Chapter 1 The Beginning

Fu Qingyang suddenly opened his eyes, seeing the crisscrossing beams and fish-scale tiles. He sat up, looking around. He was in an ancient barracks.

Several hard bows hung on the wall, and three swords were placed on a long desk. Spears, halberds, and other weapons were stuck in the weapon rack. He was naked from the waist up, and his right chest was wrapped in thick bandages, with traces of blood faintly visible. He gently pressed his fingertips, and a sharp pain came.

This body was seriously injured, affecting the heart and lungs.

At this moment, the "Yanshi" (Puppet Master) mark on his forehead was slightly hot, conveying a fragmented, brief memory.

Fu Qingyang's current identity was Yang Ce, the youngest骠骑将军 (General of Agile Cavalry) of the Southern Dynasty, a first-rank official.

A month ago, the Northern Dynasty gathered an army of 400,000 to conquer the south, capturing cities and fortresses along the way. The Southern Dynasty's army was weak, either abandoning cities and fleeing, or surrendering to the enemy.

Yang Ce, the General of Agile Cavalry, was ordered to take command in the face of danger, appointed Grand Marshal, and led the last 90,000 elite troops of the Southern Dynasty to defend Linxia City, vowing to contain the Northern Dynasty's southward advance and keep the enemy outside the capital.

That was all the information. It turned out to be a role-playing game. No wonder the main quest was a "role quest." As an experienced Lingjing Xingzhe, Fu Qingyang had encountered this type of instance before.

Role-playing instances are usually high-difficulty instances.

Also, the instance had another characteristic, which was that there was no fear in knowing what role your teammates played.

And the main quest was activated: defeat the Northern Dynasty army or protect the Southern Dynasty capital.

"The fact that the background hasn't been restricted means that my identity doesn't need to be kept secret and can be announced to my teammates, likely because of the position of commander-in-chief."

Fu Qingyang sensed his body. His Yanshi skills were still there, and the inventory could be opened. As a Lingjing Xingzhe, his skills and items were not restricted, but the physical injuries were real, severely affecting his combat power.

He walked to the bronze mirror on the table and saw a pale, handsome face, also Fu Qingyang, without any changes.

He quickly made a judgment: his Lingjing Xingzhe quest did not require him to break through, did not require hiding, and did not require infighting. What was needed was war, war, and war!

"Concise and clear main quests often mean that the enemy's strength is terrifying. I need to figure out the current situation before fighting."

Fu Qingyang skillfully put on his fish-scale armor, grabbed a precious sword, and strode out of the barracks.

"Marshal!" The soldiers at the door saw him coming out and bowed in greeting.

Fu Qingyang nodded with a cold expression and looked at the soldier on the left. "Go and summon all the generals in the army to the council chamber."

He then looked at the soldier on the right. "Lead the way."

The soldier on the left acknowledged and left. Although the soldier on the right did not understand why he needed to lead the way to the "Military Affairs Hall," he would obediently follow the marshal's orders.

Along the way, Fu Qingyang looked around. This was the north side of the city's barracks. In the distance, he could see the towering city walls with fluttering banners and soldiers holding sharp weapons.

Before long, Fu Qingyang followed the soldier to a building with upturned eaves.

Under the eaves hung the words "Military Affairs Hall." The soldier stayed outside. Fu Qingyang, with a sword at his waist, pushed open the lattice door, stepped over the threshold, and casually glanced around. He saw rows of high-backed chairs surrounding a huge sandbox, with a detailed ancient map hanging behind the marshal's seat.

Fu Qingyang walked to the map, his eyes deep and suspicious. Soon, he found the location of "Linxia City" on the map, directly north of the capital.

The two cities were forty *li* apart. If Linxia City fell, it would be a direct threat to the Southern Dynasty's capital.

Fu Qingyang stared at the map, slowly forming a 3D image in his brain. Mountains, rivers, and terrain features gradually emerged in his mind.

In just five minutes, he had imprinted the terrain within ten *li* of Linxia City in his mind, if the map was accurate.

At this moment, Fu Qingyang heard a burst of rapid footsteps coming from inside and outside the door.

Seven people, all experts: three Tu Guai (Earth Monster) class, two Xiu Yao (Demon Cultivator), and two Huoshi (Fire Master).

Fu Qingyang turned to face the lattice door, just in time to see it being pushed open. High-ranking generals wearing heavy and light fish-scale armor crossed the threshold and entered the Military Affairs Hall.

Fu Qingyang's eyes narrowed. He saw several familiar faces: Lingjun, Zhao Chenghuang, and Tianxia Guihuo.

The three men's appearances had not changed. They were now looking around curiously, observing the environment and their companions, carefully concealing their "newcomer" status.

At this key moment, the three also saw Fu Qingyang. Their expressions showed joy, which they immediately suppressed.

Fu Qingyang stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the high-ranking generals entering the room, and said faintly, "Sit."

The nine generals naturally found their places. Seeing this, Lingjun, Zhao Chenghuang, and Tianxia Guihuo quickly occupied the remaining three chairs.

Before Fu Qingyang could speak, a burly man with a rough face and slightly red eyes snorted coldly, "Marshal, the army is pressing down, and we have many affairs. Say what you have to say directly, but don't act rashly again, implicating the officers and soldiers of the three armies."

As the burly man spoke, Fu Qingyang keenly noticed the other generals' expressions of disgust, disdain, or resentment, extremely dissatisfied.

He couldn't help but look at Lingjun. Lingjun, as Qian Gongzi's old flame and old partner, understood his intention and said in a deep voice, "Marshal, you disregarded the opposition of the generals the other day and led troops out of the city to attack the enemy camp without permission. You didn't expect to fall into an ambush. We fought desperately and lost three thousand soldiers to save you. As a commander, such recklessness is a disgrace to the court's trust, a disgrace to the people's trust, and a greater disgrace to the soldiers who died because of you."

The generals were solemn and respectful, looking at Lingjun with admiration.

Fu Qingyang looked at the crowd expressionlessly, already understanding the first dilemma he faced: a lack of morale.

As a commander, one must have the prestige to command the allegiance of the three armies. Without prestige, one cannot lead troops. Once the war with the enemy begins, defeat is inevitable.

So, the most important task now is to establish prestige and gather the hearts of the people!

Fu Qingyang pondered. Usually, the quickest and easiest way is to lead troops out of the city for a victory, but he is now an unpopular marshal, and because he led troops out of the city without permission the other day, causing heavy losses to the Southern Dynasty army, if he were to repeat it, the army's resentment would increase, and there would be no chance of winning.

Going out of the city is courting death. As his thoughts flowed, Fu Qingyang said faintly, "This marshal has already realized his mistake. I summoned everyone here today to listen to your opinions. The enemy army is besieging the city, and Linxia is in great danger. How can we break the situation?"

He planned to first obtain detailed information about the enemy army before considering a plan.

Hearing this, the generals showed surprise. This young marshal, who thought so highly of himself, actually admitted his mistake? The sun must have risen in the west.

Fu Qingyang looked around and said coldly, "What? Are you all useless good-for-nothings with no plans in your minds?"

Provoked by his words, the Huoshi among the generals couldn't help but slam the table and start talking eloquently, discussing his strategies and ideas.

Fu Qingyang sat at the head of the table, supporting his elbows on the surface, listening with a cold expression, nodding and shaking his head from time to time.

Before long, through the generals' grand strategies, Fu Qingyang understood the enemy's situation. The commander of the Northern Dynasty army was Tuoba Guang, known as the strongest in the Northern Territory.

This man had been trying to win the throne of the strongest in the Northern Territory for more than ten years. After ten years of making the major sects in the Northern Territory tremble, he joined the court as a general after becoming invincible in the martial world, forming the Jue Que (Giant Que) army that swept across the world.

His most glorious achievement was six years ago, when he led five hundred Jue Que soldiers to attack the barbarians in the north, traversing eight hundred *li* and fighting all the way to the central court of the northern barbarians, finally pacifying the barbarian disaster for the Northern Dynasty and focusing on the southern expedition, achieving the hegemony of unifying the world.

According to legend, Tuoba Guang's body was like an iron tower, with a severed head and eight arms, able to withstand a million troops alone, never tiring. The Jue Que army he led was the same.

In the eight hundred *li* campaign, this army did not need food or supplies at all.

An ancient god of war. The Jue Que army under his command was composed of bewitched demons. A look of solemnity appeared on Fu Qingyang's handsome face.

An ancient god of war was born for slaughter and for war. What's more, this ancient god of war had also formed an army of bewitched demons. The combat power was unimaginable. But Fu Qingyang was not afraid, because the Yanshi was also born for war. Using an ancient description, it would be "Southern Yanshi, Northern God of War." The fight depended on these two.

Fu Qingyang also gained a detailed understanding of the military types, his own supplies, equipment, the number of people in the city, the amount of grain in the granary, and so on. Lingjun, Tianxia Guihuo, and Zhao Chenghuang listened very carefully.

After each general had expressed their opinions and put forward their own strategies, Fu Qingyang said loudly, "Everyone's valuable suggestions will be kept in mind by Ce. I will definitely ponder them carefully at night. Everyone is busy with military affairs, so today's meeting is over. Go back." Although the meeting yielded no results, the generals all had the opportunity to express their opinions and left satisfied, with a slight change in their impression of the arrogant Yang Ce. "The three of you, stay."

Tianxia Guihuo took the initiative to close the lattice door. Lingjun immediately resumed his lazy posture, almost putting his feet on the sandbox. Fu Qingyang did not waste words.

"What information have you gathered?" Zhao Chenghuang bluntly said, "The most I heard was the generals' private complaints about you."

Yang Ce was a member of a powerful family. His sister was the current empress. Relying on his family background and connections, he became the General of Agile Cavalry. This time, when the Northern Dynasty invaded, the dim-witted emperor in the capital listened to the whisperings by the empress, and appointed an inexperienced nobleman as the marshal to confront the Northern Dynasty's army of 400,000 and the Northern Territory's strongest expert, Tuoba Guang.

Tianxia Guihuo added, "I have observed the soldiers in the barracks. I can only say that they are a qualified army, but far from being a tiger-wolf division. Facing the Northern Dynasty's iron cavalry, they will definitely be defeated. In addition, Tuoba Guang is a man who enjoys killing on the battlefield. Whenever he captures a city, he will definitely carry out a large-scale slaughter. The people in the city are panicked. If it weren't for the army guarding the city gates, the people in the city would have fled long ago."

Lingjun sighed, "The army's morale is low, and the people's hearts are scattered. Fifty thousand against four hundred thousand. Alas, if it were a battle on flat ground, the Southern Dynasty would have already been destroyed. Fortunately, I used a 'sky bird' (surveillance method) to observe the terrain of Linxia City. It is located on a mountain, with little soil and water, and the terrain is high, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."

After speaking, he added, "In short, our only advantage is the city wall." Fu Qingyang listened silently and gave his three teammates a knife. (Figurative speech; he 'stabbed' them with information that would make their situation harder.)

"I estimate that Tuoba Guang's level is at least level eight peak, and most likely level nine early stage. This doesn't even include other masters of the Northern Dynasty."

Lingjun suddenly stood up, grinning, "I'm just a level..."

Tianxia Guihuo and Zhao Chenghuang's expressions were more solemn than ever.

The former hesitated and said, "My main quest is to survive for ten days. What about you?"

"Same."

Lingjun and Zhao Chenghuang spoke at the same time.

"My main quest is to defeat the enemy or protect the capital." Fu Qingyang said. Lingjun cast a sympathetic look at his close friend.

"Let's make this clear in advance. After ten days, I will immediately withdraw from the Lingjing Xingzhe. Don't expect me to stay and help you."

Fu Qingyang said coldly, "I don't need cannon fodder." After a pause, he said, "Have you seen any other members of the Yuan Shi (The Beginning) or the Return of the Dead?"

The three shook their heads slightly. Lingjun said, "I don't know where that kid is. By the way, hurry up and find them. With them here, this battle can be fought."

Tianxia Guihuo and Zhao Chenghuang also thought so. In this high-difficulty instance, the existence of the Yuan Shi demon venerable can bring them a sense of security.

Fu Qingyang sneered. "The instance is called 'The Dying Monarch.' Since we landed in the barracks, who do you think the dim-witted ruler will be?"

The three looked at each other. Lingjun exclaimed, "Immediately retreat to the capital!"

At this moment, a deafening roar exploded in the barracks, the sound waves rolling.

The four people in the Military Affairs Hall changed their expressions slightly. Fu Qingyang strode out, facing the door. The soldier on duty outside shouted anxiously, "Marshal!"

The soldier didn't move, his face showing a strange and unconcerned expression. "Marshal, this is the Northern Dynasty's captive general roaring. It's like this every day. Have you forgotten?"

"A Northern Dynasty captive?" Fu Qingyang's heart stirred. "Take me there."