Chapter 417 – Mu Lin Trained as a Military Commander

Looking at the troubled expression on the face of Agricultural Militia Deputy Commander Zhang Hemiao, the envoys from the surrounding legions refrained from further mockery or kicking someone when they were down.

After all, they were comrades who had fought side by side. Although competition existed due to their different military affiliations, it was mostly healthy.

At that moment, someone offered comfort:

“General Hemiao, there’s no need to worry too much. I believe Celestial Master Hetian must have profound intentions in doing this.”

“That’s right. The Agricultural Militia was built by Celestial Master Hetian from the ground up—it’s his life’s work. No matter what, he would never put the Agricultural Militia in a disadvantageous position.”

While some offered comfort, others shared Zhang Hemiao’s anxiety and distress.

At this point, Mo Feng of the Black Fiend Legion and Cai Tiancheng of the Thunderclap Legion furrowed their brows and advised Zhang Hemiao.

“General Hemiao, please consider this carefully.”

“Abandoning two years’ worth of resource allocation just to bring back Mu Lin alone—General, you must think clearly. This doesn’t just concern you; it concerns the Agricultural Militia and the millions of civilians under your protection.”

It was no wonder the Black Fiend Legion and the Thunderclap Legion were anxious. The Agricultural Militia was positioned between them, forming a triangular defensive formation where the three forces jointly resisted the invasion of demonic fiends.

If the Agricultural Militia fell, the forces on either side would not fare well either.

Thus, far from feeling inclined to mock, they were doing their utmost to persuade Zhang Hemiao, urging her to think carefully before making a decision.

In response, Zhang Hemiao simply spread her hands and sighed, “Don’t say anymore. Do you think I haven’t tried? The moment I received the order, I went to my great-grandfather and urged him to change his mind… Trading two years’ worth of military supplies for the assistance of one person—this gamble is too great.”

“But there’s nothing to be done. No matter how much I tried to persuade him, my great-grandfather wouldn’t listen.”

These words left Mo Feng of the Black Fiend Legion and Cai Tiancheng of the Thunderclap Legion at a loss for what to say.

The decisions of a Celestial Master were not something they could casually question.

Just as they hesitated, unsure whether to speak further, a voice suddenly rang out in the conference room.

“I understand.”

The speaker was the envoy from the Dragon Elephant Army. After deep contemplation, he had deduced the reason behind Zhang Hetian’s recruitment of Mu Lin.

“We all know about Celestial Master Hetian’s physical condition—it’s not good at all. Therefore, he urgently needs to cultivate a successor. However, reaching the level of a Celestial Master is mostly a matter of fate; it’s not something you can simply train someone to achieve. In the current world, within the Human Race, aside from Mu Lin, there is no one else who can reliably advance to the rank of Celestial Master.”

“Even the unparalleled prodigies of our Northern Lands may not be guaranteed to advance to Celestial Master.”

“But Mu Lin is different. His current strength might not match that of the seven Earth Immortals, but his potential undoubtedly surpasses them. Enduring hardship now will ensure that with a new Celestial Master guarding them, the Agricultural Militia will be stabilized.”

“That is also why he agreed to so many of Mu Lin’s conditions and treats him like a revered guest.”

“Old Master Hetian isn’t recruiting a subordinate for the Agricultural Militia; he is choosing a military leader for you all.”

“…”

This analysis sounded quite reasonable. After hearing these words, the Black Fiend Legion and the Thunderclap Legion found it difficult to continue their persuasion.

After all, this was the Agricultural Militia’s own future planning, and they could not casually interfere in the affairs of another legion.

As for Zhang Hemiao, her expression remained deeply troubled.

“So that’s how it is. Is this what Grandfather considered? But while the future is indeed important, can we really endure these difficult times without resources for two years?”

…

The events at Grand Marshal Tianwu’s Mansion were unknown to Mu Lin. At that moment, he was traveling northward with the others.

Heading north from the Southeast Region, what Mu Lin first encountered was prosperity.

Thousands of roads converged from all directions toward the heart of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty, making its Imperial Capital extraordinarily bustling, with a population exceeding ten million—a megacity.

Due to the absence of towering skyscrapers, its land area was even larger than the capital of Mu Lin’s previous life.

Beyond its vastness, the city was brilliantly illuminated, with countless lanterns burning through the night.

However, the prosperity of human civilization ended at the Imperial Capital.

Beyond the capital, for a while, Mu Lin witnessed a serene, ancient pastoral landscape.

But once they moved beyond the influence of the Great Spirit Imperial Capital, everything changed.

In these towns, not only were lanterns not kept burning all night, but people dared not even light them after dark.

During this time, Mu Lin frequently encountered demonic fiends, ghosts, and evil spirits in the wilderness, villages, and even towns.

In this region, the Human Race and demons and monsters coexisted in a mixed state.

Fortunately, humans still had the Demon Suppression Division, but their efforts only ensured that daytime belonged to humans. Once night fell, demons and monsters gained the upper hand.

Yet, this was not the worst of it.

Further north, Mu Lin sighed to find that the Northern Wastelands had no villages left.

“Not a single rooster’s crow for a thousand miles, with bleached bones scattered across the fields”—this was the true depiction of the Northern Wastelands.

Demonic monsters gathered in hordes, occupying dilapidated mountain villages, barren hills, and even ruined towns.

Human strength was now concentrated in a few large cities.

Only towns protected by numerous arrays could barely withstand some threats for humans in the Northern Lands.

However, towns relied on villages for sustenance.

Without villages and lacking vast resource points, the environment in the Northern Lands was extremely harsh, and resource scarcity was severe.

“No wonder the Northern Aristocracy resolved to move south, and so many willingly embraced Forbidden Power… Such an environment is truly unfit for ordinary people to survive.”

Mu Lin felt a pang of sorrow for the tragic plight of humans in the Northern Wastelands.

But soon, his sorrow vanished, replaced by determination.

“The Human Race in the Northern Wastelands indeed suffers, but now, I am here!”

“Let me restore the balance of yin and yang in the Northern Wastelands and bring peace and prosperity back to the Human Race.”

With such lofty ambitions, Mu Lin arrived at the heart of the Northern Wastelands—Tianwu City.

Upon entering the city, he immediately caught the attention of some.

Seeing him, some looked on with admiration, while others cast strange glances and whispered among themselves.

“Is that Mu Lin? The one who claimed seven Earth Immortal shares?”

“He looks rather ordinary to me.”

“Do you think the Agricultural Militia can survive this time?”

“I hope they can hold on. Otherwise, whether we contract our defenses in the Northern Lands or dispatch reinforcements, it will be extremely troublesome and difficult to sustain…”

As Mu Lin entered the city, many people were discussing him.

Before Mu Lin could figure out what was going on, a middle-aged woman with a weary expression appeared before him.

“You must be Young Master Mu Lin, right?”

“Yes, and you are?”

Unlike the slender young women Mu Lin had seen in the southeastern water towns, the middle-aged woman before him was robustly built.

In Mu Lin’s perception, she didn’t seem like a cultivator but more like a middle-aged woman who toiled in the fields.

Though her appearance wasn’t particularly refined, her aura was exceptionally strong.

‘So she’s an Earth Immortal. Are all Earth Immortals in the Northern Wastelands, and women at that, dressed like this?’

Glancing around, Mu Lin quickly realized this woman was an exception. While the young women of the Northern Lands lacked the gentle warmth of those from the southeastern water towns, they were fiery, slender, bold, and generous. Very few were as “sturdy” as she was.

‘Could it be because of her Cultivation Method?’

As Mu Lin speculated wildly, the woman before him introduced herself.

“I am Zhang Hemiao. My grandfather must have mentioned me to you. From now on, I will accompany you during your activities in the Northern Lands.”

“Would you like to explore Tianwu City first, or head directly to the Agricultural Militia’s base?”

Instead of answering immediately, Mu Lin asked directly, “What about my conditions? Have you agreed to them?”

To be honest, even Mu Lin felt his demands were excessive.

If they agreed, they would have to defer to him in everything, which was bound to cause discontent among many.

In truth, Mu Lin had come to the Northern Lands with the intention of starting anew on his own—relying on his personal strength to carve out a territory, then gradually expanding and developing it.

Unwilling to depend on others, Mu Lin had deliberately exaggerated his demands.

He was also prepared for the possibility that no one would agree to them.

However, something surprising happened soon after.

Zhang Hemiao replied, “I’m aware of everything, and the Agricultural Militia has agreed.”

“…”

“Are you sure?” Mu Lin stared directly at Zhang Hemiao and said calmly, “Let me make this clear: if you don’t want to agree, that’s fine. Celestial Master Hetian has helped me greatly. If no one invites me, I’ll establish a territory near your base, and we can support each other. Such cooperation would benefit both of us.”

“But if I join and you don’t listen to me, that would be deception.”

Mu Lin didn’t finish his sentence, but Zhang Hemiao understood his meaning.

“I understand, but rest assured. Although some in the Agricultural Militia don’t grasp my grandfather’s intentions, his orders are absolute. We will do our utmost to fulfill his instructions.”

Mu Lin replied, “…Good. Let’s head directly to your base. Tianwu City can be visited anytime.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

With that, she called out, and dozens of burly men rushed over. The group then boarded a Mystic Treasure flying shuttle and headed straight for the Agricultural Militia’s base.

However, before they flew away, Mu Lin also caught sight of the banners of other teams.

Soon after, he noticed that the cultivators in those teams were all carrying large and small bundles, and many other cultivators were following behind them. In contrast, his own team consisted of only himself, which made Mu Lin curious enough to ask a question.

“I remember that Tianwu City is the central hub of the Northern Lands, and most resources are distributed from here. Moreover, cultivators arriving in the Northern Lands from other regions also make Tianwu City their first stop. It must not be easy for you to come all this way—aren’t you going to take some resources or invite some people here?”

This was a genuine question from Mu Lin. Then, he noticed that after he asked this, the members of the Agricultural Militia looked at him with very complicated expressions.

After a long while, one of them finally broke down and said, “Why do you think we aren’t taking resources or inviting others?”

“Huh?” This reaction caught Mu Lin off guard. “You’re not inviting others… is it because of me?”

“It is because of you. Inviting you to join the team used up our resource quota for the next two years. For the next two years, we’ll have to rely on ourselves and bear all the burdens alone.”

“…”

(End of Chapter)