Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1399 - 451: Blinded by Lust, Ignorant of One’s Limits, Chui Mountain Changes Hands, Cai Shiqi Breaks Down, Intimidation_4

As Cai Shiqi led the contingent from the side hall, he observed the Mu Family gaining the upper hand, poised to expel both the Beishuo Army and the Duan Family from the military encampment. A sense of triumphant laughter filled him.

His attention alighted upon the trio in the sky, observing him. Displaying not a shred of apprehension, he first offered a subtle nod to Mu Longhe, his gaze conveying satisfaction and approval. He then shifted his focus to Duan Hong and Yang Fa.

Perceiving Cai Shiqi’s steady look, Mu Longhe registered a flicker of confusion before quickly grasping the implication, his expression morphing into something peculiar.

Nevertheless, he maintained his silence, lightly sheathing his dual swords. He watched Cai Shiqi with burgeoning interest, eager to hear the words he intended to direct at Duan Hong.

Indeed, Cai Shiqi soon broke the silence.

"Lord Duan, the situation has reached this juncture, and you are powerless to alter the outcome. Why not accept the terms I previously put forth? Provided Chui Mountain severs its connection with Beishuo, I pledge to halt this mutiny immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Hong's brow furrowed. Gazing down at the self-assured Cai Shiqi, an indescribable feeling of bewilderment and absurdity washed over him.

Having already engaged in a protracted battle with Mu Longhe for half the day, Yang Fa wore an expression of profound exasperation. He had never anticipated that, even amidst the current chaos, this Princely Heir of Cai Qiu genuinely believed he was the mastermind behind the insurrection.

"Very well! All the conditions that Prince Cai previously stipulated, I now agree to them unequivocally. I implore the Prince to intervene and bring an end to the conflict!"

"Hahaha, well spoken, Lord Duan is indeed pragmatic!"

Witnessing Duan Hong's eventual capitulation, Cai Shiqi's countenance grew increasingly haughty. He chuckled twice before turning his head to issue a command to Mu Qinghe, who was already nearing a breakthrough on the northern perimeter of the camp, "Mu Qinghe, you may cease your assault now."

Regrettably, his directive went unheeded. The leading figure, Mu Qinghe, did not even spare a glance in his direction.

"Brothers, Beishuo stands on the brink of collapse, continue your charge with me..."

Mu Qinghe's assault appeared to intensify, fueled by heightened fervor.

"Mu Qinghe, what are you doing? Why have you not halted?"

"Mu Qinghe, Zhu Ziying, Helian Shan, are you all in rebellion?"

.........

After issuing his summons thrice, even the callously naive Cai Shiqi began to sense that something was amiss.

His expression abruptly froze. He swiveled his head to fix his gaze upon Mu Longhe, suspended in the air, surmising he had discovered the origin of the problem. With a grave tone, he declared, "Mu Longhe, order them to halt this instant!"

"Ignorant whelp, lacking any comprehension of the world's immensity, to foolishly believe that merely by bearing the title of Cai Qiu's Princely Heir and commanding over fifty individuals at the Cold Resistance Level, you could compel so many to perish for your cause—utter folly!"

Mu Longhe, a man who had seen over one hundred and thirty winters, could perhaps tolerate being directly addressed by such a junior. However, to be *commanded*—especially on this tumultuous day of Chui Mountain's upheaval, which had already cast a pall over him—ignited his fury. He retorted vociferously.

Cai Shiqi was rendered speechless by the sharp rebuke, his face etched with shock.

Following the initial astonishment, a look of dawning realization, bordering on disbelief, slowly spread across his features.

"How dare you address me in such a manner..."

"Guards!"

Before Cai Shiqi could conclude his outburst, a startling transformation unfolded in the heavens above. The dramatic shift commenced with Duan Hong's startled cry.

A silver blade, stretching tens of meters, erupted from the ground. Its appearance coincided almost perfectly with Duan Hong's exclamation, its fierce sword light immediately menacing his face.

Yang Fa's brow twitched violently. He instantly discerned the danger, hastily grasping his long spear, intending to assist Duan Hong in repelling the incoming blade. However, before he could even raise his weapon, two sword edges had already met him head-on—precisely from Mu Longhe, who had been in conversation with Cai Shiqi moments before.

"Great Xia intends to kill Duan Hong!"

Yang Fa found himself compelled to abandon any thought of aiding Duan Hong. He swiftly deployed his spear to parry Mu Longhe's dual swords, while the realization that Great Xia sought Duan Hong's demise flashed through his mind, his pupils constricting with alarm.

At this precise moment, the individual experiencing the most profound panic on the scene was undoubtedly Duan Hong.

The silver sword light had been aimed squarely at him, making him the first to perceive the onslaught. Yet, a critical moment existed between sensing imminent peril and reacting. The wielder of the sword light possessed a strength that palpably surpassed his own, leaving him with no recourse but to draw his saber for defense—utterly incapable of any evasive maneuver.

An opponent of superior might, executing a calculated surprise assault, rendered him incapable of dodging or evading, forcing him into a purely defensive posture with his saber. This already signified a tactical disadvantage, potentially costing him half the battle before it truly began.

He remained ignorant of the true extent of his adversary's formidable power.

Clang......

"With strength nearly double my own, it is finished!"

As his broadsword collided with the incoming sword light, Duan Hong was immediately overwhelmed by his opponent's power, his eyes widening in sheer horror.

His own strength, a mere 10 jin, was utterly insufficient against the sword light, which felt like it was about to crush him completely. He found himself unable to resist its force.

Nevertheless, in the brief moment he intercepted the attack, he caught a clear glimpse of the figure behind it.

It was a woman, clad in elegant white palace robes, her face obscured by a delicate silk veil.

Her long, dark hair was intricately styled atop her head, held in place by three silver hairpins. On her smooth forehead, three vertical, blood-red cloud patterns were distinctly marked. Her fierce, beautiful eyes blazed with an intense, suffocating killing intent.

A woman?

Duan Hong's thoughts raced: From where did the Nine Towns find such a formidable woman?

Despite the whirlwind of thoughts, a potent survival instinct compelled him to maintain his grip without hesitation. The moment the opponent's sword edge sliced through his saber, it continued its relentless path, piercing directly into his neck.

A suffocating scent of death filled his senses as Duan Hong's body plummeted. The sword edge sliced from his jawbone all the way to his forehead. Though his skin, flesh, and blood were rent open by the blade, revealing the white bone beneath, the fatal blow had already landed.