: The Unfeeling Flow of Water

Mu Lan, draped in a red robe and clad in bronze armor, placed her left hand on the sword at her waist and forcefully drew it upward.

*Clang.*

A crisp metallic sound rang out as most of the blade was unsheathed.

She didn’t draw it fully—this was enough to unleash her military strategy.

Water patterns surged swiftly along the blade, resembling the Xuanhuang Sword as the strategy embedded in the Spring Sword activated.

Simultaneously, Mu Lan waved the command flag, directing the surrounding soldiers to shift formations.

The Flowing Water Battle Formation!

The Red Flower Battalion’s marching speed abruptly increased.

Coordinated with the sword’s strategy, it formed another battle formation manifestation.

This time, it resembled a long river, flowing powerfully yet not submerging the soldiers. Instead, it carried them forward in a rushing torrent.

Though the General’s Manor had declined, its foundation remained.

Such swift and seamless formation changes showcased Mu Lan’s leadership skills, far surpassing her peers.

Zhang Zhongyi stayed by her side for a long while before finally turning to look at her. “General Mu, what you’ve done…”

Zhang Zhongyi valued loyalty deeply. If not for that, he wouldn’t have given up his medical practice, ignored the many forces eyeing the Mu Manor, and enlisted to assist Mu Lan out of gratitude for her late father.

Thus, Mu Lan’s move of “shifting the blame” and redirecting the threat of the Nascent Soul enemy Ma Feitui to the Three Generals Battalion left Zhang Zhongyi both surprised and deeply unsettled.

Anticipating his reaction, Mu Lan gazed ahead calmly, transmitting her thoughts via divine sense. “Uncle Zhang, there’s no room for personal feelings or mercy on the battlefield.”

“The White Jade Battalion is in grave danger and crucial. If they fall, even if we win, it’s a bitter victory.”

“If I join the fight now, it’d only be to atone for failure. Any hope of reviving the General’s Manor would become a joke!”

“I believe my father would have done the same.”

Implying that General Mu was also a man of such “ruthlessness.”

Zhang Zhongyi was left speechless.

Mu Lan continued, “The Red Flower Manifestation envelops Ma Feitui. By my calculations, the Three Generals Battalion can hold him off for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.”

“That might be enough for us to aid the White Jade Battalion and return to relieve them.”

“Moreover, I’ve sent a message with intelligence on Ma Feitui to help the Three Generals Battalion in their fight.”

This eased Zhang Zhongyi’s mind somewhat, though worry still clouded his face. “The Three Generals Battalion might stall Ma Feitui, but don’t forget, besides him, there are Golden Core cultivators like Chen Lingfeng and Wu Hen.”

“What if they break the Red Cloud Manifestation and free Ma Feitui?”

Mu Lan remained expressionless. “Ma Feitui despises us deeply. He might abandon the Three Generals Battalion and chase us down for revenge.”

“Or, he could vent his rage by slaughtering the Three Generals Battalion.”

“But Uncle Zhang, this is the battlefield. This is war!”

“We’re not their parents; we can’t guarantee their safety.”

“What we strive for is victory. Only victory matters.”

“Anyone who steps onto the battlefield must be prepared for that.”

Her tone was iron-clad, cold and ruthless.

“Sigh!” Zhang Zhongyi lamented again.

He glanced back once more, but the Three Generals Battalion was already out of sight.

“If Ning Zhuo falls here, it would be such a pity.”

Though he hadn’t spent much time with Ning Zhuo, Zhang Zhongyi had grown quite fond of his talent.

Suddenly, a thought struck him: “As the saying goes, ‘The flower has intent, but the water flows unfeeling.’ Perhaps this is the true meaning of the prophetic verse?”

“If Ning Zhuo had agreed to dual cultivate with Mu Lan back then, would there have been another outcome?”

***

Three Generals Battalion.

Watching the soldiers slow down, exhaustion mounting rapidly, with some wounded cultivators already weakened,

Liu Er grew anxious. “Second Brother, Third Brother, Military Advisor, what should we do now?”

“This Red Flower Manifestation has descended upon us, draining our military strength to sustain itself.”

“It’s incredibly subtle, capable of restraining a Nascent Soul expert!”

“But our battalion isn’t the Red Flower Battalion; we’re newly formed, lacking deep reserves. We can only hold out briefly before total exhaustion sets in, leading to collapse.”

“Should we fully support the Red Flower Manifestation, buying time for reinforcements to return?”

“Or risk battle, stop fueling the manifestation, and fight this Nascent Soul demon cultivator?”

Ning Zhuo remained silent.

Liu Er pointedly asked him, “Military Advisor, your guidance, please!”

Since enlisting, Ning Zhuo had repeatedly proven himself, earning Liu Er’s rising esteem. Especially this time, Ning Zhuo displayed his edge, revealing Golden Core level combat power.

Thus, Liu Er treated him as an equal, even with a hint of respect.

He consulted Ning Zhuo first, showing his regard.

At the same time, his bond with Guan Hong and Zhang Hei grew stronger, confident they’d follow his lead.

Ning Zhuo pondered. “If we risk battle, our casualties will be heavy.”

“The key question is, with the four of us cooperating, can we handle a Nascent Soul opponent?”

Liu Er looked troubled; while somewhat confident, he had no experience in such large-scale warfare.

Battlefield combat differed from one-on-one duels, with many more variables.

Their side had national and military support, while the opponent was a Nascent Soul demon cultivator with mysterious, unexplored tactics. Chen Lingfeng and Wu Hen watched from the sidelines, poised to act.

These were major factors that could sway the battle’s outcome.

Liu Er found it hard to predict.

Just then, Mu Lan’s message arrived.

Her method was discreet: a red flower sprouted from the ground, quickly blooming to reveal a jade slip at its center.

The intelligence swiftly passed among the four.

In the letter, Mu Lan detailed extensive information about Ma Feitui, thorough and comprehensive.

Ma Feitui knew the Red Flower Battalion well, and likewise, Mu Lan understood him deeply from their many encounters.

After reading it, Liu Er’s anger toward Mu Lan eased somewhat. “General Mu needs to rescue the White Jade Battalion; that’s the key to this ambush.”

“With this intel, we stand a fair chance against him!”

Ning Zhuo reviewed the information next. He understood Mu Lan’s actions but didn’t forgive them.

Guan Hong and Zhang Hei felt the same.

Guan Hong snorted. “As the daughter of a general, Mu Lan looks down on us. She gives orders without consulting us, disregarding our willingness.”

Zhang Hei grumbled, “We’re Golden Core cultivators too, not under her command, yet she treats us like this. Despicable. We’ll have to teach her a lesson someday!”

Ning Zhuo nodded. “We’ll settle accounts with the Red Flower Battalion later.”

“If we’re to abandon the Red Flower Manifestation and fight, we must act now!”

“The longer we delay, the more our soldiers’ stamina and mana deplete, leaving us with little combat strength.”

“General Liu, please decide quickly!”

Liu Er glanced at Ning Zhuo, seeing encouragement in his eyes, then at Guan Hong stroking his beard proudly and Zhang Hei eager for action. He smiled faintly. “What’s there to hesitate about? Let’s fight!”

(End of )