Chapter 1158: Marching

In the days that followed, Mo Hua, accompanied by Yang Jiyong, familiarized himself with Dao-bing combat procedures and common battlefield formations; Yang Jiyong also leveraged his family's connections to secure for Mo Hua a set of Dao-bing attire and a Dao-bing token.

On the reverse of the Dao-bing token was engraved a line of small characters:

Lizhou, Great Heishan Prefecture, Mo Hua.

This was Mo Hua's exclusive Dao-bing token.

From then on, his name and native place were officially registered with the Dao-bing Si, making him a Dao-bing under the Dao Ting.

This was also, Mo Hua didn't know, how many identity he had assumed.

Wanderer of Xiancheng, an unregistered cultivator of the Dao Ting Si, junior elder of Grand Void Gate, master of the Qianxue Prefecture array arts, second-rank array master of Tian Shu Pavilion, Crown Prince of Grand Void Gate, young disciple of Mr. Zhuang, junior nephew of the Gui Dao Ren—.

His identities were numerous, but out in the world, it paid to be well-connected—the more, the better.

More identities meant more pathways.

Preparations for suppressing the Great Desert rebellion continued in urgent haste.

Within the camp, Dao-bing deployments were frequent; amid the clamor lay a tense, solemn atmosphere, as if a storm were brewing.

Mo Hua was not anxious about marching into battle—he only worried about Sun Dahei.

He wondered how Sun Dahei had fared during his absence from the Underground Beast Arena, whether he had suffered further bullying or torment.

Mo Hua wanted to rescue Sun Dahei, but now he was constrained—there was simply no way to act.

He could only wait for an opportunity and act as it arose.

This opportunity, Mo Hua had long considered and calculated, would come when the Dao Ting army marched out.

When the Dao Ting army departed to suppress the rebel barbarians of the Great Desert, the Great Desert Sect, as a direct-affiliated sect, would also deploy numerous cultivators to accompany and assist in battle.

Thus, the garrison strength of Damao City would inevitably weaken, and the Tuoba Young Master of the Beast Arena would lose his backing.

If he struck then, destroyed the Beast Arena, and freed Sun Dahei, his chances of success would be far higher.

After rescuing Sun Dahei, he would hide within the camp and join the Yang family's Dao-bing as they marched south to quell the rebellion in the Great Desert, seeking opportunities to earn military merit and secure a formal rank.

Simultaneously, and most importantly, he would seek to leverage the Dao Ting's power to invade the Wang Ting of the Great Desert.

There, he would seek clues left behind by the Great Wuzhu from the Great Desert's Dao lineage, to comprehend the Twelve Meridians Taotie Spirit Corpse Ultimate Array, forge it as his Core Array, and then attempt to form a Golden Core.

According to Mo Hua's prior deductions, the Great Desert royal lineage's heritage and the Great Wuzhu's ultimate array were surely Great Desert's most classified secrets.

They must be sealed within the Wang Ting of the Great Desert, even within the imperial forbidden zones.

Yet the rebel forces of the Great Desert were exceedingly powerful.

Without the aid of the Dao-bing Si, Mo Hua, a lone cultivator, could never infiltrate the Wang Ting's forbidden zones to steal these legacies.

Only by borrowing the Dao

Ting's "blade" to defeat the Great Desert's Wang Ting could he profit from the chaos.

Of course, before that, if he could find an opportunity to consume some malevolent spirits to nourish his spiritual sense, it would be best.

This plan was currently the most viable option.

But the one problem was that he could not bring Sun Dahei along.

After rescuing Sun Dahei, he could only let him go on his own.

After all, Sun Dahei was a man-eating beast, a ferocious tiger demon, and a symbol of the Great Desert royal clan—he would never be tolerated by the Dao-bing Si.

The Dao-bing Si would surely detain, even kill, Sun Dahei.

If Mo Hua marched with the army carrying a Great Desert royal beast, he would draw attention, suspicion, and questioning.

Thus, Sun Dahei must be set free.

The moment he rescued Sun Dahei would be the day they parted.

At this point, it was the only option left.

Yet the Great Desert was vast and sparsely populated, ideal for beast habitation—Sun Dahei should have no trouble surviving on his own.

"I hope so."

Mo Hua thought of this and sighed softly.

Afterward, all preparations proceeded as planned.

Soon, the Dao-bing would march, but before that, there was to be a banquet.

This was a marching banquet specially arranged by Liu Yuhua, the patriarch of the Great Desert Sect, to host the various commanders of the Dao-bing Si.

This marching banquet was not open to ordinary Dao-bing.

Yang Jishan and Yang Jiyong, both mid-level commanders and members of the Yang clan, were naturally invited.

Mo Hua, however, had no qualifications.

Though he was a second-rank array master, he had no family, no lineage, and had yet to earn a single merit—he must fight one or two battles and achieve something before he could rise.

Real combat, real merit.

This was to prevent powerful clans from arbitrarily inserting their own into the Dao-bing Si—merely drawing rations without ever setting foot on the battlefield, corroding the Dao-bing Si's strength.

Array masters like Mo Hua, if they fought on the battlefield, would rise quickly.

But if they did not fight, they were no different from ordinary Dao-bing soldiers.

Thus, Mo Hua, without rank or position, originally had no right to attend the marching banquet.

But given his unusual status, as a guest of the Yang family, Yang Jishan had specially arranged for him to serve as an attendant.

Thus, Mo Hua gained entry to the Great Desert Sect's encampment and attended the marching banquet.

In the vast square of Damao City, sheep were roasted, oxen slaughtered, wine flowed, meat sizzled, and the scent of food and liquor rose thickly.

Ordinary Dao-bing soldiers were also given meat and wine, though not as well as the commanders.

Mo Hua followed behind Yang Jishan and Yang Jiyong, eating and drinking with great delight.

As he ate meat and drank wine, Mo Hua casually glanced around.

This was the Great

The gate is a branch outpost within the city of Damo.

The Dahuang Sect is directly under the Dao Court and governs the Dahuang region. This means its structure differs from sects within the Nine Provinces.

The main mountain gate of the Dahuang Sect lies at the heart of Dahuang, within a small fifth-rank state.

Elsewhere across Dahuang, immortal cities of all sizes, or larger barbarian settlements, typically host Dahuang Sect outposts—its influence is immense, and its jurisdiction extremely vast.

One could even say the Dahuang Sect is a "small Dao Court" established within Dahuang.

Yet this small Dao Court is a "shrunken" version, with low rank.

Among these outposts, the fourth-rank city of Damo is the Dahuang Sect's largest base after its main mountain gate—vast in area, grand in presence.

Meanwhile, the military banquet's scale is extremely solemn.

The cultivators attending hold very high status.

At the very top of the banquet table sit several True Persons of the Feather Transformation realm.

The one wearing a half-golden beast-patterned Dao robe is the Dahuang Sect's Feather Transformation sect leader.

Beside him sits an ordinary-looking, unassuming senior elder, also a Feather Transformation True Person.

The other several, seated at equal height but radiating greater authority, are the Dao Court's Feather Transformation Grand Commander, dispatched to quell the rebellion.

The Yang family's Feather Transformation Grand Commander is among them.

With no Void Explorers emerging, Feather Transformation True Persons are the pinnacle of power walking the mortal world.

And these True Persons are no ordinary Feather Transformation cultivators—they are either sect leaders who dominate their regions, or high-ranking senior elders.

Or they are Grand Commanders of the Dao Soldier Bureau, commanding thousands of Dao soldiers and shaking entire regions.

Merely sitting together, they radiate an awe-inspiring dignity too great to meet directly.

But Mo Hua was unfazed—he was accustomed to "grand scenes."

In the Grand Void Sect, the master who taught him arrays was the Void Explorer Xun Laoxian; the master who taught him swordplay was even the supreme Void Explorer, the Lone Ancestor Du Gu.

In the Blood Sacrifice Array, he had dealings with Mr. Tu, Shangguan Wang, and the Feather Transformation elder demons of Yin Corpse Valley and Demon Sword Sect.

Thus, despite the grandeur before him, Mo Hua was not intimidated—he ate and drank as usual, calm and composed.

Yang Jishan watched from the side and nodded silently.

Handling small matters without arrogance or impatience; facing grand scenes without humility or arrogance.

Such open-minded composure is indeed extraordinary—he is a talent worth cultivating.

"Yet—such a young, handsome talent—if I had truly met him before, had any interaction, I should remember him. I could never have forgotten." Yang Jishan frowned, sinking into thought.

Mo Hua paid no mind—he ate meat mouthful after mouthful, focused only on satisfying his hunger.

As he ate, Mo Hua's thoughts were

on the big tiger.

Worried whether it was fed in the Beast Arena, whether it went hungry.

While pondering, sudden noise arose—he turned to see another group approaching from the opposite side.

At their head was a youth, clad in golden beast-patterned battle armor, tall and imposing, radiating noble majesty.

Mo Hua's gaze darkened slightly.

"Tuo Ba Young Master—"

The newcomer was indeed the Tuo Ba Young Master from the Beast Arena.

Now, surrounded by followers, the Tuo Ba Young Master ascended the dais and bowed respectfully to the Dahuang Sect leader, the senior elder, and several Dao Soldier Grand Commanders.

The Dahuang Sect leader nodded, then spoke to the several Grand Commanders.

Too far away, and with sound-blocking spells in place, Mo Hua could not hear what they said—only guessed that the Dahuang Sect leader was introducing his son, the Tuo Ba Young Master, to the Dao Soldier Bureau's Grand Commanders.

The Tuo Ba Young Master looked respectfully humble, tall and majestic—indeed, a man of fine appearance.

All the Feather Transformation Grand Commanders praised him highly.

Afterwards, the Dahuang Sect leader gave the Tuo Ba Young Master some instructions.

The Tuo Ba Young Master replied, "Yes," then descended the dais, circulating among the mid- and low-rank Dao Soldier commanders, offering wine with warm words and impeccable manners—gentle, refined, utterly unlike the arrogant, life-disregarding demeanor he displayed in the Beast Arena.

After circling, he naturally reached Mo Hua's table.

The Tuo Ba Young Master smiled and spoke platitudes: "All commanders have worked hard," "We must unite to quell the Dahuang rebellion," "With one heart, we shall pacify the realm"—then raised his cup and drank with all the commanders.

Yang Jishan and Yang Jiyong, seeing the sect leader's son—extraordinarily gifted, noble in bearing, yet so approachable—looked at him with admiration and drained their cups.

Mo Hua, among the crowd, silently finished his cup as well.

He was a mere "attendant," so he remained extremely humble.

The Tuo Ba Young Master treated him "equally"—or rather, ignored him entirely.

His gaze swept over Mo Hua once, then moved on, preparing to head to the next table.

Yet for some reason, the Tuo Ba Young Master suddenly froze, turned back, and stared at Mo Hua again—his frown deepening with each glance.

Yang Jishan noticed, puzzled: "Tuo Ba Young Master?"

The Tuo Ba Young Master snapped back to himself, bowed slightly: "Commander Yang."

Yang Jishan asked: "Is there something you wish to say?"

The Tuo Ba Young Master's eyes flickered toward Mo Hua and asked: "This young brother seems unfamiliar—"

Mo Hua offered a gentle, polite smile but said nothing.

Yang Jishan, a man who valued talent, was happy to recommend Mo Hua to the Tuo Ba Young Master:

"This young brother's surname is Mo, name Hua—he is an exceptionally gifted array master—"

"Array master?" The Tuo Ba Young Master froze, thinking: Had he mistaken the person? He asked again: "Surname Mo—he's not from the Yang family?"

Yang Jishan replied: "Not a Yang family member, but a friend of mine—and closely acquainted with my Yang family youths."

A friend of the Yang family—

Young Master Tuoba's gaze darkened slightly, and he smiled as he asked, "May I ask when this Brother Mo arrived in Desert City?"

"He—" Yang Jishan paused here, hesitated for a moment, then smiled, "He just arrived recently, at my invitation,"

"that's why he came to Desert City."

Young Master Tuoba nodded, cast another deep glance at Mo Hua, and praised:

"No wonder Commander Yang chose this youth—he truly is elegant and refined, with an extraordinary aura."

Mo Hua bowed and replied, "Young Master Tuoba flatters me."

Young Master Tuoba nodded, raised his cup, and said with a neutral expression, "Brother Mo, would you care to share a drink?"

Mo Hua's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded, "An honor."

The two drank a cup.

Young Master Tuoba said no more, put on a calm and courteous smile, and moved on to toast other commanders.

Mo Hua savored the taste of the wine in his mouth, yet inwardly wondered:

"Did this Tuoba Young Master recognize me?"

"Or is he just as confused as I am, unsure who I really am?"

But whether he recognized him or not, it made no difference to Mo Hua.

He was merely a wealthy young master at Foundation Establishment peak.

In terms of personal talent and strength, this Young Master Tuoba was far inferior to the four top-bloodline prodigies of Qian Xue: Shen Linshu and the others.

He was even inferior to the frontline talents of the Sida Sect—Shen Cangfeng, Ao Zheng, and Xiao Ruohan.

Mo Hua had no intention of targeting him, solely out of respect for the Da Huang Men.

Had this Young Master Tuoba not been the son of the sect leader and protected by Da Huang Men, Mo Hua had a hundred ways to toy with him.

"Da Huang Men—"

Mo Hua looked up toward the dais, his gaze darkening slightly,

the sect leader and the grand elder of Da Huang Men were both Liu Yuhua,

which was a configuration typical of a Wupinda Sect.

This meant that, constrained by the provincial boundaries and with no Dong Xu in action, Da Huang Men's actual strength had already reached Wupin standards.

But Da Huang Men was located deep within the Da Huang region, remote and politically sensitive, prone to drawing the suspicion of the Dao Court, so it had always remained low-key.

Mo Hua's gaze shifted slightly, then turned to Da Huang Men's grand elder beside him, and suddenly felt a strange tremor in his heart.

This grand elder of Da Huang Men was reserved and silent, having spoken not a word since the beginning.

Yet Mo Hua always felt that the aura emanating from this grand elder was faintly familiar,

yet he was certain he had never met this grand elder before.

This grand elder was a completely unknown man.

"Then why—do I feel a faint sense of familiarity?"

Mo Hua frowned slightly.

At that exact moment, the grand elder of Da Huang Men on the dais seemed to sense the gaze and turned his head toward Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was startled, immediately lowered his head and bit into a pig's trotter, feigning complete distraction.

The grand elder of Da Huang Men scanned the area, detected nothing unusual, and quietly withdrew his gaze, returning to his usual deep and silent demeanor.

Mo Hua chewed on the trotter, and quietly exhaled a sigh of relief.

After the military banquet ended, Mo Hua returned to the barracks and continued preparing his gear, studying the regulations and tactics of Dao soldiers' marches.

The planning for the suppression campaign was gradually coming together,

and five days later, all preparations were complete.

The Dao Court's army officially launched its campaign to suppress the Da Huang rebellion.

The Dao Court's main Dao soldiers departed Desert City, advancing toward the heartland of Da Huang.

This campaign would exterminate all resistance along the way, storm Wang Ting, and slay the rebel Wang Hou to pacify the Southern Da Huang and restore the Dao Court's authority.

At this moment, Mo Hua was merely an ordinary Dao soldier in this suppression campaign.

He wore the light robe of a Dao soldier and marched with Yang's troops out of Desert City, heading toward Da Huang.

Each day's march covered roughly three hundred li.

Because the Dao soldiers had just begun their advance and needed to coordinate between units, the first day's march was not fast.

Moreover, Yang Jishan's company had previously fought the barbarian troops, and many were still wounded.

Thus, during this march, they brought up the rear.

By nightfall, they set up camp temporarily.

Mo Hua estimated the distance and time, felt it was sufficient, and approached Yang Jiyong: "Brother Yang, trouble—I forgot something."

Some things needed to be made official; you couldn't just sneak around.

Yang Jiyong frowned: "What is it?"

Mo Hua said, "Before I left, my parents gave me a protective jade pendant—I left it behind in Desert City. Can I go back and get it?"

Yang Jiyong eyed Mo Hua suspiciously: "You're not planning to desert, are you?"

Mo Hua felt a flicker of annoyance, slightly speechless.

He had guessed that with Yang Jiyong's experience, he'd suspect Mo Hua wanted to return to Desert City.

He just hadn't expected him to suspect desertion.

Mo Hua said quietly, "We haven't even fought yet—we haven't seen a single barbarian. Why would I desert—"

He never expected he would suspect this direction.

Mo Hua fell silent: "I haven't even fought a battle yet, haven't seen a single trace of the barbarian troops—how am I a deserter?"

Yang Jiyong pondered for a moment, then nodded, thinking it made sense.

Only when a battle had truly begun, when the enemy was too strong and cruel, and one's life hung by a thread, would one consider fleeing as a deserter.

How could one be a deserter when the army had just set out, ranks in perfect order, morale soaring?

And back in Tongxiancheng, when facing the great demon, Mo Hua, that ten-year-old array master, never once thought of running.

Now he's among the Dao Court's great army, suppressing rebellion—what's there to flee from?

Yang Jiyong looked at Mo Hua and confirmed: "There really is something left behind in Damoc City?"

Mo Hua nodded.

His great tiger was indeed left behind in Damoc City.

Yang Jiyong saw Mo Hua's clear gaze and had no reason to doubt him, yet after a moment's thought, he still felt uneasy:

"This is… a bit against protocol."

Mo Hua said: "I'll go and come back quickly—no more than two or three hours. If I leave now, I'll be back before dawn."

"The army is camped here and won't move. I'm fast—I'll definitely catch up."

Yang Jiyong considered for a moment and thought the problem might not be serious.

It was indeed a bit against protocol.

But protocol was meant for ordinary people.

Mo Hua is a rare array master; as long as he doesn't run away and serves the Dao Troop Bureau, everything else can be overlooked.

Besides, the army has just set out and hasn't gone far—no delay to the march, and the rebellion hasn't even begun. It's not a big deal.

Yang Jiyong still gently advised: "Can't you retrieve it after the battle?"

Mo Hua's gaze darkened. "Swords and spears have no eyes. I fear I won't survive until the battle ends. At least, the things my parents gave me—I want to carry them with me." Yang Jiyong's heart trembled, and he had no reply.

He had spent years in the Dao Troop Bureau—he knew better than anyone how cruel and heartless war was.

No matter how high your status, how extraordinary your talent, one swing of an axe, and you're dead.

Often, death came in an instant—head severed from body—with no chance to react.

The Dao Troop battlefield was a meat grinder forged in iron and fire.

Glory was real.

Death's suddenness was no lie.

"Alright, go quickly and return quickly," Yang Jiyong said. "If anything happens, I've got your back."

Mo Hua smiled. "Thank you, Brother Yang."

He wasted no more time, walked openly out of camp, activated his concealment, and vanished into the night.

The temporary alert arrays set up around the camp couldn't stop Mo Hua,

and some of those arrays had even been laid by him himself.

Leaving the camp, Mo Hua shed his Dao Troop armor and donned a black robe, then unleashed his full speed with the Step of Flowing Water, heading toward Damoc City.

He had to reach Damoc City as fast as possible.

Then, while the Dahuang Sect's main force was away fighting, and the city's garrison was thin, with no support from Tuoba Young Master, he would destroy the Beast Arena,

rescue his great tiger, and find a safe place to release it.

Afterward, he would return to camp and pretend nothing had happened.

That way, even if the Dahuang Sect later traced him, he'd have an alibi.

And the Dahuang Sect wouldn't dare truly act against him—a Dao Troop Bureau array master, and a formal Dao Trooper, under the protection of the Yang family.

Provided his actions were stealthy and swift.

He had to complete all of this before dawn.

Mo Hua's gaze solemn, he dashed toward Damoc City at full speed, leaving behind only a ripple of waterlight merging into the darkness.