Chapter 17: A One-Man Charge
"These bandits are just inferior."
Qiao Mu sat down under a tree, while a soldier beside him helped dress his wounds, with a face full of regret.
Originally, he wanted to die, but the enemy turned out to be weak.
Can only try harder next time.
Qiao Mu got hit by three arrows right from the beginning, but the wounds were not too deep. He could still move freely, just lost some blood and his face looked slightly pale.
And he was the most severely injured in this short battle.
These bandits were not strong and didn't have much fighting spirit. They were not difficult to deal with.
Plus, the official soldiers had the advantage in numbers, so other than Qiao Mu who bravely charged into the enemy lines, the others didn't get much hurt.
However, at this moment, including the Bald Monk Soldier who was applying medicine to Qiao Mu's wounds, the faces of the other soldiers looked a bit unnatural.
It was like a group of working-class people who were just scraping by suddenly had one outstanding genius among them, and it seemed really strange no matter how you looked at it.
"Boss, with this meager pay, what are you risking your life for..." said the Bald Monk Soldier while bandaging the wounds.
"Joking, who would risk their life for such a small salary?" Qiao Mu firmly denied.
"So, you..." The Bald Monk Soldier hesitated to speak, but from the corner of his eye, he saw Old Huang standing there dazed.
Old Huang was quite cunning. He was over forty years old, and his energy and blood had started to decline. In the recent battle, he didn't directly engage with the bandits but instead kept hiding.
Besides being kicked by Qiao Mu on the butt, he remained unharmed.
The Bald Monk Soldier sized up Old Huang and suddenly said:
"Boss, you wouldn't be protecting Old Huang because of the promise you made earlier, would you? The one about ensuring Old Huang's safety if there's a battle?"
Upon hearing this, Old Huang was immediately stunned.
A few days ago, when exchanging for the "Iron Crotch Skill," Qiao Mu did seem to mention something like that.
However, nobody, including Old Huang himself, took it seriously.
Although Qiao Mu was a centurion, he had not cultivated internal strength and was just an ordinary human body. How could he protect Old Huang on the battlefield?
So, Old Huang quickly forgot about this incident.
However, now they know.
How to protect?
Use body to block!
"This..." Old Huang was a little at a loss now.
He was already over forty, older in age, with a mouthful of big yellow teeth. Compared to the soldiers, he looked more like an old farmer. His strength was also ordinary, just an ordinary soldier. Moreover, the two sides were not related, they had just met recently.
Even the martial arts skills he practiced were not very serious, like the Iron Crotch Skill.
People like him, who only work hard to earn money for their families, who would ever shield him? He's not some beautiful girl!
If it were another military officer, it would be good enough if they didn't use him as a human shield, let alone shield him?
Is that fair?
Old Huang didn't understand no matter how he thought about it.
"What's wrong, monk? Are you feeling a bit regretful?" Qiao Mu changed the subject.
"If you had given me your learned skills at the beginning, I could have protected you too."
This Bald Monk Soldier was originally a martial arts monk and should have a Buddhist name, but he refused to talk about his background and name, so he was given the nickname "monk" by other soldiers.
The monk was somewhat different from the other soldiers. In addition to his martial arts skills, he was close to reaching his physical limits in training, so Qiao Mu paid more attention to him.
"Boss is joking," Bald Monk Soldier chuckled.
He was feeling a bit ashamed at the moment.
He used to think that Qiao Mu was taking advantage of Old Huang's Iron Crotch Skill, so he never thought about teaching his own skills and martial arts to Qiao Mu. But now he has changed his mind.
How could someone who can protect his subordinates from arrows not want to benefit from his martial arts?
"I didn't bring my martial arts manual with me, but if the boss wants it, he can ask me when we return to Yan City," the Bald Monk Soldier said seriously.
"As for money matters, we can talk about it when we receive our salary, no rush."
He didn't really want to change his mind right away, he just wanted Qiao Mu to help him block the bandits' attacks next time.
If he really had such intentions, he wouldn't have said it so blatantly.
The main reason was that Qiao Mu, a military officer who can protect his subordinates from arrows, made him feel inferior and he wanted to make friends with him.
A soldier who doesn't care about life and death is always more likely to earn the respect of others.
On the other side.
In the rear of the army, Military Officer Chu also saw Qiao Mu's messenger.
"The forward has encountered bandits, and centurion Qiao Mu was injured in the first battle?" Military Officer Chu scoffed.
He got injured so quickly? Isn't he a little weak?
In that case, it seems that this Qiao Mu is really easy to deal with, much easier than expected.
If that's the case, maybe I don't even need to plot against them. Qiao Mu will die in the hands of the bandits.
"Understood," nodded Military Officer Chu.
"Then pass the message to Qiao Mu, and continue exploring. Since the bandits are fleeing, chase after them wherever they go."
"If you find the location of their hideout, you will be credited for it."
Military Officer Chu led a large force of a thousand soldiers, following behind at a steady pace, keeping a distance.
From afar, they could hear the sounds of fighting and shouting coming from Qiao Mu ahead, clearly encountering the bandits again.
Officer Chu was not in a hurry and slowly followed behind.
Qiao Mu, as before, boldly charged into the group of bandits.
After repeating this several times, Qiao Mu sustained a few more wounds.
Unbeknownst to them, the soldiers behind him were gradually inspired by his bravery.
During the second encounter with the bandits, they fought closely behind Qiao Mu.
During the third encounter with the bandits, they began charging with Qiao Mu towards them.
People's hearts are made of flesh.
If you have a leader who is willing to shield you, always fighting at the front, others will naturally not lag behind.
Even if they couldn't shield their leader from a sword, they could still charge ahead with their leader.
A brave warrior who fears no death, a warrior who shields his subordinates from arrows...
Qiao Mu has earned the respect of all the soldiers through his actions.
After repelling the fourth wave of bandits...
Qiao Mu climbed a small hill and gazed at the small valley ahead.
The mouth of the valley was quite narrow, only wide enough for three or four people to pass side by side. The trees in the valley were lush, and the grass was waist-high, making it an ideal place for an ambush.
"Old Huang, since you're familiar with this area, does this valley have a name?" Qiao Mu asked.
"No."
"Since it doesn't, let's call it 'Fallen Wood Valley'."
"Fallen wood? Does that mean fallen leaves? It's not even autumn yet, where are the fallen leaves from?"
"It doesn't mean much, just for good luck."
Qiao Mu held the tip of a long spear and carved the words "Fallen Wood Valley" on a nearby tree trunk, standing on a hillside overlooking the valley ahead.
Where would be a good place to die later?
He was looking for a pleasing feng shui spot to bury his body later. Maybe there would be some mystical benefits?
When he reached the entrance of the valley, he stopped and took a temporary rest.
Just now, he encountered several waves of bandits and had to fight and retreat, escaping in this direction.
Qiao Mu pondered whether the bandit's hideout was in the valley ahead, or if there was an ambush up ahead, trying to lure the enemy deeper.
So if he continued forward, it might be his deathtrap.
At this very moment.
Suddenly, footsteps could be heard behind.
"Qiao Mu, why did you stop? Didn't I tell you to continue exploring ahead?" Military Officer Chu approached with a stern face.
He had been following from a distance behind all along, and when he saw Qiao Mu stop at the entrance of the valley, he brought his men over.
"There might be an ambush ahead..." Qiao Mu was interrupted halfway by an annoyed wave of Military Officer Chu's hand.
"As a centurion, is it your responsibility to consider whether there are ambushes or not? If there are any, we will naturally provide assistance."
"They are just a bunch of thieves. Those bandits cannot possibly be a match for our Yan City Army. Don't make excuses for cowardice."
Qiao Mu looked at Military Officer Chu, who had a stern expression on his face, coldly staring at him.
"Or are you telling me that you are defying orders?" Military Officer Chu said coldly.
His hand was already resting on the hilt of his sword.
He heard that Qiao Mu is very strong-willed. He once dared to grab the son of the city lord in Yan City and threatened the city lord.
So he prepared himself for the possibility of the other person resisting his orders.
As soon as Qiao Mu showed any signs of rebellion, he could immediately kill him by claiming that he was disobeying orders.
An 8th rank martial artist can kill an inexperienced martial artist at ease!
Especially since he also had a thousand soldiers and nine 9th ranked martial artists by his side.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Mu's reaction was beyond his expectations.
"Understood." Qiao Mu obediently bowed and left, but there was something strange in his gaze as he looked back.
Surprisingly, it seemed like he had achieved some sort of...contentment?
He naturally couldn't understand Qiao Mu's mindset.
Born immortal, he has always sought a high-quality death.
If he were to die due to defying orders, killed by an 8th rank military officer, Qiao Mu would consider it a bit unfair.
He doesn't find it appealing.
But what if Military Officer Chu orders him to fight against the mountain bandits and die?
Qiao Mu could barely hold back from immediately thanking Military Officer Chu.
Military Officer Chu, from now on, you are my good brother!
Once I cash in my chips and have money, I will come back and kill you!
................
"Boss, you are already injured. Shouldn't you talk to Military Officer Chu about whether we can have another centurion lead the way?" Old Huang chattered on the side.
"Don't talk anymore, we can't defy Military Officer Chu's orders."
"But even so..."
Qiao Mu raised his hand to stop the soldiers behind him from discussing, and the voices behind him immediately stopped.
From this simple action, it can be seen that after experiencing several battles, he had gained some respect within this hundred-person army.
"Listen to me." Qiao Mu said:
"Be smart later, if we enter the valley and find an ambush, or if the bandits are too powerful, retreat immediately. Military Officer Chu probably won't abandon us."
Qiao Mu only suspected that Military Officer Chu was targeting him, but he had no evidence and couldn't be completely sure.
Anyway, he still had a hundred soldiers under his command. The other side wouldn't just kill him alone and sacrifice these one hundred soldiers, right?
So he gave this order.
Qiao Mu walked forward, holding a long spear in one hand. His clothes were slowly soaked in blood, and his back was stained a light red from the bleeding.
After several battles, he already had three arrow wounds and three or four knife wounds on his body.
The martial artist who pushed his physical limits had reached the peak of an ordinary person's physical condition, but he was still flesh and blood.
Qiao Mu could still fight, but he had little strength left.
However, his injured figure, seen by the soldiers behind him, was surprisingly reliable.
Especially Old Huang, who had been protected by Qiao Mu many times.
"The boss seems to be only about twenty years old, but he's really reliable..." Just as he was saying this, suddenly, shouts and screams erupted from all directions in the valley.
"Kill!"
In the grass, in the forest, on the slope... bandits with their heads wrapped in turbans emerged from everywhere, filling the mountains and fields.
Roughly estimating, there are probably hundreds or even thousands of these bandits.
"So many bandits hidden in Mount Dong?" Old Huang's eyes widened and he trembled with fear.
From the beginning to the end, these soldiers thought that these bandits were just a disorganized group, probably not even totaling two hundred in number. The official soldiers naturally had a big advantage, but who would have thought...
"Why are you staring? Run!" Qiao Mu's commanding voice came from ahead.
Old Huang and the others immediately turned and ran back. As they ran, Old Huang subconsciously looked back.
And then they witnessed a scene that they would never forget for a long time.
The bandits were spread all over the mountains, densely packed, rushing towards them like a tidal wave.
Qiao Mu, on the other hand, held a long spear in his hand, standing alone in front of the soldiers like an isolated reef about to be swallowed by the tide.
"Is the leader staying behind to cover our retreat?"
"Here he is the leader, and he's actually staying behind to protect us?"
Old Huang and the others felt their minds go blank, not fully understanding what was happening, only their feet continuing to run unconsciously.
Hundreds and thousands of bandits, this is different from the battles they have faced before.
With such a large number, even a martial artist who has trained in internal strength wouldn't stand a chance. Their internal strength would be quickly depleted.
Even within this army of thousands, the only 8th rank martial artist, Military Officer Chu, couldn't possibly fight against them alone.
So... is Qiao Mu risking his life to stay behind and protect them?
While their heads were still confused, they had already reached the mouth of the valley.
However, at the entrance of the valley, there was a group of soldiers appearing. They were supposed to be their reinforcements and comrades, but now they were subtly blocking their retreat.
"No unauthorized retreat! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!" Military Officer Chu's eyes widened as he shouted.
"This...."
"Does Military Officer Chu want to fight the bandits in this valley? Then we'll be stuck in the middle, won't we?" The soldiers' faces immediately changed.
Military Officer Chu's loud shout echoed far in the valley, and Qiao Mu, who was at the front, suddenly felt a stir in his heart and turned around.
His gaze traveled hundreds of meters and made contact with Military Officer Chu in the back.
Military Officer Chu had an expressionless face, his gaze as cold and indifferent as before, as if he hadn't seen Qiao Mu at all, or as if he was looking at a dead person, completely devoid of any emotion.
Seeing Military Officer Chu's gaze like that, Qiao Mu suddenly understood.
Military Officer Chu, indeed, was preparing for his death.
In order to make sure he died without any doubt, Military Officer Chu completely blocked his escape route, and at the same time blocked the retreat of his hundred soldiers.
The thousand soldiers behind were not just standing by, but slowly entering the battlefield, about to have a decisive battle with the bandits in the valley. However, the valley entrance was too narrow, so the thousand soldiers couldn't enter for a while, instead blocking Qiao Mu and the others' retreat. It could be anticipated that if a battle happened, these hundred soldiers caught in between would have little chance of survival.
"If I don't die, will a hundred of my men have to be buried with me?" Qiao Mu immediately understood what Military Officer Chu meant.
At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind.
"Boss, what should we do now?" Old Huang's voice was filled with panic and fear.
This old man has always been cunning. When he ran away, he ran very fast. Now that there is no escape route, he somehow ended up behind Qiao Mu.
It appeared that he suddenly remembered Qiao Mu's promise.
"Don't follow me this time, you don't need to charge with me," Qiao Mu picked up his long spear and took steps forward.
"Boss, what are you talking about?" Old Huang and the others had fought alongside Qiao Mu a few times, and they could vaguely guess what he wanted to do.
Although they felt afraid, gradually some people started moving their feet and followed behind Qiao Mu from a distance.
At first, there were two or three, but later a few more joined. Around ten soldiers started moving their feet and followed behind Qiao Mu, including Old Huang whose legs were still trembling.
"Don't follow me," Qiao Mu turned around and looked at the trembling Old Huang and others behind him, suddenly smiling.
"Old Huang, do you want your wife to be a widow? Do you want your children to be bullied in the future?"
"Huh?... I don't want that." Old Huang was momentarily stunned by this strange remark.
"You don't want that? Then why are you acting all dramatic?"
Qiao Mu took a deep breath, swiftly moving his feet forward and leaving the soldiers behind. From the looks of it, he seemed like the one being chased down by the soldiers, desperately running for his life.
Since Qiao Mu was born immortal, he was determined to live this life freely and joyfully.
"What you can't do, I will do."
"What you're afraid to say, I will say."
"If you can't die... then let me be the one to die!"
A strange scene appeared in the eyes of the soldiers behind and the thousand soldiers at the mouth of the valley.
A young soldier, dressed in blood-stained robes and bandages wrapped around his body, bravely charged towards the countless bandits with a spear in hand.
If the previous Qiao Mu was like a solitary reef standing at the forefront of the tidal wave.
Now, however...
That solitary reef faced the surging tidal wave and launched a brave charge!
"Attack!"
The bandits' noisy shouts echoed in the valley, the soldiers couldn't hear any sound clearly, but this scene deeply imprinted in the eyes of many soldiers.
The moment when the two sides made contact.
That solitary reef was swallowed up by the roaring crowd in just an instant.
PS1: Volume 3 has been translated and published on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3SNEeRF);
PS2: The translation of Volume 4 will be finished within 2 to 3 weeks.
