Sun Gan could not help but snort coldly upon hearing the words.
It was because the imperial envoy named Zhao Xi was naturally greedy. Every time he went on an inspection tour, he would use his power to extract bribes.
Sun Gan disliked it, but Zhao Xi had gained considerable trust from the upper echelons of Liangzhu Country. No matter how many times he was impeached, he was often sent to various places on missions.
The banquet was quite lavish, filled with the local specialties of Canglin Immortal City.
There were inner and outer halls for the banquet.
"Ning Zhuo, my young friend?" In the outer hall, Zhang Zhongyi was surprised to see Ning Zhuo step in.
As a Military Adviser, Ning Zhuo was also considered part of the military's high command.
This was the advantage of joining the Three Generals Camp. At the inception, all positions were vacant, and with just a little effort, one could attain a high position.
Ning Zhuo, seeing Zhang Zhongyi too, was pleasantly surprised and struck up a conversation before taking a seat to Zhang Zhongyi's left.
Ning Zhuo did not hide it, nor was there a need to hide.
"You joined the Three Generals Camp and even became their Military Adviser?" Zhang Zhongyi exclaimed.
Although he was well-known, he was only a military doctor and could not participate in the decision-making of the Red Flower Camp.
From this perspective, Ning Zhuo's status had already surpassed his.
Ning Zhuo then transmitted a message to Zhang Zhongyi, telling him that it was also a fortuitous coincidence. Seeing Liu Guan Zhang discussing the organization of a new army, he felt inspired and volunteered to join.
For this, he even presented three treasures to the three generals: Xuanhuang Mother Stone, Blood Fiend Demon Stone, and Netherworld Black Soil.
Zhang Zhongyi sized up Ning Zhuo, astonished at the Foundation Establishment cultivator's incredible financial resources.
Being able to gift such treasures proved that Ning Zhuo likely still had more!
"If only Mu Lan had listened to me, it would have been great to have recruited Ning Zhuo."
"Sigh!"
"Her bowstring needs changing; otherwise, it's difficult to unleash her exceptional archery. If there were some Nascent Soul Level treasures…"
Zhang Zhongyi continuously shook his head in his mind.
The banquet began.
Ning Zhuo and Zhang Zhongyi ate and talked, frequently toasting and acknowledging everyone at their table.
Suddenly, the door to the inner hall was pushed open.
Mu Lan stormed out furiously.
"Zhao Xi, you scoundrel, you are the bane of our Liangzhu Country!" Mu Lan rebuked, her gaze sweeping around and immediately fixed on Zhang Zhongyi.
She also noticed Ning Zhuo, her eyes lingering on him for a moment.
Mu Lan then said, "Uncle Zhang, let's go. Although this banquet is nice, the scoundrels here truly disgust me!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhang Zhongyi immediately stood up, his face showing anger, "General, I shall follow closely."
Despite Zhang Zhongyi inwardly lamenting and anticipating this situation, it was not convenient for him to advise Mu Lan at the moment. He immediately left the banquet to show their united front.
The banquet had not gone on for long before Mu Lan and Zhang Zhongyi indignantly left.
"Come on, continue eating, continue drinking," Zhao Xi shouted loudly, enlivening the atmosphere.
His shamelessness was profound, behaving as if he hadn't heard Mu Lan's accusation at all.
Shuangjing, Xu Dali, and others hurriedly raised their glasses.
Liu Er was among them, his face bearing a bitter smile. The "carriage and horse fatigue fee" Zhao Xi had just demanded was ridiculously high.
At another table in the inner hall, Zhang Hei tilted his head back, gulping down wine.
Guan Hong sat upright, stroking his beard and keeping an eye on the main table's conversation, his eyes flashing with a cold light.
As the banquet dispersed, a group of four walked along the way back home, Liu Er gazing at the night sky and the moon, heaving long sighs and short laments.
"Why does big brother look so troubled?" Zhang Hei wondered, burping from the alcohol.
Guan Hong snorted and explained the situation in detail.
Zhang Hei became infuriated, "That imperial envoy dares to openly solicit bribes? Outrageous! Is Liangzhu Country so corrupt?"
"Will we be subjected to such harshness if we make achievements in the future?"
Liu Er waved his hand, "That's unlikely. The Recruitment Decree issued by the Monarch of Liangzhu Country personally concerns him, the Royal Family, and the reputation of Liangzhu Country. They will absolutely strive for fairness in this regard."
Liu Er was worried that Zhang Hei might harbor resentment; he indeed wanted to achieve great things in Liangzhu Country.
Among the surrounding Cultivation Kingdoms, only Liangzhu Country offered such opportunities for someone of half-human, half-demon descent to be promoted extensively.
Zhang Hei grumbled, "That's better!"
"I knew from the first glance, that scoundrel imperial envoy looking sideways, he's no good."
"Let's not bother with him!"
"Though he's the imperial envoy, he's not our direct superior. Not beating him up already counts as a blessing. And he still wants our money?"
"That's outrageous!"
"Our own money is barely enough, needed to organize the army."
Liu Er just sighed deeply.
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly, "Generals, don't worry, leave the imperial envoy to me."
"According to my eloquence, I must make him understand that the nobility of the Generals is not something money can dishonor."
Liu Er then looked towards Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo gave Liu Er a meaningful smile.
Liu Er understood at once and promptly ordered Ning Zhuo to represent him and handle this matter.
"There's no time to lose, I'll return now to discuss this with that imperial envoy," Ning Zhuo said.
Liu Er agreed.
Zhang Hei also wanted to support Ning Zhuo, "Military Adviser, you're only at Foundation Establishment, how can you confront that Golden Core Level imperial envoy? Let me accompany you to increase our presence."
Ning Zhuo laughed heartily, tactfully declining.
Liu Er then proactively held Zhang Hei's arm, showing full trust in Ning Zhuo, suggesting that doubting Ning Zhuo's ability to handle this alone underestimated their young brother.
Zhang Hei, feeling somewhat squeezed by these words, could only watch Ning Zhuo return.
Moments later.
Ning Zhuo was all smiles, and the imperial envoy Zhao Xi, too, was all smiles.