My Cultivation Starting from Archery

Po Yang Tribal Encampment.

As a branch of the Yuwen lineage, they were stationed around four hundred li away in the region of Xi River, relatively scattered.

"Wang Zhi, you don't need to keep staring at me."

Luo Dongquan sneered coldly, "I've said it before, I have no grudges with Officer Chen. It's you who's petty!"

"Cut the crap!"

Wang Zhi cursed, "Seven years ago, there was a recruit with good talent. Did you or Zhao Kang not compete with him? Then the man mysteriously died. Did he just evaporate from the world? I've disliked you for a long time!"

"Wang, you need evidence to make accusations!"

Luo Dongquan narrowed his eyes, "And put your position in perspective. I don't care what your status was in the Eight Camps before, but now, you're just a Bone Training Hundred Households, while I am Deputy Thousand Households, a Secondary Fifth Rank General of Military Strategy conferred by the court!"

"Enough with the arguing!"

Liu Jinkui came out to mediate, "We're brothers who depend on each other in life and death. What's there to argue about? Whatever disagreements we have can be resolved over drinks when we return. Luo Qianhu, you should quickly assign the task and not delay any further."

"Northeast, Northwest, due North."

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Luo Dongquan pointed in three directions, "Our three night watch units will each be responsible for scouting one of these directions. Two days later, we must regroup here before midnight – do not be late! Our missions cover different areas, so Wang, this should ease your worries, right?"

"Hmph, who knows what you're really planning."

The three teams dispersed.

A distance of four hundred li is neither too far nor too close.

With the speed of the White Swan Horse, they can reach their destination in less than half a day.

But they were scouts, and speed wasn't the top priority.

The most important thing was to gather intelligence and return alive.

Advancing rashly could very likely lead to discovery by the barbarian cavalry.

If they were discovered and surrounded by a large number of cavalry, not even their bodies would be found.

The night watch's duty to not return isn't just about spending the whole night outside; it also implies the possibility of leaving no trace behind, not even bones.

That's why Liu Jinkui cursed and swore when he learned that they were sent out to scout.

Sadly, such a task must be carried out by the elite.

"Where to next?"

Soon, they encountered their first task.

Determining the route.

It was essential not only to successfully locate the barbarian tribes' exact living areas but also to do so undetected – far from an easy feat.

Chen Sansi still remembered.

In his previous life, when reading history out of boredom, there was a saying from the Han Dynasty: it's hard for Li Guang to become a marquis.

This general was brave and skilled in combat, distinguished in merit, and just short of sufficient military achievements to be bestowed a marquis. Every time he went on an expedition, he would either encounter the main enemy forces or return without merit.

One very significant reason for this.

Was the difficulty in discerning directions in the Great Desert, which relied heavily on luck.

Yet this was not an issue.

For him.

Hunters traversing the forest daily rely crucially on their sense of direction.

Not to mention that Chen Sansi had an eagle eye; even in pitch-black darkness where one couldn't see their own hand, he could still clearly discern every detail around, such as the horse hoof prints trampled on the ground right now.

"We have to detour. If we continue straight this way, we might run straight into the barbarians."

"Really?"

While somewhat skeptical, Wang Zhi could only lead his men to follow along.

They pushed forward two hundred li overnight.

During that time, Chen Sansi discovered traces of human activity several times, which became increasingly dense.

After dawn, they found a secluded place to rest.

Such training.

The proficiency in tracking and concealing was rapidly improving.

[Tracking and Concealing (small achievement)]

[Progress: 605/1000]

Chen Sansi had not expected that his hunting skills could also be applied to warfare.

He munched on the jerky he carried, "In this direction, there's an eight or nine out of ten chance that it's the main settlement of the barbarian tribes. Old Wang, what do you think is the likelihood of the Po Yang tribal encampment sending reinforcements?"

"Very small."

Wang Zhi leaned against a rock, drinking his liquor, "Because there's no need. Even if the four grassland clans unite, their forces are still limited. Concentrating their troops to attack the open and flat terrain of the Northwest Three States might not be enough.

"Diverting troops to attack Yunzhou is already peculiar, let alone Po Yang County. I'm saying all this, you understand, right?"

"I understand."

Chen Sansi had studied maps and sand tables.

The true stronghold of Yunzhou is An Ding Prefecture.

Even if they take down Po Yang, without capturing An Ding Prefecture, they can't hold the strategic pass, and the follow-up supply of troops and provisions would be a huge problem.

Indeed, as Wang Zhi had said, attacking An Ding Prefecture was strange enough.

The difficulty of attacking the Northwest Three States and Yunzhou were not even on the same level.

The cost-effectiveness was extremely low.

So Chen Sansi also felt something was off, which prompted his question.

Immortal Treasure.

It was leaked from the Tuoba Tribe!

If such great efforts were made, they could be related to the Immortal Treasure.

Of course.

These were just speculations for now.

If the Po Yang encampment also sent reinforcements, they could confirm this speculation.

Whether it is related or not.

A great battle is approaching.

Chen Sansi's current realm was still too weak.

He didn't dare to waste a moment and continued to cultivate while resting, consuming dry food. The spiritual grain and remaining medicinal strength inside him did not slow down his progress.

After nearly midday had passed.

The group continued onward.

In the next two hundred li, even Wang Zhi and his men could discern the traces of human life; they often saw flocks of cattle, sheep, and herdsmen from afar. Finally, as darkness fell.

Tent after tent of felt canvas appeared at the edge of their vision.

From a distance, it was evident that the settlement was not just comprised of herdsmen. There were also armored soldiers and bright torches, with rigorous guard.

"We can't approach on horseback any closer."

Chen Sansi noticed that another hundred meters forward, there were patrolling cavalry. Once discovered, there would be no escape.

He observed the patrol patterns of the cavalry and the surrounding terrain and soon made a judgement, "You all keep watch around here, I'll try to sneak in and take a look."

Without completing the mission,

they wouldn't be able to report back.

"Giddy up!"

Chen Sansi quietly urged his horse forward, taking a detour until he reached the outermost perimeter of the settlement, hanging the reed-leaf long spear on the back of the horse, "Little Xun, I will call for you when I need you!"

The White Swan Horse seemed to understand and nodded its head.

"Alright!"

Chen Sansi, with his bow and arrows on his back, perfectly blended into the darkness, skillfully avoiding patrolling cavalry. He lay in ambush at the edge, seized the opportunity to shoot and kill a barbarian soldier who came out to relieve himself, and changed into the barbarian's attire, slinging a curved blade over his shoulder.

This was just a cover.

He didn't really plan to pretend to be a barbarian.

In fact, as he infiltrated the felt tents, no one noticed him at all.

"Even so, not having a long spear in hand really undermines my sense of security!"

The reed-leaf long spear was too large and conspicuous to bring inside.

Chen Sansi gripped the standard-issue curved blade of the barbarians.

Even though his level was high here, and it wouldn't matter much that the weapon was not his preferred type, his combat effectiveness would inevitably be greatly reduced.

It seems that in the future, to cope with special environments, I should train with a short weapon as well.

On the battlefield, it could also prevent enemies from getting close!

Martial arts practice is for advancing levels.

But I already have a high level, so if I train in other cultivation techniques, I should progress faster, right?

All of that was for later.

Chen Sansi focused on his current mission, wandering like a ghost through the barbarian camps, collecting all useful information.

The armaments were complete.

The grain stores were full.

The troop strength…

Was more than two thousand!

In just one camp alone, a rough estimate put the number at three thousand people.

Moreover, the Xi River Tribe wasn't all gathered together. The directions Luo Dongquan and Liu Jinkui headed to would likely encounter camps too, although possibly with fewer numbers than the main camp.

"Greetings, Prince—"

Prince?

Chen Sansi hid in the darkness, moving closer in the direction the voice came from.

He saw on the open ground in front of the Central Army Tent,

All the barbarian soldiers kneeling en masse.

A lavishly dressed young barbarian, covered with gold decorations, strode forward with a jeweled sword at his waist.

"Greetings to the Ninth Prince!"

The tribal chief and Thousand Households, with one hand across his chest, knelt on the ground to salute, "Your Highness, why have you come? Your servant has not received any notice!"

"That does not matter!"

With his hands behind his back and chin lifted, the Ninth Prince said, "I heard that in half a month, you will attack Po Yang County. I have come specifically to support you."

"To support?"

Pane crossed the tribal chief's face, "How can we dare to have Your Highness support us when you are so precious and valuable?"

"I said I came to support, do you not understand?"

The Ninth Prince's face changed as he rebuked sternly, "It's one thing for Liangzhou to stop me, but are you telling me that I can't even use the small Po Yang County as a practice ground?"

"Of course, Your Highness can…"

The chief spoke carefully, "It's just that your servant is merely a refining organs general, and I fear I may not be able to ensure your complete safety. Please return promptly, Your Highness!"

"Insolence!"

The Ninth Prince bellowed in anger, "I have been practicing swordsmanship for three years and have yet to kill a person from Sheng. If I don't practice warfare, wouldn't all my training be in vain?! If you, a Thousand Households, dare to stop me as well, I will have your head."

"..."

The tribal chief fell silent, and after a long while, he sighed, "Since Your Highness insists on staying, your servant dares not object."

"That's more like it."

The Ninth Prince was immediately in high spirits.

"Clang—"

He suddenly drew his treasured sword from his waist, its blade shining with golden light in the flicker of the flames and displayed it before the people, "Do you recognize this 'Zhenyue Sword'? This sword was taken from the Emperor of the Central Plains by my Yuwen clan five hundred years ago!

"When the Great Khan reached adulthood, he bestowed it upon me!

"I will use it to slay generals of the Sheng and restore the glory of the young warriors of the grasslands!Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"From this moment on, I will take immediate command of the Xi River Tribe. I will personally lead the attack on Po Yang County!"

"At your command!"

Watching the gleam of the sword's edge, the tribal chief felt intimidated and dared not speak further, hurriedly escorting the Prince into the Central Army Tent to rest. At the same time, he quietly instructed his subordinate, "Send a fast horse at full speed, notify the Great Khan immediately, and say that the Prince has come to us!"

"Yes!"

The barbarian took the order and went off.

Not far away,

Chen Sansi heard everything loud and clear.

'This Prince…'

He felt a certain familiar air about him, resembling someone he knew, someone not quite bright.

And that sword.

Even though the light was dim, he saw it clearly.

Indeed, it was an unmatched treasured sword!

Even Chen Sansi, who practiced with a spear, couldn't help but be tempted.

"Never mind, a refining organs martial artist is guarding it; I can't get it."

"The mission is accomplished, and the Xi River Tribe indeed has reinforced"

He quietly retreated, preparing to leave the place, when suddenly the hum of an alarm resonated in his ears.

"Hum—"

Sound of horns, the whirring of arrows, and cries of alarm mingled together.

The once tranquil barbarian army camp was suddenly abuzz.

"Enemy raid!"

"Five miles outside the main camp, spies from the Sheng Dynasty spotted!"

"Pursue them, pursue them!"

"Don't let a single one escape!"