Chapter 100: Zhao Feng: Delivered Military Merit? (3)
Ying Bu knelt directly before Zhao Feng.
The other Dead Soldiers also felt the transformation in their bodies. They all knelt with fervor, exclaiming, "Thank you, My Lord, for your generous gift!"
"After being tempered by the Bone Tempering Powder, your Strength and Constitution have greatly increased," Zhao Feng announced. "From now on, you must master this newfound power and learn more combat skills. And now, I shall bestow upon you your names."
"The force under my command shall be known as Yanting. Henceforth, you have no names, only codenames. All Dead Soldiers under my command shall be known as Wuchang," he declared, his gaze sweeping over all the Dead Soldiers, his voice filled with authority.
"Yanting Wuchang, we greet you, My Lord!"
All the Dead Soldiers looked at Zhao Feng with fervent reverence.
"I have been blessed with an immortal fate, which allows me to see into people's hearts. Your loyalty has already earned my approval, and today, you will receive a true Cultivation Technique from me. Cultivating this technique will strengthen your bodies and grant you greater power."
Zhao Feng then clicked on his force panel and imparted the first level of the Intermediate Internal Skill to all the Dead Soldiers.
With his force panel allowing him to see their loyalty, Zhao Feng had no need to worry about his subordinates. If anyone dared to betray him, he would annihilate their entire clan. In fact, Zhao Feng would eliminate a traitor the moment the thought of betrayal entered their mind.
He then turned to Han Shuang and Zhang Ming. "Han Shuang, prepare another batch of the Bone Tempering Powder. You and your men are to soak in it as well. Zhang Ming, you lead your trusted aides to do the same. This will enhance our forces."
"Thank you, My Lord, for your generous gift!" Han Shuang and Zhang Ming immediately replied, full of gratitude, before promptly leaving to make preparations.
Ying Bu's reaction proved that the effects of the Bone Tempering Powder were undoubtedly remarkable. Once the tempering of the Yanting Dead Soldiers was complete, it would be the turn of Zhao Feng's one hundred trusted aides and his subordinates from the Ghost Miasma Forest.
"Where is the other hidden training ground?" Zhao Feng asked, turning to Han Xi.
"Reporting to My Lord," Han Xi immediately replied. "That place is even more secluded than the Ghost Miasma Forest. It's surrounded by cliffs on three sides and water on one, making it a place rarely visited by people. To enter, one must cross the Wei River by boat."
"Once their tempering is finished, we will set off," Zhao Feng said immediately. "Also, have Han Shuang arrange for some people to go there for training."
"This servant accepts the command," Han Xi replied respectfully.
「On the Wei River, at the border of Qin and Wei.」
A boat was sailing downstream toward Wei.
"Reporting to the Prime Minister!" the commander reported to Guo Kai excitedly. "Our boat is heading downstream. In a short while, we will enter Wei's territory and finally escape the Qin pursuers!"
"Hahaha! Good!" Guo Kai laughed, equally excited. "The crucial mission His Majesty entrusted to us is about to be completed so easily."
When he first set out, Guo Kai had thought he would face incredible danger and might not even escape from Qin alive.
"This is all thanks to your planning, Prime Minister," the commander flattered him immediately. "You used four groups of men as a diversion to attract Qin's attention while you led us secretly by waterway. Qin had no idea of your true intentions."
"In truth, Ying Zheng simply doesn't value Concubine Zhao enough, and we had the element of surprise. If he had cared for that woman even a little more, we wouldn't have succeeded so easily," Guo Kai said with a smug expression, glancing at Concubine Zhao, who was bound and gagged inside the cabin.
Even though she was being abducted, Concubine Zhao remained expressionless. Perhaps, as the people of the Yong City Royal Palace said, she truly had been driven mad long ago.
"It's a shame those four hundred men won't be returning," Guo Kai sighed with a hint of regret.
"You are a man of compassion, Prime Minister. Our brothers will rest easy in the afterlife knowing this," the commander replied respectfully.
Guo Kai, however, merely nodded calmly. Compassion? It was just a meaningless word. Aside from his own life, status, and fortune, Guo Kai cared for nothing else.
"Have we made contact with Wei yet?" Guo Kai asked.
"Rest assured, Prime Minister," the commander responded. "I have already sent men to make contact. As soon as we enter Wei's waters, their army will be there to receive us."
"Excellent," Guo Kai laughed. "When we return to Handan, I will personally request a reward for you from the King."
Just then, a line of large ships appeared in pursuit behind Guo Kai's boat, each flying the banners of Qin.
"Full speed ahead! Pursue them!" Tu Sui shouted, his face etched with anxiety.
Although they could see Guo Kai's boat in the distance, catching it seemed nearly impossible. If Guo Kai managed to escape with the Empress Dowager of Qin, then even with Empress Dowager Huayang's protection to spare his life, his career would be finished.
The most terrified person at that moment was Tu Sui, along with the Imperial Guards who were on duty at the Yong City Royal Palace that night. Once blame was assigned, none of the guards on duty would escape. The political fallout would be immense.
"Prime Minister, the Qin army is catching up," the commander said with a sneer, looking back over his shoulder.
"Let them chase. We'll be in Wei territory soon," Guo Kai sneered, completely unconcerned. "Once we make landfall there, Qin won't stand a chance."
They were already pulling away from the pursuing ships, making it impossible for the Qin army to catch up. Guo Kai's three boats raised their sails and sailed downstream, leaving the Qin pursuit vessels further and further behind.
Ahead, moving upstream against the Wei River's current, were several small boats. Each was being rowed by trusted aides in Black Armor.
"We've been rowing for so long. It feels like we're about to enter Wei's waters."