Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1393 - 450: Out of Control, Intimidation and Naivety, The Battle Clarified, Cai Shiqing the Beautiful
Previously on Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely...
Reflecting on the previous year when he first arrived at the Nine Towns Territory, the lords of Jin Mountain and Wuchuan had been hesitant in their recruitment of Cai Qiu, offering no clear commitment. A fleeting shadow danced in the depths of Cai Shiqi’s eyes.
However, he swiftly masked that flicker, maintaining his direct gaze on Duan Hong before him, awaiting the final pronouncement.
Noting Duan Hong’s continued silence, his internal ire intensified. Unable to contain himself, he continued with a veiled threat: "Lord Duan, you may not fully grasp the immense power of my Cai Qiu. To be direct, if my Cai Qiu army were to march south, your Nine Towns within the Southern Slope Territory would be trivial. Someone of your Xianyang Level, in my Cai Qiu..."
"Prince Cai, you are still quite naive!"
Duan Hong abruptly cut off Cai Shiqi, emitting a soft chuckle. He then settled back into his seat, leisurely refilling his cup. After a modest sip, he slowly inclined his head, stating, "Prince, my awareness extends far beyond your assumptions. I am thoroughly familiar with Cai Qiu's might and the potential number of Xianyang Level experts you command; however, I am even more acutely aware that your forces cannot advance south in the immediate future, nor can you spare even a few Xianyang Level individuals!"
Upon hearing this, Cai Shiqi instantly grasped that Duan Hong had already established contact with someone from Chen Cang, and his countenance abruptly darkened.
"Prince, there is no necessity for such an expression. As a lord, I understand that both Chen Cang and Cai Qiu operate under established protocols, prohibiting Xianyang Level cultivators from interfering in Nine Towns' matters. Prince, you have abided by these regulations thus far, so naturally, Chen Cang will not create an exception. As for whether this uprising will ultimately unfold according to your desires, that remains..."
"Prince!"
Suddenly, an individual burst into the hall with evident urgency. Even before reaching Duan Hong, the messenger dropped to his knees directly before Cai Shiqi, swiftly relaying his report: "Reporting to the Prince, a substantial contingent of Beishuo elites, numbering approximately three thousand, has unexpectedly materialized within the Duan Clan territories and is already advancing towards the military encampment to reinforce Lady Duan."
"Hahaha..."
"Lord Duan, do not celebrate prematurely!"
Duan Hong had just erupted in laughter when Cai Shiqi harshly interjected.
After cutting off Duan Hong's mirth, a chilling glint emanated from Cai Shiqi’s pupils as he continued, "If I were capable of persuading Mu Qinghe to instigate a rebellion, do you imagine I would lack a contingency? If you believe these three thousand Beishuo elites are sufficient to quell this revolt, then you are undoubtedly underestimating this Prince, are you not!"
Duan Hong, upon hearing this, knitted his brows, a flicker of unease crossing his eyes. Yet, remembering the counsel from the Little Princess of Chen Cang a few days prior, the somber expression promptly softened, revealing a faint smile, "We shall soon see, Prince, just how much confidence you have instilled in Mu Qinghe!"
......
"The Beishuo Army? From whence did they emerge? How can such a multitude of Beishuo soldiers appear!"
"All those Beishuo individuals were concealed within the Duan Clan's dominion; the Duan Family truly intends to cede our Chui Mountain to Beishuo."
"The Lord has yet to manifest, do you not comprehend? Such a significant number of Cold Resistance Level Beishuo operatives hidden within the Duan Clan's grounds, how could the Lord be unaware?"
"The Lord also wishes to submit to Beishuo; Heaven itself is bringing ruin to Chui Mountain, Heaven itself is bringing ruin to Chui Mountain!"
......
Within the Inner City Military Camp, the battle-hardened Mu Family forces had seemingly secured their triumph. However, the abrupt appearance of the Beishuo Army completely inverted the tide of the conflict.
The arrival of the Beishuo Army also served to fully substantiate Mu Qinghe's earlier assertion, made just prior to the engagement: that the Duan Family had been complicit in allowing the Beishuo to infiltrate the city as a means to curry favor and secure allegiance from the Yang Family.
Mu Qinghe, Zhu Ziying, Helian Shan, and Qiu Sanming were filled with elation at the sight of the Beishuo Army's emergence.
In stark contrast, among the soldiers participating in the rebellion, after half an hour of intense combat, a mere little over three thousand remained. Upon witnessing the Beishuo Army, despair washed over their countenances.
At this juncture, their defeat appeared inevitable.
"Brothers, we have not yet lost!"
Observing his troops' faltering morale, Mu Qinghe could no longer afford to pursue Duan Mian and Duan Xian. He seized a moment to withdraw, ascending atop a prominent structure, and bellowed with conviction to rally his men.
"Senior Brother, shall we employ the Burning Sun Pill bestowed by the Prince?"
The quartet, including Zhu Ziying and the others, ascended behind him, each retrieving a pill from their person. Zhu Ziying quietly inquired of Mu Qinghe ahead.
The pill held in the hand was milky white internally, with a faint pattern resembling lava swirling around its exterior. If Xia Hong were present, he would undoubtedly recognize its striking similarity to the Bone Burning Pill he acquired in Qinghua City, differing only in the intensity of the lava-like coloration. "Consuming a pill from someone else without understanding its nature is truly foolhardy. A pill that boosts strength inevitably carries substantial side effects. We cannot ingest it carelessly before a thorough examination. Moreover, we have no inherent need for such medicinal aids!" Mu Qinghe intervened, halting Zhu Ziying and the others. He then gestured towards the perimeter of the military encampment, raising his voice to address his own soldiers, "Brothers, do not succumb to fear! Beishuo only commands over three thousand men; our reinforcements have now arrived!" Reinforcements? At this juncture, the military camp was divided into three distinct factions: Mu Family's contingent numbering over three thousand, Duan Family's forces exceeding two thousand, and the most recent arrivals, three thousand Beishuo soldiers. The latter two groups were actively engaged in a joint effort to suppress the former. Upon hearing the announcement of arriving reinforcements, all three factions experienced a brief moment of collective surprise. Although they continued their combat, their gazes simultaneously drifted towards the periphery of the military camp. This shared glance caused a significant and sudden halt in the actions of both opposing sides. Their facial expressions then shifted, betraying an overwhelming sense of astonishment.