CHAPTER 185: CHAPTER 183 GOING ON A PROGRAM_1

The unique environment of the jungle swamp makes it difficult for large military forces to deploy effectively. The complex terrain dictates that, whether one likes it or not, troops will inevitably become widely dispersed. Thus, even large-scale jungle warfare is ultimately an aggregation of small, squad-level skirmishes.

Yan Xing devised a suitable mixed-unit squad composition for his troops: one Werewolf Beast Tamer serving as the core, leading three Combat Werewolves, two human crossbowmen, one Werewolf archer, five Poison Flies, and three Carnivorous Birds.

The three Combat Werewolves position themselves at the front, spaced one meter apart in an arc formation to protect the ranged units. The human crossbowmen stand behind the Combat Werewolves, firing at enemy targets through the gaps between them. The Werewolf archer supplements the human crossbowmen’s firepower, providing suppressive fire and intimidation while the crossbowmen reload. The Carnivorous Birds guard against approaching enemy Poison Flies. The allied Poison Flies act as a tactical reserve, coordinating with the squad’s offensive and defensive rhythm. The Werewolf Beast Tamer coordinates from a central position and is responsible for providing magical protection for the squad.

The entire squad operates around the two human crossbowmen, leveraging their potent long-range lethality to ensure that any enemy engaged is eliminated. All other units are tasked with protecting the squad’s integrity as their primary tactical objective.

In the depths of Thunderous Swamp, Werewolves and Lizardmen fiercely contended. Both Clan Leader Qiao She and Lianzu Clan Leader were important leaders of their respective sides and, naturally, experts in jungle swamp warfare. Therefore, upon seeing such a combat squad enter the exercise field, they both watched intently, not missing a single detail.

The mixed-unit squad maintained a steady, deliberate pace while advancing, ensuring the integrity of its formation. Upon spotting a simulated enemy unit, the Combat Werewolves immediately raised their shields to block the target’s angles of attack. The Werewolf archer fired quickly, not necessarily aiming to hit but to distract the enemy. Finally, the human crossbowmen, half-kneeling behind the Combat Werewolves, leaned out slightly to shoot crossbow bolts at the target. With two military crossbows providing crossfire, a single hit would render a typical Werewolf or Lizardman incapacitated.

A squad exercise concluded swiftly.

Then, three mixed-unit squads took to the field, conducting drills on inter-squad coordination and advancement. The three squads entered the exercise field in a triangular formation. When attacking, the central squad pushed forward, with the other two squads covering its flanks. When defending, two squads positioned themselves forward, while the central squad lagged slightly behind, fanning out to provide flank protection for the forward squads. During the exercise, the three mixed-unit squads frequently changed positions, executing tactical shifts.

Clan Leader Qiao She and Lianzu Clan Leader watched the entire process, utterly shocked.

Can combat in the jungle swamp really be conducted like this?

Isn’t it standard to start with Poison Fly ambushes, followed by an all-out assault?

If you fight this way, how can we possibly compete!

Facing such mixed-unit squads, both Clan Leader Qiao She and Lianzu Clan Leader were at a loss for a counterstrategy. The disparity in weaponry and soldier quality was simply too great. Unless they employed a significantly larger force for a brute-force assault, any army of equal or slightly superior strength would be utterly at the mercy of such a military formation. Lianzu Clan Leader finally understood why the Longjaw tribe had been defeated so miserably; he realized he probably wouldn’t have escaped alive either.

While marveling at the Eternal Domain’s troops, both Clan Leader Qiao She and Lianzu Clan Leader yearned to command such an army themselves. This elite force, operating in the swamp, could indeed be invincible.

After a military exercise concluded, Clan Leader Qiao She couldn’t wait to ask Yan Xing, "Knight Yan Xing, your troops have truly opened my eyes today. Compared to your soldiers, ours have a huge gap to bridge; they can hardly be called an army.

"I want to know how you make the Werewolves so obedient to commands.

"If it were my tribesmen, they would have been running all over the place long ago."

Lianzu Clan Leader said, "Knight Yan Xing, I wonder if you would be willing to sell any of those avian magical beasts from your forces?"

This time, during the exercise, Yan Xing had not instructed the Carnivorous Birds to demonstrate eating Poison Flies. After all, Poison Flies were quite valuable, and he was reluctant to let the Carnivorous Birds consume them. Thus, Clan Leader Qiao She was unaware that Carnivorous Birds could counter Poison Flies. However, Lianzu Clan Leader had learned about the terrifying nature of these avian magical beasts through the Longjaw Clan Leader. He wanted to buy some of these Poison Fly nemeses from Yan Xing. That way, his side would surely gain a significant advantage in future conflicts with the Werewolves.

Yan Xing replied, "Those avian magical beasts are called Carnivorous Birds, and they are not for sale from our Eternal Domain. As for how to make Werewolves obey commands, it’s actually very simple: training.

"My Werewolf Warriors were very undisciplined at first and didn’t know what to do in battle. But my domain has a very comprehensive training system. Through it, Werewolf Warriors learn the meaning of absolute obedience, the importance of cooperation, and how to kill enemies while protecting themselves on the battlefield. They avoid unnecessary sacrifices.

"I believe Werewolves possess very high obedience and discipline; they are an excellent source of soldiers. They simply lack someone capable of training them into true warriors."

Clan Leader Qiao She nodded deeply in agreement. Werewolf Warriors were brave soldiers who obeyed orders and understood teamwork. Otherwise, with just one type of weapon, it wouldn’t have been possible for them to drive the Lizardmen to Bloodcrown Mountain. And in the Eternal Domain’s forces, Clan Leader Qiao She saw a higher level—or rather, a true wartime level—of discipline and cooperative ability. If his own Werewolf Warriors possessed the same quality as the Eternal Domain’s forces, the Werewolf Great Army could still push to Bloodcrown Mountain even without slingshots.

Therefore, Clan Leader Qiao She asked Yan Xing, "Knight Yan Xing, could you please teach us your methods for training troops?"

As soon as Lianzu Clan Leader heard Clan Leader Qiao She say this, he immediately understood his intent. The unity of the Werewolves was indeed their strength. If they were to acquire the Eternal Domain’s training methods, Bloodcrown Mountain would be in grave jeopardy.

Lianzu Clan Leader immediately said, "Knight Yan Xing, you said... you would not interfere with the conflict over Bloodcrown Mountain."

Yan Xing said with a smile, "Indeed, I do not interfere with the conflict over Bloodcrown Mountain, for I am here for the money. I will not help either side train soldiers; that is my principle. Let’s drop this subject.

"Furthermore, I must notify both of you of something.

"Training and exercises like today’s will become routine while my troops are stationed here. After all, training cannot be neglected for a single day, or all our efforts would be in vain.

"I hope both of you can understand our actions and not misinterpret our training and exercises.

"I bear no hostility towards either of your factions and hope to befriend both.

"Therefore, there are no ulterior motives or conspiracies in my army’s training and exercises.

"I accept and welcome you to send representatives to supervise and help coordinate relations between my forces and your respective armies."