Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 735 Rushing to the battlefield
Hua Nongying was dug out of the sand and gravel by Liang Jin.

It was only thanks to the fact that she had already reached the third rank that she was able to survive the sandstorm by relying solely on her physical strength.

At this moment, she followed Liang Jin with faltering steps, heading towards the group of strangers.

My mind was still blank; my memories were like a completely formatted hard drive, with no trace of the past.

She looked at the cavalrymen in uniform, each with a different expression, as well as the woman in black with a cold and aloof demeanor and a scrutinizing gaze, and the old woman with a complex and agitated expression...

Feeling lost, helpless, and with a hint of fear lurking in my heart, born of the unknown.

Who are they?

Do they know me?
Their eyes... showed curiosity, surprise, wariness, and even... a hint of barely perceptible hostility.

Am I their friend, or... their enemy?
A jumble of thoughts crashed against her fragile nerves like a tidal wave, causing her to subconsciously take a step closer to the only familiar figure in front of her.

It was Liang Jin who rescued me from the sand and gravel. If he were an enemy, why would he have gone to such lengths?
In this completely unfamiliar world, that figure became the only piece of driftwood she could grasp at that moment.

Liang Jin seemed to sense her unease, paused slightly, and turned his head to glance at her.

His eyes were calm and serene, yet they seemed to possess a power that could soothe the soul.

The next moment, he casually waved his hand, and a condensed, almost tangible, pale golden internal force shot out and struck the pair of black iron hooks that had pierced through Hua Nongying's collarbone with perfect precision!

"Crack! Click!"

Two crisp cracking sounds rang out as the pair of iron hooks that had imprisoned her, bringing her endless pain and humiliation, snapped off and fell to the ground with a clatter.

In an instant, as if a dam had burst, a long-lost, surging power began to flow again through her parched veins!
That was her own power, the pure inner strength of a third-grade martial artist!

The warm air dispelled the weakness and coldness in my body, bringing an unprecedented sense of comfort. Even the excruciating pain from the pierced wounds seemed to have lessened considerably.

This scene caused the surrounding cavalrymen to let out a low gasp and instinctively tighten their grip on their weapons.

Leng You's beautiful eyes narrowed, her aura concealed, yet she was ready to strike at any moment.

No one could predict what this mysterious woman, who had regained her strength, would do next.

However, Hua Nongying simply stood quietly in place, her eyes slightly closed, feeling the vitality brought about by the circulation of internal energy within her body.

She slowly raised her hand, touching the two still-painful hollows at her collarbone, her eyes filled with even greater confusion.

She raised her head and looked at Liang Jin. Her beautiful eyes, which had regained some of their luster but were still empty, were filled with helplessness and pleading, like a child lost in a blizzard.

"who I am?"

She asked softly, her voice slightly hoarse and uncertain.

This question had lingered in her empty mind for so long that it had almost become her nightmare.

The man before her had saved her and freed her from her constraints; she was willing to take a gamble and trust his answer.

Liang Jin met her gaze and said in a calm but clear tone:
"Your name is—Hua Nongying."

Three words, like three keys, suddenly pierced the outermost lock of her memory barrier!
Flowers play with shadows...

Flowers play with shadows...

Flowers play with shadows!
The name!

Yes! That's it!

An indescribable sense of familiarity and belonging instantly washed over my entire body!
She chewed on the name over and over again, saying it faster and faster, feeling it fit her more and more, as if it was meant to be hers!

A surge of immense joy and indescribable excitement overwhelmed her previous bewilderment, bringing a blush to her pale cheeks.

He didn't lie to me!
He really knows me!

This realization instantly increased her trust in Liang Jin.

She couldn't help but step forward, even grabbing Liang Jin's arm in her haste, as if afraid this only clue would disappear, and bombarded him with questions:
"What did I do before? And who are you? What is our relationship? And who were those people who fought you so fiercely just now?"

"Who are these people? Where am I? Why am I here? And why am I...locked up like that?"

A barrage of questions poured out like a flood, revealing her inner anxiety, confusion, and longing for the past.

After asking the question, she realized her lapse in composure. A hint of embarrassment flashed in her beautiful eyes, and she subconsciously let go of his hand. But her eyes remained fixed on Liang Jin, filled with an urgent need for an answer.

Looking at her like this, Liang Jin's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile:

“If someone else tells you these questions, you may not fully believe them, and it may even cause more confusion and suspicion.”

"Memories are like reflections in a mirror or the moon in the water; you can't force them. Why don't you come with me first?"

He pointed to his eyes, then to his surroundings:
"Use your own eyes to see, and your own heart to feel. We will go to many places, meet many people, and experience many things."

"Among them, there will inevitably be traces that you are familiar with. When the old scenes and people reappear, the sealed memories will naturally awaken as if water were flowing into a channel."

"As for us..."

He paused, his tone carrying a strange certainty:

“Of course, he’s an old acquaintance. Following me is the fastest and safest way for you to find yourself again.”

At this point, he turned to the carriage beside him, which, despite the bumpy ride, remained intact, his tone leaving no room for argument:
"Since you can't remember anything right now, there's no need to force yourself. Excessive mental strain will not help you recover."

"Let's get into the carriage and rest for a while. It's safe here."

His words were like magic, possessing an irresistible soothing power.

Hua Nongying stared at him blankly, her mind still filled with countless questions, yet she felt strangely calm.

She nodded vigorously and said sincerely:
"Thank you! You're so kind to me... We must have been very good friends before!"

Liang Jin simply smiled faintly at this, neither confirming nor denying it.

After thanking her again, Hua Nongying walked toward the carriage as instructed.

Before crawling into the carriage, she couldn't help but look back at Liang Jin one last time, as if to confirm that the "driftwood" was still there, before bending down and crawling inside.

Leng You, who had been observing coldly from the sidelines, finally approached Liang Jin silently. Using her telepathic communication skills, her voice rang directly in Liang Jin's ear, carrying a hint of barely perceptible worry:

"My lord, this woman's mind is hard to fathom. Now that she has regained her martial arts skills, she appears to be suffering from amnesia and being weak. It's difficult to tell if she's telling the truth."

"Is it... too risky to just leave her by my side like this?"

Liang Jin's gaze remained calmly fixed on the direction of the carriage as he replied telepathically, his voice carrying absolute control:

"It doesn't matter. She can't escape my grasp."

His thoughts stirred slightly as he looked at the [Thousand-Mile Tracking] panel and continued:
"If she truly holds a pivotal position in the Yinxi Society, then regardless of whether she has genuinely lost her memory, she is an excellent pawn that can be utilized."

“If it’s real amnesia, we can ‘help’ her reconstruct her memories; if it’s fake amnesia… then we can use her to lure the snakes out of their holes and wipe out the remaining members of the Yinxi Society who are hiding in the shadows.”

“What I fear is not their actions, but that they hide too deeply, like rats in a gutter.”

After dealing with Hua Nongying's matter, Liang Jin turned his gaze to the distant Hanlong Gorge, which appeared particularly menacing and silent under the moonlight.

His gaze deepened and sharpened, and he gave the order in a deep voice:

"Issue the order! Effective immediately, the area within a radius of fifty li around Hanlong Gorge in Yumen Mountain shall be designated as a military restricted zone!"

"The 'Rock-Stone Camp' shall be mobilized immediately to establish a permanent military camp here, built according to the mountain's terrain, and stationed with three thousand elite troops. Without my personal order, no one shall approach the core area of ​​the canyon!"

"Furthermore, this mountain range is rich in spirit ore of extremely high quality. Immediately plan to establish the 'Jade Gate Mine' here, recruiting Western Desert refugees and reliable laborers at double wages to start mining as soon as possible! All output should be transported directly to the Hanzhou Armory for priority in forging Soul Jade!"

What he was most worried about was the divine tortoise buried deep underground.

If it remains dormant, all will be well.

But the roar that came from underground just now, like a giant beast turning over, clearly indicated that their battle had disturbed this ancient being.

No one can predict whether it will continue to sleep peacefully the next time it is disturbed.

We must take precautions and place it under the strictest surveillance.

Leng You accepted the order and then asked:

"My lord, this place is of utmost importance. Both the spirit mine and... that strange object require absolutely reliable people to guard them. I wonder which general you would prefer to send?"

She knew in her heart that ordinary military commanders alone would be unable to deal with any possible emergencies, especially when it came to a supernatural being like the divine tortoise.

However, at present, Liang Jin has very few truly capable and loyal experts under his command.

Mu Zheluo needs to be stationed in Hanzhou to coordinate all parties; Mr. Ding is in charge of Qingyi Tower, and the intelligence network cannot function without him; she herself needs to oversee the overall situation and assist Liang Jin... The predicament of being short-handed is obvious.

Liang Jin was pondering.

An old but resolute voice rang out.

Mi Lan Yue walked over with faltering yet determined steps. To everyone's astonishment, she straightened her tattered robes, then slowly and solemnly knelt before Liang Jin, pressing her forehead deeply to the cold ground. "This sinful woman, Mi Lan Yue, begs Your Excellency to take me in!"

Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, yet it carried a resolute determination.

"This old woman is willing to serve Your Excellency as your master, to serve you with utmost loyalty and devotion until her dying breath!"

"If Your Excellency does not despise me, this old woman... is willing to guard this Jade Gate Mountain and the Drought Dragon Gorge forever! I beg Your Excellency... to grant me permission!"

Leng You, standing to the side, couldn't help but let out a barely audible snort, a hint of disdain flashing in her beautiful eyes.

This old woman was arrogant at first but obsequious at second. Seeing the Marquis display his ruthless methods and invincible demeanor, she immediately switched sides and pledged allegiance. Her quick change of heart was truly despicable.

Liang Jin looked down at Mi Lanyue, who was kneeling on the ground, his gaze deep, but he did not respond immediately.

Mi Lanyue maintained her bowing posture, her voice tinged with bitterness and regret, and continued:

"This old woman... has failing eyesight. She was blind before and failed to recognize your greatness, repeatedly questioning your divine power. She was truly a frog in a well, and deserves to die!"

"However, today, Lord Marquis, you first broke through the sandstorm domain, then withstood the golden soul jade without being damaged, and finally killed Chi Le! Such extraordinary cultivation and unparalleled divine power are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people! You are a great lord with great fortune and perseverance!"

"Although I am old and frail, unable to govern the country with my literary skills or charge into battle with my martial prowess, I have dedicated my life to studying the habits, legends, and methods of restraining the 'Divine Turtle' for decades. I am confident that no one in the world can surpass me!"

"This crippled body may be able to do its part for the Marquis here, monitoring unusual movements and preventing any unforeseen events!"

"I have my own selfish reasons for joining them. The Yinxi Society sees me as a traitor and will do anything to get rid of me. Under heaven, only by serving under the Marquis and receiving his protection can I have a glimmer of hope for survival and a chance to seek justice for my people from the Yinxi Society!"

“Every word I have spoken comes from the bottom of my heart, and there is not a single falsehood in it! I implore you, Lord Marquis… to give me a chance!”

After speaking, she bowed deeply again, her posture extremely humble.

Liang Jing listened quietly, her mind racing as she weighed her options.

Mi Lan Yue's words were logically clear and well-balanced, especially in dealing with the Divine Turtle, where she truly possessed irreplaceable value.

Her motives for seeking refuge were also reasonable—to seek protection and use it to exact revenge.

As for loyalty, it is actually the easiest thing to maintain when there is an absolute disparity in strength and a common enemy.

The worst outcome would be that she deceives herself, secretly continues to collude with Yinxi to betray Liang Jin, and even successfully awakens the divine tortoise. But so what?

If the day truly comes when the divine tortoise appears in the world and becomes invincible, Liang Jin also has the courage and a way out to make a clean break, abandon the Western Desert, and start anew!
He could afford to take this risk, and it was worth it compared to the potential gains.

Having made up his mind, Liang Jin stepped forward and reached out to support her. A gentle yet irresistible force lifted Mi Lanyue from the ground.

"Milan Moon".

His voice was steady and powerful, carrying the decisiveness of a powerful ruler:

"Your request is granted."

"From this day forward, you will be a guest retainer under the command of the Marquis of Zhenxi, in charge of all affairs in the Dry Dragon Gorge of Yumen Mountain, monitoring the earth's vein anomalies, and studying the secrets of the divine tortoise. All personnel and supplies can be reported to Leng You for allocation."

"Our goals are the same: to fight against the Yinxi Society and guard the Divine Turtle. I hope you... will take good care of yourself and not betray my trust today."

Upon hearing this, tears of excitement and gratitude welled up in Mi Lanyue's old eyes, and she struggled to bow again:

"This old woman... kowtows to thank Your Excellency for your kindness! I will certainly do my utmost, even at the cost of my life!"

Liang Jin nodded slightly and listened briefly to her ideas on how to utilize the mountain terrain for defense, set up observation points, and conduct preliminary research on the activity patterns of the divine turtle, all of which he approved and authorized.

Having her guard Yumen Mountain, far from the core of power, is the most suitable arrangement at present, as it allows her to utilize her strengths while keeping the area under control.

After dealing with the matter of Mi Lanyue, Liang Jin called Leng You aside and asked in a deep voice:

"How far along is the list of officers and soldiers of the Black Dragon Kingdom's invading army that I asked you to compile?"

The war between the Western Desert and the Black Dragon Kingdom was predetermined.

Liang Jin had long ago given orders to spare no expense and use all means of infiltration, bribery, and intelligence analysis to obtain the personnel roster of the Black Dragon Empire's frontline troops.

This relates to one of his crucial secret plans—the "Thousand-Mile Tracking" project, which requires a terrifying reward of 100,000 kills.

Killing 100,000 people is an astonishing number that cannot be satisfied by grudges and feuds within the martial arts world; it can only be achieved through large-scale warfare.

Leng You replied solemnly:

"Reporting to the Marquis, Luo Feng sent a secret report three days ago. Based on the information gathered by our spies and through various channels, we have compiled a detailed list of approximately 30,000 soldiers from the main force of the Black Dragon Empire's border garrison and vanguard."

"All the lists and files were sealed and sent to the secret room of the Marquis's study a few days ago when you went into seclusion. You can access and check them at any time."

A look of satisfaction flashed in Liang Jin's eyes.

Compiling a list of enemy troops is no easy task.

To this end, the Western Desert had already begun to take action, sending many spies to infiltrate the Black Dragon Empire's army, constantly bribing and turning a blind eye to the Black Dragon Kingdom's officials, and secretly compiling a list.

To protect the list, the enemy's army will use methods such as encrypted communication and decentralized deployment to fragment the information.

Fortunately, the Black Dragon Empire's army places great importance on the personal information of officers, especially high-ranking officers, but does not care about the information of ordinary soldiers.

After all, when two armies are facing off, the most important intelligence is naturally to find out who the opposing commander and generals are, what their fighting style is, and what their relationship is with the emperor.

As for what the enemy soldiers' names are, that seems unimportant.

Only Liang Jin would pay special attention to this issue.

Under the enemy's tight blockade, obtaining a list of 30,000 people was already quite an achievement.

Behind this, countless amounts of gold and silver were spent, and countless loyal and brave spies were sacrificed.

"well done."

He offered a word of approval, then his tone became decisive:

"Leng You, you will return to Hanzhou immediately with me, retrieve the list, and then... travel day and night straight to the northern front!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Leng You's beautiful eyes.

She received no urgent military intelligence regarding the rapidly deteriorating situation at the front.

Liang Jin noticed her confusion, pointed to the corpse of King Hunxiu not far away, and said in a voice as cold as iron:

"Because of him."

"This man is none other than the leader of all the kings of the Black Dragon Empire, and the supreme commander who has annexed my Western Desert this time—King Hunxiu!"

Leng You's delicate body trembled violently, and she cried out in alarm:

"what?!"

Her beautiful eyes widened in shock!

King Hunxiu!
That was the pillar of the Black Dragon Empire, with an incomparably revered status, and could be considered the soul of the invading Western Desert army!

Before the great battle had even fully erupted, the enemy commander had already penetrated deep into enemy territory and perished here!
If this news were to spread, it would be like a thunderclap exploding over the head of the Black Dragon Empire!
The blow to the enemy's morale will be devastating!

When the soldiers and civilians of the Western Desert learn of this, what astonishing fighting spirit will erupt from them?

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Leng You's mind. The solemnity and worry he felt about the war were instantly replaced by immense excitement and ecstasy!

She finally understood why Liang Jin had rushed to the front lines immediately!
"The Marquis is incredibly powerful!!"

Her voice trembled with excitement, and her gaze toward Liang Jin was filled with a fervent adoration, as if she were looking up to a deity.
"Understood! The enemy army is leaderless and its morale will inevitably be in chaos. This is a golden opportunity for our army to take the initiative, expand our gains, and even... secure victory in one fell swoop!"

Since the news of the Black Dragon Empire's troop deployment on the border came, the entire Western Desert has been shrouded in oppression and panic.

With a powerful enemy pressing in and a vast disparity in national strength, internal undercurrents are surging, with the surrender faction and the fence-sitters stirring up trouble. Even within the Green Robe Pavilion, signs of instability are emerging.

The immense pressure was like a dark cloud hanging over us.

However, even in the darkest moments, Leng You never wavered in her belief in Liang Jin.

She firmly believed that this man could always create miracles from the impossible!
And today, Liang Jin used the corpses of Hunxiu King and Chile to prove this point once again!
He not only possesses the pinnacle of personal martial prowess, but also the extraordinary talent and strategy to turn the tide!
"Let's go."

Liang Jin took one last look at Yumen Mountain, which looked like a sleeping behemoth under the moonlight. His gaze seemed to penetrate the mountain and see the ancient existence buried deep underground.

Immediately, he turned around resolutely, his black robes fluttering in the night wind.

He glanced at Leng You, who was beside him, her voice not loud, but carrying the resolute confidence of someone who had secured the throne. It clearly reached her ears, as if declaring to the entire Western Desert:

"Follow me north to the border, where we'll meet those so-called Black Dragon Iron Cavalry."

"In this battle, we must not only win, but win beautifully and decisively!"

"Within two months, I will make sure the flames of war in the northern border are completely extinguished, and that Black Dragon King Banner... will never dare to covet my western desert territory again!"

(End of this chapter)