Chapter 648: The Heartland

Chapter 648: Chapter 648: The Heartland

To be able to lift their heads and see the clear, vast sky and wilderness again was truly a liberating and exhilarating experience for Zhang Qian and the others.

Looking back at the Lin Hai behind them—especially after half a month of only glimpsing splintered patches of sky, sliced up by dense bamboo leaves—Zhang Qian now felt an inexplicable sense of having escaped from another world, as the view before him opened wide.

"Where is this place?"

The only thing Zhang Qian knew was that he had indeed led his troops through the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea, but since there was no accurate depiction of the Bamboo Sea on any map, Zhang Qian had no idea of his precise location—only a vague sense that they must be within the northeastern territory of the Barbarian Race.

After emerging, they found a large army already encamped, and as far as Zhang Qian could tell, ditches were being dug, chevaux-de-frise were being set up, and many cultivators were using magic to gather stones and form walls—a clear scene of establishing a great military camp.

Where exactly is this? Who dares to set up so camp so openly? Are they not afraid of being trapped here and starved to death?

Unfortunately, no one would answer Zhang Qian’s question—in fact, even now, he still didn’t know who the commander-in-chief of this operation was. All the orders they’d received came from the Daoxing Chief’s Office before their departure, to be executed at set hours by Lin Ye, the accompanying Golden Sword Cultivator.

Now that he had come out of the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea, Zhang Qian, beyond a great sigh of relief, was eager to know who their true commander-in-chief was. Otherwise, he simply couldn’t feel at ease.

It was only about half a day after Zhang Qian had emerged that he finally saw Gan Lin coming out behind him. The two exchanged distant smiles, each feeling a heavy weight lifted from their hearts. Their old comrade was safe—what a relief.

After that, Zhang Qian was assigned to the engineering unit building the military camp, responsible for flattening a tract of sloped ground and making sure to leave a space large enough to pitch tents for at least ten thousand people.

This job wasn’t particularly troublesome—there were cultivators in the army who lent their aid, and the soldiers did the hard labor of removing loosened soil.

The work continued in this manner, never halting, with three rotating shifts working day and night. The order was clear: the external defenses of the main camp had to be completed within two days.

In fact, it wasn’t just the main camp—there were two smaller forward camps, each two li ahead and to the left or right. While much smaller in scale, they were also constructed with the intent to last long and were very solid. Gan Lin was there, leading his men in busy construction at the left forward camp.

It was only by midday of the second day—after only two hours of rest—that Zhang Qian received the first personal order from the commander-in-chief, instructing them to assemble for a council. The signature at the bottom was a name very familiar to Zhang Qian: Pan Shigui.

Hurriedly making his way to the main tent, Zhang Qian encountered Gan Lin, also rushing over. The two hadn’t had the chance to gather together for a long while, and at once fell back into old habits, whispering to each other.

"Who’d have thought Lord Pan would be the commander-in-chief! This time, things ought to be easier for you and me, eh?"

"Definitely! Lord Pan is known for cherishing old comrades—after all, we count as his veteran hands, so we’re sure to be afforded some favor. But wasn’t Lord Pan retired? How did he end up at the frontlines?"

"Are you stupid? With Lord Pan’s cultivation, would he have retired when he was at his prime? It’s just that he offended Yang Yansi and was forced out. Wasn’t it for much the same reason that Lord Jiang left the military? Now that Yang Yansi’s fallen silent, and Lord Wen holds power at the Ministry of War, what great general like Lord Pan would be left idling in the countryside?"

"That’s true! With Lord Pan here, I’m reassured. I just don’t know why we’re building such a massive camp—are there more forces coming to support us?"

"Hard to say. Do you know exactly where we are?"

"No damn idea—do you?"

"If I did, would I be asking you? But I reckon we’ve crossed the Jianchuan line." Zhang Qian lowered his voice at the last word, and Gan Lin’s face beside him showed a trace of shock.

Still, hearing Zhang Qian’s words, Gan Lin felt a similar suspicion in his own heart. Indeed, after putting in such effort—entering the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea from Xiaochuan and facing hazards for half a month before making it out—judging by the geography, their position should be well within the southeastern heartland of the Barbarian Race.

And the likelihood of having crossed Jianchuan was high, for only going deeper than Jianchuan would justify building a major base at this location, otherwise it would be sheer madness.

Just as the two were talking by the entrance, they heard their names called, and quickly straightened their clothing and entered the tent with a bow.

"Your subordinates Zhang Qian and Gan Lin report to the general!"

"Mm, be seated."

Though they were old acquaintances, the occasion allowed no room for pleasantries, nor was there any need. Once Zhang Qian and Gan Lin were seated, a few more officers arrived in succession. After a little while, this detachment—having departed Xiaochuan and emerged from the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea—welcomed their first real strategy meeting.

Once Pan Shigui unfolded the map, several of the attending officers finally revealed expressions of realization. Zhang Qian glanced at Gan Lin beside him with a smile, as if to say: How about it? Was I not spot on?

"Here—this is where we are now. The Daoxing Chief’s Office has named it ’Stone Gate.’ I trust you all have noticed that this location is not far from our most northern Upper Military Camp at Jianchuan. A fast rider can reach it in a single day and night, a normal march in just four and a half days. This is our most crucial junction for advancing further forward.

Additionally, the secret path you opened through the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea now allows a march from Xiaochuan to here in only half a month—greatly shortening the logistical line that previously ran from Zhuo Huo Pass via Wu Lake, then North. I needn’t remind you of how important this is, do I?

Our current objectives, then, are twofold. First, complete the construction of the military camp as quickly as possible; second, hold this position.

Just two days ago, there was a great victory at Jianchuan—the Barbarian Race fell into our trap, concentrated their forces on our Upper Military Camp, and tried to break through there to encircle both the middle and lower camps. But General Shen Wanlin at Jianchuan turned the tables, smashing the Barbarian assault and establishing a three-point offensive position with the upper, central, and lower camps—resolving Jianchuan’s crisis. Yesterday, the Upper Military Camp at Jianchuan already dispatched a mixed army along the edge of the Ten Thousand Miles Bamboo Sea to come here..."

The strategy itself was simple, but the news filled everyone with excitement.

Jianchuan’s great victory!?

All those present commanded troops in battle—maybe not famous generals, but none were blind to the larger situation. With this triumph at Jianchuan, the Upper Military Camp is a hard bone thrown among the wolves. The Barbarian Race has tried everything to break it, only to be caught in a vice and become the breach that would shatter the deadlock.

How many perils and twists there had been no one could say, but the outcome was plain: after Jianchuan’s victory, the entire defensive line would shift from holding to attacking. And as the main support along this long front is now this newly named place: Stone Gate.

With Pan Shigui’s explanation, all the officers present understood their current role, and could finally breathe a great sigh of relief. With Jianchuan’s deadlock broken, Stone Gate would not be an isolated advance force, but would be a new salient. Holding this position and ensuring the supply line was now the sole mission of this detachment.