NABC Chapter 1 Protagonists of the Era and Protagonists of Novels
Chapter 1 Protagonists of the Era and Protagonists of Novels
August.
Wild Fox Ridge.
The Jin army of 450,000 men was arrayed on the Bashang Plateau, with swords and spears like a forest, their cold light gleaming. The Jin commander, Wanyan Jiujin, stood on a high slope, gazing at the vast grasslands to the north.
Beside him, a handsome young man dressed in white armor remained silent.
A fighting spirit surged in the boy's eyes, and a panel visible only to him floated before his eyes, with golden characters flowing across his retina.
[Host: Yang Kang]
[Current World: The Legend of the Condor Heroes]
[Special Talent: Apocalypse (Perfectly inherits the power of the previous life upon rebirth, which can be stacked infinitely)]
[Character Template: Xiang Yu Template (20% Fusion, Overlord Body - Unlocked)]
Martial Arts: Quanzhen Internal Energy, Nine Yang Divine Skill, Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill
[Note: The way of the overlord is to fear nothing!]
In his previous life, Yang Kang was an extreme sports enthusiast. When he challenged the Eight Fates of Ozaki, he was abandoned by the heavens and died in a waterfall.
He loved life, loved adventure, and accepted death with equanimity.
Although he never imagined that he would be chosen by an unknown deity to come to this world after his death, he had already accepted his new life here after more than ten years of growing up from an infant to a teenager.
Reborn as an adult, he is naturally different from the original frivolous person. People in Zhongdu City have long been praising the young prince's virtuous reputation.
A small change brought about a magical butterfly effect. When he was seven years old, Qiu Chuji found him, and the system was also loaded at that time.
Qiu Chuji, who had always despised the Jurchens, stayed in Zhongdu for three years. He not only taught Yang Kang martial arts, but also taught him astronomy and geography. When he invited famous teachers from various schools to discuss scriptures and doctrines, he ordered Yang Kang to serve him, acting like a Taoist master.
The world was in uproar, and some even said that Qiu Chuji had defected to the Jin Dynasty.
Even Yang Kang sometimes doubted that he had met not Qiu Chuji from The Condor Heroes, but the historical Changchun Zhenren.
In fact, it was Qiu Chuji's suggestion that Yang Kang join the army.
The system had already given a hint: the key to merging with the Xiang Yu template was to imitate everything about that ancient overlord.
[Xiang Yu Template - Integration Rate 20%]
[Overlord Body - All Meridians Open, Cultivation Unimpeded!]
For six years, these two lines have remained unchanged since he was ten years old, so long that he is now willing to take any necessary risks.
Joining the army was a necessary means. Yang Kang pestered Wanyan Honglie to find someone to teach him military strategy and tactics. Despite Bao Xiruo's opposition, he joined the Jin army. Through Wanyan Honglie, he got Lingzhi Shangren to bring him the Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung Fu of Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. He also took advantage of Qiu Chuji's discussion with Shaolin monks to obtain a large number of scriptures from Shaolin Temple, including the Lankavatara Sutra.
With the support of various resources, sixteen-year-old Yang Kang has already made a name for himself as a young general in the army.
Of course, a teenager is still a teenager, and the most common thing a teenager encounters is being looked down upon.
Wanyan Jiujin looked at Yang Kang and laughed heartily.
"Nephew, this armor belongs to the Prince of Zhao's mansion, and so does your life."
If I wipe out the Ironclad Cavalry, I won't be able to face your father.
He spoke politely, but Yang Kang understood. This wasn't concern; it was drawing a line.
Wanyan Jiujin was telling him that he was a member of the imperial clan, not a general.
He was a powerful general in the army, and Yang Kang, a prince, was just a junior to him.
Yang Kang remained calm and silent. He had come here to undergo a transformation test, not to save a group of mortals who were courting death.
Wanyan Jiujin then gave another order.
"General Ming'an, you need to go to Mongolia again."
"Ask Temujin why he has launched a rebellion without cause. Tell him to repent and turn back from his misguided path, otherwise, when the heavenly army arrives, everything will be destroyed!"
Yang Kang glanced sideways, his eyes filled with shock. The army was marching, yet they still needed to send someone to deliver a message?
"As soon as the army set off, the marshal sent someone to question them."
"Since the start of the war in February, the Mongols have entered our Great Jin as if it were their own territory."
"With Genghis Khan's discerning eye, he could see through our army's strengths and weaknesses at a glance."
A soldier with a resolute face and the demeanor of a Confucian scholar rode up on horseback and sighed softly to Yang Kang.
Yang Kang said calmly.
"Monk Chen, watch your mouth!"
"War is a meat grinder for ordinary soldiers and lower-ranking officers. No matter how it goes, it makes no difference to you or them."
"In this day and age, does it really matter where you die?"
Wanyan Chenheshang pondered for a moment, then stared intently at Yang Kang.
Wanyan Chenheshang's original name was Wanyan Yi, courtesy name Liangzuo, and nickname Chenheshang. He came from a family of military generals. Although he had the nickname of a monk, he never studied any scriptures. He only learned how to kill.
"Young Prince, can you bring peace to the world?"
Yang Kang spurred his horse toward the high slope, leaving behind a sentence that drifted in the wind.
"Since your name is Monk Chen, you should worship Buddha, not me."
The Khitan man Ming'an deliberately tipped off Genghis Khan.
Genghis Khan astutely chose to travel light, and before Wanyan Jiujin could establish a firm foothold, the Mongol army had already reached Yehuling.
On Wild Fox Ridge, banners fluttered and battle cries shook the heavens.
The Jin army, numbering 450,000, and the Mongol army, numbering 100,000, engaged in the bloodiest battle on this green hillside.
Under the vast sky, people are like ants, and blood flows like a stream.
Black armor, the gleaming of swords, blood still burning, embers, heads crushed by warhorses, and mangled corpses.
Crows and eagles circle in the sky, waiting for their feast!
The course of war is beyond anyone's control; the Jin dynasty's hopeful victory was shattered by the Mongol cavalry.
Genghis Khan seized upon the Jin army's inability to coordinate their attacks and concentrated his forces to charge directly at Wanyan Jiujin's central army. After the commander's flag was captured, Wanyan Jiujin, though arrogant and underestimating the enemy, still possessed the fierce courage of the Jurchen people and personally led his central army in a fierce battle.
On the hillside, Wanyan Chenheshang was restless and impatient.
"Young Prince, shall we go?"
The hundred heavily armored Ironclad Pagoda soldiers behind him all had their eyes on Yang Kang.
Yang Kang said coldly.
"wait."
He was waiting for Genghis Khan's banner to move, so everyone had to rein in their restless horses and keep their eyes fixed on the center of the Mongol army.
A short while later, the decisive moment arrived. Genghis Khan drank a bowl of mare's milk wine and shouted loudly in Mongolian.
"The fate of the Mongols rests on this battle! Kheshig troops, charge with me!"
He led his guards in a full-scale charge, and all of the Mongol forces were plunged into a bloody battle.
Yang Kang pulled down his armor, raised his spear, and charged straight down the hillside on horseback.
For a moment, the sound of the wind seemed to stop.
Yang Kang charged into the battlefield, his iron spear instantly shattering the heads of the Mongol soldiers in front of him. The hundred-man Iron Pagoda transformed into a sharp blade, and under Yang Kang's leadership, it was like a whirlwind, swiftly cutting through the battlefield and charging towards Genghis Khan.
The roar of the Ironclad Pagoda echoed through the sky, and Yang Kang's figure was like a ferocious beast from ancient times, howling as he crushed all the enemies in his path.
Every Mongol soldier who tried to stop him was crushed by iron spears, with flesh, heads, and blood flying everywhere.
The most primal and frenzied battle awakened Yang Kang's surging killing intent. His eyes gradually turned red, and the fusion level that had remained unchanged for three years began to pulsate.
Golden light exploded in Yang Kang's eyes, and the characters began to flow again.
[System Notification: Xiang Yu template integration rate 31%]
"It's the young prince!!!"
On the battlefield, the lifeless sea was rippled by a pebble.
Yang Kang didn't notice this detail; at that moment, all he could see was that man.
The Mongols quickly took notice of this terrifying cavalry force.
"Protect the Great Khan!!!"
Naya'a, the commander of Genghis Khan's Kheshig army, immediately reacted and led his personal guards to meet the Iron Pagoda.
Naya'a was the thirty-second founding hero of the Mongol Empire. On the battlefield, he was one of the most outstanding warriors of his time, but his scimitar was sent flying the moment it touched Yang Kang's iron spear.
The Kheshig soldiers around him showed no fear and charged towards Yang Kang without regard for their own lives.
Genghis Khan immediately summoned his four most loyal Mongolian mastiffs to protect him.
"Jelme, Kublai, Jebe, Subutai!"
The four men, who had already spurred their horses to charge in unison, were all fierce warriors on the battlefield, but in front of Yang Kang, they were as powerless as children.
Except for Jebe, who harassed them with arrows and was not affected by the spear, the other three were sent flying back along with their horses by Yang Kang in a single exchange.
Ignoring his broken right hand, Zhe Lemie picked up his scimitar and roared as he charged toward Yang Kang.
Yang Kang ignored the loyal general and looked at Temujin, who was close at hand, with a cold smile hidden beneath his mask.
The blades of the Ironclad Cavalry were almost touching Genghis Khan's face; Temujin could even see the general's cold gaze.
The Mongol generals began to rush towards the central army like madmen, and one after another, fearless generals surrounded Yang Kang.
With a sweeping motion, Yang Kang knocked Zhe Le Mie off his horse and unconscious. He dodged Na Ya A's scimitar, pierced it with his spear, and then used his spear to lift Na Ya A's burly body onto his horse.
The spear vibrated, and Naya'a's body was shattered in two.
Genghis Khan let out a grief-stricken roar, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Yang Kang. At that moment, he felt as if his bloodline ancestor from thousands of years ago was looking at Xiang Yu, unable to comprehend why such a person could exist in the world.
[System Notification: Historical Scene - The Emperor's Fear Reenacted]
[Xiang Yu template integration rate: 40%]
[Military Situation - Commanding Army Morale +100%: Unlocked]
Yang Kang's blood was boiling, and the aura of the hundred or so Ironclad Cavalry behind him surged, and they all roared angrily.
The surrounding Jin soldiers subtly echoed this sentiment, their morale soaring, and soon more followed.
One, two, ten...
Without anyone in charge or giving orders, it's like a flock of sheep following its leader.
Yang Kang didn't turn around. He knew these people weren't loyal to him; they just didn't want to die.
Genghis Khan did not retreat; he sat on his horse and looked at the boy.
It's like looking at myself when I was young!
No, it's more terrifying than myself.
Back then, Temujin relied on his brothers, his tribe, and the hearts of the people.
The man before me is all I have: one man, one spear, and one hundred cavalrymen.
"By the Eternal Heaven above!"
Genghis Khan murmured,
"How can there be such a person in this world?"
Genghis Khan's mouth dropped open slightly! Although Yang Kang's Iron Pagoda was blocked, it was already very close to Genghis Khan.
At the critical moment, Muqali led the Eight Lu Battalion to break through the Jin army and overwhelmed Wanyan Jiujin with his iron cavalry.
The outcome is decided!
Yang Kang's Iron Pagoda squad instantly became like rootless duckweed, and countless troops began to surround Yang Kang's squad like a tide.
Jebe, the only remaining archer among the four mastiffs, fired seven arrows in succession. Yang Kang swept away four arrows with his spear. Of the remaining three arrows, two pierced his shoulder armor, and one severed the horse's leg.
The horse fell, and Yang Kang landed on the ground.
He didn't look at his wound, but immediately threw the spear in his hand toward Genghis Khan.
Jebe fired several more arrows, each one striking the iron spear but narrowly missing its trajectory.
The iron spear grazed Genghis Khan's head, violently knocking off his helmet. Genghis Khan reined in his horse and took a half step back, his expression unchanged.
However, the constant rise and fall of his chest beneath his armor proved that this great hero was by no means so calm.
Wanyan Chenheshang rode up and pulled Yang Kang onto his horse.
"Young Prince! Things are hopeless, we must retreat!!"
Yang Kang glanced coldly and regretfully at Genghis Khan not far away, then led his men to break through the encirclement with unstoppable force.
"What a domineering general!!!"
Genghis Khan remained silent for a long time until his chest calmed down.
"Wanyan Jiujin, who was that general just now?"
The Mongol generals surrounded Wanyan Jiujin, and Genghis Khan, disregarding any attempts to persuade him to surrender, immediately spoke up.
"That's the prodigy of my Wanyan family!"
"The Crown Prince of Zhao, Wanyan Kang!"
"He's only sixteen! Sixteen!"
"Temujin!! Sooner or later, he will end everything you have!"
Wanyan Jiujin looked at Yang Kang, who had broken through the encirclement, and laughed loudly.
He then slashed his neck with his sword, and as blood gushed out, he roared with his last ounce of strength.
Genghis Khan muttered to himself.
"Wanyan Kang!!! Wanyan Honglie's son."
He looked at the figure in white armor in the distance.
Yang Kang stood on the hillside, turned around, and across the battlefield of corpses and iron cavalry, his proud and cold eyes met those of the proudest of heroes.