Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1050: Chapter 371: Retreat and Ceasefire, Entrustment, Bashang’s Alarm, Sudden Turn of Events_4

Jiang Yinglong’s face showed self-deprecation, his voice full of regret. He looked at Xiahou Zhang, who was kneeling beside him, sobbing uncontrollably, and gently petted his head, speaking with guilt, ”Zhang’er, as your master, I am not as capable as your father and can only leave this mess in your hands. The current situation is difficult, so be careful in everything. Having lost the chance for domination, accept your fate, and find a good way out for the Xiahou Family and for my Jiang Family.”

”Although you don’t say it, I know that like Fan’er, you also harbor resentment against the Three Towns. But now is not the time for impetuous actions. The lives of over six hundred thousand in the Town depend solely on you; do you understand?”

With hair half-white and nearing a hundred years old, Xiahou Zhang heard Jiang Yinglong’s last words, filled with guilt for himself and the Xiahou Family. His tears flowed like a bursting dam, showing no trace of the dignity of the Jiangxia Army Chief. If outsiders saw this scene, they would likely be shocked.

Bang... Bang... Bang...

Seeing Jiang Yinglong’s breath becoming weaker, Xiahou Zhang restrained his grief, took two steps back on his knees, and suddenly kowtowed three times heavily on the ground. He then looked up at Jiang Yinglong on the soft bed, speaking with utmost determination, ”Disciple understands, Master. Rest assured, disciple vows to guard Jiangxia with my life, and will surely find a good way out for our two clans and over six hundred thousand in the Town.”

Knowing his disciple’s character well, Jiang Yinglong finally relaxed upon hearing this. He then turned to his eldest son, Jiang Xinfan, with an even more intense expression of guilt, whispering, ”Fan’er, for over forty years, although you don’t say it, I know you’ve always resented me for those five Heavenly Yang Fruits back then. For this matter, father owes you.”

At Jiang Yinglong’s words, both Jiang Xinfan and Xiahou Zhang simultaneously trembled; Xiahou Zhang’s face was filled with guilt, while Jiang Xinfan’s expression was extremely complex.

Over sixty years ago, the former Lord of Jiangxia, Xiahou Zhang’s father, Xiahou Ming, fought to the death against the Red Carp Monster to open the Heng River Waters. While he eventually drove out the monster, he was gravely injured and near death.

At that time, Jiangxia had only two at the Xianyang Level, with Lord Xiahou Ming near death and the then Army Chief Jiang Yinglong being the sole pillar. To resolve the crisis, Jiang Yinglong risked his life to gather five Heavenly Yang Fruits from Moao Mountain in hopes of nurturing another Xianyang Level.

Back then, both Xiahou Zhang and Jiang Xinfan actually had opportunities.

But Jiang Yinglong didn’t ask either and directly gave the chance to Xiahou Zhang.

Jiang Xinfan, now over ninety himself, by Cold Resistance Level’s life expectancy, is half in the grave. Hearing his father bring up old matters and apologize, the last trace of resentment towards his father completely dissipated.

He suddenly looked up at Jiang Yinglong, speaking in a deep voice, ”Father, rest assured! I have few years left, I understand your intentions. No matter what happens henceforth, I will work wholeheartedly with my senior brother. The clan motto of our Jiang Family and Xiahou Family, sharing fortunes and adversity, will never change!”

”The Xiahou Family also follows this. If I go against this instruction, may my cultivation never progress, and may I be punished by five thunders!”

”Good, good, good... The previous leader Xiahou Wu and my father, back then, united like brothers, lifting Jiangxia from a large camp to join the ranks of the Nine Towns. As long as you two can unite, our two clans can endure in the Ice Abyss for a long time. Good... good...”

Jiang Yinglong, extremely emotional, spoke louder and louder towards the end, his complexion more vibrant, until he finished the last ”good” with breath stuck in his throat, unable to recover, as his hands slackened helplessly.

His eyes, at the last moment, were fixed on his disciple and son, with a smile of satisfaction, evidently without regrets.

”Master!”

”Father!!!”

The mournful cries of Xiahou Zhang and Jiang Xinfan echoed outside the hall.

Outside, several hundred people had gathered. Upon hearing the cries, they trembled abruptly, regardless of gender or age, all uniformly knelt towards the direction of the chamber.

”Grandfather!”

”Grandpa...”

”Uncle.”

”Lord!”

”Great-grandfather, boohoohooo...”

The entire great hall was instantly filled with sobbing, a scene of lamentation, the atmosphere plunging into utter sorrow.

Although Jiangxia’s main hall was built at the very center of the Town, within a mile radius, there was no other structure, and deployments were clearly made at this time. No one was around the main building; otherwise, such loud cries would soon be widely known.

”Keep the funeral secret, continue sealing the Town. Without a decree personally signed by you and me, no one is allowed to step out of the Town!”

In the chamber of the main hall, following the grief, Xiahou Zhang stood and sat at the bedside, arranging his master’s remains while ordering Jiang Xinfan.

”Can it be kept secret, senior brother?”

At Xiahou Zhang’s words, Jiang Xinfan’s voice was somewhat feeble.

The Nine Towns, unlike other village-level or massive camps, are interconnected. Apart from spies and scouts within each Town, intermarriages among the high levels of each Town are substantial. Even the descendants of the Jiang Family and Xiahou Family have many intermarriages with the high levels of Yangqu, Dragon Valley, and Muyin Three Towns. Some are standing outside the hall at this moment.

The news can be hidden for a while, but long-term concealment is impossible.

”I didn’t intend to hide it for long, just until the tenth would be enough. Didn’t Dajue Temple say they would send people to take over Xuyang Camp and the surrounding thirteen village-level camps on the tenth? Fully cooperate with them, conceal the news from all areas, and strive to keep it hidden until then!”