Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1216 - 407: Filial Piety Cannot Surpass the Mu Family, Benevolence Cannot Surpass Xia Hong, Moao South Slope Dominator_5

After wrapping up her words, she hesitated for a moment and let out a sigh prior to going on, "That's why I pointed out earlier that Xia Hong could turn into a major danger for Chen Cang. Caiqiu Feudal Town has long been fixated on Moao Mountain. Its primary push for territory has consistently aimed northeast, overlooking the Blood Miasma Plain in the south for many years. All of a sudden, it seeks alliance with Chen Cang to jointly tackle the Blood Miasma Plain. What motive do you suppose drives this?"

The faces of Chen Yiqing and the remaining six shifted right away.

Being feudal towns themselves, they grasp Cai Qiu much more deeply than folks from the Nine Towns.

The Blood Miasma Plain isn't something to take lightly. For Cai Qiu to disregard it over decades while pushing into other areas made perfect sense.

Now abruptly focusing on the Blood Miasma Plain and offering partnership with Chen Cang plainly shows obstacles blocking other paths, sparking intentions to push southward.

"The issue of allying with Cai Qiu remains unresolved, and I'm uncertain, yet I can confirm that it's not only Chen Cang targeting the Nine Towns—Cai Qiu is surely one, with potential others in the mix..."

Chu Yan’er halted once more and pressed on with a somewhat grave tone, "Everyone understands the nature of the Blood Miasma Plain. Teaming up two feudal towns wouldn't clear it in a single day. The crucial point lies in Great Xia's remarkably swift progress.

Prior to Great Xia venturing past the North Bank of Xing River, it devoured Bashang City through the Dajue Temple incident, tamed Xiang Fuhai, and courted Jiangxia and Muyin. Come the Hongmen Banquet, three among the Nine Towns had fallen;

Hongmen's unveiling in July was evidently Great Xia's ploy to sever supplies to the Eight Towns. Within a bit over two months post-opening, as you witnessed in Xia Hong's clash with the Six Towns lords, nearly every villager in the Eight Towns' camp-side bases yearned for Great Xia's triumph;

Today's clash marks essentially the final shot for the Six Towns to unite against Great Xia. Regrettably, it flopped. Yang Zhun possesses certain talents but merely seized Chui Mountain Town; the remaining four towns pursue separate goals. Recreating an alliance like today's won't happen.

To put it differently, Great Xia stands as the unchallenged ruler of South Ridge.

And their foray onto the North Bank of the Heng River spans under five months!"

Chen Yiqing gave a nod, his face now gravely stern, and replied with utmost gravity, "I've lingered in Hongmen City for quite some time, and merging it with the details I've uncovered, the details from Yang Ning's words early this month can largely be verified. Great Xia's rise from a modest camp to its current state truly spans less than a decade, or at most around ten years. Though Great Xia's calendar aligns dates and months with the Moao Calendar—both at September 18—the year remains the eighth of Da Xia."

From a humble camp, reaching today's heights in merely ten years...

What sort of blistering growth rate is that?

Right after Chen Yiqing concluded, forget the four men of middle age such as Chen Yimou—even the youths Chen Yu and Chen Huang had their eyes widen sharply, shock etched across their features.

"Clearing the Blood Miasma Plain demands considerable time. We can't idly watch Great Xia keep advancing without hitches. We ought to strive to unsettle Great Xia's steady growth. Forming another Six Towns coalition is barely feasible now, so we should persist in souring ties between the Six Towns and Great Xia. At minimum, hold that line until the Blood Miasma Plain is cleared."

"Gratitude to you, Little Princess, for the warning—Chen gets it!"

Chen Yiqing caught the implication, promptly bending in a bow and dipping his head firmly.

"Xia Hong aims to rally the Six Towns to uncover the facts behind the Three Towns Chamber of Commerce fatalities. Uncle Chen, are you certain they won't discover it?"

At these words, Chen Yiqing froze briefly, then declared assuredly, "The Little Princess needn't worry. Though my power falls short of Lord Xia Hong's, he couldn't possibly trace it back to me via mere corpses!"

Chu Yan’er's face grew a touch rigid, yet recalling Chen Yiqing's prowess, her furrowed brow eased, and she grinned, "Indeed, I've caught wind of Uncle Chen's talents as well—no matter Xia Hong's might, it changes nothing."

"Then here's to Uncle Chen's future success!"

"Little Commandery Princess, departing already?"

"Escaping Chen Cang to explore the outside world is rare, so of course I won't squander the chance. Great Xia fascinates me greatly, and posing as an Outer Realm visitor makes it ideal to tour; it ought to go smoothly!"

Heading straight to Great Xia under the guise of an Outer Realm guest?

Chen Yiqing mulled it over briefly, glanced toward his brother Chen Yimou and the rest, then swiftly agreed with a nod before directing, "In that case, I too hope for the Little Princess's safe travels. Duties keep me tied here in Hongmen. Chen and the other four are to safeguard the Little Princess. Reach out if any crisis arises."

"Yes, Brother!"

Chen Yimou bowed at once and affirmed with a nod. He, He Yang, Chu Dongning, and Zhu Dong had joined this journey precisely to guard Chu Yan’er.

"Yu’er, Huang’er, you two protect the Little Princess as well."

"Understood, Dad—we won't allow a single threat to the Little Princess."

"We'll shield the Little Princess even at the cost of our lives."

Observing his two boys keen to impress Chu Yan’er, Chen Yiqing inwardly shook his head over and over.

He'd lived plenty to spot their fondness for Chu Yan’er clearly.

Given Chu Yan’er's lineage, should it come to pass, he'd gladly welcome it.

The issue, though, from his seasoned view, was plain: Chu Yan’er held no interest in his sons.

"Perhaps down the line, things could shift. Should one of you manage to wed a Princess and bring her home, that'd be a lifelong fortune!"

......

"Dad, you're incredible, truly incredible—you just sent flying that Yang Zhun from Beishuo with one mighty punch!"

Within the side hall atop the Hongmen Government Building, Xia Hong stepped inside only to be mobbed by his energetic young son, Xia Yusheng, who barreled straight into his embrace.

Excitement surged through Xia Yusheng, laced with intense feeling. Held secure in his father's arms, he kept mimicking with wild gestures the aerial takedown of Yang Zhun from moments ago.

"Dad, blood's coming from your back—does it sting? Does it?"

Xia Yuyao, typically bubbly, showed unusual poise now. She moved promptly to Xia Hong's rear, extended a hand to probe the injury, and seeing its severity, tears cascaded at once.

"Ah Yao will puff on it so it stops hurting, boo hoo hoo hoo......"

His oldest girl's empathy shone brighter than the rest's.

"You little scamp, you only notice my battle prowess!"

Xia Hong gave his son's rear a light swat in jest, then swiftly pivoted to hug his weeping eldest daughter close.

"Ah Yao, stop those tears—Dad feels no pain! Mother will wrap it, and it'll mend quick. No more crying, alright? Your tears make Dad ache inside, and that ache worsens the bleeding and slows the healing."

These words prompted his daughter Xia Yuyao to clap a hand over her lips instantly, her wide, teary gaze locked anxiously on Xia Hong, truly fearing she'd upset him.

"Hahaha!"

His girl's cute face drew booming laughter from Xia Hong.