256: Awesome! The immortal cultivators were drafted into the army...

Zhao State has not had an easy time these past few years.

That fierce tiger, Qin State, after Shang Yang's reforms, its national power grew day by day, like it was on steroids, constantly thinking about how to push east out of Hangu Pass and unify the world.

Zhao State, as Qin State's immediate neighbor, naturally became the unlucky one to bear the brunt.

Just recently, Qin State, for some unknown reason, using “the ownership of Shangdang” as an excuse, directly broke ties with Zhao State, and hundreds of thousands of its wolf-like troops, a vast black mass, directly pressed forward.

Changping, this previously unknown small city, overnight became the center of the storm for the entire world.

The clouds of war enveloped the entire Zhao State.

To resist the Qin Army, the King of Zhao issued a death order, implementing compulsory conscription nationwide.

Any male between the ages of fifteen and sixty, no matter who you are or what your background, not a single one of you will escape; all of you will go to the battlefield!

For a time, the entire Zhao State was in an uproar, with complaints filling the air...

On a secluded country path somewhere.

A handsome man, dressed in coarse linen clothes and possessing an “outstanding demeanor,” was leisurely strolling along.

It was Lu Yuchen, who had just changed into his “outfit” and was ready to thoroughly experience the customs and traditions of the Warring States period.

He had just come out of a small village and was preparing to go to a nearby town to find something delicious to eat.

Just then, a hurried sound of horse hooves approached from afar.

Immediately after, a team of officers dressed in Zhao State armor and carrying long halberds surrounded him.

Leading them was a commandant with a beefy face, who sat on his horse, looking down at Lu Yuchen.

“Stop!”

“You! Which village are you from? Where is your household registration? Why are you loitering here?!”

A series of questions, like a barrage of cannon fire, came crashing down.

“Household registration?”

“None.”

The commandant was stunned upon hearing this.

“No household registration?”

“Then you’re a wild man!”

“Perfect! The army is short of men recently, you’re it!”

He waved his large hand, not giving Lu Yuchen any chance to explain.

“Follow me back to the barracks!”

Looking at this absurd scene, Lu Yuchen was not angry; instead, he... found it a bit interesting.

An immortal cultivator being conscripted into the army?

That sounded quite exciting.

He simply didn't resist.

Ever since Lu Yuchen started cultivating immortality, his state of mind had already transcended all others.

Just like an “Immortal” who views all things with indifference.

...The Zhao Army's main camp was located ten li outside Changping City.

The continuous tents stretched as far as the eye could see, banners fluttered, and a chilling Evil Qi soared into the sky.

Inside the tents, it was already overcrowded.

All were able-bodied men who had been forcibly conscripted.

Each one was dejected, their faces filled with confusion and fear for the future.

Just then, the tent flap was suddenly pulled open.

A burly old soldier, with several knife scars on his face, looking about forty years old, walked in.

His gaze was like lightning, slowly sweeping over everyone present, and that iron-blooded Evil Qi, forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, instantly suppressed the wails of the new recruits.

“All of you listen up!”

“From now on, you are my soldiers!”

“My name is Wang Dachui, and I am your Decurion!”

“Here, my word is law! Anyone who dares to disobey will be dealt with by military law!”

His voice was booming.

Everyone was silent, like quails, heads bowed, not daring to speak.

Wang Dachui’s gaze swept across the crowd and finally landed on Lu Yuchen, the only one still standing, even curiously sizing him up.

“You, what’s your name?”

“Lu Yuchen.”

“Heh, interesting.” Wang Dachui looked at his calm demeanor, as if the sky could fall and he wouldn't care, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

“Looking at your fair skin and tender flesh, you don’t seem like a farmer. What? Did you commit a crime?”

“No.” Lu Yuchen shook his head, “Just passing by.”

“Passing by?” Wang Dachui sneered, clearly disbelieving him.

However, he didn't ask any more questions.

In this military camp, everyone had their own past.

He had seen too many.

He extended his large, fan-like hand and heavily patted his shoulder.

“Kid, seeing as you have some guts, I’ll give you a piece of advice.”

He lowered his voice, and a rare seriousness appeared on his fierce face.

“On the battlefield, don’t try to be brave, don’t be a hero.”

“Stick close to me. If I tell you to charge, you charge. If I tell you to retreat, you retreat.”

“Being able to survive is what truly matters.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuchen looked at him with some surprise.

This rough man was an interesting person.

“Thank you.” He nodded...

For the next ten days, Lu Yuchen lived the life of a “new recruit” in this military camp.

Daily drills, standing guard, patrolling... it was quite leisurely.

That Decurion, Wang Dachui, seemed to like him and took good care of him, occasionally even giving him special meals and sharing some tips for survival on the battlefield.

Lu Yuchen was also happy to be at ease, treating it as an experience of life.

On the tenth day, in the early morning.

Urgent drumbeats echoed throughout the military camp.

“Assemble! Emergency assembly!”

Wang Dachui was the first to rush out of the tent, his face filled with solemnity.

“The Centurion has ordered assembly!”

“Everyone, put on your armor and bring your weapons.”

...Half an hour later.

Outside Changping City, in an unnamed valley.

Wang Dachui led his nine new recruits, along with Lu Yuchen, the “unofficial member,” cautiously moving through the forest.

Their mission was to advance and scout, to ascertain the movements of the Qin Army.

Just as they reached a steep slope.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Several arrows, glinting with cold light, shot out from the dense grass without warning!

“Oh no! An ambush! Take cover!”

Wang Dachui’s face changed drastically, and he let out a roar, instinctively tackling the nearest new recruit to the ground!

But it was too late.

“Ah!”

“Ah!”

Two shrill screams rang out.

Two of his new recruits, who were running at the back, were instantly pierced through the chest by the sharp arrows, dying on the spot!

Immediately after, dozens of soldiers, dressed in Qin Army armor and armed with strong bows and crossbows, appeared on the steep slope!

Leading them was a Qin Army Centurion.

“Hahahahaha! Zhao people! Did you really think your little tricks could hide from us?!”

“Today is your day of death!”

“Fire arrows!”

At his command!

Arrows rained down!

Wang Dachui and the others were suppressed by the dense arrow rain, unable to even lift their heads, only able to watch as their soldiers fell one after another into pools of blood.

“Damn it! Let’s fight them!”

Wang Dachui’s eyes were bloodshot, and he let out an unwilling roar, about to stand up.

Just then!

Beside him, the young man who had always seemed ordinary, even a bit lazy, Lu Yuchen, suddenly moved.

He simply extended a finger casually.

And lightly pointed it at the sky-filling arrow rain.

“Stop.”

One word, understated.

The next instant!

Something that shocked everyone happened!

The sky-filling arrow rain all froze in mid-air!

As if, time, at this moment, had been paused!

“This... this is...”

Lu Yuchen, however, no longer paid them any attention.

He slowly stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and a helpless smile appeared on his face.

“Sigh, really.”

“Originally, I just wanted to quietly be a soldier and experience life.”

“Why is it... so difficult?”

He vanished from his spot.

When he reappeared, he was in front of the Qin Army Centurion, who was already scared stiff.

“I will not kill you all.”

“Retreat, and spare their lives.”

...A quarter of an hour later.

Wang Dachui didn't know what had happened.

The Qin Army also seemed to have gone silent.

Beside him, the few new recruits who had survived the ordeal were already slumped on the ground, terrified.

What... what just happened?

They only remembered that the young man named Lu Yuchen had simply waved his hand casually.

Then... a god... an Immortal?!

Wang Dachui suddenly remembered something and turned his head sharply.

“Lu... Lu Yuchen?!”

He looked around, but there was no trace of the young man.

It was as if he had never appeared.

“Boss, that... that kid, could he have... deserted?” a new recruit stammered.

Wang Dachui was silent upon hearing this.

After a long time, he slowly shook his head.

“No.”

“He is not a deserter.”

He looked at the ashes on the ground, and in his eyes, which always held a hint of ferocity, for the first time, awe appeared.

“He... is an Immortal.”