Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

: An Even Crueler Yang City Battlefield

What effect could Luo Chao's words possibly have?

They might carry a hint of encouragement, but they were not of much use. The news that Zhao Feng had killed General Han Wan had already spread through the Logistics Army, but everyone simply thought it was Zhao Feng's good luck—a chance occurrence that could not be sought after. If the Logistics Army wanted to achieve military merit, they too would have to rely on luck.

"Alright," Luo Chao announced. "The main camp has issued an order. Our Logistics Army of ten thousand soldiers will escort the supply train to Yang City. Move out immediately."

"Understood."

The soldiers responded in unison.

After Luo Chao left, Wei Quan smiled as he walked up to Zhao Feng. "Congratulations, you now have a noble title, and your official rank has been promoted to Tunzhang."

"It was really just a fluke," Zhao Feng replied helplessly.

"Enough of that," Wei Quan said, his expression turning serious. "Now that you hold an official rank, you naturally have responsibilities. A Wuzhang commands five men, a Shizhang commands ten men, and a Tunzhang commands fifty men. From this day forward, you will lead fifty soldiers and report directly to me."

"Understood."

Zhao Feng bowed respectfully.

Just then, a series of notifications appeared before his eyes.

"Bestowed an official position linked to the National Destiny."

"Conferred as Wuzhang, rewarded with one First Order Treasure Chest."

"Conferred as Shizhang, rewarded with one First Order Treasure Chest."

"Conferred as Tunzhang, rewarded with one First Order Treasure Chest."

"Conferred as Level-One Nobility [Gentleman], rewarded with one First Order Treasure Chest."

Getting treasure chests as a reward for an official position? That's an unexpected surprise. Zhao Feng was startled for a moment, then a smile crept onto his face.

Thereafter, Zhao Feng immediately opened the treasure chests.

"Open all First Order Treasure Chests."

"Received [5,000 qian]."

"Received ten Low-Tier First Order [Fasting Pills]."

"Received a High-Grade First Order Martial Technique, [Explosive Fist]."

"Received five bottles of Mid-Tier First Order [Hemostasis Powder]," the panel displayed.

As the four chests were opened, Zhao Feng's gaze locked onto the reward from the third one.

Martial Techniques really do exist.

Explosive Fist.

Can I cultivate it?

Zhao Feng's eyes shone with indescribable anticipation.

Following that, he immediately retrieved the Martial Technique.

"Do you wish to learn [Explosive Fist]?" the panel prompted.

"Learn," Zhao Feng replied instantly.

The next moment, a stream of information flooded into his mind.

"Explosive Fist: Converge the strength of the entire body into a single point, erupting with several times one's own power in an instant."

Impressive.

After learning it, Zhao Feng was quite excited. Just like the enhancement of his attributes, this Martial Technique greatly augmented his strength, increasing the trump cards he had to stay alive.

「Xianyang City!」

Carriages used the official roads while pedestrians used the side roads, each keeping to their own path. As the city at the feet of the King of Qin, Xianyang lived up to its reputation. It was known for having the strictest laws in the state of Qin and was also touted as the most bustling city in the world.

In the center of the vast Xianyang, a magnificent palace stood—the Qin Royal Palace, which had served as the seat of power for over a hundred years.

In the Great Hall of the King of Qin, a man dressed in a Ceremonial Robe and wearing a Royal Crown sat upon the throne. His power was unmatched as he overlooked the Great Hall and the entire Qin Royal Palace.

On both sides of the hall, civil and military officials stood in their respective ranks. At the fore of the civil officials stood Chancellor Wang Wan, and at the fore of the military officials stood Senior General Meng Wu. Following Wang Wan, a youth dressed in the garb of the Eldest Imperial Son stood holding a court tablet; it was none other than Fusu, the Eldest Imperial Son of Great Qin.

"Those with memorials to present, step forward; those without, court is dismissed," a eunuch beside King Zheng of Qin stepped forward and announced loudly to all the officials in attendance.

"Your Majesty, I have a report to present," a military official stepped out from the ranks. "A victory report has been sent from the Lantian Camp." Although he was a military official, he bore no aura of slaughter.

"Minister Meng, speak quickly," Ying Zheng urged, his eyebrows lifting as he focused on the man in the hall.

The destruction of Han was a long-planned endeavor. Ying Zheng was confident there were no oversights, but as this was the first message from Han territory, he was naturally moved. The war to destroy Han was pivotal for Qin's dominion over the world and its path eastward. With Han's fall, Hangu Pass would no longer be an obstacle, completely opening Qin's route to the east.

"In this battle," Meng Yi reported excitedly, "Senior General Wang Jian personally garrisoned the border, while General Li Teng led a hundred thousand troops to break through Han's defenses, slaying nearly ten thousand Han soldiers. They are now directly besieging Han's fortified Yang City. Within a few months, Han will cease to exist."

"Excellent!"

Ying Zheng let out a hearty laugh.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" the entire court of civil and military officials exclaimed in unison.

"Chancellor."

"Minister Yu."

"Minister Meng."

"The destruction of Han is vital for Qin's path eastward. I will not tolerate any mishaps," Ying Zheng declared with a solemn tone. "Keep a close watch on the battle situation in Han and report any developments to me without delay."

"Your servant obeys the decree," the three immediately responded.

"Your Majesty," Meng Yi interjected with a smile, "there is also an amusing incident within the victory report submitted by the Senior General."

"Let's hear it," Ying Zheng said with a slight glance.

"Bao Yuan's son, Bao Qiu, led twenty thousand troops to guard the border. After being shattered by our Qin forces, General Li Teng searched for him for several days to no avail. As it turns out, Bao Qiu did not flee but instead feigned death among a pile of corpses. He was later discovered by our Logistics Army, and with nowhere left to hide, he was ultimately killed by a common soldier from our Logistics Army," Meng Yi reported with a hint of mockery.

Upon hearing this, a bemused expression flashed across Ying Zheng's face. "In Han, the saying 'a tiger father has a tiger son' was often used for Bao Yuan and his son, as both were renowned for their skill in combat. For Bao Qiu to now die at the hands of a logistics soldier from our army… he likely cannot rest in peace."

"What Your Majesty says is most true," Meng Yi immediately agreed.

"Has this logistics soldier been rewarded?" Ying Zheng asked, his tone inquisitive. "The system of military rewards and punishments of our Qin must not differentiate based on a soldier's unit."

"Please be at ease, Your Majesty," Meng Yi assured him at once. "The logistics soldier has already received the reward he deserves."

"Good. Closely monitor the fighting in Han territory," Ying Zheng commanded loudly. "As for the states of Zhao and Wei, instruct Wang Jian to be on high alert. Should they dare to make a move, let Wang Jian act with full authority on the front lines."

「Yang City!」

Inside and outside the city, the air was saturated with the stench of gunpowder. After nearly ten days of relentless bombardment from the Qin Army, the entirety of Yang City was enveloped in the flames of war. Countless were dead or injured within the city, while the bodies of many Qin Sharp Soldiers lay scattered outside.

But under the overwhelming military might and the fearless charges of the Qin Sharp Soldiers, Yang City ultimately could not withstand the assault and fell to Qin General Li Teng.

With the fall of Yang City, the Han forces inside scattered and fled in all directions. Next, it was the Logistics Army's turn to enter and clean up the battlefield.

Arriving on the battlefield and seeing it was even bloodier than the border, Zhao Feng felt a tremor in his heart, even though he was accustomed to such sights.

This battle was much more gruesome than the one at the border.

There must be over ten thousand bodies outside the city, and I fear there are just as many inside.

Tens of thousands have perished in a single battle.

This is a battlefield where a human life is worth less than a dog's!