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Thinking this through, Dai Weisi immediately suggested to Dai Pojun, "Father, since we already have such powerful weapons, we should start mass-producing them right away.
And at the same time, form a specialized firearms unit for secret training—this will be our sharp blade against both the Martial Soul Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire!"
Dai Pojun nodded thoughtfully. He wasn't a fool. He knew that the Star Luo Empire had captured Elder Ju from the Martial Soul Hall, drained his soul power, and then demanded four soul bones and forty million gold soul coins in compensation. Bibi Dong must hate the Star Luo Empire with a passion.
At present, the relationship between the Star Luo Empire and the Martial Soul Hall could only be described as hostile. The war hadn't officially broken out yet only because both sides feared the Heaven Dou Empire and the Three Great Clans would benefit from the conflict.
Even so, Dai Pojun understood clearly that a deadly showdown was inevitable—a fight to the death.
In other words, this period was the best opportunity for the Star Luo Empire to build up strength. With powerful firearms, they would surely gain the upper hand in the coming war.
"You're right, Dai Weisi," Dai Pojun said solemnly. "When we return, I will summon the strongest soul masters in the Star Luo army to form a special firearms legion made up of soul masters. This legion shall be called the White Tiger Legion!"
Having witnessed the might of the firearms, Dai Pojun was full of confidence about the future. With three current Titled Douluo and a powerful firearms unit, he was sure that when war came with the Martial Soul Hall, he could lead his army to tear a chunk off their forces.
However, Dai Weisi frowned slightly and shook his head, offering a different perspective.
"Father, if we recruit only soul masters to form the White Tiger Legion, we're bound to attract the Martial Soul Hall's attention.
They might try to bribe members of the legion with generous offers to sway them, and then the secret of our firearms could be exposed. That would be disastrous.
I think it's safer to recruit ordinary soldiers for the White Tiger Legion. After all, these firearms can be used by normal people too.
Besides, the Martial Soul Hall has never respected armies made up of ordinary people. If we do this, no matter what we do, the Martial Soul Hall won't notice us, and we can train the new army with full focus!"
"Hmm, that makes sense," Dai Pojun nodded thoughtfully. Stability was key for now.
"Dai Weisi, since you and Master Lou Gao designed these firearms, the training of the new army is entirely up to you. Whatever kind of personnel you want, just tell me. As long as it strengthens the Star Luo Empire, I will do everything I can to support you!"
Hearing this, Dai Weisi felt a surge of joy and smiled, "Thank you, Father!"
He then turned to Lou Gao, "Master Lou Gao, how long does it take to manufacture one of these cannons?"
"Your Highness, at least three days."
"That's too slow!" Dai Weisi shook his head. "Master Lou Gao, please lead the smiths at the Forging Association to mass-produce a batch of cannons and cannonballs. I don't want one or two of these—I want over a thousand!"
His plan was simple: in battle, having a thousand cannons firing in volleys would guarantee victory over any army composed of soul masters or ordinary soldiers—unless the enemy had Titled Douluo.
"Understood!" Lou Gao nodded firmly. "Your Highness, I will lead the entire Forging Association to produce a thousand cannons within one month!"
"Thank you, Master!"
With that, Dai Weisi and Dai Pojun returned to Star Luo City. They began secretly recruiting many ordinary soldiers to form the new White Tiger Legion, ultimately selecting thirty thousand elite troops.
Though these soldiers lacked soul power, years of military training had forged their deadly aura. Clad in armor and wielding long spears, they could hold their own against multiple foes.
Among the thirty thousand, there were ten thousand light cavalry, five thousand heavy cavalry, five thousand heavily armored shield bearers, eight thousand musketeers, and two thousand artillerymen operating the cannons.
In battle, the five thousand heavily armored infantry would take the frontline, holding shields and spears to pin down the enemy cavalry and block the ranged soul skills of soul masters.
Meanwhile, the musketeers and artillerymen would provide continuous fire support with their firearms. Once the enemy's formation was thrown into chaos, the heavy and light cavalry would charge in simultaneously—like a sharp knife cutting through tangled threads—crushing the enemy completely.
Of course, this was just Dai Weisi's ideal plan. To pull it off perfectly, the coordination between the units had to be seamless, which would require a period of intense training.
Although he had studied the Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems—just like the legendary Qiang Ge in his past life—Dai Weisi had zero experience in actual military training.
To solve this problem, Dai Pojun recommended someone—his trusted right-hand man and the Star Luo Empire's top general: Lieutenant General Lie Tianhu.
General Lie was a master strategist, famous for winning battles against overwhelming odds through clever tactics.
When Dai Pojun was away, it was Lie Tianhu who led the troops to quell those who disrespected the Star Luo Empire.
Lie Tianhu was also among the most powerful in the empire. He wielded the advanced soul beast Blazing War Tiger, was an 85-level fierce offensive-type Titled Douluo, and possessed two millennia-old soul bones.
Across the entire empire, his strength ranked within the top ten. Whether in military strategy or soul master cultivation, Lie Tianhu was no weaker than the Heaven Dou Empire's Marshal Gelong.
Dai Weisi looked up at the burly man before him. Lie Tianhu's dark skin was tough and thick with muscle, his face stern and iron-like—without saying a word, he exuded an overwhelming presence.
His fiery red hair made him look like a raging lion, fierce and intimidating.
Clad in heavy armor and with a sharp blade hanging from his waist, he knelt on one knee before Dai Pojun, respectfully congratulating, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your promotion to Titled Douluo! Your glory strengthens the nation!"
"Haha, Tianhu, no need for such formality. Rise up," Dai Pojun said with a faint smile.
The two had been childhood friends. Perhaps feeling guilty for having killed his own younger brother, Dai Pojun had taken Lie Tianhu—who was several years his junior—as a brother to nurture and raise.
Lie Tianhu did not disappoint. At a young age, he was already one of the empire's top warriors.
"Greetings, Uncle Tianhu," Dai Weisi said deeply, knowing well the close bond between his father and the general.
"No need for such formality, Your Highness. There's been a rumor in Star Luo City that your talent is unmatched in the empire. Indeed, it's true. In such a short time, you've already become a Soul King!
"Hahaha! At twenty years old, a Soul King! You rival even the prodigies of the Martial Soul Hall!"
(End of chapter)