Chapter 014: Blood Sword

The next day, as Du Fan led his army on the march, the people of Gothic City saw him off for five miles before reluctantly returning to the city.
Watching those enthusiastic Goths, George suddenly asked, “Third brother, should we kill that Gothic governor?”
“Why kill him?” Du Fan asked.
“Third brother, if we don’t kill him, once we’re far away, that governor will surely rally his troops and turn against the ordinary people!” George said worriedly.
“There’s no chance. Before that guy can gather his troops, the common people will take advantage of the governor’s absence and attack immediately. The common people aren’t fools—they certainly won’t let the Goths live on,” Du Fan said with a smile.
Along the way, Du Fan continued to capture cities! With many skilled fighters at his back and the power of his Life Spring, the Northern Legion suffered almost no casualties!
As he advanced, Du Fan kept breaking into cities, distributing food, and distributing money. His reputation as a merciful and righteous leader grew ever louder!
In fact, in the cities ahead, many ordinary people even hoped that Du Fan would lead the Northern Legion to attack!
Under the centuries-long rule of the Gavin Empire, many regions within it had long been corrupt. Cases like the four southern provinces, which were occupied and then reclaimed, were rare—unlike those provinces, which had been reborn with renewed strength. In the other provinces of the Gavin Empire, although things seemed calm on the surface, hidden unrest and widespread resentment existed!
The further into the interior Du Fan went, the more deeply he understood this situation.
In addition to dismantling the Gavin Empire’s local political system, in each city he conquered, Du Fan gathered numerous talents based on the guidance of the ordinary people!
To prevent these talents from being lost or slowing down the army’s progress, Du Fan would periodically use the Green Shuttle to transport them in batches to the four southern provinces!
……
“Since our ancestor is unable to come out, then I must take my leave, Fisher,” Fisher said hurriedly to the ancestor in the courtyard.
“You’re named Fisher, right?” the ancestor suddenly raised his head and asked Fisher.
“Yes, my name is Fisher,” Fisher replied promptly upon hearing the question.

“Well, Fische, since you’ve come to me for help, I suppose things must be quite tricky already. Here,” said the Ancestor. As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the dark red long sword that had been planted in front of the grave outside appeared in his hand. “Fische, this Blood Sword was my personal weapon in the past. It contains a magical beast sealed inside, a beast whose power is on par with that of a domain master. I’ll lend it to you for now,” said the Ancestor. “In that case, Fische thanks the Ancestor greatly,” Fische said hurriedly. Taking the sword, he flipped his wrist, and the sword disappeared into his storage ring. “There’s nothing else to do. Go back first; I still need to continue my cultivation,” said the Ancestor, waving his hand before turning his back on Fische. Fische quickly bowed his head and left. As soon as he stepped out of the room, the house began to shrink and change, leaving behind a solitary grave lying quietly beneath the dark red tree… After six days passed in this manner, Du Fan finally entered the territory of the Kudlan Province. The entire Kudlan Province was a vast basin, through which flowed the fourth-largest river on the continent, providing irrigation for the province. Kudlan was known as the granary of the Gavin Empire! Of course, it didn’t mean the Kudlan Province could supply food to all parts of the empire; in fact, 90% of the food for the imperial capital came from this province. Upon entering Kudlan Province, what greeted the eye were vast fields of wheat! Those golden wheat stalks swayed continuously under the sunlight! The Northern Army led by Du Fan moved like a winding dragon through the golden wheat fields! “Third brother, scouts from the enemy have appeared ahead,” George said quickly upon hearing whistles in the distance. “Elder brother, I think scouts aren’t necessary in such an open area—after all, it’s all flat land,” Du Fan said with a smile. “Hmm, they might not be needed either. But we can raise Qing Suo into the sky. In such an open space, with Qing Suo above, scouts would indeed be unnecessary,” George replied with a smile. “Then fine, recall all the scouts. I’ll raise Qing Suo into the air,” Du Fan said promptly. Hearing this, George took out a whistle, blew into it forcefully a few times, and soon, several scout units reappeared in front and returned to the army camp.

Steering the Qing Suo, Du Fan took a group of important figures and immediately flew into the sky! Sure enough, over five thousand meters ahead, a cavalry unit of more than a dozen people was constantly moving! “Third brother, do you see? Those are the enemy scouts!” George pointed at the cavalry. “It doesn’t seem to be local troops!” Du Fan said. “It’s the uniform of the guard army,” George replied. Hearing this, Du Fan frowned. Since breaking through the Xiaohan Pass, they had encountered only local armies along the way; there had never been any troops belonging to the Gavin Empire. With the appearance of guard army troops this time, Du Fan became cautious immediately. “Elder brother, let’s go ahead and take a look,” Du Fan said with a frown. After lifting the Qing Suo into the air, Du Fan quickly discovered that about twenty li ahead, there was a large force of guard army troops! “It’s the size of an entire legion,” George said after assessing the scale. “Charge ahead!” Du Fan shouted. “Wait!” George suddenly said. “Another issue?” Hearing this, Du Fan asked immediately. “It’s better to be careful,” Carol said suddenly. “Based on the numbers, this guard army unit belongs to the Third Legion. The Third Legion is the most combat-effective force among all the guard armies.” “Moreover, placing such a force in front of our army clearly violates military strategy. I wonder if there are ambush troops hidden around,” Carol said coldly. “If that’s the case, let’s circle around and check,” Du Fan said firmly. With the speed of the Qing Suo, its flying altitude, and the use of the Eagle Eye technique, Du Fan and his group soon discovered that aside from the guard army legion ahead of them, fifty li to each side, there was also a force of around thirty thousand troops stationed there! “The Green Dragon Army! The Black Snake Army!” Back with the troops, Carol said fiercely. “Green Dragon Army, Black Snake Army?” Hearing this, Du Fan was stunned. Clearly, Du Fan had little experience with military affairs and was not familiar with the names of these two armies. “The Green Dragon Army is the main force of the Eastern Legion, while the Black Snake Army is the main force of the Western Legion. Both of these armies are elites among elites! Their combat strength is on par with ours, the Northern Legion!” Carol explained.

“Add to that the elite units from the vanguard army—this combination represents the very best of Gavin Empire’s forces, the cream of the crop! It seems Fisher has gone all out to deal with us!” said Carol.
“Uncle Carol, what do you think we should do now?” Du Fan asked eagerly upon hearing Carol’s serious tone.
“Change direction and push forward at full speed to get away from them!” Carol ordered firmly.
“Okay, that’s it!” Du Fan replied promptly after hearing Carol’s advice.
Soon, the northern army’s direction suddenly changed, heading east.
…
Inside the vanguard army’s camp ahead, a general dressed in all white was reading a book in his tent. This general was extremely handsome—fair complexion, red lips, and bright, lively eyes.
“Report, General! According to intelligence from the front, the northern army led by Du Fan has turned eastward,” a sergeant rushed in and reported.
“I understand. Pass this message to General Heiba and have him move his troops eastward immediately,” the general in white said with a calm smile.
He raised his head abruptly, yet there wasn’t the slightest trace of murderous intent on his face. His gentle and refined appearance resembled that of a learned scholar.
“Yes, General. I’ll go right away,” the sergeant replied promptly.
“William, I never expected your tactic to work so well.” Suddenly, a goddess-like woman appeared behind the tent.
She was also extremely elegant, exuding an air of nobility.
“If they charge straight at us, William, I really want to see what you look like when you get nervous,” she said with a light smile.
“Feya, do you really think you’d see me nervous?” William replied with a laugh.
“Of course! Hehe, William, no matter what happens, you always seem so confident. I’m tired of seeing that attitude. I’d be happy to see you flustered someday,” Feya said.
“William, with just five thousand soldiers setting up a decoy force here, aren’t you afraid that Du Fan might get reckless and charge in? After all, those fierce soldiers from the northern army are far stronger than your five thousand men,” Feya said, covering her mouth to hide her laughter.

“I’m just a decoy here, but the Blue Dragon Army and Black Snake Army in the east and west are truly real! With such two armies on either side, how could Du Fan still doubt that I’m just a decoy?” William suddenly put down his book and said with a smile.
“Actually, I was nervous too just now, but haha, even if I were nervous, I wouldn’t show it!” The general in white laughed heartily.
“William, really, I’m ignoring you—you’re teasing people again!” Hearing William’s words, Feiya stamped her foot and quickly returned to the tent.
……
“General Heiba, news came from the front just now—Du Fan, leading the Northern Army, has turned eastward. General William orders you to quickly lead your troops east to intercept Du Fan’s army!” A soldier said in front of a general as tall as a black tower.
“All troops, listen up! Move east!” The general as tall as a black tower ordered sharply. After saying that, he picked up a two-meter-long iron rod and strode eastward at full speed!
This general as tall as a black tower was actually 2.5 meters tall!
Obviously, with such height and weight, no horse could carry him. Yet, judging from his pace, his speed was no less than that of a warhorse!