Chapter 747: Thousand-Man Force Formation

Li Li Banfeng asked Jiu'er: "Did Lord Sun follow the peddler to attack the Bandit-Sweeping Camp? After the battle, did he return to Fool's City?"

Jiu'er shook her head: "I never saw him come back. I was killed by Dan Cheng's army, lost many memories, and when I woke up, Fool's City had no living souls left."

Later, I heard someone say that the hundred elite troops Sun Sun Tiecheng took with him returned not a single soul alive—not even he himself survived the battlefield."

These memories saddened Jiu'er deeply, and Li Li Banfeng didn't want to bring them up—but he had to clarify some questions.

"The peddler definitely brought troops. Lord Sun took a hundred elite fighters from Fool's City. With just these two forces, how could the Bandit-Sweeping Camp possibly have fought them?"

Neither Jiu'er nor Xiang Xiang Hongying had ever seen the Bandit-Sweeping Camp; Lady seemed to have seen it neither, but she'd heard rumors: "Husband, the Bandit-Sweeping Camp has a unique formation—I can't recall its name—but it strongly counters the tactics of Pulu Province."

Lady can't remember—can Old Train remember?

"It's the Thousand-Man Force Formation," Old Train actually remembered, "it's especially effective against Pulu Province. Our Pulu warriors fight like heroes when one charges alone, but when ten charge, they're less heroic; when a hundred charge, things get messy. Commanders are left helpless, unsure what tactics to use.

Plainly put, our Pulu soldiers aren't proper troops—they've never been trained. Two men, one civil, one martial, one ranged, one close, one striking, one grappling—that's manageable. Add a body cultivator, and it's still passable; body cultivators fight uniquely, maybe even as a surprise force. But add a travel cultivator? Then you can't fight at all."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "Why can't you fight with a travel cultivator?"

Xiang Xiang Hongying was a famed general!

Old Train suddenly stood up and began pacing in place: "Brother, fight one battle with me and you'll understand."

Li Li Banfeng stopped Old Train: "Brother, don't rush. Explain slowly to me."

Old Train explained: "I can explain, but not slowly—the problem lies in the slowness. Travel cultivators can't move slowly; battle demands speed. But if a travel cultivator runs, who can keep up? How can others coordinate with him?

Back then, the Emperor had a great general named Xiang Xiang Hongying. Her travel cultivation talent was even better than mine. Her battle method was unlike anyone else's—she charged straight into enemy formations, killed their commanders first, then shattered their ranks,

then ordered her troops to charge forward.

Her battlefield victories were won through sheer recklessness. If she actually led troops in coordinated assaults, she didn't know how.

Most Pulu tactics resemble Xiang Xiang Hongying's. Travel cultivators struggle to coordinate with others; poison cultivators are even worse—they unleash a technique that knocks down friend and foe alike. Of all the hundred sects in Pulu Province, very few can coordinate effectively."

This tactic suited Xiang Xiang Hongying's personality and matched her strength.

Li Li Banfeng nodded slightly: "I think this tactic suits me too."

"But if you meet the Bandit-Sweeping Camp, never fight this way! The Bandit-Sweeping Camp's Thousand-Man Force Formation

specifically counters this style.

The Bandit-Sweeping Camp consists entirely of three-headed cultivators with low cultivation—just first or second level. One-on-one, they're no match for us. But a hundred against one? The outcome becomes uncertain."

"A hundred against one," Li Li Banfeng had heard similar descriptions before, "is that an advantage or a disadvantage?"

"For the Inner Province, it's an advantage. A hundred first-level three-headed cultivators, using the Thousand-Man Force Formation, can easily kill a Cloud-Ascendant. A thousand first-level three-headed cultivators using it can kill twenty or thirty Cloud-Ascendants without breaking a sweat."

Li Li Banfeng now recalled where he'd heard this description.

The peddler had once told him: "Holding off a thousand troops alone, or a thousand troops holding off one man—both are extraordinary feats."

Zhang Zhang Fanglong had used his farmers to deploy a high-level lock-cultivation technique. At the time, the peddler had deduced Zhang Zhang Fanglong was winning through sheer numbers.

Could Zhang Wanlong also use the Thousand-Man Force Formation?

At that time, the peddler had specifically mentioned the Ironbone Army.

"Brother, does the Ironbone Army also use the Thousand-Man Force Formation?"

Old Train shook his head slightly: "It looks similar. At first, I thought it was the same—both rely on bloodline, just differing between Ironbone men and three-headed people.

But later I realized the Thousand-Man Force Formation is more sophisticated. If even a few cowards appear in the Ironbone Army, the whole force collapses. On a battlefield of corpses and blood, how many men won't panic? So forming a true Ironbone Army is extremely difficult.

But the Thousand-Man Force Formation has no such problem. Once the formation is set, even if some men panic, the entire army won't break. So I believe the Bandit-Sweeping Camp is fiercer than the Ironbone Army."

Hearing this, Li Li Banfeng felt his judgment had been spot-on: "The Bandit-Sweeping Camp is coming soon."

Old Train nodded: "When Zhang Zhang Gunli led troops to kill Zhao Zhao Lanmeng, I sensed something was off. They didn't want land—they couldn't hold it even if they took it.

But if Zhang Zhang Gunli truly kills Zhao Zhao Lanmeng, the peddler won't let it go. If the Inner Province stirs up more trouble, the peddler will be tied down.

Lao Qi, gather more intelligence. Once fighting starts, I'll head straight to the battlefield. I brought many fine items from the Inner Province—I'll give them a proper test."

3

Li Li Banfeng had already acted—he sent Chu Shaoqiang with a message to provoke Lan Qiao Yi's move.

He'd activated every channel—Xiao Capital, Boundless City, Dark Star Bureau, Bai Sun Alliance—if there was the slightest ripple, Li Li Banfeng would hear it. He simply didn't believe Lan Qiao Yi could be perfectly silent.

Nian Nian Shangyou entered Lan Qiao Yi's study, holding a letter, and read aloud: "Chu Shaoqiang sent a secret message, stating—"

Lan Qiao Yi kicked Nian Nian Shangyou: "Who let you open a sealed letter? And you dare read it aloud?"

Nian Nian Shangyou had forgotten one crucial thing—Lan Qiao Yi's eyes had recovered.

Lan Qiao Yi took the letter, read it once: Chu Shaoqiang had just received word that the Earth God of Zhen Tou City had been killed, and the peddler was now hunting the killer.

After reading, Lan Qiao Yi's expression remained calm: "Send someone else to investigate."

Nian Nian Shangyou whispered: "My lord, do you distrust Chu Shaoqiang?"

"Why trust him? Is he worth it?" Lan Qiao Yi looked at Nian Nian Shangyou. "How many mistakes has he made in Pulu Province? This letter of his doesn't deserve even one-third of my trust."

Nian Nian Shangyou bowed his head in silence. Honestly, he didn't know who Lan Qiao Yi could trust.

Two days later, Lan Qiao Yi received another secret report—this one delivered by Ma Ma Chenxing.

Lan Qiao Yi frowned slightly. He didn't doubt Ma Ma Chenxing's loyalty, but he doubted his ability. He'd sent Ma Ma Chenxing to Pulu Province as a decoy, to draw attention—but he hadn't expected Nian Nian Shangyou to task him with gathering intelligence.

Nian Nian Shangyou explained: "I didn't order Ma Ma Chenxing to investigate Zhen Tou City. He received the information by accident."

Lan Qiao Yi frowned: "How could he accidentally learn about Zhen Tou City?"

"Because many people in Zhen Tou City have woken up. This hasn't happened in Pulu Province for years.

Under the Earth God's watch, people in Zhen Tou City sleep for half a year straight. Such an abnormal situation proves Zhao Zhao Lanmeng is truly in trouble."

Lan Qiao Yi remained skeptical: "Where did Ma Ma Chenxing get this information?"

"The Ma family has businesses across Pulu Province. When people in Zhen Tou City woke up and began wandering, Ma family shops noticed."

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head: "Investigate further. Send spies directly to Zhen Tou Village."

Nian Nian Shangyou hesitated: "My lord, if the peddler truly flies into a rage over this, the spies might not return."

Lan Qiao Yi glared at Nian Nian Shangyou. Nian Nian Shangyou had no choice—he gave the order to the spies.

Two more days passed. The spy returned with word: he had gone to Zhen Tou City himself. Many people had indeed awakened from their sleep. Unable to bear hunger, many had left Zhen Tou City to seek livelihoods elsewhere.

Lan Qiao Yi's face lit up: "The moment has come."

Nian Nian Shangyou grew cautious: "If Zhang Zhang Gunli succeeded in killing Zhao Zhao Lanmeng, he would have sent word. Why not wait two more days?"

Lan Qiao Yi refused to wait: "The peddler is hunting. Zhang Zhang Gunli is already in a desperate situation. He won't even have time to send a message—he's likely already dead."

Nian Nian Shangyou added: "Since Zhang Zhang Gunli has accomplished a great deed, I could lead troops to Pulu Province to bring him back to Chaoge."

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head: "Why bring him back? He has made countless enemies. Everyone in Pulu Province hates him.

Even in Great Shang, many old friends hope he dies soon.

The two who accompanied him are equally infamous. Such men deserve to die. Let them tangle longer with the peddler. Order the Ministry of War to prepare camps—the Bandit-Sweeping Camp departs tomorrow to attack Bai Sun County."

Nian Nian Shangyou said: "The Bandit-Sweeping Camp has trained too briefly. Its soldiers' levels are far too low—nothing like the Bandit-Sweeping Camp that once fought the peddler. Rushing into battle now is unwise."

"This isn't about fighting the peddler or Pulu's main army," Lan Qiao Yi had already decided: "Attacking anywhere else would be unwise. Attacking Bai Sun County is certain victory. The peddler is tied up by Zhang Zhang Gunli; Eighteen Wheels needs time to recover. Bai Sun County is remote and mountainous—no one can reinforce it in time. This is the perfect chance to annihilate them."

Nian Nian Shangyou said: "But even if we capture Bai Sun County, we can't hold it."

"No need to hold it long-term," Lan Qiao Yi shook his head. "Destroy Bai Sun County's stubborn enemies, find Pulu's sea routes—that's a great victory!"

Nian Nian Shangyou drafted the decree and was about to send it to the Ministry of War when Lan Qiao Yi suddenly warned: "Act with absolute secrecy,

Chaoge is full of spies. The Ministry of War must not leak a single word."

Li Li Banfeng was waiting for Shang's movements when Luo Zhengnan called: "A foreign woman named Zuo says Bai Sun County is in danger."

No one else had moved—yet the first to send word was Zuo Anna of the Bai Sun Alliance. Clearly, the Bai Sun Alliance's intelligence network in Great Shang was highly developed.

Her warning that Bai Sun County was in danger proved Shang was about to attack.

His earlier prediction was correct: Shang had long targeted Bai Sun County, and this time was no different—because reinforcing Bai Sun County was extremely difficult.

Li Li Banfeng immediately called Tan Tan Jinxiao, ordering him to prepare for battle.

Seeing the urgency, Old Train told Li Li Banfeng: "I'll break my own rule—let you ride in a sleeper berth. Get on quickly."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Brother, my cultivation isn't low. Let's run together—hard to say who's faster."

The two sprinted toward Three-Headed Fork. Near the boundary, Li Li Banfeng was about to contact A Yu to lift the barrier—but Old Train grabbed him onto his back and charged straight through.

He made no protection at all—just rushed through.

"Brother, you just crossed the boundary like that?"

"Ming-ming~" Old Train whistled. "Crossing like this is simple. Today's urgency means no fancy tricks—I'll show you something thrilling another day."

At Three-Headed Fork, they still had to descend into the underground city, pass through the People's Market, then reach the Sea Market.

Many officials from the Border Control Office had appeared at Three-Headed Fork, and the Innocent Army was assembling rapidly.

Li Li Banfeng notified Liao Liao Zihui, who had already begun acting.

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng was mobilizing personnel, grain, and weapons, shipping them via the Sea Market to Bai Sun County.

Old Train said: "Starting now is already too late."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Not late. This isn't the first time we've sent aid to Bai Sun County. We've been preparing for a long time."

In the military camp, lanterns burned brightly.

Lan Qiao Yi stood in the great hall, holding a golden axe, addressing his entire army:

"Brave sons of Great Shang! Noble heirs of the imperial line! Today is your chance to earn glory and build your legacy.

Wield your blades and axes to shatter the rebel bodies! Ride your iron steeds to crush the traitor's cities! Deploy your wisdom to crush the traitorous marquis's arrogance! With your glorious deeds, restore Great Shang's might and revive the sacred state!

Let your mighty might ensure that all rebellious hearts are forever eradicated from Great Shang's soil, never to rise again!"

The entire army roared like thunder and ocean.

The commanding generals Yi Sheng, Han Qing, and Yan Chong stepped forward—they were one person with three heads; normally, Han Qing handled affairs.

They were to receive from Lan Qiao Yi the golden axe.

The golden axe, shaped like a battle-axe, was of great ceremonial importance in Great Shang, symbolizing the emperor's recognition of a general's ability and the granting of authority before an expedition.

Lan Qiao Yi first took the axe head and handed the haft to Han Qing, saying: "From now on, all above heaven shall be governed by the General."

Then he took the haft and handed the blade to Han Qing, saying: "From now on, all below the abyss shall be governed by the General."

With the ceremony over, the Pacifying Bandits Camp immediately set out for battle.

Lan Qiao Yi left the main camp and did not accompany the army.

Fighting the Pulu Province is not the same as fighting the Tufang Kingdom.

Fighting the Tufang Kingdom is a proper war between two armies; whether victorious or defeated, as long as the battle isn't too brutal, neither side's commander is likely to lose his life.

Fighting the Pulu Province could bring any outcome—especially these stubborn Bai Sun Clan fighters. Even when the battle is hopeless, they'll fight to the death. It's possible for the Great Shang to win decisively, yet the commander gets dragged away and killed by the Bai Sun Clan.

Moreover, Lan Qiao Yi no longer needs to prove himself; his victory against the Tufang Kingdom has already elevated his prestige to its peak. This battle will solidify his position in the Great Shang, but he doesn't need to fight personally.

Han Qing is also an excellent commander—he led many critical battles against the Tufang Kingdom and is one of Lan Qiao Yi's trusted men. Letting him serve as commander is naturally safe.

Watching the massive camp slowly depart, Lan Qiao Yi immediately began deploying his next move: "After seizing the Bai Sun Clan, have the Ministry of Works immediately send people to map the sea route to Pulu Province."

Nian Nian Shangyou said: "The Ministry of Works has already prepared the personnel."

The Bai Sun Clan connects to the sea leading to Pulu Province—this route, Li Li Banfeng had also seen.

Lan Qiao Yi reiterated: "After the great victory, the Merchant Lord will surely counterattack. The Pacifying Bandits Camp's strength is limited and cannot withstand it—be sure to keep a retreat route open."

Nian Nian Shangyou said: "Already arranged."

Lan Qiao Yi still wasn't reassured: "Tell Shan Chengjun to send men to Pulu Province, using the false king's name to harass them and delay the Merchant Lord as much as possible."

Above the Bai Sun Clan, five islands suddenly moved outside the cavern.

Ling Bai Tao led his people squatting on trees, their piercing howls rising and falling.

This was the Bai Sun Clan's unique war horn—battle was coming.

A massive sphere descended from the sky.

The Great Shang's commander, Han Qing, carefully observed the situation on Bai Tao Island and ordered his troops to assemble for attack.

"Listen to my command: the people of the Bai Sun Clan are fierce and uncontrollable. Now that we've conquered them, all inhabitants of the five islands—old, young, men, women, children—must be slaughtered. Leave no survivors."

This was the most thorough massacre order—and the one the Pacifying Bandits Camp most wanted to hear.

Kill them all, leave not a single soul—this was the easiest order for them to carry out.

The camp gates opened, and three thousand cavalry charged out with a roar.

They were cavalry, so they needed horses—each three-headed rider sat atop a steel warhorse with wings growing from its back, but in truth, this steel warhorse was not merely a mount—it was armor.

The armor worn by the three-headed men could change shape: in aerial combat, it sprouted wings; in land combat, it extended four hooves; in naval combat, it transformed into a vessel.

The armor was extremely durable and could spew steam—a perfect weapon for both offense and defense, unmatched by Pulu Province or the Outer Provinces.

Three thousand iron cavalry dove downward. The brave warriors of Bai Tao Island rushed forward to meet them. In battle, Ling Bai Tao always led from the front—he had the highest cultivation base and strongest combat power in the Bai Sun Clan, capable of killing enemy commanders.

But he had never seen the Pacifying Bandits Camp before and was unfamiliar with their tactics.

Han Qing intended to kill Ling Bai Tao today.

The three thousand cavalry shouted in unison: "Kill!"

That shout, like a sonic wave, shook all five islands of the Bai Sun Clan.

This was a typical targeted tactic against Pulu Province.

The sonic wave targeted Ling Bai Tao—according to Han Qing's estimate, just this one shout would severely injure him; a few more would make him explode outright.

This was also Han Qing's pre-planned tactic: kill Ling Bai Tao, and the Bai Sun Clan would lose its leader and fall into chaos.

After exploding, the enemy's body fragments would not become peach trees upon landing—meaning the subsequent land battle would be much easier.

The reality was even more favorable than he expected: after the first shout, Ling Bai Tao's body exploded directly.

The Pacifying Bandits Camp's morale surged—they shouted again and again: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The massive sonic wave swept through every Bai Sun Clan warrior like a storm.

Warriors began exploding one after another; in moments, few remained.

The Pacifying Bandits Camp pressed forward with increasing ferocity, yet Han Qing sensed something was wrong.

This battle was going too smoothly.

The people of Bai Tao Island seemed too fragile.

Their flesh and blood looked too vividly colored.

There was a faint sweet stench in the air.

And where did these floating particles come from?

They weren't dust—they were white fluff.

A strand of fluff landed on Han Qing's hand, like a paratrooper with a parachute landing successfully.

This was dandelion!

Han Qing faintly heard screams—screams that seemed to come from the Pacifying Bandits Camp.

What was happening?

They were still charging, but Han Qing saw some soldiers writhing and struggling inside their armor.

He flicked the dandelion off his hand, his full attention fixed on the battlefield—yet he didn't notice the dandelion seeds had not been removed.

The white fluff clung tightly to his hand; the seed at its center sprouted instantly, delicate roots piercing deep into his palm.

Han Qing felt excruciating pain and tore the dandelion out—ripping off a large patch of skin and flesh from his palm.

Now he knew where the screams came from.

He saw countless dandelion seeds floating in the air—all erupted from the bodies of the Bai Sun Clan's "warriors."

Through observation devices, Han Qing saw the bodies on the ground—they weren't warriors. They were watermelons. They were containers for these seeds.

No wonder the air carried that sweet stench—but why were these watermelons moving?

Han Qing had no time to ponder this—he immediately ordered a retreat, but the soldiers who had reached Bai Tao Island had lost all chance to retreat.

Dandelion seeds clung to their hands, their heads, slipped into their armor, and took root in their flesh.

One soldier clutched his throat, trying to scream but unable to—dandelion roots had taken hold in his throat.

Another soldier tore a dandelion from his eye socket, pulling out his own eyeball with it.

Another soldier covered his ears—leaves had sprouted from his ear canals, bearing flowers. The dandelions, saturated with blood and flesh, quickly withered, turning into white fluff balls that continued scattering seeds.

Each three-headed cavalryman now grew branches and leaves, each hung with fluffy flowers, each feeding the dandelions with his own flesh and blood.

Whether on the ground or in the air, the cavalrymen could no longer fight—they writhed in agony under the dandelions' torment.

Zhang Wanlong inside the tunnel laughed. His apprentice Xiaogen laughed too.

Tan Tan Jinxiao in the boat laughed. Xu Han held back for a long time, rubbed his face, then couldn't help laughing.

The four master and disciples, after days without sleep or rest, had finally succeeded!

Xu Han praised: "Tan Jinxiao, you played an indispensable role in this battle."

Tan Tan Jinxiao waved his hand: "I didn't do much. The real credit goes to Wanlong—he grew these powerful watermelons and dandelions. That's true skill—I'm fully convinced!"

Xu Han said: "Without the phlegm you collected, these dandelions wouldn't have grown."

"Getting that phlegm was hard—I went door to door asking people for sputum. It was humiliating."

Xu Han chuckled: "Is collecting golden urine any less humiliating?"

Tan Tan Jinxiao shook his head: "Totally different. I went to the latrines to collect golden urine—I told people I was farming, and they understood.

But when I asked young girls for sputum, Master, do you know how many times I got beaten?

Those girls really hit hard! Luckily I used to be a thug—I wouldn't have survived otherwise!"

In the meantime, over half the three thousand Pacifying Bandits had died.

The real Ling Bai Tao, hiding in the tunnel, saw the moment was ripe. He asked Zhang Zhang Fanglong to recall the dandelions—they were ready to emerge for the final battle.

Zhang Wanlong shook his head: "These dandelions can't be recalled."

Plants don't possess such strong spiritual awareness—they won't return just because you command them.

If they can't be recalled, what do we do?

This thing doesn't distinguish friend from foe—we can't charge out now.

Ling Bai Tao was eager to rush out and end the battle, but Zhang Zhang Fanglong warned: "Don't rush. If you charge out now, even without the dandelions, you'll regret it."

"What's there to regret?" Ling Bai Tao still didn't grasp the severity.

Zhang Wanlong sighed: "My master appears honest and kind, but his heart is cruel. He's about to strike—you have no idea what his strike looks like."

Everyone looked up and saw a golden dragon rising from the sea, charging toward the Great Shang camp.

Han Qing ordered the gates closed—but it was too late.

Under the dragon's surge, countless dandelion seeds rode with it into the camp.

As the golden dragon rushed toward him, Han Qing felt a despair he had never known.

The entire camp was submerged in a golden sea.

Han Qing struggled desperately within the sea—the situation now made his despair even deeper.

The dandelion seeds, nourished by abundant nutrients, began growing wildly.

Lao Huoche and Li Li Banfeng stood in midair. From the scent in the air, Lao Huoche had clearly judged the battlefield's outcome.

"That's Lao Xu acting, right? No one else's scent is this strong."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Not just Lao Xu—his disciples too."

Lao Huoche didn't believe it: "Can he and his disciples interfere in someone else's affairs?"

"They can!" Li Li Banfeng nodded. "As long as Pulu Province doesn't let farmers suffer, they won't let Pulu Province suffer."

PS: If Lan Qiao Yi had brought Wind Cultivators, the dandelions would not have worked.