Chapter 747: Chapter 238: Withdrawal_2
Mu Lan nodded, her brows slightly furrowing.
Zhang Zhongyi noticed her expression and misunderstood, offering words of comfort: “General Mu Lan, although our army has retreated, we won both major battles, leaving the enemy in disarray. Plus, with the previous achievements of the Red Flower Camp, reviving the Upper General Mansion shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Mu Lan nodded: “Of course.”
The Red Flower Camp returned triumphantly; Mu Lan gave a remarkably pleasing response. She had achieved her purpose set before departure.
Yet, many feelings of unwillingness still lingered in the heart of this female general.
“Such a pity.”
“If Du Tiechuan hadn’t been injured, we would still have the advantage and could have continued to occupy this area and constantly attack the surroundings.”
“At least, we could conquer the Dragon King Giant Wood Mountain!”
“That’s quite a significant military achievement…”
At first, Du Tiechuan set the strategy, choosing not to immediately attack Dragon King Giant Wood Mountain but to use it as a pivotal point to lure the Thousand Peak Forest alliance for rescue.
The mountain miraculously survived after the second major battle.
Zhang Zhongyi advised: “Dragon King Giant Wood Mountain is here and won’t run away; we can continue to attack Thousand Peak Forest next time.”
“Besides, Young Master Ning Zhuo has family tasks; after this battle, he probably won’t stay long.”
“General Mu Lan, when the time comes to act, you should act decisively; seizing the time to interact more with Young Master Ning Zhuo is the essence of military art.”
Mu Lan glanced at Zhang Zhongyi, sincerely nodding: “You’re right!”
Zhang Zhongyi felt gratified. Mu Lan’s attitude toward Ning Zhuo had undergone a revolutionary change compared to the beginning.
This was evident since Mu Lan now habitually called Ning Zhuo her “husband.”
At the end of the battle, Ning Zhuo had already led Xiang Yue away from the battlefield.
Zhang Zhongyi learned the secret from Mu Lan and no longer worried about Ning Zhuo’s safety.
Mu Lan spoke her thoughts on Ning Zhuo: “I have restored my family’s standing, yet my position remains awkward.”
“I need someone like Ning Zhuo to occupy the position of a husband, to ward off external desires.”
“This youth is quite extraordinary among the geniuses I’ve encountered in my lifetime; he ranks among the best.”
Zhang Zhongyi was joyous upon hearing Mu Lan’s praise for Ning Zhuo: “Indeed, someone who can fight Golden Core cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage and defeat Nascent Soul ones is rare over many years.”
“Moreover, he has fought alongside you many times; this battle camaraderie cannot be faked.”
Mu Lan sighed: “I know, during the battle against Ancient God Cang Yue, without Ning Zhuo’s timely support, the Red Flower Camp’s fate would have been worrisome.”
“I also wish to spend more time with him and collaborate more deeply, but regretfully, the hurried parting on the battlefield may be the last time we meet in the near future.”
Zhang Zhongyi was greatly shocked: “Ah? Why is this?”
This iron-crutch doctor, emotional and lacking in calculation, often misunderstood the situation.
Mu Lan explained: “Ning Zhuo deliberately let Xiang Yue go; anyone with sharp eyes can see this.”
“Du Tiechuan knows this all too well!”
“Previously, when Ning Zhuo repelled the Heaven and Earth Ghosts, everyone knew that he possessed a great treasure, a powerful ace. Back then, Ning Zhuo didn’t dare approach our military camp lightly.”
“Now, he’s let Xiang Yue escape, who represents an incredibly rich military achievement.”
“The main reason for the army’s departure this time is Du Tiechuan’s failure to anticipate Young Master Shengxu’s assassination. He, the defeated general, will return to the Royal Capital to make amends; it’s uncertain how much he’ll have to pay.”
“If he had Xiang Yue’s head, he would naturally have a better explanation.”
Mu Lan squinted her eyes: “So, Ning Zhuo is now at odds with Du Tiechuan. Since he has left the army, he naturally won’t return anytime soon.”
Zhang Zhongyi, upon hearing this statement, involuntarily opened his mouth in surprise, realizing it would be difficult to see Ning Zhuo again anytime soon.
Finally, Zhang Zhongyi sighed: “I just saw Young Master Ning Zhuo’s figure disappearing into the mountains but couldn’t bid him farewell.”
“Alas, the matters of the world are indeed unpredictable. Who would have thought that in the end, Ning Zhuo would become enemies with Du Tiechuan?”
Liangzhu Country’s camp.
Countless soldiers were clearing the battlefield, packing up camps.
Ding Pi was dead, but not completely.
He was besieged by angry cultivators, his physical body evaporated to ashes, but his Nascent Soul escaped into the void.
As for his disciple, the child-like cultivator Jia Wan was tightly bound and sealed, brought before Du Tiechuan.
Du Tiechuan sat on a low stool, surrounded by busy people in a battlefield akin to ruins.
Pale-faced from the assassination, he showed no trace of color.
Seeing Jia Wan, Du Tiechuan frowned: “You disciples are somewhat known; why did you willingly assist Thousand Peak Forest and take such risks?”
“Bah!” Jia Wan spat, “Our Jia Mansion and Liangzhu Country are irreconcilable!”
Du Tiechuan suddenly understood: “So you are remnants of Lady Jia.”
This involves an old story within the palace, relating to Lady Hu’s rise, Lady Jia’s loss of favor and revenge, suffering from Lady Hu’s faction’s counterattack and slander, leading to her family’s downfall.
Du Tiechuan turned to Lei Qingyang: “How did you realize these two were traitors?”
Lei Qingyang then made a bow: “Previously, I went out to battle and clashed with the Blood Shadow Cave Master. During the fight, I inexplicably got caught in the blood mist and was suspended in mid-air.”
“After the battle, the more I reviewed it, the more I sensed something wrong; there was no reason to fall for that move.”
“It led me to some other suspicions.”
“Thus, I refused external treatments and focused on healing myself, seeking clues in my injuries, and finally uncovered the truth.”
“My internal energy subtly changed, allowing the Blood Shadow Cave Master to detect and lock onto me before acting.”
“I immediately understood that a traitor in the camp had led to my misfortune.”
“I then conducted more secret investigations. Until I saw Li Jiuju glaring at Lord Zhao Xi, causing the latter to bend over in nausea and vomit a large amount of centipedes and maggots, did everything click!”
“At the time, Lord Zhao Xi and Li Jiuju were far apart, yet Zhao Xi inexplicably fell victim to a spell.”
“This indicates that Zhao Xi’s energy was already captured by Li Jiuju.”
“Simultaneously, the range of suspects who could have schemed against me and Lord Zhao Xi narrowed significantly.”
“I continued my investigation and ultimately targeted Ding Pi and Jia Wan. After all, before the battle, both Lord Zhao Xi and other comrades consumed much Spirit Food, enhancing their combat power.”
“Regrettably, I discovered just a little too late…”
Lei Qingyang lamented bitterly.
Young Master Shengxu was able to carry out the second assassination precisely because of the chaos caused by Ding Pi and Jia Wan.
If Lei Qingyang had exposed them earlier, Ding Pi and Jia Wan might have been subdued quickly, preventing the chaos altogether, and Young Master Shengxu might not have had the opportunity to strike.
Accomplishing this would have earned Lei Qingyang tremendous merit.
Du Tiechuan listened blankly and nodded slightly: “It has come to this; there’s no need to dwell on it.”
His tone was flat, only his slightly tightened fingers indicated his inner turmoil.
Thousand Peak Forest.
Poisonous Pool Giant Wood Mountain.
This was one of Tu Ming’s lairs but now ravaged with scattered corpses and continuous cries.
As the Mountain Master, Tu Ming was hiding underground.
Shen Qinghe hovered in the air, her hand constantly emitting the light of Green Spirit Purifying Poison Spell. Under its radiance, poisonous creatures across the hills cried out in agony as toxic gases dispersed, vanishing.
Even the vast Poisonous Dragon Pool was gradually purified into clear water.
Tu Ming was filled with dread: “The ‘Green Spirit Purifying Poison Scripture’ is truly terrifying. How could such a spell, capable of restraining poison techniques, exist?”
After entering the fray, he was locked on by Shen Qinghe. Several bouts proved him inferior, forcing him to retreat.
His retreat led him directly off the battlefield.
Shen Qinghe pursued him relentlessly to the Poisonous Pool Mountain.
Tu Ming initially felt relieved that one of his lairs was nearby. However, his mountain defenses were sequentially destroyed by Shen Qinghe, his subordinates killed in great numbers.
He himself only dared to hide, not daring to make any noise.
He was completely restrained!