Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

This seemed to be the safest option. With his abilities and the valiant efforts of his soldiers, it was not impossible for him to repel or even severely damage Cao Cao.

However, doing so would be tantamount to handing Liangzhou over to Penglai completely!
Once they unscrupulously complete the "Sky-Reaching Plan" in Liangzhou, cultivating even more "Divine Marching Army" or even more terrifying entities, will a stable Yizhou still be able to withstand them? It would undoubtedly be like drinking poison to quench thirst, digging their own grave!

Enter?
Stay in Liangzhou, at all costs, to find and destroy Penglai's headquarters, and fundamentally thwart their conspiracy.

This aligns with the greater good and is the only possible way to completely solve the problem.

But this means that he will have to face the fierce counterattack from Penglai, the possible large-scale invasion by Cao Cao, and Sun Jian's opportunistic attack with his limited forces!
Surrounded by enemies on three sides, deep in enemy territory, and facing logistical difficulties... any mistake in any link will lead to the annihilation of the entire army and utter ruin!

This is an absolute gamble, with everything he has, and even the future of the entire world, at stake!
Gu Rubing's brows furrowed into a deep frown, his gaze shifting back and forth between Yizhou and western Liangzhou on the map, his mind undergoing an unprecedented and intense struggle and weighing of options.

All eyes were on him, and the air was thick with an almost suffocating tension and anticipation.

Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, his hand silently pressing on the hilt of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade beside him, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
Zhao Yun's gaze was calm as still water, but his hand gripping the bright silver spear was steady without the slightest tremor, as if it could strike with lightning speed at any moment.
Huang Zhong subconsciously stroked the scabbard of his iron-framed bow, which had been with him for many years, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

Zhang Fei grinned, his leopard eyes gleaming with a fierce, eager light, his muscles taut; Ma Chao stood ready like a javelin, his handsome face filled with icy fighting spirit.

Time slipped away bit by bit, and every breath seemed exceptionally long.

Gu Rubing's heart was experiencing an unprecedented storm. Retreat or advance, maintaining the status quo or taking risks, the foundation of Yizhou and the common people... countless thoughts, advantages and disadvantages, and consequences collided and tore at his mind.

Or should we retreat to that relatively familiar battlefield and engage in a struggle for supremacy among the warlords with Cao Cao, where the outcome is uncertain but at least tangible?
Or should we step into this land of unknown evil, confront the potentially destructive conspiracy of Penglai, and embark on a high-stakes gamble with little chance of success?

His gaze swept across the map again, passing over the familiar cities and passes of Yizhou, and finally fixed on the vast, desolate area in western Liangzhou marked with a large number of unknown symbols.

That place may be the location of the main altar of Penglai, the core of the "Tongtian Project", and the source of all disasters!

Finally, it felt like millions of years had passed, yet it also felt like only a moment.

Gu Rubing slowly raised his head.

All the struggles, weighing of options, and hesitations in his eyes vanished at this moment, like morning mist evaporated by the blazing sun. In their place was a resolute determination, a do-or-die spirit!
That gaze was like a sword that had been forged through countless trials finally being drawn from its sheath, radiating a cold light and unstoppable sharpness!
He extended his right hand, his index finger paused slightly in the air, and then, with undeniable force, pressed it heavily onto the map—the core area in western Liangzhou that symbolized the unknown and ultimate danger!

There were no passionate shouts, no lengthy explanations, only this simple yet incredibly heavy gesture.

But in that instant, all the generals inside the tent fully understood his decision!

Solve the problem in Liangzhou first! Head straight for western Liangzhou! At all costs, find and destroy the Penglai headquarters and shatter that terrifying "Tongtian Plan"!
"Big brother!"

Zhang Fei was the first to roar out, his voice hoarse with excitement.

"I, Old Zhang, have been waiting for this for ages! I don't care about Penglai or the main altar, I'll just chop them down!"

Guan Yu lowered his hand that was stroking his beard, his phoenix eyes flashing with a sharp light, and said in a deep voice.

"Since my elder brother has made his decision, I, Yu, will gladly die a thousand deaths!"

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice firm and resolute.

"Clouds, I am willing to be the vanguard, to break through the demon's lair!"

Huang Zhong and Ma Chao also bowed at the same time.

"Your humble servants will obey your orders, lord!"

The silent, chilling atmosphere transformed into a tangible fighting spirit, surging within the small military tent!

By order of our lord, though there be thousands, we shall go! Even if the road ahead is filled with mountains of knives and seas of fire, or the deepest hell, we will go without hesitation!

Looking at his loyal and courageous generals, Gu Rubing felt a mix of pride and solemnity.

He nodded heavily, without any further hesitation, his voice resolute and firm, like the clang of metal on metal.

"it is good!"

The order was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake; the ripples it created instantly transformed into efficient and intense operations throughout the entire secret base!

A chilling atmosphere permeated every corner of the stronghold.

The more seriously wounded soldiers were quickly gathered together and cared for by designated personnel. A secret transfer route was planned to send them to a relatively safe rear base to recuperate.

Although they could no longer participate in the ensuing fierce battles, every bit of their strength was worth cherishing.

The bamboo scrolls salvaged from the fire were treated like priceless treasures by the scribe and several strategists with some knowledge of ancient texts and runes, and moved into a more secluded stone chamber.

With the lights on, they began to work tirelessly to decipher the ancient artifacts, hoping to find clues about the exact location of the main altar, details of the "Tongtian Project," and even the identities of key figures in Penglai.

Every character that is deciphered may be related to life or death in the future.

The captured old man from Penglai was transferred to a stone cell deep within the stronghold, where the defenses were most tight.

Zhao Yun personally selected his trusted and experienced elite guards, who were absolutely reliable and experienced, to watch over them day and night in shifts, never leaving their side.

The interrogation did not stop; on the contrary, it became more urgent and targeted after Gu Rubing made his decision. Zhao Yun knew that time was precious, and he had to use every means to pry open the old man's mouth and obtain key information about the location of the main altar, its defensive forces, key figures, and the strength of the "protectors" before the old man completely broke down or took his own life.

The occasional suppressed sounds emanating from the stone cell added to the chilling atmosphere within the stronghold.

All the soldiers, whether wounded or not, began to silently inspect and clean their weapons and armor, replenish their arrows, and tidy their gear.

They knew that the brief rest was over, and what lay ahead was an even more arduous and dangerous expedition, with their target being the demonic entity hidden in western Liangzhou.

No one complained, no one was afraid; there was only a near-tragic silence and unwavering resolve. Those who had followed Gu Rubing here were all elite warriors who had survived countless battles; they had long since disregarded life and death.

Gu Rubing's gaze swept across the map again, finally settling on the direction of Yizhou. Lu Su's earnest and worried secret report was like a real alarm bell, ringing repeatedly in his mind, its echo lingering.

Cao Cao's unusual actions were by no means a bluff or a simple military exercise.

His most elite Tiger and Leopard Cavalry began to assemble at the front line, which was the strongest signal of an attack.

In addition, the spy's report about mysterious guests entering and leaving Cao Cao's camp, combined with the two, almost certainly indicates that Cao Cao and Penglai have made contact, and may even have reached some kind of tacit agreement targeting Gu Rubing.

The eastern border is now like a powder keg filled with dry tinder; a single spark could ignite a massive firestorm and plunge Yizhou into war.

Gu Rubing had no doubt about Lu Su's talent. With him in charge of the rear and coordinating defense, he could rest assured.

However, even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice.

Yizhou's military strength was already inferior to Cao Cao's, and now that he had taken the main force to Liangzhou, Lu Su was short of troops at his disposal.

Faced with a possible all-out attack from Cao Cao, all he could do was hold his ground and wait for reinforcements, relying on strategic passes. This was the limit; he couldn't possibly hope to launch an offensive or repel the enemy.

On the other side, Sun Jian's Anluo Empire, with its border garrison frequently crossing the border to provoke and engage in petty actions, exposed its greed and ambition.

This cunning and ferocious wolf was patiently circling around, its cold eyes fixed on Yizhou and Liangzhou. It was waiting for either side to show signs of fatigue or weakness, at which point it would pounce without hesitation, tear off a piece of flesh, or even attempt to deliver a fatal blow.

In front, the evil spirits of Penglai entrenched themselves in the western border, plotting to destroy the world; behind, Cao Cao was eyeing them covetously, with a sharp blade hanging over their necks; and on the flanks, Sun Jian, like a hungry wolf, was lurking, waiting for his chance to strike.

With internal troubles still unresolved and external threats already looming, he was surrounded by enemies on three sides. The perilous situation was the most dire he had faced since he began his rebellion!

Gu Rubing's brows furrowed tightly, forming a deep "川" shape. His fingertips unconsciously tapped on the rough table, producing a dull but regular "tap-tap" sound, as if it were an outward manifestation of his intense inner struggle.

Should we take a step back? We should immediately return to Yizhou, where we can leverage our geographical advantage and popular support to perhaps hold off Cao Cao, or even stabilize Sun Jian, thus ensuring the temporary safety of Yizhou.

But this means that he will completely abandon Liangzhou and let Penglai complete its horrifying conspiracy of drawing on the earth's veins, forging ghost soldiers, and attempting to "connect with the heavens"!

Once their evil arts are fully developed, and they cultivate even more "divine armies" or even more terrifying beings, will Yizhou still be a match for them? Where will the people of the world be then?
That would undoubtedly be like raising a tiger to cause trouble, leading to one's own destruction!
Further? In accordance with the established decision, remain in Liangzhou and at all costs find and destroy the Penglai headquarters to fundamentally solve the problem.

But this means that he has put himself and his most core elite force in an unprecedented deadly situation!
Not only must they face the unfathomable evil magic of Penglai and the impending frenzied counterattack, but they must also be constantly on guard against the deadly blow that Cao Cao might deliver from behind, as well as the insidious and vicious attack from Sun Jian on the side!
One wrong step and the whole army is wiped out, with no hope of recovery!
This decision is of paramount importance, concerning the lives and deaths of countless people and the future of the world!
However, once the arrow is released, there's no turning back!

Now that Gu Rubing had made his decision by marking the map with his mark, there was no room for hesitation or wavering! He had no choice but to forge ahead and carve out a path to survival in this desperate situation!
The most pressing task at hand is crystal clear: before Cao Cao and Sun Jian truly make up their minds and launch a full-scale attack, we must find the Penglai headquarters as quickly and decisively as possible, and destroy it completely, thus interrupting the evil "Tongtian" ritual!
Speed ​​has become the key to victory or defeat, and even to life or death!

They have to get ahead of time!
The night grew deeper, staining the desolate land of Liangzhou like ink.

However, this secret outpost hidden among the mountains was brightly lit, as bright as day, with many shadowy figures, and was filled with a tense and ominous atmosphere of impending battle.

Gu Rubing bent over his desk and, by the flickering lamplight, wrote furiously.

He had to buy time for Lu Su in the rear and also create conditions for the operation in Liangzhou.

Each specially encrypted instruction was carried by a trusted messenger, like a night owl leaving its nest, silently disappearing into the night and heading towards the borders of Yizhou and Anluo Empire.

The order given to Lu Su was clear and firm.

In Yizhou, a thorough scorched-earth policy was adopted, and people and resources outside the important border cities were pulled inward as much as possible.
Relying on all strategic passes, deep trenches, and high walls, we will maintain absolute defense and never engage in battle lightly. Our core objective is singular—

At all costs, delay the advance of Cao Cao's army!

At the same time, a large number of shrewd spies were dispatched to spread various rumors, both true and false, throughout the areas controlled by Cao Cao's army and even further afield, creating the illusion that our side still had ambushes or other schemes, doing everything possible to interfere with and confuse Cao Cao's judgment, so that he would not dare to easily launch a full-scale attack.

Gu Rubing adopted a completely different strategy towards Sun Jian, the greedy "vulture" on the western border.

His envoy carried carefully prepared gifts, spoke humbly, feigned weakness, and emphasized that the chaos in Liangzhou was difficult to control and that his side had suffered heavy losses.

They urgently need to stabilize their rear and hope to maintain the current peace with the Anluo Empire, even hinting that they can make concessions in some areas.

The goal is simple: to negotiate and appease as much as possible, even if it only buys Liangzhou a very limited amount of precious time, perhaps only ten days or half a month, it is still crucial!
Meanwhile, in Liangzhou, Gu Rubing elevated intelligence gathering in the western region to an unprecedentedly high priority!

All available scouts and crossbowmen, whether wounded or not, as long as they could still move, were dispatched, like weaving a large net to cover that unknown and dangerous land to the west.

Those Qiang guides who were loyal to the Han dynasty and familiar with the geography of the west, such as Zaxi, Nuolu and their people, were given generous rewards and promises, and asked to use all their connections and channels to find out any information about unusual gatherings of people, strange geographical phenomena or ancient legends.

Even those civilians who were rescued from the Penglai Qilian Mountain base and were relatively conscious were patiently comforted and questioned. (End of Chapter)