Gao Tongcheng and the others from Ming Mansion in Tianlong City had long since departed for Canghai Mountain, accompanied by men from the Fan Family Escort Agency, so safety was not a concern. Their Master would surely be delighted to see Gao Tongcheng.

After they left, only a few maids and two servants remained in the Ming Mansion, with Xiao Ya taking charge of the household affairs.

Xiao Ya was elegantly beautiful, with a sharpness discernible between her eyebrows; one look told you her nature was not soft, and she would not tolerate being bullied. The entire Ming Mansion was running like clockwork, even more orderly than when Madam Gao was present.

Li Muzhan was happy to enjoy his leisure, ignoring trivial matters, and began his closed-door cultivation of the Nine-Saddle Marrow Cleansing Sutra.

He had simulated the Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Sutra countless times in his mind, mastering it completely to ensure absolute perfection. Although internal energy cultivation within the army rarely led to zou huo ru mo (going berserk) because there was no mental interference, it was not impossible.

Guiding internal energy through physical movements was far more dangerous than using pure mental focus; once lost control, there was no remedy. This was why he created a set of military martial arts, a practice as perilous as walking a tightrope across a cliff.

For several hundred years since the founding of the Dayuan dynasty, no one had created a military martial art; all skills were passed down from previous generations.

Li Muzhan’s mind was exceptionally strong. His mental simulations were indistinguishable from reality. It was this power of imagination that dared him to take the final step and create the Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Sutra.

He had always been curious how Li Yujiao of Saint Snow Peak managed to cultivate hers. It must be related to the mental technique she practiced, and perhaps it involved a sudden insight, a fortunate coincidence.

He lacked the necessary fortune and the cultivation of mind and character, leaving him to ponder alone. Ultimately, he followed the path of military martial arts; success or failure remained utterly uncertain.

In the early morning, he stood alone in the small courtyard, perfectly still. Inside the Yongquan acupoints beneath his feet, internal energy churned, causing mist to rise and seep into his Qi membrane. He noticed that practicing at night made the Jingqi (Essence of Earth) particularly rich, far surpassing the daytime.

The sun suddenly leaped above the horizon, casting down myriad beams of golden light. Li Muzhan instantly shifted from stillness to motion, slowly extending his arms and bending his knees. Following the movements, surging internal energy rose from his Yongquan points, circulating along his meridians.

His movements were slow and gentle, like Tai Chi, commanding the flow of internal energy, acupoint by acupoint, linking them together to form a strange pattern.

"Boom…" A sudden roar echoed in his mind. Golden light flickered before his eyes, a vast rain of gold descending, glorious and magnificent.

A wave of intense pain suddenly washed over him. The golden light abruptly vanished, leaving only a few twinkling cold stars, which soon faded too, returning him to darkness.

He opened his eyes, a slight curve at the corner of his mouth, his smile gradually widening, until he burst into unrestrained laughter, unable to contain his joy.

Now, the internal energy coursing through his body was much thicker than before. His acupoints were like lakes, and his meridians like river channels—both completely refreshed and expanded.

The expansion was only about one or two tenths, clearly not much, but it was a good beginning. The Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Sutra truly lived up to its divine reputation. He understood that he had done it right; he had found the correct method.

For the following days, he relentlessly practiced the Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Sutra. With each circulation of internal energy and the corresponding roar in his mind, a strange vision appeared, immediately broken by intense pain, followed by the expansion of his meridians and acupoints.

He practiced continuously for ten days. Following the final anomalous vision, his acupoints and meridians finally doubled in capacity. After that, no more strange phenomena occurred; the acupoints and meridians ceased changing.

Li Muzhan understood that the first layer was now complete. To expand further, he needed to cultivate the next layer.

He was not in a hurry to practice the next layer because his internal energy was currently insufficient in depth. Completing the first layer had already reached the limit of his current potential; cultivating the next level required a much deeper foundation of internal energy.

He then began practicing the Small Dragon Form, intending to integrate it into his fighting techniques.

Although the Small Dragon Form was a technique for cultivating internal energy, Li Muzhan was unwilling to settle for that, wishing to transform it into a martial skill for combat, which would naturally yield infinite power.

The Small Dragon Form comprised nine stances, all extremely simple and ordinary movements. To outsiders, it looked like mere play, not cultivation, because the movements were too common.

Front Push Palm, Upward Push Palm, Downward Push Palm, Bow Stance, Drawing Sword Stance, Dragon Claw Form, Tiger Pounce Form, Swimming Dragon Form, Ascending Form—totaling nine.

The Front Push Palm was merely pushing both hands forward; the Downward Push Palm involved pressing both palms down; the Upward Push Palm had both palms raised high; the Bow Stance was a deep bow stance while drawing a bow; the Drawing Sword Stance involved bringing the hand behind the back as if drawing a saber.

Every movement was unremarkable, giving no indication of cultivation. These simple movements could be transformed into formidable techniques, but while the actions were simple, the required precision was absolute.

For an ordinary person, achieving standard, effective execution was already extremely difficult; to calmly deploy them during a real fight was even harder.

However, once mastered and usable, every gesture and step would surge with internal energy, naturally possessing formidable power, not inferior to the renowned martial arts of the Wulin.

Having mastered the first layer of the Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Sutra, his body underwent further changes, and his physical strength increased again. He did not know the exact extent of his current power.

His mastery of the Adamantine Indestructible Divine Art was key; a robust physique was the foundation of such strength. Otherwise, excessive force would injure himself.

The expansion of his acupoints and meridians allowed the Yongquan acupoints to act like powerful pumps, continuously drawing in the Essence of Earth at three to four times the previous speed.

First, the Yongquan acupoints doubled in size; second, the meridians expanded. When the Small Dragon Form circulated, the internal energy flowed like a vast river, greatly increasing the suction force. The combination of these two effects was astonishing.

Furthermore, his physical body was powerfully built, and his spirit was like a dragon’s; he could cultivate all day without fatigue, giving him far more usable time than ordinary people. Thus, one month of his cultivation equaled a year for a common man.

Despite this progress, he was still unsatisfied, wishing he could soar to the heavens, become a formidable existence, become a General, and return to Canghai Mountain.

The army was fine, but it wasn't his true home; he never felt a sense of belonging there, perhaps feeling more connected to the Ming Mansion. He had stayed in the Ming Mansion for what felt like an instant, but a month had passed.

Since mastering the first layer of the Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Sutra, over ten days had passed during which he had continuously practiced the Small Dragon Form. Internal energy surged, and his Qi membrane thickened slightly—a sight that filled him with immense joy.

For so long, no matter how he cultivated, the Qi membrane barely changed. It seemed all the internal energy flowed into some other unknown place rather than integrating into the membrane, which had kept him anxious.

Now that the Qi membrane finally showed change, he was certain—things were proceeding as expected.

On this day, just as he was about to cultivate the second layer of the Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Sutra, Zhao Shengli suddenly burst in. Xiao Ya softly announced from outside the courtyard that Lord Zhao had urgent business.

Li Muzhan had no choice but to emerge from seclusion, feeling deeply reluctant. He arrived in the main hall to find Zhao Shengli sitting heavily in a chair, staring blankly with a grim expression.

The morning sun shone into the hall, clear and gentle, vibrant with life. "Head Zhao?" Li Muzhan entered, frowning. "What happened?"

Zhao Shengli shot up abruptly and boomed, "Monk, quickly, we must return at once!"

Li Muzhan waved a hand, signaling him to sit. Xiao Ya brought tea and slipped out gracefully. Normally, Zhao Shengli would have exchanged a few playful remarks, but now he stared intently at Li Muzhan: "Monk, something major has happened!"

"What is it?" Li Muzhan picked up his cup, took a light sip, his expression steady.

Zhao Shengli urgently reported, "The *** Black Eagle Cavalry, they are absolutely treacherous. The entire Flying Cavalry Battalion has been annihilated. They've begun their retaliation!"

Li Muzhan frowned. "Did the Commandant not take precautions?"

Zhao Shengli cursed hatefully, "How could the Commandant not anticipate it? He always sends two groups to patrol. But this time, the result is terrible—neither group survived, all killed clean!"

Zhao Shengli's eyes blazed: "Twenty heads piled together, a message for shiwei (us)!" Li Muzhan set down his teacup and said gravely, "When did this happen?"

"Ten days ago!" Zhao Shengli replied.

Li Muzhan snorted. "Why didn't anyone call me?"

"You weren't here!" Zhao Shengli retorted. "...The Commandant was furious and immediately dispatched four squads, divided into two parties, to sweep the grasslands for the Black Eagle Cavalry, but they can't be found."

Li Muzhan observed, "They have their black eagles; they can evade us in advance!"

"Exactly!" Zhao Shengli hissed resentfully. "When we are many, they avoid us. When we are few, they surround us, attacking by ambush—utterly despicable!"

Li Muzhan frowned, pondering for a moment. "Let's go. If we don't kill them until they're scared, they won't stop."

Zhao Shengli asked, "How is your closed-door training going?"

Li Muzhan nodded and smiled. "It went well; I gained something. Head Zhao, haven't you eaten yet?"

"I rushed here half the night; how could I have time to eat!" Zhao Shengli grumbled.

Li Muzhan suggested, "Then let's go to Changping Tower."

Saying that, he went back to pack, mounted Red Shadow, and left with Zhao Shengli.

Around noon, the two returned to Tenglong City. Li Muzhan went to pay his respects to the Commandant.

After being announced, a personal guard led him in. Li Muzhan noticed this guard wore full black armor, exuding a chilling aura—it was clearly the black armor he had seized from the Black Eagle Cavalry last time.

This black armor was very heavy; ordinary soldiers couldn't wear it; only elite forces like the Black Eagle Cavalry could. These personal guards were also elite; wearing it, they didn't look clumsy but rather enhanced their imposing menace.

In the hall, the Commandant sat behind his desk, his expression as dark as water, deep in thought. Seeing him enter, he waved a hand and pointed to a high-backed chair below the dais.

Li Muzhan sat down and said gravely, "Commandant, let me go."

"You go?" The Commandant pondered for a long time, then nodded. "Yes, among our Black Tiger Camp, only you can truly handle them."

Li Muzhan remained silent. The Black Eagle Cavalry was composed of martial arts masters; ordinary soldiers were no match for them.

Trained martial arts masters were far more terrifying than regular soldiers, but the Dayuan army law forbade martial experts from joining the ranks, meaning they couldn't counter the Black Eagle Cavalry.

Dayuan's military law was strict; achieving proficiency in military martial arts usually led to rapid promotion and commendation, unlike the Black Eagle Cavalry, who possessed formidable strength yet remained common soldiers.

For someone like Li Muzhan, having injured so many without promotion was extremely rare.

Li Muzhan asked, "Commandant, how many men are in the Black Eagle Cavalry in total?"

The Commandant replied, "The Black Eagle Cavalry numbers a thousand, stationed in various locations. This is only a small contingent here. You killed many, damaging their vitality, but you also invited great trouble."

Li Muzhan remained silent, questioning him with his eyes.

The Commandant continued, "Most of the Black Eagle Cavalry is stationed in the northern regions of Western Zhao, fighting the Khanate cavalry in the northeast. Their ability to hold off the Khanate cavalry shows how fierce they are. The ones stationed here are one level weaker."

Li Muzhan frowned. "Does that mean the truly elite Black Eagle Cavalry haven't arrived?"

The Commandant nodded. "Correct. Those who came this time were likely withdrawn from those front lines; otherwise, they wouldn't be so brutal, killing people and piling the heads up together."

Li Muzhan asked, "Is this the practice of the Khanate?"

The Commandant nodded. "Yes. The Khanate people are naturally cruel and have always taken pleasure in killing, enjoying hanging heads from their waists to display their valor."

Li Muzhan frowned, shaking his head. "It's fortunate we are separated from the Khanate."

The Commandant stated, "Western Zhao and the Khanate have fought constantly for years and have been influenced, becoming more brutal... This incident was likely carried out by Black Eagle Cavalry withdrawn from that area."

Li Muzhan said coldly, "An eye for an eye, blood for blood... This time, after I kill them, I will do the same!"

"Yes, exactly!" The Commandant slammed his desk heavily, his face grim. "Kill them ruthlessly, kill them until they are terrified and dare not venture outside Tenglong City again!"

Li Muzhan pondered briefly. "Commandant, I have a difficulty."

"What difficulty? Speak!" The Commandant waved his hand.

Li Muzhan explained, "I can only carry a limited supply of arrows. Each time, I only bring four or five quivers, and it's never enough."

The Commandant frowned, stepped away from his desk, and began pacing the steps below, unable to think of a good solution for a while. After pacing back and forth a dozen times, he suddenly stopped.

"Commandant?" Li Muzhan showed a look of pleasure.

The Commandant sighed. "It's a pity your cultivation is insufficient; otherwise, I could teach you the Art of the Qi Arrow."

"Art of the Qi Arrow?" Li Muzhan asked.

The Commandant explained, "Condensing internal energy into an arrow; as long as your internal energy is inexhaustible, the arrows are inexhaustible."

"Can this technique be taught to me?" Li Muzhan hastily asked.

The Commandant shook his head. "You cannot. You need to master the Small Dragon Form completely, allowing the Qi to overflow and form clouds, before you can cultivate the Art of the Qi Arrow. I haven't achieved it, and you are far behind."

Li Muzhan smiled bitterly and shook his head repeatedly.

The Commandant sighed again. "There's no good solution. You must collect the enemy's arrows while fighting. Kill as many as you can; don't rush."

Li Muzhan worried, "I fear they might retreat."

"That would be even better," the Commandant replied.

Li Muzhan nodded resignedly. "It must be so then... Commandant, I am leaving."

The Commandant smiled. "Shall I have Sima Li follow you?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It's best if I go alone."

"Very well." The Commandant did not insist and nodded. "After this mission, no matter what, I will promote you to Squad Leader!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Thank you for your kindness, Commandant. I would rather aim higher or not at all; Squad Leader is truly uninteresting."

The Commandant stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Heh heh, what great ambition! Very well, when your military merits accumulate enough for you to become a Brigade Marshal, I will promote you then!"

"Yes, thank you, Commandant." Li Muzhan gave a military salute and turned, exiting the hall.

The Commandant treated him with great kindness, rarely constraining him, being very easygoing—a stark contrast to how he treated others.