Chapter 465: Mu Lan vs Zhang Hei
Mu Lan's expression was as calm as still water.
Zhang Hei roared before the gates of the Red Flower Camp. His voice thundered like a storm, causing an immense negative impact on the troops.
Even so, Mu Lan repressed her anger. “General Zhang, please quiet yourself. I have yet to understand what has transpired. Allow me to inquire and investigate first!”
Zhang Hei forced down his fury, waving his hand repeatedly. “Ask then, quickly ask!”
Mu Lan questioned the soldiers involved in the scuffle. They answered truthfully, though grievance lingered in their words.
“It was the Three Generals Camp who provoked us first!”
“They insulted Elder General Mu, saying our Red Flower Camp only shirks blame onto our comrades—bastards, all of us!”
“We didn’t strike first either. They spat on us first, and it landed on our faces.”
Mu Lan nodded, then directly responded to Zhang Hei, “General Zhang, the sequence of events is clear now. It was your side who initiated the provocation. You may summon the parties involved. Let us confront them face to face.”
Zhang Hei, seething with rage, raised his Black Serpent Spear again, pointing the tip at Mu Lan. “Our soldier lies bedridden, life hanging by a thread, undergoing treatment.”
“Do you truly wish for him to testify? Or are you exploiting this to corner me with words?!”
“I’ve come to seek justice—and it seems I’ll have to earn it through fists and blows!”
Mu Lan's face remained still as water, then turned to a sneering laugh out of rage. “Black Brute, your abrupt rise in rank has clearly gone to your head. Since you repeatedly hurl insults, clearly looking for a beating, allow me to oblige you!”
Zhang Hei burst into loud laughter, surged his mana, and soared into the sky.
Mu Lan swiftly followed, retrieving a long spear from her storage ring.
The Blood Tassel Spear!
Roughly seven feet in length, it had excellent balance and grip, designed for swift thrusts as well as deadly sweeping strikes.
The shaft was made of pale waxwood—tough as iron yet smooth to the touch, tinged with a faint yellow hue that carried an antique air.
The spearhead was razor-sharp, slightly curved, and shimmered with a cold gleam.
But the most striking feature was the red tassel at the spear's tip. The crimson threads danced in the wind like a flowing river of blood, forming a stark contrast against the pale white shaft.
Zhang Hei, wielding the Black Serpent Spear, charged straight upward.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Spears collided, shooting brilliant sparks into the air.
The intense impact echoed through the entire camp, piercing and deafening.
Zhang Hei caused such a commotion that the entire Red Flower Camp was alerted. Nearly every soldier looked skyward, watching the unfolding duel.
“This Zhang Hei is too arrogant!”
“They caught Flying Legs alive only because we weakened him first!”
“What are they so proud of?”
“General Mu, teach that Black Brute a proper lesson!”
The soldiers of the Red Flower Camp held unwavering confidence in General Mu Lan.
Zhang Hei and Mu Lan engaged in close combat, clashing back and forth in the skies.
Zhang Hei’s Black Serpent Spear was heavy and domineering. His movements were rough and direct—every swing howled with wind, full of overwhelming force.
Mu Lan’s Blood Tassel Spear moved like crimson lightning, relying mainly on thrusts. She cultivated the Mysterious Gold Armor-Breaking Art, a technique renowned for piercing through defenses.
Her spearwork was fierce and swift, each strike leaving behind streaks of dazzling red light in the sky.
Though her movements lacked flamboyance compared to Zhang Hei’s wild style, they were pinpoint precise, forcing Zhang Hei into constant evasions.
Mu Lan turned; her cloak whipped behind her, raising a curtain of light.
Whoosh!
The light blinded Zhang Hei, rendering his eyes momentarily useless.
Seizing the opportunity, Mu Lan thrust her spear—the tip slicing through the cold air, aiming for Zhang Hei’s right arm.
In the nick of time, Zhang Hei used his hearing to determine position, retreating rapidly while raising his Black Serpent Spear to block.
Thud!
The blow knocked his spear off course.
Zhang Hei’s stance faltered, exposing more openings.
Mu Lan capitalized instantly—another flash-like thrust, this time aimed straight at his throat.
Zhang Hei fell back again. His right arm bulged with muscle as he forcibly retracted his spear and managed to block Mu Lan’s strike just in time.
He caught his breath, then gripped the serpent spear with both hands and exerted all his strength.
“Haah!”
With a roar, he shoved the Blood Tassel Spear aside.
Mu Lan moved like the wind, nimble and swift. She darted to the left and, before he could react, angled her spear toward Zhang Hei’s abdomen.
Thud!
Zhang Hei grunted. He failed to defend in time, and a bloody hole appeared in his gut.
Clenching his teeth, he endured the pain. With the spearhead raised high, he brought it down like a hammer toward Mu Lan’s head—a desperate, all-out counterattack.
Mu Lan wore no helmet. Unwilling to trade blows recklessly, she retreated swiftly.
Zhang Hei barely regained his footing. Fearless, his battle spirit surged with rage.
“Again!” he roared, brandishing his serpent spear and launching another charge.
A gleam of admiration flickered in Mu Lan’s eyes. “A true warrior, indeed.”
She continued thrusting rapidly, her spear sweeping to create a rain of strikes that enveloped Zhang Hei.
He fought like a trapped beast, howling and striking back with all his might—but his wounds multiplied, blood pouring freely.
Mu Lan clearly held the advantage in this duel!
However, as the fight dragged on, Zhang Hei’s strength surged wildly.
His eyes burned with fury. Every swing of his serpent spear created dark shadows that filled the air—fast and overwhelming.
The shadows rolled like waves.
Black Wave Overheaven Technique!
Zhang Hei’s cultivation method began showing its might. Simple attacks turned into sweeping tides of black waves, dealing wide-area damage.
His entire body bulged—thick tendons surged under his skin like coiling pythons, lending him monstrous strength.
Innate Talent — Wild Python Tendons!
This talent caused a cultivator’s musculature to swell and coil like serpents in states of fury, granting terrifying power.
The angrier the cultivator, the stronger their body’s foundation, and the more monstrous the strength from the Wild Python Tendons.
Clang!
Another collision between Blood Tassel Spear and Black Serpent Spear.
But this time, the Blood Tassel Spear was knocked aside—and the serpent spear pressed forward!
Mu Lan’s eyes flashed coldly. Knowing things were turning, she launched an all-out assault.
Zhang Hei’s arms now swelled like mountains. Those python-like tendons wrapped around his frame, pouring explosive strength into each motion.
Black Wave Overheaven Technique!
Wild Python Tendons!
Black Serpent Spear!
The three layered together, making each strike unleash crashing black waves. Within the black tide, the serpent spear danced like a sea serpent—ferocious and deadly.
As Zhang Hei’s power grew mid-battle, the serpent spear became even heavier and more dominant.
Each sweep rolled like a tidal wave, crushing anything in its path!
Mu Lan, nimble as the wind, now seemed like a crimson bird overlooking a black sea—tinged with helplessness.
“I can’t let this drag on! This Black Brute…”
But Mu Lan would never yield—especially not before her own troops.
She let out a cold snort, broke away, and soared into the distance.
Zhang Hei hesitated, then recalled her archery and gave chase.
But his speed was no match—Mu Lan easily outdistanced him.
She drew her military treasure, the Vermilion Phoenix Bow, and nocked a Fiery Heart Arrow.
Then she activated her divine art—Crimson-Heart Swan Arrow!
Zhang Hei’s scalp tingled. He felt himself locked in completely. No matter how he moved—he couldn’t escape.
“So this is what the Dragon King Temple Priest felt back then…”
“So terrifying!”
“I’m going to die!” Zhang Hei stared wide-eyed. Even in death—he would face it head-on!
The next moment—
Thwack.