Chapter 538: Chapter 129: For Home and Country (Combined Part 2)
“Silence!” Sun Gan roared furiously, suddenly standing up from his seat, and sternly rebuked Xu Dali, “General Xu, you better clear your head, I am now the rear army commander. And with your unfavorable battle performance, as a guilty commander, what right do you have to bark orders at me?”
“Wait for the investigation after we return to Canglin Immortal City!”
A rush of blood surged to Xu Dali’s face: “Sun Gan, you scoundrel! Just because leading the troops was unfavorable, you want to pin all the blame on me. I can’t believe the Royal Capital’s civil and military officials will let you twist right and wrong, playing favorites!”
Sun Gan slammed the table: “Shut up, you blockhead.”
Xu Dali strode forward, passing Shuangjing, and with a push, he shoved the blocking Shuangjing aside, walked up to Sun Gan, eyes glaring across the table, and bellowed: “Bring up the compensation immediately, or you won’t get off easy today!!”
Sun Gan and Xu Dali soon fell into a heated argument.
Shuangjing shook his head, gave Ning Zhuo a wry smile, and then pointed towards the tent curtain.
Ning Zhuo took the hint, stood up, and bowed to Sun Gan to take his leave.
Sun Gan was tangled up and trading insults with the livid Xu Dali, paying no mind to Ning Zhuo.
Shuangjing and Ning Zhuo exited the tent one after the other, with the former immediately inviting Ning Zhuo to a banquet once they returned to Canglin Immortal City, hoping Ning Zhuo would honor the invitation.
Shuangjing indeed was a Nascent Soul Cultivator, while Ning Zhuo was merely at Foundation Establishment, but the former’s attitude was rather warm and cordial.
Such a thing would not have happened before this battle.
Clearly, Shuangjing also recognized the accuracy of the Omen Poem, and with the severe losses this time, he understood all too well the danger of war, so he lowered his stance to engage with all possible factors that could lead to victory.
Ning Zhuo readily accepted, expressing flattered appreciation.
Interactions with Shuangjing were definitely advantageous.
Ning Zhuo didn’t have a poor impression of Shuangjing: “Although this noble family’s descendent is arrogant, he has quite a vision. During the battle, it was he who took the initiative to order constant replenishments to the arsenal, delaying the ‘Old Monster in Stone’. This strategy is brilliant!”
Ning Zhuo returned to the Three Generals Camp, where the generals were discussing affairs.
“The military advisor has returned so soon?” The generals stood up, Liu Er’s face lit with a welcoming smile, coming forward proactively.
Ning Zhuo gave a wry smile: “Sun Gan and Xu Dali started quarreling.”
He briefly described the situation and mentioned Shuangjing’s banquet invitation.
Liu Er felt a twitch in his heart, immediately realizing that Shuangjing might be trying to recruit Ning Zhuo, his smile becoming even warmer.
Liu Er grabbed Ning Zhuo’s arm and led him to sit down: “We were just discussing future plans. Military advisor, your wisdom in strategy is extraordinary, and your achievements are publicly acknowledged, please teach us.”
Ning Zhuo smiled faintly: “I was thinking that our army would likely head back to Canglin Immortal City. My visit with Sun Gan has essentially confirmed this speculation.”
“This arrangement, of course, is more beneficial than harmful for our army.”
“Doesn’t our army lack training? Just the One-Line Long Snake Formation and Triangle Arrow Formation aren’t enough. Shouldn’t we have at least one defensive Battle Formation?”
Liu Er let out a sigh: “What the military advisor said is true, we three also feel the same. However, we are facing a difficulty now!”
Ning Zhuo immediately understood: “General Liu is referring to the issue of military funds?”
Liu Er sighed deeply: “Exactly! We’ve suffered many casualties, needing to allocate a significant amount to comfort the families and stabilize morale.”
“But our military funds are already stretched thin.”
Ning Zhuo smiled: “Right, the formations and divinations I’ve set up before also consumed a lot of the military budget.”
Liu Er quickly waved his hand: “Military advisor, that money was well spent, very well spent! If not for the advisor’s calculations, our current situation would certainly be more miserable than the Barbarian Demon Camp.”
Ning Zhuo also waved his hand, interrupting Liu Er’s forthcoming gratitude: “General Liu, General Guan, and General Zhang, we hit it off at first sight, finding instant rapport. Additionally, having household grievances with the Six Cave Sect, my full support is my original intention.”
“As for the military funds, I can also contribute.”
“Especially since the Three Generals Camp has established remarkable achievements, capturing Ma Feitui alive, which is a significant merit.”
“Our army will surely get rewarded, and such rewards can be allocated for military expenses.”
“Not only that, but I will immediately send a message to my Ning Family, explaining the latest situation, hoping the family ancestor will remove restrictions, allow me to utilize more treasures, so I could subsidize the Three Generals Camp.”
Liu Er was deeply moved.
Guan Hong looked more favorably at Ning Zhuo.
Zhang Hei cracked a smile, thumping Ning Zhuo’s shoulder heavily, causing Ning Zhuo to grimace in pain.
Liu Er immediately struck Zhang Hei’s hand hard, his expression changing as he scolded on the spot: “Youngest brother, how can you be so rude to the military advisor!”
Zhang Hei drew back his reddened hand, rubbing it: “Eldest brother, your hit is heavier than mine.”
“I was only showing closeness to our dear military advisor!”
Ning Zhuo smiled, saying a few words to make excuses for Zhang Hei.
Liu Er bowed, apologizing to Ning Zhuo on behalf of Zhang Hei.
Ning Zhuo quickly returned the bow.
The four of them were in a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere, looking forward to discussing the upcoming rewards.
The quarrel between Xu Dali and Sun Gan did not get settled.
Shuangjing could not wait to respond immediately, while Mu Lan was busy consoling the entire army.
In the end, Xu Dali and Sun Gan took to the skies in a duel. As the head of the Imperial Guards with exceptional strength and equipped superbly, Sun Gan naturally had the advantage.
Xu Dali, on the other hand, was wounded and in bad condition.
So, naturally, Sun Gan won.
But because of this battle, Sun Gan completely lost the respect of the Main General. Xu Dali was unreconciled to him, Shuangjing also wouldn’t show him a good face, and Mu Lan who came from the Upper General Mansion didn’t bother with him either.
Thus, Sun Gan didn’t wish to linger longer and ordered the troops to break camp and return to the city early the next day.