Li Muzhan chuckled, "Hmph, Ximen Zhan is indeed lucky to be alive. His skill is formidable! Alas, heaven thwarts one's will; it was just a hair's breadth away. What a pity, what a pity!"

General Hua's eyes flashed, "He's injured?!"

Li Muzhan nodded, "He took two arrows; he must be unconscious now, needing several days of rest." "A good opportunity!" General Hua slapped his palm excitedly.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Strike him while he's sick to take his life. His army has experts, making assassination difficult, but to attack openly with troops..." "Excellent!" General Hua laughed, waving his hand, "Let's go, we'll talk back at camp!"

The two left the ramparts, followed closely by Ji Wuming and the others, spread out around them.

…………………………………………………………

The night was deep, the great camp peaceful and serene. Under the hazy moonlight, only the patrolling soldiers moved, holding torches.

Inside the General's Tent, the tallow candles burned fiercely, making it as bright as day.

Li Muzhan and General Hua returned to the main tent. General Hua said excitedly, "Master, Ximen Zhan can't take the field, can he?"

Li Muzhan nodded, "Unless a miracle elixir exists. An arrow to the chest, an arrow to the lower abdomen—it severely drains his vital energy. He should naturally remain unconscious for a while." "What if an expert heals him?" General Hua inquired.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "That's uncertain. There are countless wondrous skills in the world, and the martial arts of Eastern Chu are flourishing; he might be saved."

General Hua paced back and forth before the table, hands clasped behind his back. After a dozen turns, he forcefully slapped his palm, "We'll risk it all on this one throw!" "The General intends to send troops?" Li Muzhan asked.

General Hua nodded forcefully, "Fortune waits for no man. With Ximen Zhan injured and headless, morale must be wavering. Attacking the camp now offers a chance to crush them!" Li Muzhan pondered, saying nothing.

Seeing this, General Hua quickly asked, "Master, do you have any suggestions? Please speak freely." Li Muzhan paused for a moment, then said, "General, as far as I know, there are two secret arts in this world that can rapidly restore serious injuries."

"Oh...?" General Hua eagerly asked.

Li Muzhan continued, "The Crane-Guiding Oil Infusion Art from Yingyue Nunnery, and the Yin-Yang Creation Art from the Canghai Sword Sect—both can bring the dead back to life... The martial world of Eastern Chu must also possess such secret arts, yes?"

General Hua knitted his brows, stroked his beard, and nodded thoughtfully, "They do."

Li Muzhan asked, "In the Eastern Chu main camp, besides Ximen Zhan, are there other generals who can stabilize the situation?"

"That, I am not certain of," General Hua shook his head.

Li Muzhan concluded, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles... I shall go and scout around, and return before dawn. Then the General can make his decision, how about that?"

"The Master still wants to go?" General Hua hesitated.

Li Muzhan laughed, "General, rest assured, if I can't win, I'll run!"

General Hua smiled, "I have full confidence in the Master's Qinggong, but I fear they might complain about sabotage and then surround you with high-ranking commanders." Li Muzhan chuckled and shook his head, "Only I sabotage others; no one can sabotage me!"

…………………………………………………………………………

General Hua considered for a moment and sighed, "Very well, Master. Go secretly and return secretly. Try not to engage in battle if possible." Li Muzhan laughed, "I plan to cause quite a stir, keep them from sleeping well and leave them exhausted. When the General attacks tomorrow, he will have a better chance of winning!"

"Absolutely not," General Hua quickly waved his hands. "That is too risky. Although the Master's martial arts are strong, you will not fare well against a large army. Under swift bows and strong crossbows, even if the Master were made of iron, he couldn't withstand it."

"Heh..." Li Muzhan smiled, pressed his palms together in a salute, "I am leaving now."

With that, he flashed and vanished. General Hua quickly raised his hand, "Master, don't overexert yourself!"

"Heh..." Li Muzhan's lingering laughter drifted into the tent.

General Hua shook his head with a wry smile, knowing Li Muzhan wouldn't listen and would certainly cause trouble. Causing trouble would benefit his side, but it was far too dangerous.

He sighed, gazing north, and shook his head.

Li Muzhan floated out of the grand camp, drifting directly over the Shenguang Camp like a wisp of smoke, slipping into the Eastern Chu main camp. The camp was heavily guarded, yet he moved through it as if no one were there.

In the blink of an eye, he arrived inside a tent, immediately subduing the six people within. He then sat cross-legged, slightly closing his eyes, his Void Eye overlooking Ximen Zhan's main tent.

Inside Ximen Zhan's tent, the tallow burned fiercely, bright as day. More than a dozen burly men stood in two rows before the tiger-skin couch, silent, their murderous aura rolling off them, creating immense pressure.

Li Muzhan stirred inwardly; he could actually sense this oppressive atmosphere, as if he had personally arrived and was standing within it—truly marvelous.

Evidently, this was the wonder brought by the six Heart Pearls, a feeling profound and ineffable.

Ximen Zhan sat cross-legged on the tiger-skin couch with his eyes closed, his breath faint, his face pale. Behind him sat a dignified middle-aged man, also cross-legged, pressing both palms against Ximen Zhan's back.

Li Muzhan recognized this middle-aged man instantly as the one he had fought before—deep internal energy, astonishing sword techniques; truly a rare master.

He was no longer what he used to be. His Canghai Divine Skill had reached mastery, and his cultivation of the Great Dragon Form was successful. He refined his blood like mercury, increasing his strength by another third, his cultivation profoundly deep.

He estimated that once he left the military camp and entered the martial world, he would rank among the foremost masters.

It was a pity he hadn't fully cultivated the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture; otherwise, with his internal energy doubled, this middle-aged man would certainly not be his match. Upon his return this time, he absolutely must dedicate time to practicing the Nine Revolutions Marrow Cleansing Scripture.

………………………………………………………………

The burly men radiated suffocating killing intent. Clearly, each had many lives on their hands; the fainthearted would simply go weak and paralyzed upon encountering them, unable to resist.

They all stared intently at the middle-aged man. As time passed, wisps of white vapor began to emerge from the middle-aged man's body, drifting and swirling like fine silk blown by the wind.

Slowly, the white vapor thickened, resembling the steam rising from a boiling cauldron. Air began to emerge from the back of Ximen Zhan's head, like silk threads. His complexion shifted to a ruddy glow, improving steadily, while the middle-aged man's face flushed, like it was lit by rosy clouds.

The burly men dared not even breathe heavily, lest they disturb the process.

"Hmph..." With a long exhalation, the middle-aged man released a breath-arrow and slowly opened his eyes. The rosy color on his face gradually receded.

"Mister Wu...?" A sturdy man bowed and clasped his fists respectfully.

He wore a leather coat, was tall and powerfully built, with dense, coiled muscles. His face was broad, his nose flat, and a cold light shot from his eyes as they opened and closed, making him as formidable as a bear.

The middle-aged man slowly nodded, "General Tai, rest assured. The General is out of danger; he only needs careful recuperation." A burly man beside him asked in a deep voice, "Then can the General take the field?" The middle-aged man slowly lowered Ximen Zhan onto his back, lying down.

He shook his head, "The General has taken the Heaven Mending Pill and will recover quickly... but he still needs two or three days of quiet rest before taking the field."

"I see..." The burly man exchanged glances with the others around him.

General Tai let out a long sigh, "The General truly has the blessings of heaven and great fortune!" "Mister Wu, which rogue dares to try and assassinate the General!"

Mister Wu's face suddenly grew cold, gloomy as heavily overcast clouds. He snorted coldly, "Dayuan does indeed have some talents!" A burly man sneered, "Old Tai, of course it was a Dayuan rogue!" He added boldly, "They have the nerve! Tomorrow I will slaughter a hundred men to avenge the General!"

General Tai said sternly, "That is not appropriate. The General has always disliked massacring civilians."

"So the General's revenge is not to be sought?!" The burly man sneered, his eyes burning with rage.

General Tai rolled his eyes, "Go avenge him by killing Dayuan soldiers. Don't take it out on defenseless civilians; that's no sign of skill!" "Damn it...!" The burly man’s face darkened.

General Tai said coldly, "Your banner troops were destroyed by the Shenwu Camp. If you have the guts, go destroy them. If you lack the ability, don't show off against unarmed common folk!"

"Spit out your mother's nonsense!" The burly man roared and swung his fist.

General Tai casually leaned aside, evading the punch, and followed up with a sweeping kick that knocked him off balance. Looking down from above, he said coldly, "With your little physique, you dare to act tough with me? Seeking death!"

With a carp flip, the burly man straightened up, dusted off his leather coat, and sneered, "You, Tai, have quite the imposing manner. Is it because the General isn't here that you think you can do as you please as the acting general?"

"Nonsense!" General Tai retorted. "Someone like you, incompetent yet shouting wildly, bullying the weak and fearing the strong—what kind of man are you!" "Whether I'm a man or not is none of your business!" the burly man shouted.

………………………………………………………………

Saying that, he lunged forward again but was held back by the man next to him.

"Forget it, forget it, Old Fang. The General is injured, and we all have tempers, but we need to have some restraint. Don't cause a scene and make a fool of Mister Wu."

"That man surnamed Tai is pushing too far!" The burly man refused to let it go.

General Tai sneered, glancing askance at him, his face full of disdain.

"Ahem... ahem..." A series of coughs sounded, and the tent instantly fell silent. Everyone quickly turned to look toward the tiger-skin couch, their eyes immediately lighting up.

"General!" General Tai quickly stepped forward, extending his hands, large as cattail fans, to carefully help Ximen Zhan sit up.

Ximen Zhan slowly sat upright and scanned the crowd.

"General!" everyone exclaimed joyfully, clasping their fists.

Ximen Zhan waved his hand weakly, "I have a big life; I won't die... Are Yuan Qing and the others back?"

General Tai hesitated for a moment, "General, Yuan Qing and the others... they..."

"None survived?" Ximen Zhan frowned.

General Tai quickly replied, "They didn't die... but their martial arts are ruined." Ximen Zhan breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, as long as they're alive, there's hope. A living man can still burn firewood."

Mister Wu said, "General, they cannot practice martial arts or do heavy labor from now on." Ximen Zhan nodded, "That's fine... They can serve as clerks in my manor."

"The General is benevolent!" Everyone clasped their fists.

A clerk in the General's manor was a civil position, a cushy job—protected from the wind and rain, requiring no labor, causing no injury, and ensuring a perpetual livelihood. For those without great ambition, it was the best possible arrangement.

Ximen Zhan said, "If I haven't misjudged, the one surnamed Hua will dispatch troops tomorrow. General Tai, you will temporarily hold the General's Seal and manage the entire army on my behalf!"

"General..." General Tai hesitated.

Ximen Zhan waved his hand, "It is settled!" The burly man surnamed Fang muttered sullenly, "General, why should he replace you? I am unconvinced!" Ximen Zhan frowned slightly and smiled, "Oh? General Fang, then tell me, who is capable of replacing me?"

"The General is wise and divine, planning strategy with great foresight; there is no need for anyone else to replace you!" the burly man surnamed Fang stated.

Ximen Zhan smiled, shook his head, "I know my own condition; I won't last long... Besides, the Dayuan cavalry is not elite; General Tai's command will be sufficient!"

"General..." General Fang wanted to say more, but Ximen Zhan waved his hand, "General Fang, my mind is made up! Do not disobey the order, or else, though I wish to be merciful, military law is merciless!"

By the end, his tone was chilling, and his eyes were icy.

"...Yes, General!" The burly man surnamed Fang clenched his fists unwillingly and turned his head away.

Ximen Zhan smiled, unconcerned, and turned to Tai, "General Tai, have no reservations. Do as you see fit, treat it as if I am not here."

"Yes, this subordinate obeys the order!" General Tai said in a deep voice.

"…………………………" Just then, a streak of black light suddenly appeared.

"Zheng..." A dragon's roar sounded, and a cold flash disappeared instantly. The black light vanished, and an arrow fell to the ground, split in two.

Mister Wu roared in anger, "It's that thief again!" A vast, thunderous laughter echoed from the sky, and then several streaks of black light appeared silently within the tent, like phantoms.

The others roared in anger, following Mister Wu's example, slashing their blades toward the black light.

General Tai leaped forward to shield Ximen Zhan, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Mister Wu. He swept his blade into a sheet of cold light, forming a shield of light—his movements swift, completely incongruous with his bulky, bear-like physique.

Mister Wu's face was grim. He rapidly tapped his chest a few times with his left fingers; his sword light surged, and the temperature inside the tent plummeted, the chill from his sword eroding the surroundings.

"Hmph..." Two burly men were pierced by the black light, clutching their chests as they slowly collapsed.

The black light continued to appear. The burly men struck with their blades like a waterfall, but they could not stop it. In a short time, two more burly men were hit by arrows and fell; four burly men were now down.

General Tai roared sternly, "Men!" A fierce guard pushed aside the curtain and entered, his expression tense.

General Tai said gravely, "Pass down the order: the entire army to full alert, surround and kill the assassin with heavy crossbows... Whoever kills this person will be rewarded with a thousand gold taels, five beautiful women, and named the First Brave Warrior of the Southern Campaign!"

"Yes!" the guard responded loudly, then was struck by a streak of black light, sent flying heavily to the ground. After two spasms, he lay still.

"Ah—!" General Tai was instantly enraged.

He turned to Mister Wu, "Mister Wu, I will protect the General! Mister Wu, you must personally kill this villain!"

"Hmph..." He slashed his blade, and the black light turned into two broken arrow shafts.

A gray shadow flashed, and a light breeze swept through as Li Muzhan, clad in his gray monk's robes, appeared before them, smiling gently, "No need to go out, I have arrived!" He put away his bow and arrow, drew his Broken Mountain Saber with his right hand, and met Mister Wu's sword light. With his left hand, he pointed out, his middle and ring fingers retracted, while his thumb, index, and little fingers remained straight.

"Chi—! Chi! Chi!" Three light whistles sounded.

Mister Wu's face changed drastically. He flashed forward suddenly, positioning himself in front of Ximen Zhan, raising both hands to shield his chest with his sword.

"Hmph..." The sword body vibrated violently like a snake, emitting a brittle sound. Mister Wu was forcefully shoved back, sliding a full zhang before crashing near Ximen Zhan's couch.

"Who exactly are you!" Mister Wu roared, his heart pounding with lingering fear.

………………………………………………………………

He hadn't paid attention to Li Muzhan's left hand; the Broken Mountain Saber had captured his focus. A warning suddenly surged in his mind. Relying on pure instinct, he desperately blocked in front of Ximen Zhan, sensing an invisible force approaching, and met it with his sword held horizontally.

The immense force surged toward him, irresistible. He was forced back a full zhang, his heart filled with extreme astonishment. He thought of a unique martial art from the Sheng Lin Sect of Dayuan.

He roared, "Vajra Finger Strength!"

Li Muzhan frowned, then smiled faintly, "Your skill is admirable, sir. Are you from Dayuan?"

Mister Wu snorted angrily, "Smelly brat, are you from the Luotuo Temple?"

As he spoke, he gently pushed, and the tip of his sword instantly appeared before Li Muzhan's throat—a strike carrying no trace of mortal energy, a sword meant for instant death.

Li Muzhan flicked his Broken Mountain Saber, "Ding, hao..." The long sword swung aside, deflecting this fatal blow. Li Muzhan, however, was inwardly surprised, feeling as though the man's power had greatly increased.

A thought flashed, and he immediately understood: this middle-aged man also possessed a secret art, pushing his potential to its limits, fighting desperately.

Mister Wu sneered, "The monks of Luotuo Temple truly live up to their reputation!"

Li Muzhan offered no rebuttal. The Broken Mountain Saber transformed into a streak of lightning, chopping down fiercely, possessing the power to cleave a mountain.

Mister Wu swung his sword, emitting a dragon's roar, its momentum astonishing, meeting the descending Broken Mountain Saber.

Only four burly men remained in the tent, including General Tai. The four stood before Ximen Zhan, shielding him with their bodies, each gripping their precious sabers tightly.

The blade edges shimmered with cold light, like a pool of cold water rippling under the moonlight.

"Ding..." With a sharp sound, the saber and sword were both pushed away, and the two men retreated a step each.

Li Muzhan smoothly channeled his left index finger, the saber's force completely integrated into his finger, becoming incredibly fierce.

"Hah!" General Tai swung his saber, his bronze armor gleaming furiously.

"Hiss..." The precious saber was ripped from his grasp, and he flew backward.

The saber spun, tearing through the tent fabric, vanishing into the night sky, while he himself landed heavily, immediately scrambling back to his feet to shield Ximen Zhan.

Ximen Zhan frowned, his expression grim, but his eyes were calm.

"It's useless," Li Muzhan shook his head, retracting his index finger. He pressed down with his thumb, and the Broken Mountain Saber struck again, forcing Mister Wu to meet it head-on.

"Die!" A burly man lunged forward, his chest wide open, swinging his saber with a ghost-like ferocity.

"Bang!" The burly man flew backward as if struck by a giant log, shooting out through the gap cut in the tent. A muffled thud sounded in the distance.

"Kill!" Another burly man rushed forward fearlessly.

Mister Wu blocked the swordplay like falling snow, his cold intent surging, fighting like a mad dog. "Fool! Quickly take the General and leave!" The other two burly men startled, then understood, turning to lift Ximen Zhan onto their backs and sprinting away like the wind, vanishing from the tent in an instant.

Mister Wu swung his sword like snow, his chill greatly increasing, as if he had gone utterly insane.

Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly; he wanted to break free but couldn't. This Mister Wu's swordplay was exquisitely subtle, and he attacked relentlessly, as if willing to perish together, refusing to let go.

He closed his eyes, his Void Eye looking down, then suddenly pulled back his saber, took out his bow, nocked three short arrows, and drew the string to a full moon.

"Chi!" He took a sword strike to the chest, but his expression remained unchanged, as if someone else had been struck. He focused, loosed the string, and the three short arrows silently shot into the night.

Oh G—Today there is only one chapter. After tomorrow, the pace should quicken. Please forgive me, my health... (