RBCT Chapter 1964 [Noble Phantasm: Champion's Banner, Lone Edge in the Vast Sea]; The Great Han Dyna
Chapter 1964 [Noble Phantasm: Champion's Banner, Lone Edge in the Vast Sea]; The Great Han Dyna
Chapter 1964 [Noble Phantasm: Champion's Banner - Lone Edge of the Vast Sea]; The Great Han Dynasty, Marquis of Champion - Huo Qubing!
"Huo Qubing! It's actually Huo Qubing!"
"Brother Tian actually summoned the Champion Marquis!"
"Sealing the wolf's lair and drinking from the vast sea! This is a true legend!"
"To achieve such results in that environment without any prior training is simply unbelievable!"
"."
After a brief moment of shock, a burst of barely suppressed excitement erupted around the training ground, especially among the young men. Many of them couldn't help but stand up, their eyes burning with admiration as they gazed at the dashing young general holding a banner in the center of the field, their faces filled with excitement and respect.
In this world, the "spiritual energy revival" has lasted for quite some time. The dramatic changes it has brought, the shifts in power systems, the rise of countless new races and forces, and the continuous wars and struggles for survival have long since blurred the history before the spiritual energy revival.
Many ancient books, records, and even memories of civilizations were lost or fragmented during the upheavals.
For the younger generation of the Qin family, names like Emperor Wu of Han, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing are basically completely unfamiliar.
The reason we are familiar with it now is because Su Yunqing brought out all the history and legends corresponding to each Heroic Spirit in order to make the "Holy Grail War" more interesting.
that's the truth.
If the previous "Holy Grail War" was just an interesting battle for them, then after reading about that history, the "Holy Grail War" became a bridge connecting lost history with the present reality.
Those sages, heroes, emperors, and generals who were sealed away in the long river of time before the "spiritual revival" have descended again in the form of "heroic spirits," which embody legends and concepts.
The glories they created, the joys and sorrows they experienced, and the spirit they embodied are presented to the world in a powerful and impactful way.
Although their appearance at this moment is not real, the "deeds," "spirit," "strategy," and "personal charm" they represent transcend time and space and still shine brightly.
This has allowed an era that overemphasizes power to rediscover the meaning of "power" and "brilliance" in a different dimension.
The Han Dynasty, a glorious era in which nations often perished due to weakness, but the Han Dynasty alone fell due to strength; Emperor Wu of Han, a powerful ruler who defeated the Xiongnu in the north, opened up the Western Regions, and laid the foundation for the territory and spirit of China.
And his two sharpest blades, the "Twin Pillars of the Empire," Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.
Especially the champion, Huo Qubing, whose life was like a comet, short but shining through the ages.
At the age of seventeen, he led eight hundred elite cavalrymen straight into the heart of the Xiongnu territory in his first campaign, achieving the greatest merit in the entire army and being enfeoffed as the Marquis of Champion. At the age of nineteen, he commanded the Hexi War in the spring and summer, sweeping across the right flank of the Xiongnu, annihilating and recruiting nearly 100,000 people, capturing the Qilian Mountains, and completely opening up the Hexi Corridor, thus laying the foundation for the Silk Road.
At the age of 21, Huo Qubing and his uncle Wei Qing each led 50,000 cavalry deep into the northern desert to seek out and annihilate the main force of the Xiongnu. Huo Qubing's troops advanced more than 2,000 li north and defeated the Left Wise King's troops, capturing three people including the Tun Tou King and the Han King, as well as 83 generals, prime ministers, officials, and captains.
They held a ceremony to worship Heaven at Langjuxu Mountain and a ceremony to worship Earth at Guyan Mountain. Their military might reached the North Sea, and from then on, "the Xiongnu fled far away, and there was no royal court south of the Gobi Desert."
In the long scroll of history, he is an indelible brilliance.
Countless members of the younger generation of the Qin family, after reading his history, marveled at its brilliance and lamented his untimely death.
At the age of twenty-four, he passed away like a shooting star, leaving behind endless imagination and "what ifs" for posterity.
If Heaven grants him more years, where will this young commander, full of vigor and with a well-established system of tactics, lead the Han army?
What even more glorious and unparalleled achievements will they create?
That's why, when Qin Hongtian successfully summoned him and the iconic champion banner was unfurled, many people were able to recognize him immediately with excitement.
Of course, it wasn't just Huo Qubing.
For these young people who grew up in an era where the "Reiki Revival" has been going on for a long time and the concept of power is deeply ingrained, the history of the "mortal" era before the "Reiki Revival" has a unique, almost romantic, attraction.
They lacked the immense personal power to move mountains and overturn seas, the long lifespan that stretched for millennia, and the survival pressure of fierce battles against mutated creatures and alien civilizations.
People of that era, with their flesh and blood, ordinary iron weapons, and rudimentary means of transportation, created an epic that was in no way inferior to that of today within the same limited lifespan.
The power struggles of emperors and generals, the integrity and moral character of scholars and poets, and the exquisite skills of craftsmen.
Even in this era where supernatural powers are widespread, it still shines with dazzling brilliance and is awe-inspiring.
Qin Hongtian suppressed his excitement, took a deep breath, stepped forward, and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting to Huo Qubing with the proper etiquette befitting a disciple of the Qin family.
"I, Qin Hongtian, respectfully welcome the arrival of the Champion Marquis. It is truly my good fortune to have the Marquis's assistance."
"In this Holy Grail War, our opponents are extraordinary. I hope that you, Lord Marquis, will not hesitate to offer your guidance and work with Hongtian to devise a strategy for victory."
Although in theory the passage of time is enough to dilute all generational relationships, and Huo Qubing's era is now as distant as legend, the Qin family's good upbringing and heartfelt respect for historical sages still ensured that Qin Hongtian maintained impeccable manners.
As the champion, Huo Qubing, looked at Qin Hongtian, who was respectful yet dignified, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
Although he achieved fame at a young age and was arrogant and unruly, he was not a reckless man who was ignorant of human relationships and looked down on everyone. On the contrary, his ability to achieve such brilliant success in just a few years was inseparable from the emperor's trust, the cooperation of his colleagues, and the dedication of his soldiers. He deeply understood the importance of "people".
He didn't put on any airs of superiority, but rather accepted Qin Hongtian's bow naturally, then returned the gesture with clasped hands, his movements crisp and decisive, displaying the straightforwardness of a soldier.
"Since we are comrades-in-arms fighting side by side, there is no need for such formalities."
"Don't dwell too much on the last defeat. Victory and defeat are common occurrences on the battlefield. Learn from the experience and make a comeback."
As for guidance…
"The art of war lies in one's mind. My strength lies in 'adapting to the situation, striking unexpectedly, using speed to defeat slowness, and using sharpness to break through strength.'"
"Since we are Master and Servant, we should share information and trust each other. You may speak frankly about your plans and the intelligence on our enemies, and I can adjust my tactics accordingly."
Qin Hongtian naturally informed Huo Qubing in detail about Su Yunqing, Liu Hongxuan, and others, and emphasized a core rule of the Holy Grail War.
As Masters, their immense power is strictly limited, preventing them from directly and overwhelmingly intervening in battles between Heroic Spirits.
Otherwise, the Holy Grail system will "suppress" or "correct" it, forcibly confining its strength within a "reasonable range" that matches its ability to fight Heroic Spirits.
This is mainly to ensure that the core of the Holy Grail War remains a duel between Servants and a contest of Masters in terms of strategy, command, and support, rather than degenerating into a simple power struggle between Masters.
Therefore, the key to victory or defeat still largely depends on the strength of the summoned Heroic Spirit and the cooperation between the Master and the Heroic Spirit.
As for what kind of heroic spirits the other opponents will summon, that remains to be seen.
After finishing his speech, Qin Hongtian briefly described how, in the previous Holy Grail War, Su Yunqing summoned Guan Yu, Liu Hongxuan summoned Xiang Yu, and several others summoned famous historical generals such as Qin Qiong, Dian Wei, and Xue Rengui, and almost all of them were ultimately defeated by Xiang Yu in a one-on-one duel.
Huo Qubing listened very attentively, especially when he heard the name "Xiang Yu" and how Xiang Yu had almost swept the entire field with his personal bravery. His eyes gleamed, but there was also a hint of regret.
"Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, possessed strength that could uproot mountains and an aura that could cover the world."
"It is a lifelong regret that I was not born in the same era as such a person, to ride across the battlefield and compete with him."
He spoke these words frankly, with the aspirations of a martial artist.
But then, he changed the subject, looked at Qin Hongtian, and asked curiously:
"You were all defeated by him last time. Was it because the 'Master Restriction' rule didn't work? Or was the tactic at the time to let the Heroic Spirits fight individually and decide the outcome in one-on-one battles?"
A hint of embarrassment and seriousness flashed across Qin Hongtian's face, and he nodded:
"Last time, we were indeed a bit overconfident and underestimated the extent to which Xiang Yu was strengthened under the rules of this world."
"Furthermore, all the Heroic Spirits were renowned for their bravery in life, and inevitably harbored competitive spirits. The lack of coordination among the Masters also contributed to the situation, ultimately devolving into a series of one-on-one duels, and the result was…"
He sighed and didn't continue.
Having personally experienced that battle, he still vividly remembers the terror that Xiang Yu displayed.
It's not just about superior data; it's also about the suppression of a "dominant" will. Even the strongest warriors of the same level seem to be inherently weaker in its presence.
Even if he had summoned the Marquis of Champions last time, he probably wouldn't have been a match for Xiang Yu in a one-on-one fight.
Huo Qubing, with his keen insight, immediately gleaned more information from Qin Hongtian's expression and unspoken words, and laughed heartily:
"His strength is unparalleled throughout history; this assessment is no exaggeration. However, in terms of one-on-one combat on the battlefield, riding alone, Yu's bravery is certainly not my forte, nor is it what I seek."
He took a step forward, his dark military uniform making his figure appear even more upright and spear-like. His gaze swept over Qin Hongtian, then seemed to be fixed on an unseen, formidable enemy in the void. His voice was clear and resolute:
"However, war is not a game of street fighting, nor is it a contest of strength between warriors; as a general, what I seek is to defeat the enemy, expand our territory, and protect our people!"
"Xiang Yu's strength could break through the formation of a hundred or a thousand soldiers, but could he defeat ten thousand men united in a ten-sided ambush? He could take the head of a general from among a million soldiers, but could he calculate the overall situation of the world and the hearts and minds of the people?"
"In my life, I have experienced many battles, some of which involved long-distance raids with elite cavalry to strike directly at the royal court, catching the enemy off guard; others involved coordinated attacks to maneuver the enemy and find an opening to break through; and still others involved using war to sustain war, obtaining supplies from the enemy to maintain our sharp edge."
"What I rely on is not the courage of one person, but the sharpness of the entire army, the accuracy of the battle, the ingenuity of the strategy, the trust of His Majesty, and the willingness of the soldiers to fight to the death!"
"All the men under my command are willing to die for me, for they know that following me will bring them great merit, wipe away the national shame, and bring them glory!"
"This is the way of a general, the foundation of victory!"
Huo Qubing spoke with confidence and high spirits, his momentum unstoppable.
But Qin Hongtian hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"The way of a general lies in mastering the overall situation and devising strategies to achieve victory."
"However, the Holy Grail War is ultimately a small-scale battle between Heroic Spirits and Masters, and there are no armies involved."
Moreover, when it comes to commanding troops in battle, it seems that Xiang Yu only suffered one defeat in his entire life of fighting.
Huo Qubing chuckled and shook his head:
“Master, it seems you still have some misunderstandings about the abilities of ‘Heroic Spirits’.”
"The achievements I made in my lifetime are not just dust that has been swept away by the wind; they have long since been transformed into 'concepts,' engraved in the Throne of Heroes, and become an inseparable part of my power."
"No soldiers available?"
Huo Qubing's lips curled up, his smile brimming with the absolute confidence and spirited demeanor of a young commander.
"Then why don't you see for yourself what Huo Qubing's 'army' is like?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Hongtian felt the contractual connection between himself and Huo Qubing suddenly become intense, and Huo Qubing's abilities appeared in front of Qin Hongtian in the form of a "panel".
Qin Hongtian focused his attention on the top, but when his "gaze" landed at the very bottom, on the section marked "Treasure Artifacts," and he read its description, even with his calm demeanor, he couldn't help but gasp:
[Real Name: Huo Qubing]
Job Rank: Lancer
[Noble Phantasm: Champion's Banner - Lone Edge of the Vast Sea]
[Real Name: Huo Qubing]
[Rank: EX]
[Type: ? ? ? (A composite concept of Realistic Marble/Anti-Marble/Anti-Army/Anti-City...)]
[Distance: ??? (depending on the definition of "battlefield")]
Maximum Capture: ??? (Depending on the definition of "Victory")
[Noble Phantasm Description (Concept Reveal/True Name Release):]
This is no ordinary summoning of the dead; it is a manifestation of the cavalry under the command of Marquis Huo Qubing.
Using the 'Champion's Banner' as a medium and core, and infused with a massive amount of magic, a unique barrier symbolizing its glorious journey can be briefly erected in reality—the Vast Ocean Journey.
Within the barrier, the environment will tend to transform into an 'ideal battlefield' suitable for cavalry massed charges. Desert, grassland, and wasteland landscapes will overlay reality, and will be enhanced with conceptual buffs derived from legends, such as 'rapid advance,' 'stealth march,' 'constant morale,' and 'war-based survival.'
During his conquest of the vast seas, Huo Qubing could utilize his 'cavalry commander' and Lancer class characteristics to transform his magical power into the 'Illusory Iron Cavalry' that had accompanied him through the conquest of Helan and the sealing of the Wolf Mountain.
The "Iron Cavalry Phantom" possesses extremely high mobility, powerful impact, and the ability to "break through" and "penetrate" enemy lines. It is particularly adept at executing complex tactics such as long-range raids, flanking maneuvers, encirclement, and central attack under the precise command of Huo Qubing.
[These are connected to Huo Qubing's true form and the will of the champion's banner; wherever the banner points, ten thousand cavalrymen thunder! When Huo Qubing gathers his fighting spirit and launches a decisive 'lone spear' charge, the power and conviction of all the phantom cavalry can briefly converge at a single point on his spearhead, transforming into a single strike that pierces through the formidable enemy!]