Chapter 471: Outwardly Clumsy, Inwardly Refined
Soldiers Sharing One Helm!
This was a mighty war treasure. It was also an army that carved its name into history through tenacity. And it was a defensive campaign worthy of being called great!
The commanding general, Tian Han, was born into an ordinary farming family. Due to poverty in his youth, he joined the army early on.
He had a steady and down-to-earth temperament, treating others with warmth. As he accumulated military merit and rose in rank, he continued to connect with his soldiers in the most unassuming manner.
He trained and labored alongside his troops, earning deep respect and affection from his subordinates.
When foreign invaders struck, he led his troops in a fierce resistance as a defender of the land. He always insisted on fighting for the people, placing their livelihood and safety above all else.
He upheld the philosophy of “people’s will strengthens the army,” always believing that the strength of the army stemmed from the hearts of the people.
During his stationing, he and his subordinates accomplished many practical deeds for the farmers—such as digging wells and canals.
Thus, the Iron Guard Army under his command held great prestige among the common folk. Whenever war broke out, the people would voluntarily support his army, offering food, shelter, and even personal aid.
The enemy forces were overwhelming and seized vast territories.
In numerous battles resisting foreign invasions, Tian Han always appeared at the front lines, unafraid of danger. No matter how perilous the battle, he personally led the charge, commanding from the front.
Eventually, in one particularly fierce defense, the situation turned dire. Tian Han single-handedly fought to seal a breach. He was besieged from all sides and was ultimately killed by a poisonous arrow fired from the shadows.
His subordinates wept bitterly, attempting to carry him down from the field, but he stopped them: “I know this poison well. I won’t survive! Let me stand a little longer. The enemy fears me—if I can stand just a bit more, they’ll need more time to reorganize. That gives you more time to breathe.”
“General!” His men cried out in anguish.
Tian Han stood from dusk until nightfall. The enemy, seeing him still firm on the battlefield, dared not make a move and chose instead to rest.
Tian Han used the final moments of his life to continue fighting.
Though he died in battle, the morale of his army soared to its peak!
The soldiers vowed vengeance for their general. Behind them lay their homeland—there was no path to retreat.
“Without the general, the enemy will surely surge tomorrow with high morale and launch a fierce assault. Why not…” A soldier proposed creating the illusion that General Tian Han was still alive, which won unanimous approval.
They chose the strongest among them to don Tian Han’s full set of armor and impersonate him, fighting to the death.
Several days later, that impersonator too succumbed to severe injuries.
Soon after, they chose a third impersonator.
And so it continued—time after time. “Tian Han” appeared to grow weaker, but never fell. No matter what poisonous tricks the enemy tried, “Tian Han” always stood, keeping enemy morale in constant depression, preventing them from unleashing their full might.
Though the Iron Guard Army was small in number, through unmatched morale, refined formations, and the advantage of long-term familiarity with the terrain, they held their position and blocked enemies that outnumbered them by tens of times.
The enemy commander raged and replaced three generals in a row, yet none could break through what seemed like a thin line of defense.
Even when their own royal capital was under siege, this frontline had not fallen.
Rations had long been exhausted. The Iron Guard Army ate horses, grass, even tree leaves. Their ballistae were broken, and though their cannons remained intact, they were out of ammunition.
Their water supply was cut off by the enemy—they drank their own urine to endure.
By the later stages of the campaign, the enemy discovered the truth of the impersonation. When they realized the real Tian Han had long since died, they were utterly shocked.
To them, “Tian Han” had been fighting this whole time!
An elder general on the enemy’s side, well-versed in military strategy, suddenly realized: “This armor has developed spiritual essence. That essence wasn’t born from Tian Han alone, but from the entire army’s unified will and conviction!”
“All our detection methods were deceived because what we were facing wasn’t individuals—but a unified force, their will condensed to the extreme!”
“Tian Han wished for someone to take up the mantle and keep fighting. The soldiers, in turn, longed for ‘Tian Han’ to live on and intimidate the enemy.”
“All their thoughts, focused into this armor, gave birth to its unique spiritual nature the moment it awakened!”
“We were all deceived.”
“What a truly admirable army.”
The old general sighed deeply.
When only a dozen or so Iron Guard soldiers remained, the enemy finally gave up engaging them directly.
They abandoned the idea of breaking the defense and instead circumvented it from the sides.
Whenever they passed the nearby hill, enemy soldiers would stop to salute—or even give formal military honors!
Even as enemies, they were filled with deep respect and admiration for this army of unwavering unity.
The armor that nearly every soldier had worn over time was henceforth named—Soldiers Sharing One Helm!
From then on, this spiritually awakened battle treasure, born from the battlefield itself, was lost to the world.
Sometimes, the treasure would be worn by a remarkable general. Other times, overlooked due to its plain appearance, it ended up with ordinary soldiers. And occasionally, it was hidden away as a collectible by those with discerning eyes.
Time and war etched countless marks of damage upon it.
Due to the extraordinary nature of its origin, it was nearly impossible to repair!
What had once been a complete suit of armor had long been scattered by the vicissitudes of fate.
So what Ning Zhuo saw Lu Hongtu take out now was only a helmet.
The helmet appeared sturdy and solid, its surface devoid of unnecessary embellishments. Clean lines outlined a design both elegant and solemn.
Its overall form was slightly domed, with a broad faceguard that protected both face and neck. Unlike traditional helmets, its structure was a bit bulky—but it exuded a powerful intimidation.
The crest of the helmet curved slightly backward, resembling a phoenix about to spread its wings—a symbol of the army’s founding spirit. Soldiers united as one, charging forward, no matter how many times they died—they could be “reborn” again!
The helmet was forged from ancient refined iron, smelted and tempered repeatedly, with a bronze sheen and the aura of time.
Its surface bore many scratches and dents—battle scars that bore witness to countless defenses and sacrifices.
The helmet’s interior once had padding, but after so many years, it had completely disintegrated.
Ning Zhuo's gaze was locked onto it. This rare battle treasure suited him perfectly now.
After a moment of thought, Ning Zhuo spoke in a hoarse, firm voice: “This trade is indeed a good one. But the lending of Gao Sheng’s Testament must be decided by me. In other words, even if Qianfeng Forest faces life or death—if I believe the timing is wrong, I won’t lend it!”
Ning Zhuo said this deliberately, to gain leverage for the next phase of negotiation.
Even Sun Lingtong found this condition rather excessive.
If the Stone Dwelling Old Monster deemed it inappropriate, he could simply not lend it, effectively avoiding the entire agreement.
Unexpectedly, Lu Hongtu narrowed his eyes and fell into contemplation.
Moments later, he actually nodded with a smile—indicating agreement!
“Yes, I agree to this condition.”
Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong: ?!
Even after the two parties signed the contract, Sun and Ning were still in a daze.
“What just happened?”
“Lu Hongtu actually agreed so easily?”
“More than that—he was practically stupid!”
“No, no, something’s not right. We must’ve overlooked something.”
Lu Hongtu, with a large batch of military equipment, transformed into a streak of rainbow light and flew toward the Six Caves Sect’s main gate.
“This time, the Stone Dwelling Old Monster shows no trace of Soul Formation aura at all.”
“Impressive!”
“This suggests he may have fully digested and mastered his power—and thoroughly disguised himself as Nascent Soul level.”
“Yet he remains cautious, unwilling to expose himself too early to the Dragon Ginseng King, lest he be seen through.”
“That’s why he even avoided Grandfather Long, and only contacted me.”
“This old monster is truly far-sighted. He wants to use me as a bridge to cooperate with the Dragon King’s faction and jointly resist the armies of Liangzhu Kingdom!”
“And then… slowly plot further.”
“Unlike the Dragon Ginseng King, he is a lone figure, without any force under his command. That’s why he wants to support me.”
“On one hand, the Dragon King and I already have a grudge. In a way, he is our common enemy.”
“On the other hand, he wants to win me over through this trade of spoils and armaments—to plant a seed for a future conflict with the Dragon King.”
“Good, very good.”
“Stone Dwelling Old Monster, I had underestimated you before.”
“You’re truly outwardly clumsy, but inwardly refined—with deep foresight!”
At this point, Lu Hongtu couldn’t help but curl his lips into a faint smile.
“Hmph!”
“With this approach, the Stone Dwelling Old Monster is surely preparing to compete with the Dragon Ginseng King for control of Qianfeng Forest.”
“Whether from the habits of the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Essence or the immense value of the Qianfeng Forest, it all points to an inevitable clash between these two Soul Formation powerhouses.”
“Once we repel the armies of Liangzhu Kingdom, our Six Caves Sect may just profit from the struggle between them.”
“Given my current relationship with both sides, there’s great potential here.”
“Excellent, truly excellent!”
Sun and Ning did not immediately retrace their path.
Lu Hongtu’s strange attitude had shaken them to the core.
After all, he was Nascent Soul level. Ning Zhuo’s divine art Life Hanging by a Thread could not even touch his head.
“Could he have figured out we’re imposters?”
With this suspicion in mind, the “Stone Dwelling Old Monster” circled several large loops through Qianfeng Forest.
Only after confirming no one was following did Sun and Ning finally slip into a cave, stow away the stone sphere, and return to Canglin Immortal City aboard the Wanli Dragon.