Chapter 466: Forcing the Hand
Time rewound to a single stick of incense earlier.
When Liu Er heard that Zhang Hei had gone to the Red Flower Camp to confront them in fury, he instantly sensed things were going awry and hurriedly strode out of his tent.
He first used spiritual sense to contact Guan Hong, informed him of the matter, and instructed his second brother to carefully manage the camp.
After that, Liu Er quickly mounted his horse and rushed out of his own army camp.
At the gates of the main camp, he ran into Ning Zhuo, who was just returning.
“Strategist, you're back!” Liu Er's face lit up with joy, but it was immediately overtaken by urgency.
“Strategist, the situation is dire. I must rush to the Red Flower Camp. If I’m too late, our third brother may be in danger.” Liu Er's tone was rapid.
Ning Zhuo was startled and doubtful. “What happened?”
Spiritual sense transmission was extremely swift. After a breath or two, Ning Zhuo had already understood the cause and course of events.
Ning Zhuo immediately grabbed the reins of Liu Er’s steed. “General, stay calm! If you rush over like this, you might not be able to help General Zhang Hei.”
“Could it be that General Liu wishes to team up with General Zhang to bring down General Mu Lan?”
Liu Er froze for a moment and then bowed his head in contemplation. “General Mu Lan’s archery is extraordinary. She was able to severely wound Grandfather Long. Unless Second Brother, Third Brother, and I join forces, we have no chance of defeating her.”
“That’s why I’m so worried about Third Brother.”
Ning Zhuo continued, “Since you don’t want to fight General Mu Lan, then you must be going to reason with her.”
“To go empty-handed and unprepared, I fear you’ll only be humiliated.”
Liu Er froze again, then quickly said, “Strategist, the situation is urgent—don’t be cryptic. Whatever your idea is, just speak it plainly. I’ll follow your lead.”
Ning Zhuo suggested, “General, why not bring along our severely wounded soldiers and head to the Red Flower Camp together? They don’t need further treatment—just barely hanging onto life is enough.”
Liu Er suddenly understood. “We’ll go with your plan, Strategist!”
He immediately issued the order.
The heavily wounded were loaded onto carts, and Liu Er rode at the front of the procession.
“I have some acquaintance with the Red Flower Camp's physician, Zhang Chongyi. Perhaps I can use that connection to ease tensions between our forces,” Ning Zhuo also joined in.
Seeing Liu Er burning with anxiety, Ning Zhuo tried to comfort him. “With General Zhang’s ability, even if he cannot win, he’ll definitely be able to hold out for a good while. He won’t lose quickly.”
“And even if he loses to Mu Lan, General Mu Lan wouldn’t be so foolish as to kill a fellow soldier.”
“She herself is in a precarious position—barely able to protect herself!”
Liu Er asked curiously, “Why is that?”
Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to recount his experience attending the banquet earlier and having breakfast with Shuangjing.
When Liu Er heard that Ning Zhuo had directly refused Shuangjing, he was so excited he almost jumped off his horse to grab Ning Zhuo’s hands and shake them.
Liu Er’s opinion of Ning Zhuo skyrocketed. He praised him enthusiastically, “Strategist, your character is noble and your loyalty unmatched. That Shuangjing disrespects the King and schemes against comrades—he’s a true parasite of Liangzhu Kingdom!”
Ning Zhuo nodded and sighed. “After this, I’ve truly seen through Shuangjing. Who would’ve thought that a man of royal blood would resort to such sinister plots?”
“Perhaps this is why my clan’s ancestor allowed me to travel the world.”
“I’ve met you and your brothers, witnessed your oath of brotherhood, your unity in battle, and also seen despicable rats who betray their comrades.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“Staying in the Three Generals Camp is far more comfortable than being in the White Jade Camp.”
Hearing this, Liu Er’s heart pounded and he was overjoyed. “To encounter you in Canglin Immortal City—what fortune!”
This joy greatly eased the anxiety in Liu Er’s heart.
When they reached the gates of the Red Flower Camp, they saw that Zhang Hei and Mu Lan were already locked in battle high in the sky.
“Alas! They're really fighting. What do we do now?” Liu Er asked Ning Zhuo for advice.
Ning Zhuo spread his hands. “They’re already fighting. The wood has already been carved. Just let them continue.”
After watching for a short while, they saw Mu Lan retreating explosively, pulling out the soldier’s treasure—the Vermilion Phoenix Bow—and nocking a Fiery Heart Arrow. She even activated the divine art, Crimson-Heart Swan Arrow!
Liu Er cried out, “No! Third Brother is in danger!”
He wanted to stop it but was far too late. The arrow had already been released.
It veered far off course, slicing through the sky and vanishing into the clouds.
Thump.
After shooting, Mu Lan spat a mouthful of blood, her vision went black, and she fainted mid-air, plummeting downward.
Fortunately, her unconsciousness was brief. Mid-fall, she regained consciousness and quickly adjusted her posture.
Boom.
She still crashed into the ground, sending waves of air and dust flying.
When the dust cleared, Mu Lan was half-kneeling in a deep pit, motionless.
Zhang Chongyi saw that something was wrong and immediately rushed over, seeing Mu Lan’s drooping face tinged gold and purple. The wound on her forearm had reopened and was bleeding heavily!
“As expected!”
Zhang Chongyi’s heart sank instantly. “Mu Lan forcibly cultivated the Mysterious Gold Armor-Breaking Art, and the backlash had been accumulating. In the end, it erupted. This is serious!”
Mu Lan could no longer stand and quickly sent a spiritual message, “Uncle Zhang, I’m extremely weak. I can't even stand. Please help me up—quick!”
Mu Lan urged him on.
Zhang Chongyi immediately supported her upright.
Seeing Mu Lan back on her feet, standing tall like a spear, the previously silent Red Flower Camp suddenly erupted in cheers.
“The General’s fine! Looks like the injury isn’t serious!”
“How can it be? Our General actually lost?!”
“If Elder General Mu were here, in just a few moves, he’d have that black scoundrel groveling!”
The soldiers in Red Flower Camp were in an uproar, morale clearly shaken.
Hearing these voices, Mu Lan's vision darkened again—she nearly fainted on the spot.
At that moment, Ning Zhuo’s voice suddenly rang out across the entire camp: “Many thanks to General Mu Lan for showing mercy! In order to spare our General Zhang’s life, she deliberately missed the shot and thus endured tremendous backlash!”
“Throughout this duel, the General has been holding back. Such magnanimity truly befits the heir of the Grand General’s Mansion!”
The soldiers of Red Flower Camp paused in surprise and suddenly realized—
“So that’s what happened!”
“I knew it—how could our General possibly lose?”
“Hmph, that black brute is rude and low-born. How could he compare to our General’s grandeur?”
Morale quickly stabilized.
“Ning Zhuo…” Mu Lan silently repeated the name in her heart, her opinion of him becoming increasingly complex.
Hovering in the air, Zhang Hei heard this and glared, wanting to loudly refute Ning Zhuo—none of it was true!
But just then, he received a spiritual message from Liu Er.
Zhang Hei choked, unable to speak a word, and gloomily descended to the ground to greet Liu Er.
“Big Brother, why…” Zhang Hei asked via spiritual sense, deeply confused.
Liu Er replied, “Shut up, you brute! Acting so rashly—do you want to cause disaster? Listen to the Strategist. Follow his lead. Don’t speak nonsense again.”
“Oh… alright.” Zhang Hei could only lower his head in frustration, though he didn’t disobey.
From there, Ning Zhuo took charge, serving as the bridge to facilitate communication between both sides.
With Liu Er present, Zhang Hei could only stand there awkwardly.
Mu Lan, still injured and unable to fight, also had a favorable impression of Ning Zhuo and didn’t make things difficult.
In full view of everyone, Ning Zhuo organized the involved parties for a confrontation. He could always effortlessly spot the lies or omissions in the testimonies of both sides.
In less than half a cup of tea’s time, Ning Zhuo clarified the cause and restored the truth.
Liu Er saw that it was indeed their soldier who provoked first and even spit on a Red Flower Camp soldier’s face, so he apologized to Mu Lan.
Mu Lan, for her side’s excessive force, also expressed regret.
Thus, the storm was settled.
Before they left, Zhang Chongyi extended his spiritual sense to Ning Zhuo. “Little friend Ning Zhuo, please stay—I have an important matter to discuss.”
But Ning Zhuo replied, “Please don’t be offended, Physician Zhang. Given the current circumstances, it really isn’t appropriate for me to stay.”
“I must return with Generals Liu and Zhang to camp.”
“If you have important matters, feel free to visit the Three Generals Camp later. I’ll be honored to receive you!”
Zhang Chongyi sighed and agreed. “Very well.”
Not long after Liu Er, Zhang Hei, and Ning Zhuo departed, Shuangjing received the report.
“Hahahaha!” He burst into delighted laughter.
“Who would’ve thought that Mu Lan would lose to Zhang Hei!”
“A well-deserved defeat.”
“This conflict came at the perfect time—truly a gift from the heavens! I must seize this opportunity!”
With that thought, Shuangjing decided to act.
But someone moved even faster than him.
Red Flower Camp.
While receiving treatment from Zhang Chongyi, Mu Lan suddenly shouted, “Who’s there!? Get out!”
Sun Gan revealed himself, smiling faintly. “As expected. General Mu Lan, you’ve suffered a mishap with the Mysterious Gold Armor-Breaking Art of your family. Otherwise, with your strength, how could you possibly lose today?”
Mu Lan stood straight, her expression frosty. “General Sun, you trespassed into my camp without reporting—already a violation of military law! I can execute you here and now as a traitor!”
Sun Gan sneered and, hands behind his back, leisurely approached. “A little girl in the Golden Core stage—when you were born, I even held you in my arms. Trying to scare me?”
He found a chair and sat down at ease. “You’re right, military law is indeed clear.”
“But with your current condition, and with the Red Flower Camp in this state, can you really kill me?”
His tone softened. “I’m here to help you. There’s no need to be so tense.”
Mu Lan sneered coldly. “Why would I need your help?”
Sun Gan replied, “If you don’t, the Red Flower Camp will collapse sooner or later. By then, the Grand General’s Mansion will truly fall into ruin.”
Mu Lan’s expression changed dramatically.
Zhang Chongyi took a deep breath. “General Sun, speak plainly. What’s your proposal?”
Sun Gan said, “Mu Lan girl, you need powerful support. The Red Flower Camp needs aid. The Grand General’s Mansion must have someone to hold it up. Look at me—what do you think?”
Zhang Chongyi widened his eyes. “What?!”
Mu Lan’s face turned even darker.
Sun Gan looked at the red-clad female general before him and stated frankly, “Let us dual cultivate and become husband and wife. From now on, I’ll take charge of the Grand General’s Mansion. With my abilities, I’ll restore its former glory!”