Chapter 510: So-called "Justice"

Recommended Randomly:

According to the military decree issued by Du Tiechuan, even if the Scarlet Flower Battalion purchased their full quota, the heavy armor would not cover all the soldiers of the Scarlet Flower Battalion.

As the great battle approached, various armies these past few days were expanding their recruitment and frequently conducting military training.

This plunged Ning Zhuo into a dilemma of choice.

Should he choose Mu Lan, or should he choose Liu Er?

The more Ning Zhuo pondered, the more difficult the decision became.

Both were Golden Core cultivators.

In terms of combat power, Mu Lan held a clear advantage.

Once she unleashed her divine ability, the Red Heart Dove Arrow, coupled with her weapons, the Red Phoenix Bow and Burning Heart Arrows, her combat power would soar to an exaggerated degree — reaching a level comparable to a Peak Nascent Soul cultivator!

As for Liu Er's combat power, it was also considerable, placing him at the forefront of the Golden Core tier.

In terms of status, Mu Lan was the sole heir of the House of General Mu of the Two Pillar Kingdom, undeniably a high-ranking figure within the kingdom. However, the entire House of General Mu faced a precarious situation, targeted by the imperial court. Even the King of the Two Pillar Kingdom had attempted to dissolve it.

Liu Er also possessed status, and an even greater background — he was of royal lineage from the Blood Slaughter Dynasty. However, while this status would be soaring to the heavens within the Blood Slaughter Dynasty, in the current era, it held no prestige, merely a title.

Furthermore, Liu Er's mixed-blood status, being both human and demon, was not well-regarded by the mainstream cultivation world today.

In terms of financial resources.

Mu Lan was poor, and Liu Er was even poorer.

In terms of connections.

Even with their precarious situation, Mu Lan and the House of General Mu still held some influence within the imperial court of the Two Pillar Kingdom.

Liu Er was weak in this regard, but from the Yin-Yang One Qi Pot, Ning Zhuo could vaguely sense that Liu Er's origins were not as simple and shallow as they appeared.

Mu Lan and Ning Zhuo were in a spousal relationship, but essentially it was a strategic alliance of interests.

The alliance of interests between Liu Er and Ning Zhuo was, in fact, closer and more solid than that between Mu Lan and Ning Zhuo. This was because Ning Zhuo had begun investing in the Three Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang long ago.

Even now, Ning Zhuo remained the biggest financial backer of the Three Generals Battalion!

Ning Zhuo fell into silent contemplation for a moment, subconsciously stroking the mechanism ring on his finger.

Unfortunately, in this situation, it did not involve his personal safety, so the mechanism ring remained still, without any reaction.

Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "Two generals, I have a somewhat immature idea."

"Have you two ever considered — merging into one army?"

Ning Zhuo glanced at Mu Lan, then looked at Liu Er: "Our heavy armor is limited, only able to cover a little over half of the soldiers."

"In this situation, the Three Generals Battalion could cull its soldiers and merge into the Scarlet Flower Battalion."

"After this great battle concludes, it would not be impossible to separate and rebuild the编制."

Mu Lan's eyes lit up: "This method is quite good."

"Normally, my Scarlet Flower Battalion would never accept so many outsiders. The main reason is that the Scarlet Flower battle formation requires skilled individuals and years of training."

"For us, it's definitely not the more soldiers added, the better."

"But this time's great battle is to execute Marshal Du's military strategy, the Iron Current Leveling the Plains. Therefore, the Scarlet Flower battle formation cannot be formed, and it's even possible to win in one battle. So, adding many outsiders is not impossible."

On the other hand, Liu Er's face showed difficulty: "General Mu Lan, Military Advisor, please allow me to return and consider."

Mu Lan snorted coldly: "Then you must decide quickly."

She no longer looked at Liu Er, but turned her gaze to Ning Zhuo: "Husband, let's not talk about other things for now. Let's go to the quartermaster's office together and purchase our full quota."

Ning Zhuo cupped his hands, a wry smile on his face: "General Mu Lan, please just address me by my name or military rank. Our relationship was a result of unforeseen circumstances, not to be taken seriously."

Mu Lan waved her hand: "I am the daughter of a general, I have never cared about such trivial matters as reputation."

"War is dangerous and deadly, what is mere reputation compared to life?"

"Life and death are the major concerns!"

"Let's go quickly."

Mu Lan kept urging, and Ning Zhuo had no choice but to apologize to Liu Er and leave with Mu Lan.

Liu Er's expression was displeased, and his mood was quite heavy as he walked back to the encampment of the Three Generals Battalion.

"I carry the King's command, and I have also aspired since childhood to establish a nation of demon cultivators."

"Master instructed me to preferably maintain an independent status."

"If I cannot lead an army independently, it will be difficult to gain merit. After all, I am just a mixed-blood of human and demon."

"Alas, Master, where are you? What should I do?"

Liu Er estimated that the best-case scenario would be for Ning Zhuo to favor the Three Generals Battalion and give them all the heavy armor he possessed.

But when Liu Er considered the situation from Ning Zhuo's perspective, he felt this possibility was extremely slim.

"Ning Zhuo and Mu Lan are husband and wife, after all. And Mu Lan's status is noble; her background is far superior to mine."

"Although Ning Zhuo is young and has a hot-blooded heart, he comes from a prominent family and is adept at weighing the pros and cons."

"If he ultimately chooses to favor the Scarlet Flower Battalion, I would not be surprised and would fully understand."

"What should I do?"

Ning Zhuo had provided too much financial support to the Three Generals Battalion. Liu Er now found that he had no right to persuade Ning Zhuo.

Liu Er then thought of the Yin-Yang One Qi Pot.

"If I were to gift this item, would it make Ning Zhuo more inclined towards us?"

He shook his head with a bitter smile.

As he neared the gate of the Three Generals Battalion encampment, Liu Er had a new idea.

He thought of a person.

"Perhaps, I can seek his help?"

The White Jade Battalion.

Shuang Jing stood before the main general's tent, a smile on his face, welcoming Ning Zhuo's arrival.

"Young Friend Ning Zhuo, please come in." Shuang Jing gestured with his hand.

Ning Zhuo immediately bowed, expressing his gratitude and feeling flattered by such courtesy from Lord Shuang Jing.

Although he had previously vehemently rejected Shuang Jing's recruitment offer, after the incident with Mu Lan, he had hosted a banquet for all those involved, and with his own cunning, had greatly eased his relationship with all parties.

This included his relationship with Shuang Jing.

Shuang Jing looked at the white-robed youth before him, also sighing at Ning Zhuo's fortuitous encounters. He would never have anticipated that this sixteen-year-old little Foundation Establishment cultivator could become Mu Lan's husband, the son-in-law of the House of General Mu!

The reason he stood before the tent to greet Ning Zhuo was naturally not because of Ning Zhuo himself, but because of his identity as the son-in-law of the House of General Mu.

Ning Zhuo was led into the tent and quickly explained the purpose of his visit.

It turned out that although the White Jade Battalion had a quota for heavy armor, they had not used a single piece.

This was not because the White Jade Battalion lacked the funds to purchase it, but rather because they were too wealthy and well-equipped, possessing superior heavy armor of their own, rendering external purchases unnecessary.

After the ambush, the White Jade Battalion suffered heavy casualties and lost most of their military supplies due to the Stone Old Freak's plundering.

However, after returning to the Azure Forest Immortal City for rest and recuperation, Shuang Jing began a large-scale reconstruction of the White Jade Battalion.

His financial resources were indeed not as abundant as before, but the forces behind him were exerting their influence, providing him with new support and contributing both funds and personnel.

And his aunt, Shuang Ling, was a prominent figure of the Nascent Soul level within the royal family of the Two Pillar Kingdom. She herself possessed immense wealth and was even more capable of mobilizing the resources of their clan and allies than Shuang Jing.

Shuang Ling's arrival brought a huge investment to the White Jade Battalion.

The Three Generals Battalion, Scarlet Flower Battalion, Savage Demon Battalion, and Golden Halberd Army had all advanced into the Thousand Peaks Forest under the new military order.

While they were engaged in fierce battles and conquests, the White Jade Battalion had been recuperating in Wooden Wheel Town, diligently training their troops, their momentum growing stronger each day.

Upon hearing Ning Zhuo's request, Shuang Jing took a sip of tea, neither immediately agreeing nor immediately refusing.

He was pondering what kind of conditions would be suitable to propose.

Just then, the General's Seal in his怀中 stirred slightly, secretly transmitting a piece of latest intelligence.

"Oh? Liu Er has also come to visit me?"

"Interesting..."

Shuang Jing looked at Ning Zhuo and immediately conceived a plan.

He smiled slightly and said to Ning Zhuo: "Young Friend Ning Zhuo, please step into the inner chamber and wait for a moment. I have another guest to attend to."

Although Ning Zhuo and Liu Er were closely related, he did not inform Ning Zhuo of the visitor's identity.

Ning Zhuo smiled and immediately rose: "The guest shall follow the host's convenience."

He then followed Shuang Jing's guidance and entered the inner chamber to sit down.

Shuang Jing pointed to the bookshelf beside him: "I have some idle books here. Young Friend Ning Zhuo might like to read a few to pass the time. I will quickly attend to the visitor, and then we shall continue our discussion."

Liu Er, accompanied by a Golden Core level deputy general, moved through the White Jade Battalion's camp.

Tall white jade stone walls surrounded the camp. Caltrops were carved from white jade, heavily overlaid with runes.

Watchtowers were constructed towers, standing tall and straight, with spacious areas at the top. Each watchtower was equipped with mechanized ballistae.

White jade military banners fluttered on the flagpoles. Within the silver-threaded dragon design, the dragon's eyes flickered, seemingly ready to spread their wings and soar at any moment.

Soldiers trained in the wide field, each riding a goat, galloping and leaping in all directions.

This made Liu Er particularly envious, as up until now, the Three Generals Battalion had not been equipped with mounts.

Compared to the White Jade Battalion, the Three Generals Battalion, despite receiving Ning Zhuo's financial support, still appeared shabby and poor.

Liu Er stood before the commander's tent and called out his request to be seen.

Ning Zhuo in the inner chamber heard the familiar voice and was about to rise.

Shuang Jing immediately activated the power of the tent, placing Ning Zhuo under soft detention in the inner chamber. Although he could move freely within the inner chamber, no sound could be transmitted out.

Shuang Jing smiled, leisurely took a sip of tea, and then spoke: "Enter."

Liu Er bowed his head and waist, lifted a corner of the tent curtain slightly, then with a respectful expression, stooped and squeezed into the tent.

Inside the tent, incense was burning, filling the air with a serene fragrance.

Shuang Jing sat upright, his demeanor graceful, his eyes deep. Every movement exuded noble arrogance.

"Liu Er, what is the purpose of your visit?" Shuang Jing directly asked, his tone flat, and he did not invite Liu Er to sit.

His attitude was not polite.

Liu Er cupped his fists and bowed: "Lord Shuang Jing, this subordinate has come because I heard you still have a quota of heavy armor, and I wish to request some."

"During the previous ambush, my Three Generals Battalion assisted the Scarlet Flower Battalion in breaking free from Ma Feitui's entanglement. The Scarlet Flower Battalion provided reinforcements to your army, so my Three Generals Battalion can also be considered to have indirectly contributed."

"I ask that you consider this matter and grant us some leniency."

Shuang Jing remained silent for a long time.

Liu Er felt disappointed and also strange, so he slowly raised his head and saw Shuang Jing leisurely drinking tea,

Quietly watching him, his carved face full of arrogance and aloofness, his gaze carrying a strong sense of looking down.

"Liu Er."

Shuang Jing spoke: "You seem to have underestimated the difficulty of this matter."

"Indeed, I can use the quota to purchase heavy armor from the quartermaster and then transfer it to you."

"But in reality, this is not what Marshal Du wants to see."

Liu Er was slightly taken aback.

Shuang Jing continued: "Marshal Du, this person, appears fair and just, but in reality, harbors deep intentions."

"Do you think this time's heavy armor quota is simply distributed based on the quantity of heavy armor by the quartermaster?"

"Heh heh, don't be naive."

"This is precisely Marshal Du's deliberate arrangement!"

"He intends for the heavy armor quota to be less than the total number of soldiers in your armies, to entice you to merge and reduce your ranks."

"Ultimately, through the standard line of the Iron Current Leveling the Plains, he will eliminate unqualified armies."

"Eliminated armies will no longer share in military merits and will save a large amount of military supplies."

"Do you know how much he invested in building this parade ground this time?"

Shuang Jing held up three fingers: "A conservative estimate, at least three million high-grade spirit stones!"

"So, he needs to sell heavy armor at a high price."

"He also needs to eliminate a large number of you, streamlining the entire army."

"After this great battle, the remaining friendly armies will almost certainly have been bolstered by the Iron Current Leveling the Plains military strategy. Therefore, they will owe him favors, be grateful to him, and even pledge loyalty."

"This is Marshal Du's tactic. Even if you know, you are forced to follow orders."

"So, seemingly I am helping you with a small favor, but in reality, I am disrupting Marshal Du's plan."

"The intangible price I have to pay is far greater than you can imagine, even difficult to measure. Do you understand?"

Liu Er's expression was blank, frozen in place, speechless for a moment.

The Two Pillar Kingdom was short of troops, and the main armies each had their defensive lines to guard. Any movement would affect the whole situation, so the King of the Two Pillar Kingdom had not mobilized them.

He had conscripted from various sources this time, and even issued a decree to recruit talented individuals, enlisting many new armies.

Didn't Liu, Guan, and Zhang form the Three Generals Battalion by responding to the decree to recruit talented individuals and funding it themselves?

High-ranking individuals like Shuang Jing were not from the traditional military. This time, he and the families behind him also saw this opportunity and chose to fund the formation of armies and participate in this great conquest.

This meant that most of the army commanded by Du Tiechuan were new armies, each with their own origins and backgrounds.

Except for the Vanguard Army.

The Vanguard Army was a regular army of the Two Pillar Kingdom, but unfortunately, it was currently enveloped in poisonous mist, its internal situation unclear.

Du Tiechuan was indeed worthy of being one of the Great Generals. After Princess Jiqiao Shuang Ling's plan for the Mountain-Stepping Rotary Machine failed, he immediately switched to the second option.

The great strategy of the Iron Current Leveling the Plains, before dealing with the enemy forces in the Thousand Peaks Forest, first carried out internal integration, unifying the steps and bringing everyone closer together around him, Du Tiechuan, than before!

Shuang Jing tapped the table with his fingers, praising: "I must say, Marshal Du's methods are quite clever."

"It's clearly about eliminating dissidents, yet the result is so grand that no one can find fault with it."

"Moreover, he uses both carrots and sticks, not just being tough."

"Do you think the so-called Iron Skin Armor Technique was simply released by his deputy general?"

Shuang Jing sneered: "There must be instructions from Du Tiechuan in this!"