Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1384 - 449: Accelerated Fission, Transfer of Military Authority, Armed Petition and Mutiny

Although the South City Gate buzzed with activity, it was merely a small contingent of over a hundred soldiers from the Yellow Armor army's Reconnaissance Camp, its impact negligible due to the limited numbers.

Through some unknown method, Helian Ba swiftly brought the brewing unrest under control.

With only two hours of daylight remaining, the city gate saw a guard change as night encroached.

A contingent clad in standard Thousand Forged Iron Armor, numbering over four hundred, arrived to take over. At their forefront was a middle-aged General in Silver Armor, who, with a display of blatant arrogance, bypassed any pleasantries and immediately directed his soldiers to commence the guard transfer.

The soldiers of the Defensive Army, who had been on duty, exited the city gate with laughter, none making any move to offer a greeting.

This blatant disrespect caused the faces of the Yellow Armor army soldiers to darken with displeasure.

The disparity in the armies' standing wasn't the primary concern. Their assignment to guard the city gate during the day was, in essence, an act of assistance to the Defensive Army. Yet, these individuals not only failed to show gratitude but actively treated them as simpletons.

"Return to camp!"

Noticing the escalating tension, Helian Ba uttered no further words but issued a command in a grave tone, then led his hundred-plus soldiers back towards the city.

"Captain Helian, nothing eventful transpired during your watch, did it?"

However, those soldiers were not about to let him depart so easily.

Duan He, the Second Camp Captain of the Defensive Three Armies, seeing Helian Ba on the verge of leaving the city gate, deliberately turned his head to deliver a snide remark.

Helian Ba, who was leading his men, halted abruptly upon hearing the taunt. His already somber expression contorted further in anger.

The individuals accompanying Duan He, as if oblivious to Helian Ba's visible displeasure, continued their barrage of mocking comments.

"Despite the frigid daytime temperatures and the heavy snowfall, your Yellow Armor army is, after all, the township's elite. Ensure you remain vigilant at the city gate, lest anything goes amiss!"

"Brothers of the Yellow Armor Army, make haste back to your quarters and get your rest. By dawn, you'll be back on duty at this very city gate."

"Deputy Army Chief Duan Yang has already decreed that for the upcoming month, your Yellow Armor Three Armies will be responsible for guarding the city gate during daylight hours."

......

The soldiers of the Yellow Armor army, teeth clenched in seething rage, struggled to maintain their composure as one of them stepped forward, clearly poised to deliver a sharp retort.

"Let's go!"

But before any words could be spoken, Helian Ba angrily intervened, stopping them.

The soldiers, understanding implicitly, suppressed their fury, hands clenched into fists, and followed Helian Ba into the city.

Witnessing Helian Ba and his men retreat without a word, Duan He and the others surrounding him wore smug grins.

"With such weak tempers, it's only fitting they guard the city gate daily, hmph!"

"What kind of elite troops are they truly? Clearly, they are the remnants of the Chui Mountain rebels. Despite the Lord's repeated orders for the Yellow Armor Three Armies to sever ties with the Mu Family, they obstinately refuse, much like the other seven Defensive Armies who only acknowledge the Mu Family and not the Lord. Such undisciplined forces ought to be disbanded soon and replaced by our loyal men!"

"Mu Qinghe's Commander position is precarious, and soon, their three armies will face reorganization. They are merely grasshoppers in autumn, their end is near."

......

Similar to Great Xia, Chui Mountain possessed both an Inner City and an Outer City. The Yellow Armor Army, serving as the town's core elite, naturally had their encampments established within the Inner City precincts.

Helian Ba, leading more than a hundred elites from the Reconnaissance Camp, returned to the Inner City Camp without further comment, instructing his soldiers to rest in their barracks. He then departed the camp alone, making his way towards his family residence situated within the Inner City.

His father, Helian Shan, was once a prominent disciple among the three top students of the former Army Chief, Mu Longhe. Consequently, the Helian Family held a respected standing in Chui Mountain Town, their ancestral home strategically located in the West District of the Inner City, quite close to the Mu Clan's ancestral lands.

Familiar with the route, Helian Ba soon reached his home. Upon observing that the once vibrant gates were now guarded by only two solitary servants, a cold smile touched his lips. He passed by the bowing servants at the entrance without acknowledgment and swiftly entered the premises.

Arriving at the main building of the residence, Helian Ba paused at the entrance. With a gesture of respect, he clasped his hands and announced, "Father, I have returned."

"Enter!"

Within the grand hall of the main building sat a white-haired elder, garbed in yellow robes, appearing to be in his seventies or eighties. He occupied the principal seat, his presence exuding tranquility. This was Helian Ba's father, the former Deputy Army Chief and commander of the two thousand soldiers in the East Qing Camp's Defensive Army, Helian Shan.

Noticing the slight ebbing of his father’s vitality, Helian Ba’s fists clenched instantly, a ripple of reluctance surfacing on his brow.

Within Chui Mountain, the position of six Deputy Army Chiefs was held: Duan Chang, Duan Mian, Mu Qinghe, Zhu Ziying, Qiu Sanming, and his father, Helian Shan. The Mu Family consistently maintained a greater sway within the army compared to the Duan Family.

It was common knowledge that the Duan Clan, under the leadership of Lord Duan Hong, had been locked in a prolonged struggle for military authority in Chui Mountain against the Mu Family.

The crux of the matter was that both founders of the Chui Mountain military, including the late Lord Duan Zhao, had already passed. This left only Army Chief Mu Longhe, making him the de facto spiritual figurehead of the entire Chui Mountain Army. Challenging his authority and wresting military power from him presented a considerable obstacle.

This difficulty was further amplified following the upheaval at Dajue Temple two years prior. During that incident, Duan Chang’s attempt to seize Hongmen with his forces ended in failure, and he subsequently occupied Peak Mountain Camp. However, mere days after securing Peak Mountain, it was reclaimed by Great Xia, with Xia Chuan personally delivering the fatal blow to Duan Chang.

Although Duan Sheng swiftly assumed Duan Chang’s mantle after his demise, the Battle of Peak Mountain resulted not only in Duan Chang's death but also the loss of two thousand soldiers from the Defensive Army, alongside four hundred elite Cold Resistance Level soldiers from the Jiangyan Realm. This catastrophic loss undeniably deepened the soldiers’ discontent with the Duan Family, significantly complicating their pursuit of military dominance.