Previously on Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely...
The Defensive Army, bolstered by Great Xia's Sunlight Pills, launches a massive assault on the camp. Just as the Duan family celebrates the arrival of Town Chief Yang Fa, the revered Army Chief Mu Longhe appears, rallying the Mu family forces and shifting the momentum of the rebellion.
With a mighty roar, Mu Qinghe led Zhu Ziying, four junior disciples, and the surrounding soldiers in a swift counterattack towards the southern camp. They launched a pincer attack, coordinating with the Defensive Army advancing from the perimeter, effectively trapping Duan Mian, Duan Xian, and their troops. "Mu Longhe, now that your arm has healed, why not return to Chui Mountain?" Yang Fa, momentarily shocked by Mu Longhe's appearance, quickly assessed the situation within the Inner City. Finding no immediate threats, he looked up at Mu Longhe and posed the question. "Return to Chui Mountain and continue serving as your Yang Family's dog, just like Duan Hong?" Mu Longhe shot back. He chose not to engage in further verbal sparring with Yang Fa, instead diving downward with incredible speed, appearing before Duan Mian in an instant. "Old Army Chief, spare..." Clash! Fear of death transcends age. Duan Mian's face contorted with terror as Mu Longhe suddenly materialized before him. He made no attempt to resist, only instinctively pleading for his life. However, before his plea could be fully uttered, a silver spear descended from above, intercepting Mu Longhe's sword strike. "Mu Longhe, it appears you are determined to side with the Great Xia. The Chui Mountain situation is more intricate than you comprehend. I advise against rash actions, lest you invite disaster upon yourself!" Mu Longhe pressed his twin swords against the spear, applying a slight force and observing Yang Fa's strained expression. He scoffed, "Is this merely a spat between two junior lords from Chen Cang and Cai Qiu? Do you think I am unaware? Beishuo conspires with Chen Cang's foreign territories, severing ties with the Nine Towns. Calamity looms, yet you remain oblivious. I declare that Beishuo shall inevitably share Bashang's fate, becoming the second town-level camp to fall in the Southern Slope Territory!" "Preposterous! You court death!" Despite acknowledging Mu Longhe's superior seven-jun might, Yang Fa was incensed by Mu Longhe's condemnation of Beishuo. He suddenly retracted his spear before sweeping it forward. Yet, fury could not bridge the gulf in power. Boom... Facing Yang Fa's five-jun prowess, Mu Longhe effortlessly evaded the attack with a slight sidestep. Dodging was merely the prelude; even as he moved, his swords sliced upward and downward, targeting Yang Fa's neck and side waist. The razor-sharp edges created heat shimmers, instantly scattering over a dozen soldiers nearby. "Can a mere one-jun difference create such a vast disparity?" Realizing he could not withstand the force of Mu Longhe's dual strikes, Yang Fa's face drained of color, fear gripping him. He executed a desperate retreat, narrowly avoiding the strike to his neck, but his side waist was not as fortunate. Whoosh... Mu Longhe's left-hand sword tore through Yang Fa's flesh at the side of his waist. While it did not reach the bone, the gushing blood stained Yang Fa's waist crimson, creating a graphic spectacle. Naturally, those at the Xianyang Level understood that without a bone injury, such a wound was not critical. However, for the Cold Resistance Level soldiers observing below, the impact was entirely different. "Our Army Chief is invincible! Beishuo's Yang Fa is no match for him, hahaha!" "Brothers, with our Army Chief leading us, victory is assured!" "Kill! Keep killing! We are the true Chui Mountain people! The Duan Family not only colludes with Beishuo but also communicates with foreign powers; they are the real traitors!" "Indeed, the Beishuo Army is concealed within the Duan Clan's territory. The Duan Family is unequivocally guilty of collusion with Beishuo. This is undeniable to all; kill them!" "Brothers of the Yellow Armor First and Second Army, some of you are not part of the Duan Family. This old man understands you are merely coerced by the Duan Family and do not wish to betray Chui Mountain. Lay down your weapons, tie a white ribbon on your left arm, and join us in eliminating these rebels. I solemnly promise not to hold you accountable later!" "That's right, drop your weapons and join us in purging the rebels!" ... At this juncture of the rebellion, control had long since evaporated. The contest now hinged on morale and numbers, areas where the Mu Family held an overwhelming advantage. Mu Qinghe observed that non-Duan Family members within the Yellow Armor First and Second Army were already showing signs of wavering. He immediately let out an angry shout, swiftly joined by Zhu Ziying and others in a resounding chorus. A dramatic shift occurred. Merely an hour prior, the Mu Family was branded as rebels, but now, they had seamlessly transferred that label onto the Duan Family. And the Duan Family had no one capable of refuting it. This was because the Beishuo Army had, in fact, emerged from the Duan Clan's territory.
The Mu Family, it was understood, originated from Chu Mountain. It was therefore quite clear who was defending Chu Mountain and who was in league with external territories!
Mu Longhe mercilessly drove Yang Fa into a continuous retreat, while he and the others persistently agitated the Duan Family's spirits and emotions. The Mu Family's morale surged, their combat intensity escalating, whereas the Duan Family's casualties mounted, even the three thousand strong Beishuo Army began to sustain losses.
Amidst this tide of battle, the scales had unequivocally tipped to one side.
Until a voice, filled with indignation, roared towards the Lord's Hall:
"Stop, cease this at once!"
**********
Roughly fifteen minutes prior to Mu Longhe's appearance.
In the outer reaches of the Inner City, perched atop a towering tavern.
A middle-aged man, his complexion flushed with ruddy health, occupied a window seat. He intermittently sipped from his wine cup, his gaze keenly fixed on the unfolding battle around the camp.
Five other individuals of similar age were seated beside him, also partaking in wine and observing the conflict.
This imposing tavern, standing at least thirty meters high, offered a panoramic vista of the camp from its topmost floor window, serving as a superb vantage point.
"Mu Qinghe truly kept this trump card concealed!"
The middle-aged man, identified as Cai Shiqing, initiated the conversation with a jocular remark.
The assembled group readily concurred.
"Mu Longhe, that's him. They say last year, during the Hongmen battle, the Great Xia Lord Xia Hong crippled his arms. That Xianyang Level cultivator, forced into labor."
"His arms have been reattached now!"
"Having that formidable individual is advantageous! The Princely Heir's four Burning Sun Pills can be conserved; they can be reclaimed after the battle concludes."
"The Sunlight Pill enables Earth Digging Realm cultivators to operate during daylight. It should be comparable to our Cai Qiu's Cold Prevention Pill; who would have imagined Nine Towns possessed such a remarkable item."
"I just apprehended someone who claimed it was a unique artifact of Great Xia."
After murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, Cai Shiqing gave a slight nod. Observing the battle's momentum decisively favoring the Mu Family, a smile graced his features, and he turned to issue an order: "Hurry and relay the battlefield's status to the Princely Heir within the Lord's Hall."
"As you command!"
One individual at the table rose, cupped his hands in acknowledgment, and departed, clearly dispatched to inform Cai Shiqi, who was currently engaged in trapping Duan Hong.
Cai Shiqing cast another glance at the ongoing skirmish, a sense of ennui creeping in. He shifted his gaze away. In this secluded corner, such conflicts barely managed to pique his interest.
However, the moment he turned his head, his attention was immediately captured by something else. His expression froze, his eyes instantly ignited with fervor, and the cheeks, already ruddy from wine, deepened in hue.
About ten meters ahead, at another window seat he hadn't previously noticed, sat a solitary figure.
A woman!
Clad in white palace attire, her visage concealed by a delicate silk mask.
Even through the mask, Cai Shiqing sensed that an exceptionally beautiful face, an almost suffocating allure, lay hidden beneath.
This was because Cai Shiqing, throughout his life, harbored an unwavering adoration for beautiful women!
It was an innate predilection.
Gazing intently at the captivating figure before him, Cai Shiqing's eyes betrayed an unmistakable, wicked glint!
