Chapter 558: Chapter 146: The Dilemma of the Three Generals
Military Supply Route.
A stone ball suddenly burst out of the ground, cackling loudly: “Scum from Liangzhu Country, your lord Old Monster in Stone has arrived, hahaha.”
“Run, it’s the Old Monster in Stone!”
“He’s attacking the grain transport team again!”
“You all go, I’ll stop him.” The Main General of the grain transport team, a Nascent Soul, charged on horseback to confront the Old Monster in Stone.
The two clashed fiercely, with golden fire surging and burning large swathes of the forest.
The Old Monster in Stone was overwhelmingly demonic, the Nascent Soul Cultivator lost his mount and was severely injured but did not retreat, fully demonstrating the military might of Liangzhu Country, bravely fighting until reinforcements arrived.
Old Monster in Stone: “Tang Yan, is it? Merely at the early phase of Nascent Soul Cultivation Level, yet possessing such combat power, not bad, I’ll remember you.”
After dropping such half-mocking words, the Old Monster in Stone burrowed into the ground, taking the initiative to retreat.
His Earth Element Technique was incredibly skilled; even the Nascent Soul Cultivators from Liangzhu Country who came to support could only watch helplessly at the mountains upon mountains, sighing in frustration.
As a result, when the time came for the second distribution of military pay and provisions, Mu Lan had still not received any supplies.
“Good, good, good!” Mu Lan laughed furiously, her eyes filled with scorn.
And this time, to prevent her from causing a scene at the grain storage, Sun Gan, Shuangjing, and others all appeared.
The former had a cold expression, scolding Mu Lan for being a military person, that she must follow military discipline and obey orders, quite righteous and stern.
While the latter wore a smile, gently persuading, asking Mu Lan to be a bit more patient, to understand the difficulties of the nation, stating as the sole heir of General Mu’s family, she should set an example and show the epitome of a sacrificial spirit.
Mu Lan, being merely at the Golden Core Cultivation level, and relying on the strength of Red Flower Camp, was no match for the Nascent Soul Level Sun Gan and Shuangjing. She could only grit her teeth tightly, clench her fists, and rush out of the city.
With deep guilt, she returned to Red Flower Camp, only to see all the soldiers joyously celebrating.
Upon looking, it turned out that a large batch of military salary had been delivered.
“Where did this military salary come from?” Mu Lan was both surprised and curious. After asking, she learned it was the doing of the Three Generals Camp.
“Tsk, Liu, Guan, and Zhang from the Three Generals Camp are all broke. Who else could it be? It must be Young Master Ning Zhuo.” Zhang Zhongyi spiritually transmitted to Mu Lan.
“Ning Zhuo…” Mu Lan naturally knew the situation with Liu, Guan, and Zhang and recognized the truth in Zhang Zhongyi’s words.
She couldn’t help showing a complex expression, also puzzled: “If he’s not going to engage in Dual Cultivation with me, why is he treating me like this?”
Zhang Zhongyi sighed: “Young Master Ning Zhuo has told me the reason; it’s General Liu Er.”
“He fell in love with you at first sight, General Mu, and cannot bear to see you in distress, nor Red Flower Camp in danger, hence he generously lent a hand.”
Mu Lan frowned immediately: “This half-demon, half-human still harbors unrighteous intentions, truly detestable!”
Zhang Zhongyi hurriedly advised: “General, we still need to prioritize the overall situation. This batch of military salary arrived just in time; it’s a life-saving straw for everyone in Red Flower Camp. If you let your personal feelings affect the whole army again…”
Mu Lan let out a long sigh: “Ah! Uncle Zhang, rest assured, would I be so oblivious to what’s important?”
The Golden Halberd Army was stationed inside Canglin Immortal City.
Main General Mansion.
Snap.
A tea cup was fiercely smashed to the ground, instantly shattering to pieces.
Sun Gan, the thrower of the cup, was nearly boiling over with rage: “What is Liu Er thinking?”
“He’s just a half-human, half-demon, and he also wants to covet the General Seal? Simply outrageous!”
“What nonsense about love at first sight for Mu Lan? Who would be fooled by that?”
“Simply shameless!”
It was one thing for Shuangjing to become his rival.
Sun Gan admitted to Shuangjing’s status and position, acknowledging him as a formidable adversary.
But what was Liu Er?
A mere half-blood also wanted to join the competition!?
Sun Gan felt humiliated.
He was pondering how to retaliate against Liu Er when his subordinates brought him news that Shuangjing, the Main General of the White Jade Camp, had come for a personal visit.
Sun Gan was momentarily stunned, but then he understood; Shuangjing must have also learned about the Three Generals Camp stepping in and resolving the crisis for Red Flower Camp.
“Invite him to the reception hall.” Sun Gan instructed, immediately straightening his clothes.
Soon, he moved to the reception hall and met Shuangjing.
Shuangjing had a smile on his face, his tone cold as ice: “General Sun, I’m here on business and not to chitchat. It’s about the Three Generals Camp.”
“Although Liu Er appears to be an honest man, who would have thought he could be so treacherous and cunning, to even think of stealing the Upper General Seal right before both of our faces!”
“How dare this half-demon, half-human outsider covet Mu Lan’s position? Such foolishness is extreme in its stupidity.”
“We should join forces to teach him and the Three Generals Camp a lesson, to show him that there is a price to pay for his foolishness!”
Sun Gan didn’t mince his words and immediately agreed: “Agreed!”
A secret alliance was thus formed between them.
That very afternoon.
The cultivators of the Three Generals Camp, who went into the city to make some purchases for military supplies, were robbed.
Not only were the goods lost, but three lives were also taken.
Upon hearing this, Liu Er was furious and immediately went to Immortal City to seek the City Lord and to capture the true culprits.
The Golden Halberd Army, at dusk, suddenly left the city to train, and just so happened to pass by the Three Generals Camp’s troops who were also out for training.
“What are you looking at?”
“What’s it to you if I am?”
“You little brat! Get him!”
A friction started with a child’s play-like prelude.
Zhang Hei tried his best to maintain order.
A Golden Core General from the Golden Halberd Army insulted him and his entire family.
Enraged, Zhang Hei seized his Black Snake Spear and took the initiative to strike.
The Golden Core General clashed with Zhang Hei; initially, neither could gain the upper hand, but as Zhang Hei gradually intensified his efforts, the General suddenly withdrew his hand, allowing the Black Snake Spear to pierce through his body.
Zhang Hei was stunned.
The other Golden Cores of the Golden Halberd Army took advantage of this moment to rescue their severely injured comrade.
Realizing the bad situation, Zhang Hei was about to speak out when Sun Gan suddenly appeared and attacked directly.
He was of the Nascent Soul Level, and the Golden Halberd Army was well-trained and well-equipped, no match for Zhang Hei and the Three Generals Camp.
Despite Zhang Hei’s resistance, the outcome was predetermined from the start.
Zhang Hei was captured by Sun Gan.
After their scheme succeeded, the Golden Halberd Army immediately returned to the city.
Three Generals Camp.
“What?!” Guan Hong’s face turned red with anger upon hearing the sobbing complaints of the soldiers who managed to flee back to the camp, learning that his third brother, Zhang Hei, had been captured.
Instinctively, he stood up and grabbed the Blood Dragon Saber in his hand.
But after stepping out of the tent, he forced himself to calm down: “This is bad!”
“At this moment, my elder brother is at the City Lord’s Mansion, and my third brother has been detained by Sun Gan. If I rush in anger, I will surely be no match for Sun Gan, and the consequences will be dire. I’m afraid it might even cause trouble for my elder brother, making it even more difficult for him to attempt a rescue later on.”
“Best to be patient for now and wait…”
Swoosh!
In the next instant, a white light flashed, nearly blinding Guan Hong.
An assassin!
Guan Hong instinctively blocked.
Puchi.
His right arm was pierced, with large chunks of flesh sheared off on the spot, revealing ghastly white bone.
Blood Dragon Saber hums!
In the next moment, blood light filled the sky.
The assassin groaned, hit by the attack, and disappeared without a trace.
Leaving Guan Hong kneeling on the ground, with the Blood Dragon Saber propped on the floor, his face full of shock and anger.
“Despicable!”
“These bastards…”
“This is bad!”
“If I am under attack here, what about the military advisor?”