The Cui Zhu Building was constructed entirely of bamboo.
The building is supported by four bamboo pillars, each so thick that even six adults joining hands cannot encircle them.
The bamboo framework crisscrosses to form a staircase, which wraps around the exterior of the building like a dancing green dragon, reaching directly from the first floor to the third floor, winding and twisting with a dynamic charm.
Ning Zhuo followed the bamboo staircase under the guidance of the shop assistant, directly up to the third floor.
This place had been reserved by Shuangjing.
"General Shuang," Ning Zhuo greeted with a bow.
He was invited by Shuangjing to have morning tea this time.
Previously in Perch Bird Tower, Shuangjing had attempted to recruit Ning Zhuo as a family retainer, but Ning Zhuo had deferred, saying he needed to consider.
Shuangjing invited him again on another day, the intention was quite obvious.
He indicated for Ning Zhuo to sit.
Morning tea and pastries were respectfully served by the assistant.
However, Shuangjing said, "Let's not rush to eat and drink. Today, I invited Military Advisor Ning here because there is an interesting spectacle to watch."
Ning Zhuo was slightly startled, then immediately heard a noisy clamor.
A group of cultivators on steeds charged through the bustling street, heading straight for the military grain depot opposite the Cui Zhu Building.
Leading them was none other than Mu Lan.
"General Mu, please stay..." the guard had not finished speaking when Mu Lan swung her arm, sending him flying with a flick.
Yet, Mu Lan dismounted and walked up to the tightly closed doors of the grain depot and with a forceful kick…
Bang!
The doors were kicked open.
Ning Zhuo was amazed, "What is happening? Why is General Mu Lan so furious?"
Shuangjing simply smiled and said nothing.
The head of the grain depot hurried out, "General Mu, calm down, please calm down!"
Mu Lan huffed coldly, "Zhao Xi, where is he? Let him come out! Blocking our military provisions time and again, does he really think my Red Flower Camp can be easily bullied?"
"Hmph, the supervisor is here! General Mu, do not falsely accuse!" said Zhao Xi as he also appeared.
Mu Lan and Zhao Xi began to loudly argue.
Ning Zhuo understood the situation; it turned out that Red Flower Camp had not received the latest supplies, leading to the confrontation.
"Mu Lan once left publicly and has not gotten along with Zhao Xi."
"After that, the supply side had delayed Red Flower Camp once before. I had to use treasures to settle it."
"Again this time?"
"A bit suspicious. The army suffered an ambush returning to Canglin Immortal City, many died and were injured, desperately needing provisions to maintain morale. Under such circumstances, for Zhao Xi to repeat his tricks and make things difficult for Red Flower Camp, isn't it unwise?"
Although Ning Zhuo only had a few encounters with Zhao Xi, he had collected intelligence and knew that though Zhao Xi was stingy and greedy, he was capable and understood the larger picture. Otherwise, he would not have been repeatedly trusted by the Royal Family and continually assigned tasks.
Bang!
Enraged, Mu Lan had been prepared; Zhao Xi always obstructed her with bureaucracy. She struck out in anger, sending Zhao Xi flying with a palm strike.
"Zhao dog! With such excuses, you really do not respect the Upper General."
"Today's supplies, my Red Flower Camp will take them!"
Saying this, she charged directly into the granary.
"No, you cannot go in!" Zhao Xi, lying on the ground spitting blood, loudly protested.
The soldiers behind Mu Lan, upon seeing the supervisor in such a dire state, felt a significant sense of satisfaction and followed Mu Lan into the granary.
However, upon entering, Mu Lan discovered the granary was completely empty.
Her expression changed slightly, sensing something ominous.
Zhao Xi got up, blocked the doorway, and shouted, "Mu Lan! You are arrogant and audacious, not only assaulting an official but also barging into the granary."
"Our military's recent provisions were hijacked yesterday on the way here by Old Monster in Stone! This is a major military issue. To prevent morale fluctuations, I concealed this incident, only stating there were procedural issues, asking you to delay receiving the supplies."
"And yet you slander me, saying I am making things difficult for you!"
"I, Zhao Xi, always act upright and clear. When have I ever troubled you?"
"You hitting me, showing no regard for me as the supervisor, the envoy from the Royal Capital, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to rebel?!"
Mu Lan's face turned pale; she spun around, her gaze sharp as arrows, fixing Zhao Xi with a stern look.
The soldiers behind her, who had not anticipated this turn of events, appeared confused and lost.
Zhao Xi looked aggrieved, but Mu Lan could sense from his gaze a mix of satisfaction, malice, and schadenfreude.
Up in the Cui Zhu Tower, Shuangjing saw the developments he wanted, couldn't help but smile, picked up his cup, and began to drink tea.
Ning Zhuo, like Shuangjing, used Divine Sense to explore how the situation unfolded.
"Old Monster in Stone attacked our supply convoy? After the ambush, our side would surely dispatch strong forces to search for him. How bold of him to not flee yet?" Ning Zhuo inquired to Shuangjing.
Shuangjing looked righteously indignant, "Old Monster in Stone's skills are exceptional, practicing Earth Element Technique without any signs of Escape Skills, both fast and secretive. Fortunately, the losses of this supply convoy were not severe."
Ning Zhuo remained silent.
He indeed intended to plan against Mu Lan, but this was not his doing!
"To vie for the position of Upper General Mansion, the upper echelons of Liangzhu Country actually plotted to ambush their own supply convoy."
"Unexpectedly, the political infighting within Liangzhu Country is so intense!"
"With Shuangjing inviting me this time, letting me witness Mu Lan's situation, is she trying to warn me?"
"The so-called use of both the carrot and stick, it seems."
Ning Zhuo chuckled coldly to himself.
Indeed, the next moment, Shuangjing spoke meaningfully, "Our country's General Mu has been bedridden for many years. Once, he was the pillar of our military, leading Red Flower Camp, sweeping across battlefields, pacifying the northern demons, stabilizing western enemies, clearing the eastern demon atmosphere, and purging the barbarians of the southern ridges, truly a war hero."
"Even heroes reach their twilight, such is the way."
"Heir Mu Lan of the Upper General Mansion indeed has grand aspirations yet lacks the capability; with merely Golden Core Cultivation, how could he support the Upper General Mansion?"
Shuangjing sighed deeply, "Liangzhu Country is a small nation; thus, every bit of National Power must be cherished."
"The Upper General Mansion occupies too much National Power yet contributes very little."
"To plan for the state, one should ask for Mu Lan to step down in favor of the wise; that is the proper course of action."
"Yet, our Monarch is benevolent and cannot bear to take action. We, as his loyal subjects who consume the monarch's resources and profess loyalty, must indeed share the monarch's worries."
"I hope this time, General Mu Lan can be sensible enough to take the initiative to step down."
Ning Zhuo remained silent.
Shuangjing continued, "The circumstances change rapidly, and the shifts of power are common occurrences in the human world."
"In my view, young talents like Advisor Ning are the future, the hope."
"Like a Perch Bird, as long as one recognizes a good tree, great success awaits. It would be a great pity if small trees like the Three Generals Camp or sick trees like Red Flower Camp hinder your achievements, Advisor Ning."
"What do you think, Advisor Ning?"
Ning Zhuo shook his head, gazing at Shuangjing, and slowly rose to his feet.
He first offered a bowed hand salute, then said, "Shuangjing, I am foolishly loyal and aware of the weight of state affairs, my heart devoted to our monarch. Yet how can the intent of the monarch be conjectured by others? A loyal official should offer frank advice, not scheme in the shadows, manipulating from behind. To serve the state loyally, how can one act recklessly and plot against others? If the monarch has not openly decreed, who dares to act privately? If we presume on our own, aren't we misleading the state and ourselves?"
With a stern face and righteous tone, Ning Zhuo declared, "Your wish to 'step down for the wise' is not something I can conspire in. A loyal subject should only be loyal to the monarch and assist in his governance; how can one independently decide on state affairs?"
"Our paths differ; we cannot scheme together. Please forgive me, as a junior, I am not blessed to serve as your retainer. I, Ning Zhuo, will take my leave!"
Having said that, Ning Zhuo brushed his sleeves and walked away, heavily descending the stairs.
Shuangjing stood dumbfounded, watching until Ning Zhuo blended into the crowd on the street, not looking back, then he chuckled lightly.
"I thought he came from a great clan and would understand the intricacies of power."
"Unexpectedly, he's just a young man."
"Hmm… Ning Zhuo is but sixteen, filled with fervor, which is indeed reasonable. Perhaps the Ning Family allowed him to travel to educate him about the ways of the world and human nature?"
"Heh, so be it."
Shuangjing's interest in Ning Zhuo was mainly due to his Omen Poem.
Yet Divination, even for the most skilled Cultivator, cannot always be accurate.
Shuangjing is not like Liu Er. To him, Ning Zhuo is not essential, but rather a nice addition.
Being of the Shuang surname and a Nascent Soul Level Cultivator, inviting Ning Zhuo twice with such an attitude to recruit him was indeed treating the worthy with great honor.
Unfortunately, the second attempt had the opposite effect.
Although disappointed and regretful, Shuangjing just let it be.
His true target was still Red Flower Camp, still Mu Lan!
"I initially thought it would take a major battle to weaken Red Flower Camp, but an ambush proved sufficient."
"The Upper General Mansion, Mu Lan, they will all be mine!"
Meanwhile.
A Demon Cultivator elder paused on a mountain peak, looking towards Canglin Immortal City.
Dressed in a yellow and white long robe, his ears pointed and long, with golden-furred tips, trailing a fox tail from behind his robe.
His eyes, misty like swirling smoke, elusive.
After deciphering for a moment, the Demon Cultivator elder nodded satisfactorily: "Qi Fortune thrives, the time has come, finally arrived."
With that, he descended the mountain and headed towards Canglin Immortal City.
Wherever he passed, he seemed invisible, unnoticed by people around, even the city's grand formations provoked no response.
In the city's alleyways, he saw Mu Lan and others, unable to procure provisions, leaving the city. After calculating for a while, he nodded again, satisfied: "Lifespan dwindles, great disaster is imminent. Good, good, good!"
Finally, he reached the outskirts of the Three Generals Camp, emitting Divine Sense to call out.
Liu Er, knowing that Ning Zhuo had gone to meet Shuangjing again, was pacing inside the tent, feeling troubled.
Suddenly, hearing the transmission from the Demon Cultivator elder, he was both shocked and delighted. He quickly followed the instructions, concealed his form, and quietly left camp to meet the Demon Cultivator elder in a mountain forest.
"Teacher, how have you come?" Liu Er greeted.
The Demon Cultivator elder stroked his beard and smiled: "Xiao Liu, you aspire to rebuild our Blood Slaughter Immortal Country, how is the progress?"
Liu Er reported his recent situation to his teacher.
The Demon Cultivator elder nodded slightly: "You hold a King's Order, and as you came down the mountain, valiant generals gathered around you. Now, it seems Guan Hong and Zhang Hei are your destined right-hand men."
Liu Er gasped, "Teacher, you gave me a prophecy? What comes next? Will Advisor Ning leave me?"
"Ning Zhuo?" the Demon Cultivator elder shook his head, "He is not important. I came this time for another urgent matter."
"This is the Yin-Yang Qi Vessel, a treasure of the Dynasty, now entrusted to you."
"Hereafter, make good use of this treasure!"
"Teacher, teacher!" Liu Er, momentarily stunned, came back to his senses only to find the treasure in his arms; the Demon Cultivator had vanished without a trace.
Liu Er called out for a while, then shook his head and sighed, "Teacher always appears and disappears mysteriously… Well, so be it."
He took the treasure and quietly returned to camp.
The Demon Cultivator elder had not left yet, still watching as Liu Er moved out of his sight. He murmured in his heart: "Liu Er, that Mu Lan is your destined empress."
"With the help of the Yin-Yang Qi Vessel, your marriage proposal will be successful, and you'll become the son-in-law of the Upper General Mansion, thus obtaining legitimacy, shedding the awkwardness of being of mixed Demon-Human blood, and truly integrating into the upper echelons."
"The present world is now the domain of the Human Clan."
"The hopes of rebuilding our Blood Slaughter Immortal Country rest on you; you must bear this responsibility well!"
The Demon Cultivator elder could not reveal the details of Liu Er's destiny directly to him.
He had received the legacy inheritance of the Blood Slaughter Dynasty and was extraordinarily skilled in divination. He could prophesy accurately six or seven times out of ten.
However, this Cultivation Technique also had its downside, which is that it couldn't be disclosed.
Once spoken of prematurely, it would no longer be effective.
So, upon confirming that Guan and Zhang had sworn brotherhood with Liu Er, the Demon Cultivator elder only then revealed the first part of the prophecy.