Chapter 502: Mechanism Army, Attack!

Mulun Town.

Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Ning received the military order and all felt shocked.

Du Tiechuan was at the Soul Transformation level, the commander-in-chief of the Liangzhu Kingdom's expedition to the Thousand Peaks Forest, yet he had been ambushed and seriously injured.

The key was that Young Master Sheng Xu was only at the Nascent Soul level, yet he was able to counter-assassinate Du Tiechuan. If this fact were disclosed, many people would probably think it was fake news.

The further a cultivator goes on their path, the more difficult it is to fight across levels. It seems like only one level difference, but in reality, there can be a world of difference.

Unlike Ning Zhuo fought Jin Dan with Foundation Establishment; Young Master Sheng Xu fought Soul Transformation with Nascent Soul; the difficulty of the latter was countless times higher than the former, and also countless times rarer.

Zhang Hei was puzzled: "A dignified commander-in-chief, at the Soul Transformation level, what is he doing? How could he be so careless?!"

Liu Er sighed: "Although Young Master Sheng Xu is very 'empty' (Sheng Xu), he is on the Young Master List and is famous for assassination; it is not strange that he achieved this."

The Young Master List!

This was a quite famous list that recorded the recognized young male cultivators of the whole world.

This list covered almost the entire cultivation world and almost all cultivation kingdoms.

Sheng Xu was on it, and the title of Young Master had a very heavy gold content!

Guan Hong nodded in agreement: "Yes, it is not the first time Young Master Sheng Xu has fought against the Soul Transformation level."

"Although Du Tiechuan is at the Soul Transformation level, it depends on whether it was his main body or a split spirit."

When a cultivator reaches the Soul Transformation stage, the Nascent Soul grows into a Primordial Spirit. The cultivation of the Primordial Spirit continues to accumulate, and a part can be split off to act as a second Primordial Spirit, or even a third.

Guan Hong guessed that Du Tiechuan, who was guarding the central army and was injured, could be his main body or a split spirit.

That night, the alarm bell rang, and the whole army did not sleep.

They remained on high alert until dawn, and countless scouts scattered around reported that there were no signs of large-scale enemy troops.

The soldiers then relaxed.

The military order for the whole army to be on alert was of course correct. It was to guard against Young Master Sheng Xu's assassination, followed by the Thousand Peaks Forest army sweeping over.

But looking at the current reality, the Thousand Peaks Forest side did not seem to have the ability to sneak into Mulun Town without flags and drums.

Or perhaps, they just hired Young Master Sheng Xu to try an assassination and didn't have high expectations from the start?

Regardless, Young Master Sheng Xu, the Young Master List, etc., became the most discussed words in the army today.

In the afternoon, another piece of bad news came.

The Liangzhu Kingdom's vanguard army was in the most forward position, approaching the Heavenly Pillar Giant Wood Mountain of the Thousand Peaks Forest.

On the night of Young Master Sheng Xu's assassination, the Thousand Peaks Forest side suddenly mobilized cultivation experts, set up altars for sacrifice, and created a large amount of poisonous miasma, surrounding the vanguard army.

Now, the pitch-black poisonous miasma isolated the inside from the outside, surrounding the vanguard army's camp tightly.

"The vanguard army has become an isolated army, perhaps they are being besieged at this moment!"

"We must send troops as soon as possible to rescue the vanguard army."

"But the commander-in-chief is seriously injured; at this time, we should remain still and actively recuperate."

The soldiers discussed it, and opinions were mainly divided into two factions, arguing endlessly, and the morale of the army was shaken.

At noon, Du Tiechuan issued a military order—

The Three Generals Camp, Savage Demon Camp, Red Flower Camp, and Golden Halberd Army, four armies, would attack the Thousand Peaks Forest along four different routes!

And the remaining armies would still be stationed in Mulun Town, remaining still.

After Liu Er received the military order, he discussed it with Zhang Hei, Guan Hong, and Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Zhang Hei was excited about the upcoming slaughter.

Guan Hong's fighting spirit was surging, but he also had hidden worries: "According to common sense, it should be a great battle between the two sides, then divide the troops and carry out a multi-line attack."

Unlike Ning Zhuo said pointedly: "Du Tiechuan is avoiding going into battle while injured. Both the Liangzhu Kingdom and the Thousand Peaks Forest have Soul Transformation level existences."

"The Thousand Peaks Forest side is the Dragon King with Ginseng Whiskers."

"Our side is the commander-in-chief Du Tiechuan."

"If the Soul Transformation level contest is easily defeated, the entire military momentum will collapse and fall apart."

"Therefore, Commander Du must be cautious in his actions."

"The key now is that the vanguard army is shrouded in poisonous miasma, and the true situation is difficult to investigate."

"The Thousand Peaks Forest suddenly took action and created such a situation; it is possible they want to besiege the vanguard army, but it is more likely they are using this to lay out a layout, set an ambush, and lure the entire Liangzhu Kingdom army to attack."

Unlike Ning Zhuo analyzed this and rubbed his chin: "Looking at it this way, Young Master Sheng Xu assassinating the commander-in-chief and besieging the vanguard army are coordinated strategies."

"This is likely just a small part of the overall strategy; more hidden dangers are inside and outside the poisonous miasma of the vanguard army."

"Du Tiechuan does not want to mobilize the large army rashly because this is very likely to fall into the enemy's trap."

"But he also wants to find out the truth."

"He must have already dispatched capable scouts to detect the true situation inside the poisonous miasma."

"At the same time, he ordered our four armies to attack, still wanting to use this method to probe the Thousand Peaks Forest's military layout."

Liu, Guan, and Zhang were silent.

They all agreed with Unlike Ning Zhuo's analysis.

The Three Generals Camp was newly established; even with constant day and night training, its overall combat strength was at the bottom level.

Du Tiechuan dispatching the Three Generals Camp, to put it more essentially, was using them as cannon fodder.

Regarding this point, Liu, Guan, and Zhang had long been aware. As itinerant cultivators who defected and built their own army, being used in such a situation was very normal.

What Zhang Hei didn't understand was: "Why were the Red Flower Camp and Golden Halberd Army also arranged in this action?"

The Savage Demon Camp's situation was similar to the Three Generals Camp, which everyone could understand.

Unlike Ning Zhuo pondered: "Although the Red Flower Camp originated from the Mu General's Mansion, and although the previous problems were solved, the forces in the country still haven't let them go."

"The Golden Halberd Army is purely implicated by Sun Gan."

Sun Gan, as the commander of the Imperial Guard, actually wanted to get his hands on the Mu General's Mansion before others could pick the peaches.

He himself led the Imperial Guard but wanted to jump elsewhere, which also made the monarch dissatisfied.

Therefore, this time he was squeezed out and became a pawn to probe the enemy's troop deployment.

Unlike Ning Zhuo thought for a moment and added: "Among our four armies, there will naturally be distinctions."

"According to my guess, among the four march routes, our situation will not be very good; there will definitely be some hard nuts to crack."

Unlike Ning Zhuo's conjecture was confirmed later.

The march routes of the four armies indeed had advantages and disadvantages; Sun Gan's Golden Halberd Army was the most difficult, the Three Generals Camp was second, the Red Flower Camp was third, and the Savage Demon Camp actually had the best route.

Unlike Ning Zhuo thus inferred the changes in the Liangzhu Kingdom's court: "Traitors are the most hateful; Sun Gan's disloyalty made the monarch angry."

"Our Three Generals Camp made contributions in the last ambush, and the momentum is very strong; many people in the court want to suppress us."

"The Red Flower Camp being third reveals that many people still haven't given up on the Mu General's Mansion."

"The Savage Demon Camp, this cannon fodder camp in the usual sense, actually received the best treatment; it is truly ironic. The pattern of the Liangzhu Kingdom's monarch is just like this."

The three generals didn't say anything, but they all had expressions of agreement.

The military order was issued at noon that day.

The four armies hurriedly ate lunch and then broke camp to advance.

Mu Lan specifically summoned Unlike Ning Zhuo to meet and gave Unlike Ning Zhuo a military token: "In a critical moment, crush this token, and I can use military force to pull you to me."

Mu Lan was paying more and more attention to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

She did not show emotion and was still that iron-blooded general.

The key was that Unlike Ning Zhuo and her interests were deeply intertwined; Unlike Ning Zhuo's life and death concerned the situation of the Mu General's Mansion.

Unlike Ning Zhuo took the token and expressed his gratitude.

Before Unlike Ning Zhuo left, Mu Lan still said: "Perhaps, you could march with me?"

This proposal was immediately rejected by Unlike Ning Zhuo, who stated that he was the military advisor of the Three Generals Camp and had always been on good terms with the three generals. At this time, the battle had not yet started, and if his own military advisor went to another army, such behavior would definitely cause trouble for the Three Generals Camp.

"The three lords Liu, Guan, and Zhang treat me very well; how could I, Unlike Ning Zhuo, be a petty person who sees profit and forgets righteousness?" Unlike Ning Zhuo refused sternly.

Mu Lan had anticipated this response and could only nod, telling Unlike Ning Zhuo to be careful. Unlike Ning Zhuo returned to the Three Generals Camp, and Liu Er secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Er was of course worried that Unlike Ning Zhuo would defect to the Red Flower Camp and not stay in the Three Generals Camp.

Now it seemed his worry was superfluous.

Zhang Hei and Guan Hong did not have this worry; they had full confidence in Unlike Ning Zhuo's choice of the Three Generals Camp.

The Three Generals Camp formed a long snake formation and rushed to the Thousand Peaks Forest.

They marched normally along the way, without any intentional delay.

On the evening of the third day, they arrived at the foot of a Heavenly Pillar Giant Wood Mountain.

After setting up camp, the night was calm and peaceful.

The next morning, they broke camp and set off, climbing the first Heavenly Pillar Giant Wood Mountain.

They did not encounter any enemies.

The soldiers found many signs of the lives of barbarians and demon beasts, but these intelligent creatures had all moved away.

No one missed a single word of the content!

Although this Heavenly Pillar Giant Wood Mountain had other creatures, it had already been abandoned.

The Three Generals Camp drove straight in without encountering any resistance.

"General, we found a large amount of food!" A scout returned to report, his expression excited.

Liu Er and Unlike Ning Zhuo went to inspect it personally and found it was a large group of spirit mushrooms.

Unlike Ning Zhuo advised: "The barbarians are good at poison; they deliberately left these spirit foods, fearing there might be a trap. In my opinion, don't touch them at all."

Liu Er originally wanted to pick some to serve as backup rations, but upon hearing this, he immediately nodded: "The military advisor's words are very true."

He immediately ordered the whole army not to take a single bit and to continue moving forward.

The second Heavenly Pillar Giant Wood Mountain, the third Heavenly Pillar Giant Wood Mountain, were all abandoned. The Three Generals Camp did not encounter any enemies.

Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Ning were calm, but their moods became increasingly heavy.

Encountering a little resistance was most beneficial to them. Firstly, it could be used to train troops; secondly, it could boost morale; thirdly, even if they suffered a setback, they would have a reason to station there.

On the contrary, now that the enemy side was actively shrinking and gathering their military strength nearby, it was more threatening to the Three Generals Camp!

Finally, when they reached the fourth giant wood mountain, they saw two military camps.

One camp was stationed at the foot of the mountain, and the other camp was on the mountainside; the two were in a horn-like formation.

The Three Generals Camp only had one force and could not divide into two.

"Damn it, the enemy has many troops; our triangular arrow formation requires the three of us Jin Dan cultivators to form it together; there is no way to divide the troops."

Just as Zhang Hei was troubled, Liu Er smiled lightly.

Guan Hong stroked his beard and said nothing.

Zhang Hei immediately showed joy: "Since the eldest brother smiled, he must have thought of a good way. Tell me, tell me quickly."

Liu Er looked at Unlike Ning Zhuo: "It is not that I have a way, but the military advisor does."

Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately knew what Liu Er was thinking, so he said: "General Zhang is focused on training troops and may not have noticed that I have also built an army recently, all of which are mechanism puppets."

"Because I couldn't deploy them in the Three Generals Camp, I usually went to the Red Flower Camp to use the open space there for training."

Zhang Hei was pleasantly surprised: "There is such a thing? According to the military advisor's ability, this mechanism army must be very strong!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled bitterly: "General Zhang, you flatter me! The mechanism army is also newly established and lacks training. But I lead an army, perhaps I can buy some time for the three lords."

Liu Er then said: "Since that is the case, then I will trouble the military advisor to deal with the enemy camp on the mountainside. I and my two righteous brothers will take action together to try to eliminate the enemy camp at the foot of the mountain as soon as possible."

Unlike Ning Zhuo thought for a while and agreed.

Zhang Hei hesitated: "I see the enemy camp on the mountainside, its structure is huge, three times that of the enemy camp at the foot of the mountain, with flags everywhere, clearly much stronger than the enemy camp at the foot of the mountain."

"The military advisor is only a Foundation Establishment cultivator; can he take down the enemy army by controlling the mechanism army alone?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo smiled: "Thank you for your concern, General Zhang. My mechanism army here has no morale to speak of; even if it is defeated and collapses, as long as it buys you some time to wipe out the enemy camp, then I can be considered to have succeeded in the operation."

"Even if the loss is heavy, don't forget, according to the contract, 30% of the spoils belong to me."

"I can naturally purchase mechanism puppets on a large scale and reorganize the army."

Zhang Hei said "Oh," and sighed: "Mechanism puppets are not living people; it is convenient to build them."

The strategy was set, so Unlike Ning Zhuo separated and took out almost all the mechanism puppets.

In the surprised eyes of many soldiers, a mechanism army quickly took shape.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was in the mechanism army, radiating spiritual sense.

The spiritual sense was projected and received through the Split Spirit Mirror, and soon took over 60% of the mechanism puppets. The remaining part was secretly controlled by Sun Lingtong.

The two joined forces to catalyze the battle formation.

Light Body Gale Formation!

The effect of the previous training was immediately reflected, making the mechanism puppets lighter, with light winds lingering on their hands and feet, faster and more agile.

Unlike Ning Zhuo bowed to Liu Er, then hid his figure and disappeared.

The mechanism army walked lightly and killed toward the mountain.

The Three Generals Camp catalyzed the triangular arrow formation and rushed toward the enemy camp at the foot of the mountain.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's march was smooth, and he couldn't help but feel strange: although the enemy camp had long-range attacks, the arrows were sparse, and there was not much pressure.

"Could it be that the enemy camp at the foot of the mountain is the main force?"

Just as Unlike Ning Zhuo was guessing, many people and horses rushed out of the enemy camp at the foot of the mountain.

Barbarians, demon cultivators, and demonic cultivators were in a mess, barely forming a battle formation, but there were many of them, like a mountain flood pouring out.

"Hahaha, you were stunned, right! You fell into our trap!" The leading Jin Dan barbarian held a giant axe in each hand and laughed proudly.

It turned out that these barbarians thought they were poorly trained and only had a numerical advantage, so they decided to divide their troops.

They set up two military camps, one strong and one weak, one false and one real. They also used means to cover up the truth of the false and real.

The Three Generals Camp was weak in reconnaissance and suffered from having fewer troops than the enemy, so they fell into the trap.

The Three Generals Camp was caught off guard and was suppressed by the enemy's huge number of troops, and their momentum stopped.

"Not good. I must support them as soon as possible." Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately adjusted the mechanism army, wanting to go down the mountain.

But at this moment, the enemy camp on the mountainside crashed out a group of people, the leading Jin Dan barbarian held a long spear and yelled: "Want to support? Dream on!"

This team of enemy troops was very fierce and rushed into the mechanism puppet army.

Both sides fought together.

"Must finish the battle quickly." Unlike Ning Zhuo sighed, revealed his figure, and cast Five Elements spells.

Flames descended with a roar, and the sound of explosions was continuous.

The barbarians were stunned by the explosion.

It was because Unlike Ning Zhuo didn't care at all and blew up many mechanism puppets.

The barbarian Jin Dan enemy general was so angry that his eyes turned red. It didn't matter if the mechanism puppets died; the key was that they were sacrificing their own clansmen, all of whom were flesh and blood.

"Despicable little thief, die for me!"

The Jin Dan enemy general killed his way to Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Unlike Ning Zhuo sneered, pointed a finger, and the Metal Element spell was like light and a spear, killing the Jin Dan enemy general and forcing him to retreat in a sorry state.

The enemy general's face showed horror.

It was because Unlike Ning Zhuo received the blessing of military force, and his combat strength climbed to the Jin Dan level!

Military Strategy—Brave Warrior Return Technique!

The mechanism puppets were all in the formation; the more they died in vain, the stronger the blessing Unlike Ning Zhuo received.

He waved his sleeves, and another large cluster of Five Elements spells covered them.

The mechanism puppets died, and the barbarians died even more.

Unlike Ning Zhuo became even stronger!

The barbarian Jin Dan noticed this and had no more fighting spirit: "Retreat! Retreat quickly!!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 503 =====