Chapter 383: Marriage and timing, stationing troops in Bashang, fame spreading to the Jiuzhen

Great Xia Year 8, April 30th, night.

Muyin City, a tall building not far from the Lord's Palace.

At the entrance of the tall building, over a hundred fully armed golden-armored soldiers were on duty. Passersby coming and going would stop when they reached the tall building, looking at these golden-armored soldiers with deep curiosity.

"Is this the army that defeated Wu Chuan at Fushan yesterday?"

"It's them. I heard they attacked Fushan during the day. The one leading the Wu Chuan army was Deputy Army Head Qin Yuanyi, who surrendered directly without fighting. Two thousand-plus people, along with Deputy Army Head Qin Yuanyi, were escorted back to the town last night."

"Attacking the Fushan camp during the day, how is this possible?"

"How is it impossible? Look at the cultivation level of these gate-guarding soldiers."

"Hiss, the ones guarding the gate are all Cold-Resisting Grade?"

"Great Xia Dragon Martial Army, the soldiers are all of Cold-Resisting Grade cultivation."

"This, how is this possible? The three northern towns don't have this strength, do they?"

"The strength of this Great Xia Town must be stronger than the three northern towns. It's still the Town Head who has magical powers, actually being able to invite such powerful reinforcements."

"What Town Head, should be called Lord."

"Yes, yes, yes, look at my memory, almost forgot."

The discussion of the passersby was not small. Because the Great Xia soldiers had fought two major victories in a row, they had completely dispelled the mystery of the Jiuzhen. Hearing these people's discussions, they inevitably showed some pride on their faces.

On the top floor hall of the tall building, Yuwentao gathered with eleven high-level officials of the Dragon Martial Army. Everyone's expression was unusually excited.

"Didn't expect to really be able to kill Murong Yan. Big brother, you did well!"

Yuwentao, while happy, couldn't help but praise his elder brother Director Yu Wen Yong.

Director Yu Wen Yong was not his blood relative, just an orphan adopted by his father Director Yu Wen Hu in the early years at the Jingxian camp, who recognized him as a foster son.

Director Yu Wen Yong was eight years older than him. Although Yuwentao recognized him as an elder brother, Director Yu Wen Yong never considered himself an elder brother. He always remembered the upbringing grace of his foster father Director Yu Wen Hu and was extremely respectful to Yuwentao. The relationship between the two was actually closer to master and servant.

The one thousand people of the Dragon Martial Army had all mixed into Muyin City as early as the beginning of April.

Yuwentao had long judged that the Jin Shan and Wu Chuan towns would take action against Muyin Town when the Battle of Bashang City began. Knowing that Murong Chui had the confidence to control the situation in Muyin City, he led the Dragon Martial Army to the Yu Sect camp in late April to ambush in secret.

When he set off for the Yu Sect camp, he left Director Yu Wen Yong behind and gave him a special task: to find an opportunity to kill Murong Yan directly while the town was in chaos.

Yuwentao had stayed in Muyin City for more than a month and naturally could see that the core problem of Muyin Town lay in the Lord, Murong Yan.

Murong Yan's cultivation talent was certainly nothing to say, but he had ambition without means, and he was obsessed with preventing his own family members, even at the cost of colluding with outsiders. This person seemed to have a magical obsession with the Lord's throne; he was simply a strange flower.

Yet Murong Chui was of a hesitant nature, and out of respect for his deceased brother Murong Ding, he was unwilling to take action against his grandson no matter what.

When setting off from Xia City, Xia Hong had personally explained that Muyin Town was a nail Great Xia wedged into the hinterland of the Jiuzhen, which would play a huge role in the future.

With Xia Hong's explanation, Yuwentao naturally had to find a way to ensure that Muyin Town would not have problems. Since Murong Chui and his five sons couldn't take action, Great Xia had to be the villain.

When Director Yu Wen Yong was at the Mirror Immortal camp, his talent was not outstanding, but ever since he came to Great Xia, it was as if he had been enlightened. With the abundant supply of various cultivation resources, his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. Four years ago, when he broke through to the Frigid level, his base strength reached 2.8 bristles, making him an extremely top-tier superior battle body.

Four years have passed, and Director Yu Wen Yong's base strength now exceeds 21 bristles, just one step away from the peak of the Frigid Realm. In the Dragon Martial Army, his strength is second only to him and Hou Quan.

Murong Yan has high talent, but hindered by his age, his strength is actually not strong, only at nineteen bristles. Without even counting the Saint Pattern and martial arts bonuses, it is naturally not difficult for Director Yu Wen Yong to kill him in a one-on-one fight relying solely on his base strength.

The problem is that Murong Yan's identity is placed here, and there will inevitably be many loyalists protecting him. Moreover, Jin Shan Town will likely not let him have an accident.

Leaving Director Yu Wen Yong in Muyin City could at most be considered a leisure move by Yuwentao. If it could be done, it would be best; if not, there wouldn't be much loss.

Before setting off, he didn't actually hold much hope.

Who would have thought that Director Yu Wen Yong actually killed Murong Yan.

Thoughts were myriad, but in reality, only an instant passed.

Director Yu Wen Yong's personality was even colder than Yuwentao's. Hearing his praise, there was no emotional fluctuation on his face, just calmly saying: "Minister, you praise me too much!"

Yuwentao knew his personality and didn't take it to heart, smiling: "Although you made a great contribution this time, the limelight is too strong. Now there are over a hundred thousand people in Muyin City clamoring for you to pay with your life for their Lord. Before Murong Chui returns, you had better not show your face in the city."

Recalling the scene where tens of thousands of people in Muyin City were shouting for him to pay with his life after he killed Murong Yan with his own hands the day before yesterday, Director Yu Wen Yong still had lingering fears in his eyes. Hearing Yuwentao tell him not to show his face in the city, he naturally agreed ten thousand percent.

In any camp, the Lord's status is extremely special. It is no exaggeration to say that they are the spiritual totem in the hearts of everyone in the camp.

Director Yu Wen Yong beheaded the Lord Murong Yan in front of more than ten thousand people, naturally causing a huge uproar. If it weren't for the Murong Ping brothers protecting him the night before yesterday, he would never have been able to walk out of the Lord's Palace alive.

Step step step...

While everyone was silent, a brisk sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

Yuwentao's expression froze upon hearing the sound. The others in the room were stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted, one after another showing teasing expressions, looking at Yuwentao at the head.

"These footsteps, is it Miss Murong?"

"This little lady has only been back in the city for one day, and she has already come to find the Minister four or five times."

"The two battles of Yu Sect and Fushan, defeating Shangguan Ning and capturing Qin Yuanyi alive, the Minister showed great power. Miss Murong saw it all the way and it is normal to be fascinated."

"With such a figure as the Minister, which girl wouldn't be fascinated?"

"Hahahahaha..."

"Get out, get out, get out! Are you all idle with nothing to do? Get out and rest."

Being teased by everyone, the cold-natured Yuwentao rarely showed a trace of annoyance on his face, waving his hand to let everyone get out quickly.

"The Minister is twenty-five this year, right? Don't be shy!"

"Xia Li says, men should marry when they grow up, women should marry when they grow up..."

"Miss Murong has always been known as the Pearl of Muyin. Regardless of appearance or talent, she is top-notch. With the Minister, it is a match made in heaven!"

"The age is also appropriate. I, Zhu Yang, agree to this marriage."

"Hahahahaha, Zhu Yang agrees, then it must be done."

While everyone was walking out, they didn't forget to tease a few words.

A smile rarely appeared on Director Yu Wen Yong's face. He stopped for a few moments, clearly intending to say something serious, but seeing Yuwentao waving his hand repeatedly, not giving him a chance to speak, he could only bow and follow everyone out.

Everyone left, and Yuwentao's expression relaxed slightly.

At the same time, a red-clothed young girl walked quickly into the hall.

Muyin Town favors red, and the clothes worn by high-level officials all have more or less red. Murong Yan is no exception. Because she walked too fast, the slightly long crimson skirt was swaying gently. Before she even walked in, seeing Yuwentao, that bright and charming face already showed a trace of shy and cute smile.

Being able to be hailed as the Pearl of Muyin, Murong Yan is not just as simple as having top-notch cultivation talent. Her appearance is indeed top-notch among women of the same age, and she has some fame in the entire Jiuzhen.

From the time Murong Yan turned fifteen, let alone within Muyin Town, there were many people from the other eight towns who came to Murong Chui to propose marriage. With Murong Chui's status, those who dared to come to the door to propose marriage were naturally not simple in status, basically all children of the Manifestation families of the Jiuzhen. It is a pity that Murong Chui refused them all.

"Brother Director Yu Wen, my father and four uncles have all said that no one will trouble your brother again, you can rest assured."

Hearing Murong Yan's words, Yuwentao didn't react much, just nodded lightly.

This was already in his expectation. Murong Yan is dead, and the biggest beneficiary is the second branch of the Murong clan. Not protecting Director Yu Wen Yong would be unreasonable.

"Brother Director Yu Wen, you should not have broken through to the peak of Cold-Resisting Grade yet, right?"

Director Yu Wen Tao nodded. Although his current base strength is 32 bristles, he is indeed still at the late stage of the Frigid Realm. He is a supreme-grade battle body approaching six bristles, so calculating it, there is still at least 15 bristles of room for improvement.

Hearing his answer, Murong Yan suddenly showed a trace of shyness, took out a small iron bottle from her arms, and handed it over directly.

"Brother Director Yu Wen, your aptitude is so good, you must have broken through before me. After breaking through the peak of Cold-Resisting Grade, you can only use other means to improve your strength. This is the Long Hu Li Dan I saved up over the past few years. There are 21 in total, I give them to you."

After the young girl finished speaking, her cheeks were already red to the roots of her ears, and the last three words "give to you" were almost inaudible. If it weren't for being close, it would be difficult to hear clearly.

Yuwentao looked at the Long Hu Li Dan handed over by Murong Yan, his expression suddenly became somewhat complicated. Looking up at the other side's extremely nervous expression, he knew that Murong Yan had mustered great courage to make such a move. He didn't know how to refuse so as not to hurt the other side.

"Miss Murong, I remember that this Long Hu Li Dan is not cheap in your Jiuzhen. One pill costs 180,000 taels of silver, and 21 pills are worth nearly 2 million taels. Such precious things, I cannot accept. Moreover, Great Xia Town also has Dragon Carp Pills and Green Cod Pills, I am not lacking, you should take them back!"

Ice Abyss regulation is 10 taels for 1 jin, 2 million taels of silver, that is a full 200,000 jin of silver. No matter where this is placed, it counts as a huge sum of money.

Sending such precious things to himself, Murong Yan's intention is actually already very clear, but Yuwentao still politely declined.

Rejected by Yuwentao, Murong Yan's face, which was red to the roots of her ears, instantly turned pale. She stared at Yuwentao, her face full of disbelief.

She bit her lip tightly, her pale little face suddenly showing a trace of stubbornness. First, she endured not letting tears fall, walked a step directly in front of Yuwentao, and said with extreme grievance: "Brother Director Yu Wen, we have been together for almost a month, you must have feelings for me, I can tell. And if you don't like me, in the Battle of Fushan, when Qin Yuanyi wanted to capture me, why did you risk your life to save me?"

Since introducing Yuwentao to her grandfather Murong Chui at the beginning of last month, driven by curiosity, Murong Yan had almost always been by Yuwentao's side. The young girl's heart was moved. Learning that he was only twenty-five years old this year, his strength far exceeded her own, his talent far exceeded her own, and he even commanded such a powerful Dragon Martial Army, Murong Yan's curiosity naturally turned into admiration.

On the night of the first of May, Jin Shan Town Deputy Army Head Shangguan Ning led troops to attack the Yu Sect camp. Yuwentao led the Dragon Martial Army, which had been ambushed in advance, to take action like thunder, defeating Jin Shan's five thousand Town Defense Army in one battle. He himself beheaded several Jin Shan masters in the battle formation and captured Shangguan Ning alive. At that moment, this young talent who could both strategize and kill the enemy on the battlefield, wise and brave, had already quietly broken into Murong Yan's heart. That kind of admiration was also rapidly turning into love.

Until the day before yesterday, during the Battle of Fushan, Qin Yuanyi knew he couldn't defeat the Dragon Martial Army, so he first pretended to surrender, then suddenly took action to capture her, wanting to use her to threaten the Dragon Martial Army to retreat. At the critical moment, Yuwentao used his body to block a sword for her. It was that moment that Murong Yan completely fell.

Just for the action of blocking that sword for her from Qin Yuanyi, Yuwentao definitely had feelings for her. Murong Yan could firmly believe this point.

Murong Yan had been pampered since she was a child. Not only her grandfather, but also her father's elders and cousins, who dared not follow her wishes? In the entire Muyin City, she walked sideways. It was not easy to take the initiative to express her love, but she was rejected by Yuwentao. The stubbornness in her heart naturally rose up. Even if she was rejected, she swore to ask for an explanation today.

"Brother Director Yu Wen, speak!"

Murong Yan stared straight at Yuwentao, completely without the shyness when she gave the things just now. In her eyes, besides grievance, there was stubbornness and unwillingness to accept.

"Miss Murong, I have things to do, you should go back first!"

However, the only response to her was Yuwentao's increasingly stiff words.

"I know what you are worried about, I will go to grandfather to make it clear!"

Murong Yan saw Yuwentao's cold expression and clenched her fists. She seemed to have thought of something, gritted her teeth and left a sentence, then turned and left directly.

Yuwentao was left alone in the hall, silent for a long time before lowering his head and sighing lightly.

"You are worried that Murong Chui is unwilling to let her marry into Great Xia, right?"

A teasing voice suddenly sounded in the hall. Yuwentao turned his head violently upon hearing the sound, seeing the black figure standing behind, his expression immediately became excited, and he bowed hurriedly: "Yuwentao pays respects to the Lord!"

The person who came was actually Xia Hong.

Since coming to Muyin Town from the East Ridge secret passage at the beginning of March, Yuwentao had not returned to Xia City for two months. Suddenly seeing Xia Hong appear here, his mood was inevitably somewhat excited.

Of course, since Xia Hong came to Muyin City in person, it proved that all matters in the north bank of the Xinghe River, Hongguan, and Bashang were basically over.

"Jin Shan and Wu Chuan towns have both signed agreements with Murong Chui, guaranteeing no hostilities within ten years. As a condition, all captives captured by the Dragon Martial Army in the two battles of Yu Sect and Fushan, including Shangguan Ning and Qin Yuanyi, must be released. However, the two towns will use silver to exchange for them."

Yuwentao asked hurriedly: "What about the price?"

"Ordinary soldiers 5,000 taels, Cold-Resisting Grade 50,000 taels, army commanders 100,000 taels, battalion commanders 200,000 taels, and the two deputy town heads are 500,000 taels each."

Hearing this price, Yuwentao's eyes suddenly lit up.

In the two battles of Yu Sect and Fushan, the Dragon Martial Army captured a total of 2794 captives. According to the price Xia Hong said, it is estimated that it can be converted into 16 million taels of silver.

Great Xia stipulates that half of the battle gains of soldiers in the army can be reserved, which means that the Dragon Martial Army can share at least 8 million taels of silver in these two battles. Even if it is spread out, each person can share 8,000 taels.

8,000 taels of silver, for an individual, definitely counts as a significant sum.

Last year, Xia Hong cleared out four silver mines in Longshan in succession, and Great Xia's silver inventory suddenly became abundant. The Camp Needs Department also adjusted the price of silver accordingly, from the previous 120 points per jin to 80 points per jin.

8,000 taels submitted to the Camp Needs Department can be exchanged for a full 64,000 contribution points.

A gain of 64,000 contribution points, the Dragon Martial Army's expedition to Muyin this time was worth it. After the brothers know the news, they will definitely be very happy.

Yuwentao's expression was extremely excited, and he couldn't wait to gather the Dragon Martial Army soldiers downstairs to announce the news.

Seeing Yuwentao so excited, Xia Hong waved his hand and smiled: "No need to be so excited. The Dragon Martial Army performed very well this time. What is a little silver? Record all the soldiers' performance on the battlefield and personal gains. When you return to Xia City later, the Military Department must not forget to record their military merits."

There is also a military merit award?

Yuwentao was stunned upon hearing this, and immediately looked up at Xia Hong, showing confusion.

"You think the Dragon Martial Army fought these two battles just to help Muyin?"

Seeing Yuwentao's expression, Xia Hong immediately knew what he was thinking. After asking a strange rhetorical question, he shook his head and continued: "I don't have such great kindness. All battles fought by Great Xia's army must be and can only be fought for Great Xia. Sending troops to help Muyin is to stabilize the current situation of the Eight Towns. To put it bluntly, it is to pave the way for Great Xia's subsequent expansion. You should be able to see that, right?"

Yuwentao nodded immediately. He naturally had long understood this point.

The problem is that he understands, but it doesn't mean all soldiers understand. Smart soldiers can naturally see the leopard through the tube and see Xia Hong's deep underlying intentions, but after all, they are in the minority. The vast majority of soldiers must still think that this expedition was to make friends with Muyin Town, so that Great Xia camp would not be isolated and helpless when operating at the southern foot of Mo'ao Mountain in the future.

Xia Hong also reacted quickly, frowning: "In the future, these things don't need to be hidden. The origin and reason for every major battle can be directly announced to the whole army. Let every soldier in the army know clearly why they are fighting. Don't go to the battlefield in a daze and think they are bleeding and fighting for others. It doesn't matter if the soldiers don't put in effort, but losing their lives for no reason is a grievance. You are the Minister of the Military Department yourself, you should understand how important this is, right?" ===== CHAPTER 384 =====