My lord, spare his life!

"What did you say? Is the news true?"

Chao Tan was overjoyed and got up, pacing back and forth inside the tent.

The lieutenant also smiled.

The gloom and sorrow of the past few days were dispelled. As Chao Tan's confidant, the deputy general naturally knew what his general was thinking. The general was fond of Bo Yuanjun and was willing to do anything for him, but the general had the fate of the capital city on his shoulders and could not choose freely.

Recently, sentries discovered an unusually high rise in the water level beneath the Imperial City, and upon inquiring, learned that a natural disaster had struck the vicinity of the three prefectures. This disaster would inevitably affect Lord Boyuan's situation. The general was deeply troubled by this, unable to sleep at night and filled with worry day and night.

Fortunately, good news has finally arrived.

This good news was personally delivered by Lord Boyuan through the Thousand-Mile Eye. Thinking of this, the deputy general's smile deepened: "The battle at the front is urgent, yet Lord Boyuan still sent the Thousand-Mile Eye to deliver the message. It's clear that he cares about you, General, knows your feelings, and doesn't want you to worry."

Chao Tan didn't say anything, but his brows relaxed and his eyes held a smile, clearly pleasing his deputy's words.

The lieutenant then asked, "Does the general have any plans?"

Chao Tan understood what the deputy general meant, but she didn't intend to expose him. She lowered her eyes and remained silent, simply wiping her weapons.

The lieutenant said, "Although last time, the general told Lord Boyuan that he was willing to serve her and follow her to the death when she returned in triumph and became the lord of the mountain, we can't really do that. Once everything is settled, it won't be easy to be given important responsibilities again."

Offering help in times of need is more memorable than adding to someone's success.

Previously, they dared not gamble too much, fearing that making a choice too early might implicate the Imperial City. But now that Sun Ban has suffered such a great defeat, he has no choice but to shrink his forces and retreat. Hu County and Eunuch County have lost the support of powerful allies and are now like meat on a chopping block.

A piece of soft, chewy meat!

There are not many hidden risks after eating this piece of meat.

Why must the general remain so reserved?

Entering the fray at this point would allow one to gain merit, barely qualifying as someone who provides timely assistance, without requiring much effort or taking any risks.

If Chao Tan were to return to Bo Yuanjun's command after this opportunity, his status would be the same as that of Sun Ban's former subordinates who had been captured, perhaps with a slightly cleaner background and more personal connections than these surrendered generals. But to be given a position, he would have to wait for an opportunity, just like them.

The deputy general spoke frankly.

Chao Tan felt ashamed and annoyed: "That's far too calculating."

When Zhang Yang sent troops to attack Sun Ban, Chao Tan chose Dizuo City, leaving himself some room to maneuver. Now that Zhang Yang has the advantage, he can take advantage of the situation. Even if the other side doesn't say anything, what about his civil and military officials? Won't they have any objections?

Even Chao Tan himself felt ashamed; he didn't have that kind of thick skin.

The lieutenant said anxiously, "General, why bother with such things at a time like this? Besides, what kind of scheming is this? You just want to relieve Bo Yuanjun's burden. Sending troops from the Imperial Capital will also help Bo Yuanjun take over the Eunuch County or the Hu County sooner."

Chao Tan turned his back to the deputy general.

The lieutenant shifted half a circle and urged, "General, this concerns your future prospects. What's there to be ashamed of? Think about it, even Lü Bafeng can shamelessly claim someone half her age as her godmother, calling her godmother and putting on a dutiful act. And that General Zhe, don't they think they're shameless? Why should you be so thin-skinned about this, General? If you're thick-skinned, enjoy it first."

Chao Tan was restless, torn between excitement and shame. Seeing that the deputy general had gone too far, she couldn't bear to spit at him.

"What kind of nonsense and fallacy is that?"

What does "thick-skinned, enjoy first" mean?

Is it really appropriate to say that?

The lieutenant sighed, "General, have you considered what will happen to the Imperial City if the entire mountain falls into the hands of Lord Boyuan? We certainly can't go against Lord Boyuan. If Lord Boyuan is willing to treat us well, that would be good, but what if the treatment is mediocre? We haven't achieved anything, so it's not appropriate to ask Lord Boyuan to allocate too much military pay to support the soldiers on the mountain..."

When they eventually join someone else's army, will the soldiers of Imperial City receive ordinary military pay or above-average pay?

Everyone wants a good life, and the latter is definitely better than the former.

The deputy general laid out his analysis and persuasion to Chao.

The younger guards on the mountain who took a liking to each other were taken in by the locals, while a small number lived with ordinary people down the mountain. Previously, to prevent anyone from coveting the Imperial City, intermarriage with outsiders had been extremely cautious, and most remained alone. This problem must be solved.

Once the pressure of survival is gone, one should seize the time to think about important life events. Having children all at once—who knows what things will be like in a few years? While you're still young, fulfill your wishes early. Being able to do these things already puts you ahead of many others.

The deputy general's words completely moved Chao Tan.

However, Chao Tan still maintained a bit of reserve: "Has the Thousand-Mile Eye returned yet? If not, have it deliver a letter. The Imperial Throne City has sent troops to intervene, so we must first discuss this with Lord Boyuan and inform him to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

The lieutenant naturally agreed.

"The all-seeing eye is still resting."

Without tackling the tough nut of Sun Ban, the combat pressure wasn't as great, and the Star Beasts like Thousand-Mile Eye didn't need to travel back and forth. Once it arrived at the Imperial Throne City, it delivered the message and then went to catch up on sleep. After a good night's rest, it could then deliver Chao Tan's handwritten letter to Zhang Yang.

While Chao Tan wasn't looking, the lieutenant secretly scratched Thousand-Mile Eye's paw. Thousand-Mile Eye, unaware of what was happening, tilted his head. The lieutenant leaned closer and whispered something. And so on and so forth.

The all-seeing eye blinked and raised its paw to gesture.

This task is left to the birds.

The lieutenant was completely relieved and patted the bird's feathers, saying, "You're our only remaining bird kin now, so you'd better put in a good word for us."

Use the clairvoyance feature to improve the Emperor's Throne City's standing.

Upon seeing Chao Tan's letter, Zhang Yang didn't think much of it: "This is good news. Xiao Yu's willingness to help will save us a lot of trouble."

Xiao Sui choked.

She suspected her lord was being sarcastic, but looking at his expression, though there was no smile, his tone was sincere, clearly indicating that he genuinely believed the Imperial City's participation in the war was out of kindness and without ulterior motives. Xiao Sui wanted to analyze it, but when she caught sight of Lu Yuan and the others out of the corner of her eye, she swallowed her words back.

Chao Tan and Lü Yuanzhe Meng had a good relationship.

He didn't know the two men's attitude towards this. If he exposed them and they remembered it and passed it on to Chao Tan, he wouldn't gain anything but would only get himself into trouble.

Xiao Sui smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because you want to share the burden with your lord."

They didn't separate earlier, they didn't separate later, but they're separating now.

Han Wo sensed the faint displeasure in Xiao Sui's words: "The Imperial Throne City is well-versed in the art of self-preservation. Otherwise, it would not have been able to maintain its independence in the chaotic mountain prefectures. If even such wise men are willing to serve their lord, it is conceivable that the lord's power is assured."

Xiao Sui glanced over.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment before quickly looking away.

Xiao Sui gently waved her fan and smiled, "That's true."

Zhang Yang wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt that Xiao Sui and Han Wo were talking differently than usual, and that something was off.

Upon closer examination, there's nothing wrong with these two sentences.

Xiao Sui and Han Wo were willing to give face, but some people were not.

Guan Zong spat out the blade of grass he was chewing, and said irritably, "Whether it's Eunuch County or Hu County, I could easily take it down with five or eight thousand soldiers. If I can't, I'll give my head to the lord as a chamber pot. Why did this guy have to come now to steal my peaches? Does he think I'm easy to bully?"

He didn't take Guan Siwang and Qi seriously. These two were just reckless brutes who relied solely on brute force and were not capable of being commanders. They could only serve as vanguards and assistants. He also didn't take Lü Yuanzhe seriously. Although the two were smarter than the previous two, they still couldn't threaten him.

Only one king, Ba, can be the commander and compete with him.

Instead of taking the provisions back to Dongxian, Wang Ba stayed behind, clearly wanting a share of the spoils. Guan Zong was already cursing this old bastard in his heart. Guan Zong hadn't even figured out how to deal with Wang Ba when Chao Tan suddenly appeared, wanting a piece of the pie.

Guan Zong's temper is not one to be tolerated.

He had only taken two steps when he was stopped by the Canglang Commandant.

Guan Zong wasn't going to argue with a wolf. He looked up and angrily berated Guan Siyin: "Guan Siyin, what do you mean by this? I'm just defending my own interests. If you want to suffer in silence, then suffer it yourself."

Guan Si didn't respond, only giving him a cold glance.

Guan Zong clenched his fists, angry.

Pointing at Guan Si, he said, "You're such a coward! Don't you understand that I'm only thinking of you? Don't be ungrateful."

Guan Si: "What does this have to do with me?"

Guan Zong's eyes darted around: "How can it be nothing? You've really gone mad from spending all your time in the Dongfan Mountains. I've told you not to spend all your time killing those brothers and sisters, to study more, but you wouldn't listen. Don't you think about it? Our lord's power is just beginning to take shape, yet these people in the mountains are the only ones who hold sway? Wang Gongsun has the old bastard's Dongxian family fortune behind him. What do you have? Just a Hundred Ghost Guard. How can you possibly compete with others for military power? Whether you acknowledge it or not, I'm still your brother. Compared to outsiders, my heart is definitely on your side. Don't you agree?"

Guan Si: "I have no interest in this."

He only wants to have an endless number of enemies to kill; he has no interest in power.

Guan Zong mustered his courage and leaned forward, saying, "You may not need it, but you can't live without it. Think about Wang Gongsun; he dislikes you. What if he gains power one day and spreads rumors that even cut your Hundred Ghosts Guard's pay? What will you do then?"

Guan Si saw through Guan Zong's thoughts and sneered.

"If that's the case, what are you going to do?"

Guan Zong chuckled: "Supporting your brother is worse than supporting others. We're all on the same side; would we, as family, harm each other?"

Guan Si: "...Come here."

Guan Zong thought Guan Si had been persuaded, so he quickly moved his face closer.

What happened to your eyes?

Zhang Yang looked at Guan Zong with a puzzled expression.

One eye is fine, but the other is bruised and swollen.

Guan Zong grumbled, "I got bitten by a mosquito."

Mosquitoes? There are still mosquitoes this time of year?

"Even people, ghosts, and non-human beings can come out to take advantage this season, so why can't there be mosquitoes?" Guan Zong covered his swollen and painful eyes, cursing Guan Si in his heart for having a father but no father to raise him, passing on such a vicious and violent temperament to the other.

Why can't Guan Si learn more from his mother about being gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest?

Zhang Yang: "Are you implying something?"

Guan Zong: "Hmph, yes."

Zhang Yang: "You've got some nerve, talking sarcastic and sarcastic remarks to my face."

Guan Zong: "..."

I completely don't understand why the master is in such a hurry to assume it's about him.

Zhang Yang said in a good mood, "But I won't hold it against you."

Guan Zong missed Fan You a little.

Despite this student ruining Fan You's reputation in the education field, his lord's mind still made some progress under Fan You's painstaking teaching. Without classes, however, his lord's brain stagnated. Guan Zong closed his eyes and chose to tolerate it.

Zhang Yang was indeed in a pretty good mood at the moment.

Xia Gengshi has been completely resurrected, transforming from a living corpse into a living person.

As the military doctor applied medicine to her, Xia Gengshi fully regained consciousness. She looked at the doctor, then at her own injuries, somewhat bewildered. Contrary to her appearance, she spoke in a gentle manner. Even though she woke up in a completely unfamiliar environment, she didn't become violent.

"May I ask, where is this place?"

The medic's hand trembled violently as he changed the dressing: "Wounded soldiers' camp."

Xia Gengshi clutched his aching skull: "Who am I?"

The military doctor mumbled, "A general is naturally a general."

Xia Gengshi: "Somewhat...unfamiliar."

Subconsciously, he didn't quite feel like a general yet, at least not high enough to be addressed as such. Could it be that he had distinguished himself in battle and been exceptionally promoted?

Xia Gengshi hurriedly asked, "How is the battle going?"

The army doctor said, "We won. It was a great victory."

Xia Gengshi breathed a sigh of relief, his joy evident on his face: "A great victory? It really is a great victory? In that case, it's a reward from our lord."

The military doctor had no idea what the other person was thinking.

She hurriedly treated Xia Gengshi's wounds, not even bothering to pack her medicine box, and left it to her apprentice before rushing off to see her master to inform him of Xia Gengshi's awakening. Zhang Yang arrived in person upon receiving the news, and Xia Gengshi, upon seeing her, sat there stunned for a long time.

The medic whispered a reminder: "Why haven't you paid your respects to the lord yet?"

Xia Gengshi then seemed to wake from a dream, hurriedly rolling off the makeshift sickbed, bowing his head and clasping his hands in greeting: "Greetings, my lord..."

For some reason, this is a bit awkward to say.

She did not mean to be disrespectful to her lord.

Just seeing her lord's handsome face made her heart pound wildly for some reason, and her whole body felt hot. The heat rushed to her icy head, making her mind a jumbled mess. Before she could even figure out what this emotion was, the army doctor reminded her, and she realized with horror that her behavior was impolite and would surely displease her lord.

Her subconscious told her that this matter was important.

Just then, her grip loosened, and she was lifted steadily by a force. She looked up and saw that face again—a face that, while not particularly memorable, made her blood boil at the mere sight of it. Xia Gengshi, his ears burning red, lowered his head, afraid of offending his lord.

Zhang Yang: "Get up, how are you feeling?"

Xia Gengshi said, "Very good. I feel like I have inexhaustible strength, but my neck and the top of my head are a little sore."

Zhang Yang said, "You were beheaded on the battlefield."

Xia Gengshi was taken aback and subconsciously touched her neck. Sure enough, she touched a noticeable hypertrophic scar. Her head could now be quickly removed. If she looked in a mirror, she would see a ring of mysterious black tadpole-like characters wrapped around the scar.

"Did I...did I die once?"

"Yes, the Fiery Stars brought you back."

"To continue serving my lord is enough; even the wrath of the stars is of no consequence. My lord, when I fall in battle, will I still be valiant?" This was what Xia Gengshi cared about most. Her subconscious told her this question was crucial. "Was I...did I...bring shame upon my lord?"

Zhang Yang remained silent for a moment.

Gently pat Xia Gengshi's hand with your warm palm.

"Heroic, unharmed."

"That's good."

Zhang Yang sent over a set of armor, which was modified overnight by the army's craftsmen from Sun Ban's spoils of war.

"Try wearing it."

Xia Gengshi couldn't help but shed tears.

Zhang Yang said to her, "There's something I want to discuss with you."

"Please speak, my lord."

"Do you want to bring your family back? The villains are despicable; they've imprisoned your relatives. They're not in immediate danger, but things could change."

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