Chapter 17: Wang Yan's Shock

War!

For the ordinary soldier, there is no right or wrong.

All of this is war launched by royal power and those in high positions for the sake of expanding territory.

Ambition!

Interest!

The power of the world!

These are the driving forces.

But for the ordinary soldier, the separations of life and death and the bonds of brotherhood breed hatred—which is perhaps something those in power can exploit.

Looking at Bao Yuan's head.

The surrounding soldiers were all struck with shock and awe, their gazes toward Zhao Feng becoming exceptionally reverent.

The Military Marquis, who had originally been kneeling on the ground, slowly stood up and walked toward Zhao Feng.

"On behalf of all the fallen soldiers of the Logistics Army, Lu Hao, the Fifth Military Marquis of the Logistics Army, thanks Brother Zhao for his great kindness," the Marquis said loudly and with utmost solemnity.

"I shall trouble Military Marquis Lu to present this head."

"Use this head to report the combat achievements of our Logistics Army, and to report the bravery of our soldiers. Though our Logistics Army was routed, we have absolutely not failed the prestige of the Qin military," Zhao Feng said, handing Bao Yuan's head to Lu Hao.

This head.

Perhaps it was a military merit earned by Zhao Feng alone.

But it could also be considered the merit of the Logistics Army.

With this head, the fame of the Logistics Army would spread far and wide.

It would let everyone know that although the Logistics Army was ambushed and routed in Yangcheng, they held their ground; furthermore, they had stood toe-to-toe with the elite Han forces led by Generalissimo Han without being defeated, and had even slain Bao Yuan.

Lu Hao accepted Bao Yuan's head with both hands, his expression solemn.

"Please rest assured, Brother Zhao."

"I will certainly report this head."

"The military merit belonging to Brother Zhao was witnessed by all his comrades; it shall be reported truthfully," Lu Hao said with a grave face.

***

On the other side!

At the campsite.

"Military Marquis Commander."

"The personnel from the Logistics Army Medical Camp have arrived and are already treating the wounded."

"In addition,"

"General Li has also arrived in person," a Military Marquis reported to Wang Yan.

"This matter is too grave."

"Although the ambushing Han army has been completely annihilated, the losses to our Great Qin are also significant," Wang Yan said with a deep frown.

"Military Marquis Commander."

"The situation here has already been reported to the Generalissimo."

"If nothing unexpected happens, General Li will surely face severe punishment this time," a nearby Marquis said with a worried expression.

Hearing this, Wang Yan remained silent.

Yangcheng had been attacked this time, and from within. Although Bao Yuan had employed a strategy to hide the Han troops, it ultimately came down to Li Teng's greed for glory and reckless advancement. Had more elite soldiers been left behind, things would not have turned out this way.

There would not have been over ten thousand soldiers lost to the Han army.

"At least this Han force is destroyed, and Bao Yuan is dead."

"Great Qin has lost one major enemy."

"Has the battlefield situation been tallied?" Wang Yan asked.

"These are the basic combat results regarding the number of enemies killed. As for our own casualties, they are still being tallied."

A nearby Marquis took out a bamboo slip and respectfully presented it to Wang Yan.

Wang Yan took it and looked.

"Bao Yuan is indeed worthy of being Generalissimo Han's subordinate; he is skilled in deploying and concealing troops. All eight thousand Han soldiers were hidden within Yangcheng, causing Great Qin a massive loss," Wang Yan remarked.

"By the way, Military Marquis Commander."

"There is an additional battle report here. This report is somewhat unbelievable."

After Wang Yan finished reading, the Marquis produced another report.

"Unbelievable?" Wang Yan looked surprised.

"A squad leader within the Logistics Army killed nearly three hundred enemies," the Marquis said seriously.

"One man killed three hundred enemies?"

"Is there an error in this report? Moreover, the battle was so chaotic, how could such a detailed tally be made?" Wang Yan frowned and asked immediately.

"Military Marquis Commander."

"There is absolutely no error in the report."

"Because the people killed by this Logistics Army squad leader all share a common characteristic: they were all decapitated."

"After half a day of counting, there are a total of two hundred and eighty-five headless Han soldiers, all killed by a single sword stroke. After the tally, I specifically sought out surviving soldiers from the Logistics Army to inquire; they all witnessed that squad leader's ferocity with their own eyes," the Marquis said with absolute certainty.

"Such a ferocious warrior actually exists within the Logistics Army."

"Killing nearly three hundred."

"Under the heavens, has any man ever been able to achieve such a feat?" Wang Yan was also filled with horror.

"This report is indeed too shocking," the Marquis asked respectfully.

"Report it truthfully."

Wang Yan commanded directly, then looked at the Marquis again: "Has the soldier who killed Bao Yuan been found?"

The moment she asked this, Wang Yan's heart was filled with anticipation.

The battlefield had been complex and the numbers large.

Wang Yan had not yet had the chance to thank the person for saving her life; now that the fighting had ended, she naturally sent people to find him immediately.

Hearing this question, the nearby Marquis revealed a strange smile.

He then clapped his hands.

A soldier arrived, carrying a wooden box.

"Military Marquis Commander."

"This is Bao Yuan's head."

"As for the one who slew Bao Yuan, it was indeed that ferocious soldier who killed nearly three hundred enemies. His name is Zhao Feng."

"The reason we were able to resolve this Han army threat so quickly was because the soldiers of the Logistics Army fought to the death to hold them back, and the one who first broke through was this squad leader named Zhao Feng."

"In this battle, Zhao Feng's contribution is paramount," the Marquis reported respectfully.

"Zhao Feng, a squad leader of the Logistics Army," Wang Yan murmured to herself, a curious light shining in her eyes.

"Military Marquis Commander."

"Should all of this be reported truthfully?" the nearby Marquis asked.

"Report everything truthfully," Wang Yan nodded immediately.

"Understood," the Marquis accepted the command and prepared to turn and leave.

"Wait," Wang Yan called out to him.

"Is there something else, Military Marquis Commander?" the Marquis turned back and asked.

"Where is Zhao Feng now?"

"Speaking of which,"

"He has saved my life; I ought to go and express my gratitude," Wang Yan asked.

"Every surviving soldier of the Logistics Army is wounded; they are all currently in the wounded camp," the Marquis replied.

"Very well."

Wang Yan nodded.

Inside the wounded camp!

"Little brother, your body is truly remarkable. You were struck by five arrows, yet not a single one managed to damage your bones or tendons; it seems they were all stopped by your flesh."

"After resting for more than half a month, you should recover."

A military doctor stood behind Zhao Feng, wrapping bandages around him while remarking with admiration.

"Thank you, Doctor."

As the bandages were finished, Zhao Feng offered his thanks.

"No need."

"As a military doctor, this is our duty."

"Alright, I must go treat the other soldiers," the doctor smiled.

Looking around.

The wounded camp was filled with wails of agony.

Perhaps many soldiers' wounds had gone numb before entering the camp, but as the arrows were pulled out and treatment began, the intense pain was unavoidable.

Listening to these wails and screams was heart-wrenching.

"I wonder how many will survive."

Looking at the hundreds, perhaps thousands of people in the wounded camp, many of whom were heavily injured, Zhao Feng sighed inwardly.