Chapter 460: Regret Not Swearing Brotherhood Back Then
Three Generals Camp.
Liu Er was handling military affairs, his brows furrowed with worry.
After finishing the last document and placing it at the corner of his desk, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
After summoning a subordinate to relay his commands, Liu Er lifted the door curtain, looked toward the camp gate, then let the curtain fall, clasped his hands behind his back, and began pacing within the tent.
“Why hasn’t he returned yet?” Liu Er muttered under his breath.
Before departing for Shuangjing’s banquet, Ning Zhuo had informed Liu Er in advance.
Because of that, Liu Er had been absent-minded ever since morning.
It wasn't until a subordinate reported Ning Zhuo’s return that Liu Er finally broke into a smile.
He immediately lifted the curtain and rushed toward the camp gate.
Upon meeting Ning Zhuo, he burst into hearty laughter, his expression burning with warmth. “Strategist, you’re back! It’s good that you’ve returned!”
While welcoming him, Liu Er discreetly observed Ning Zhuo’s expression.
Seeing Ning Zhuo’s brows tightly knit with worry, clearly preoccupied, Liu Er’s heart sank. He quickly asked, “Strategist, did Shuangjing give you trouble? Don’t worry, we three brothers will stand behind you.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “Not quite.”
“It was Shuangjing who invited me, hoping to recruit me as his House Retainer.”
Liu Er’s smile froze, a chill piercing his heart—his greatest fear had come true.
Still, he forced a smile and said, “This… this must be treated with care.”
“Though Shuangjing is of noble birth, your own origins are not far off.”
“Besides, becoming a House Retainer means losing your freedom…”
“Oh, that’s not the case. He said outright that I can leave at any time. He doesn’t restrict my freedom.” Ning Zhuo waved it off.
Liu Er’s smile stiffened once again, his heart sinking even further. Still, he cupped his hands and congratulated him. “Then… that’s good. After all, Shuangjing’s background is indeed extraordinary. I must congratulate you, Strategist. With his support, your family’s revenge will surely be within reach.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “I didn’t accept on the spot.”
Liu Er’s eyes immediately lit up. “Then, Strategist, you…”
Ning Zhuo nodded. “I’m still considering.”
Liu Er’s expression dimmed once more.
Ning Zhuo glanced toward the training grounds in the camp. “Why are Generals Guan Hong and Zhang Hei not drilling the troops?”
“Our army is newly formed and just scored a victory, even capturing a Nascent Soul cultivator. Morale is high, and we should seize the time to continue training in preparation for entering the battlefield and joining the grand war.”
Liu Er let out a deep sigh. “I was just about to consult you on that. The soldiers are rowdy and very dissatisfied. They’re demanding rewards and want to amend the previous agreement. Our third brother volunteered to handle it.”
“As for second brother, he’s in the tent absorbing National Strength to enhance his cultivation.”
The rewards granted to the three generals included not just promotions but also ten units of National Strength.
Ning Zhuo immediately showed interest. “How is General Guan’s injury?”
Previously, Wu Hen had ambushed Guan Hong, injuring his right arm.
Just as he spoke, a strand of spiritual sense transmitted over. “Many thanks for your concern, Strategist. The injury to my right arm is far more troublesome than expected. I’ve tried every method, but none have worked.”
It was Guan Hong.
Clearly, he had concluded his cultivation session.
Liu Er’s brows furrowed. He immediately entered the tent with Ning Zhuo to check on Guan Hong.
Inside the tent, it was dimly lit, with several candles burning. The flames glowed crimson, casting a blood-colored light.
Guan Hong wore a dark green robe, but his right arm was exposed. The wound was clearly swollen, and the skin was dark purple.
“Strange Dao!” Liu Er’s face darkened.
“Strange Dao!” Ning Zhuo’s eyes lit up.
Liu Er suddenly cupped his hands and bowed to Ning Zhuo. “Strategist, are you also versed in the Strange Dao? I saw you wielding a scythe—it must be among the elite of the Demonic Weapons of Night Rain. During the previous ambush, your scythe easily repelled Wu Hen. Its power was impressive! Please, help us.”
Ning Zhuo nodded. “I haven’t studied the Strange Dao extensively. I was simply lucky enough to acquire a Demonic Weapon of Night Rain.”
“General Guan, may I examine the wound?”
Guan Hong nodded. “Please, Strategist.”
Ning Zhuo examined the wound, letting his spiritual sense probe inside, discovering that the black-purple infection was spreading.
It wasn’t just spreading through flesh—it had already begun to corrode the surface of the bone.
“Though the wound isn’t large, if untreated, over time it will fester into a far graver injury.” Liu Er also projected his spiritual sense and said worriedly.
He and Guan Hong looked at Ning Zhuo with expectation in their eyes.
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “Though I possess a Demonic Weapon of Night Rain, it excels in combat, not in healing such wounds.”
“However, though the Strange Dao is hard to counter, for now the damage is still limited to the right arm. Perhaps General Guan can use the National Strength to forcefully boost his cultivation and suppress or even crush it in one stroke?”
Guan Hong sighed. “That would be a last resort.”
Liu Er immediately said, “Second brother, use all ten units of National Strength! I’ll take responsibility for third brother’s share too—I’ll compensate him!”
Guan Hong was moved.
Ning Zhuo, however, was curious. “The ten units of National Strength were granted by the capital. Can they really be used by just one of you?”
Liu Er nodded. “The Royal Decree only states that the ten units are rewarded to the three of us, without naming individuals or assigning exact amounts. So it should be permissible.”
“But your four units of National Strength, Strategist, can only be used by you.”
At this point, Liu Er hesitated, then still offered advice. “Strategist, you might consider saving it for later. If you become Shuangjing’s House Retainer and then draw from the National Strength, you’ll gain even greater returns.”
Guan Hong was stunned, then sharply turned his eyes toward Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo gave a small smile. “Thank you, General Liu, for your concern. Lord Shuangjing did indeed say that if I become his House Retainer, the benefits from National Strength would be tripled.”
Guan Hong couldn’t help but speak. “A true man walks beneath heaven and earth. How can he stoop to be a House Retainer for petty gain?”
“If the Strategist seeks efficiency, why not earn merit on the battlefield?”
“Take us three brothers—weren’t we promoted from Guerrilla Generals to Capturing Generals? And now our National Strength absorption has doubled!”
“With your talents, Strategist, it won’t be hard to achieve battlefield merit. Accumulate enough to rise in rank, and you can preserve your freedom.”
“Otherwise, becoming a House Retainer means being shouted at and ordered around—how stifling!”
Liu Er applauded silently in his heart, but outwardly raised his hand to stop him. “Second brother, that’s enough.”
Ning Zhuo smiled. “Thank you for your advice, General Guan.”
“However, the terms offered by General Shuangjing are indeed quite generous. He promised I can leave at any time. To me, this House Retainer title is more symbolic than real—there’s no insult in it.”
The same unit of National Strength yields different results depending on one’s status in that nation.
Status can be real or honorary.
Real positions include the irregular general titles of the three generals and Ning Zhuo’s role as Military Strategist and Sacrificial Wine. Honorary positions are more varied, including peerage without land.
Being a House Retainer of Shuangjing is one such honorary title. But due to Shuangjing’s noble birth, merely holding that affiliation would allow Ning Zhuo to gain triple the results.
Hearing that Shuangjing didn’t restrict Ning Zhuo’s freedom, Guan Hong stroked his beard, his expression cold. “If I were the Strategist, I would never agree to be Shuangjing’s House Retainer!”
“Second brother, enough! Each man has his own path—don’t force him!” Liu Er’s expression was solemn.
Guan Hong said no more.
Ning Zhuo showed a trace of embarrassment.
Liu Er said gently, “Strategist, my second brother is straightforward—please don’t take it to heart. A wise bird chooses the right tree to perch on, and a virtuous official chooses the right lord—this is only natural.”
“Sigh!”
“I only regret that my luck and strength are lacking. I haven’t achieved enough to help the Strategist gain more merit.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “You speak as though I’m leaving the camp. General Liu, don’t worry. Even if I leave Liangzhu Kingdom after this campaign, and even if I accept Lord Shuangjing’s offer to broaden my horizons, I will never forget to support the Three Generals Camp.”
“As long as a reply comes from my clan permitting me to use the treasures in my possession, I will certainly assist the three of you.”
With that reassurance, and seeing the poor atmosphere, Ning Zhuo took his leave and exited the tent.
Liu Er stared at the curtain, letting out a deep sigh.
He said with heartfelt emotion, “Second brother, I was wrong!”
“Back then in the Pear Garden, third brother invited the Strategist to swear brotherhood with us. If I had agreed, he’d be our fourth brother now. Would he be leaving us at this moment?”
Guan Hong was silent for several breaths before replying, “Brother, if you must blame someone, blame me. I was the one who refused back then.”
“I looked down on him for being young and only at the Foundation Establishment stage—my pride got in the way.”
“Who would’ve thought the Strategist’s talent would be so astonishing? I, Guan, truly failed to see his worth!”
Liu Er hurriedly comforted Guan Hong.
Seeing Liu Er still full of sorrow, Guan Hong furrowed his brows and said, “Brother, if you miss the Strategist so, how could I not share your burden?”
“Let me bear the rod and plead guilty, kneel before the Strategist’s tent, and beg him to stay!”
Liu Er was shocked and quickly grabbed Guan Hong’s arm. “Second brother, you mustn’t!”
“Though the Strategist is a great talent, you and I are brothers, as close as kin. To humiliate you is to humiliate me!”
“We’ve fought side by side—how can a dignified Golden Core cultivator kneel to a mere Foundation Establishment one? That would be disgraceful!”
“Sigh, it’s just that I’m of lowly birth, while the Strategist hails from a great clan—it’s rare to win the heart of such a man.”
Guan Hong’s eyes turned red. “Big brother.”
Liu Er gazed deeply at Guan Hong. “Second brother!”
“Big brother!”
“Second brother!!”
At that moment, Zhang Hei lifted the curtain and walked in.
Seeing the scene, he widened his eyes. “What good thing are you two talking about, and why didn’t you include me?”
Guan Hong said nothing.
Liu Er sighed and explained everything to Zhang Hei.
Zhang Hei’s eyes bulged again. “What? The Strategist wants to leave?!”
“No way!”
“I’m going to talk to him!! We built this army together, and now he wants to walk away halfway?!”
Liu Er quickly grabbed Zhang Hei’s arm. “Third brother, don’t be reckless. Everyone has their own aspirations—how can we force him?”
“Sigh, it’s just that I’m of lowly birth, and can’t win his heart.”
“Big brother!!” Zhang Hei’s face was full of stubbornness.
“Third brother, listen to big brother.” Guan Hong said.
Zhang Hei looked at Liu Er, then at Guan Hong, then threw a punch at the air and turned to stare at the ground. “Sigh!!!”