: Delivery to Your Doorstep

The drinking session between Ning Zhuo and Liu Er didn't last long.

Because Liu Er was in a hurry to go train the soldiers of the Three Generals Camp.

Before leaving, he patted Ning Zhuo's shoulder: "Although I'd very much like to persuade you, Military Advisor, to focus on taking care of the Three Generals Camp."

"But on second thought, I really don't have the right to make such a request."

"Our progress to this day has all depended on you, Military Advisor."

"Since Shuang Jing showed no sincerity, I accept the proposal you made earlier!"

"I just hope that in the future, we can also smoothly separate from the Red Flower Camp."

Joining required Mu Lan's approval.

Similarly, if the Three Generals Camp wanted to break away from the Red Flower Camp in the future and become independent, they would also need Mu Lan's consent and report it to the imperial court, going through a series of procedures to succeed.

Ning Zhuo nodded: "I'll arrange this matter. I'll go discuss it with General Mu Lan. We can draw up a contract."

Liu Er laughed heartily: "No need for a contract. I trust you, Military Advisor."

After saying this, he flew away from the place.

Ning Zhuo watched Liu Er's retreating back until he disappeared among the mountains before withdrawing his gaze.

"Liu Er is really an interesting person," he transmitted his thoughts via divine sense, sighing to Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong, lying inside the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon, had overheard everything. Lying on the seat, hands behind his head: "Liu Er certainly has his methods."

"What he said was touching, but be careful, Xiao Zhuo."

"Until what he said is verified, it's better to remain skeptical."

Sun Lingtong added: "His reaction in Shuang Jing's tent is also worth pondering."

"I remember you told me before that you suspect—Liu Er has detection methods, he knows the situation of the Three Generals Camp inside out."

"Do you think it's possible—that Liu Er detected we were in the inner room just now when facing Shuang Jing?"

Ning Zhuo nodded: "Boss, I've thought of all that."

"I was just feeling emotional."

"I do have doubts, but deep down, I want to believe his words are true!"

Sun Lingtong was puzzled: "Ah, why is that?"

Ning Zhuo's eyes sparkled, with a hint of excitement: "From traveling since Fire Persimmon Immortal City until now, this is the first time I've met someone like him."

"He has his own aspirations!"

Sun Lingtong: "Wanting to establish a pure land free from discrimination? That's certainly a grand ambition, but maybe it's just a castle in the sky?"

"This goal is really too big. Even with his Golden Core cultivation, achieving it is far from enough."

"Even with Guan Hong and Zhang Hei's help, it's the same."

Ning Zhuo nodded: "That's why he's really interesting."

"His ambition is so lofty, realizing it is extremely difficult!"

"Liu Er's power is too weak compared to his ambition."

"But his conviction is so firm! I can feel that he himself deeply recognizes the difficulty of achieving his ambition. Yet, he still charges forward without hesitation."

"This attitude of advancing towards his goal, willing to throw everything he has into this endeavor, truly evokes sincere admiration and yearning."

Sun Lingtong found it even stranger: "If you put it that way, Xiao Zhuo, aren't you the same?"

"To resurrect your mother, you started traveling the world even at the Foundation Establishment level, throwing caution to the wind like that."

"You're much younger than Liu Er, so you're even more remarkable!"

In Sun Lingtong's heart, how could Liu Er or anyone else compare to his little brother.

But Ning Zhuo shook his head: "It's different, it's not the same!"

Today's drinking session greatly changed Ning Zhuo's impression of Liu Er.

From the beginning, Ning Zhuo only wanted to use Liu, Guan, and Zhang to conveniently mix into the Two Pillars Kingdom's expeditionary army, get to the front lines, and easily seize his mother's mechanical carriage.

So, although Ning Zhuo had funded Liu, Guan, and Zhang multiple times, with increasingly larger gestures, it was all part of his scheme.

To say he sincerely wanted to support Liu, Guan, and Zhang—that intention was very small.

Ultimately, Ning Zhuo's relationship with Liu, Guan, and Zhang was different. The latter three were sworn brothers, Ning Zhuo just happened to be there and guided the situation accordingly.

Just like Mu Lan schemed against Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo also schemed against Liu, Guan, and Zhang.

It was only after fighting side by side later that Ning Zhuo's comradely feelings with the three generals deepened continuously.

Including Liu Er's initial dislike for Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo somewhat sensed it. Ning Zhuo certainly didn't hold it against him.

From their conversation just now, Ning Zhuo could feel Liu Er's sincerity.

Liu Er's tragic experiences also resonated deeply with Ning Zhuo.

Liu Er's mother sacrificed herself for him, no different from Ning Zhuo's mother's choice.

Ning Zhuo didn't ask Liu Er why he didn't try to resurrect his mother.

Because the answer to this question was quite obvious—the sect near the mountain village, having set up so much, clearly wouldn't let the sacrificial offerings' souls fall into the underworld, leaving flaws.

So, Liu Er's mother had long since perished, body and soul, with no basis for resurrection at all.

"Perhaps precisely because of this, Liu Er developed his ambition to create a pure land."

"This ambition itself is a substitute for his inability to save his mother, a resistance against his own fate, dissatisfaction with the world, his unyielding cry, his angry roar!"

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but feel sympathy for Liu Er.

Resonance, sympathy, admiration, interest—all these emotions mixed together made Ning Zhuo feel an impulse.

He told Sun Lingtong about his impulse: "Boss, you might not believe it, but compared to Mu Lan, I'd rather support Liu Er."

"I really want to fight alongside him, to witness his struggles and efforts."

"I don't know why, but his ambition makes my blood boil!"

"Even though I'm pure human, not a half-demon at all."

Sun Lingtong shook his head repeatedly: "Xiao Zhuo, I feel like you're being foolish."

"Our support for Liu, Guan, and Zhang is just to increase the chances of obtaining your mother's relics."

"Do you want to join Liu Er in his struggle?"

Sun Lingtong shrugged: "I don't mind, it would surely be exciting too."

"But what about your mother?"

That simple question was like a bucket of ice water poured over Ning Zhuo's head.

Ning Zhuo was silent for a moment, then smiled wryly: "Boss, you're right."

"I have to save my mother first!"

Ning Zhuo let out a long sigh and turned to head for the Red Flower Camp.

Halfway there, Sun Lingtong suddenly said: "Careful! There's a cultivator hiding ahead."

When Ning Zhuo traveled outside, Sun Lingtong always controlled the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon, using its mechanisms for reconnaissance.

Without a second thought, Ning Zhuo immediately burst into a retreat, quickly putting distance between them.

But the next second, he heard a familiar voice: "Oh? My One Leaf Obscures the Eyes technique even fooled Meng Kui. Yet you saw through my concealment so easily, not bad."

Ning Zhuo retreated even faster!

The next moment, Lin Bufan revealed himself, taking out a token: "So young, yet meticulous and experienced, not bad."

"Little friend Ning, if you run any further, I'll have to take this batch of Jade Steel Heavy Armor and Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence back with me."

Hearing this and verifying the token was correct, Ning Zhuo finally stopped.

He happily ran back, cupping his hands in salute: "Sect Leader Lin, I never expected to see you at this time."

"Excellent!"

"The things you brought are exactly what I need most right now."

Lin Bufan stroked his beard: "Of course. Du Tiechuan truly lives up to being one of the few top generals of Two Pillars Kingdom. His actions are upright and proper, yet they force both allies and enemies to follow his arrangements."

"With this batch of Jade Steel Heavy Armor, after fully equipping the Red Flower Camp and Three Generals Camp, there will still be some left."

His words showed a deep understanding of Ning Zhuo's situation.

Ning Zhuo wasn't surprised at all.

From Lin Bufan's management of the Myriad Medicine Sect, it was clear the man was meticulous and thorough. Since he came to deliver goods this time, he would naturally hide and investigate first, only revealing himself after confirming everything was safe.

The two immediately proceeded with the handover.

The Jade Steel Heavy Armor had a simple, sturdy design, giving a sense of solidity. The armor surface emitted a jade-like luster, somewhere between azure and ink-black.

The top of the helmet was slightly raised, the faceplate part leaned forward a bit, with delicate talismans carved on both sides.

The chest plates were broad, covering a wide area, shaped like shields. The back was relatively flat, with deflection arrays on both sides of the back to ensure attacks from behind would be deflected and dispersed.

The shoulder armor was large and thick, rounded in shape, covering the shoulders.

The arm armor was designed for flexibility, the plates joined tightly without obvious seams.

The leg heavy armor was engraved with three layers of arrays, effects分别是 reducing weight, increasing agility, and helping cultivators recover stamina faster.

As for the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence, it was sealed inside a medicine bottle.

Ning Zhuo used his divine sense to penetrate it and saw a small human-shaped Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence sitting cross-legged, meditating like a cultivator.

He exclaimed in amazement: "This Fire Essence has such strong spirituality!"

Lin Bufan grunted in agreement: "Too many cultivators died in Fire Persimmon Mountain, allowing this Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence to take advantage, absorbing cultivators' spirituality, thus becoming extremely dangerous."

Ning Zhuo pondered: "Senior, capturing this must have involved many risks and been extremely difficult."

"The Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence itself is already hard to deal with."

"Not to mention, there's also Fire Persimmon Immortal City's City Lord Meng Kui!"

Lin Bufan: "You're right…"

He then briefly recounted to Ning Zhuo how he helped Ning Jiufan and participated in competing for the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence.

Ning Zhuo bowed, sincerely thanking Lin Bufan.

Lin Bufan reached out, helping him up虚扶起来: "Little friend Ning, what you've accomplished is no small matter either."

"I truly didn't expect that after arriving in Two Pillars Kingdom, you'd become the son-in-law of the Upper General's residence."

Ning Zhuo smiled wryly, looking somewhat embarrassed: "Allow me to report the details."

Lin Bufan had already inquired about much himself, but was still curious about the inside story.

After hearing Ning Zhuo's account, he digested it for a moment, then stroked his beard and sighed: "Little friend Ning, your fortune is extraordinary. Such coincidences and twists of fate ended up making you the biggest beneficiary."

"In my opinion, you might as well stay in Two Pillars Kingdom for a while, establish your identity firmly at General Mu's residence."

Lin Bufan was quite happy to hear this news.

He knew his daughter Lin Shanshan had feelings for Ning Zhuo.

But as a father, Lin Bufan would rather pair his eldest disciple Linghu Jiu with his precious daughter.

Now that Ning Zhuo and Mu Lan were married, in Lin Bufan's view, it was a happy event!

Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I already agreed with General Mu Lan that after this war, I will leave Two Pillars Kingdom."

"General Mu's residence may be good, but I have no fortune to stay there."

Lin Bufan slightly shook his head: "In that case, it's truly a pity."

Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to persuade Lin Bufan to stay temporarily and participate in the upcoming battle. Currently, Two Pillars Kingdom clearly held the advantage; if they captured a few Giant Wood Mountains, there would surely be plenty of spoils, including many herbs.

Lin Bufan chuckled, pointing at Ning Zhuo's nose: "Good lad, still the same as ever."

"Trying to trick me into helping in the war?"

"Haha, I won't fall for your scheme."

"My Myriad Medicine Sect belongs to Southern Bean Kingdom. For an Nascent Soul level cultivator like me to sneak near the Two Pillars Kingdom army already breaks many rules."

"To then help you in the upcoming battle would be going too far."

"Don't mention this again. Take care, I'm off."

After saying this, Lin Bufan waved his sleeve, flew into the sky, and quietly departed, very decisively.

Ning Zhuo carefully stored the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence and checked the Jade Steel Heavy Armor again.

Inside the Thousand-Mile Roaming Dragon, Sun Lingtong was also happy for Ning Zhuo: "Xiao Zhuo, we originally wanted to manufacture military supplies to sell here. Who knew the first batch of heavy armor would be so fitting!"

Ning Zhuo was also delighted: "It was a lucky coincidence."

"I was more looking forward to the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence before, but the Jade Steel Heavy Armor makes me even happier."

With this batch of heavy armor, he no longer needed to make a choice; he had a better support plan for both the Three Generals Camp and the Red Flower Camp.

Ning Zhuo arrived at the Red Flower Camp.

No announcement was needed; Mu Lan immediately received him.

"I bring good news," Ning Zhuo said to Mu Lan with a smile, his attitude casual.

Mu Lan also laughed: "What a coincidence, husband, I also have good news to tell you."

Ning Zhuo's expression tightened slightly: "General Mu Lan, just call me Ning Zhuo."

Mu Lan readily complied: "Alright, husband."

Ning Zhuo sighed helplessly, first taking out the Jade Steel Heavy Armor.

Mu Lan's eyes lit up. After inspection, she commented: "The quality is inferior, but the materials are solid, enough to pass the review platform assessment."

This batch of Jade Steel Heavy Armor came from the Ning branch family. Given the branch's current forging standards, it was indeed inferior.

Mu Lan also took out a set of heavy armor and handed it to Ning Zhuo: "As I told you before, this is the Hundred-Armed Luohan Armor used by Tang Jifeng."

Mechanical heavy armor!

Ning Zhuo's eyes immediately shone, excitedly stepping forward, hands stroking the armor's surface.

"Excellent, truly excellent!"

Seeing Ning Zhuo so delighted, his gaze glued to the mechanical armor, Mu Lan knew this gift had hit the mark, it was the right choice!

(End of )