Chapter 1573: Chapter 77: Visitor from Afar (Prologue)

The bloodline of the Horse Tamer can likewise trace back to the gods, yet he is not a Demigod; he is merely a descendant of Demigods.

In fact, among the leaders of the Achaeans, many are not Demigods.

Though they all have one or several ancestors said to dwell on Mount Olympus, people say that because their bloodline has become diluted, the Divine Power has also left them.

However, lacking Divine Power does not hinder them from wielding authority.

Even the Commander of the Achaean coalition army, the initiator of the war, is but a mortal without Divine Power.

Yet from appearance, they are no different from Demigods.

It has been proven that as long as one receives nourishment equal to a Demigod from youth, anyone can grow as tall and robust as a Demigod.

The Helmet-shining Horse Tamer is such, and people call him “the god-like hero.”

No more need be said, the two sides began to slaughter each other at the city gates.

The fleet-footed hero first launched his Copper-tipped Ash Spear, swift as lightning;

but the Helmet-shining Horse Tamer, with superb skill, anticipated the throw the moment his opponent raised his arm, narrowly dodging the Demigod’s formidable toss.

Immediately, the Horse-taming hero shook as he launched his long spear, striking the enemy’s Shield, only to be deflected by the Five-layered Shield adorned with the sky, earth, and sea.

The two sides then drew their swords and continued fighting.

The Dardanians on the walls and the Achaeans below involuntarily held their breath, caught in the mesmerizing spectacle.

No one anticipated beforehand that a mere mortal could engage so well against the mightiest Demigod.

But the god-like hero ultimately did not triumph over the Demigod.

The swift-footed hero’s sharp blade pierced the Horse Tamer’s throat guard and severed his neck.

The Demigod won the duel, slashed his foe, yet his wrath was not quenched but rather intensified.

He cut open his opponent’s tendons, tied the corpse to his chariot, dragged it three rounds around the city, letting the head roll in the dust, before returning to camp.

His mother had told him, “If you go forth, your name will be eternal; but you will not live long.”

“Come forth,” he thought, “I am ready.”

—————–

Hundreds of years later, on the distant land of the extreme east, another grand war is about to unfold.

February, first day of the cycle, morning.

After a difficult journey, the leader of the Zhou people known as “Fa” finally led his western coalition to arrive as promised at the outskirts of Yin.

And his enemy — King of Shang’s army — had been waiting for quite some time.

On the eve of battle, within the western coalition, the Ba warriors from Shu began a war dance in front of the two armies.

Following them was “Shang,” from the Jiangrong Tribe, holding the title of “Master,” revered by “Fa” as “Father,” a middle-aged Cultivator, who spurred his chariot to lead the charge.

The Hundred Soldiers of the Zhou followed closely behind.

“Shang” was like a diving eagle, irrepressible, directly piercing into the Shang formation, where his long halberd wreaked havoc, flesh and blood flying, disordering the enemy ranks before withdrawing to circle back.

Seeing Master Shang’s successful “mastery,” the western coalition’s morale soared.

“Fa,” with the Yellow Halberd in his left hand and a white yak tail staff in his right, reviewed the western coalition army arrayed before him.

After reviewing the Zhou and allied forces, “Fa” shouted loudly:

“[Ancient Sirese Language] Kings of allied nations! Ministers of affairs! Ministers of Agriculture, Bard of Gerrard, Minister of Works, Commanders, Masters, Chiliarchs, Centurions, and people from Yong, Shu, Qiang, Mao, Wei, Lu, Peng, Pu, and other nations!

“[Ancient Sirese Language] Raise your halberds, align your Shields, set your long spears, listen to my oaths!

“[Ancient Sirese Language] The ancients say: ‘The hen cannot crow, if it does, the household will be undone’;

“[Ancient Sirese Language] Now Emperor Xin only heeds women’s words, disregarding the ancestral rites, abandoning kinship brothers unused, yet raising and respecting criminals from all directions, letting them unleash cruelty upon the people, commit crimes in Shang City, and inflict suffering on the populace;

“[Ancient Sirese Language] Now, I carry out an act of retribution commanded by the heavens.”

After denouncing the enemy’s iniquity, “Fa” began to stipulate the battle discipline:

“[Ancient Sirese Language] In today’s decisive battle, the front and rear distance of our attack formations should not exceed six or seven steps, maintaining neatness without lagging;

“[Ancient Sirese Language] During the clashes no more than four or five rounds, six or seven rounds, then stop to regroup the ranks;

“[Ancient Sirese Language] Charge forward bravely! Warriors! May you be mighty and majestic, like tigers and leopards, like bears and wild cats!

“[Ancient Sirese Language] Advance, towards the outskirts of Shangdu! Attack not those who surrender and flee from the enemy, instead let them fight for us!”

At the end of the oath, “Fa” emphasized, “[Ancient Sirese Language] Fear not the Shang’s ‘Divination,’ ‘Ghost Witch,’ and ‘Children’! Fight them bravely! If we do not strive forward today, we shall be slain ourselves!”

Having sworn, the battle commenced.

This battle, the sky dimmed, blood painted the pikes, fighting from morning till evening.

In the grand battle of tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, Cultivators lost the ability to decide the outcome with a single strike.

“Fa” was not a Cultivator; most of his people and allies were likewise not Cultivators.

But they triumphed against the Yin forces primarily comprised of Cultivators.

Discipline, organization, and self-sacrifice outweighed personal martial prowess.

Even the most formidable “Divination,” “Shamans,” and “Children” were exhausted in the unprecedented battle of Muye and were speared by the most ordinary long spears.