Chapter 1431: This Person is Useful

Sun Fuling smiled sweetly, "My opinion isn't important. I'm just a common person; I don't make decisions."

"Master, you're truly a great recluse in the city," He Lingchuan remarked, knowing she was deliberately holding back. He looked down at her fair palms and rosy fingernails. "The drill ground is just ahead. No one's there at night, should we sneak in for a quick spar?"

His mischievous urge hadn't died; he still wanted to test her.

"Still itching to fight me?" Sun Fuling feigned annoyance. "Why don't you go fight Xin Yi? Didn't you want to test him?"

He Lingchuan froze.

She had a point; he could use an excuse to probe Xin Yi's true capabilities.

"Do you think he could beat me?"

Master Sun chuckled. "Hard to say. Do *you* think you could beat him?"

What to do when your girlfriend sides with others? "So little faith in me? Xin Yi doesn't seem to excel in combat."

Sun Fuling casually remarked, "When you change out of your uniform into civilian clothes, you don't look like a renowned general famous on the battlefield either."

He looked at Master Sun, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "No rush, I'll find him later. Let's have our spar first!"

Sun Fuling rolled her eyes at him. "How do you want to fight?"

"Any way you like, you choose."

"Quite confident, aren't you?" Sun Fuling's gaze shifted slightly. "Then..."

Before she could finish, the sound of flapping wings came from above. A peregrine falcon flew down and landed at the alley entrance. "General He, the armory needs you to sign some documents immediately."

Just at this moment? Sun Fuling's smile instantly brightened. He Lingchuan sighed.

"Understood, I'm on my way."

The Tigerwing Army was to depart for Yuheng City the day after tomorrow, so time was tight. The armory had to arrange provisions overnight.

"Go on, get busy," Sun Fuling waved at him, relaxed and content. "I'm going home now."

Watching her graceful figure depart, He Lingchuan turned and walked towards the official building.

The process of verifying quantities, signing, and sealing was quick.

As He Lingchuan finished and was about to leave, he turned a corner and met Zhong Shengguang.

Commander Zhong's vertical furrow between his brows seemed deeper, and a few more streaks of grey had appeared at his temples, but his gaze remained sharp.

Beyond his handsome and composed demeanor, he now carried a hint of weariness.

Zhong Shengguang's eyes lit up when he saw him. "You've come at just the right time," he said, ushering him into his study.

"Close the door."

He Lingchuan turned and closed the door.

Zhong Shengguang stood with his hands behind his back by the window. "You received the transfer order, so you understand what's happening, right?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan replied. "The battle is about to begin."

The rolling dark clouds of war once again hung over Panlong Wilderness, pressing down on everyone.

No one could avoid it, no one could escape it.

"Lingshan sent me intelligence that Beijia just dispatched two armies, planning to bypass and enter Baling. If we wait for them to reach Baling, the situation will change again." Zhong Shengguang gazed at the vibrant hibiscus flowers along the corridor. "The arrow is on the string; it can be fired."

He Lingchuan knew that this meant Panlong City was essentially ready for battle.

"I await Commander Zhong's orders!"

"When fighting breaks out here, the pressure on Yuheng City's eastern front will definitely increase. You must hold the line." This was not a request; it was a direct, imperative order.

He Lingchuan also said solemnly, "I will."

"How have the people sent by Lingshan been performing in your army lately?"

"Their combat strength is excellent. Initially, there was some awkwardness during integration, but with Sha Wei leading them these past few days, they've gradually blended in well with the veteran soldiers."

He Lingchuan had his own methods. Sha Wei had caused quite a few fights and troubles in the army these past few days, but compared to his initial arrogance, he was much more restrained and showed great respect for He Lingchuan. As the leader of that large group, once He Lingchuan subdued him, the other cultivators became much more compliant. "After a few more battles, they'll get along like true brothers."

"The other few dozen demon soldiers also look quite robust."

Zhong Shengguang nodded. "That's good. Lingshan has been a great help to us; the combatants they send can all become elites with a bit of training."

Panlong City was no longer the sparsely populated, remote town it was ten years ago. Since its rise, especially after defeating Xianyou and Baling decisively, forces, people, and demon clans from all directions had flocked to it. Moreover, with Lingshan establishing its presence here, even more cultivators gathered.

This was the benefit of playing with an open hand: those who follow the right path receive much help.

Panlong City currently didn't lack soldiers, but it lacked elites. Lingshan had its own power and sent many skilled warriors, whom Panlong City welcomed heartily.

He Lingchuan hesitated for a moment, then decided to ask, "Does Commander Zhong highly regard Xin Yi?"

"He is a useful individual," Zhong Shengguang said, pacing a few steps. "Though Mr. Lu has left, he still wrote me a letter. The letter specifically mentioned that Xin Yi is a pivotal figure in Lingshan. His opinions are considered and adopted by the Elder Council. His observations and assessments of Panlong City will directly influence Lingshan's investment in Panlong City. Coincidentally, Xin Yi is also very knowledgeable and beneficial to Panlong City. For example, the day before yesterday, he even helped the army complete advanced cultivation techniques."

"..." Xin Yi's influence had already reached so far?

Zhong Shengguang saw the unusual expression on his face and patted his shoulder. "What's your opinion of him?"

He Lingchuan murmured, "I heard you told him about the function of the Black Flood Dragon mark and entrusted him with its full research."

"Lingshan is very interested in this mark, and I can't really stop them." Zhong Shengguang wasn't bothered; he had too many urgent matters to deal with at the moment, setting aside anything unrelated to the war.

"Besides, if he can figure something out, it would be a blessing for everyone under heaven," he said slowly. "Through these recent interactions, I've noticed that Lingshan very much desires to establish an independent nation in the human realm and build its own stable power."

"Like Beijia?"

"Exactly."

Although the Celestial Gods cannot personally descend, they have fostered the Northern Demon Kingdom in the human realm, and the benefits are obvious. Once they establish their own strong power and army, there's so much more they can do. Lingshan has been observing this for years; wouldn't they be envious?

"Unfortunately, despite many attempts, it hasn't been able to establish a powerful human nation; it's always promptly dismantled by Beijia." In the current era, without forming a nation, there's no foundation for strong power. How can one compete with the Celestial Gods behind Beijia?

To this day, Lingshan remains as ethereal and elusive as ever. This has become its weakness.

He Lingchuan could only shake his head. The Celestial Demons, barred from descending to the human realm, had ironically built a powerful ground nation; Lingshan, never having left, remained so detached from the human world that they seemed like two separate entities.

"Is the Commander hoping that Panlong City can rely on Lingshan's power and become a second Beijia?"

"If it's a perfect match and both sides get what they need, then why not?" Zhong Shengguang said softly. "After all, Lingshan's power is also immense."

He Lingchuan understood his subtext: It would be too difficult for Panlong City to fight the entire Beijia on its own.

Who doesn't crave assistance? An enemy's enemy naturally becomes a friend more easily.