Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1048: Chapter 371: Retreat and Ceasefire, Entrustment, Panic in Bashang, Sudden Turn of Events (Part 2)

“It was Jiang Xinfan who took the initiative to go to the Hongguan Camp, of course, to seek peace!”

Xia Chuan was the first to give an answer, and Yuwen Dao and the others immediately nodded in agreement.

“Brother, there’s another important message from the Jiangxia spies…”

Xia Chuan suddenly took out a letter, paused after speaking, his pupils showing a hint of excitement, and continued, “On the night of the 20th, Jiangxia suddenly sealed off the town, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. All the stationed Defensive Army and Cold Resistance Level were summoned back to the town.”

Jiangxia spies?

Last year, Xia Hong had Xia Chuan send a few Cold Resistance Level to infiltrate the Eight Towns from the East Ridge, and now these spies were starting to send messages back.

“On the night of the 23rd, the town was sealed off, not allowing anyone in or out…”

Xia Hong pondered for a moment, suddenly thought of something, and sharply looked up at Xia Chuan.

“Did something happen to Jiang Yinglong?”

On the 23rd, Jiang Yinglong and his four companions fought desperately to drag the battle into the night, and then in the late night, Jiangxia sealed the town, not allowing anyone in or out. This clearly indicated that they wanted to block some major news, and it was likely news unfavorable to Jiangxia.

Besides something happening to Jiang Yinglong, there seemed to be no other reason.

Xia Chuan evidently had thought of this link, nodded excitedly and said: “It could also be Xiahou Zhang, surely one of these two met with an incident.”

Most likely it was Jiang Yinglong!

Xia Hong didn’t say this out loud. At the end of November, during the Hongguan battle, when he saved Xiahou Zhang from the hands of the two great masters, Yan Long and Vajra, he personally saw a severely injured Xianyang Level fly towards Jiangxia Town, and nine times out of ten, it was Jiang Yinglong.

That injury was much more severe than Xiahou Zhang’s, not something that could heal in two or three months.

Combining this message, Jiang Yinglong’s injury wasn’t healed, and he fought desperately with the three great masters at Binjiang Camp, so he having problems was a very likely event.

Locking down the town, they feared the news would spread to the other Eight Towns.

At this moment, Yuwen Dao also realized and spoke in a low voice: “This would really fit together. Jiangxia is badly injured, unable to continue fighting. They would agree to cede territory in exchange for peace, using any conditions just to keep the town intact. On the Dajue Temple’s side, fighting one against three, they’ve suffered quite a loss, and wouldn’t dare press too hard. They might as well agree to retreat and stop the conflict.”

“The army is indeed retreating, but stopping the war isn’t certain yet.”

Xia Hong suddenly caught Yuwen Dao’s words.

Hearing this, Xia Chuan and the others froze.

But they quickly understood the meaning of Xia Hong’s words, their expressions changed drastically.

“That’s what Brother meant by Jiangxia’s turnaround.”

Especially Xia Chuan, who suddenly understood, recalling what Xia Hong had said at the family banquet half a month ago about Jiangxia facing a turnaround, he finally got it.

“Have you all noticed it’s getting colder recently?”

Hearing Xia Hong’s question, everyone appeared somewhat puzzled.

“It’s about to be February, and the cold tide of the Xing River is coming!”

Shi Ping was the first to react, seizing Xia Hong’s words.

With Shi Ping’s reminder, Xia Chuan and the other four also understood.

Every year in February, the Xing River enters a two-month flood season, and during this period, the river’s ice rises with the water level, its cold extending northwards, causing temperatures throughout the Five Ape Mountain region to plummet.

“Shi Ping, it seems your role as the Five Originals Guardian hasn’t been in vain. Well done!”

Receiving Xia Hong’s praise, Shi Ping was clearly excited, bowing his hands and said, “The Lord overpraised me. As the governor of the land, I must understand all local conditions. Ten days ago, I had already notified all departments in Wuyuan to prepare for the incoming cold tide.”

At this point, Xia Chuan also realized why Xia Hong brought up February, suddenly looking up and said: “February not only brings cold tides, but it’s also when the Dajue Temple Bhikkhus select, and they begin collecting six-year-old children from each village…”

He paused here and continued, “Could it be that the Dajue Temple agreed to Jiangxia’s call for peace because of this matter?”

“That can’t be, it’s just about collecting children, they can easily send some people, it won’t affect the war. But, aren’t you curious about what Dajue Temple does with all those six-year-old children they collect?”

Upon hearing this, Xia Chuan, Yuwen Dao, and the other five’s expressions stiffened slightly, falling into silence.

Since Dajue Temple is associated with the Deceitful Monster, it’s not hard to guess what they might do with those six-year-old children; surely it’s nothing good.

On this point, Xia Hong couldn’t possibly be unaware.

Raising this question at this moment, Xia Hong’s deeper meaning was clearly suggesting, don’t they want to do something about those six-year-old children?

The five hesitated for a long time, but finally, Xia Chuan took the initiative to break the silence:

“If anyone’s going to intervene, it should be the Nine Towns first!”

As he spoke, Yuwen Dao and the other four followed up:

“If the Nine Towns could truly unite, it wouldn’t fall on us to worry about this matter. Dajue Temple’s growth was fostered by them, and they should naturally bear the consequences of the troubles they brought.”

“At this critical moment, for any reason, Great Xia cannot expose itself unless it’s ready to venture eastwards.”

“Indeed, I also pity those children, but the timing isn’t right!”

……

After listening to the five, Xia Hong nodded slightly and said no more.

From hesitation to determination, he clearly observed their change in expressions throughout the process, understanding that hesitation signifies a remaining reverence for life.

The cold-bloodedness shown by those in the Nine Towns’ upper echelons in this conflict with the Dajue Temple made him somewhat disheartened. Those who don’t even treat the Earth-digging Realm as humans can hardly be expected to show any compassion to others.