Start with a red name

After a brief stop at "Wild Wolf Gorge," where he handed over the Dark Night Chief to Song Mingzhu and the others, Geng Xuan continued eastward.

He no longer needed to carry anyone on the road, allowing him to maximize his speed and agility.

Geng Xuan arrived near the "Rapid Flow Cave" before noon.

They found the team on its way, nearly a hundred miles east of the "Rapid Flow Cave".

Surrounded by many people in the center, Zhang Kai was startled when a person suddenly appeared in front of him. But after seeing who it was, he was overjoyed.

"Commander, you're back."

Other high-ranking members of the Black Wind Gang also came to pay their respects and offer their greetings.

Geng Xuan nodded slightly and smiled at Zhang Kai:

"Thank goodness we weren't late... I was worried you'd get to 'Rapid River Cave' before me."

When Zhang Kai heard his straightforward remark, he perceived another layer of meaning.

He quickly explained:

"Firstly, the team size has increased dramatically, expanding from more than three thousand people to over ten thousand."

Secondly, they carried more supplies than when they set off from Baihetan.

For these two reasons, the speed was much slower than when we departed from Baihetan.

Geng Xuan nodded slightly.

Logically speaking, it would be unreasonable to arrange such a large army to march.

Especially considering they were also tasked with conquering the "Rapids Cave".

The most reasonable arrangement would be to send a group of the most elite troops on light cavalry to reach "Rapid Current Cave" as quickly as possible.

As for the baggage that slows down the speed too much, a certain number of guards can be assigned to follow slowly from behind.

As long as communication between the two teams is kept smooth and the distance between them is not too great, there shouldn't be any problems.

However, the Black Wind Gang is not a product of "common sense".

Instead, it was a deformed freak.

The primary task of Zhang Kai and Guo Nan, who were entrusted with important responsibilities by Geng Xuan, as well as Ren Jun and Dai Ming from the Later Jin Dynasty, was not to "take over 'Jiliudong' as soon as possible," but to "lead the entire team westward."

In the current Black Wind Gang, every time they split up, they push the team toward "disintegration".

Knowing exactly what Geng Xuan wanted, Zhang Kai and his team preferred to keep the team together slowly and steadily, and refused to plan to split up.

"...In order to avoid disturbing other bandit groups that might be encountered along the way due to the large size of the group, we arranged the supply train in the middle, while the other groups were scattered around in companies."

In this way, any bandit forces coming from any direction can only see a small portion of our strength and cannot see our full strength.

Once they became greedy and started to approach, the squadrons scattered in other directions quickly surrounded and encircled them from all sides.

Then he ate them all in one bite.

"This arrangement allowed us to successfully deceive the two bandit groups we encountered on our westward journey."

After paying a certain price, they ate them all, and none of them escaped.

Although everything went relatively smoothly overall, these two operations still caused some delays.

"Plus the team that entered 'Golden Leaf Cliff' shortly after you left..."

Although we suffered some casualties, if we include all three groups of surrendered and captured bandits, our total strength exceeds ten thousand.

More accurately, it was 10582 people, 1017 more than the 9565 people when Geng Xuan left.

However, in order to subdue these three bandit groups that had successively "walked into the trap," especially to meet the stringent standard of not letting a single one of them escape.

The Black Wind Gang also paid a heavy price, with its membership decreasing from 9565 to 9340, and 225 people dying.

This does not include the number of people who have been forced to leave the front lines due to serious injuries or disabilities.

If all those seriously injured and disabled from the beginning of the "White Crane Beach" incident to the present are excluded from the front-line personnel, the Black Wind Regiment currently has less than nine thousand truly usable troops.

The number of bandits who surrendered and were captured in the group was more than 1,200.

To achieve this result, more than 600 bandits were buried in the sand from "Golden Leaf Cliff" to this place.

From the moment they left until their return, this team alone had nearly nine hundred lives lost, including both their own members who died and outsiders who were killed by their own members.

This brought Geng Xuan nearly 27,000 points of good fortune.

This is the "snowball" that Geng Xuan consciously rolled out, and it has been given a special "enchantment" effect - the amazing effect of the black luck and calamity.

Even without Geng Xuan's personal involvement, each "snowball" spontaneously exudes a unique attraction, drawing in bees and butterflies.

Even if this "snowball" simply moves forward quietly, killing and death will actively attach themselves to it and bloom around it.

If we broaden our perspective to include the Xuan and You states, and apply it to the entire bandit group, we can see that the bandit group, historically synonymous with chaos and slaughter in the minds of others, has quietly broken the record for the fastest rate of annihilation per unit of time.

Back then, even with Dong Guanzheng's large-scale crackdown on the bandit groups, the eradication of the bandits was far less efficient than it is now!

Having learned from Zhang Kai and others what had happened during his absence, Geng Xuan praised Zhang Kai, Guo Nan, Ren Jun, Dai Ming, and other senior executives.

"Commander, we were just discussing this."

Should we rest first, absorb and reorganize those prisoners before plotting against Jiliu Cave, or should we take over Jiliu Cave first and then rest slowly?

"How do you think it would be more appropriate to arrange it?" Zhang Kai asked.

If Geng Xuan does not return in time, the latter method is naturally more appropriate.

But now that he has returned, it would be more suitable for the Black Wind Gang to digest the thousand-plus prisoners he had swallowed before proceeding with their next scheme.

Geng Xuan gave his opinion.

So, when the team was about 50 miles away from the "Rapid River Cave", they paused and rested for about an hour.

Because Zhang Kai and his men had already done enough "persuasion" work with the more than 1,200 prisoners, the Black Wind Gang's ceremony of absorbing fresh blood officially began shortly after the team stopped.

Perhaps it was the ferocious and menacing appearance of the Black Wind Gang when they revealed their fangs that completely extinguished the will to fight against them among the captured bandits.

In the end, fewer than a hundred "impures" were eliminated, and the rest successfully became "one of their own" in the Black Wind Gang, and were incorporated into the existing squads.

— To save time, Geng Xuan did not form new squads, but instead dispersed the more than 1,000 newly recruited bandits into 950 squads.

From then on, the Black Wind Legion's combat strength exceeded ten thousand men.

This time, Geng Xuan did not continue to "feed" Hong Yun as an incentive.

Saving time was one aspect, but it was also intentional.

As the "snowball" grows larger and the trend takes hold, the prestige of "Good Fortune and Blessings" will become increasingly higher, and the difficulty of obtaining it will also increase.

As the team was about to set off again, Zhang Kai asked for specific strategies for the "Rapid River Cave".

He had assumed it would just be a perfunctory conversation.

After all, they have already accumulated a wealth of experience in this area at Baihetan and Jinyeya.

All you need to do is replicate the same, increasingly mature method in "Rapids Cave".

They now possess an overwhelming advantage over the disorganized bandit group gathered in "Jiliudong" in every aspect.

They were convinced that this was a sure thing.

However, Geng Xuan's answer was not what Zhang Kai had expected.

Geng Xuan looked at Zhang Kai and said:

“I know that replicating the success of Baihetan and Jinyeya is the easiest thing to do.”

But I hope that the Black Wind Gang's operation this time can be more direct.

"..."

Zhang Kai was stunned for a moment, then gradually came to his senses and asked:
"You mean... a direct assault?"

"Correct."

Geng Xuan said to Zhang Kai:

"Now that you know that the Black Wind Gang will eventually clash with the Xuan You Iron Cavalry."

Then you should understand that simply accumulating quantity is not enough.

...This operation targeting 'Jiliudong Cave' is the last large-scale operation before you encounter Dong Guan's Xuanyou Iron Cavalry.

I hope you will cherish this opportunity.

This was the first time Geng Xuan had explicitly mentioned the "Mysterious Nether Iron Cavalry" as an opponent in front of Zhang Kai.

And you'll encounter it after the "Rapid River Cave".

It was like a boulder crashing into Zhang Kai's heart. Even though he thought he was mentally prepared, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion and waver upon hearing these words.

After a long pause, Zhang Kai nodded emphatically and said, "I understand what to do, Commander!"

Zhang Kai summoned all the combatants above the Marrow Refinement level.

Besides him, there are four others at the peak of the Marrow Refinement stage: Guo Nan, Ren Jun, and Dai Ming. This Black Wind Gang also has 25 members at the late Marrow Refinement stage, 73 at the mid-Marrow Refinement stage, and 231 at the early Marrow Refinement stage.

In the days since joining the Black Wind Gang, these people have all experienced a leap in their cultivation, breaking through their original realms.

Just a few days ago, more than half of the people present were at the Bone Refining level of cultivation.

The number of people in the late stage of Marrow Refinement is so small that you can count them on one hand.

And now, in just a few days, they have achieved a new level that might take years, decades, or even a lifetime to reach.

Not only did their cultivation levels improve in ways they never dared to dream of, but they also gained immense power.

Just a few days ago, they were wandering aimlessly in the wilderness with a group of bandits.

Now look at the present—

Even if it was all a dream, their only hope was to "sleep forever and never wake up."

Zhang Kai, unusually, gathered all the combatants above the Marrow Refinement level, his gaze sweeping over them, and solemnly said:
"Next, we will launch a military operation!"

Everyone was startled.

Zhang Kai didn't mention anything about the "Mysterious Nether Iron Cavalry," only saying that it was the commander's request.

Those who had doubts before no longer had any after hearing this reason.

The group then began a more detailed discussion about this "military operation".

The first challenge was presented to everyone.

"...It sounds simple, but we have no idea how to fight this battle!"

The group exchanged bewildered glances, seemingly asking each other, "Do you have any experience in this area?"

As a result, no one received it.

Just when everyone was at a loss for what to do, Guo Nan broke the silence.

"I think people are overcomplicating this."

Does anyone dictate how this war must be fought?

no?
All people are pursuing is the result of victory. As for the process... isn't it said that all's fair in war, and no means are too far-fetched?
Large-scale corps operations are unfamiliar to everyone.

You must be familiar with leading a group of bandits in raids and plunder, right?

We now have 190 companies and 19 battalions. In my opinion, we should each lead a battalion or a few companies according to our abilities and charge into the 'Rapid Current Cave'.

Why think so much?

After hearing Guo Nan's speech, everyone's first reaction was that the plan was too reckless and brainless.

But soon everyone discovered that this seemed to be the tactic they were most familiar with, the one they were most confident in using, and the one they felt most assured in.

Ultimately, Guo Nan's "brainless, all-out attack" strategy gained the approval of the vast majority of people.

On the contrary, those suggestions and ideas that one considers ingenious are soon defeated and crushed by more people.

"Then it's settled." Zhang Kai said in the final step.

After the agreement was reached, he turned to ask Geng Xuan for his opinion.

"Commander, what do you think?"

"Since you've already made your decision, then let's proceed accordingly."

Soon, the team set off again.

……

Before long, the thousands of bandits who had gathered at "Jiliudong" were awakened by the rumbling of horses' hooves coming from afar.

The first to notice the anomaly were a group of bandits who were standing higher and in advantageous positions; they saw a large amount of smoke and dust rising in the distance.

Then came figures galloping on horseback, one hand holding the reins and the other wielding swords.

Although they were too far away to see the faces of these people clearly, they could almost imagine that these people were in a semi-mad state of mind.

Because this is so common in the bandit community.

Perhaps it was to make themselves appear fiercer, more powerful, and more terrifying.

Or perhaps it was a form of self-hypnosis or suggestion to boost morale.

Many bandits, during their raids and life-or-death struggles, would "unleash their true nature," transforming into ferocious beasts that would devour anyone they chose.

The bandits of "Jiliudong" who were the first to notice this scene were mostly stunned.

Sand bandits came to plunder 'Rapid Stream Cave', where thousands of sand bandits gathered.
"...Is he out of his mind?"

Even if someone had the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard, they wouldn't be that stupid, would they?

However, this feeling did not last long.

When they saw that the number of bandits emerging from the smoke and dust was endless, the number quickly grew from hundreds to thousands and was still increasing.

Their numbers have already surpassed those of the bandits in "Rapid Stream Cave," and there is no sign of them stopping.

When the scope extended to all the external passages of the "Rapid River Cave," the absurdity turned into terror.

At this moment, all the bandits gathered in the "Rapid River Cave" noticed this sudden and absurd calamity.

—We are about to be plundered!
Moreover, they are extremely ruthless and vicious, wanting not only money but also lives!

Faced with such a sudden change, the thousands of bandits gathered in the "Rapid Stream Cave" instantly became like flies startled and swarming in a cesspool.

They had no concept of working together or responding in unison; they immediately dispersed into hundreds of different teams according to their respective affiliations.

They responded in all sorts of strange and different ways.

Argument, escape, nowhere to run, desperate turn back, wanting to fight to the death...

Some, relying on their superior cultivation and agility, broke away from the group, attempting to escape alone.

Little did they know that those who made such a choice were the first to meet their demise, voluntarily sending themselves into a hopeless situation.

Nineteen brigades and one hundred and ninety companies, seemingly charging in a mindless frenzy, were actually very methodical.

There are layers, a sequence, strong and weak elements interspersed, and left and right coordination...

Looking around in a daze, it seemed as if there were gaps everywhere that offered a chance to escape.

However, if you look at the big picture, you can see that this is a large, well-organized net that covers the entire "Rapid River Tunnel" at its very center.

Of course, this "net" is far from being indestructible.

If an individual or a group of people in the "Rapid Current Cave" have a cultivation level exceeding a certain strength, they also have the ability to break through the net and escape.

Unfortunately, this large web is home to 231 "small spiders" at the early stage of Marrow Refinement, 73 "medium spiders" at the middle stage of Marrow Refinement, and 25 "large spiders" at the late stage of Marrow Refinement.

Very few beings could break through their tight blockade.

As a result, they still had to face four "super-sized spiders" at the peak of the Marrow Refinement stage: Zhang Kai, Guo Nan, Ren Jun, and Dai Ming.

Throughout the entire operation, the four of them made very few moves.

They devoted most of their time and energy to maintaining the entire "big network".

They don't get many opportunities to showcase their abilities.

Geng Xuan watched the whole thing from the sidelines without even lifting a finger.

This is not just about having more people than others, or the strong attacking the weak.

It is more of a planned response than a hasty one, and an organized response than a disorganized mess.

From beginning to end, Geng Xuan didn't even see a single battle that left a particularly strong impression on him.

What remained in his mind was only an overall impression.

It was like a tightly clenched fist blasting towards a sandcastle.

It collapsed with a single blow.

It shatters as soon as it's poured.

Of course, in this process, the Black Wind Regiment, which actively dispersed its more than 10,000 troops into battalions and companies, also actively exposed more "burles".

During the intense friction between the two sides, many "burrs" became the price to pay.

Furthermore, because these teams were scattered throughout the "Rapid River Cave," even when the battle had completely ceased, apart from a few people who were qualified to oversee the entire situation, the others did not have a deep understanding of the situation.

At most, they only knew that their own squadron or battalion had suffered considerable casualties.

But looking at the members whose enthusiasm had not waned, they all felt that this was within their own tolerance range and far from the team's limit.

When all the figures wielding swords looked around and could no longer see a single enemy standing there, daring to look them in the eye, many still felt a sense of lingering satisfaction.

At their feet lay either corpses lying scattered about or figures kneeling on the ground, trembling and begging for surrender.

"So, we've become this powerful!" (End of Chapter)