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Zhenjin did not rush to find Zi Di. He was followed by Cang Xu as they both arrived at the camp.
There were quite a few people lying inside.
They were all recently administered potions, their bodies weak and powerless.
These people needed comforting.
"Lord."
"Greetings, my Lord."
Upon seeing the arrival of the Holy Temple Knight Zhenjin, the wounded struggled to stand and salute.
"Everyone, lie down." Zhenjin extended his palm, gesturing downward.
"Do not worry, everyone. The Empire's banner is still flying, and the deities of the Holy Temple are watching over us."
"This setback is nothing. As long as we are alive, anything is possible."
"Follow me, and I will lead you out of this island and to glory!"
After encouraging them, Zhenjin and Cang Xu walked out of the tent.
"As long as you are here, the morale won't collapse. You are our pillar!" Cang Xu sighed.
Zhenjin smiled.
Cang Xu's feelings were genuine, not mere flattery.
Zhenjin indeed had such an effect.
This was the influence of a leader, the impact of a strong individual.
"Of course, the most important factor is my identity as a Holy Temple Knight," Zhenjin understood deeply.
In the hearts of the Empire's citizens, the status of a Holy Temple Knight had always been significant.
Walking out of the camp, Zhenjin and Cang Xu came to a nearby slope.
Here, a simple straw hut was temporarily built.
Surrounding the hut was a fenced area. Inside the fence, several horned mountain goats were penned.
These goats used to be the leaders of their herds, possessing Bronze-Level Life Breath.
During the team members' weak period after taking the potions, these goats were kept isolated here.
The one responsible for taking care of the goats was none other than Bai Ya.
This young man avoided the disaster of corrupted magic because he didn't eat goat meat, earning him the nickname "Lucky Kid."
Lucky Kid Bai Ya had been quite busy these days. He not only cared for these goats but also ran errands for the wounded. Many people benefited from his care, earning his popularity. Among them, Huang Zao initially misunderstood Bai Ya, but after being cared for by Bai Ya, Huang Zao even offered to teach Bai Ya the Fighting Energy Art.
Noticing Zhenjin and Cang Xu's arrival, Bai Ya quickly opened the gate, respectfully welcoming the two inside.
"Lord, I'm sorry. I failed to meet your expectations. I didn't accomplish..." Bai Ya looked ashamed.
Zhenjin patted the young man's shoulder, comforting him, "It's okay. I know you tried your best."
Although Zhenjin was younger than Bai Ya in terms of age, Bai Ya's nervousness and worry dissipated upon hearing these words, turning his shame into gratitude towards Zhenjin.
"Thank you, Lord. You are so magnanimous!" Bai Ya said.
Zhenjin waved his hand, signaling Bai Ya to step back.
He had previously ordered Bai Ya to train these lead goats, intending to tame them as mounts.
If this plan succeeded, it would greatly benefit Zhenjin now and in the future.
Zhenjin had been devoted to the idea of the Sheep Cavalry.
The reason for assigning this task to Bai Ya was because, firstly, he was healthy and unaffected by corrupted magic, and secondly, he was a hunter's son, experienced in dealing with wild animals.
However, judging by the current results, Bai Ya could not tame these goats.
Zhenjin wasn't disappointed; his hopes had been small to begin with. Typically, this was a job for a Beast Tamer or a Druid. Expecting a hunter's son, an ordinary young man, Zhenjin knew his idea was somewhat unrealistic.
"Lord, I shall take my leave," Bai Ya stepped back.
Soon, only Zhenjin and Cang Xu were left inside the fence.
Zhenjin then spoke, "Regarding the food shortage issue, I have a solution. We can produce large quantities of potions to make the goats vomit up the magic within them, thereby purifying all the goat meat."
Hearing this, Cang Xu hesitated for a moment, then carefully chose his words, "Lord, I'm afraid this won't work. We can purify our bodies of magic because we were merely corrupted. However, these goats are the source of the magic itself; this magic is a part of their lives, like limbs or internal organs."
"If we give the goats potions, it may expel a lot of magic, but some will remain, impossible to remove entirely. These goats would be severely damaged, far worse than us, and most likely die on the spot."
Zhenjin laughed heartily, looking deeply into Cang Xu's eyes, "These goats are victims just like us. The real source of the magic is not them but the seemingly ordinary grass growing nearby."
Zhenjin's honesty left Cang Xu stunned.
The old Scholar looked at Zhenjin, their gazes meeting in mid-air. The old Scholar's eyes blinked, suddenly understanding the intention behind Zhenjin's words.
Zhenjin continued, "Didn't Mr. Cang Xu notice this secret?"
Cang Xu's heart trembled slightly. The unrelenting pressure from Zhenjin made him feel like he was facing an aggressive swordsman.
A hint of hesitation flashed across the old Scholar's face, his eyes flickering as he replied, "It is my dullness; I did not discern this secret."
Zhenjin stared at Cang Xu for a while, seeing no further reaction from him. Disappointment rose in his heart.
Zhenjin gave a faint hum, slowly turned, and walked towards the gate.
Cang Xu followed closely behind.
Just as Zhenjin was about to open the gate, Cang Xu suddenly spoke, "Lord Zhenjin, your honesty and foresight command respect. You possess the vision of an exceptional superior. Despite the current difficulties, you are still attempting to form cavalry. Indeed, cavalry is very useful, capable of both offense and defense. With an elite cavalry, one often gains the initiative. However, in my opinion, these goats are not your best choice; you have a better option."
"Oh?" Zhenjin placed one hand on the gate, slowly turned around, and looked back at Cang Xu, "Then let me hear Mr. Cang Xu's insight."
"Lord, these goats have strong Life Breath, but they are not natural creatures, hiding significant hazards."
"They can't self-regulate their magic, even if a cavalry is formed, it has low potential."
"Furthermore, when you command White Sand City in the future, the flat terrain around it and the vast forests in the depths of the Wilderness Continent are not suitable for the performance of the Sheep Cavalry."
Cang Xu spoke eloquently.
Zhenjin's face remained expressionless, but he agreed with Cang Xu's words inwardly.
He was well aware of these issues.
The key question was, what else could Zhenjin form besides the Sheep Cavalry?
Zhenjin currently had nothing despite being a dignified Holy Temple Knight; even the subordinates were recently recruited to his command.
And once they left this island, it was uncertain whether these people would continue to follow Zhenjin.
Cang Xu suddenly asked, "Lord, how much do you know about the Explosive Hoof Colts?"
"Sounds familiar." Zhenjin furrowed his brows slightly, thinking for a moment, then said, "Duke Hengle?"
Duke Hengle was infamous in his youth for being a dissolute playboy. His parents died when he was young, and he was doted on by his ancestors, indulging in pleasure and lacking strength. However, during the Eastern Nobles' rebellion, his ancestors were ambushed and killed on the battlefield.
Hengle ascended to leadership, becoming the Clan Leader before he could react, facing an invasion from the Allied Nobles' army.
Hengle barely had time to mourn, taking command under the protection of family knights, leading the defense against the Allied Army.
In the fierce clash of armies, Hengle's family knights fought bravely to defend their home but were overpowered and fell into a crisis.
As defeat loomed, the cowardly Hengle decided to flee in a panic.
In his haste, he mistakenly mounted an Explosive Hoof Colt.
Explosive Hoof Colts were volatile and aggressive, retaliating fiercely when provoked, even to death.
During Hengle's escape, an arrow struck the colt's rear.
The Explosive Hoof Colt became enraged, ignoring Hengle's calls and reins, charging back into the bloody battlefield.
Seeing their leader Hengle's "solo charge," the demoralized family troops were inspired, rallying with furious shouts for a desperate counterattack.
Caught off guard, the Allied Army's lines broke, leading to their defeat.
By sheer chance, Hengle won a critical victory, preserving his family's territory. His story, revealed during a drunken confession six years later, became widely known.
Cang Xu nodded, "Indeed, the same kind of horse Duke Hengle rode. I know the method to train Explosive Cavalry."
Zhenjin showed a hint of shock, "Are you certain?"
Explosive Hoof Colts were wildly fierce, easily enraged, charging recklessly into enemies when provoked.
However, they were also robust, standing a meter taller than most warhorses, with hooves as hard as steel.
They had great burst power, reaching top speed in mere breaths.
They also had impressive endurance for long-distance charges.
As a Holy Temple Knight, despite his memory gaps, Zhenjin knew the importance of a good mount for a knight, significantly boosting combat capability.
The height advantage alone would give knights a crucial edge. The hoof of an Explosive Hoof Colt could pierce through regular iron shields with a single kick!
Not to mention their muscled bodies bringing devastating collision power.
Their exceptional traits led many nobles and leaders to attempt forming Explosive Cavalry.
However, they performed poorly in battles.
Knights couldn't control these temperamental horses. The slightest provocation made them charge furiously, ignoring commands.
Such units were easily manipulated, lured into the range of Mages.
Under magical attacks, these horses, with their knights, charged toward death fearlessly.
Facing cunning enemy leaders, these units could be redirected to crash into friendly lines, becoming enemy pawns.
Despite their advantages, their uncontrollable nature turned Explosive Cavalry into a joke.
Yet now, Cang Xu proposed forming such a cavalry.
Zhenjin's sharp gaze fixed on Cang Xu. Although they had not known each other long, he did not believe Cang Xu was foolish.
Sure enough, Cang Xu added, "I have a way to help knights control the Explosive Hoof Colts."
"Their fierce nature hinders forming cavalry, but this method can compensate for it."
"Though the Fighting Energy Art is still in its infancy, imperfect and undeveloped."
"If you do not mind, I am willing to offer it."
Zhenjin softened his gaze, nodding, "Mr. Cang Xu, I will remember your contribution."
The relationship between knights and mounts was not mere riding.
Knights would live and train with their mounts, developing rapport and injecting Fighting Energy into them.
This Fighting Energy circulated within the mount, enhancing speed, defense, recovery, and strength.
During a charge, the energy formed a seamless bond between knight and mount, creating a unified entity.
Cang Xu implied that he knew an emerging Fighting Energy Art to control the Explosive Hoof Colts.
This art's value was significant.
Cang Xu continued, "Lord Zhenjin, these goats, despite their strong Life Breath, are still beasts. They can't balance their magic, preventing knights from channeling Fighting Energy into them. Thus, forming cavalry with them has low potential and high risks."
"Using potions to purge their chaotic magic and slaughtering them for food may be a better solution to our current issue."
Though treated goat meat might still contain residual magic and risks,
the exploration team had little choice.
PS: I recommend a good book—"Super God Mechanic." Its mechanical settings are novel, with a light and joyous atmosphere.
Han Xiao, a veteran from the eastern powers, is thrust into the timeless crossing, carrying a player panel as an NPC before the game's public release, choosing the highest difficulty, mechanics.
With fleets spanning the Star Sea and dragon-like mechs, energy cannons that destroy everything, and an endless mechanical army waiting in the portable warehouse,
one person, is a legion!
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