Eternal Life: My Lifespan Increases Daily

Chapter 600: Chapter 408: Nineteenth Army, Great Demon Blood! (Double-Length)

"Young master, there are also Innate Martial Artists."

"Heh heh." Song Ping’an gave a satisfied smile.

Recruiting nine Innate Martial Artists from the common people was his most proud and significant achievement.

Even Song Changming was somewhat surprised.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that Innate Martial Artists are abundant in the army; true Innate Practitioners are few and far between in the world.

Especially those like Song Ping’an recruited, Innate Martial Artists with no background or identity, are even more rare.

Each year, only a handful of recruits at the Recruit Training Camp possess the cultivation strength of the Innate Realm, which shows how scarce the recruitment of Innate Martial Artists is.

Song Ping’an recruiting nine Innate Martial Artists at once was indeed a delightful surprise.

Song Changming first had this group stand up, then stepped forward to one of them.

This person had a stubbled beard, a square face, and long hair hanging past his chin, appearing somewhat disheveled.

Yet, his eyes were bright, and he met Song Changming’s gaze without a hint of fear despite Song Changming’s status as a Grand Marshal, even showing a certain eagerness.

"What’s your name?" Song Changming asked.

"Replying to the General, I am Xiao Peibai, a native of Tai Nan City in Cui Bai Dao." The man responded immediately, his voice was firm, yet somewhat tender, contrasting sharply with his rough appearance.

Just by listening to the voice, one might think it’s some frail scholar whispering.

"What a contrast..."

Song Changming felt a slight discord but didn’t pay it too much mind.

What truly caught his attention about this person was his being the highest-ranked among the nine Innate Martial Artists.

"With your cultivation, you shouldn’t be unknown in Tai Nan City, right?" Song Changming continued to ask.

"I was taken away by my master for training since childhood, and by the time I returned, the Black Obsidian Era had come, and I did not make a name in Tai Nan City." Xiao Peibai explained.

All his cultivation came from the true teachings of an old master, and by the time he returned to Tai Nan City, it had been several decades.

Naturally, he had no name there, though his family in Tai Nan City could be traced, and it was still stable now.

"With your strength in opening the Six Martial Veins, you’d be highly valued and well-treated in any Cui Banner Army; why accept my recruitment?" Song Changming continued, curious.

After all, under him, the Nineteenth Army still existed in name only.

He was merely a solo commander, not an ideal destination compared to other Cui Banner Armies.

And the other’s strength was enough to be a major general, so if aiming for a military future, he definitely wouldn’t choose him.

Xiao Peibai candidly replied, "The General might not remember, but during the Black Obsidian Era, the General saved Tai Nan City and also my parents!"

Song Changming discerned the sincerity and gratitude in the other’s tone.

He realized this guy came to repay this gratitude.

"Also, during the previous main city’s crisis, the General’s performance greatly impressed me..." Xiao Peibai added.

In the final battle before the end of Black Obsidian, Xiao Peibai also contributed at the main city and directly witnessed Song Changming’s ultimate combat display of holding the city alone for three days.

He was thoroughly impressed by Song Changming.

Simply put, this person admired Song Changming and thus came to join him.

Upon further inquiry, it turned out all nine Innate Martial Artists came attracted by his reputation.

Besides the reasons Xiao Peibai mentioned, they also believed Song Changming was a rare non-noble Grand Marshal, believing they, also of humble origins, could receive fairer promotion opportunities under his command.

They were all ambitious, and wanted to carve out a space for themselves, not become appendages to noble scions in other Cui Banner Armies.

Many small and large reasons led all nine to choose to join Song Changming’s Nineteenth Army after careful consideration.

After understanding this, Song Changming accepted their allegiance.

Among the nine Innate Martial Artists, eight were initially appointed as Centurions, while the strongest, Xiao Peibai, was directly promoted as his first general, temporarily in charge of leading the more than five hundred people present.

With this, a small framework of a military unit was formed, and Song Changming was finally not just an awkward solo commander.

With manpower, Song Changming instructed Xiao Peibai to lead everyone to start clearing the nearby ruined encampment, inventorying leftover usable supplies.

Afterward, he applied for a batch of craftsmen from the Military Department to begin vigorous repair and reconstruction of the encampment, marking the first step in army formation.

Song Ping’an, meanwhile, continued to scout for recruits among the townsfolk.

Once the Military Department officially starts recruiting at the Recruit Training Camp, Song Changming’s Nineteenth Army would rapidly expand.

With all tasks assigned, time gradually moved into June.

Everything was progressing in an orderly fashion.

With adequate manpower, clearing the encampment ruins took only a few days.

One should never underestimate the formidable labor force a Martial Artist brings.

By mid-June, the Nineteenth Army’s encampment was transformed anew.

Towers and fortresses sprang up, while warehouses, School Martial Arts Arena, dining hall, and even a long stretch of walls were halfway completed.

Warhorses galloped; inside the encampment, more than a thousand soldiers trained in battle array coordination, giving a preliminary semblance of a military force.

In the School Martial Arts Arena, a pale blue Sword Qi swept through effortlessly, repelling a robust man, causing nearby soldiers to gasp.

The sturdy man looked astonished at the white-armored and charming woman before him, resignedly cupping his fists and said, "Miss, your skills are impressive, I concede defeat."