Upon a campfire a couple of soldiers sat eating and drinking, their weapons never to leave their side.
One who looked quite old, and had become very battle worn, said with a sly look, "You kids are the new recruits from the surrounding villages aren't you?"
One child who seemed to be the impromptu leader, slowly nodded, yet his unease of the environment couldn't be hidden.
"Yes sir. We are from the Leaf Laying village of the southern Chu Kingdom, my name is Long Chen. My brothers and I were farmers who were enlisted for the battle."
The elderly man nodded he said, "Well new blood is good and all!"
A big burly man near the elderly man said, "For the wild grass! Haha!"
The children shuddered.
The elderly man scolded, "Hong Du, mind your tongue! Each life is in hope of our victory!"
The big man named Hong Du snarled, "Hmph! If not for the Emperor's greed and lust, would be fighting mindlessly, dying like ants! He simply wants the Shu Empires land and the princess as his wife! Yet is willing to send even children to war! So what if I tell them the truth you nonsensical old fart! Is it fine for some old cow privileged by luck, to send us to death! Hmph!"
The elderly man couldn't deny the accusations. The Emperor was indeed guilty of such crimes. Yet...
The elder said, "Regardless of the Emperor, if we don't fight our families in the Empire would be enslaved! The war has happened there's nothing we can do about that, but we should atleast protect those we cherish with what strength we have! Not for the Emperor, but for those we love."
Hong Du didn't reply only real responding with a snort.
The elder didn't mind and said, "You kids want to hear a story?
Supposedly everytime there is a battle, a mysterious and powerful figure wearing a black hood appears. He kills everyone there, but the most frightening thing is everyone is turned into husks. People call him the ghost of the battlefield! A old soldier so enraged at the constant war that he personally kills everyone, and takes theirs souls to hell!"
Just as he was about to continue, a young man holding a pan of food smacked it down near the elder and screamed loudly, "Elder Sun, here some food."
The elderly man was clearly vexed, but then said, "Ah! Little Won! Come, come, I was just telling the stories of the Ghost!"
Won looked at the elderly man and said, "Elder Sun, I think you should rest. You speak of tall tales as if real, I fear age is getting to your head."
Within the camp everyone began to laugh, after all Elder Sun, would commonly use descriptions of youth whenever he talked.
Elder Sun said, "Hey! It's no joke! The ghost is real! I've seen one of the husks! And whats this about my age? I'll have you know with age comes many things! You brats only have your youth!"
Won laughed, "I'll take your advice Elder. As for you Hong Du, must I take you to train some more? I recall heavily telling you a mantra to abide by!"
Hong Du began to shake and sweat and said in a quiet voice, as if a monk, "Respect elders, respect family, respect friends from hard times, respect a wife who stayed during hard times, and don't blame the heaven or earth for mistakes. Only in that way will one become a man."
Won rubbed Hong Du's head and laughed leaving his shadow as he entered the shadows.
Long Chen asked Elder Sun, "Good sir, who is that person?"
Elder Sun said, "A motherfucking monster! He's a demon! He's a fiend who even hell would reject in fear!"
Suprisingly every soldier nodded their head as if planned.
Long Chen began to shake in terror.
Elder Sun said, "He's a villain of sorts, but a good lad! Who I must say has good morals and ethics, is that not right Hong Du?"
Hong Du glared at Elder Sun, "Old fart."
Elder Sun loudly exclaimed, "What was that HONG DU! OLD FART YOU SAY?"
Hong Du began to recite his mantra.
Elder Sun laughed and turned to Long Chen and said, "Stick on Won's back, and you truly have Won! Haha! He's a master with the sword, he's a genius of sorts, he's a madman!"
There was no sense in the old man's words, yet oddly enough they fit like a sleeve to that person's eyes.
...
The sun rose with it's golden yolk color dying the land, yet the smell of blood became excited! The two Empires armies lifted up and began their repetitive march.
To the side was Won and his group, they were in a good spot which would allow for some military accomplishments and at the same time give them enough breathing room to either advance as they wished or retreat with clear ease.
Yet this spot would obviously provoke greed, who didn't wish for both survival and accomplishment?
Another group of soldiers, these ones wearing nice armor, with clean new weapons strapped to their body.
Silver was the foundation of their body, with leather on the area's to ensure mobility. Their weapons so maintained, that one could see an expert had worked on those weapons, even looking at them a sharpness spread to ones eyes.
The leader had spiked black hair, and black eyes, but his face was way too healthy to be some ordinary solider. Of course the equipment wasn't something normal either, it was too new to belong to an expert, and too good to belong to some ordinary chap. A noble!
Won was currently sitting down and checking on the supplies he had. Battle's although happening everyday, didn't mean they ended in one day. Furthermore in war there were innumerable things that could happen, groups could be split from the main company and have to survive alone in the battlefield. Dried food and water, were important for each group to take. Although Won wasn't the leader of squad instead it was the oldest Elder Sun, but Elder Sun was most focused on psyching up the troops. Won could only relent and check on the supplies.
Yet a commotion attracted the diligent Won.
"Hey old man, get out this spot! Look at the fucks here, a bunch of shitty kids and some smelly old men! Do you think you deserve such a good spot!"
Elder Sun said nervously, "This is where the Platoon leader had selected us to be. If you must you can ask him..."
The man with the spiked black hair pushed Elder Sun and snorted, "Do you think I give a fuck about some Platoon leader? I'm the son of a Major!"
...
In the East there were three types of Nobility. The Royalty who had the royal blood, the scholars who had become influential on politics, and soldiers. Soldiers were considered of lower nobility, yet received much more respect than the other two forms of nobility. In fact many kingdoms feared soldiers who had become influential, a popular general could easily start a coup and take the throne. This was something scholar Nobility couldn't do!
In fact in the West even though the inner Nobility of Royal blooded people, and the outer without Royal blood. In a sense all forms of Nobility in the west is inherited and such. It was very uncommon to see someone receive Nobility without being the children of nobles. It was possible for knights to climb up the social ladder and eventually become Viscounts, but to even try and become a Knight was difficult for commoners. And that wasn't the end of the troubles, even if you became a Knight unless the family existed for a long time it was extremely extreme difficult to see them advance. In fact in Won's kingdom only one such commoner did so. Vincent of Dorf.
In fact in the West scholars could never become nobility. The Kings of the West in comparison to the Emperors of the East, the Kings had advisor's who were their brothers, cousins or uncles. The Emperor's never allowed family to enter the Royal court unless it was the crown prince or Princess and even then there were many limitations. The Emperor's advisors were groups of ministers and scholars.
Of course this didn't stop Scholars from trying for power. They enacted countless schemes to groom a heir under their control.
...
Elder Sun began to shake in fear. It was possible that this Major's son could kill him and have no problems. Of course there would be some 'punishment's,' the fact was Commoners no matter where were considering trash in contrast to nobility.
Hong Du approached and said, "Regardless of who your father is, this is the army! You think just because you are Nobility you can do whatever the fuck you want?"
The man snorted, "Look around you! There are first and second lieutenant, yet they aren't saying anything! Realize this you worm and get out of here, otherwise don't blame me!"
Elder Sun said, "Sir... please reconsider..."
The man laughed, "Fine. I'll give you a chance! Kneel and lick my boots and you can stay here."
Elder Sun began to tremble, but he looked at Long Chen and the rest of the children. Bitting his lip he began to kneel, when a hand placed itself on his shoulder. Looking back he saw a skinny scholar like figure, who sported long black locks of hair. He was very handsome, a one percent of the top one percent type of handsome. Won.
Won said, "Elder what are you doing! You are in the right, don't trouble yourself with this trouble!"
The noble mocked, "Ha, you trash think you have the right to decide right and wrong? You are mere pawns meant to listen!"
Won didn't respond, but pat away the dirt on Elder Sun. And flashed a calming warm smile.
He then looked at the noble.
Like an explosion, a cloud of blood filled coldness filled the world. The source of this crazed fog, none other than Won.
Won walked close to the stiff noble. Putting his mouth beside the nobles ear, Won said coldly, his eyes flashing red, "Don't try and show off here little brat, you won't live long if you do."
The noble began to shiver uncontrollably.
Yet just then a large man came and smacked Won over the head.
Won roared, "Argh! Which bastard did that!"
A voice spoke out, which could cause Won to shiver, "Bastard eh?"
Won turned around and stared at the large built man, with scruff around his face.
Groaning inwardly.
Won looked to the side, "Hey, who learnt how to speak with my voice! Come out at once, otherwise don't blame this brother for beating you up!"
""Is that your plan?!"" Everyone's inner voice erupted.
Won looked at the large built man and said with a kind smile, "Big brother Liu, don't mind these fellows! Bloody undisciplined bunch! Don't worry I'll take it as my mission to instill the military life deeply into them! They need to learn respect! And anyway what's a few knocks with brothers in arms! Hahaha!"
Big brother Liu himself scratched his head, "Is that so? Hm, well these random enlistments have brought some violent fellows without much discipline."
""It worked?!" Everyone exclaimed internally.
Won snickered internally, "If not for this big fool how would I, the wanderer of the battlefield, actually join this military even without being an actual citizen."
How it happened was a couple of months ago, Won who had been wandering trying to surpass the boundary of level 9 > level 10. Wandering the battlefield killing humans, taking souls. As he was camping out, he got caught!
...
Won complained, "Argh! System are you sure this isn't an error?"
[Name: Won Ro.
Titles: (Enemy of the Forest)
Age: 18
Lvl: 9 (100,000/1,000,000)
Lifespan: 118
Mana: 38
Race: Draconian Demon Royal.
Cultivation: Qi gathering (2)
Cultivation Technique: Nine Dragon's turning, Tendemon Idols, Etc...
Soul Cultivation: None
Soul Cultivation technique: None
Magic: Fire.
Soul beast: None.
Body Cultivation: None.
Body Cultivation technique: Genesis Demonic Sovereignty.
Martial arts: Bone Breaking boxing style (self invented): {Lvl: 2}, Blood Bursting palm (Self invented): {Lvl 1}, Dodge {Lvl 8}, (Shadow claw): {Lvl 3}, Sword demon arts: {Lvl 7}, Swiftly: {Lvl 1}, Wrathful Buddha's palm {Lvl 3}, Dagger slash {Lvl 4}, Demon Frenzy {Lvl 5}, Hidden Hand sects secret technique - Take all {Lvl 6}, Hermit Family Ashina secret technique - Lighting strike {Lvl 6}.
Skills: Demonic stare {Lvl 6}, Sermon of suffering {Lvl 4}, Frost burn (Lack Ice element){Lvl 1}, Aim {Lvl 6}, Magic circle of healing (Low level), Magic circle of versatile use, Magic circle of Speed increase (Low level), Magic circle of attack increase (Low level), Magic circle Mana regeneration (Low level), Boost+, Passive Skill {Undying Warrior}, Magic armor {Lvl 1}, Explosion resistance {Lvl 2}, heat control {Lvl 9}, heat resistance {Lvl 8}, Passive {evasion}, 『Knowledge seeker』, Passive skill Smell of treasure {Lvl 1}, Passive skill [Cold heart], Passive skill [Firm soul].
Way: Human Extinction, Slaughter, Extinction, Life, Eternity, Freedom.
Methods: Shop, Gate of Eons, Extinction mode, River of the way.
Item: Fragment of the {Demon King Satan's inheritance}x 10, Cleaving sword Human grade (Low level), Yoon Hwa's rapier Human grade (High level), Twelve story pagoda, magic cores, Token (Young mistress of the Seven Severities Immortal sect's identification token), Map (Secret Cultivation grounds of the Seven Severities Immortal sect), King's ring Human grade (High level), Gold coins x 1,000,000, 10 Random Human grade (Low level), Pure, Horn of Storm Wolves x 13, Earth Boar meat, Jadeite, Jar of souls, Ring of Calvin, A very pretty flower for a very pretty girl, Protective talisman, 1000 spirit stones.]
Won had been working hard improving not only his skills, martial arts, but also his level. Level could be considered like the main strength of Won. For example if Won was level 100, he would be let's say a God, but that's if he didn't do anything else, but by doing his own effort in Cultivation of qi, soul and body it's like double or even triple the results. Furthermore by having a high level any bottlenecks dissapear. For example for Qi gathering stage there's this huge bottleneck of feeling and absorbing the qi. It's very difficult to keep the qi in your body, it quick dissapears like a capless bottle. Yet with the level that bottleneck was gone, it made it so his body seemed as if it had always been doing so. Of course Won needed alot of his own effort aswell. Every day for five hours he would meditate on his Cultivation techniques, performing them in a cycle. Considering he had so many he performed them four a day. Of course this wasn't the only way to do so, he could use desires to as easily push himself up Cultivation. Of course that was a waste in Won's opinion unless really needed.
The problem was at level 9 he met a even wider bottleneck. 1,000,000 exp. To help understand killing an ordinary human gives Won 100 exp. So Won would have to kill 10,000 humans.
Of course it wasn't that Won had a problem with this, Human's were beings that provoke other's without reason. Even when doing nothing Won had killed over a hundred people trying to harm him, from hunters who wanted to steal his prey, to bandits, to arrogant nobles, lewd old ladies and even some men! The problem was how was he to kill ten thousand people without any fuss happening? He couldn't just massacre some place, the world had governing bodies who managed stuff like Demonic Cultivators and vile murderers. Kingdoms unless on their own Sovereignty wouldn't do much, but places like the Magic Tower and Council, the Cultivators alliance made of the outstanding prodigies of various sects who demanded justice, and not to forget the Immortal sect disciples who participate on various missions for rewards, etc... They were like birds hoping to catch a worm! Won very much didn't want to be the worm that got caught!
[Each Ten levels refers to a main realm Ascension and requires more exp.]
Won scratched his head in frustration.
Luckily there were many ways to gain exp. Cultivating normally, reading books and increasing understanding or knowledge. Of course compared to actually killing it couldn't be counted.
Won said as he sighed, "Atleast with sword martial arts, I've done pretty well raising Sword demon arts, lighting strike, Dagger slash. Still I'm hitting a literal bottleneck with the system."
Having said that Won grunted, yet just then a coldness flushed his back. Won leapt from where he was spinning in the air, a large sword pierced where he was.
Won took out his sword, his eyes sharpening.
"Hm? Where's the bear?" A voice spread and what followed it was a big man. The man scratched his head in confusion and the looked at Won. At first he didn't have a reaction, but it seemed he was thinking.
Jumping back with his sword he asked, "Are you a Shu soldier?"
Won tilted his head not understanding.
He asked the system, "System give me a language skill."
[Ding... [Universal linguist] obtained.]
Won then understood the man's words and said, "No."
The big man then asked, "Huh? Ah! You must be a new recruit! What are you doing here, go, go to your squad! Come I'll take you."
Won thought it through, indeed perhaps joining an army suited his needs.
First of all it would help him understand the topography, he could also understand the smaller Kingdoms which would be easier to control. He could also learn about the weaknesses some kingdoms had, in contrast to going somewhere and having to spend alot of money on information. Of course the most important thing, he could freely kill and even absorb souls!
So Won followed, but he still was conflicted, yet after the first battle, Won wasn't anymore.
...
Elder Sun said to Long Chen, "You see at first, Won there didn't really care that much, but then he got his first sack of gold and his eyes shone brighter than the sun!"
Hong Du snorted, "Isn't because he's greedy?"
Won turned around and asked, "Greedy? No! I just like the smell of money!"
Won turned around and muttered in his head, "Plus the Chu Empire has alot of benefits. Forget the war side, there's even a Cultivator who teaches us basic knowledge of Cultivation. Without that I would have been clueless. Furthermore the Chu Empire is a massive Empire with countless important branches of various fields present, with even more benefits."
In terms of Cultivation it went like this.
Qi gathering stage, Condensation stage, foundation stage, Golden Core stage, Nascent Soul baby, Dragon's and Pheonixes, Nihility realm, Half Immortal realm. That was the limit the teacher knew and to him let alone Half Immortal, even Nascent Soul baby was a legend to him.
Golden Immortal, True Immortal, Azure Immortal, Origin seeker, Way forger, Deva/Asura, Immortal Emperor, Sovereign of Heavens Will, Demi God, Celestial Champion, True God, Will of Heaven, Beyond clouds and skies. These were what Won learnt from the System.
The strongest being in the universe he was a Heavens Will. To be honest for anyone Heavens Will was already impossible, but Beyond Clouds and Skies - That was true Legend.
According to the system no being has ever reached that state, and not even the System can help him there. The only thing it can do is if he reaches that point gives him a chance which others do not.
So Won was quite content with joining the war.
Not to mention right now he was only about a hundred exp away from level 10, and that his Jar of souls was nearly full from over 100,000 souls. War was after all a cruel place, and Won was merely a wanderer upon it's fields.
Yet to his shock as he was busy stealing souls... grave robbing... wandering aimlessly, some bastards came and began a fight with him. Defending himself as he should, he killed them, but then more and more came. Finally as if to add insult to injury he was given some stupid name like, "The Ghost of the battlefield".
Today would be the last day Won planned to stay in the battlefield. He would level up as much both himself and his martial arts and skills, then he would go to the capital, find information and then begin to conquer!