: The Three Generals’ Dilemma

2025-01-02 Author: Gu Zhenren

: The Three Generals’ Dilemma

Grain route.

A stone sphere suddenly emerged from the ground, cackling wildly, "Scum of Liangzhu Kingdom, your Lord Stone is here! Hahaha!"

"Run! It's the Stone Monster!"

"He's attacking the supply convoy again!"

"You all go ahead, I'll hold him off!" The commander of the supply convoy, a Nascent Soul cultivator, charged forward on his horse to confront the Stone Monster.

The two clashed in a dazzling display of power, with golden flames raging and setting large swathes of the forest ablaze.

The Stone Monster’s demonic might was overwhelming. Though the Nascent Soul cultivator lost his mount and suffered severe injuries, he refused to retreat, showcasing the military valor of Liangzhu Kingdom. He held his ground until reinforcements arrived.

The Stone Monster remarked, "Tang Yan, is it? Mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, yet with such combat prowess. Not bad. I’ll remember you."

After this grudgingly respectful remark, the Stone Monster burrowed into the ground and retreated.

His earth遁术 was exceptionally skilled, leaving the Nascent Soul reinforcements from Liangzhu Kingdom with no choice but to sigh helplessly as they gazed at the mountainous terrain.

As a result, when the time came for the second distribution of provisions, Mu Lan still hadn’t received any supplies.

"Good, good, good!" Mu Lan laughed in fury, her eyes filled with mockery.

This time, to prevent her from causing trouble at the military granary, Sun Gan and Shuang Jing arrived together.

The former, with a cold expression, sternly rebuked Mu Lan, emphasizing that as a soldier, she must abide by military rules and follow orders, speaking with righteous indignation.

The latter, wearing a faint smile, gently persuaded Mu Lan to be patient and understand the nation’s difficulties. As the sole heir of the Mu General’s Manor, she should lead by example and demonstrate a willingness to sacrifice.

Mu Lan, only at the Golden Core stage, relied heavily on the Red Flower Battalion for her combat strength. Unable to match the Nascent Soul-level Sun Gan and Shuang Jing, she could only grit her teeth, clench her fists, and rush out of the city.

Returning to the Red Flower Battalion with deep guilt, she was surprised to find the entire camp in jubilation.

Upon looking, she discovered that a large shipment of provisions had arrived.

"Where did these military supplies come from?" Mu Lan asked, both surprised and curious. Upon inquiry, she learned it was the work of the Three Generals Battalion.

"Hey, Liu, Guan, and Zhang from the Three Generals Battalion are all broke. Who else could it be but Young Master Ning?" Zhang Zhongyi transmitted the message to Mu Lan via divine sense.

"Ning Zhuo..." Mu Lan was well aware of Liu, Guan, and Zhang’s circumstances and knew Zhang Zhongyi’s words were true.

A complex expression crossed her face, accompanied by confusion. "Since he refuses to dual cultivate with me, why is he treating me like this?"

Zhang Zhongyi sighed. "Young Master Ning Zhuo has already told me the reason—it’s General Liu Er."

"He fell for you at first sight and couldn’t bear to see you in distress or the Red Flower Battalion in danger. That’s why he stepped in so generously."

Mu Lan frowned immediately. "That half-breed’s improper intentions still persist? How disgusting!"

Zhang Zhongyi hurriedly advised, "General, we must prioritize the bigger picture. These provisions arrived just in time—they’re a lifeline for our Red Flower Battalion. If you let personal dislikes jeopardize the entire army again..."

Mu Lan let out a long sigh. "Uncle Zhang, don’t worry. Do you think I’d be so reckless?"

The Golden Halberd Army was stationed within Canglin Immortal City.

Commander’s Residence.

*Crash!*

A teacup was violently smashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Sun Gan, who had thrown the cup, was almost bursting with rage. "What is Liu Er thinking?"

"He’s just a half-breed! How dare he covet the General’s Seal? He doesn’t know his place!"

"Love at first sight with Mu Lan? Who does he think he’s fooling?"

"Shameless!"

Having Shuang Jing as a competitor was one thing. Sun Gan acknowledged Shuang Jing’s status and position, admitting the latter was a formidable rival.

But what was Liu Er? A mere mixed-blood, daring to compete?

Sun Gan felt insulted.

As he pondered how to retaliate against Liu Er, a subordinate reported that Shuang Jing, commander of the White Jade Battalion, had come to visit.

Sun Gan was momentarily stunned but quickly realized that Shuang Jing must have also learned about the Three Generals Battalion’s intervention in resolving the Red Flower Battalion’s crisis.

"Take him to the reception hall," Sun Gan ordered, immediately straightening his attire.

Soon, he arrived at the reception hall and met Shuang Jing.

Shuang Jing, with a smile on his face but ice in his tone, said, "General Sun, I’ll cut to the chase. I’m here about the Three Generals Battalion."

"Liu Er usually acts like an honest man, but who knew he’d be so cunning? He actually dares to try and snatch the General’s Seal right under our noses!"

"A half-breed, an outsider, daring to set his sights on Mu Lan? Utterly foolish."

"You and I should join forces to teach him and the Three Generals Battalion a lesson. Let him know that foolishness comes with a price!"

Without hesitation, Sun Gan agreed. "Deal!"

Thus, the two formed a secret alliance.

That afternoon.

Cultivators from the Three Generals Battalion, who had entered the city to purchase supplementary supplies, were robbed.

Not only were their goods stolen, but three lives were also lost.

Upon hearing the news, Liu Er was furious and immediately went to the Immortal City to seek the city lord’s help in apprehending the culprits.

In the evening, the Golden Halberd Army suddenly left the city for training and happened to cross paths with the Three Generals Battalion’s training unit.

"What are you looking at?"

"Looking at you! What about it?"

"Think you’re tough? Let’s settle this!"

A conflict erupted with a childish start.

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 brandished his Black Serpent Spear and attacked.

The Golden Core general initially held his own against Zhang Hei. But as Zhang Hei increased his intensity, the general suddenly withdrew his defense, allowing the Black Serpent Spear to pierce his body.

Zhang Hei was stunned.

Other Golden Core cultivators from the Golden Halberd Army seized the opportunity to rescue their severely injured comrade.

Realizing the situation was dire, Zhang Hei tried to speak, but Sun Gan suddenly appeared and struck.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, leading the well-trained and equipped Golden Halberd Army, Sun Gan was far beyond Zhang Hei and the Three Generals Battalion’s league.

Despite Zhang Hei’s resistance, the outcome was predetermined.

Zhang Hei was captured by Sun Gan.

After succeeding in their scheme, the Golden Halberd Army quickly returned to the city.

Three Generals Battalion.

"What?!" Guan Hong, upon hearing the tearful report from the escaped soldiers and learning of Zhang Hei’s capture, turned red with anger.

He instinctively stood up, gripping his Blood Dragon Blade.

But after stepping out of the tent, he forced himself to calm down. "This is bad!"

"Right now, Big Brother is at the city lord’s residence, and Third Brother is imprisoned by Sun Gan. If I charge in angrily, I’m no match for Sun Gan and will only make things worse. I might even burden Big Brother, forcing him to rescue one more person."

"I must endure and wait..."

*Swish!*

The next moment, a blinding white light flashed, forcing Guan Hong to shut his eyes.

An assassin!

Guan Hong instinctively blocked.

*Splat!*

His right arm was struck, a large chunk of flesh sliced off, revealing the pale bone beneath.

The Blood Dragon Blade hummed!

In the next instant, bloodlight filled the sky.

The assassin grunted, wounded, and vanished.

Guan Hong was left kneeling on the ground, leaning on the Blood Dragon Blade, his face a mask of shock and fury.

"Despicable!"

"These bastards..."

"This is bad!"

"If I was attacked here, what about the strategist?"

(End of )