Chapter 280: The Eastern Army of the Yulin Army
Chapter 280: The Eastern Army of the Yulin Army
In Yuzhou, at the Eastern Army camp of the Yulin Army, a bustling scene unfolds as ten thousand elite soldiers, clad in heavy armor, begin their slow and steady mobilization.
One or ten martial warriors with well-developed physiques might not be impressive, but when you gather tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of elite warriors in heavy armor, it becomes an entirely different concept.
These soldiers are not the same as the elite blade masters trained by the Yu and Yu families in Bi Prefecture. They not only possess refined physiques, but more importantly, they are all clad in heavy armor. Even a few of them working together could give a skilled Easy Muscle Realm expert a headache. When dozens of them charge into battle, even a Bone Forging Realm expert would be overwhelmed by their might. Their surging blood and energy coalesce within the army formation, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"This is the Eastern Army of the Yulin Army..."
On a hillside not far from the Eastern Army camp, two figures stand, gazing into the distance at the departing troops. One of them is Zhao Zhenchuan, and the other, wearing a purple official robe, is Chen Mu.
The Inspector General, a fourth-rank official, oversees the Yulin Army Inspector, a position of the same rank. These are the highest ranks that a non-Grandmaster martial artist can attain in Yuzhou. Higher positions, such as the Surveillance Commissioner, are typically held by Grandmasters.
The Commander of the Eastern Army, a third-rank general who oversees ten thousand soldiers, is not a Grandmaster, but his training is not in ordinary martial arts. Instead, he specializes in the art of commanding troops in battle. These individuals may not excel in one-on-one combat, but when leading ten thousand soldiers in formation, even a Grandmaster would hesitate to challenge them directly.
"How does it feel, Brother Chen?"
Zhao Zhenchuan, looking out at the departing troops, smiles at Chen Mu.
Chen Mu, after a moment of observation, replies, "If it's just a loose formation, it's not a big deal. But I've heard that the army formation employs the 'Three Talents Formation,' and within the 'Human Formation,' it can isolate heaven and earth, even surpassing the power of domains. In such a situation, even a Martial Dao Grandmaster, if trapped within, might find themselves exhausted to death."
Once martial artists reach the Organ Realms, their strength often comes from connecting with heaven and earth. If they are completely isolated from this connection, they not only lose the power of their intention but also their Primordial Essence True Force. This is a terrifying prospect for any martial artist.
"Indeed. When humans unleash their killing intent, heaven and earth can be overturned. The cultivation within the army formation focuses on suppressing heaven and earth with human power. That's why even the Five Viscera and Six Organs Realm experts, like the assistant commanders and commanding officers, have ordinary refined physiques outside the formation. But when facing them within the formation, I would be at a disadvantage."
Zhao Zhenchuan chuckles, "Let's go and see for ourselves."
"Okay."
Chen Mu nods slightly, and together with Zhao Zhenchuan, they head towards the Eastern Army formation.
As they haven't concealed their presence, the formation quickly notices them, and several thousand soldiers nearby halt their movements. The previously loose formation suddenly tightens, and the combined energy of thousands of soldiers, and their surging blood seem to merge into one, giving Chen Mu the feeling that he is facing not individuals but a unified force.
Soon, an armored officer emerges from the formation, bows to Chen Mu and Zhao Zhenchuan, and says, "Greetings to the Inspector General Zhao and Inspector Chen. I am the Right Army Assistant Commander, Guo Hao. Please follow me, and I will show you the verification token."
"Thank you, Assistant Commander Guo," Zhao Zhenchuan replies with a bow.
The Yulin Army, the Yuzhou Prefecture Capital, and the Seven Mysteries Sect are three distinct power structures in Yuzhou, all under the jurisdiction of the Seven Mysteries Sect. However, the Yulin Army maintains the most independence, with its unique promotion and training system. Only during special mobilization periods do the Seven Mysteries Sect appoint the same individuals as 'Sect Protectors,' 'Inspectorate Officials,' and 'Yulin Army Officers' to facilitate the actions of Protectors like Chen Mu.
Very quickly, the group arrived at the central formation of the massive army's departure.
The central formation housed various supplies and carriages of the Yulin Army, pulled by numerous tall and sturdy horses with mixed Demon Clan bloodlines. At the very center stood a mobile tent, also carried by carriages.
After verifying their identities and presenting their official seals in a side tent, Chen Mu and Zhao Zhenchuan underwent multiple layers of rigorous checks before finally being allowed to enter the main tent of the Eastern Army.
Upon entering the tent, they saw a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, his long robe casually draped over his robust frame. His hair, half gray and half black, identified him as Han Liwu, the General and Commander of the Eastern Army of the Yulin Army.
As the General of the Yulin Army, Han Liwu held a position equivalent to an Elder of the Seven Mysteries Sect, leading ten thousand soldiers. Among the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Armies of the Yulin Army, the Eastern Army under Han Liwu's command was the strongest, capable of surrounding and defeating even the most elite Grandmasters.
The prerequisite, however, was the ability to confine their targets.
"So, this must be Protector Chen. I've heard a lot about you, Protector Chen." Han Liwu spoke without a hint of arrogance, his demeanor exuding confidence.
Chen Mu and Zhao Zhenchuan held no official positions within the Yulin Army's formation, although they carried honorary titles. These titles were nominal, and they wouldn't participate in the actual deployment of soldiers. In the future, aspects like logistics, supplies, and more would rely on the Seven Mysteries Sect, and the protection and support of Protectors like Chen Mu. While they appeared to be subordinates in rank, in reality, their relationship was more akin to a collaboration between different systems.
Chen Mu's status as a high-ranking expert on the Gale Wind Rankings, who had even defeated the Grand Protector of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, made his position unique. His demonstrated strength was comparable to the top ten on the Gale Wind Rankings, placing him alongside some Grandmasters.
"General Han, you flatter me. My meager reputation is not worth mentioning. Leading the Eastern Army with ten thousand soldiers under your command is like moving your own limbs. With the might of this army's formation, even Martial Grandmasters would find it challenging to resist." Chen Mu maintained a respectful tone towards Han Liwu.
Chen Mu had great respect for Han Liwu, especially considering the ten thousand soldiers of the Eastern Army under his command. Within the Blood Transformation Realm and the formation's suppression, even Grandmasters would retreat in fear. In the heart of the formation, Chen Mu felt an even stronger sense of oppression, as if he were within a domain, despite the formation not being fully activated.
Han Liwu grinned and said, "Protector Chen is the number one young talent in the Cold Northern Path in the last hundred years. If he had chosen to focus on military formations instead of martial arts, he might have been able to command an army by now... Speaking of which, I've heard that Protector Chen encountered some difficulties in his martial cultivation. Cultivating the Heaven-Earth Concept and evolving military formations shouldn't be too difficult for you. If you're willing in the future, leading an army will also make your name renowned across the Cold North."
In a 1619 book, there's a line that reads, "One glance is enough to see that this version is flawless!"
As Han Liwu finished speaking, Zhao Zhenchuan couldn't help but glance at Chen Mu.
Han Liwu was referring to the fact that Chen Mu was being invaded by demonic energy, hindering his martial path. If he couldn't overcome this and reach the Grandmaster level, with Chen Mu's understanding and talent, he could consider switching to the path of military formations. If he could cultivate to Han Liwu's level, leading an army would be enough to make his name feared throughout the Cold North, causing even the most elite Grandmasters to retreat.
Of course, even if Chen Mu were willing to switch to cultivating military formations, it couldn't be done immediately. At the very least, he would need to slowly purify and eliminate the demonic energy within him, removing this hidden danger. Only then could he join the Yulin Army to study military formations, which was why Han Liwu mentioned 'the future' instead of the present.
"Thank you for your guidance, General Han. However, I've been practicing martial arts freely for a long time and am not used to the constraints of military life... But I have gained some insights into the art of military formations. May I observe and follow the army for a few days?" Chen Mu asked, bowing to Han Liwu.
He had no intention of switching to cultivating military formations. The Heaven-Earth Concept encompassed everything, and once he understood the intricacies of formations and practiced them, he could directly evolve military formation techniques from the Heaven-Earth Concept. Although he likely wouldn't be interested in commanding troops in the future, by observing and understanding formations, he could gain insights into various aspects of the Heaven-Earth Concept, providing him with valuable knowledge.
The efficiency of his experience acquisition during his journey was already comparable to his insights into the Heaven-Earth Stage on the Cloudy Peak. If he observed and followed the army for a few days, he was likely to gain significant insights, and he was now only three to four thousand experience points away from his next breakthrough.
"Protector Chen, as the Inspector of the Yulin Army, you are free to come and go as you please," Han Liwu said calmly.
He didn't mind Chen Mu's polite refusal, as Chen Mu was still young. If, after a decade or two, he couldn't reach the Marrow Washing Grandmaster realm, he could still change his mind and study military formations then.
After all, Chen Mu's foundation was the Heaven-Earth Concept, which was different from any other concept. Evolving military formations was a matter of applying his existing knowledge, so he could do it at any time.
As Han Liwu's words fell, he drew a command flag from behind his back.
Command flags were common in military formations, but the one in Han Liwu's hand was unique. As soon as he held it, Chen Mu felt as if the entire formation's array shifted in response to the flag.
"A Spirit Weapon..." Chen Mu's gaze fixed on the flag.
As the General of the Eastern Army, Han Liwu, even with his cultivation of the 'Three Talents Formation,' couldn't possibly transform ten thousand soldiers into parts of the formation, forming an enormous array, without the aid of Spirit Weapons.
The flag in his hand wasn't a combat-oriented Spirit Weapon like the Frost Spirit Blade or the Evil Exorcising Thunder Spear. Instead, it belonged to a 'special category,' capable of connecting breaths, commanding formations, and extending their range.
"Protectors Chen and Zhao, please extend your breaths onto the flag," Han Liwu instructed Chen Mu and Zhao Zhenchuan.
Without hesitation, Zhao Zhenchuan squeezed a drop of his blood, containing his essence and energy, from his finger and let it fall onto the flag, which seemed to 'devour' it.
Chen Mu followed suit, and as soon as he finished, he felt the formation's resistance towards him significantly decrease, and the oppressive feeling he had experienced earlier disappeared.
"Good, for the next three months, the two of you won't face any obstacles within the formation," Han Liwu said as he put away the flag.
"Thank you, General," Zhao Zhenchuan bowed to Han Liwu. His primary purpose in coming with Chen Mu was to extend their breaths within the formation, creating a temporary imprint for easy access without obstruction or resistance.
Han Liwu nodded calmly and saw Chen Mu and Zhao Zhenchuan off.
(End of Chapter)
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