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West of Xiangyang City, the former military training ground of the Sui Dynasty has been expanded and renovated, and is now the largest military training ground for the Heavenly Alliance north of the Yangtze River. Its scale and solemnity far exceeded the imagination of Cheng Yaojin and Xu Shiji.

It was nearly noon, and the sun was blazing overhead, but there was no sign of laziness on the training ground; instead, a scorching fighting spirit was palpable.

At Wang Bodang's suggestion, the three of them did not make a big fuss. Instead, they were led by a young deacon from the alliance to a wooden watchtower three zhang high at the edge of the training ground. From there, they could see the entire training ground.

The first thing that catches the eye is the incredibly spacious training ground. Built according to the terrain, the training ground slopes gently, stretching about three li from east to west and more than one li from north to south. The ground is made of loess mixed with fine sand, repeatedly compacted to a smooth, mirror-like surface, so that even under the blazing sun, very little dust is stirred up. The ground is divided into several large areas by striking white and gray lines and flags of different colors, each with its own purpose.

Looking into the distance, one can see a neat row of barracks to the north, with gray walls and black tiles, arranged in straight lines like a chessboard. The roads between the barracks are wide and straight, and the ditches are clear, without a trace of debris. Squads of soldiers returning from their shifts are returning to the camp in orderly ranks, and apart from the sound of footsteps and the occasional clanging of armor plates, there is hardly any noise.

What shocked the three of them even more was the various drills taking place on the training ground.

In the largest training area at the very center, about two thousand infantrymen were practicing in formation. They were not simply arranging themselves into square formations, but were constantly changing formations under the command of rousing war drums and changing banners.

"Change! Wedge formation!"

Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!
Five rapid drumbeats rang out, accompanied by the large red triangular flag in the hand of the flag officer on the watchtower pointing forward sharply. The previously heavy square formation surged forth as if alive. The front-line swordsmen and shieldmen quickly parted to make way, the middle-line spearmen charged forward like a forest, and the rear-line archers followed closely behind. The flanks contracted, and in just over ten breaths, the entire army transformed into a sharp, aggressive triangular formation, spears and halberds pointing straight ahead! The soldiers moved in perfect unison during the formation shift, as if their arms were extensions of their own, with hardly any hesitation or chaos!
"Oh my God..."

Cheng Yaojin stared in disbelief, his large, fan-like hands unconsciously gripping the railing of the watchtower, the wooden railing groaning under the weight: "How... how did they train like this? My old Cheng's soldiers have to shout and curse for ages just to change into a circular formation!"

Xu Shiji's eyes gleamed as he murmured, "The orders are obeyed without question, like the ebb and flow of tides... This is no ordinary drill; it's almost a divine practice. The one who commands this army must be a master of military strategy and an extremely strict commander!"

He thought to himself that even the elite Sui army under Zhang Xutuo might not have had such a disciplined and swift ability to change formations.

Wang Bodang remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the ever-changing military formation, his chest heaving slightly. He prided himself on the Wagang elite troops, once considered the best in the Central Plains, especially his archer battalion and light cavalry, which were paragons of their craft. But seeing the absolute discipline and execution displayed by this infantry force before him, he felt an unprecedented shock. This was not merely a difference in training levels, but a completely different temperament emanating from their very bones—not the ferocity of bandit leaders, not the arrogance of aristocratic private armies, but a cold, efficient, machine-like quality born for war.

"Look over there!"

Xu Shiji suddenly pointed to an area on the east side that was separated by a wooden fence.

The terrain in that area was slightly undulating, and there were even some low walls, trenches, and chevaux-de-frise artificially constructed. At this moment, about a hundred soldiers dressed in light leather armor, carrying powerful crossbows and short blades at their waists, were conducting a drill they had never seen before.

There were no deafening battle cries, only short commands and the clanging of crossbow bolts. Working in groups of three, they would stealthily approach their "targets"—standing straw figures—using the terrain; or suddenly pounce, several crossbow bolts striking the straw figures' vitals simultaneously with pinpoint accuracy; or provide cover for each other, advancing in shifts to clear "obstacles"; there were even drills simulating scaling low walls and quickly traversing trenches. Their movements were clean and efficient, their teamwork impeccable, exuding a cold and professional aura of killing.

"What...what kind of battle tactic is this?"

Wang Bodang was astonished: "This is definitely not a battle formation between two armies."

The young deacon leading the way, with a hint of pride on his face, explained, “Generals, these are the elite of the ‘Scout Battalion,’ which was personally ordered to be established by the Alliance Leader. They specialize in infiltration, reconnaissance, raids, and decapitations. Their combat skills and teamwork are different from ordinary military formations.”

"Scout camp?"

Xu Shiji frowned, carefully considering the word: "Specializing in raids and decapitations... so this is how war can be fought..."

Countless thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant, considering the possible role this tactic might have played in past battles.

Cheng Yaojin grinned: "Goodness, if this sneaks into my old Cheng camp tonight, they might not even know who did it before their heads are gone..."

Just then, a series of unusually deep and resounding footsteps and metallic scraping sounds came from the west, attracting the attention of the three.

On the western side, in the area designated for cavalry charges, dust began to rise. The first thing that caught the eye was rows upon rows of heavily armored cavalry, like a moving steel jungle!

Both men and horses were clad in black armor, which reflected a chilling, eerie light under the blazing sun. The knights did not wield spears or lances, but rather enormous, strangely shaped longswords about ten feet long, with extremely long, thick, and heavy blades that appeared to possess terrifying power.

“What kind of weapon is that?” Wang Bodang’s pupils contracted.

The steward replied, "This is the 'Mo Dao' jointly supervised by the Alliance Leader and the Song Clan Chief. The Alliance Leader once said, 'Under the Mo Dao, both men and horses will be shattered.'"

As if to confirm his words, the sound of the war drums suddenly became more intense and surging!
"Advance!" A command as powerful as thunder rang out.

"what!"

Five hundred heavily armored cavalrymen with longswords roared in unison, their voices shaking the surrounding area! At the same time, they spurred their warhorses to accelerate slightly.

Despite the distance, the three people on the watchtower could feel the slight vibrations from the wooden planks beneath their feet. The heavy thud of hooves on the ground was like muffled thunder rolling across the earth, carrying an unstoppable destructive force.

The column maintained a tight, orderly formation throughout its acceleration, like a moving steel wall. Faster and faster! The heavy armor plates rubbed and collided violently with the galloping warhorses, producing a deafening clang that mingled with the muffled thunder of hooves, creating a blood-pumping yet terrifying symphony of iron and blood!

In the blink of an eye, the cavalry torrent had rushed to the center of the training area, where dozens of wooden stakes and straw figures wrapped in thick leather, simulating enemy formations, were erected.

"Slash!" Another earth-shattering command rang out!

The knights at the front of the column roared in unison, using the immense momentum of their charging warhorses to flex their muscles and unleash their terrifyingly large blades! In an instant, a breathtakingly cold light cascaded down like a waterfall!

Crack! Crack! Crack! A series of teeth-grinding tearing and shattering sounds rang out in quick succession!

Those sturdy wooden straw figures, strong enough to withstand ordinary sword and spear strikes, were instantly shattered like paper and clay before this terrifying array of broadswords! Wood chips flew everywhere, and straw fluff danced wildly! Some straw figures were even cleaved in two!

The power of a single strike is truly astounding!
The Mo Dao formation moved without stopping, cutting through the "enemy formation" like a hot knife through butter, leaving behind a trail of broken and wrecked debris.

The entire process of charging, slashing, and breaking through the formation was swift, decisive, and extremely violent, filled with an ultimate sense of power and destructive force!
The watchtower was deathly silent.

Cheng Yaojin stared wide-eyed, unable to close his mouth for a long time, cold sweat even beading on his forehead. After a long while, he finally muttered, "My...my goodness...if this...if it charges straight at my formation...how am I supposed to stop it?! Even with a giant shield, I'd be cleaved in two!"

Xu Shiji's face was extremely solemn, even a little pale. He was an expert in military strategy, how could he not see the value of this terrifying cavalry on the battlefield? This was simply a peerless weapon used to destroy any hard formation and tear through any defense!

On the plains, who could withstand the impact of such power head-on? The Wagang's most elite cavalry would likely be as fragile as kites before this iron cavalry. He rapidly considered various tactics, but found that none seemed effective in countering this pure, overwhelming force.

Wang Bodang's palms were already drenched in sweat. He could almost see the horrific scene of blood and flesh flying, men and horses shattered, the instant the longsword fell. This was a war force that transcended individual bravery, causing even this renowned and fierce general to feel a chill run down his spine. His prized archery skills would likely be of little use against that heavy armor.

After a long silence, Xu Shiji finally let out a long breath and asked in a dry voice, "Such a powerful army... I wonder who the commander is...?"

The young steward respectfully replied, "This is the 'Mo Dao Battalion,' currently under the personal command of the Alliance Leader. Daily training is supervised by General Song Zhi, the 'Earth Blade', a fierce general under Lord Song."

“Song Zhi… ‘Earth Knife’…”

Xu Shiji murmured the name, the initial shock subsiding, only to be replaced by a deeper sense of awe. Song Que's younger brother, the Heavenly Blade, was indeed no ordinary man. And that nameless alliance leader was able to command such a figure and train such a powerful army…

The scorching sun continued to bake the training ground, and the heat waves in the air distorted the view, but the earth-shaking shouts of battle, the clanging of metal on metal, and the muffled thunder of footsteps grew even more intense.

The three fell silent, gazing intently at the disciplined, well-equipped, well-trained, and innovative army below—an army whose tactics were beyond imagination. They exchanged glances, each seeing the undisguised shock, amazement, and a complex, indescribable emotion in the other's eyes.

It was a shock to the understanding of a completely new and powerful mode of warfare, a subversion of one's own past experience, and an even deeper sense of awe and curiosity towards the unfathomable leader who could create all of this.

Looking down from the tower, the young steward, seeing the three generals still immersed in the awe of the drill, stood quietly to the side, not urging them on. It wasn't until Cheng Yaojin exhaled a long, hot breath with a metallic taste that he muttered, "Damn it... after seeing this, the battles I fought before feel like children playing house..."

The steward smiled slightly, stepped forward, and said respectfully, “Generals, the drills on the training ground are routine exercises. Although they demonstrate the strength of the army, the foundation of a strong army goes far beyond that. If you three are still interested, I can lead you to the armory, the medical ward, and other places in the army.”

Xu Shiji was the first to recover and immediately said, "Thank you for your help, sir! I was just about to ask you for your guidance!"

While the might of a military formation is indeed terrifying, what sustains continuous combat capability is often the deeper layers of logistics, equipment, and systems. Wang Bodang and Cheng Yaojin immediately nodded in agreement.

The steward bowed and led the way. The three of them descended from the watchtower and walked through the neatly divided camp areas instead of riding horses.

The further they went, the more they sensed the unusual nature of the Heavenly Alliance army camp. The camp roads were all paved with gravel, flat and solid, with drainage ditches dug on both sides, and were exceptionally clean, with almost no garbage or filth in sight. Squads of soldiers patrolled back and forth, their military bearing impeccable. Although they did not recognize them, upon seeing the tokens shown by the officers, they all saluted according to protocol, their eyes sharp and vigilant, yet without the slightest arrogance or laxity.

The first area we arrived at was a huge storage area in the northwest corner of the camp, surrounded by a brick wall ten feet high, with numerous sentry posts at the entrance, heavily guarded. After having our tokens checked several times, we were finally allowed to enter.

Upon entering the warehouse area, the first thing you smell is a strong odor of tung oil, rust, and leather. Before you are dozens of rows of huge warehouses that look like giant beasts crawling on the ground, all built of brick and stone with high roofs and excellent ventilation.

The deacon led them into one of the warehouses marked "Armor Warehouse".

The warehouse was incredibly spacious and tall, with beams of light streaming in from the high-rise skylights. Countless enormous wooden shelves were neatly arranged, densely packed with all sorts of armor, categorized and meticulously stored. From light leather armor and iron-plated cotton armor to heavy, gleaming armor and chainmail, and even the unique full plate armor of the Mo Dao cavalry they had just seen, almost everything was there! Each piece of armor was spotlessly clean, coated with rust-preventing grease, gleaming with a cold, eerie sheen in the light. The sheer quantity and variety were astonishing.

"This...this is way too much?!"

Cheng Yaojin's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but reach out to touch a black plate armor hanging nearby, but was stopped by a clerk with an expressionless look.

The steward explained, "This is one of the armory depots. According to the alliance's regulations, all military equipment and armor are made in a standardized manner by the workshop, numbered and registered, and distributed according to the number of soldiers and their missions. There are strict procedures for wartime damage and post-war recovery. Routine maintenance includes a small inspection every five days and a major inspection every ten days. If there is any damage or rust, it must be reported immediately for replacement or repair."

He pointed to a corner of the warehouse, where a dozen craftsmen were busy, some repairing nail plates, some tanning leather, and some adjusting mechanisms.

Wang Bodang walked to a row of crossbow racks, picked up a standard-issue crossbow. It was heavy in his hand, with an ingenious structure, and the crossbow body was engraved with a serial number and the craftsman's mark. He tried to turn the trigger; the force was even, and the spring was strong. He couldn't help but exclaim, "These are all top-quality products! They are several times better than the ones in my Wagang... cough, even better than the stock in many government army armories!"

Xu Shiji, however, paid more attention to details. He noticed that all the wooden frames and boxes were raised more than a foot off the ground, with moisture-proof charcoal and lime underneath. The warehouse was dry and well-ventilated, and the management was extremely rigorous. He couldn't help but nod in approval. This was by no means a one-time achievement, but the result of long-term strict implementation of the system.

Next, they visited the adjacent "Arsenal." The scene was equally breathtaking: spears like a forest, swords like snowflakes, and arrows piled high... Especially the terrifying long sword, stored in a separate area, like a sleeping beast, exuding a chilling aura.

The steward said, “The Alliance Leader has decreed, ‘To do a good job, one must first have the right tools.’ Soldiers are the brothers and sisters of the Alliance; how can we allow them to risk their lives with crude weapons? Therefore, the Alliance has invested heavily in military manufacturing. Craftsmen from the Song Clan, the Flying Horse Ranch, and even the former Jingling and Xiangyang have all been effectively organized, working day and night to ensure that military equipment is sufficient and of high quality.” (End of Chapter)