My Cultivation Starting from Archery

All around Po Yang, everyone had entered a state of war preparation.

Not only were the soldiers bustling about,

the ordinary people couldn't escape conscription either.

The Great Wall's construction had been ongoing for nearly two hundred years, requiring annual maintenance.

With the great battle impending, reinforcing the weaker segments had become more critical.

The two-hundred-mile Great Wall.

The workforce from the Thousand Households was wholly inadequate; they had no choice but to rely on civilians.

"Uncle Lai Zi, have something to eat."

Chen Sansi had been sent to supervise the labor and was distributing food to the villagers with Wang Li.

This temporary conscription didn't even provide meals.

The common folk had no choice but to comply.

Otherwise, if the barbarians breached the city, not a single living person would be spared.

"The cornbread smells delicious, Shi, becoming a high official recently must have lined your pockets well!"

Uncle Lai Zi took it and bit into it without a word of thanks.

"How dare you!"

Wang Li angrily said, "You ingrate, the Lord kindly asked the Lord Thousand Households for food for you, and you don't appreciate it."

"A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory!"

The rest of the villagers immediately began cursing.

"Just go die, Uncle Lai Zi!"

"Right, die at the barbarians' hands outside the city, that would be a fitting end for you!"

"..."

Chen Sansi paid them no mind and left Wang Li to watch over them while he attended to his own duties.

The food, he had requested from the stores through Xiang Tingchun.

In a defensive battle like this, without civilian cooperation, the difficulty would increase significantly.

Neither does it make sense to expect the horse to run without feeding it grass.

The food reserves at the Thousand Households were enough for six months; giving a small portion to the civilians was not a problem.

Furthermore, various village gentry and Martial Arts Hall lords had amassed plenty in their granaries, waiting to sell at higher prices in winter.

If truly necessary, they would seize food from the Martial Arts Halls.

Back at the military camp.

Empowered by the medicine of Spiritual Grain, Chen Sansi practiced spear techniques for two hours before starting on swordsmanship.

"Diancang Swordsmanship"

Divided into three parts,

the part he held could directly cultivate refining organs, comprising thirteen sword techniques, each with seventy-two variations. If there had to be a distinct characteristic, it was focused on slaughter, with every move designed to kill.

The Zhenyue Sword in Chen Sansi's hands hummed and trembled, at times swift as a fierce torrential downpour and at others slow as drifting clouds, each strike embodying a weather-changing momentum, grand and powerful, splitting the wind and tearing through clouds.

[Cultivation Technique: Diancang Swordsmanship (entry-level)]

[Progress: 0/50]

[Utility: Ambidextrous, Swift Mastery of the Sword Path]

[Ambidextrous: Dual-wielding, complementing strengths and compensating weaknesses.]

[Swift Mastery of the Sword Path: Below the physical realm, sword techniques are incredibly fast, unimpeded.]

Swift Mastery of the Sword Path!

Once past entry-level, proficiency was still only fifty.

This meant, as long as it wasn't beyond his own realm, breakthroughs were as simple as eating and drinking.

In this way,

the concerns Wang Zhi had about it interfering with his spear technique cultivation were completely unfounded.

More importantly,

it was being ambidextrous!

Normally, it's impossible to multitask.

Chen Sansi trained with a shorter weapon as well, not just to handle special situations where enemies got close but to have better options than being completely unarmed, which was certainly an improvement.

However, if two sets of techniques could be used at the same time, it would be transformative!

Sometimes, the sum of one plus one far exceeds two!

The long spear, as the king of weapons, had only one flaw: its length. Although his spear techniques were impeccable, and no one had ever come close enough to challenge him, it didn't mean that they would never be able to.

Being able to use both sword and spear techniques simultaneously would completely compensate for this.

Chen Sansi tried it out on the spot.

In his hands, the Zhenyue Sword and the reed leaf spear operated as if controlled by two perfectly coordinated individuals.

Especially with the Zhenyue Sword.

Holding the sword in his left hand, it felt not the least bit awkward, but rather like a natural extension of his own limbs!

"Swift Mastery!"

Chen Sansi with spear in right hand and sword in left.

Just two days and nights.

He pushed the Zhenyue Sword to great success in the Blood Refining Technique, his internal Qi-Blood thickened without affecting the progress of his spear technique.

"Mr. Chen."

Zhao Kang found him: "Go to the main tent, Commander Xiang has important things to discuss with everyone."

Central Army Camp.

All the lieutenants were present.

In addition, Magistrate Xue, Magistrate Ji, as well as Sun Li and Sun Buqi were all there.

Xiang Tingchun looked at Feng Yong, signaling him to begin.

"Yes!"

Feng Yong pointed to a location twenty miles outside the Great Wall on the sand table and said, "Two days ago, under orders to carry out a new round of reconnaissance, I discovered that the barbarian tribes had begun to set up camps there and obtained accurate intelligence that they would attack Po Yang within five days at the latest.

"Among them, total military strength is about six thousand, with two thousand light cavalry and five hundred heavy cavalry.

"Refining Organ increased to two people, Bone Training commanders increased to ten, several with Blood Refining Great Success.

"Additionally, complete with heavy machinery such as catapults and siege carriages.

"On our side,

"we have one thousand and fifty-six combat-ready troops, plus two hundred Martial Arts Academy Disciples, three Refining Organ Martial Artists, and twelve Bone Training Martial Artists participating in the battle.

"Lord Thousand Households, I have finished my report."

"Hmm,"

Xiang Tingchun nodded slightly: "Overall, while we have more high realm warriors, the Xi River tribe's forces are several times larger than ours, and even just holding out will be difficult.

"So, Magistrate Ji, could you help by requesting the An Ding Prefecture Commanding Department to send an additional fifteen hundred troops?"

"That's not within my jurisdiction."

Ji Guangxian said sheepishly, "Moreover, An Ding Prefecture is facing fifty thousand Iron Cavalry; where would they find extra forces to deploy? At most, I can call for one more Refining Organ from my family to assist."

His mission was not completed.

He could not return.

Staying in Po Yang meant sharing life and death with Po Yang.

"Miss Sun."

Xiang Tingchun shifted his gaze, "Can't the Governor Mansion send some people over?"

"I have already written a letter and had it urgently sent to Liangzhou. My father should have arrangements in place."

Sun Li's voice was cold, "Before that, my brother and I will stay in Po Yang to assist; we will absolutely not flee once the battle commences."

"Good! Everyone knows of the iron-blooded reputation of the Eight Camps. It seems the reputation is well deserved!"

Xiang Tingchun looked at everyone, exhorting, "Gentlemen, even the daughter and young master of the Supervisor himself are prepared to fight to the death. How can we retreat?

"Pass my command, starting tomorrow, all soldiers of Po Yang Thousand Households will be stationed at the Great Wall, on standby for twelve hours a day, ready to face the enemy at any moment!"

"Understood!"

The crowd accepted the command.

"Mr. Chen!"

Chen Sansi, who was initially planning to go home, was stopped; he paused, "Magistrate Ji, what can I do for you?"

"Heh heh."

Ji Guangxian laughed, "Mr. Chen ventured deep into enemy territory alone for hundreds of miles, capturing a prince amidst heavily surrounded troops, establishing an astonishing feat. Soon even the Capital will hear of your great name.

"Elder Gao is the most perceptive in recognizing talents and will surely entrust you with a significant task."

"I am flattered by Magistrate Ji's high regard."

Chen Sansi replied perfunctorily, "Sadly, even if I wanted to leave Po Yang, I can't leave now. Major matters will have to wait until after the war is over."

One word.

Delay!

As long as he could delay, once his realm improved, all problems would be easily solved.

"Mr. Chen speaks wisely."

Ji Guangxian stroked his beard, "I too will not leave and will stay to share life and death with the soldiers of Po Yang. Indeed, this matter should be discussed after the battle concludes."

"Such integrity, Magistrate Ji!"

Chen Sansi changed the subject, "I just don't know..."

"No!"

Ji Guangxian interrupted, "Mr. Chen, when I travel far, why would I carry so many medicinal materials with me?

"Of course, if Mr. Chen can give me a guarantee, I am not against sending someone from An Ding Prefecture to rush more medicinal materials here."

"Magistrate Ji misunderstands."

Chen Sansi said, "I understand the principle of not taking rewards without merit.

"'Dew Fortifying Soup' is exceptionally valuable; even if Magistrate Ji is generous, I would feel ashamed to continue receiving it without due cause.

"I wanted to ask if Magistrate Ji has any other secret medicine? Perhaps something for treating injuries or restoring Qi-Blood. I dare not ask for much, just enough for a single use."

"Well~"

Magistrate Ji pondered for a moment, "Naturally, there are more! My Ji Family started in the medicinal trade, how could we have only one secret formula? Whether it's golden sore medicine for treating external injuries or Blood Replenishing Pills to quickly restore Qi-Blood, my Ji Family's medicines are many times better than what's available outside.

"Since Mr. Chen has asked, how could I refuse? I will have someone send some to you later."

"Thank you, Magistrate Ji!"

Chen Sansi bowed with his fists and took his leave.

"Sir."

Dan Yuanzhi smiled, "He has started asking for medicine."

"Naturally, the formulas used by my Ji Family for bone training were taken by His Highness to cultivate his confidants; anyone who has used them wouldn't want to switch medicines!"

Ji Guangxian confidently said, "You send him the medicine later, but remember, only give him enough for a single use. He has asked me once; he will ask again. Why worry about not being able to keep him in check?"

...

"Done!"

Chen Sansi successfully concocted 'Dew Fortifying Soup,' 'Six Elements Blood Replenishing Pills,' and a secretly made medicine for treating external injuries.

The Dew Fortifying Soup was still useful even for someone with a small achievement in bone training.

[Cultivation Technique: Undying Golden Snake Spear. Upper (small achievement)]

[Progress: 108/2000]

The other two secret medicines weren't very effective, but they were free of charge.

They would also make the magistrate think that his family's secret medicines were attractive to him, ensuring he wouldn't be bothered by him until the end of the battle.

[Skill: Medical Skill. Ordinary (entry-level)]

[Progress: 403/500]

"The Medical Skill will soon break through!"

Chen Sansi returned home.

Gu Xinlan had prepared dinner as usual.

That night.

She took out a dark blue robe she had finally finished sewing after two months and personally dressed her man in it, checking for any ill-fitting areas so she could make the best adjustments overnight.

"It fits perfectly; Brother Shi looks very handsome in it."

Under the candlelight, in front of the bronze mirror.

Gu Xinlan quietly watched her man, her almond-shaped eyes initially dreamy and blurry, gradually reddening with tears as she unconsciously hugged him tightly, whispering, "Sister Tong's child is due in a couple of days."

"I know."

Since Chen Sansi had come to this world, it was his first time wearing such fitting and comfortable clothes.

He adjusted his sleeves, replying, "Xu Bin will join me in guarding the city; you help take care of things here."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"That's not what I meant..."

Gu Xinlan hugged him tighter, her voice becoming very soft, "I meant, when you return, we, we should have one too."

Towards the end.

Her voice was more choked than shy.

The emphasis of her words was on "return."

"Don't worry, I'm quite capable."

Chen Sansi suddenly lifted her by the waist, "And this matter doesn't need to wait until I return; we can start now."

"Hmm~"

...

Tonight.

Countless similar scenes would unfold in the military settlements.

Fathers silent, mothers advising, wives and children crying.

Because no one knew if tonight would be their last reunion.

Starting tomorrow.

All soldiers would be stationed at the Great Wall, defending against the barbarian invasion.

Before the battle is over, no one may return home.