Ning Ji clasped his hands together, hugged the man's head, and curled up into a defensive position. With a crash, his back hit the ground, mud splashing, but he still held the Jurchen's head.

The next moment, blood spurted into the darkness. Ning Ji split his hands apart, and the short knife in his hand slashed open the enemy's throat.

The gyrfalcon swooped down from the sky. The dying man on the ground was struggling violently, and the falcon attacked the boy who had taken its master’s life, its claws and beak tearing at him. In a moment, the boy grabbed the falcon, one hand clutching its neck, the other its wings, and with a snap, he twisted its neck, killing it.

He threw the gyrfalcon's corpse aside. By the time he wanted to help the others, the fight in the woods was over. It had only been four or five breaths since he had charged out. Zheng Qiming had rushed over and hacked at the still-twitching scout, before asking, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine…" Ning Ji spat out blood. Seeing that everything was quiet, he said, "Gyrfalcon…I killed a gyrfalcon. We..."

"Liu Yuan's been stabbed…" A low voice called out. A figure clutched his abdomen, slowly slumping down by a tree. Ning Ji paused for a moment, then ran towards him…

Injuries were common on the battlefield, as was witnessing comrades fall and leave. Having been in the medical team for some time, Ning Ji was used to such things.

By mid-February, the front lines were a tangled mess of encirclements, escapes, ambushes, and counter-ambushes, happening every day in these mountains.

The terrain in front of Zizhou was too complex, so the Chinese army split their forces into regiments for movement and optimal combat efficiency. Ning Ji followed the shifting battlefield. Although he belonged to the medical team, he might end up on the front lines during army maneuvers, or in short-range engagements with Jurchen scouting parties. When that happened, Ning Ji would urge Zheng Qiming and the others to reap the spoils of war.

Zheng Qiming didn't have many men, but they were mostly guards who had previously followed Ning Yi, and they were exceptional fighters. In theory, Ning Ji's life was very important, but in the heated atmosphere of the front lines, everyone was fighting bravely, and they couldn’t ignore small groups of Jurchens they could eliminate.

As such, by mid-February, Ning Ji had participated in three hunts for Jurchen scouts and soldiers, adding several more lives to his tally. Once, he encountered a seasoned Jin hunter and nearly had his throat slit. He was quite scared after that.

Fear was natural. If he were just a sheltered young master, he might never dare to fight again after one or two such incidents. But the battlefield provided an antidote to that fear.

When he witnessed the desperate fighting and self-sacrificing spirit of the Chinese army soldiers on the battlefield, when he saw these brave men struggling in pain or the cold corpses of those who had fallen, even the greatest fear was suppressed. In this war, almost everyone was moving forward, so he dared not retreat.

Liu Yuan's knife wound wasn't fatal, but it wouldn't heal quickly. After the first round of emergency treatment, the group made a makeshift stretcher and carried him away. Ning Ji picked up the dead gyrfalcon and held it up. "We're having chicken tonight." He then boasted, "We've been fighting Jurchen scouts for so long, how many gyrfalcons have we killed?"

He had also been scratched during the fight with the big bird, one of the wounds was even on his face. But compared to the deaths on the battlefield, these were just small scratches. Ning Ji smeared some ointment on them and didn't pay much attention.

"I heard that eagle's blood is very nutritious?"

"It's probably the same as chicken blood, right? It's been dead for a while, who wants to drink it?"

No one volunteered, and Ning Ji didn't plan to drink it either. The morning sun was already shining through the mist, and the air was humid. Ning Ji and Zheng Qiming walked side-by-side, chatting.

"Uncle Zheng, my dad said that there are always some people in this world who are true geniuses. Grandfather Liu was rumored to be the greatest grandmaster of the sword in the world, and he was very picky. You were accepted as his disciple, you're that kind of genius, right?"

"If we're talking about sword talent, my brothers and I were pretty good, but the most talented should be your Eighth Uncle Qian. Your Aunt Gua is also amazing. When it comes to martial arts, she and Chen Fan, none of us can catch up."

"Hmm, then… Uncle Zheng, what do you think of me? I've been thinking lately that I must be that kind of genius too. Look, instead of being a medic, I think I'd be better as a scout, but I promised my dad…"

"Ning Ji…"

"Hmm?"

"Only those who survive are the true geniuses."

"…Hmm, but Uncle Zheng…"

"Yes?"

"We have to win the whole war for anyone to survive."

Ning Ji was at the age of youthful enthusiasm, and some of his words could be considered childish. However, these words made Zheng Qiming unable to refute him.

He looked at the boy walking beside him. The battlefield was treacherous, and even as they talked, Ning Ji maintained an alert and hidden posture, ready to evade or explode into action. The battlefield was a slaughterhouse, but it was also a place to hone grandmasters. A martial artist could train for half a lifetime, constantly sparring with opponents, but few could maintain a natural alertness every day, every hour. Ning Ji quickly entered that state.

A few months of training in this environment could surpass years of practice and insight.

The group continued, speaking in hushed tones.

"Hey, where do you think the decisive battle will be?"

"The staff is looking for a good opportunity…"

"I heard it's because Wanyan Zonghan hasn't officially appeared yet."

"Saba is his best dog. That route from Rainwater Creek was originally led by Dalai, but then they said they saw Zonghan around the second day of the new year, and later Saba took over that army. I think Zonghan is there."

"Zonghan has been fighting all his life, doesn't he know about deception? If they say he's there, he's probably not."

"Heh heh, you old brute knows about military strategy now? I think Zonghan probably guessed that you'd think that way…"

"So, this time we're not defending Zizhou, we're going straight for Zonghan?"

"No wonder Zonghan hasn't shown his face yet…"

"Hey hey hey, I got it… they said in night school and at the mobilization meetings, our greatest strength is initiative. It means that our people, even when scattered, know where to go, while the enemy is confused without a leader. It's happened several times in the past… like killing Wanyan Loushi, we just charged in and made a mess, everyone ran around, and then our chance came. Isn't that what it's like this time…"

"Then where should we go after we're scattered?"

"…To kill Zonghan."

"That's why Zonghan hasn't come out since the second day of the new year, who should we kill now?"

"His son, Xiebao."

"Why not kill Bali Su? Let's say, for example, that Xiebao is harder to kill right now, and Bali Su is easier, and the staff decides to kill Bali Su, but you go to kill Xiebao, is that initiative useless then…?"

"Yao Shubin, you're arguing for the sake of arguing…"

"Mr. Ning said, a keyboard warrior…"

"Bamboo keyboard warrior…"

"Hahahaha…"

"No, I'm just discussing it, what if we really get scattered. Ning Ji, why don't you be the judge…"

"I… I don't know either… but this time should be different."

"Okay, I think this time…"

"Shhh—"

"…"

"…"

"Hide…"

In the dim morning light, the comrade scouting ahead gave a signal from afar. The people in the team each took action.

"…"

"What's going on…"

"Look, someone's there…"

"Jin dogs…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…Yao Shubin, you're a jinx."

……

……

"…Damn it."

Support (Complete Book God Station) to share this site with those little friends who need it! Please leave a message if you can’t find the book!