Chapter 1075: Ma Chao’s Swift Assault

Cao Cao’s victory seemed certain, but Xun Yu didn’t feel the need to declare it. The key difference between Xun Yu altering the weather and Chen Xi doing the same was that Xun Yu acted proactively, while Chen Xi reacted passively. The most terrifying aspect of the northern desert was its violent storms and blizzards. However, Xun Yu's abilities were sufficient to even alter the weather in the northern desert!

Although Xun Yu could only change the weather for a short time in such distant regions, it was enough to provide relief during a crucial five-hour period in the harsh conditions.

Ma Chao initially intended to lead his troops through the northern desert, a plan that was far more dangerous than when Huo Qubing had marched through it during autumn centuries ago. Back then, it was considered a nine-out-of-ten chance of death; now, it was almost certain death for the soldiers under Ma Chao’s command. However, the times had changed. Unlike the soldiers of three hundred years ago, the troops today had the advantage of being able to use cloud energy to protect themselves from many of the elements. Three centuries ago, everything was still in its early stages, with no historical foundation, relying solely on the leadership of generals and the conviction of soldiers. Today, at least some form of protection existed.

Even so, Ma Chao’s decision to march through the northern desert at this time was utterly reckless. The blizzards and freezing winds could potentially wipe out every soldier under his command, leaving Ma Chao alone as the sole survivor.

Should that happen, Ma Chao would be ruined—marching a large army only for all his troops to perish before even encountering the enemy would be a lifelong shadow over his career. Dying in battle on the field of war was seen as an honorable end, but freezing to death in the harsh winter winds would be a disgrace.

If there was one major difference between the Ma Chao of now and the Ma Chao of a few months ago, it was that Ma Chao now felt the weight of responsibility. It wasn’t just his duty toward the Qiang Hu but also toward the Han Empire. This sense of responsibility had matured him beyond the youthful recklessness of facing danger solely out of courage.

Ma Chao’s plan to march through the northern desert was his own—a bold and audacious one. When he first proposed it, it left strategists like Cheng Yu, Xun You, Du Xi, and Chen Qun in shock. Even Cao Cao no longer looked at Ma Chao with the same dismissive gaze he once reserved for younger men. This proposal stunned everyone.

Xun You, Cheng Yu, and Du Xi all pointed out numerous insurmountable obstacles, leaving Ma Chao speechless. However, Xun Yu firmly chose to support Ma Chao, and he silenced everyone with a single statement: "If it surprises even us, how could the enemy anticipate it?"

The element of surprise was indeed a terrifying strategy, but Ma Chao's approach carried significant drawbacks—most notably the risk of losing his entire force. The difficulties highlighted by Xun You and the others were unavoidable.

Xun Yu explained the assistance he could provide to Ma Chao, as well as the difficulties he would face, leaving the final decision to Ma Chao.

In the end, Ma Chao chose to proceed. With only eight thousand Qiang troops, Ma Chao set off. Cao Cao couldn’t provide any more soldiers, as he didn’t want to risk losing his limited elite forces to an unforeseen disaster.

Thus, Ma Chao led the Qiang Hu troops into battle. The eight thousand young Qiang warriors, their pride ignited by Ma Chao, chose to follow him into the desert.

"You are not as powerful as the Han’s elite soldiers because you have lost your sense of glory and miracles. I cannot guarantee victory, just as Huo Qubing didn’t know whether the path through the northern desert would lead to victory or even survival. But for the future of the empire, they chose to fight!" Ma Chao declared. The only thing he could promise was that he wouldn’t die on that road.

"I can’t offer you a stable and prosperous life right now. I cannot let you lay down your arms and enjoy peace. But I can accompany you to reclaim lost miracles. I will accompany you to die with honor!" Ma Chao’s voice boomed across the alliance of more than thirty Qiang tribes, echoing for dozens of miles.

Every young person in the tribe, full of passion, felt their blood stir. As their king, Ma Chao was willing to lead them in reclaiming lost glory, willing to die alongside them. What fear could they possibly have as his subjects?

The young warriors, whose hearts hadn’t yet grown cold like the elders of their tribes, took up their weapons and mounted their war horses, following Ma Chao into the desolate and dangerous northern desert. The Qiang needed a miracle, and someone had to have the courage to face death head-on.

"From this moment, you are my personal guards. I don’t need tens of thousands of useless soldiers. What I need is a guard unit that follows me and is invincible!" Ma Chao declared as he distributed the newly acquired weapons and equipment to the eight thousand Qiang warriors. "Some of you may die, but those who survive will achieve glory!"

"I, Ma Chao, in the name of the Qiang King, in the name of the Han’s God of War General, declare that until the day of my death, you will share in the victory and glory!" Ma Chao proclaimed proudly before setting off. He believed that, whether Qiang or Han, the soldiers under his command were no less than any elite troops.

For three days, Ma Chao and his men endured relentless ice shards, blizzards, and gale-force winds. Even with his near-godlike strength, Ma Chao found himself dwarfed by the overwhelming power of the desert storm. In such brutal conditions, every bit of strength was squeezed out of them—cloud energy, inner strength, and willpower were all tested to their limits.

Just like when Gan Ning and Taishi Ci had encountered a storm at sea, everyone’s potential was being pushed to the extreme. But unlike the storm at sea, the blizzard here never ceased. There was no respite. Anyone who fell behind would freeze to death; there was no room for hesitation or weakness. The Qiang warriors following Ma Chao now lived under the constant pressure of death.

Every day, dozens—sometimes nearly a hundred—soldiers would disappear. Ma Chao no longer bothered searching for them. As soon as someone fell behind, it wasn’t long before the snow would bury them.

Each man felt the biting cold in his bones. Their inner energy was nearly depleted in these harsh conditions, and the cloud energy they had left was barely enough to keep them alive.

Taking a large swig of wine, Ma Chao estimated their position and, noticing the snow had lightened, shouted loudly, "Keep moving! We must reach the first resting place today!"

By this point, the young Qiang warriors following Ma Chao had no choice but to continue. Staying with the main force might offer a chance of survival, but stopping meant becoming a frozen corpse.

After some hesitation, the Qiang soldiers readied their gear and resumed the march.

Little did they know that, in this constant brush with death, their march through the blizzard was continuously tempering their willpower. They couldn’t afford to fall, they had to keep up, and they believed they could do it. Their minds were too focused on survival to think of anything else. The merciless cold and snow drove them onward just to stay alive.

It could be said that, during this hellish march, the young Qiang warriors that made up Ma Chao’s personal guard were being forged, their willpower and unity growing stronger. They didn’t want to end up like their fallen comrades buried in the snow. They wanted to survive.

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