Start with a red name

After the ten riders threw five spears in succession, they stopped to rest.

Of course, they didn't stop immediately. Instead, they rode the Xuanyou horse and trotted slowly nearby, while gently massaging the horse's back and neck.

The dark horses they were riding seemed to thoroughly enjoy the massage, their steps becoming lighter and lighter, and they would occasionally let out a contented snort.

Even Zhang Shan, who was originally quite unfamiliar with the habits of the Xuanyou horse and whose horsemanship was extremely poor, was doing the same thing at this moment.

At first, his technique was a bit clumsy, and the "partner" he was massaging showed obvious displeasure and protest.

But soon, the Xuan You horse he was riding began to enjoy itself.

The most important aspects of "horse-riding throwing technique" are, of course, the use of force, leveraging momentum, and throwing skills.

However, the "horse" is also an indispensable key element.

When Zhang Shan and the other ten were forcibly pushed into the realm of perfection in this path, their skillful horsemanship and mastery of horse habits naturally took root in their minds.

Just as Zhang Shan and his men were taking a break and regrouping, all five sets of armor were presented to Liu Mu, Song Mingzhu, Tie Lang, and the others.

Although, as soon as the javelin hit its target, everyone already knew the answer.

But as these suits of armor were delivered and passed from hand to hand, the crowd was still deeply shocked.

The two sets of armor, the worst and the second worst in quality, are no longer in good condition.

In fact, there is hardly any trace of armor left.

Because the javelin was so powerful, it was torn to shreds as if it were made of paper.

Then there's the armor, which ranks third in quality and can withstand strong attacks from early-stage Marrow Refinement cultivators for quite some time.

Such armor was typically issued to the core members of the Iron Cavalry.

Wearing such armor, if one possesses the strength of the early or middle stages of Marrow Refinement, one can withstand several blows even from a full-force attack from a late-stage Marrow Refinement cultivator.

Although this set of armor was still tattered, it at least resembled armor in some way.

However, there were still seven penetrating wounds on the armor, one through the other, which were shockingly deep.

In addition, there are two indentations of different depths on the side facing the javelin.

One of the dents is very shallow, only about one or two centimeters deeper than the intact state.

The other dent is very obvious.

Compared to its intact state, it has sunk inward by at least five or six centimeters.

At the deepest part of the depression, a very sharp groove can even be clearly seen.

The shape of this deep groove was just right, perfectly matching the tip of the spear that Zhang Shan and the others had thrown.

In addition, there is a slightly deformed javelin embedded deep within this suit of armor.

The reason there was a javelin embedded inside was because the armor facing the javelin attack was pierced.

However, this also diminished the javelin's power considerably, preventing it from piercing the other layer of armor facing away from the attack.

The javelin got stuck there.

Throwing attacks at the Blood Refinement level can no longer penetrate such armor.

However, even a beginner in bone refining can break through a one-sided defense with a single, all-out effort.

Even if a real person were here, their physical body would have a defensive capability far exceeding that of a wooden stake, and the remaining force of this javelin would be enough to deliver a heavy blow to the target.

If the thrower has a high level of bone refining cultivation, it poses an even more deadly threat.

Those with superior strength need not be mentioned further.

Next is the fourth set of armor, which ranks second in quality among the five types of armor tested.

It can withstand the powerful attacks of those in the late stage of Marrow Refinement.

However, this suit of armor also has three tears running through it from front to back.

Two other javelins were embedded in it.

There are two other indentations of different depths, but both are quite noticeable.

In addition, there are three less noticeable marks.

Throws from those below the Marrow Refinement level cannot break through the defense.

However, anyone with strength approaching the mid-stage of the Marrow Refinement realm could pose a fatal threat to those wearing this type of armor from a distance of a hundred paces.

The fifth set of armor is also the highest quality and has the strongest defensive capabilities.

It can briefly withstand the powerful attacks of a peak Marrow Refinement cultivator.

Of course, the higher the quality of the armor, the higher the requirements for the wearer. At the very least, one needs to be at the mid-stage of the Marrow Refining realm to bring out its full effect.

Otherwise, if someone below the Marrow Refinement level wore it, let alone someone at the peak of the Marrow Refinement level, even a strong attack from someone in the mid-to-late stages of the Marrow Refinement level would be impossible to withstand.

This set of armor is also the best preserved among the five sets.

There were only two through-and-through tears.

Moreover, the second piercing tear was clearly somewhat forced. A javelin pierced through both layers of armor, but the remaining force was exhausted, with only the tip of the javelin protruding before getting stuck there.

In addition, there were two other javelins, both of which were pierced only on one side and became stuck in the armor.

Within a hundred paces, a single, all-out throw from someone in the late stage of the Marrow Refinement realm is enough to be fatal.

Considering the wearer's own strength, a thrower at the mid-stage of Marrow Refinement might be able to penetrate armor defenses, but it would be difficult to kill.

But this is still enough to give those who wear it a huge headache.

After the five sets of armor passed through a pair of hands, the power of the "Horse-riding Throwing Technique" was clearly displayed before everyone.

Zhang Shan and the others' mounts have also been fully restored, with their horsepower back to peak condition.

So, the Xuanyou horse carried them on a swift journey once again.

Before long, javelins tore through the air and accurately struck five sets of armor two hundred paces away.

After a thorough inspection, everyone was convinced that while the javelin's power had diminished, it had not decreased significantly.

If we consider the damage within 100 paces as "100", then at a distance of 200 paces, the damage is still at least "95".

Then they threw the armor at a distance of three hundred paces.

Compared to within a hundred paces, the power showed a significant decrease.

However, this degradation has no effect on the two lowest quality armors.

All ten javelins were still pierced through.

At most, the shape of the armor was slightly clearer.

If it were worn by a person of flesh and blood, within a hundred paces, the person would be directly exploded into blood and gore inside the armor. Within three hundred paces, however, the outline of the corpse could barely be left intact.

The three types of armor of the highest quality all have an increased level of security.

Originally, a seasoned Bone Refiner could pose a fatal threat within a hundred paces.

When the distance reaches three hundred paces, it can only create a dent on the front at most.

To pose a fatal threat to such targets, the thrower's cultivation level must be at least at the Marrow Refinement stage.

For those wearing the highest quality armor, only a skilled late-stage Marrow Refinement expert could pose a fatal threat with a single throw.

Afterwards, Zhang Shan and others successively conducted experiments on targets at distances of four hundred and five hundred paces.

The power of horse-riding throwing techniques became increasingly clear in everyone's minds.

When the experiment was finally over, of the twenty-five sets of armor used in the experiment, only one set managed to remain in relatively good condition.

That set of the highest quality armor, located 500 paces away, had only one and a half through-holes, and the javelin was completely embedded inside.

There are also three indentations of varying depths.

There were no other traces besides that.

Liu Mu and the others stared blankly at the armor, lost in thought.

Geng Xuan glanced at everyone and asked with a smile, "How was it?" Liu Mu withdrew his gaze, looked at Geng Xuan, and said:

"Given the rate at which these javelins have diminished in power, I feel that even at a distance of six or seven hundred paces, they would still be extremely lethal to the enemy cavalry, who are the most numerous and wear the worst quality armor."

"Yes." Geng Xuan nodded, not denying it.

However, he believes that this stage of testing is sufficient and there is no need to waste any more armor.

Liu Mu's expression became increasingly complicated.

Geng Xuan saw the complex and turbulent emotions in his heart and asked curiously, "What else do you want to say?"

Liu Mu thought for a moment and honestly replied:

"My lord, this throwing technique doesn't seem as extraordinary as the other techniques you've used before."

But I feel that this is actually the most fatal blow to Dong Guan!

Geng Xuan nodded slightly.

Whether it's "blessing with good fortune," rapidly reviving the dying, seeing through people's hearts, discerning truth from falsehood, or effortlessly reassembling a scattered mess into a cohesive whole, it all seems miraculous.

But all of this strengthens our own side.

Moreover, this strengthening only qualified the "Black Wind Army" to "share the stage" with Dong Guan.

The situation where the enemy is superior and we are inferior remains very clear.

Moreover, once the enemy adapts to the rhythm of the "Black Wind Army" and gradually realizes that they have exhausted all their options, the situation will become increasingly unfavorable.

However, the emergence of this throwing technique fundamentally negated the power in Dong Guan's hands.

As a high-ranking general in Dong Guan's iron cavalry, Liu Mu was extremely familiar with the Xuanyou Iron Cavalry's tactics.

He was quite certain that the "Black Wind Army" would continue to rely on cavalry duels, just as before.

The gains achieved will become increasingly smaller.

Battle losses will only increase.

In previous clashes between the cavalry, the "Black Wind Army" seemed to have benefited repeatedly, but in reality, they used too many underhanded tactics to maximize their "asymmetric advantage."

However, these advantages are all one-time only.

It won't work as well the next time you use it.

Ultimately, both sides still had to return to a fair and square battle.

This is the key to determining the success or failure of both sides.

Liu Mu, who was well aware of the ins and outs of the situation, was far less blindly optimistic than the "Black Wind Army".

But now, this brief test has caused Liu Mu's views to take a complete 180-degree turn.

He became more optimistic than anyone else about the outcome of this dispute.

Based on the characteristics displayed by Zhang Shan and the other ten, a completely new battle tactic, distinct from the Xuanyou Iron Cavalry, was rapidly unfolding in his mind.

They clashed and collided with the Xuan You Iron Cavalry that he had imagined in his mind.

Oh no.

There was no collision.

There is only endless entanglement and relentless harassment.

The Xuanyou Iron Cavalry, also known for their speed, performed like novices in the battle he envisioned in his mind.

Clumsy, slow-witted, and at a loss.

Can't catch up.

Out of reach.

can not hit.

Can't escape.

Seeing Liu Mu's thoughts surging like waves, Geng Xuan smiled slightly and said:
"It seems you already have a plan in mind? ... Next, we'll still have to deal with Dong Guan properly."

I'd like to leave the specifics of how to proceed to you. What do you say? Are you confident?

Liu Mu knew he was about to become a hands-off manager again.

He neither readily agreed nor outright declined.

Instead, the question is:
Where is our westward migration headed?

At the westernmost point of Youzhou lies the vast and boundless Desert of Death.

With such a large and impressive group, they couldn't possibly go there to eat sand.

Therefore, the "Black Wind Army" will inevitably stop somewhere.

After this stop, it will be difficult for the "Black Wind Army" to replicate its current flexibility.

Because the enemy will inevitably close in quickly, they will not be given any more opportunities to maneuver easily.

Upon hearing his question, Geng Xuan replied directly:
"I plan to stop at the 'Sanyakou' line and use the north-south line as a guide to build the area west of this line into the base of the 'Black Wind Army'."

Once we've established ourselves here, we must not only block Dong Guan's advance, but also uproot all those within the region who belong to Dong Guan.

Two hundred miles west of Xuanqinghai lies "Yanlai Peak".

Nearly 900 li west of Yanlai Peak lies Sanya Pass.

West of "Sanyakou" lies "Baimagang", and further west is "Yulinwu".

These places were the core gathering and dispersal points for the bandits within Youzhou.

The bandits are like bloodsucking parasites, and their distribution reflects the distribution of sand people settlements and other tribes.

Based on the population distribution within Youzhou, if the "Black Wind Army" truly achieves this, it would be equivalent to taking over 70% of Youzhou's territory, nearly 50% of its population, resources, and wealth into its own hands.

The reason why Youzhou has more than 70% territory but less than 50% population, resources and wealth is that the eastward part of Youzhou is more prosperous and wealthy, while the westward part is poorer and more barren.

Even the most fertile "Canglan Mountain" is in Dong Guan's hands.

According to Geng Xuan's markings, this was actually within his reach, but for the sake of the overall situation, Geng Xuan decided not to take action here for the time being.

This would actually lock up Dong Guan's increasingly strained forces even more in "Canglan Mountain".

Dong Guanneng will have even fewer mobile troops available to deal with them.

"...Within Youzhou, the people of those tribes have already begun to migrate to this area."

At that time, a large number of new and energetic people will join.

Although their average strength is not high, together with these tribal people, they are enough to form our foundation, allowing us to truly establish ourselves.

Liu Mu listened attentively, nodding slightly.

After a while, he said again:
"How long would it take to teach all 36,000 cavalrymen in the army this throwing technique?"

Geng Xuan thought for a moment and said, "It should be about ten days... However, compared to the batch tested, its power will be slightly inferior, and its accuracy will be even worse."

Apart from a few lucky individuals like Zhang Shan, most others will only be pushed to the "beginner" level by him; it's impossible for him to guide them all to the "perfect" level.

He doesn't have that much good fortune to build.

Liu Mu paused for a moment before quickly asking, "Is the general direction okay?"

"Of course that's no problem."

Liu Mu nodded: "That's alright. As long as you throw enough, it doesn't matter if you can't aim accurately."

The sniper's single-shot firing provides effective area coverage.

Moreover, on battlefields with tens of thousands of soldiers, "precision shooting" is not a high priority to begin with.

After a long period of thought, and having sorted out his thoughts, Liu Mu said, "I know what to do!" (End of Chapter)