Joshua had his forces in the World of Di organized and disciplined like a well-oiled machine.
The 'Blood Knights' were the backbone of this operation, and their ranks reflected their skills and responsibilities within the hierarchy.
Joshua had meticulously crafted this system to mimic the traditional knightly orders of his old world, but with a twist. Each rank had a specific role in the grand scheme of things.
The Squires were the newest recruits, eager and hungry to prove themselves. They assisted the Knight Bachelors in all tasks, learning the intricacies of combat and strategy, and the responsibilities that came with implanted [Bloodline Seed].
Knight Bachelors were the backbone of the 'Blood Knights', having undergone the full maturation process and proven themselves in countless battles. They were the foot soldiers of the army, each a force to be reckoned with, capable of feats that would make a seasoned warrior weep.
The Sergeant Knights were the tacticians, leading their squads with the precision of a maestro conducting an orchestra of steel and blood. Their eyes missed nothing on the battlefield, their commands swift and decisive.
The Knight Bannerets were the standard bearers, their banners fluttering proudly in the wind, each one a symbol of unity and strength for the 'Blood Knights' that followed. Their presence was a rallying cry, their valor legendary among the ranks.
The Knight Commanders were the strategists, coordinating the movements of the Knight Bannerets and Knight Bachelors with the precision of a master chess player. They had the trust of their Grand Master and the respect of their peers.
The Grand Master, the highest authority among the 'Blood Knights', was the one who bore the ultimate responsibility for their actions. Chosen for their wisdom and unwavering loyalty to the cause, they were the ones who interpreted the will of their founder, Joshua, and guided the order as a whole.
Joshua had handpicked the first Grand Master, a stoic knight named Wang Lichen, from the original group of soldiers. His strategic mind, steadfast dedication and unwavering loyalty had earned him the respect of all, and he would become the beacon of hope and guidance in the tumultuous world of Di.
The four commanders under Wang Lichen were a diverse and formidable group. Xie Jie, once a simple villager, had transformed into a fierce warrior, her eyes gleaming with the fire of a thousand suns whenever she stepped onto the battlefield. Her rise to knighthood was a testament to her unyielding spirit and the power of the [Bloodline Seed].
Zhang and Peng Lihua, both former soldiers of the second prince, brought with them a wealth of tactical experience from their days serving the empire. Their loyalty to Joshua had been forged in the crucible of battle, and they were now dedicated to the cause of protecting the territory and growing force of Joshua.
He named their Knight Order, 'Blood Wolf Knights'.
Joshua had them all gathered in the open ground outside of the Hidden Village, the echoes of their footsteps fading as they took their places. The area was a testament to the might of the order, adorned with banners that bore the black background with stars surrounding a black hole—a symbol of the power that only Joshua knew the true meaning.
The 'Blood Knights' stood in neat rows, their eyes gleaming with the light of the setting sun, their armor reflecting the fiery hues of the sky above. The squires at the back looked up to their superiors with a mix of admiration and anticipation, while the Knight Bachelors and Sergeant Knights held their heads high, ready to follow their leader into battle.
Joshua stood before them, his presence commanding the area. His eyes scanned the faces of his knights, each one a reflection of determination and hope. He knew that their fate was intertwined with that of Sunset Breeze Pass City.
"Men and women of the 'Blood Knights'!" he began, his voice carrying the weight of his words.
"You stand before me as the embodiment of hope, the bastion of change in this world that craves order amidst chaos!"
Joshua's voice resonated across the open ground, his eyes blazing with conviction as he addressed his 'Blood Knights'.
"We stand on the precipice of a new era," he declared, his voice carrying the weight of his words.
The 'Blood Knights' watched him with bated breath, their hearts swelling with a mix of loyalty and excitement.
"We face a threat," he announced, his voice a thunderclap across the clearing.
The 'Blood Wolf Knights' grew silent, their eyes locked on him as they awaited his words. The firelight flickered across their faces, casting shadows that danced like the flames of their own determination.
"Zhao Haoreng," Joshua began, his voice resonating with the gravity of the situation, "has amassed an army of fifteen hundred soldiers, hell-bent on conquering Sunset Breeze Pass City. He seeks to rule with an iron fist, bringing only tyranny to our lands."
The 'Blood Wolf Knights' shifted restlessly, their eyes ablaze with the fire's reflection, as they listened to their leader lay out the stark reality of the situation. The very thought of someone threatening their newfound peace and prosperity was unbearable.
"Are you willing to fight?" Joshua's question hung in the air, a challenge to their very essence.
A thunderous roar erupted from the 'Blood Wolf Knights'.
"We fight for you, Lord Joshua!" they shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the night.
The clearing was a sea of nodding heads and clenched fists, each knight standing tall and proud in their crimson and black armor, emblematic of their unyielding resolve. They had witnessed firsthand the transformation of their once-humble village into a bastion of hope and knowledge.
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They had once been simple villagers, tilling the land and living in fear of the chaos that ravaged the world. Now, they were the 'Blood Wolf Knights', a force that could challenge the very fabric of the world's power dynamics. They knew that with their newfound abilities, they could protect their home and shape the future.
Joshua's words resonated deep within their hearts as they recalled the day he had bestowed upon them the [Bloodline Seed]. They remembered the pain, the fear, and the eventual power that surged through their veins. They had seen their comrades transformed from mere mortals into beings capable of feats they had once only dreamed of.
Their eyes gleamed with a fierce determination as they thought of the humble beginnings of their lives in the village. The endless toil under the sun, the whispers of fear that had once plagued their nights, and the stark contrast of their current existence filled with purpose and power. They had been granted a second chance, an opportunity to rise above their former lives.
Joshua stood before his 'Blood Wolf Knights', his expression a blend of pride and resolve.
"Gather your weapons, my brothers and sisters," he called out, his voice carrying the weight of the impending battle.
The 'Blood Wolf Knights' responded with a roar of approval, their excitement palpable as they prepared to face the enemy. They knew that today's victory would not only secure their city but also serve as a declaration of their might.
Joshua's voice echoed through the training ground, "Today, we stand as one! We fight not just for Sunset Breeze Pass City, but for every soul that yearns for peace and freedom from tyranny's shadow!"
Joshua looked at the horizon as he could not wait to see how strong his army.
---
Early in the morning, the Zhao Haoreng's army stirred to life like a slumbering beast rousing from its lair. The air was thick with anticipation and the scent of sweat mingled with the dew of the early morning. The soldiers, their eyes heavy with the weight of the day's march ahead, began to prepare themselves for the final push towards Sunset Breeze Pass City.
Master Luo Yongkang, a man whose reputation was forged in the fires of a thousand battles, strode among his men with a confidence that seemed almost tangible. His gaze was sharp, his movements precise, as he surveyed the troops that had been placed under his command. With a force of 1500 soldiers at Innate Qi level and the backing of three other Core level martial artists, he had every reason to believe that the city would fall swiftly and easily into their grasp.
The sun had barely crested the horizon when they set out, their footsteps a rhythmic tattoo against the earth that seemed to echo the drumbeat of war itself. They were a formidable sight, a tide of steel and determination that rolled towards the city like an unstoppable force of nature. The soldiers, though weary from the long march, were fueled by the promise of victory and the spoils that awaited them.
Master Luo Yongkang, his eyes sharp as the blade at his side, led the charge. His confidence was palpable, a silent command that resonated through the ranks of his men. Despite the whispers of a mysterious enemy that had decimated the second prince's troops, he remained unfazed. In his mind, those were just tall tales spun by the weak to justify their defeat.
"I heard the second prince's forces were defeated by some unknown enemy," a young soldier murmured to his comrades as they marched towards the city.
"It's just a rumor," one of the soldiers said, dismissing the fears with a laugh.
"The second prince's men were probably just drunk and fell into a ravine and got killed."
Luo Yongkan had heard his men talk just now and was thinking of reprimand them for spreading useless rumor.
Master Luo's thoughts were interrupted by a scout's frantic approach. The scout's breaths were ragged as he relayed his discovery: a small, yet heavily armored contingent of 320 soldiers blocking their path through the mountain pass. Their gleaming metal armor reflected the early morning light, turning them into an intimidating spectacle of power and discipline.
Master Luo raised an eyebrow, the chuckles of his men fading into the crisp mountain air. He had anticipated a larger resistance, perhaps even an ambush from one of the neighboring lords seeking to protect their own interests. But 320 soldiers? He couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at the audacity of it.
Still, he knew better than to underestimate an unknown enemy. He beckoned one of his men forward, a seasoned scout with keen eyes and a quick tongue.
"Find out who these fools are," Master Luo ordered, his voice carrying the weight of his disdain.
The scout nodded and approached the stoic line of 320 soldiers, their crimson and black armor gleaming in the early light. He called out, his voice echoing through the soldiers..
"Who are you, and what is your business blocking the path of Lord Zhao Haoreng's army?"
The scout's words hung in the tense air, his voice echoing through the land. The 320 soldiers remained stoic, their eyes hidden beneath the helmets that were a stark contrast to their crimson and black armor. For a moment, the only sound was the distant cawing of a raven and the wind whispering through the rocks.
"I ask again," the scout called out, his voice echoing through the mountain pass, "who do you serve, and why do you stand in the way of Lord Zhao Haoreng's rightful claim to Sunset Breeze Pass City?"
"Return to where you came from, or you shall die here," the crimson-armored knight's words echoed through the pass, sending a chill down the scout's spine.
"Wh-what did you just say?" the scout stuttered, his heart racing.
The crimson-armored knight remained silent, his gaze unyielding. The other knights around him mirrored his stance, a wall of unbreakable resolve.
The scout, taken aback by the cold response, stumbled backward, his horse prancing nervously beneath him. The silence was deafening, the tension palpable.
"These arrogant fools dare to defy Lord Zhao Haoreng!" he shouted over his shoulder, his voice carrying back to the waiting army.
Master Luo's anger was palpable, his face contorting into a snarl as he barked out orders. His men, well-disciplined, responded immediately, their armor clanking as they prepared for battle.
"Prepare to attack!" Master Luo's command echoed through the mountain pass, his voice carrying the thunderous weight of his anger. His men, fueled by his fury, drew their weapons and began to advance, their eyes locked on the crimson and black figures ahead.
The whinnying of horses and the clanking of armor grew louder as they approached, the anticipation of battle thick in the air. But as the first rays of sunlight hit the knights, a strange and eerie silence fell upon the pass. The whistling grew louder, piercing through the cacophony of war.
BOOM
Without warning, the ground beneath the advancing calvary erupted in a series of explosions. The earth trembled as geysers of flame shot into the sky, horses and men alike sent flying through the air. The crimson and black-armored knights had laid a trap, and it had been sprung with lethal precision.
Luo Yongkang's eyes widened in shock as he watched the carnage unfold before him. He had never seen such a swift and brutal display of power. The crimson and black-armored knights hadn't even drawn their weapons; instead, they held long, gleaming sticks.
"What sorcery is this?" he murmured under his breath, his grip on his own sword tightening.
The crimson and black knights remained still, the tips of their staffs now pointed directly at the stunned remnants of his calvary. The once-proud soldiers were now a disheveled mess, some struggling to stand amidst the smoldering wreckage.
In the next few moments, Luo Yongkang's shock turned to horror as the crimson and black knights unleashed a barrage of bullets that sent his men limbs flying. The staffs they held were no mere sticks but some kind of ancient, powerful weaponry that he had only read about in dusty tomes.
He watch with open mouth as his army slowly dies.
