Chapter 268: Transcendence and Compassion

After he was rescued and revived by his subordinates, he discovered that the Xunzhou light cavalry had attacked, throwing the camp into complete disarray. Zhou Hongyue, who was in the bungalow, had been killed by the explosion. Wu Shaoyi endured the pain and got up to command, but the army's morale was already shattered.

Watching the grain carts being burned one after another and his own soldiers being killed one by one, with the army clearly collapsing, Wu Shaoyi knew there was nothing he could do to turn the tide and had no choice but to order a retreat.

He gathered the remnants of his forces along the way, managing to salvage this small number of men. As for the provisions, most of it was destroyed. The Xunzhou light cavalry, having penetrated deep into Xiazhou to cut off supply lines, knew they didn't have enough men to transport the provisions, so they usually set it on fire.

Wu Shaoyi, speaking up to this point, lowered his head and said, "This subordinate requests punishment from Your Excellency."

"Carelessness, negligence, and the loss of provisions—you deserve to die," He Chunhua said coldly. "But with a shortage of men now, I will spare your life for the time being, to observe your future performance."

Wu Shaoyi could only thank him for his leniency.

The arrogance from the previous victory against the Xunzhou people was now completely gone. Half of the grain allocated by the royal court was lost, and He Chunhua would have to explain this to the front lines. Fortunately, half of it remained.

He Chunhua then asked him, "I recall Bailu Town having constables and a local defense corps. Why didn't they come to help?"

Wu Shaoyi shook his head. "Perhaps they didn't dare to come, or perhaps they went out to apprehend mountain bandits. I heard that mountain bandits have been rampant these past few days, killing several constables in Bailu Town. A prominent local family was also completely ransacked, with all thirty-odd members murdered."

He Lingchuan couldn't help but interject, "Two murder cases in a small town, one after another—isn't that suspicious?"

"I had strengthened security," Wu Shaoyi said in a low voice. "I heard the constable killer was a town resident who fled after the act. As for those mountain bandits, locals had seen them, and they weren't Xunzhou soldiers. So I..." Having lost the battle and the provisions, any explanation would sound like an excuse, so he just shut up.

He Chunhua frowned. "Who was the enemy general? Did you get a clear look?"

"He's in his thirties, tall and slender, with formidable combat strength; even Lu Yao is not his match," Wu Shaoyi said. "I hadn't seen this person during the last pursuit of the Xunzhou light cavalry, but I heard his subordinates call him 'General'."

"The Xunzhou people truly think highly of our supply convoy—sending two generals for two towns." Though they might just be minor generals. He Chunhua sighed deeply. "I underestimated the enemy."

The supply convoy that departed from Dunyu City this time was actually split into two teams: one heading to Xinhuang Town, and the other to Bailu Town. This was because both divergent paths led through narrow passes—terrain that was easy to attack but difficult to defend. For the sake of safety and security, He Chunhua decided to divide his forces to transport the grain, each taking a different route. This way, even if one side was attacked, the other could save more than half of the provisions, ensuring the soldiers on the northern front wouldn't starve again.

"So, the light cavalry also split into two groups this time, intercepting the supply convoys at Bailu Town and Xinhuang," He Lingchuan was secretly alarmed. "Did an insider leak our plan?"

"How could that be?" He Chunhua pointed to his temple. "We only ordered the forces to split into two at Panjiagou. Before that, only Mr. Mozhe and I knew. After that, both teams reached Bailu Town and Xinhuang in just two days. No matter how skilled a spy is, they can't probe my mind."

So it was just a coincidence?

"There are three roads heading north; the easternmost official road has been dilapidated for years, and no one is willing to take it, so the enemy guarded the remaining two," He Lingchuan thought for a moment. "While reasonable, it's too risky. They don't have many men to begin with, yet they dared to split into two to confront us."

For Xunzhou light cavalry operating deep behind enemy lines, supply is a major issue. Thus, quality over quantity in terms of men is preferred. The person who came up with this idea truly had significant nerve.

He Chunhua's expression was exceptionally grave. "And the enemy's tactics are completely different from before. Could it be a change in command?"

The usual method for intercepting enemy provisions was to act in dangerous, remote areas. This time, however, the enemy chose a town, catching him off guard. Moreover, they struck at the vital point, directly targeting the leader of the supply convoy with speed, precision, and ruthlessness. He Chunhua himself narrowly escaped.

If this was the kind of opponent, how could Zhao Qinghe and Wu Shaoyi have easily achieved three consecutive victories last time?

"The captives we interrogated didn't know; they only followed their generals' orders." This was also a measure to prevent secrets from being leaked. He Chunhua asked his eldest son, "In your opinion, will they come to intercept our grain again?"

Seeing him ask this, He Lingchuan knew his father was somewhat rattled; otherwise, why would he ask his least reliable eldest son for advice? He thought for a moment and said, "No. They captured Bailu Town but met a dead end in Xinhuang; they should know this place is tough to handle. Besides, their numbers are too few, and Baili Qing lost over two hundred men. We are different."

After Wu Shaoyi returned, He Chunhua's army once again numbered seventeen or eighteen hundred men. In terms of numbers, their side had increased, while the enemy's had decreased. "And we will certainly be more vigilant from now on. It will be impossible for them to try the same trick again."

The cost and risk of the enemy launching another sneak attack were both increasing.

He Chunhua pondered for a long time before slowly nodding. "This time, they've intercepted and burned nearly ten thousand shi of grain, which is no small achievement. If their general is smart, he should know not to be greedy for more glory. Otherwise, if they try to intercept again, they might lose everything they've gained."

His gaze slowly hardened. "Hmm, it would be best if they remain persistent; that way, we'll still have a chance to turn the tables."

Once he had thought it through, he no longer worried about the enemy coming, but rather feared they wouldn't.

He made some further arrangements, then stood up and said, "We will rest in Xinhuang for a day and resume our journey tomorrow morning."

Everyone acknowledged the order and departed.

The sun rose in the east, but the Xiazhou soldiers were utterly exhausted. He Lingchuan got some clean water, wiped the dirt and bloodstains from his hands and face, then found a tent and lay down fully clothed.

He had also been busy all night; listening to the sounds of people and horses outside, he quickly fell asleep.

He Lingchuan was a little disappointed to have slept without dreams. When he woke up again, the sun was already high in the sky.

Shan Youjun came to find him. "The prisoner has spoken."

"He confessed after waterboarding?"

"No," Shan Youjun smiled. "This man appears timid but is actually quite tough. Each time he couldn't bear the torture, he'd only reveal a tiny bit. Jiao Tai almost cut off his testicles before he finally yielded."

When He Lingchuan saw the captive again, the man looked dispirited, his lips were peeling, showing how much suffering he had endured.

"Give him some water."

The captive took the bowl, gulped down the entire large bowl of water in a few swallows, then let out a long breath.

He Lingchuan pulled out the short staff from his robe again. "Be forthcoming. If you explain clearly, you'll live."

The captive had been tortured to near death and no longer played games with him. He whispered, "This is the Dragon Punishment Staff, an ancient treasure, rumored to be made from a bronze pillar found at the edge of a dragon-slaying ground."

"That high-grade?" He Lingchuan toyed with the short staff. Although it looked ancient, as soon as he heard it was an antique, the texture seemed to feel even smoother when he rubbed it. "What is it for?"

"Collecting demonic energy," the captive said. "Wars inevitably cause deaths, injuries, and resentful spirits. Grand Master Frostleaf of the Beijia Kingdom instructed us to carry this staff with us, collect demonic energy after major battles, and then bring it back for them to purify."

"Demonic energy?" He Lingchuan heard a new term. "Is 'demonic energy' the same as 'resentful energy'?"

"Not just that, but also the unwillingness, fear, and anger of people before they die." The captive's voice grew a little louder. "We collect these on the battlefield to purify them later; it's a, a great act of merit!"

"Collecting demonic energy to purify it? Does your Grand Master have such a fixation?" He Lingchuan didn't believe a single word about "boundless compassion." "Is this all what he told you?"

"This is all true, and it's not solely Grand Master Frostleaf's invention!" The captive sat up straight. "Rather, it's a tradition of the Beijia Kingdom since its founding, lasting at least five or six hundred years!"

Five or six hundred years?

"If demonic energy lingers, it can very likely turn into malevolent spirits. Haven't you heard that ancient battlefields are often haunted by resentful spirits?"

Like the Panlong Desert? He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow.

The captive continued, "After the demonic energy from at least two battlefields was collected, those areas experienced six or seven years of favorable weather and abundant harvests! This is something I personally experienced and witnessed!"

This man genuinely believed it wholeheartedly. He Lingchuan wondered how Grand Master Frostleaf had brainwashed him. He didn't argue with him, his gaze shifted. "This Dragon Punishment Staff isn't the only one, is it?"

"Others also possess them; they are all chosen by the Grand Master. But I don't know the exact number."

In other words, the Beijia Kingdom regularly collects hundreds of thousands, even millions, of this so-called "demonic energy"? That would mean hundreds of thousands, even millions, of deceased people! If the short staff truly contained a collection of resentful energy, the sheer volume would be astonishing.

The captive explained, "Not everyone can use the Dragon Punishment Staff; only those with the potential to 'open the heavenly eye' can become attendants."

"How does one 'open' this heavenly eye?"

"One must apply a special potion to the eyes for forty-nine consecutive days, enduring intense pain in both eyes every single day," the captive said. "If one lacks the potential, a single application will cause blindness."

No wonder this fellow was so astonished when he discovered that He Lingchuan could also see demonic energy. He Lingchuan touched his eyelids; to be able to "open the heavenly eye" without enduring forty-nine days of suffering, he truly was blessed with a unique advantage.

Was it because of the two treasures he carried?

"So, how is the demonic energy purified once it's brought back?"

"The Grand Master performs rituals at an altar, offering rites to Heaven!"

He Lingchuan shook the short staff, observing the constantly shifting "demonic energy" within the gem. "Just this amount, how long did it take you to collect?"

Since others couldn't see the demonic energy, they wouldn't know what these people were doing. At least, this secret was not known to most.

"It's been eleven years. Ninety-seven battles or incidents in total." The captive swallowed hard. "I've never fought in a war; I only go to the battlefield after the fighting ends."

"Running around like that every year, you're certainly busy." This fellow, on average, visited seven or eight sites a year, all battlefields strewn with dead bodies. "How much demonic energy from the deceased is in here?"

"I haven't counted precisely, but it must be over a hundred thousand, at least?" The captive looked at the short staff with a hint of reluctance. "Five years ago, during the coup in Mian Kingdom, the royal family members were slaughtered, their blood flowing like rivers, and I collected the demonic energy of tens of thousands of people in one go."

He Lingchuan paused, slightly astonished. "Are the Mian Kingdom royals that prolific?"