The cavalryman sincerely wanted to praise Henry Clark's archery, but didn't know how to put it into words. Although it could already be called a miracle, after all, he still hadn't hit the target.

However, at that very moment, the warhorse beneath the Qing cavalryman suddenly let out a mournful cry and reared up sharply, throwing the Qing cavalryman off its back. The horse then continued to wail, as if gravely wounded, dragging him as it bolted madly toward a nearby rocky shore.

"Its eye, it was shot in the eye!"

A sharp-eyed Ming cavalryman screamed frantically.

Then, as if an explosion had gone off, countless cries of astonishment rang out. At the same time, the cavalrymen all dismounted and knelt around Henry Clark, shouting long live as if worshipping a deity. Immediately after, the Ming soldiers atop the city wall also knelt to pay homage to their emperor.

"This bow is too soft. Find me a stiffer one later."

Amid the cries of "long live," His Majesty the Emperor, with a calm and slightly showy demeanor, tossed the bow back to its original owner and said.

As for the remaining Qing cavalryman, he could only leave. The odds of a blind cat catching a dead mouse were slim to none; it was hard to expect a second time. If he missed, it would undoubtedly diminish the effect of showing off. On this point, Henry Clark was quite clear-headed. Xiao Qian's calculations could guarantee perfection, but if the bowstring was frayed, the arrow shaft crooked, or the arrowhead not standard, all could cause errors—something Xiao Qian's calculations couldn't account for. Besides, this kind of lobbed shot lacked power; even if it hit a Qing soldier, it couldn't pierce the armor.

Of course, this was already enough.

It was enough for those Ming soldiers to see him as a god. Looking at the soldiers kneeling on both sides, he knew that even if he led them to charge several hundred Qing soldiers now, they wouldn't hesitate. But if it were several thousand, it might not be so certain.

"Your Majesty, according to our scouts, the Tartars have about a thousand troops stationed at Ningyuan, and another five hundred at the Zhongyou Garrison. This group of Tartars is from Ningyuan. When our scouts returned, they ran into their patrol outside. Although, thanks to Your Majesty's divine might, we wiped them out, one rider still escaped. In that case, the Tartars at Ningyuan will soon know we've arrived and will prepare accordingly."

Henry Clark returned to the Zhonghou Garrison, where Deputy Brooks greeted him with an admiring look and said.

"What do you think we should do?"

Henry Clark asked.

"Set out immediately after eating, don't spare the horses, advance at the fastest speed. We should be able to reach the Zhongyou Garrison before nightfall, then immediately break through and wait for the main force to catch up."

Deputy Brooks said.

"Then we'll do as you say. Also, as for the Qianhu I just executed, record him as killed in action. For him to follow me here, he was loyal enough!"

Henry Clark said.

"On behalf of his family, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

Deputy Brooks said gratefully.

Chapter 010: There’s a Monster in Ningyuan City

"Your Majesty, up ahead is the Zhongyou Garrison."

Deputy Brooks pointed ahead and said.

Although they had force-marched, it was already dark by the time they arrived.

By the last bit of twilight, they could vaguely see, near the coast, a dark city wall. This fortress was small, after all, it was only a Qianhu Garrison, while the famous Ningyuan City was thirty li to the north. Even so, this small city was not easy to take. The garrisons in Liaodong all had to face real warfare, so their walls were high. Last year, Jirhalang bypassed Ningyuan and here, directly broke through the Zhonghou Garrison and Qiantun Garrison, looted, and then retreated, showing that these two fortresses were not easy to deal with. Moreover, Henry Clark had only brought a thousand cavalry in total—not only just twice the number of Qing troops, but also lacking siege equipment. If they failed to take the city quickly, the Qing troops from Ningyuan would arrive.

"Pass my order: keep advancing!"

Henry Clark suddenly said.

"Your Majesty?"

Deputy Brooks said in astonishment.

The other officers and soldiers around them were also stunned. Attacking the Zhongyou Garrison was already risky; to attack Ningyuan was pure madness. They had only a thousand men to attack a fortified city defended by a thousand Qing soldiers—it was practically suicide. Moreover, they had galloped over 150 li in a single day; by now, both men and horses were utterly exhausted. Ningyuan was still over thirty li to the north. Never mind attacking, even just reaching it would likely cause the horses to collapse.

"Pass my order: bypass the Zhongyou Garrison and attack Ningyuan City directly. From today on, all who fight alongside me will be my brothers. Everyone will be granted hereditary Jinyiwei status. Here and now, I swear to Heaven: from now on, wealth and honor will be shared with you all!"

Henry Clark said.

A person's energy is like a woman's cleavage—if you squeeze, there's always more.

The reason he changed targets was because his superhuman eyesight had already spotted several riders dashing out of the north gate of the Zhongyou Garrison to deliver a message. Clearly, Ningyuan City still didn't know they were heading north. If they followed closely, they could catch the Qing troops at Ningyuan off guard. Otherwise, if the enemy had time to prepare, it would be hard to take this fortress that had defeated the Wild Boar Skin.

"Your Majesty..."

Deputy Brooks still wanted to advise him.

But Henry Clark raised his hand to stop him.

"Say no more. If you trust me, follow me. I guarantee that tonight we'll drink celebratory wine together in Ningyuan City. If you don't believe me, do as you wish."

With that, Henry Clark spurred his horse and rode straight ahead.