Chapter 480: Outer Clumsy, Inner Cultivated

Soldiers and Armor as One!

This was a precious treasure, a military unit that marked history in the name of tenacity, and even more so, a defensive battle that could be called great!

The commanding general, Tian Han, was born into an ordinary farming family. Due to his family's poverty in his youth, he joined the army early on.

His personality was steady and reliable, and he was gentle with others. As he accumulated military merit and became a leader, he always mingled with his soldiers in the most humble way.

He trained and labored alongside his soldiers, earning the deep support and love of his subordinates.

When foreign enemies invaded, as the defending force, he resisted tenaciously and led his army in heroic combat. He always insisted on campaigning for the sake of the common people, prioritizing their livelihood and safety.

He advocated the philosophy that "the people's hearts make the army strong," always believing that the army's strength originated from the hearts of the people.

During their stationing, he also led his subordinates to do many practical things for the farmers, such as digging water wells and irrigation ditches.

Because of this, the Iron Guard Army he led enjoyed a high reputation among the populace. Whenever war broke out, the people would always voluntarily support his army, providing food, shelter, and even coming to help in person.

The enemy forces were powerful and occupied vast territories.

In many battles defending against foreign invasions, Tian Han always went to the front lines, fearing no danger. No matter how perilous the battle, Tian Han always led his soldiers to charge at the front, commanding in person and being the first to face the enemy.

Finally, in a fierce defensive battle, the situation became extremely critical. Tian Han fought with all his might alone, blocking the gap, and as a result, suffered numerous sieges and was shot to death by a poison arrow that struck from the shadows.

His subordinates wept bitterly and wanted to carry him down, but he stopped them, saying: "I know this kind of potent poison; I am beyond saving! Let me stand for a while longer. The enemy forces are deterred by me; let me stand for a while longer, and the enemy will need more time to regroup, giving you more time to catch your breath."

"General!" his subordinates cried out in grief.

Tian Han stood from dusk until nightfall. Seeing him standing firm on the defensive line, the enemy forces dared not act rashly and chose to rest.

Tian Han used the last of his life to continue the battle.

Although he died in battle, the morale of his army reached its peak!

The soldiers swore to avenge their commander, and with their homeland right behind them, there was simply no path of retreat to speak of.

"Without the General, the enemy's morale will surely soar tomorrow, and they will launch a fierce attack. Why not..." a soldier proposed faking the illusion that Commander Tian Han was still alive, which gained the agreement of the others.

They then selected the strongest among them, dressed him in Tian Han's full set of armor, and had him play the role of the latter, fighting to the death.

A few days later, this actor also died from severe wounds.

Soon, they selected a third actor.

Having played the role many times, although "Tian Han" grew weaker and weaker, he still fought tenaciously. No matter what poisonous schemes the enemy used to plot against them, he showed no signs of falling, keeping the enemy's morale in a depressed state and making it difficult for them to exert their full strength.

The Iron Guard Army was small in number, but they relied on peak morale, skilled battle formations, and the geographical advantage they had managed for years to hold their ground, firmly blocking an enemy force dozens of times their size.

The enemy commander cursed loudly, having changed three commanding generals in a row, yet still unable to break through this seemingly thin defensive line.

Even when their own royal capital was besieged, the defensive line here had yet to be broken.

Military rations had long been exhausted, so the Iron Guard Army ate horses, turf, and gnawed on tree leaves. The crossbow carts were long broken, and although the cannons were intact, they were out of ammunition.

Cut off from water sources by the enemy, they drank their own urine and held their ground without retreating.

In the later stages of the campaign, the enemy forces saw through the Iron Guard Army's disguise. When they realized that the real Tian Han had long since fallen in battle, they were plunged into extreme shock.

Because, in their eyes, "Tian Han" had truly been fighting the whole time!

The enemy veteran general, well-versed in military strategy, suddenly realized: "This is the armor gaining spirituality. This spirituality was not just created by Tian Han himself, but by the unity and infusion of this army's overall spirit and will!"

"Our various detection methods were very sound, yet we were deceived because we were facing the extremely condensed will and spirit of this army!"

"Tian Han longed for someone to take his place in commanding the overall situation and continue the fight. And the soldiers longed for 'Tian Han' to remain forever, to deter the enemy."

"Everyone's thoughts were concentrated on this suit of armor, making its spirituality extraordinary from the moment it was born!"

"We were all deceived."

"What a respectable army this is."

The old general sighed deeply.

When the Iron Guard Army was reduced to the last dozen or so men, the enemy forces voluntarily gave up on continuing to clash with this army.

They abandoned the breakthrough of the defensive line and bypassed it from both sides.

When passing the hill, the enemy soldiers would all pay their respects, and even give a military salute!

For this army that was of one mind and one heart, even their enemies felt strong admiration and reverence.

And that suit of armor, which had been worn by almost everyone in the army, was named—Soldiers and Armor as One!

Since then, this military treasure, full of spirituality and born from the battlefield, drifted outside.

Sometimes, the military treasure was worn by outstanding generals; sometimes, because its appearance was unremarkable, it was buried and only worn by soldiers; and sometimes, it became a collector's item for those who knew its value.

Time and war ground countless traces of damage into it.

Because the experience of its birth was too unique, it was difficult to repair!

The once-complete set of full-body armor had long since been scattered in the vicissitudes of fate.

Therefore, what Ning Zhuo saw at this moment when Lu Hongtu took it out was only a helmet.

The helmet's shape was sturdy, with no superfluous decorations on the surface, and simple lines outlined an elegant and solemn battle helmet. The overall shape was slightly semi-circular, and the helmet face was wide, effectively protecting the wearer's face and neck. Unlike traditional battle helmets, its design appeared slightly clumsy, yet it did not lose its deterrent power.

The top of the helmet tilted slightly backward, as if it were a phoenix about to spread its wings, symbolizing the spirit of the source—soldiers of one heart, advancing wave upon wave; no matter how many times they died, they could "reborn" once more!

The main material of the helmet was ancient refined iron, which, after multiple smeltings and forgings, presented a bronze luster, slightly carrying the aura of time's accumulation.

The surface of the helmet had many scratches and dents; these scars were traces of battle, witnessing countless instances of holding the line and sacrifice.

The inside of the helmet originally had a lining, but too much time had passed, and the lining had completely disappeared.

Ning Zhuo's gaze was drawn to it. This rare military treasure was very suitable for him right now.

Ning Zhuo pondered for a moment and said in a hoarse, tough voice: "This method of trading is indeed not bad. But borrowing the 'Gao Sheng Testament' must be decided by me. In other words, even if the Thousand Peaks Forest is at a life-or-death juncture, as long as I think the timing is inappropriate, I will not lend it!"

Ning Zhuo said this deliberately to gain leverage for the upcoming negotiations.

Because even Sun Lingtong felt this condition was excessive.

If "Daoist Shi Zhong" decided it was inappropriate and wouldn't lend it, then they could completely fail to fulfill this contract.

However, Lu Hongtu narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

A moment later, he actually nodded and smiled, indicating his agreement!

"Fine, I agree to this condition."

=9+Book_Bar

Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong:?!

Until both sides signed the contract, Sun and Ning were still a bit dazed.

"What on earth is going on?"

"Lu Hongtu is actually so easy to talk to?"

"More than just easy to talk to, he's simply stupid!"

"No, that's not right. There must be something we've overlooked."

Lu Hongtu carried a large amount of military equipment and, turning into a ray of light, flew toward the main gate of the Six Caves Sect.

"This time, on Daoist Shi Zhong, there is no longer any charm of the Soul Transformation stage."

"Impressive!"

"This shows that he has likely completely digested and mastered his power, and then thoroughly disguised himself as the Nascent Soul level."

"However, he is still very cautious, not wanting to be exposed too early in front of the Ginseng Root Long Wang, to prevent being seen through by the other party."

"Therefore, he doesn't even meet with Lord Xiang Ning, only contacting me."

"This old monster is deep in foresight; he wants to use me as a bridge to reach cooperation with the Long Wang's forces and jointly resist the two-note kingdom's great army!"

"And then, slowly plot..."

"He is different from the Ginseng Root Long Wang; he is alone, with no forces to serve him. That is why he wants to support me."

"On one hand, I have long had a grudge with the Long Wang. From a certain perspective, the Long Wang is our common enemy."

"On the other hand, he wants to befriend me through the trade of spoils and military equipment. This lays the groundwork for his future struggle with the Long Wang."

"Good, good, good."

"Daoist Shi Zhong, I underestimated you before."

"You are truly outer clumsy and inner cultivated, deep in foresight indeed!"

Thinking of this, the corners of Lu Hongtu's mouth couldn't help but curl into an arc.

"Hmph!"

"With Daoist Shi Zhong acting like this, being so careful, he is probably going to compete with the Ginseng Root Long Wang for the territory of the Thousand Peaks Forest."

"Whether from the habits of the Ten Thousand Year Earth Essence or the extremely high value of the Thousand Peaks Forest, it means the two Soul Transformation experts will inevitably have a fierce struggle."

"After repelling the two-note kingdom, my Six Caves Sect might be able to profit between the two parties."

"According to my current relationship with both sides, there is much to be done here."

"Good, very good!"

Sun and Ning did not return the same way immediately.

They were both made uneasy by Lu Hongtu's strange attitude.

After all, the other party was at the Nascent Soul level, and Ning Zhuo's divine ability, "Life Hanging by a Thread," could not fall upon the other party's head.

"Could it be that he has already discovered we are impostors?"

Carrying this doubt, "Daoist Shi Zhong" stubbornly circled the Thousand Peaks Forest several times.

After confirming there was no one following them, Sun Ling and Sun Ning ducked into a mountain cave, put away the stone ball, and used the Ten Thousand Mile Swimming Dragon to return to Canglin Immortal City.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 481 =====