We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?-Chapter 373: I, Bai Qi, Will Repay It With “A Kingdom as My Gift”

Xiao Mo’s words landed in the command tent.

Everyone looked toward the youth named Bai Qi.

As for Bai Qi, Zhao Guang and Li Jing both knew him well.

Because over the past year, they had seen his ferocity on the battlefield with their own eyes.

Bai Qi, like the Frost King in the past, had earned merits of beheading enemy generals, capturing banners, and being the first to scale the walls.

Back then, the Northern Pacification King had even pointed at Bai Qi and said to them, “This child will become a great talent in the future. He will surely become my son’s aid.”

Afterward, the Northern Pacification King took Bai Qi as a deputy general and tried letting him command troops.

Bai Qi’s way of employing soldiers only made the Northern Pacification King more and more satisfied.

Otherwise, in responding to Chu this time, they would not have brought Bai Qi here now.

But...

Making Bai Qi the main commander—was that really fine?

It was not that Zhao Guang and Li Jing were jealous of Bai Qi. They truly felt Bai Qi was too young.

Even though, by that logic, the Frost King had also begun commanding at this age—and had even destroyed Wei Kingdom.

Still, by reason, for a nation’s fortune to produce two fierce generals of the Frost King’s caliber in succession was simply too hard.

“Bai Qi, I’m having you lead the army to break Wu Qi—do you dare?” Xiao Mo asked again.

Bai Qi stepped forward, cupped his fist, and bowed deeply. “The General trusts me—how would Bai Qi dare disappoint him! If I don’t break Wu Qi, this subordinate will bring my head back to see the General!”

“Good.”

Xiao Mo nodded.

“You three will lead the army out today. Bai Qi—if your decision is opposed by both Deputy General Li and Deputy General Zhao at the same time, then you are not to act. Do you understand?”

“Yes, General!” Bai Qi said solemnly.

“General Li, General Zhao—Bai Qi is too young. If he grows too hot-blooded, if his killing intent runs too heavy, you may stop him. Other matters, let him decide,” Xiao Mo instructed.

“This subordinate accepts the order!”

Li Jing and Zhao Guang both saluted at the same time.

That very day, the three of them led sixty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and two hundred forty thousand infantry—three hundred thousand elite troops in total—toward Tiansi City.

In less than two days, Bai Qi and the others arrived with their army and took full control of Tiansi City.

Tiansi City’s lord had thought it would be Xiahou Nan, that famed general, coming to defend the city. Instead, the main commander was a young man he had never even heard of.

For a moment, Tiansi City’s lord began to panic again.

But thinking that the man had been sent by the Frost King—and that Li Jing and Zhao Guang, two generals, were serving as deputy commanders—Tiansi City’s lord decided to believe first, and question later.

Two more days passed, and scouts reported: Wu Qi’s army was close.

Because Tiansi City did not rely on natural strongholds and was merely a barrier, and because several hundred thousand troops crammed inside a city and town purely to defend would only be shackled and constrained—

And besides, the numbers on both sides were not far apart, not to mention they had sixty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry—

So after Bai Qi planned with Zhao Guang and Li Jing, they decided together to meet the enemy head-on.

Among the /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ states, what was most recognized was crushing the enemy in a frontal battle.

If Bai Qi won head-on, he could shatter the enemy’s morale completely and decide victory and defeat in a single battle.

On the fourth day after arriving at Tiansi City, Chu’s army pressed up beneath the walls.

Bai Qi and the other two led their army out to meet them.

There were no schemes, no tricks—everything was a direct collision, hard against hard.

Both sides’ commanders relied on their understanding of formations and battle arrays to wage a fight to the death.

Bai Qi stood at the front army like a black stele.

His gaze fell on the silent, tightly sealed formation not far ahead—silent as crows, fortified like walls.

It was autumn now. Beyond the passes, the wind already carried a cutting chill.

It swept up withered yellow grass scraps and dust, striking cold armor with a fine, dense rustle.

Zhao Guang looked at the Chu army opposite, orderly in discipline, killing intent held and not revealed, and he sighed. “Worthy of Chu’s fierce general. This army is not inferior to the Northern Wasteland!”

“This General Wu Qi is indeed formidable. If not for him, with Chu being squandered like this by the Chu king, other nations would have taken advantage long ago.”

Bai Qi’s voice was calm and flat, with not the slightest emotion.

“But no matter what, today’s Chu is no longer the Chu of that day. Like Wei Kingdom, it’s only a setting sun.”

“I’ve long heard of General Li and General Zhao.” Wu Qi rode forward and greeted the two of them. “I heard General Li has finally been enfeoffed as a marquis. Congratulations.”

“Many thanks, General Wu.” Li Jing cupped his fist in return. “General Wu is a famed general of our age, and my commander, the Frost King, has the will to pacify the realm. The Chu king is wasteful and benighted. General, rather than selling your life for him, why not enter Qin, and establish merit that will never fade?”

“Heh heh heh. Many thanks for General Li’s goodwill. But the late emperor showed kindness to my Wu clan. The Xiao clan holds the Northern Wasteland and Wei Kingdom without rebelling, and my Wu clan—how could we shame our ancestors?”

Wu Qi smiled and declined politely.

“That said...” He swept his gaze over. “Judging from this young man’s armor and harness, he’s the main commander. But he’s not the Frost King from rumor. May I ask your name?”

“Bai Qi of the Frost King’s command. By the Frost King’s order, I have come to Tiansi City to receive General,” Bai Qi said, cupping his fist in salute.

“Bai Qi.” Wu Qi repeated the name under his breath, eyes raking across the opposing formation. “Never heard it. But if you can earn the Frost King’s favor, it means you have some ability. If you dare collide with this marquis head-on, you have some courage as well. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

“I hope this junior can satisfy the general,” Bai Qi said, eyes tightening, not the least bit afraid.

Wu Qi nodded. “Now the rites of Zhou have collapsed. Most people have forgotten that war has rites as well. This marquis hasn’t had such a frontal contest in a long time either. Come—beat the drums! Break their army! Take the city! Let me see whether Qin truly has that many youthful prodigies!”

With Wu Qi’s order, thunderous drumbeats rolled across the plain.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The two armies—already prepared—charged and killed!

Shouts to kill shook the sky!

Chu’s front army: on both wings, heavy-infantry square formations began pushing forward, steps neat, shields like walls, while the central formation held position.

“Chu’s two wings move first. The center doesn’t move.” Bai Qi frowned. “Wu Qi wants to probe the strength of my wings. Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry—left wing, First Squad, attack. Right wing, First Squad, stand by.”

The horn sounded.

WOOOOOO!

On the Northern Wasteland Army’s left wing, ten thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry began charging. A white flood poured out of their formation, hoofbeats like muffled thunder.

As they charged, they split automatically into three currents, each a bit over three thousand riders, forming arrowhead shapes.

Opposite, Chu’s left-wing cavalry—thirty-five thousand—saw the enemy leave formation and accelerated into a charge as well.

The two cavalry forces collided at a point slightly left of center.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry’s arrowhead formation was razor-sharp. The first wave stabbed into Chu’s cavalry formation like an awl.

The second and third waves followed close behind, tearing the breach wider.

On horseback, white-armored riders swung long spears. Where spear-light passed, Chu soldiers and horses toppled.

But Chu’s cavalry held the advantage in numbers. Soon, they began to wrap from both sides, trying to encircle.

“Left wing, Second Squad—attack,” Bai Qi ordered.

Another ten thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry surged out. This time it was a straight-line charge, stabbing directly into Chu’s cavalry’s flank.

“The Northern Wasteland Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry truly lives up to its name.” Wu Qi sighed. “Pass the order. Left-wing cavalry—fight while withdrawing. Lure them deeper. Right-wing cavalry, prepare. Once the enemy’s left wing fully commits, charge the enemy’s right wing immediately.”

Orders ran through flags and signals.

Chu’s left-wing cavalry began to withdraw in an orderly way, withdrawing while fighting, gradually drawing the Northern Wasteland Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry away from its main formation.

Bai Qi saw the change and smiled. “You want to lure my left wing deeper? Pass the order. Left-wing cavalry—stop pursuit. Third Squad advance to cover. First and Second Squads withdraw in alternation.”

“Right-wing cavalry—all units on guard. Central heavy infantry—First and Second echelons advance fifty paces.”

The Northern Wasteland Army’s left-wing cavalry abruptly stopped pursuit and began alternating cover and withdrawal.

At the same time, the first two echelons of the central heavy-infantry square formation advanced like a massive beast stretching out its two foreclaws.

“Bai Qi? Interesting.” Wu Qi no longer dared to look down on this young man. “Pass the order. Left-wing cavalry—stop withdrawing. Re-form in place. Right-wing cavalry—attack!”

Chu’s right wing: thirty-five thousand iron cavalry began charging. This time it was a full-speed charge, aimed straight at the Northern Wasteland Army’s right wing.

Almost at the same moment, Bai Qi ordered, “Right-wing Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry—all units attack. Central heavy infantry, Third echelon—shift thirty paces to the right.”

On the Northern Wasteland Army’s right wing, thirty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry poured out in full.

They did not split forces. They formed one enormous wedge and crashed straight into Chu’s cavalry head-on.

The two cavalry floods collided on the right side of the battlefield with a deafening roar.

Chu’s front army: the two-wing heavy-infantry square formations had already pushed to within a hundred paces of the Northern Wasteland Army’s front.

The Northern Wasteland Army’s central archers began firing. Arrows poured down, and in an instant Chu shields bristled with shafts.

But Chu’s formation did not break. It continued pushing forward.

Fifty paces.

Thirty paces.

“Spears!” A command rang out from within Chu’s formation.

The first three ranks of heavy infantry lowered their long spears together, spearpoints like a forest.

Ten paces.

“Kill!”

Chu’s heavy infantry slammed into the Northern Wasteland Army’s First echelon.

The crash of shields, the sound of spearpoints punching into armor, the killing shouts—everything fused into one.

The first line instantly became a blood-red meat grinder.

Bai Qi gathered spiritual energy into his eyes and observed every change across the battlefield from behind the formation.

“Chu heavy infantry is well-trained. The First echelon can hold at most two quarter-hours.”

“Pass the order. First echelon—fight to the death. No retreat. Second echelon—prepare to replace.”

“Archers—concentrate fire on Chu’s central formation. Stop it from advancing.”

Bai Qi’s orders were delivered swiftly through horns, formation flags, artifacts, and couriers to every hundred-man commander.

The Northern Wasteland Army’s archers shifted aim. Arrow-rain covered Chu’s central heavy-infantry formation that had not moved.

Arrows fell like a storm. Chu’s central formation had to raise shields to defend, and its advance slowed.

But soon, Chu’s middle army—eighty thousand crossbowmen—moved forward. Once in range, they began returning fire.

But on the battlefield, the left-wing cavalry fight had already reached a conclusion.

On the right-wing battlefield, thirty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and thirty-five thousand Chu iron cavalry fought to a deadlock.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry’s wedge cut into Chu’s formation like a blade.

But Chu’s cavalry pressed in from both sides without stopping, trying to wrap and crush the wedge.

The Northern Wasteland Army’s formation began changing.

The central heavy-infantry formation’s Fourth and Fifth echelons shifted to both sides, thinning the center while reinforcing the wings.

In the next moment, Chu’s central heavy-infantry formation suddenly accelerated, the shield wall like a moving fortress, pressing down on the Northern Wasteland Army’s center.

Chu’s wing cavalry also intensified their assault, trying to break through the Northern Wasteland cavalry defense.

At noon, the battle had already lasted three hours.

Both sides’ formations shifted without pause. Arrow-feathers etched with formations poured down in sheets, triggering explosion after explosion across the battlefield.

And right then, in the Northern Wasteland Army’s center, all five echelons of heavy infantry suddenly advanced together.

From the passage that had been left open, several thousand light infantry burst out, short spears and sabers in hand. They cut out through the passage and stabbed into the flank of Chu’s central formation.

Chu’s central formation was advancing. Its flank was hit without warning, and disorder appeared at once.

“Hold! Both wings, close toward the center!” Wu Qi barked an urgent order.

But it was already too late.

On the Northern Wasteland Army’s left wing, the remaining fifteen thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry all gathered, forming a sharp charge formation and pouncing straight at the junction between Chu’s left wing and central line.

That was exactly the weakest point in Chu’s formation.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry cut in like a white spear.

Chu’s left-wing cavalry tried to intercept, but were smashed head-on.

After breaking through the cavalry screen, the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry did not pause for a breath. They continued charging toward the side-rear of Chu’s central formation.

“Central formation—form a circle!” Wu Qi roared.

Chu’s central formation began changing. Heavy infantry contracted inward, shields outward, long spears raised like a hedgehog’s spines.

But changing formation took time.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry had already arrived. They crashed in from the side-rear and plunged into Chu’s central array.

Chaos spread like ripples.

By early afternoon, Chu’s central formation was already in disarray.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry surged left and right within it, cutting Chu’s heavy infantry into several chunks.

The Northern Wasteland Army’s central heavy infantry pressed forward along the whole line, engaging Chu head-on.

Wu Qi did not want to admit it, but the truth told him the battle could no longer be saved.

In this frontal clash, he had lost.

“Pass the order. The entire army withdraws.” Wu Qi sighed and spoke slowly. “Heavy infantry will cover the rear. Cavalry will guard both wings.”

“General!” Several deputy generals at Wu Qi’s side refused to accept defeat.

“Withdraw.” Wu Qi stared hard at the man within the formation. “Remember his name. In the future, you will still cross blades with him.”

CLANG!

The gong sounded.

Chu’s army began withdrawing.

Heavy infantry formed dense squares, withdrawing while fighting.

Cavalry screened both wings, resisting the Northern Wasteland Army’s pursuit.

Bai Qi watched the retreating Chu troops. “Pass the order. Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry—pursue twenty li, then return. Heavy infantry—clear the battlefield and treat the wounded.”

Li Jing and Zhao Guang both agreed.

Wu Qi had lost but did not fall into chaos. Pursuing would bring heavy casualties. It was enough to drive him out of the battlefield completely.

The purpose of this battle had already been achieved.

Bai Qi rode his horse toward the battlefield.

Across the plain, corpses lay everywhere. Over seventy thousand Chu dead were left behind. Northern Wasteland losses were close to fifty thousand as well.

But Chu’s most elite iron cavalry had lost more than half, and the heavy infantry had suffered terribly.

The setting sun dyed the battlefield blood-red.

Bai Qi stood on a small rise, watching soldiers sweep the field, carry away the wounded, collect weapons, pile bodies, and prepare to burn them.

Zhao Guang came to his side. “With this great victory, should we return to the main force and rendezvous with the Frost King?”

Bai Qi did not answer.

He looked toward the direction of Chu’s retreat, where the dust was slowly settling.

“Not enough,” Bai Qi said at last, after thinking for a long time.

“Not enough?” Zhao Guang did not understand.

Bai Qi nodded, his tone full of edge.

“With only this one battle, it isn’t enough to fulfill this subordinate’s promise with the Frost King.

“I want to force Wu Qi and his army into a dead end—until we break into Nanshan State!”

His voice was very calm—so calm it made Zhao Guang and Li Jing feel a chill in their hearts.

“I, Bai Qi, was originally nothing but a commoner.

“In the past, the Frost King did not abandon me. He treated me with ‘a cup of tea as a gift.’

“Today! I, Bai Qi, will repay it with ‘a kingdom as my gift’!”

【I’m a bit stuck on the writing, so I’ll pad a little here. Tonight I’ll sort out the outline.】