Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1398 - 451: Blinded by Lust, Ignorant and Arrogant, Chui Mountain’s Lord Replaced, Cai Shiqi Breaks Down, Intimidation_3

Yet, even with a mere estimation of those standing and those who had fallen within the military camp, it was evident that their numbers approached twenty thousand.

Twenty thousand souls!

How could Chui Mountain Town possibly muster such a force, especially with the current Cold Resistance Level?

Upon observing the soldiers of the Defensive Army, he promptly grasped that these individuals had employed some clandestine methods. However, he found himself without the inclination to delve into the specifics of these extraordinary means.

This was due to the present, overwhelming reality: the sheer multitude of individuals who had succumbed within the camp was simply too vast!

A cursory inspection revealed that not fewer than six to seven thousand people lay prostrate upon the ground.

Among the remaining ten thousand individuals still engaged in combat, the combined forces of the Duan Family and the Beishuo Army barely amounted to five thousand. In contrast, the Mu Family's contingent numbered at least seven to eight thousand.

"Mu Longhe's injuries had long since mended, thus in this mutiny, Mu Qinghe's most substantial reliance was not Cai Shiqi, but rather Mu Longhe; Mu Qinghe had recalled a contingent of the Defensive Army from the outskirts of the town and utilized special methods to permit their daytime operations; the Beishuo Army did not intervene immediately to quell the uprising, only making their appearance after the camp had erupted into conflict..."

Duan Hong’s expression shifted through a spectrum of emotions as he swiftly pieced together the entire narrative within his mind. Finally, his gaze settled upon Mu Longhe, his countenance freezing abruptly, a flicker of profound horror dawning on his face.

Even the Great Xia had been implicated in this treacherous mutiny!

Given his standing as the lord of Chui Mountain, Duan Hong's pronouncements naturally carried considerable authority. As a direct consequence of his recent resounding declaration, the brutal slaughter within the camp had, in fact, experienced a temporary cessation. All combatants, disengaging from their respective duels, turned their gazes upward towards him.

Only the aerial confrontation between Yang Fa and Mu Longhe persisted unabated.

"For the insatiable pursuit of power, you sow discord amongst ourselves, resulting in innumerable casualties and injuries. Mu Longhe, do you truly harbor the intent to shatter the century-old foundation of our Chui Mountain?"

Duan Hong, observing the halted advance of the army below, directly addressed Mu Longhe, who remained suspended in mid-air, his voice laced with indignant questioning. Before Mu Longhe could formulate a reply, he pressed on, "To betray your lord and defect, acting with such utter abandon, what exactly did the Great Xia offer you..."

"Ptooey!"

Mu Longhe, who had been maintaining a favorable position in his aerial duel with Yang Fa, abruptly disengaged from the fray. Hovering in the air, he fixed a furious glare upon Duan Hong and retorted, "Whelp, when this old man and your father joined forces to lay the cornerstone of Chui Mountain, you were nowhere to be seen. Is it your place to pontificate about our century-old foundation?

This old man has not ventured beyond the town's confines for two years, yet you unilaterally eliminate dissenters, oppress the loyal lineage of the Mu Family, rashly restructure the military organization, promote individuals based on personal whim, inciting widespread discontent throughout Chui Mountain. Furthermore, you permitted the Beishuo Soldiers to covertly infiltrate our town, concealing themselves within your Duan Clan's territory. If your brother, Duan Zhao, were aware of the multitude of foolish actions you have undertaken, even in spirit, he would likely smite you with lightning, you unfilial degenerate!

Initially, I surmised your matrimonial alliance with the Yang Family was merely a strategic maneuver to leverage Beishuo's might for Chui Mountain's advancement. However, it now appears, you imbecile, that you possess absolutely no foresight; your sole preoccupation lies in groveling before your superiors for preferential treatment!

This old man truly misjudged you; I should never have acquiesced to the former lord's wishes to support your ascent to this exalted position back then; you are utterly undeserving of being the lord of Chui Mountain!"

......

Following Mu Longhe’s scathing denunciation, Duan Hong's entire countenance had transformed, flushing to a ghastly, livid crimson, resembling the coloration of a poisoned liver. Particularly the final pronouncement regarding his unworthiness as the lord of Chui Mountain, it was an act tantamount to utterly humiliating him.

When he had posed the question regarding the benefits bestowed upon Mu Longhe by the Great Xia, his intention was to tarnish his opponent's reputation. Yet, he neglected to consider that from the very instant the Beishuo Army revealed itself, he, as the lord, along with the entirety of the Duan Family, had already been comprehensively disgraced.

Compounding this disgrace were the cumulative reactionary acts perpetrated by Duan Hong and the Duan Family over the preceding two years. Mu Longhe’s recent words served to finally ignite the long-suppressed fury simmering within every inhabitant of Chui Mountain.

Having held the superior position from the outset, from the very moment Mu Longhe emerged, the populace no longer perceived their actions as a heinous act of rebellion but rather as a righteous defense of Chui Mountain.

The accusations currently leveled by Mu Longhe against Lord Duan Hong undoubtedly served to further solidify the righteousness and legitimacy of their defense of Chui Mountain.

Mu Qinghe and all the direct descendants of the Mu Family experienced a sudden surge of renewed vigor.

"The Army Chief speaks the truth; Duan Hong is entirely unsuitable to hold the position of our Chui Mountain's lord!"

"Three thousand Beishuo soldiers are secreted away within the Duan Clan's domain. Duan Hong and the Duan Family harbored designs to betray our Chui Mountain to Beishuo. They cannot refute this undeniable fact. Brothers, the defense of Chui Mountain now rests upon our shoulders and the Army Chief’s command, onward to battle!"

"Expel the Beishuo Army from Chui Mountain completely, for Chui Mountain is our territory!"

"Only our Army Chief is worthy of being the Lord of Chui Mountain!"

"My brothers, let us fight on!"

.........

These surging sentiments were vividly displayed on the battlefield.

Duan Hong’s complexion fluctuated between pale and ashen as he contemplated how to counter Mu Longhe’s words. Meanwhile, down below, Mu Qinghe had already rallied his forces and resumed the assault. The disheartened core members of the Duan Family and the Beishuo Army began a northward retreat, heading towards the Lord’s Hall.

"If this pattern persists, defeat is unavoidable!"

Duan Hong exchanged a glance with Yang Fa, a silent understanding passing between them. Both men simultaneously turned their attention towards Mu Longhe.

"Hahaha, who could have predicted the Mu family possessed such a hidden trump card!"

Just as Duan Hong and Yang Fa were steeling themselves to take action, a hearty laugh echoed from the topmost floor of a nearby structure.

The trio looked down, discovering more than forty individuals positioned atop a building at the edge of the encampment. At the forefront stood Cai Shiqi, clad in blue attire, the same individual who had recently cornered Duan Hong within the side hall.