[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-556":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1897330,2531,"Chapter 556: Someone Who Took the Back Door Arrived","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-556",556,"\u003Cp>\"Form the formation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the command, the thousand-soldier array roared into motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi took a deep breath and stepped once more into that crimson expanse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She deliberately suppressed her inner resistance, just as she had with the hundred-soldier formation, forcing herself to sense the breathing and spiritual energy circulation of those nine hundred and ninety-nine others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She strove to match her footsteps to the rhythm, striving to merge her spiritual energy into the great formation's flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thud~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thud~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thud~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, she failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not that her movements were wrong, nor that her spiritual energy was insufficient, nor even that her reaction was a beat too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time, Hua Changxi matched the Zhu Que Army in action, yet spiritually she could never truly fuse; an invisible barrier always remained between her and the other nine hundred and ninety-nine Zhu Que soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could mimic their steps, synchronize their spiritual energy, and even suppress her own aura to accommodate the formation's rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she could not truly \"let go\" of herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever she attempted to fully merge her mind into that crimson ocean, a voice deep within would whisper: If you fuse with the Zhu Que Army, Hua Changxi will cease to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once that thought arose, fear coiled around her like a viper, causing her to instinctively shrink back, resist, and hold something back at the critical moment of fusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the military formation tolerated not a shred of reservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi gritted her teeth, climbed to her feet, and struggled to suppress the fear in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the more she suppressed the fear, the stronger it rebounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time the formation was about to connect, at the instant the thousand were to merge, she would \"see\" herself gradually dissolving within the crimson expanse, her outline blurring, her consciousness diluting, like a drop of ink falling into the sea, never to regain its original shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, she subconsciously tried to grasp onto something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, boom~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The repulsive force erupted once more, flinging her violently out of the formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hundreds of failures, Hua Changxi lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky above, dyed red by the firelight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She truly could not achieve complete \"selflessness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, not at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi had always been someone who grew stronger against stronger foes and charged headlong into difficulties, yet this time, facing this thousand-soldier formation that required her to fuse body and spirit with the other nine hundred and ninety-nine Zhu Que soldiers into one, she felt not a shred of fighting spirit, only a surging tide of retreat that wrapped around her layer upon layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she faced an external enemy, she might have forced herself to overcome this mental barrier, but now, her enemy was herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long contemplation, she decided to \"spare\" herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to give up, but to clearly understand: some hurdles cannot be cleared merely by gritting one's teeth and forcing a breakthrough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi stood up, looked at the thousand-soldier formation, did not continue, and instead withdrew from the Flame Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the Flame Mountain, Hua Changxi returned directly to the Lingguang Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two months...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi asked Yun You about recent events and learned she had remained in the Flame Mountain for two months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, upon returning from outside, she would most likely have headed straight to the main hall to review events, refine pills, or attend to affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, she did not return to the main hall; instead, she changed her attire, donning a suit of Zhu Que Army armor, and went to the Drill Square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She intended to observe up close how the Zhu Que Army trained and, if possible, to participate in the drills herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhu Que Army within the Flame Mountain formation was merely an illusion of spiritual energy, mechanical and singular; training with real people would surely be more difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon the Drill Square, over ten thousand Zhu Que soldiers were arrayed and drilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the most basic three-person small formations to the majestic thousand-soldier killing arrays, various formations alternated and shifted, rising and falling like breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surging spiritual energy flowed across the square like tides, while uniform battle cries shot straight into the clouds, shaking the drifting clouds in the mid-air until they trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi hid in the shadows of a corner of the square, quietly observing all this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched with great care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drilling of the military formations did not proceed smoothly; from time to time, a formation would collapse with a roar due to the failure of a single individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those soldiers who could not achieve immediate obedience to commands, or who, like her, stubbornly retained a strong sense of self, often became points of stagnation in the operation of the great formation, causing the array to fail to form properly or to unleash its full power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more numerous were those perfect formations that had already taken shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those crimson-armored figures with blurred and similar faces, there were no abrupt edges of individuality, no hesitant steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their movements were uniform as one, their breathing resonating at the same frequency, as if they were truly merely ten thousand manifestations of a single vast will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that crimson ocean, there was no \"I,\" only \"we.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Hua Changxi was watching with keen interest, suddenly a scorching gaze fell upon her; raising her eyes, she saw Duan Jishan, the Hall Master of the Drill Hall, staring at her with a face full of fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That soldier, come here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A roar loud as a great bell suddenly exploded, shattering the solemn and deadly atmosphere of the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The over ten thousand Zhu Que soldiers, previously immersed in their drilling, froze instantly; following the sound, over ten thousand sharp gazes swept uniformly to rest upon Hua Changxi in the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by this display, Hua Changxi paused slightly, not moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm talking to you, get over here!\" Duan Jishan pointed at Hua Changxi, his eyes wide with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi subconsciously raised a hand to touch the mask concealing her features; a flicker of hesitation crossed her mind, but ultimately she took steps and walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her slow, dawdling pace, the anger Duan Jishan had been holding back flared up even higher, and he barked roughly, \"Are you a turtle? Run faster!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing that slight awkwardness in her heart, exerted force with her feet, and jogged to stand before Duan Jishan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Jishan frowned, looking her up and down, and asked in an displeased tone, \"Why wear a mask when everything is fine? Are you too ashamed to be seen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breath of frustration lodged in Hua Changxi's chest: \"...My face is somewhat uncomfortable.\" Uncomfortable to be seen by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this reason, Duan Jishan assumed only that her face was injured; though the annoyance in his eyes faded slightly and he ceased pressing the matter, he was clearly deeply displeased by Hua Changxi's earlier conduct, and with a cold expression he continued his interrogation: \"What were you doing hiding over there? Why did you not join the ranks for drill?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi lifted her gaze slightly, meeting his eyes, and replied in a calm tone: \"I arrived late; everyone had already formed ranks for drill, and for a moment I did not know which formation I should join.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Duan Jishan's brows suddenly knitted together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sized up the masked, suspicious-looking soldier before him from head to toe, and several degrees of scrutiny and wariness instantly appeared in his eyes; with a cold face he ordered: \"Go to Company Commander Qin's column.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Hua Changxi know which one was Company Commander Qin? She froze on the spot, pondering how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her sluggish reaction, the wariness in Duan Jishan's eyes deepened; impatiently, he raised a hand and pointed at a hundred-man formation not far away, shouting harshly: \"That one over there! Hurry up and go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi hesitated no longer and broke into a light run toward the hundred-man formation he had indicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it happened, Company Commander Qin was drilling the hundred-man Crimson Flame Arrowhead Formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi had drilled this formation over a hundred times within the Flame Mountain; familiar with every position, she swept her gaze across the ranks and stepped into the formation to fill the vacant spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Duan Jishan frowned, a trace of puzzlement appearing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Form the array!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Hua Changxi's addition, the previously seamless operation of the Crimson Flame Arrowhead Formation developed an obvious stagnation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi perceived it at once; drawing a deep breath, she drew upon her prior experience in the Flame Mountain and forcibly merged herself into the formation's circulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Company Commander Qin governed his troops with extreme strictness and was deeply versed in the art of command; the hundred-man company under his banner was renowned throughout the entire army for obeying orders without hesitation and advancing or retreating as one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Hua Changxi's entry, even as she strove to integrate, she was like a drop of oil forcibly dripped into boiling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result was that the originally unified crimson spiritual energy suddenly turned violent, forcefully repelling this power that did not belong to the great formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi felt as though a heavy hammer had struck her chest; her entire body flew backward uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The neat, synchronized sound of footsteps around her came to an abrupt halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-majestic hundred-man formation, due to this single person's disconnection, instantly collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninety-nine Zhu Que soldiers stopped their movements in unison, turned their heads, and fixed their eyes on her lying on the ground with cold gazes reserved for an outlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no mockery, no angry scolding—only a suffocating silence and a wordless rejection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost the moment she left the military formation, Hua Changxi steadied her stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had not made a fool of herself, seeing the crowd's undisguised rejection made her heart feel blocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not yet familiar with you all; again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi strode quickly back into the military formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Company Commander Qin glanced at Duan Jishan; only after seeing Duan Jishan nod did he resume the drill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thud—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was flung out again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I refuse to believe it; again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Jishan blocked Hua Changxi, who was about to re-enter the military formation: \"I assigned you incorrectly just now; you should begin drilling with a three-person formation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi stared wide-eyed: \"A three-person formation?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Jishan paid Hua Changxi no heed; casually pointing out two people, he said: \"Ye Liyue, Yan Guichen, the two of you will drill with her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't a three-person formation a bit too few? Give me some time; I believe I am capable of handling the hundred-man formation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi did not wish to start drilling from a three-person formation, feeling it would waste time, and tried to persuade Duan Jishan to change his mind; consequently, she failed to notice the astonishment on the faces of the people in the square upon hearing the names Ye Liyue and Yan Guichen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ye Liyue and Yan Guichen themselves were greatly surprised by Duan Jishan's arrangement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Jishan looked at Hua Changxi, who was clearly unwilling to follow orders: \"What is the first military discipline of the Zhu Que Army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"...Obey orders and act accordingly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Jishan: \"Since you know it, then properly follow the arrangement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was choked into silence and could say no more; turning her gaze to the Zhu Que Army in the square, she did not recognize Ye Liyue or Yan Guichen and could only wait for the two to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reaction, seen by everyone, immediately sparked an exchange of glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What background does this person have? That the Hall Master would have Battalion Commander Ye and Battalion Commander Yan drill with her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Ye Liyue and Yan Guichen, they exchanged a look and walked toward Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>",2001,"2026-06-12T02:51:24.126Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","e1bf60723564d5109fc6644affc82988e7e812b2ddae3aa5b47e126d721a32b9","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-557","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-555",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]