Chapter 469: “Ning Zhuo, I Want to Dual Cultivate with You Even More!”
Seeing Ning Zhuo's reaction, Liu Er was deeply satisfied in his heart, secretly thinking, “As expected, I've already seen through this noble son, Ning Zhuo. These words have stirred his indignation and sense of justice!”
Ning Zhuo clenched his fists and immediately devised a plan for Liu Er: “If the General wishes to pursue General Mu Lan, he will inevitably have to face Sun Gan and Shuangjing.”
“In that case, the Three Generals Camp might suffer from suppression and obstruction.”
“And that wouldn't even be the worst of it.”
“Once our army is deployed to the frontlines, Sun Gan and Shuangjing hold far higher status than us. They could easily leverage their positions from above to issue us military orders that we can hardly defy, yet are extremely arduous!”
“Furthermore, Generals Guan Hong and Zhang Hei have always detested how the Red Flower Camp once shifted the enemy onto our side.”
Liu Er waved his hand decisively: “I’ll take care of Second Brother and Third Brother.”
“Even if I have to go up against Shuangjing and Sun Gan, I will fight for this!”
Ning Zhuo was slightly surprised. He could feel Liu Er’s confidence, which sparked his suspicion.
“So Liu Er is also pursuing Mu Lan.”
“All that talk about love at first sight and admiration—who’s he trying to fool?”
“He’s clearly eyeing the Grand General’s Seal!”
“But his confidence is unusually high. Why? What card is he hiding?”
Ning Zhuo’s thoughts scattered, growing deeper and deeper.
He even speculated that the reason Liu Er chose to join the war and form an army at this time might not just be to make military achievements, but more importantly, to get close to Mu Lan.
“Liu Er has a trump card. If he’s aimed at getting close to Mu Lan from the start, there must be a powerful force behind him—and it’s not a simple one.”
“I only just had a secret discussion with Zhang Chongyi, yet Liu Er found out. Could it be the camp isn’t safe? Does Liu Er possess some ability to gather intelligence?”
After discussing for a while, Ning Zhuo took on the task of representing Liu Er in expressing his intentions to Mu Lan’s side.
Because of the tense situation, Liu Er feared that Mu Lan might succumb to pressure and agree to Shuangjing or Sun Gan. So he urged Ning Zhuo to act swiftly.
Ning Zhuo then departed from the Three Generals Camp and headed to the Red Flower Camp.
The situation was becoming more complex.
Not just Ning Zhuo, but even Sun Gan, Shuangjing, and Liu Er were all vying for the Grand General’s Seal.
“But here lies a key issue—”
“Even if one were to dual cultivate with Mu Lan and gain the status of a Dao partner, it doesn’t constitute a marriage alliance, let alone ownership of the Grand General’s Seal.”
“Even Mu Lan herself, as the sole heir to the Grand General’s Mansion, has yet to take hold of the Grand General’s Seal.”
It was precisely for this reason that Ning Zhuo had refused Zhang Chongyi’s proposal for dual cultivation.
If, at that time, he had taken advantage of the situation to request the status of a Dao partner, it would surely have provoked resentment from both Zhang Chongyi and Mu Lan, making him seem like a petty man seizing the moment.
“Therefore, this matter cannot be rushed.”
“Shuangjing and Sun Gan, and even Liu Er, certainly understand the distinction between dual cultivation and the Grand General’s Seal. Yet they proceed nonetheless. That can only mean they have follow-up plans—methods that can leverage their connection with Mu Lan to attain the official positions they desire!”
While pondering, Ning Zhuo sent a message bird to Zhang Chongyi.
Zhang Chongyi received the letter and welcomed Ning Zhuo into the military camp.
This time, within Zhang Chongyi’s tent, Ning Zhuo met Mu Lan directly.
Mu Lan was tending to her injuries.
She looked at Ning Zhuo and said, “Family-inherited cultivation methods indeed must not be casually shared. But if you and I were to dual cultivate and gain the status of Dao partners, that restriction would no longer apply.”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “This matter, I have already explained clearly to Lord Zhang.”
“Without trust, one cannot stand.”
“Moreover, General Mu Lan has fought and bled for the Grand General’s Mansion, just as I am striving for the Ning Family. My determination is something General Mu Lan should be able to relate to.”
Mu Lan snorted coldly.
A sense of frustration rose within her.
Her appearance was hardly lacking, and she hailed from the Grand General’s Mansion. She herself was of Golden Core cultivation—a true tiger daughter of the military clan—and yet, after inviting a complete stranger to dual cultivate not once but multiple times, she was still rejected!
This was a scenario she had never imagined.
Mu Lan looked at Ning Zhuo with a cold expression. “Young Lord Ning, does your family even compare with the Grand General’s Mansion?”
“If you become my Dao partner, you can relocate the Ning Family to the Liangzhu Kingdom.”
“I believe that with the standing of the Grand General’s Mansion, your Ning Family will receive many benefits for development.”
“Instead of marrying into some Zhu family’s royal branch, wouldn’t it be better to board the great ship that is the Grand General’s Mansion? The gap between the two is obvious, isn’t it?”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “General Mu Lan, that is a flawed way of thinking!”
“No matter how small, the Ning Family is where I was born and raised.”
“My ancestors possess broader vision and more experience than I. The decision to move to the Southern Dou Country wasn’t made solely by our Golden Core Ancestor.”
“Back then, even when passing by the Liangzhu Kingdom, they still chose to settle in the Southern Dou Country. That decision surely came after much deliberation.”
“Today, the Ning Family has firmly established itself in Huoshi Immortal City and is thriving. How can I, for my own sake, burden the clan with another relocation and ruin the momentum of our development?”
“If I really did that, how could I face the relatives who perished during our last migration, or those who have fought tooth and nail in Huoshi Immortal City?”
Ning Zhuo shook his head. “I wouldn’t have the face to face them!”
Mu Lan fell silent.
Zhang Chongyi looked at Ning Zhuo with growing admiration, sincerely praising, “Young Lord Ning Zhuo is truly a dragon among men, a paragon of sincerity—loyal and filial alike!”
Ning Zhuo cupped his hands. “Lord Zhang overpraises. I’ve come this time under orders.”
“In fact, Lord Liu on our side, from the very first moment he saw General Mu Lan…”
Ning Zhuo relayed Liu Er’s sentiments to Mu Lan and Zhang Chongyi.
Mu Lan and Zhang Chongyi exchanged glances.
Zhang Chongyi’s expression turned complicated, falling into silence.
Mu Lan, however, let out a cold laugh and said, “So I, Mu Lan, after a single defeat, have ended up in such disgrace that the entire Grand General’s Mansion is being looked down upon. And now, even a mere human-demon hybrid dares to covet the Grand General’s Seal!”
Ning Zhuo hurriedly explained that General Mu Lan had misunderstood. General Liu Er was indeed utterly sincere, and under the current circumstances, could definitely be considered an outstanding choice.
These words brought Mu Lan into silence.
By nature, she would never yield to Sun Gan or Shuangjing. If it came to that, she might as well be killed—it would be more straightforward.
Yet now, with her injuries unhealed, her personal combat strength at rock bottom, and the Red Flower Camp struggling just to survive, it couldn’t provide any support.
Military rations were running out. Whether it was Mu Lan or her army, both were being forced to the edge of a cliff—one step further would be a fatal fall!
From Mu Lan’s own feelings, Liu Er was indeed easier on the eyes than Sun Gan or Shuangjing.
But more pleasing than all three of them—was Ning Zhuo!
Unfortunately, Ning Zhuo had no such intentions.
Mu Lan was not someone who gave up easily. She locked eyes with Ning Zhuo, slightly lifted her chin, and spoke with a firm, domineering tone:
“I want to dual cultivate with you even more! Name your terms—I, the Grand General’s Mansion, still have my foundations.”