: Ning Zhuo's Choice

Author: Gu Zhenren

2024-12-29

: Ning Zhuo's Choice

Wandering Dragon Ship.

Storage Cabin.

A stone sphere encased the Fetal Breath Shuttle, and within the Fetal Breath Shuttle, Sun Lingtong lay hidden.

The magical inscriptions recording the complete "Heaven and Earth Nurturing Fetal Breath Technique" shimmered brightly on the surface of the shuttle.

When the time came, Ning Zhuo approached the stone sphere to help Sun Lingtong break free.

Divine Power—Stone-Cast Earth Treasure!

The stone skin covering Sun Lingtong's body crumbled away, scattering across the ground.

Sun Lingtong stretched lazily and chuckled, "Little Zhuo, I feel so much stronger now."

As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed.

Mind Manipulation—Object Control!

Sun Lingtong summoned a military broadsword. Though the blade was large and he was small, he wielded it as effortlessly as a straw.

He then aimed the broadsword at his own chest and began hacking repeatedly.

*Clang, clang, clang...*

A rapid series of strikes sent sparks flying everywhere.

The blade of the broadsword became chipped, while Sun Lingtong's chest only showed a slight redness.

Sun Lingtong was overjoyed. "Without using any techniques, just relying on my physical body, I can already withstand ordinary weapons."

"Little Zhuo, the results of this cultivation are amazing. You should give it a try."

"Oh, wait, you can utilize four units of National Power. That’s even more efficient!"

Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly. "Boss, I only tried it once. I haven’t truly used it."

Sun Lingtong: "Huh? Why not?"

Sun Lingtong hadn’t accompanied Ning Zhuo to the banquet.

He had to guard the Wandering Dragon Ship.

The ship was filled with loot—no, spoils of war. If someone detected them and traced them back to Ning Zhuo, it would be disastrous.

So, even within the Three Generals' Camp, Ning Zhuo and the Wandering Dragon Ship kept their distance as much as possible.

Ning Zhuo then told him about Shuang Jing’s offer and the matter of becoming a retainer.

Sun Lingtong found it strange. "Since he didn’t restrict your freedom and you can leave anytime, why not accept?"

"Becoming a retainer might not sound great, but your National Power Bricks would effectively triple. That’s a huge advantage!"

Ning Zhuo shook his head and sighed. "Boss, I’m a righteous cultivator."

"If I just take advantage and leave, what will others think of me, Ning Zhuo, and the Ning family?"

"Shuang Jing deliberately offered such favorable terms precisely because he saw my background. He’s a noble, not a spoiled brat—he has talent."

"You could see that during the ambush when he decisively ordered the armory replenished to delay us."

Sun Lingtong rested his head on his hands. "Tch, righteousness is so troublesome!"

Ning Zhuo continued, "Being Shuang Jing’s retainer isn’t a bad title."

"I’m not some arrogant person. Since childhood, I’ve been humble. If I had pride, how could I endure 14 years in secret while plotting for the Molten Immortal Palace?"

"Actually, serving as a retainer to a royal family member at the Foundation Establishment stage would be an impressive resume."

"But I have two concerns."

Sun Lingtong: "Oh? Tell me."

Ning Zhuo raised his left index finger. "The first concern is the Three Generals—Liu, Guan, and Zhang."

"Boss, I told you before. I could use the Life Thread technique on Guan Hong and Zhang Hei, but it didn’t work on Liu Er."

"Liu Er has hidden depths!"

"He managed to win over Guan Hong and Zhang Hei when they swore brotherhood. And in the recent battle, he played a key role in capturing Ma Feitui. That shows his capability."

"What I value even more is his social skills—they’re very polished."

"Someone like him is only held back by his status and lack of favor. Once he gets an opportunity, he’ll soar."

"If I befriend him now, I’ll reap greater benefits in the future."

"So, if I accept Shuang Jing’s offer now, my relationship with the Three Generals will weaken significantly."

"From a short-term perspective, the loss isn’t as great as rejecting Shuang Jing. But in the long run, it’s hard to say!"

Sun Lingtong was slightly taken aback. "I didn’t realize you thought so highly of Liu Er."

"But I think you’re overthinking it."

"If I were you, I’d accept Shuang Jing’s offer immediately, become his retainer, and use the National Power."

"Benefits only count when you actually have them. Secure the gains first."

"Besides, compared to Liu, Guan, and Zhang, I have more faith in you, Little Zhuo. How can they compare to you?"

"So, your development should come first."

"Didn’t you say you nearly died recently? You’re still going to be part of this war. The higher your cultivation, the better."

"Who knows? At a critical moment, that extra bit of power might save your life."

This time, it was Ning Zhuo’s turn to be surprised.

He looked at Sun Lingtong, feeling a warmth in his heart. He thought, "Liu Er has Guan Hong and Zhang Hei as sworn brothers, but I’m not lacking—I have the boss by my side!"

If there was one person in this world who valued Ning Zhuo the most, had the most confidence in him, understood him best, and cared for him the most, it was undoubtedly Sun Lingtong.

Ning Zhuo then raised his left middle finger. "Now, for my second concern."

"I’m wondering, is becoming Shuang Jing’s retainer and absorbing National Power really the most efficient path?"

"When Shuang Jing made the offer, it reminded me of something from the past."

"Boss, do you remember when General Mu Lan was injured and Zhang Chongyi suggested dual cultivation?"

Sun Lingtong grinned. "How could I forget something so amusing? Hmm?"

"Little Zhuo! Do you want to dual cultivate with Mu Lan?" Sun Lingtong’s eyes sparkled, finding the idea incredibly entertaining.

Ning Zhuo sighed and said seriously, "If I dual cultivate with Mu Lan, I’d become part of the Upper General’s Mansion. With that status, wouldn’t absorbing National Power be even more efficient than being Shuang Jing’s retainer?"

Sun Lingtong didn’t hesitate. "Of course! Right now, you have a real position as a Military Advisor. It’s hard to advance further."

"Unless you give up your Southern Bean Kingdom citizenship and become a citizen of Two Notes Kingdom, you might get promoted."

"Exceptional promotions for foreigners are rare."

Sun Lingtong continued analyzing, "Besides official positions, there are honorary titles."

"Becoming Shuang Jing’s retainer triples your efficiency. Dual cultivating with Mu Lan should give you at least ten times the efficiency, right?"

"Shuang Jing is just a royal relative of Two Notes Kingdom, but Mu Lan is the sole heir of the Upper General’s Mansion!"

Ning Zhuo nodded. "So, from that perspective, accepting Shuang Jing’s offer isn’t as good as accepting Mu Lan’s, right?"

Sun Lingtong blinked. "You make a good point."

"But Little Zhuo, I find it a bit strange."

"With your intelligence, you should’ve thought of the benefits of joining the Upper General’s Mansion and the rewards of National Power after making contributions."

"If that’s the case, why did you refuse dual cultivation before?"

"Your Three-Sect Supreme Techniques don’t require you to preserve your primal yang."

Ning Zhuo smiled wryly. "Boss, human hearts are fickle. How could I be an exception?"

"The previous ambush battle shook me to the core."

"You’re right. The battlefield is dangerous and full of crises. I should focus on improving myself as much as possible!"

"National Power is the best shortcut, and I must make the most of it."

"In Southern Bean Kingdom, the Zhu family wouldn’t reward me with National Power just because the Ning family opposed the Meng family."

"Only here in Two Notes Kingdom, with this war and the generous royal Shuang family, do I have such an opportunity."

As he spoke, Ning Zhuo’s gaze sharpened.

"So, I really only have two choices."

"Either absorb National Power solely with my Military Advisor title, or agree to dual cultivation and absorb National Power with at least ten times the efficiency."

"The compromise of becoming Shuang Jing’s retainer was never an option for me from the start!"

"Boss, what do you think I should choose?"

Sun Lingtong didn’t hesitate. "Close your eyes and pick the second option! Dual cultivation, dual cultivation—I want to see you dual cultivate!"

Sun Lingtong cheered excitedly, waving his arms.

Ning Zhuo smiled faintly. "Dual cultivation?"

"No way!"

"I only want the title of dual cultivation to indirectly gain the status of the Upper General’s Mansion’s son-in-law."

"Mu Lan dumped enemies on us before. If I help her clear her troubles through dual cultivation now, wouldn’t that be letting her off too easily?"

"Besides, while the Three-Sect Supreme Techniques don’t require primal yang, I only have one primal yang. It’s better to keep it than to lose it, right?"

Sun Lingtong grew even more excited. "Little Zhuo, you want all the benefits without giving anything in return. Not bad, not bad. I always said you’d fit right into the Empty Gate."

"Have you already come up with some sneaky plan in that big brain of yours?"

"Tell me, tell me!"

Ning Zhuo nodded. "I have some ideas. Boss, starting tomorrow, here’s what you should do..."

Sun Lingtong listened intently, nodding repeatedly, his eyes gleaming, a mischievous grin spreading across his childlike face.

After hearing everything, he looked at Ning Zhuo with admiration. "As expected of you, Little Zhuo. As expected of someone I trained, hehe!"

(End of )