I am the snake demon!

"In the year of Xinmao, in the third month of spring, the black bird heralds the beginning of spring, and hibernating insects begin to stir. Thunder rumbles in the east, auspicious signs for agriculture at dawn. I, the sovereign, inherit the mandate to guard the borders, offering jade tablets and tributes in accordance with the seasons; I strengthen my troops and conduct military exercises, following the spring sun to conquer the old territories..."

Upon arriving at the location, Bai Xuan ascended the high platform, solemnly reciting the sacrificial text and proclaiming it to heaven and earth.

The true purpose of spring hunting has never been to hunt a large number of wild animals.

Therefore, before the spring hunt begins, a sacrificial text must be recited to announce to heaven and earth, and to pray for the northern border to have favorable weather and abundant harvests in the coming year.

Below the high platform, a thousand soldiers stood in solemn silence.

After the recitation was finished, Bai Xuan picked up the longbow, drew it to its full length, and then suddenly released it, firing the first arrow of the spring hunt.

The long arrow shot out, turning into a streak of light, and hit the bullseye a thousand paces away.

The arrow hit the target with a single shot.

In an instant, the surrounding soldiers and horses erupted in cheers as loud as a mountain.

Bai Xuan nodded slightly, announcing the official start of the spring hunt.

The Liangzhou army took the lead. Deputy General Leng Shih-hu waved the command flag, and ten thousand infantrymen formed a battle formation. They were orderly and coordinated, as if they were using their own arms. Although there were ten thousand people in formation, there was no chaos. The soldiers were like a moving iron wall, indestructible.

Centered on the deputy general and extending to the soldiers, thousands of densely packed array patterns flowed, revealing the way of heaven and earth.

A massive array condensed beneath the soldiers' feet, causing the primordial energy of heaven and earth to surge and ripple. Above the sky, stars shone faintly. A three-thousand-foot-tall Dharma image materialized, unleashing a murderous aura as vast as mountains of corpses and seas of blood. It shook the earth and its oppressive power swept across thousands of miles.

The Liangzhou demons watching the battle were all horrified, seeing these 10,000 infantrymen as if they were seeing demons, especially the chieftain of the Wild Forest Deer Clan, who was so nervous that he kept swallowing.

I thought that with the death of the Prince of Zhenbei, the northern border would be much weaker.

But with Leng Shih-hu around, the Northern Border remains an unshakeable mountain for their Deer Clan.

"Is this Uncle's Seven Kill Formation?" On the stage, Bai Xuan looked at Leng Shih-hu and asked.

"That's right, the Seven Killings Formation gathers the power of the Seven Killings Stars, capable of slaying immortals and gods, eliminating demons and monsters, and is invincible. The old prince passed it on to me, and I improved it. It can stand alone as the Seven Killings Asura Formation, which can break through any evil spirits and monsters." Leng Shih-hu laughed.

"Seven Killings Asura, what a fine formation. Even if a real Asura were alive, he wouldn't be as powerful as my uncle," Bai Xuan praised sincerely.

This force of 10,000 elite troops was comparable to the second wave of 30,000 troops he encountered in the Demon City, and even stronger in terms of coordination.

As expected, when it comes to formations, the human race is the real expert.

Back then, in his quest for revenge, he massacred the demon city and was riding high when he was driven out by an army.

A group of demons lacked martial ethics, and 30,000 demons ganged up on him. Now they are enemies, and if the opportunity arises, he might be able to get revenge.

A gentleman takes his revenge, even after ten years.

Holding a grudge for ten years is also the mark of a gentleman.

Leng Shih-hu laughed heartily upon hearing this, clearly pleased with Bai Xuan's praise, as this was his most elite Flying Bear Army.

Seeing this, Xu Wenzheng raised an eyebrow and gave his beloved general Nie Ying a look. Nie Ying understood, waved his command flag, and a loud neighing of horses rang out. One after another, white horses galloped in. The cavalry were brave and the white horses were magnificent. They swept in like white waves, vast and mighty. The earth trembled, and the sharp aura of weapons soared to the sky.

The complex array seals flowed and swirled, the array patterns spread and the clouds surged. Above the army, a phantom of a divine general, also three thousand feet tall, condensed. The total number of people was no more than three thousand, but it looked like thirty thousand iron cavalry charging, as if heavenly soldiers and generals had descended to earth.

"Is this the Po Jun cavalry that once defeated 100,000 with only 3,000?" Bai Xuan asked Xu Wenzheng.

Having all members at the fifth rank or above is truly a luxury, second only to the elite Crimson Blood Wolf Riders.

"That's right. Although it can't compare to Uncle Leng's Flying Bear Army, it's more than enough to deal with the barbarians." Xu Wenzheng's face showed a faint arrogance.

This is the foundation of his success.

If he were to personally lead three thousand Broken Army Cavalry, he would be confident of victory even against the Sword Demon, who had monopolized the fate of swordsmanship for thirty years.

"But why are they all white horses?" Bai Xuan asked.

Xu Wenzheng was slightly taken aback, not expecting Bai Xuan to ask this question, and said, "I like white horses."

"I see. It's all because of the white horse. At first glance, I thought it was the White Horse Cavalry," Bai Xuan said with a smile.

"The White Horse Cavalry? What's the story behind that?" Xu Wenzheng asked, frowning.

"What I learned from reading ancient books in the library is that in ancient times, there was a powerful army in the northern frontier called the White Horse Righteous Army. Wherever righteousness led, they would follow each other to the death! Heaven can bear witness, and the White Horse is my witness!" Bai Xuan said.

"The name is quite good. Why don't we rename Brother's Broken Army Cavalry to White Horse Righteous Cavalry?" Xu Yuhua said upon hearing this.

Upon hearing this, Xu Wenzheng's expression shifted slightly, and he immediately smiled and said, "Very well, thank you, Your Highness and Princess, for bestowing this name upon me."

"We're all family, why be so polite, brother?" Bai Xuan said.

If you really want this name, then guard the territory well and don't have any improper thoughts.

Otherwise, like the White Horse Cavalry, they swept through the barbarians, but when they marched south to Ji Province, they ended up being completely wiped out.

Four people stood on a high platform to review the troops and observe the battle.

The soldiers from the North below the stage vied for victory.

Before we knew it, it was noon, and the military parade came to a temporary end.

Bai Xuan hosted a banquet for the envoys from various tribes, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely.

However, halfway through the meal, the leader of the Molai Guard, the head of the three guards of Bingzhou, suddenly burst into tears.

Bai Xuan frowned slightly, revealing his displeasure, but he didn't want to show it immediately. He looked at the leader of the Mo Ci Guard and asked, "Was the food today not to Commander Wang's liking?"

The Northern Border and the Northern Wilderness were at war for many years, and many tribes on the border had sought refuge with the Northern Border.

In the past, the Prince of Zhenbei combined them into three guards, among which the Molai Guard was the largest force, hence the three guards were also called the Molai Three Guards.

The leader of the Molai Guard was originally named Wanyan Ashi. He later submitted to the Northern Border, abandoned his surname from the Northern Wilderness, and changed it to Wang. The Prince of Zhenbei bestowed upon him the name Wang Shizhong, ordering him to be loyal to the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion for generations.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. Your Highness's hospitality is so kind that how could I not be pleased? But thinking back to this day last year, I was here, receiving the hospitality of the old prince. Now that we are separated forever, I cannot help but feel sorrow. I am a barbarian from the northern wilderness, of humble origin. Your Highness did not despise my lowly status, but humbled yourself to befriend me, protected my tribe, and even bestowed upon me a Han surname. Your great kindness and virtue will never be forgotten. Yet now, I, such a lowly person, am still alive, while the old prince is no longer here. Heaven is blind!"

When Wang Shizhong got emotional, he burst into tears.

Seeing this, those in the room with sharp minds all had a premonition that the commander of the Mo Ci Guard was about to cause some trouble.

Otherwise, why cry now of all times?

He was simply grieving and weeping for the death of the Prince of Zhenbei, and none of the people present could say anything bad about him.

"Commander Wang is so loyal; if my father knew this in the afterlife, he would surely be pleased." Bai Xuan was also moved upon hearing this and said, "Guards, Commander Wang has lost his composure. Take him away to wash up properly."

I know you have ulterior motives, but today is a joyous occasion, so I won't punish you yet. Get out of here.

Upon hearing Bai Xuan's words, Wang Shizhong immediately composed himself slightly, wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I have another matter to report."

"Oh? What is it?" Bai Xuan raised an eyebrow. You want to die, huh? Fine, I'll grant your wish.

"In the past, I was fortunate enough to get to know Your Highness because I found a strange beast called Xuanli. Xuanli was as black as ink, could travel eight thousand miles at night, and its neigh could shatter metal and stone. I presented it to Your Highness, but unfortunately, Xuanli died in the battle of Canyue Gorge, passing away before Your Highness. Your Highness now has no superior mount, wouldn't that make you a laughingstock? Fortunately, I have recently found a strange beast to present to Your Highness, hoping Your Highness will ride it." Wang Shizhong said, his eyes reddening.

"Oh? You've found another strange beast?" Bai Xuan looked at Wang Shizhong with a half-smile, a hint of amusement in his eyes, as if he had guessed Wang Shizhong's thoughts.

The so-called exotic beasts are birds and beasts that are different from ordinary wild animals.

Generally speaking, apart from the children born from those great demons who have transformed into human form, most demons are no different from ordinary animals in Bai Xuan's previous life. Only a very small number of animals absorb the essence of the sun and moon, gradually gain intelligence, and embark on the path of cultivation, that is, cultivate into demons and break free from the shackles of their original species.

Therefore, according to legend, if you see a koi carp shedding tears, you should not eat it, but release it back into the wild.

Because normal koi fish don't cry. If they can shed tears, it means they have a spirit or are a kind of spirit.

Such killing diminishes one's merit.

But strange beasts are different.

These strange beasts cannot transform into human form, and their intelligence is difficult to develop. Their intelligence is similar to that of cats and dogs, and many of them are even more ferocious by nature, with intelligence that is even lower than that of ordinary cats and dogs.

Generally, demons do not regard these strange beasts as their own kind. When Bai Xuan massacred the demon city, he once saw a wolf demon riding a strange beast that looked similar to a wolf.

When I watched it, I really felt the beauty of Ma San Niang riding a horse.

However, as compensation, these strange beasts are all very powerful.

They can be said to be extraordinary from birth, with long lifespans, and are suspected to have the bloodlines of mythical beasts such as dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns. Some are invulnerable to swords and spears, while others breathe fire. Once they grow up and reach adulthood, their combat power will be at least comparable to that of a seventh-rank Daoist martial artist.

If we only consider brute force and not martial arts skills, and the combat experience gained from dodging these attacks, many strange beasts are stronger than martial artists at the ninth-grade Tongtian realm.

This is an attempt to embarrass Bai Xuan in public.

"This humble general was fortunate enough to find a strange beast in the Sunset Valley of the Northern Wilderness. I request Your Highness to ride it, so that the men of my Three Guards may know what it means to be in a world beyond the heavens and to be among people beyond people."

Behind Wang Shizhong, a tall young general spoke up.

"You insolent brat! When did it become your place to speak, you little brat? Do you think I, the Prince of Zhenbei, can't tame your beast?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Nie Ying frowned and immediately reprimanded her.

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere inside the tent immediately changed.

Xu Yuhua looked at Xu Wenzheng with hostility.

If he could have refused before, now that Nie Ying has said this, Bai Xuan is in a difficult position.

If Bai Xuan doesn't ride it, it would be tantamount to showing weakness.

The purpose of this spring hunt is to demonstrate our power. Now that Mo Ciwei has presented rare and exotic beasts, if Bai Xuan dares not ride them, it will inevitably make people in the army doubt the incompetence of Bai Xuan, the new Prince of Zhenbei.

Xu Wenzheng frowned slightly, but remained silent.