Chapter 447: The Heartless Flowing Stream
Mu Lan wore a red robe over bronze battle armor. Her left palm dropped to the sword hilt at her waist and sharply lifted it upward.
Clang.
A crisp metallic ring echoed out as more than half of the treasured sword at her waist was drawn from its scabbard.
Mu Lan didn’t fully unsheathe the weapon—only partially. But that was enough to trigger the embedded military art.
On the sword blade, wave-like patterns surged swiftly. Similar to the Primal Yellow Sword, the military art forged within this Spring Surge Sword was activated.
At the same time, Mu Lan waved the command flag, redeploying the surrounding soldiers into a new formation.
Flowing Stream Formation!
The Red Flower Camp's march speed abruptly increased.
With the military art in the blade as aid, a formation avatar materialized once more.
This time, the formation avatar resembled a long river—its waters billowing, not to drown the soldiers, but to carry them, sweeping them forward in a rushing stream.
Though the Grand General’s Mansion had fallen into decline, its heritage remained.
Such a formation transition was swift and seamless, reflecting Mu Lan’s command ability that far exceeded her peers.
Zhang Chongyi stayed by her side. After a long while, he finally stopped glancing back and turned to look at Mu Lan. “General Mu, doing this...”
Zhang Chongyi held the word loyalty in high regard. If not for that, he wouldn’t have remembered the old General Mu’s past kindness and chosen to abandon his medical hall, ignoring all the forces coveting the Grand General’s Mansion, and voluntarily joined the army to assist Mu Lan.
Thus, Mu Lan’s use of Not Fit to Stand Together, diverting disaster eastward and making the Three Generals Camp bear the brunt of a Nascent Soul–level enemy like Flying Legs, truly caught Zhang Chongyi off guard—and deeply unsettled him.
Mu Lan had already anticipated Zhang Chongyi’s reaction. She gazed ahead, her expression calm, and used spiritual sense to transmit her thoughts:
“Uncle Zhang, there can be no room for personal feelings or mercy on the battlefield.”
“The White Jade Camp is as fragile as eggshells, yet incredibly vital. If that army is annihilated, even if we win in the end, it would still be a pyrrhic victory.”
“Even if I participate in the battle next, it would only be to atone through merit. The idea of reviving the Grand General’s Mansion would become nothing more than a joke!”
“I believe that if my father were here, he would do the same.”
The implication was clear—Old General Mu was also such a “heartless” man.
Zhang Chongyi was rendered speechless.
Mu Lan went on to explain, “The Red Flower Avatar has Flying Legs trapped. By my calculations, relying on the Three Generals Camp’s forces, they can hold out for one incense stick’s time.”
“In that time, we might be able to aid the White Jade Camp and return to relieve the Three Generals Camp.”
“Besides, I’ve already sent a flying message. It contains intelligence on Flying Legs, so the Three Generals Camp can fight with an advantage.”
Only then did Zhang Chongyi feel somewhat better, though a cloud of worry still loomed on his face. “The Three Generals Camp might manage to stall Flying Legs for a while, but don’t forget, besides him, there are also many Golden Core cultivators like Chen Lingfeng and Wu Hen.”
“If they manage to break the Red Cloud Avatar and release Flying Legs, what then?”
Mu Lan's face remained expressionless. “Flying Legs hates us deeply. It’s very likely he’ll abandon the Three Generals Camp and come chasing after us to settle the score.”
“Of course, there’s also the chance that his rage remains unquenched and he slaughters the Three Generals Camp to vent it.”
“But Uncle Zhang, this is the battlefield. This is the battlefield!”
“We are not the parents of the Three Generals Camp, and we are not responsible for their safety.”
“Our only aim must be victory. Only victory is our true pursuit.”
“Anyone who steps onto the battlefield must have this awareness!”
Mu Lan's tone was as cold as iron—merciless and war-hardened.
“Sigh...” Zhang Chongyi sighed again.
He couldn’t help glancing back once more, but the Three Generals Camp was already out of sight.
“If Ning Zhuo dies in this battle, that would truly be a shame.”
Though he hadn’t interacted much with Ning Zhuo, Zhang Chongyi already harbored deep appreciation for his talent.
Suddenly, a thought stirred in his mind: “As they say, the falling flower longs for love, but the flowing stream is heartless. Perhaps... this is the real interpretation of that prophetic poem?”
“If Ning Zhuo had agreed to dual cultivate with Mu Lan back then, would there now be another possibility?”
Three Generals Camp
Watching the soldiers' movements grow sluggish, fatigue accumulating rapidly, and several wounded cultivators already listless—
Liu Er grew anxious. “Second Brother, Third Brother, Strategist, what should we do now?”
“This Red Flower Avatar hangs above us, draining our military strength to maintain itself.”
“It’s incredibly profound—capable of trapping a Nascent Soul–level powerhouse!”
“But our army isn’t the Red Flower Camp. We’re newly formed, without deep roots, and can only hold out for a short while before exhaustion claims us all.”
“Should we fully support the Red Flower Avatar, delay as long as we can, and hope for allied reinforcements—”
“—or should we risk open battle, stop supplying the avatar, and fight this Nascent Soul–level demon cultivator head-on?”
Ning Zhuo remained silent.
Liu Er pointed directly at him: “Strategist, your guidance, please!”
Since joining the army, Ning Zhuo had performed outstandingly time after time, causing Liu Er’s regard for him to rise continuously. This time, Ning Zhuo had even displayed his Golden Core–level combat strength.
Thus, Liu Er had come to treat Ning Zhuo as an equal, even with a hint of reverence.
He asked Ning Zhuo first, clearly valuing his input.
Meanwhile, his bond with Guan Hong and Zhang Hei had only grown stronger. He now felt confident that his two sworn brothers would follow his lead without hesitation.
Ning Zhuo pondered for a moment. “If we risk open battle, casualties will be severe.”
“The most crucial question is—can the four of us, working in concert, muster enough strength to face a Nascent Soul–level enemy?”
Liu Er's expression turned troubled. He had some confidence, but no experience.
This was his first time leading a large-scale battlefield engagement.
Battlefield warfare was different from solo combat. The number of influencing factors was immense.
Their side had national and military support, while the opponent was a Nascent Soul–level demon cultivator with mysterious means. They hadn’t yet fully scouted him, and cultivators like Chen Lingfeng and Wu Hen lurked nearby, watching, ready to pounce.
Any of these factors could dramatically sway the outcome.
Liu Er couldn’t predict it.
Just then, Mu Lan’s flying message arrived.
Her method was covert—a red flower sprouted from the ground, rapidly growing and blooming, revealing a jade slip at its heart.
The intelligence was swiftly passed between the four and read.
Mu Lan’s message detailed Flying Legs’ profile at great length and depth.
Flying Legs knew the Red Flower Camp well—and likewise, Mu Lan knew him inside and out. They had encountered each other far too many times.
After reading, Liu Er’s anger toward Mu Lan eased somewhat. “General Mu Lan wants to rescue the White Jade Camp. That is the key to this ambush.”
“Based on this intel, we have a real chance against him!”
Ning Zhuo read second. He understood Mu Lan’s decision—but did not forgive her.
Guan Hong and Zhang Hei felt the same.
Guan Hong snorted coldly, “Mu Lan, daughter of the Grand General, doesn’t see us as equals. She gave orders, not negotiated. She didn’t care whether we agreed or not.”
Zhang Hei shouted, “We’re also Golden Core cultivators. The Three Generals Camp isn’t under her command. For her to treat us like this—despicable! We’ll make her pay for this someday!”
Ning Zhuo nodded. “We’ll settle scores with the Red Flower Camp later.”
“If we’re abandoning the Red Flower Avatar and launching a direct attack, then we mustn’t delay!”
“The longer we wait, the more exhausted our soldiers become—physically and magically—and the less strength we’ll have left.”
“General Liu, please make your decision quickly!”
Liu Er glanced at Ning Zhuo and saw the encouraging look in his eyes. Then he turned to Guan Hong, stroking his beard with head held high, and to Zhang Hei, who was already itching for action.
He smiled slightly. “What’s there to hesitate about? We fight!”