Three Generals Camp.
General Liu Er reviewed military affairs, his brows permanently furrowed in worry.
After he handled the last piece of military duty and placed it at the corner of the table, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
He called for his subordinate to convey these commands, then Liu Er lifted the tent flap, glanced towards the camp's main gate, and then let the flap fall back, pacing back and forth with hands clasped behind his back within the tent.
"Why hasn't he returned yet?" murmured Liu Er.
Ning Zhuo had informed Liu Er of his invitation to General Shuangjing's banquet before he left.
Since morning, Liu Er had been distracted and restless.
It wasn't until a subordinate reported Ning Zhuo's return that Liu Er's face finally broke into a smile.
He immediately lifted the tent flap and ran towards the camp's main gate.
Upon meeting Ning Zhuo, he laughed heartily, his smile warm as flame: "Military Adviser, you're back! Good to have you back!"
While welcoming him, Liu Er covertly observed Ning Zhuo's expression.
Seeing Ning Zhuo's furrowed brows and his troubled look, Liu Er's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "Military Adviser, did General Shuangjing give you a hard time? Don't worry, your three brothers here will back you up."
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "That's not the case."
"It's General Shuangjing inviting me, wanting to recruit me as his retainer."
Liu Er's smile froze and a coldness settled in his heart, fearing the very thing he dreaded might have happened.
But he still managed a strained smile: "This matter requires careful consideration."
"Although General Shuangjing is of noble birth, Military Adviser's background is almost the same."
"But to become a retainer is to lose your freedom…"
"Oh, that wouldn't be the case. He explicitly said I could leave whenever I wish and did not restrict my freedom," Ning Zhuo gestured dismissively.
Liu Er's smile froze again, his heart sinking to the depths, but he still congratulated with a clasped hand gesture: "In that case... that is indeed auspicious. After all, General Shuangjing's lineage is truly distinguished. I must congratulate the Military Adviser, for with General Shuangjing's support, you could surely avenge your family's downfall."
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I did not agree on the spot."
Liu Er's eyes immediately brightened: "Could it be that the Military Adviser you…"
Ning Zhuo nodded: "I am still considering it."
Liu Er's expression dimmed once more.
Ning Zhuo glanced at the training field within the camp: "Why aren't Generals Guan Hong and Zhang Hei training the troops?"
"Our army has just been established, and after our recent victory capturing a Nascent Soul Cultivator, morale is high. We should be seizing every minute to train the soldiers, preparing for the massive battle that will eventually join the warfront."
Liu Er sighed deeply: "I was just about to seek Military Adviser's advice, when the soldiers became agitated. They are quite dissatisfied, demanding compensation in gold, and wish to renegotiate the previous agreements. My youngest brother took it upon himself to handle the issue."
"As for my second brother, he is in the tent absorbing National Power to enhance his Cultivation Level."
The reward for the three generals, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, apart from promotion, included ten units of National Power.
Ning Zhuo immediately showed interest: "How's General Guan's injury?"
Before, Wu Hen had ambushed Guan Hong, causing a severe injury to Guan Hong's right arm.
As they spoke, a Divine Sense message came through: "Thank you for your concern, Military Adviser. The injury to my right arm is more troublesome than I imagined. I have tried all sorts of methods in rotation, but to no avail."
It was Guan Hong.
Obviously, he had finished his round of Cultivation.
Liu Er frowned and immediately, along with Ning Zhuo, entered the tent to visit Guan Hong.
The tent was dim, lit by a few candles. The candlelight was red, casting a blood-like glow.
Guan Hong wore a deep green robe, but his right arm was exposed, showing an injury noticeably swollen, the skin and flesh tinged with black and purple.
"No wonder!" Liu Er's expression darkened.
"No wonder!" Ning Zhuo's eyes lit up.
Liu Er suddenly bowed with a clasped hand to Ning Zhuo, "Does Military Adviser also dabble in the strange and mysterious ways? I see you possess a scythe, which must be among the finest of the Night Rain Demon Weapons. In the previous ambush, the scythe easily repelled Wu Hen, its power immense! Please, Military Adviser, lend your aid."
Ning Zhuo nodded: "I don't have much experience in the arcane, merely lucked out with a Night Rain Demon Weapon."
"General Guan, may I see your injury?"
Guan Hong nodded: "Please, Military Adviser."
Ning Zhuo examined the wound, his Divine Sense penetrating the injury, finding the black and purple spreading.
It wasn't just spreading through the flesh but was also corroding the surface of the bone.
"Although the wound isn't large, if left untreated, it will increasingly lead to more severe complications over time," Liu Er projected his Divine Sense as well, full of concern.
He and Guan Hong looked towards Ning Zhuo with hopeful gazes.
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I possess a Night Rain Demon Weapon, adept at slaying, not suited for healing such injuries."
"However, although the arcane is difficult to resolve, the injury is still confined to the right arm. Perhaps, General Guan could rely on the National Power to surge his Cultivation Level and crush it in a single go?"
Guan Hong sighed: "That is a last resort."
Liu Er then spoke up promptly: "Second brother, all ten units of National Power will be yours, I'll take responsibility for my youngest brother's share as well! I'll compensate my youngest brother."
Guan Hong felt touched.
Ning Zhuo, however, was somewhat curious and asked: "These ten units of National Power were awarded by the Royal Capital, can they indeed be concentrated for use by one among you?"
Liu Er nodded: "The imperial edict only specifies that these ten units of National Power are awarded to the three of us, without naming specific individuals or precise allocation, it should indeed be feasible."
"But the four units of National Power you have, Military Adviser, can only be used by yourself."
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Liu Er hesitated for a moment before still advising, "The Military Adviser might consider saving that for later use. If you become a retainer of General Shuangjing, you would draw from the national power and certainly reap more benefits."
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Guan Hong was startled and then stared at Ning Zhuo with a sharp gaze.
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Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "Thank you for the concern, General Liu. Indeed, General Shuangjing made it clear to me that if I become his retainer, there would be triple the effectiveness."
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Guan Hong couldn't help but speak up: "As a man acts in this world, how can he degrade himself to be a servant just for some minor benefits?"
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"If the Adviser wishes to achieve efficiency, why not seek fame and merits on the battlefield?"
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"Just like the three of us brothers, haven't we been promoted from Guerrilla Generals to General of Mixed Rank, absorbing national power at twice the efficiency as before?"
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"With the Adviser's ability, gaining merits on the battlefield is not a difficult task. Accumulating merits and advancing military positions is the way to retain one's freedom."
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"Otherwise, becoming a retainer, subjected to commands and directives, how depressing that would be!"
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Liu Er inwardly agreed but outwardly raised his hand to stop him, "Second brother, no need to say more."
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Ning Zhuo said with a smile, "Thank you for the advice, General Guan."
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"It's just that the conditions given by General Shuangjing are indeed lenient, promising that I could leave at any time. In my view, granting me the status of a retainer is more of a nominal title, without any intention of humiliation."
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The same amount of national power, when absorbed by different people under different conditions, yields different results.
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Here, 'conditions' refer to the status of the Cultivator within the corresponding country.
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Status is also divided into nominal and actual.
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An actual position includes the General of Mixed Rank among the Three Generals and Ning Zhuo as Military Adviser. Nominal positions are more varied, including titles without a fief.
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The retainer status offered by General Shuangjing is a nominal position. However, due to General Shuangjing's noble status, simply having this retainer status allows Ning Zhuo to gain three times the results.
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Hearing that General Shuangjing had not restricted Ning Zhuo's freedom, Guan Hong stroked his beard, his expression slightly cold: "If I were the Adviser, I would absolutely refuse to become a retainer for General Shuangjing!"
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"Second brother, hold your tongue. Everyone has their own aspirations, how can we force them?" Liu Er said solemnly.
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Guan Hong fell silent.
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Ning Zhuo showed a look of embarrassment.
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Liu Er spoke warmly, "Adviser, my second brother is blunt and straightforward, please don't take it to heart. Good birds choose trees to nest in, and wise officials choose their lords to serve under—that is the right principle."
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"Sigh!"
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"I only regret that my blessings are scant and my power is limited, unable to establish more contributions to help the Adviser gain more military achievements."
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Ning Zhuo shook his head: "You make it sound like I'm about to leave the camp. General Liu, do not worry. Not to mention that I will surely travel far after this battle, leaving Liangzhu Country. Even if I agreed to General Shuangjing and became a retainer to expand my experiences, I would never forget to support the Three Generals Camp."
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"As soon as the family replies in a few days, allowing me to manage the treasure in my hands, I will definitely lend a helping hand to the three generals!"
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After making the promise again and seeing that the mood was not good, Ning Zhuo took his leave first from the tent.
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Liu Er looked at the tent curtain and let out a deep sigh.
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He sincerely lamented, "Second brother, it is I who have erred!"
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"Back in the Pear Garden, our younger brother once invited the Adviser to become our sworn brother. If I had insisted back then, the Adviser would now be our fourth brother, and he wouldn't be leaving us at this moment."
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Guan Hong was silent for a few breaths before saying, "Big brother, if we are to blame, then the blame is on me. It was I who refused at that time."
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"I saw his young age and only a Foundation Establishment Cultivation, and pride filled my heart."
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"Who would have known the Adviser's talents were extraordinary, commanding respect. Alas, it is I, Guan, who was blind!"
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Liu Er hastily consoled Guan Hong.
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Seeing that Liu Er still looked distressed, Guan Hong frowned and said, "Big brother worries about the Adviser, how can I not share your concerns?"
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"Why not allow me to apologize with a scepter on my knees, kneeling in front of the Adviser's tent, earnestly asking him to stay?"
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Liu Er turned pale with fright and grabbed Guan Hong's arm: "Second brother, you must absolutely not do such a thing."
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"Though the Adviser is greatly talented, you and I are brothers, as close as hands and feet. By humiliating you, it is an insult to me as well!"
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"How can you, a Golden Core, kneel and beg to a mere Foundation Establishment, as to suffer such indignity?"
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"Sigh, it's all because I am of low status, the Adviser comes from a prominent family, it's hard to win such a person's heart."
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Guan Hong couldn't help his eyes reddening: "Big brother."
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Liu Er looked deeply at Guan Hong: "Second brother!"
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"Big brother!"
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"Second brother!!"
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At this moment, Zhang Hei lifted the tent curtain and walked in.
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Seeing this scene, he widened his eyes: "What's this good thing the two of you are discussing, why not include me?"
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Guan Hong kept quiet.
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Liu Er let out a long sigh and explained in detail to Zhang Hei.
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Zhang Hei widened his eyes again: "What? The Adviser is leaving?!"
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"No way!"
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"I'll go talk to him!! We partnered up to build an army together, and now he wants to disband midway?!"
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Liu Er hastily grabbed Zhang Hei's arm: "Younger brother, do not be so impetuous. Everyone has their own aspirations; how can we coerce them?"
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"Alas, it's only my fault for being of low status and not winning people's hearts."
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"Big brother!!" said Zhang Hei with a defiant face.
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"Third brother, listen to big brother," advised Guan Hong.
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Zhang Hei looked at Liu Er, then at Guan Hong, and then swung a punch at the air before turning his head to look at the ground: "Sigh!!!"
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