My Cultivation Starting from Archery

After the sounding of the retreat.

The barbarian soldiers beneath the city walls began their disorganized withdrawal.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"They're retreating?"

Chen Sansi plunged his long spear into the ground, wiped the sticky blood from his face, and stood on high ground overlooking the battlefield.

Just now was actually the most dangerous time.

Why the sudden retreat?

There must have been an unexpected turn of events.

Indeed.

It wasn't long before news arrived.

While the barbarians were focusing on the main attack at the city gates, one of their main generals led three hundred elites in a fierce assault on a weak point on the west side, successfully breaching the wall and killing a commander with the surname Qian on the spot.

Fortunately, Xiang Tingchun and Dan Yuanzhi arrived just in time and killed that main general.

With the loss of a main general, it meant that the barbarians had only one Refining Organ martial artist left, and they had no choice but to temporarily retreat and regroup.

In fact, this moment was often the best opportunity to pursue the enemy outside the city.

However, Po Yang had insufficient troops, and the barbarians had deliberately left cavalry in the rear for support.

The soldiers began to clean up the battlefield.

Chen Sansi sat down to rest.

Only at dusk was the counting finished.

In this round, they killed a thousand enemies but lost two hundred soldiers, most of whom were newly recruited, and a hundred Martial Arts Academy Disciples died; it was said that the remaining disciples had dispersed like birds and beasts, and a search was already underway to capture them.

That is to say, what was left of Po Yang's fighting strength was only about nine hundred.

"Mr. Chen, Households Commander Xiang has called everyone over."

Within the camp.

Everyone, having fought half the day, was exhausted and most had sustained minor injuries.

Sun Li's pale complexion was likewise smeared with blood.

Sun Buqi's arm had been cut.

"Shanshi!"

Xiang Tingchun inquired, "What do you think we should do next?"

"Retreat."

Chen Sansi gave his answer, "The defensive line is stretched too thin, and Po Yang has too few troops. Continuing to defend this way, today's close call will happen again soon. It's better to fall back and clear the fields, retreat to within the county city, and concentrate our forces to defend the high walls; there's still a chance of victory."

"Hmm, your thoughts align with mine."

Xiang Tingchun didn't even consult others before immediately issuing an order, "Feng Yong, Zhao Kang, the two of you are responsible for bringing all the civilians from outside the city inside by dawn tomorrow. Be sure to leave the fields bare, not leaving a single grain of food behind. The rest of you, continue to defend the Great Wall tonight; nobody is to leave their post without permission!"

"Yes!"

Feng Yong and the others accepted the order and left.

"Magistrate Ji."

Xiang Tingchun continued, "How is the situation in An Ding Prefecture?"

Ji Guangxian sighed, "The fighting there is fierce. It's impossible to send reinforcements over. Households Commander Xiang, you can put that hope to rest. But tonight, an old slave with a small success in Refining Organs from my family will arrive, which might be of some help."

"This time, we are truly grateful to Magistrate Ji."

Xiang Tingchun breathed a sigh of relief.

With this, they would have four Refining Organ martial artists against the barbarians' one.

Along with the advantage of defending the high walls, there was a very good chance of holding out until An Ding Prefecture could spare troops for reinforcement.

Defending Po Yang with a thousand men would also be considered a great achievement.

"Mr. Xiang needn't thank me."

Ji Guangxian spoke indifferently, "The current His Highness has always been concerned for the country and its people. He definitely doesn't wish to see the Great Sheng Dynasty lose any city. By helping you, I am also serving the court."

The two stayed behind to talk.

The others dispersed one by one.

"Sir!"

Xu Bin had been waiting outside for a long time, "Could I possibly..."

"You can't go back, and I can't either."

Chen Sansi knew what he was about to say.

Xu Bin's child was probably just born, and now with the call to clear the fields, it meant that all the civilians from outside the city would have to sleep on the streets for a long time, and he was certainly worried about their safety.

Chen Sansi was also concerned about Sister Lan.

He found Sun Li, who understood without being told, "I'm not under anyone's command. Temporarily leaving does not count as desertion. Don't worry, I will ensure Sister Lan and...the family of your subordinate are well taken care of."

"Thank you!"

Chen Sansi bowed with fist in palm.

He returned to his post on the city wall and counted the number of his troops.

Twenty had been sacrificed.

Most of them died defending the cloud ladders while he was reinforcing Zhao Kang.

Having an excellent memory wasn't always entirely good.

After a true battle of blood, the atmosphere grew more solemn; even Zhu Tong no longer acted carefree as before, but sat quietly on the walltop meditating.

Chen Sansi rested briefly, then continued to practice martial arts.

The silver lining was that the Xi River tribes didn't attack again overnight, and by daylight, they were all able to retreat safely into the city.

The walls of Po Yang City were three zhang high and two zhang thick, extremely sturdy. Plus, with one Refining Organ Martial Artist stationed at each of the east, south, west, and north sides of the city walls, it was nearly impossible for the barbarians to break through easily.

It was a pity that many villages outside the city would be burnt to the ground, but that was unavoidable.

"Mr. Chen."

A well-built middle-aged man with a short beard climbed onto the city wall.

"And you are?"

Chen Sansi became alert.

The man before him breathed deeply and had a steady step. He was very similar to Xiang Tingchun and was very likely another Refining Organ martial artist.

"Mr. Chen, there's no need for alarm."

The middle-aged man introduced himself, "My surname is Han, and my name is Cheng. I'm a guard under Magistrate Xue, but you can call me Guard Han."

"Pleased to meet you."

Chen Sansi greeted him with a bow.

He had previously overheard at the Liang Family residence that even a petty county magistrate like Xue had a Refining Organ Martial Artist by his side, and it turned out to be true.

Moreover, during the previous fierce battle at the Great Wall, this person did not make a move.

He asked, "Guard Han, what brings you here?"

"There is an imperial decree."

Han Cheng made a gesture of invitation.

"An imperial decree?"

Chen Sansi speculated that it was something about Ninth Prince Yu Wen, and the authorities in the Capital City must have responded.

He then followed the other party and walked to the residence of the magistrate.

"Mr. Chen."

All of a sudden, Han Cheng stopped, "In a moment, Magistrate Xue will read the imperial decree. Whatever is asked of you, just agree, and if anything happens… Supervisor Sun will have your back. Remember, you must agree to everything!"

"?"

Chen Sansi was taken aback.

He quickly realized that the person before him, Han Cheng, seemed... actually to be Supervisor Sun's man.

The Sun Li siblings had mentioned in private that Magistrate Xue was the Emperor's man, yet he had Supervisor Sun's person hidden by his side, and also wanted him to follow the imperial decree.

How complicated.

Only by going in would he be able to find out what exactly was going on.

"All right, I will remember that," he said.

Chen Sansi nodded in agreement.

Only then did Han Cheng continue to lead the way.

Inside the hall, Magistrate Xue was dressed in official garments, sitting upright on a Taishi Chair.

By his side, there stood another guard.

Could it be another Refining Organ Martial Artist?

Two Refining Organ Martial Artists accompanying a single magistrate?

"Mr. Chen."

Seeing them, Magistrate Xue cautiously got up, "It is remiss of me not to have met you at a distance. Please forgive me."

"Magistrate Xue is too polite,"

Chen Sansi gave a formal bow.

Just speaking in terms of rank, he was one level higher than a seventh-rank magistrate.

"Then I will get straight to the point," said Magistrate Xue as he cleared his throat, took out the golden silk decree that was already prepared, slowly unfolded it, and read aloud:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees, 'Captain Chengxin, Chen Sansi, with a body of youth and the realm of Bone Training, penetrated deep into enemy territory for four hundred li and captured the Ninth Prince Yuwen alive; his loyalty and courage are commendable. He is hereby appointed as a fifth-rank Cavalry Captain, bestowed with a box of Bone Training treasure medicine, and a pot of Imperial Wine, this I decree.'"

"Your servant accepts the decree with gratitude,"

Chen Sansi received the imperial order with both hands.

A fifth-rank Cavalry Captain is a military officer's honorary rank and does not entail an actual position.

In this world, military achievements are tied to one's cultivation realm. His sixth-rank official title with a fifth-rank honorary rank was already exceptional.

But that wasn't key, and he didn't care about it.

What interested Chen Sansi was the Bone Training treasure medicine.

The items given by the Emperor were bound not to be of poor quality.

It would be good to seize the chance to break through to Bone Forging Perfection in order to cope with the upcoming battles.

Additionally, there didn't seem to be any special content in the imperial edict?

What did Supervisor Sun's man mean about having his back, and what exactly was there to cover?

"Mr. Chen,"

Magistrate Xue showed a smile, "At such a young age, you have gained the Emperor's favor; the prospects for your future are limitless!"

"You flatter me, Magistrate Xue,"

Chen Sansi replied politely, eager to get the treasure medicine quickly.

Magistrate Xue, however, was unhurried. He took a Jade Pot from the tray held by a servant, poured a cup of wine, and handed it over, "Mr. Chen, the Emperor's Imperial Wine must be consumed on the spot according to tradition. I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty's will."

[Green Blood Poison Dew: Colorless and tasteless; once ingested, it blends into the flesh. It will not act for three months, but after three months, without an antidote, one will suffer pierced intestines, belly rupture, bleed from seven orifices and die a violent death.]

Poisoned wine?! The old Emperor rewards me with poisoned wine for my merits?

Is the "agree to everything" Guard Han mentioned referring to this?

Chen Sansi's thoughts raced, though his face remained expressionless.

'The poisoned wine takes three months to take effect.'

'This means the Emperor doesn't want to kill me.'

'Instead... he wants to control me!'

Chen Sansi suddenly saw the light.

The Emperor had no reason to kill him.

If he really wanted to kill a small Bone Trainer like him, there would be no need for such secretive poisoning with a three-month delay.

If the purpose was to control him discreetly, then it made sense.

But what for?

If he does well within three months, he would be quietly given the antidote, and everything would be as if nothing had happened.

If he does poorly, would he then die from poisoning?

To drink or not to drink?

It seemed like "having his back" meant that Supervisor Sun would provide the antidote, allowing him to feign compliance for now.

Of course.

Chen Sansi would not fully trust either side.

After all, he was, for the moment, merely a Selected Point in name only and had no actual connection with Supervisor Sun.

But, given the circumstances,

He had no choice but to drink.

After all, he could detoxify himself!

With that thought in mind, Chen Sansi lifted the cup and drained it in one gulp.