Chapter 194: Return Journey Is the Main Event

He was a high-ranking general who, in the third year of the Panlong calendar, left Wangcheng to pledge allegiance to Zhong Shengguang. With a distinguished military record, he immediately took command of troops under Commander Zhong, winning many battles over the years.

Using his true power, he made his voice reverberate throughout the field: "You may have already heard of today's objective. Indeed, it is to escort the most important merchant caravan of this autumn and winter back to Puxi Gully! Once we deliver them from White Bear Pass to Puxi Gully, we can celebrate our triumphant return. Since the fall of Weicheng, Puxi Gully has served as Panlong City's western frontline, defending us against the sharp fangs and claws of Baling and Xianyou Kingdom. Therefore, protecting our allies means protecting Panlong City; protecting our fellow villagers and compatriots means protecting ourselves! Gentlemen, bravely lead the way and protect Panlong!"

Below the platform, spirits were high, and emotions ran strong. "Bravely lead the way, protect Panlong!" they chanted.

With the second chant, the common people watching nearby naturally joined in, their voices shaking the south of the city.

Then, Panlong City's South Gate opened wide, and General Nan Ke led his troops out.

As he passed through the magnificent South Gate once more, He Lingchuan looked up and involuntarily gasped.

He still remembered the chilling sensation he felt when he first passed through here. In subsequent dreams, he had paid attention to collecting medicinal ingredients. Finally, after entering a dream the previous night, he managed to acquire the rarest main ingredient — Corrupting Heart Grass, which grew in extremely yin places — and thus refined Soul Extinguishing Powder.

Yes, among the belongings left behind after Sun Fuping's execution was the recipe for Soul Extinguishing Powder. This medicine could enable people to see "unclean things" for a short period, and also allow one's vital fire to temporarily mask their living aura. Of course, He Lingchuan only needed its first effect for now.

He had swallowed the Soul Extinguishing Powder when he took his oath in the South Plaza. Now, passing through the South Gate again, he finally confirmed his long-held suspicion: Beneath the South Gate, countless Three-Corpse Worms, invisible to the human eye, were swirling.

These mist-like entities were no different from those he had seen in the Panlong Desert. However, ordinary soldiers and civilians of Panlong City heard no strange sounds when passing through the South Gate.

They were like air, unseen and intangible, yet they truly existed.

He Lingchuan even saw them deftly moving in and out of small holes in the walls of the barbican. Between the first and second main gates, due to the high walls and overhanging eaves, even midday sun struggled to penetrate to the barbican ground. Consequently, this became the Three-Corpse Worms' free roaming ground.

They would pass through every pedestrian, which was likely why He Lingchuan felt a chill beneath the gate. However, they would not actively invade human bodies or interfere with thoughts.

It was clear that Zhong Shengguang, who possessed the Grand Square Pot, had powerful control over the Three-Corpse Worms.

At this point, He Lingchuan finally understood why Panlong City dared to open its gates for trade and not fear enemy forces disguising themselves to infiltrate and cause chaos: The city gates were guarded by invisible Three-Corpse Worms, and these worms were exceptionally sensitive to human emotions, especially ill will.

Anyone harboring ill will toward Panlong City, no matter how deeply hidden, would have that malice agitated and amplified by the Three-Corpse Worms. This would likely manifest as sudden fits of madness, allowing the city guards to simply apprehend them.

With the Grand Square Pot's blessing, the entire Panlong City's fundamental policies and overall structure had changed accordingly. He Lingchuan once again felt the inseparable integration between this divine artifact and the city's destiny.

Eighteen hours later.

General Nan Ke's troops marched across the vast wilderness.

The Panlong Wilderness was not as lush with water and grass as the Chipa Plateau behind Panlong City. Its predominant landscape consisted of shrub tundras and scattered clumps of trees.

It was autumn; the pasture grass had yellowed. The desolate chill of nature's decay was particularly evident across the wilderness.

He Lingchuan sat on horseback, lifted his water skin, and took a small sip of clear water.

The force of 1,200 men who had gone to White Bear Pass had now grown to 1,900, accompanied by over 200 heavily laden carts.

Yes, they had successfully met the merchant caravan and were now escorting them back to Puxi Gully.

These supplies were primarily for civilian use and livelihoods, ensuring the residents of Puxi Gully could safely endure the harsh winter in the wilderness.

General Nan Ke, highly experienced in military campaigns, did not rush back after meeting the caravan at White Bear Pass. Instead, he ordered the entire army to rest for three hours, ensuring both men and horses were fully recuperated.

Everyone knew the return journey would be the main event.

Since leaving Panlong City, He Lingchuan had been secretly contemplating his newly acquired divine ability. After more than ten hours, he had gained some insight.

He Lingchuan got along well with his companions. After all, he was easygoing, didn't compete or contend, and was skilled in combat. Who wouldn't like such a well-rounded teammate?

Menban rode alongside him, and they chatted intermittently for a long time.

This tall man lived up to his nickname; his shoulders were wide and his chest thick, like a door plank. He provided a strong sense of security by blocking attacks from the front during combat. It's often said that nine out of ten strong men are simple-minded, but his personality was far from "loyal and honest."

He Lingchuan had already heard many rumors from him. For instance, the Battle of Baijiagang three days prior was also commanded by General Nan Ke. That battle was fought beautifully; not only were over eight hundred enemies slain, but the enemy general, Huamuna, was also killed on the spot.

Huamuna was the younger brother of Huamucuo, the commander-in-chief of the Baling army stationed in Weicheng, and was quite fierce and brave. The brothers had fought side-by-side on battlefields for many years, so Huamuna's death would undoubtedly be a heavy blow to his brother, Huamucuo.

Encouraged by this great victory, Panlong City decided to strike while the iron was hot and immediately commenced the most crucial supply transport to Puxi Gully. The Baling army in Weicheng had just suffered a major defeat and their morale was low; they should not seek further trouble before fully regrouping.

"Should."

Hearing this, He Lingchuan couldn't help but ask, "What kind of personality does Huamucuo have?" In the game of war, one must also account for the opponent's psychology, especially that of their commander.

"I hear he's quite steady and doesn't like to rush for glory," Menban sighed. "If he were the type to angrily jump to action, our convoy would be intercepted nine times out of ten." But no one could truly tell if Huamucuo would seek revenge in his anger or simply swallow his pride.

He Lingchuan pondered the strategy Sun Hongye had provided. Reality was, of course, far more complex than strategizing on paper. But would Panlong City intentionally set a trap in this direction? After all, seven battles had already been fought in the early stages, with victories and losses on both sides, and Panlong City's true intentions had been obscured by battle after battle.

Although no one had given him a hint, He Lingchuan still vaguely felt that this escort mission was significantly different from previous ones.

As the number of times he entered the Panlong dream increased, He Lingchuan had discovered that his dream returns to Panlong City were not a continuous linear process in terms of time, but rather fragmented scene transitions.

Each of his entries marked a temporal node in this world, with events, both big and small, occurring.

While this world was honing him, it also seemed to be showing him something.

Perhaps his silence had lasted too long, when Menban suddenly asked, "Broken Blade, why did you join the patrols?"

He Lingchuan paused. "To protect my home and country. Why else would I?"

"That's too vague," Menban chuckled. "Skinny joined the patrols because he wants to save money to give his family a better life; Willow's brother was killed by Xianyou people, so she seeks revenge; as for me, I want to achieve great feats and establish my reputation. Who doesn't have their own little agenda?"

No matter how grand one's beliefs, they must be supported by a realistic foundation.

"I want to join the Great Wind Army," He Lingchuan honestly replied. "But I heard that if you don't become a squad leader, you're not qualified to join."

"Join the Great Wind Army?" Menban glanced at him. "Is it for General Hong's reputation?"

"I suppose so." He Lingchuan had entered the dream many times, but he had never met General Hong face-to-face; he had only caught a glimpse from afar before logging off.

"General Hong is the motivation for many to enlist. I thought you were usually quiet; I didn't expect you to admire heroes too."

He Lingchuan chuckled. That the phrase "quiet and reserved" was used to describe him, the arrogant little tyrant of Blackwater City, he wondered what expression his family members would make if they heard it.

But then again, in his dreams, he indeed thought a lot and did a lot, yet spoke little.

In reality, he needed to conceal and disguise himself. But here, he could be his true self.

A different sight appeared on the horizon. Menban let out a long breath. "That's the Ghost Needle Stone Forest ahead."

As the convoy moved forward, the scenery ahead became increasingly clear.

He Lingchuan had been to this place several times before. The Ghost Needle Stone Forest was a well-known landmark on Red Cliff Road. Its perimeter was at least a hundred *zhang* from the main Red Cliff Road, so travelers in later generations could only gaze at it from afar.

Countless years ago, this area must have been a lush river valley, where flowing water had eroded the terrain into a network of ravines. Later, the great river changed its course and no longer flowed through here. Then, wind and sand took over, sculpting peak after peak to resemble both folding screens and ship sails.

If one wished, countless paths could be found through the Ghost Needle Stone Forest.

It was also a rare and remarkable sight in the otherwise flat wilderness.

"This is the best place for an ambush," He Lingchuan murmured, "Multilayered, with countless levels both above and below. Will we go through the Ghost Needle Stone Forest?"

"If we can see it, General Nan Ke surely can too," Menban said, lifting his chin. "I don't think we will."

Skinny rode his horse up beside them. "How about I start a betting pool? One *liang* of silver."

He Lingchuan chuckled. "Alright, I'll bet we will. After all, the Ghost Needle Stone Forest is too large; bypassing it would take at least ten extra hours, and more time means more risk."

"The game's open, the game's open!" Skinny amplified his voice, clearly pleased. "We're betting on whether our convoy goes through the Ghost Needle Stone Forest or not. Bets start at one *liang*!"

Although the scenery on the wilderness was pleasant, it became monotonous after a while. The troops were feeling bored on the march, so suddenly hearing he was starting a betting pool, they responded enthusiastically.

Skinny was grinning from ear to ear. The house always wins and never loses; he was about to make a profit again.

"Why is there so much noise at the back?"

At the front of the army, General Nan Ke looked back.

The adjutant immediately said, "I'll go reprimand them."

General Nan Ke then paid it no more mind. He told the orderly, "Pass on my order: we will bypass the Ghost Needle Stone Forest."

The terrain of the Ghost Needle Stone Forest was too complex; it was the best place for an enemy ambush. He saw no need to take that risk; taking a longer route was fine.

The orderly acknowledged the order. Just as he was about to ride back, he suddenly heard rapid hoofbeats from the front, and a rider galloped toward them.

The scout who had been surveying ahead had returned.

The horse was steaming all over, clearly having just run at a desperate pace.

The scout didn't even have time to dismount. While saluting and panting, he exclaimed, "Large numbers of enemy, enemy troops have appeared to the northwest, less than fifteen *li* from us!"