My Cultivation Starting from Archery

He lay on the deck, hair disheveled, face covered in bloodstains, clearly hanged for three days, yet appeared as if he had aged thirty years, extremely weathered.

"Father!"

The brothers Sima Chi hurriedly came to support him.

Wei Xuan tossed over a porcelain bottle, saying, "Brother Sima, the punishment is indeed painful, but after all, it's only flesh wounds, not vital injuries. For martial cultivators like us, recovery is quick. With the battle against the enemy imminent, the Commander gives you a chance to redeem yourself; you must cherish it."

This scene.

The generals on the nearby ships could see everything clearly.

...

Jiangnan Naval Forces.

Central Army Ship.

"Governor Zhou."

Yan Hongyuan quickly arrived and reported, "The three armies are fully prepared; we just need to choose the right time for a full-scale attack to annihilate the rebel army in one fell swoop!"

"This time, they either withdraw or die!"

Prince Qi said excitedly, "I said, there's no one in the world without flaws, undefeatable. That Chen the Hunter's flaw is that he's no good at naval battles!"

Amidst the excitement and rising war intent.

As Zhou Rong savored the delicious Treasure Fish of Luoxiao River, he slowly put down his chopsticks and asked, "Are there any abnormalities in the enemy army?"

"Abnormalities?"

Yan Hongyuan reminisced carefully, "No abnormalities, but in the rebel army, there's a military officer above Martial Saint named 'Sima Yao', who seemed to have quarreled with Chen Sansi during a strategy discussion and was caught trying to mobilize troops without permission. Chen Sansi, in anger, pierced his body with Mystic Iron Chains and hung him as a public display for three days, quite a harsh move."

"Quarrel?"

Zhou Rong inquired, "What specifically did they quarrel about?"

"That I don't know." Yan Hongyuan said.

Both sides have hidden spies.

But their ranks are usually not high enough to know what the top decision-makers are discussing.

"Good news!"

"Great news!"

During the discussion, General Zhang Jingwu came into the cabin briskly with a secret missive in hand and a face filled with unconcealed joy.

Prince Qi teased, "General Zhang, you're a seasoned veteran. What kind of news makes you so happy? Don't tell me the rebel army plans to surrender?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Jingwu paused and explained, "But not the entire army, just one person, the military officer above Martial Saint, Sima Yao, who is quite dissatisfied with Chen Sansi and plans to surrender with his troops! This is his handwritten secret missive. Governor Zhou and everyone, take a look!"

"Really?!"

Prince Qi and others showed a joyful expression.

The high-level combat power of both sides is roughly balanced.

If at this time, a top martial cultivator like Sima Yao defects, it's extremely advantageous, especially since the missive states he'll bring with him two thousand soldiers and many warships!

The rebel army is already at a disadvantage, and this situation will further worsen their position, making defeat inevitable in the final showdown!

"Tomorrow night."

Prince Qi, looking at the missive's content, announced, "Sima Yao says that if we are willing to accept him, he will come to defect at midnight ten days later, hoping that after success, his family can be introduced to the Shengyun Sect."

"It seems the white-robed ones are in trouble indeed."

Zhang Jingwu said, "Otherwise, how could key generals like him be defecting?"

"This person..."

Zhou Rong repeatedly examined the handwriting on the missive, slowly saying, "Is he reliable?"

"Should be reliable!"

Zhang Jingwu emphasized, "A few days ago, the argument was personally heard by some of our spies, said to be arguing intensely on the Central Army Ship, as if about to erupt into a fight."

"Later, the punishment with iron chains piercing through bones was seen by all the rebel soldiers. In this context, having resentment and defecting in anger is quite possible."

"Indeed."

Ling Qia, a martial cultivator from the Ling Family, added, "This Sima Yao is not from Eastern Continent but, like us, from Sky Water Continent. Psychologically speaking, he wouldn't truly consider himself a servant."

"If Chen Sansi really wanted to kill him, it's fine, but to hang him up like that for humiliation, who wouldn't find that unbearable?"

"Exactly."

A cultivator from the Shengyun Sect said, "Moreover, accepting defectors sends a signal. Perhaps it could attract more to surrender; winning the war without major bloodshed is not impossible."

"On the contrary.

"If we refuse, it might boost the enemy's morale, leading to a desperate fight and causing us unnecessary losses."

"Governor Zhou."

Prince Qi solemnly said, "I see no reason to hesitate. Let's accept Sima Yao's surrender, integrate his forces and ride the momentum to crush the rebel army on the same day!"

"..."

Just then.

Zhou Rong, staring at the secret missive, remained silent for a long time until, after several breaths, he suddenly sneered as if he had realized something.

This scene.

Made Prince Qi and others look at each other in confusion.

"Why does Zhou Lang laugh?"

"Does he think we shouldn't accept this person?"

"..."

"No!"

Zhou Rong slapped the table and stood up, "Arrange as His Highness suggests.

"Order Sima Yao to lead his troops under the cover of night to defect ten days hence at midnight.

"Then our army will launch a full-scale attack, engaging in a decisive battle with the enemy!"

Ten days.

Flashed by.

Midnight.

The wind was calm and the waves gentle.

In the New Dynasty's Water Fort, a troop quietly detached from the main force under the cover of night, steering slowly towards the direction of the Jiangnan Naval Forces!