Chapter 192: Skirmish

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    Proper organization requires a lot of work.

    It is a lesson Liu Jin already knew, and working with Colonel Peng only reinforces it. After considering their options, the colonel decides to split Liu Jins forces and spread them among the soldiers. In that way, the disciples will more easily learn how things work in General Dans army. It is a good plan, but not one without flaws.

    Uncomfortable as it is to admit it, Colonel Pengs initial estimation of them as privileged and spoiled is not entirely unfounded. The disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan are undeniably a proud lot. And why wouldnt they be? They are prodigies among prodigies who have proven themselves numerous times to get where they are. They rose above their peers, left their cities behind, attempted to cross the Ash Road, and succeeded. Some have even gone to the Dead Plains and survived.

    When they walk, they do so with their heads held high. The disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan dont merely believe they are superior. They are certain of it. To them, it is a fact as immutable as the sun rising every morning.

    Such a massive collection of egos can only be held together by a strict hierarchy of strength, but in Colonel Pengs army, their rank is little different from that of a common soldier save for a few exceptions like Liu Jin, who is placed in a position of command because it would look bad if he was given a lesser job. It would infuriate the disciples under his command if he was treated the same as a common soldier even if he doesnt know anything about how to command an army.

    The disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan are simply not ready to take orders or even suggestions from those they consider to be their lessers, a category that most of Colonel Pengs men fall under.

    The average soldier in General Dans army is somewhere in the Nascent Realm, with only some of them being above that. By comparison, the disciples under Liu Jins command are nearly all in the Spirit Realm. In addition, their levels and foundation as cultivators are incomparably greater. Trying to mix them with Colonel Pengs soldiers without regard for their cultivation would cause a disaster.

    To prevent that, Lu Mei and Liu Jin had carefully compiled a list of the disciples most likely to cause trouble, and Liu Jin had presented it to Colonel Peng, recommending that those disciples be split and paired with his stronger soldiers. Liu Jin also makes sure to talk to all the disciples to impress upon them the importance of doing their duty and avoiding altercations.

    So far, that seems to have worked.

    Over the past three days, they have been patrolling the border in relative silence, and Liu Jin hasnt heard anything bad from the other groups either. They wake up early in the morning, patrol until the sky turns dark, and then keep doing it, making sure to rest whenever they arrive at a station.

    The men must be rested. The men must be fed. Colonel Peng had made sure to impress the importance of those things on Liu Jin.

    You may have forgotten what it is like to need to eat every day, but they havent.

    So far, their task has been more tedious than dangerous. They have not yet come into contact with Murong Bangs men, merely a few Spirit Beasts.

    Admittedly, they had been uncommonly feral ones.

    Murong Bangs men make them feral on purpose and send them towards us, the soldier assigned as his aide explains to him after they fight them off. If we let them pass, theres a high chance theyll reach a populated area.

    The soldier is called Old Qing by his peers. Names like that are common under Colonel Pengs command. Liu Jin has also met Young Qing, Toothless Jin, and Smelly Qing. The names work as good descriptors if nothing else. Old Qing is one of the oldest soldiers, so Liu Jin makes sure to listen to the mans advice.

    We try to make them run back to Murang Bangs lands when we can, Old Qing adds. Just so they know how it feels.

    Does this happen often? Liu Jin asks him.

    Unfortunately not, Old Qing replies. At Liu Jins confused look, he adds, Id rather fight Spirit Beasts than Murong Bangs men, sir, but its the latter thats more common. A good week is one where there are no skirmishes. We havent had a good week this year.

    An endless back and forth. Thats all this is. It is far preferable to letting General Dans territory be overrun, but Liu Jin does not envy Colonel Peng or the men under his command one bit. He can only hope there are no altercations for the rest of the week.

    Alas, it is not to be.

    It happens during the afternoon of their fifth day.

    Lord Liu, Old Qing calls him. It feels weird to hear that name after so long, but that is the name he suggested to Colonel Peng for the sake of simplicity. There are only so many names Liu Jin can keep track of.

    Besides, had he let Colonel Peng pick something for him, hed have probably called him something like Beardless Qing. That is something he can do without.

    I feel them, Liu Jin says. There is a group of about fifty people over twenty miles away. They move slowly, trying to keep their Qi low, but lowering ones Qi is not the same as hiding it. Even from this far away, Liu Jin can sense the aggression emanating from them. Are those Murong Bangs men?

    Tortures unreliable, and we dont have the luxury of taking prisoners, Colonel Peng had told him.

    And yet, this desperate fighting feels odd.

    Fleeing. Surrendering. Begging for mercy. It is as if those things did not exist for these men.

    Murong Bangs men keep fighting beyond the point of reason. They fight until theyre almost corpses and then keep fighting some more. By the end of it all, their blood soaks the dirt, and their organs are splattered against the ground. Liu Jin sees Ni Cai going to the side and puking, his formerly pristine robes tainted by blood and gore. Liu Jin cant blame him. The Eternal Flame Clan is no stranger to blood and violence, but it is usually quick and decisive. This dragged out carnage is new to them.

    Even the soldiers, the youngest among them, look queasy by the end of it all.

    Look like we had no deaths, sir, Old Qing tells him. Just a few wounded. Nothing serious.

    Thats good, Liu Jin replies. He tries to sound calm.

    Its usually like this, sir, Old Qing adds in a lower voice. Some of Liu Jins uneasiness must have seeped through. Murong Bangs men they dont fight like normal men.

    Is defeat such an unappealing concept for them? Liu Jin wonders while looking at one of the horribly savaged corpses. The man does not have a face anymore. Even after he had received fatal wounds, he kept fighting which resulted in a ghastly spectacle before them. I understand no one wants to die, but this goes beyond that.

    Not death, sir. Murong Bang, Old Qing says. When Liu Jin aims a questioning look at him, he adds. They say he does not tolerate cowardice. Thats why his men never retreat. It makes fighting them unpleasant.

    You are saying they are so terrified of what he will do to them that if they cant win they kill themselves against our blades?

    Aye. Old Qing nods his head. Theres a reason why people dont like coming here. Murong Bangs men seek death.

    And yet, Murong Bang has somehow kept an army together for years.

    Is terror enough to do that?

    Whether we win or lose, its always a slaughter, Old Qing continues. Winning is obviously better than losing, but it still takes a toll. Another soldier starts puking. Especially on the young ones.

    Liu Jin sighs.

    Have the bodies searched.

    It is unlikely they will find anything important, but at the least, theyll obtain some more weapons and armor. After thinking some more Liu Jin adds, Make sure those who do so are volunteers.

    There is no sense in forcing people without the stomach for it to do it.

    Very well, sir. And once thats done?

    Liu Jin looks at the sky. The sun is still up and would be for several hours. The men are not physically tired.

    Mentally, however

    Once thats done, well keep going until the next station, clean ourselves up, and rest.

    Old Qing bows his head. Very well, sir.

    The scent of blood clings to them long into the night.

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