Inside and outside Poyang County, everything had entered a state of war readiness.
It wasn't just the soldiers who were busy—ordinary people couldn't escape labor duties either.
The border's Great Wall had been under construction for nearly 200 years and needed maintenance every year. Now that a great war was imminent, the weak sections had to be reinforced again.
A stretch of 200 li of wall.
With only the Thousand-Household Division's manpower, it was nowhere near enough—they had to rely on the common folk.
"Uncle Lai, have something to eat."
Chen Sanshi had been sent to supervise the work, leading Wang Li to deliver food to the villagers.
This kind of temporary forced labor didn't even include meals.
The commoners had no choice but to do it.
Otherwise, once the barbarians broke through the city, no one would survive.
"Smells good! Shitou, now that you're a big official, I bet you've been pocketing plenty of silver lately!"
Baldy Lai took the steamed bun and started chewing right away, not saying a single kind word.
"Watch your tongue!"
Wang Li shouted angrily. "How dare you! The lord went out of his way to ask the Thousand-Household to allocate grain for you, and you dare act ungrateful?!"
"Dog's mouth can't spit out ivory!"
The rest of the villagers instantly joined in, cursing.
"Baldy Lai, go die!"
"Yeah! Die outside the city at the barbarians' hands—that'd be a fitting end for you!"
"…"
Chen Sanshi ignored them. He left Wang Li in charge of watching over the food distribution and went about his own work.
That grain had been allocated from the warehouse under Xiang Tingchun's authority at his request.
Without the cooperation of the people, defensive warfare would become much harder.
How could they expect horses to run without feeding them grass?
The Thousand-Household Division's stores could last six months, so sharing a small portion with the people wasn't an issue.
The local nobles and martial hall masters had stockpiled even more grain in their personal granaries, just waiting to sell it at inflated prices in winter.
If supplies really ran short, then they could always seize what the martial halls had hoarded.
Returning to the camp,
Chen Sanshi practiced spearwork for two hours, drawing on the medicinal power of spiritual grain. Afterward, he began practicing swordsmanship.
Dian Cang Sword Technique—
It was divided into three parts in total.
The section in his hands could be cultivated directly up to the tempering organs stage. It contained thirteen sword forms, each with seventy-two variations. None of them had any special flourish—the defining trait, if any, was sheer lethality. Every move was meant for killing.
The Mountain-Suppressing Sword hummed and vibrated in his hand, sometimes fast as a storm, sometimes slow and graceful like drifting clouds. Each stroke carried a mighty, sweeping momentum that seemed to tear through wind and cloud alike.
[Technique: Dian Cang Sword Technique (Beginner)]
[Progress: 0/50]
[Effect: Dual-Weapon Synchronization; Rapid Sword Mastery]
[Dual-Weapon Synchronization: Split focus in two—wield two weapons at once, complementing strengths and covering weaknesses.]
[Rapid Sword Mastery: Below the martial body stage, sword techniques advance unhindered and with exceptional speed.]
Rapid Sword Mastery!
Even at the beginner stage, the proficiency cap was only 50.
In other words, as long as it didn't exceed his cultivation realm, breakthroughs would come as easily as eating or drinking.
With this, Wang Zhi's earlier concern—that practicing swordsmanship might hinder his spear training—was completely resolved.
Even more important, was the Dual-Weapon Synchronization!
Normally, it was impossible for an ordinary person to use both hands independently for different weapons.
Chen Sanshi had started learning a short weapon simply to deal with special situations—close-range combat, where a spear would be less effective. It was better than being barehanded.
But if two martial techniques could be used simultaneously, that would be a qualitative transformation.
Sometimes, 1 + 1 was far greater than 2.
The spear was king among all weapons, but its only flaw was its length.
Up to now, his spearwork had been so refined that no one had ever managed to get close. But that didn't mean it would never happen.
If he could unleash sword and spear together, that flaw would vanish completely.
Chen Sanshi immediately began testing.
The Mountain-Suppressing Sword and the Reed-Leaf Spear moved in his hands as if wielded by two perfectly synchronized masters.
Especially the sword—
held in his left hand, it didn't feel awkward at all. It felt natural, fluid, and precise.
"Rapid mastery!"
Chen Sanshi gripped the spear in his right hand, the sword in his left.
In just two days and nights,
he advanced the Mountain-Suppressing Sword all the way to major achievement in the tempering blood stage. His qi and blood grew thicker and stronger, while his spear progress remained unaffected.
"Lord Chen."
Zhao Kang came to find him. "Please come to the main tent. The Thousand-Household has something important to announce."
Inside the central command tent—
All the Hundred-Household Officers were present.
In addition, County Magistrate Xue, Prefect Ji Guangxian, and even Sun Li and Sun Buqi were there.
Xiang Tingchun glanced at Feng Yong and gestured for him to begin.
"Yes, sir!"
Feng Yong pointed to the sand table, at a location 20 li outside the Great Wall. "Two days ago, under orders, I conducted a new round of reconnaissance and discovered that the barbarians have begun setting up camp there. Based on confirmed intelligence, they will attack Poyang no later than five days from now."
"Their total strength is about 6,000 men—2,000 light cavalry and 500 heavy cavalry."
"They now have two tempering organs experts and ten tempering bone commanders, along with several at tempering blood major achievement."
"Furthermore, they've brought full siege equipment—catapults, siege towers, everything."
"On our side…"
"We have 1,056 soldiers fit for battle, plus 200 martial hall disciples. Among them, three are at tempering organs and twelve at tempering bone."
"Thousand-Household Officer, that concludes my report."
"Mm."
Xiang Tingchun nodded slightly. "Overall, our higher-level combat strength is better, but the Xi River tribe outnumbers us severalfold. Even if we just defend, it'll be difficult to hold for long."
"So, Prefect Ji, can you ask the Anding Prefecture Command Office to send an additional 1,500 troops?"
"That's beyond my authority," Ji Guangxian replied awkwardly. "Besides, Anding Prefecture is already facing 50,000 iron cavalry on its own front. They don't have any spare men to send. At most, my clan can provide one more tempering organs expert to assist."
He hadn't completed his mission, so he couldn't return.
Staying in Poyang meant sharing its fate—live or die together.
"Miss Sun," Xiang Tingchun said, turning to Sun Li.
Xiang Tingchun turned his gaze. "Can't the Grand Commander's Office send reinforcements?"
"I've already written a letter and had it delivered to Liangzhou by express courier," Sun Li replied coolly. "My father will surely make the necessary arrangements. Until then, my brother and I will stay in Poyang and fight alongside you. We will never flee from battle."
"Excellent! The Eight Garrisons are known for their iron-blooded valor—it seems their reputation is well-deserved!"
Xiang Tingchun looked around at everyone, his voice firm and inspiring. "Everyone, even the Grand Commander's daughter and young master are ready to fight to the death. How can we retreat? Pass down my order! Starting tomorrow, all officers and soldiers of the Poyang Thousand-Household Division will station at the Great Wall. Twelve full hours on duty every day—always ready for battle!"
"By your command!"
Everyone responded in unison.
"Lord Chen!"
Chen Sanshi, who was about to head home, stopped when someone called out to him. "Prefect Ji, what can I do for you?"
"Hehe."
Ji Guangxian smiled. "Lord Chen, you traveled hundreds of li deep into enemy territory, captured the barbarian prince alive while surrounded by their main forces, and accomplished an earth-shaking feat. I daresay even the capital will soon hear your name. Grand Secretary Gao is known for recognizing talent—he'll surely entrust you with a great position."
"Prefect Ji flatters me."
Chen Sanshi replied casually, "Unfortunately, even if I wanted to leave Poyang right now, I can't. Whatever happens, it'll have to wait until after the war."
Just one word—delay.
As long as he could stall, once his cultivation advanced, everything would become easier to handle.
"Lord Chen speaks wisely," Ji Guangxian said, stroking his beard. "I won't be leaving either. I'll stay and live or die with Poyang's soldiers. You're right—this matter should be discussed again after the war."
"Prefect Ji's loyalty is admirable."
Chen Sanshi's tone shifted. "It's just that I wonder…"
"No!"
Ji Guangxian interrupted immediately. "Hundred-Household Chen, I'm traveling far from home. How could I possibly carry so many medicinal ingredients with me? Of course, if you could give me a proper assurance, it's not impossible. I could have my men rush some extra medicine over from Anding Prefecture."
"Prefect Ji misunderstands," Chen Sanshi said calmly. "I know well the rule that one shouldn't accept rewards without merit. The Condensed Dew Body-Refining Decoction is extremely valuable. Even if Prefect Ji were generous, I'd be too embarrassed to take more for free. I just wanted to ask—do you have any other secret medicines? Perhaps something for healing wounds or restoring qi and blood. I don't need much, even a single dose would be enough."
"Well…"
Prefect Ji thought for a moment. "Of course I do! The Ji family started in the medicine trade—how could we have only one secret recipe? Whether it's the Golden Wound Salve for external injuries or the Blood-Replenishing Pill for restoring qi and blood, my family's medicine is far superior to anything sold outside. Since Hundred-Household Chen has spoken, how could I refuse? I'll have someone deliver a few doses to you later."
"Many thanks, Prefect Ji."
Chen Sanshi cupped his hands and took his leave.
"My lord," Shan Yuanzhi said with a grin, "he's finally asking for medicine."
"Of course," Ji Guangxian replied confidently. "Our Ji family's formulas for the tempering bone stage were once taken by His Highness himself to train his trusted followers. Anyone who uses them once will never want to change medicine again! Go send him some later, but remember—only give enough for a single use of each. If he comes begging once, he'll come again. Then he'll be right in our hands."
…
"Done!"
Chen Sanshi successfully prepared the Condensed Dew Body-Refining Decoction, Six-Essence Blood-Replenishing Pill, and the secret Golden Wound Salve for external injuries.
The Condensed Dew Body-Refining Decoction remained effective even at the tempering bone minor achievement stage.
[Technique: Undying Golden Serpent Spear (Upper Scroll) (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: 108/2000]
The other two secret medicines weren't particularly strong, but they were still worth keeping.
At least this way, Prefect Ji would think his medicines had caught Chen Sanshi's interest and wouldn't cause trouble before the war ended.
[Skill: Medicine (Mortal) (Beginner)]
[Progress: 403/500]
'My medical skill's almost ready to break through!'
When Chen Sanshi returned home, Gu Xinlan had already finished preparing dinner as usual.
That night, she brought out a dark cyan combat robe she'd spent two months sewing. Carefully, she helped him put it on, checking the fit and making small adjustments where needed.
"It fits perfectly. Shi ge'er looks so handsome in it."
Under the flickering candlelight, in front of the bronze mirror, Gu Xinlan quietly admired her husband. Her almond-shaped eyes softened, then reddened with tears. She wrapped her arms tightly around his firm waist and murmured, "Sister Tong's baby will be born in a few days."
"I know."
Since coming to this world, this was the first time Chen Sanshi had ever worn clothes so perfectly fitted and comfortable.
Adjusting his sleeves, he said, "Xu Bin will be defending the city with me. Please help look after them."
"That's not what I meant…"
Gu Xinlan held him tighter, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean… when you come back, we should have one too."
As she spoke, her tone wavered—not from shyness, but from emotion.
The key word in her sentence was "come back."
"Don't worry, I'm strong."
Chen Sanshi suddenly scooped her up by the waist. "And we don't have to wait until I come back—we can start now."
"Ah—"
…
That night, countless similar scenes unfolded across the garrison.
Fathers sat in silence, mothers offered endless reminders, wives and children wept quietly.
Because no one knew whether this night might be their last together.
Starting tomorrow, all soldiers would be stationed at the Great Wall to resist the barbarian invasion.
Until the war ended, no one was allowed to return home.