I Grind to Martial Saint

PITTER-PATTER...

An autumn rain began to fall, soft and silent.

But for the Nanyuan Wind and Thunder Army, this autumn rain only made their hearts grow colder.

Because Zhang Cang had collapsed.

The Nanyuan Wind and Thunder Army owed its current power and prestige entirely to one man: Zhang Cang.

His collapse immediately brought all sorts of terrible scenarios to mind, plunging everyone into a state of panic.

All the commanders and generals of the Wind and Thunder Army gathered outside Zhang Cang’s room, waiting.

"I hope Daoist Zhang is just overworked..."

"If the Daoist falls, who can possibly stop Cui Mingsha..."

"Don’t say such pessimistic things. The Daoist is blessed by the heavens; he’ll be fine."

The men murmured amongst themselves outside the room, each lost in their own thoughts.

It was clear, however, that most of them were deeply concerned for Zhang Cang’s health.

Just then, Huang Xian’Er pushed open the door and stepped out of the room.

"Miss Huang... is Daoist Zhang all right?"

A wiry man stepped forward to ask.

"He’s fine. Just exhausted. He needs to rest."

"Don’t disturb him for the time being."

Huang Xian’Er said calmly.

Hearing her words, the crowd finally breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"You heard Miss Huang. Disperse for now."

"We’ll deal with everything else once Daoist Zhang has recovered."

The wiry man began to disperse the crowd.

His name was Yang Cangshan. With a personality that despised evil, he had ended up on the local Black List for killing a County Magistrate.

After Zhang Cang started his rebellion, Yang Cangshan had immediately pledged his loyalty and had served him ever since.

Within the Wind and Thunder Army, he was arguably the most respected man after Zhang Cang himself.

Hearing Yang Cangshan’s orders, the men had no choice but to leave, though they were still worried about Zhang Cang’s condition.

After the crowd had dispersed, Yang Cangshan’s expression grew grim.

He looked at Huang Xian’Er and asked earnestly, "Miss Huang... Daoist Zhang’s condition... it’s not that simple, is it?"

Huang Xian’Er had no intention of hiding the truth from Yang Cangshan. She said in a low voice, "His vital essence is completely spent. It’s uncertain if he’ll even survive."

"Commander Yang, you should start preparing for a retreat."

The color drained from Yang Cangshan’s face. He never imagined Zhang Cang’s condition was so dire.

But when he remembered how Zhang Cang had to activate the Grand Array every day to hold off Cui Mingsha, he let out a deep sigh.

He nodded. "I understand..."

"In fact, I’ve already been making arrangements for our withdrawal these past few days."

"Tonight, we’ll break into dozens of units and retreat... I’ll lead a group of our brothers to cover the rear."

"Miss Huang, you must get Daoist Zhang away from here!"

Yang Cangshan said, cupping his fists.

"Don’t worry."

Huang Xian’Er nodded.

"Then I’m counting on you."

"I’m going to arrange the retreat right now!"

Yang Cangshan cupped his fists and departed.

SPLASH...

The gentle autumn drizzle suddenly became a downpour, striking Huang Xian’Er’s face with an icy chill.

She looked up at the dark, gloomy sky, feeling suffocated.

’I wonder if we’ll make it through this time...’

...

SPLASH...

As night fell, the sky opened up in a torrential downpour.

It was already autumn, and with the great difference in temperature between day and night, the air grew cold fast.

The Province Soldiers’ camp was shrouded in darkness.

The Province Soldiers had been besieging Nanyuan County Town for some time now.

Throughout the siege, Nanyuan County Town had been like a turtle in its shell, allowing itself to be surrounded without so much as a single counterattack.

Of course, this was only to be expected.

After all, with Cui Mingsha on their side, the Wind and Thunder Army wouldn’t dare attempt a sneak attack.

And so, over time, the defenses at the Province Soldiers’ camp grew increasingly lax.

Tonight, with the rain, there were only a few patrols making their rounds in the camp.

The rest of the squads were all holed up in their tents, shirking their duties.

They all believed there was no chance of a midnight raid on their camp.

Even the State Military Commanders turned a blind eye, pretending not to notice.

But tonight was different.

A figure wearing a Conical Hat and a strange, smiling mask braved the autumn rain, their steps light as they silently approached the Province Soldiers’ camp.

’Glad I made it in time... That kid Zhang Cang is tougher than I thought.’

’He really held on until I got here.’

The newcomer was, of course, Han Yuan, who had rushed all the way from Cangshui County.

After making some inquiries in a nearby village, he had a rough grasp of the current situation in Nanyuan County Town.

Since Nanyuan County Town hadn’t fallen, there was still hope.

Gazing at the pitch-dark camp ahead, Han Yuan executed the Seven Stars Step and slipped inside unnoticed.

He’d been in camps like this before.

Generally speaking, the higher a person’s status, the larger their tent.

Naturally, it would also be located deeper inside, in the most heavily fortified area.

’Strange...’

’The defenses of these Yuan Province Soldiers are far too lax...’

’It feels like I’m taking a stroll through a marketplace.’

As Han Yuan moved stealthily through the camp, he grew increasingly puzzled.

He’d been inside for so long without encountering a single patrol.

But, as if on cue...

Han Yuan’s ears twitched. He heard the sound of dense footsteps approaching.

His expression flickered as he ducked into a shadowy corner.

Before long, a five-man squad approached.

"This damn weather... why did it have to start raining..."

"Tell me about it... I feel like I’m frozen solid."

"Chief, I saw Old Wang and his guys hiding out. Maybe we should..."

The soldiers muttered under their breath.

The squad leader at their head said softly, "Just a little longer. We’ll head back to the tents after we finish this lap."

Clearly, he had no intention of patrolling any further.

His decision, naturally, met with the unanimous approval of his men.

Not long after they had passed, Han Yuan’s figure re-emerged from the shadows.

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