My fortune this time is truly not bad,” Ning Zhuo expressed from the bottom of his heart.

Liu Er主动 volunteered, shouldering much of the hostility and harm, allowing Ning Zhuo to follow closely and reach the final battle.

At the moment of decisive victory, he utilized the Technique of Valiant Return to secure the ultimate triumph in one fell swoop.

Most marvelously, from beginning to end, Ning Zhuo concealed his true intentions. All competitors, even Mu Lan herself, believed Ning Zhuo had no interest in this position, only compelled by circumstances at the very end to reluctantly agree.

Sun Lingtong exclaimed in admiration, “Little Zhuo, you are truly a talent for the righteous path!”

He was the only one who knew the inside story.

Thus, even though Ning Zhuo achieved the greatest victory, he did not become the target of all, but instead maintained good relationships with most people. In fact, conversely, these individuals owed Ning Zhuo a significant favor.

For Ning Zhuo, Mu Lan had to stabilize him, stabilize the name of husband and wife, in order to gain more time to build her achievements.

For the Three Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang, Ning Zhuo was the money bag of the Three Generals’ Camp; they needed to maintain a good relationship with Ning Zhuo even more.

Shuang Jing and Sun Gan regarded Ning Zhuo with complex emotions, mostly envy and jealousy.

Ultimately, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator had reaped such a great benefit.

The one who should hate Ning Zhuo the most was Ma Liangcai. It was because of Ning Zhuo that his efforts went to naught. However, such resentment was greatly reduced due to Ning Zhuo’s public agreement with Mu Lan to “certainly dissolve the marriage.”

“You lucky rascal, don’t get cocky after getting such a good deal!” The Emissary from the Royal Capital raised his head, scrutinizing Ning Zhuo with an air of condescension.

Ning Zhuo quickly explained that the true reason for his desire to dissolve the marriage was absolutely not because he looked down upon the Two-Zhuyin Nation, and he also held great respect for the household of the Senior General Mu. It was simply that he had to be responsible to his family and provide a clear explanation to the Zhu family, the royal house of the Southern Bean Nation.

Involving the royal house of another nation, and one significantly stronger than the Two-Zhuyin Nation, the Emissary from the Royal Capital’s arrogant expression softened considerably.

The others grew even more speechless.

In their view: the one who desired it did not get it, while the one who did not want it became the son-in-law of the Senior General Mu’s household.

“Fate, ah…” Shuang Jing sighed, looking up at the sky.

Sun Gan remained silent, already contemplating his future path.

This time, he had taken action against Ma Liangcai and also damaged his relationship with the Red Blossom Camp, suffering significant losses. Now, he could only hope to achieve merit on the main battlefield.

Otherwise, upon returning to the Royal Capital, he would surely face unpleasant consequences!

“Come, Young Master Ning Zhuo, while everyone is present to bear witness, let us conclude the marriage contract here!” Mu Lan was very concerned about Ning Zhuo experiencing twists and turns or changes of heart, and was eager to finalize these matters.

This marriage contract held too much significance for her, and for the entire Senior General Mu’s household; she dared not be careless.

The Emissary from the Royal Capital nodded, “Indeed, conclude the marriage contract, and this matter will be settled. I can then return to report to the King.”

Liu Er opened his mouth to speak, but after his throat bobbed, he could only watch with wide eyes as Ning Zhuo and Mu Lan finalized the marriage contract.

The moment the marriage contract was sealed, he felt as though he had suddenly stepped into thin air, a complete emptiness within him, feeling that he had missed the most precious treasure of his life.

Truth be told, although his pursuit of Mu Lan was largely for personal gain, deep down, there was indeed a flicker of admiration.

Now, as he looked at Ning Zhuo again, a wave of disgust and hatred surged within him.

Liu Er quickly shook his head, as if to shake off this negative emotion.

“Liu Er, ah Liu Er, what are you thinking?”

“None of this is what Ning Zhuo wanted either.”

“In fact, the strategist has been helping me throughout, but due to a series of unfortunate coincidences, this outcome resulted.”

“His ability to defeat Ma Liangcai was due to the latter being at the end of his rope. Moreover, Ning Zhuo employed the peculiar military technique of Valiant Return.”

As Liu Er pondered, the negative emotions in his heart grew more and more.

“Damn it, why was the final victor not me?”

So vexed!

He had worked so hard throughout, but the one who reaped the rewards was someone else.

“If Ning Zhuo had cast the Technique of Valiant Return on me earlier, wouldn’t I have become the final winner?”

“No, he had made it very clear before. He hadn’t fully mastered this military technique; casting it rashly, if it failed, would result in a severe backlash.”

“Therefore, he only risked attempting it at the very end, and the attempt succeeded.”

“So, if I’m to blame, I can only blame my bad luck!”

Still so vexed!

“I hold the King’s command, why would my luck be bad?”

“Having achieved this result, how am I to report to my teacher?”

“In fact, it is true that the Three Generals’ Camp ultimately won. It’s just that my identity is being excluded; if I weren’t a half-demon, I could have entered into a marriage contract with Mu Lan!”

The more Liu Er thought, the angrier he became, and he couldn’t help but clench his fists, almost grinding his steel teeth to powder.

Guan Hong and Zhang Hei were somewhat awkward. On one side was the strategist, and on the other was their sworn brother. The two were vying for a woman, and the strategist, this young man, won, and not even willingly.

This situation was truly complicated for the two strong men.

“Esteemed seniors, please stay your steps. Now that the dispute has reached a conclusion, regardless, stability is better than chaos.”

“This is a joyous occasion.”

“Why don’t I play host and arrange a banquet in the city to entertain all of you!”

“Firstly, the great war is imminent, and we must rely on each other to face the formidable enemy. Secondly, I will eventually dissolve the marriage with General Mu Lan and wish to become friends with everyone, not enemies. My purpose in joining the army this time is merely to seek revenge against the Six Caves Sect,”

“and to seek justice for my Ning family.”

Ning Zhuo proposed, a bitter smile on his face.

Clad in white, though only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he possessed the demeanor of a prominent family, responding with ease, even when conversing with cultivators at the Core Formation or Nascent Soul level.

He was sufficiently confident to host a banquet.

How to describe it?

One can only say, from head to toe, he exuded the style of the righteous path!

Ma Liangcai shook his head, “No need!”

He refused without hesitation.

He had undertaken this journey bearing the King’s command, but had not completed the task properly. In this situation, if he were to agree to Ning Zhuo’s invitation to stay and drink, what would that imply?

It would be tantamount to telling the King that he, Ma Liangcai, had not diligently performed his duty, and perhaps had even accepted bribes from Ning Zhuo.

For Ma Liangcai, the most correct course of action was to immediately return to the Royal Capital, seek an audience with the King, and personally plead for forgiveness!

For a famous general like him, one or two failures were not significant, but if he damaged his image in the King’s heart, it would be extremely detrimental.

The Emissary from the Royal Capital similarly refused Ning Zhuo’s invitation.

However, Shuang Jing and Sun Gan agreed.

These two parties had previously damaged their relationship with the Red Blossom Camp by trying to involve themselves with the Senior General’s household. This time, since Ning Zhuo had proactively stepped forward and provided a stepping stone, they were happy to descend the ladder and, with Ning Zhuo’s help, ease the tensions with the Red Blossom Camp once again.

Such is the way of the righteous path.

One moment they are fighting, the next they can reconcile.

Often, interests determine one’s stance.

Given that the great war was imminent, these armies had to help each other to achieve greater military merits.

With Shuang Jing and Sun Gan agreeing, Liu, Guan, and Zhang naturally had no reason to refuse. Mu Lan felt inwardly repulsed, but also understood that Ning Zhuo’s action was wise, and thus followed along.

Ning Zhuo was not stingy; he immediately chose the most luxurious restaurant in Canglin Immortal City and ordered a banquet of high规格.

This single banquet cost him over ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones!

One must understand that a Core Formation cultivator’s normal monthly income was only between three thousand and eight thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Core Formation cultivators with lower incomes would have annual profits of around thirty or forty thousand.

Ning Zhuo spending over ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones on a single meal truly caused some shock among others.

Mu Lan’s expression was complex; she had many things she wanted to say, but forcefully held back.

How much better it would be to use this money to distribute military pay to the Red Blossom Camp!

“Young friend Ning Zhuo is truly a descendant of a prominent family,” Shuang Jing remarked. He himself was usually so generous, but not now; the White Jade Camp had suffered too great a loss in the ambush battle.

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily, “This time, I wrote to my family, allowing me more authority to use more resources.”

“And seeking revenge against the Six Caves Sect is my primary objective.”

“In the upcoming great war, I look forward to cooperating with all of you seniors to conquer the Thousand Peaks Forest.”

Sun Gan nodded, very satisfied with Ning Zhuo’s awareness, and immediately followed the thread of the conversation to express his position: “Indeed, the Thousand Peaks Forest is our common goal, and also the source of our military merits!”

Ning Zhuo slapped the table, stood up, raised his wine cup high, and impromptu recited a poem.

“Golden goblet of fine wine invites the heroes, past grievances and old hatreds can all dissipate.”

“United in hatred against the enemy, we shall conquer the Thousand Peaks, and spill blood on the battlefield to earn merit.”

“Everyone, let us drain this cup!”

Having spoken, Ning Zhuo tilted his head back and poured all the fine wine in his cup into his mouth.

Everyone quickly exchanged glances, raised their cups in response, and drained them!

The atmosphere thus opened up and gradually grew lively under Ning Zhuo’s guidance.

Ning Zhuo sat in the main seat, with Mu Lan in the副位.

During the banquet, Mu Lan couldn’t help but frequently cast her gaze upon the eloquent Ning Zhuo.

Although compelled by circumstances to acknowledge this “little husband,” at this moment, Mu Lan saw a trace of her father in Ning Zhuo.

Sometimes, the wine table is also a different kind of battlefield.

The role Ning Zhuo played at this time was one that Mu Lan could not. His easing of relations with Shuang Jing, Sun Gan, and others also represented the Red Blossom Camp’s easing of contradictions with the White Jade Camp and the Golden Halberd Army. Mu Lan deeply knew this was a wise move! Therefore, she was happy to see it happen.

Liu Er felt very uncomfortable!

The fine wine had become bitter wine; Ning Zhuo’s spirited demeanor constantly bred negative emotions in his heart.

Liu Er forcefully endured, telling himself that Ning Zhuo was not his enemy, but one of his own! One must be magnanimous.

He saw Mu Lan’s expression as she gazed at Ning Zhuo, and his heart clenched fiercely.

He was angry again!

He had to shift his gaze, looking at his second and third brothers, only to find Guan Hong and Zhang Hei with complex expressions, quite constrained.

Liu Er’s heart trembled slightly, and he immediately realized this situation was not right.

“The deed is done, it is difficult to undo. We cannot allow the second and third brothers to become estranged from the strategist.”

“The strategist is the money bag of our Three Generals’ Camp; if there is internal strife, the combat power of the Three Generals’ Camp will be greatly weakened!”

This was not what Liu Er wanted to see.

Liu Er then privately transmitted divine sense, telling Guan and Zhang to relax. His pursuit of Mu Lan was merely an excuse of “love at first sight”; his true purpose was to establish alliances, to break free from his half-blood identity, and to use the Senior General’s household to become a high-ranking official and gain connections in the imperial court.

“Now, the strategist being chosen as the husband is also a victory for our Three Generals’ Camp!”

“In terms of outcome, we have defeated Shuang Jing, Sun Gan, and even Ma Liangcai; we have achieved a great victory!”

Under Liu Er’s encouragement, Zhang Hei’s tense face became animated. Guan Hong’s movements were no longer stiff; he slowly stroked his beard.

The restaurant waiter presented the final main course.

Upon lifting the lid, there were raging flames.

The flames burned fiercely, and a strong aroma spread, quickly filling the entire room.

Curiously, the chicken meat remained completely intact within the flames.

When the flames extinguished, everyone could see that it was not chicken meat, but bird meat.

Shuang Jing’s expression was complex; he sighed and said, “This is a dish made with the Fire Feather Perched Branch Bird as the main ingredient, named ‘Flaming Fragrance Arrives’!”

“Using dried chili, star anise, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, orange peel, purple cabbage, pepper, sea salt, etc., as auxiliary ingredients, and seasoning with soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, and juice squeezed from oranges.”

“Using a magical technique, spiritual fire is used to burn, causing the auxiliary ingredients and seasoning to completely permeate the bird meat, thoroughly becoming one.”

“The Fire Feather Bird meat itself is tough and tasteless, but after this roasting, it undergoes a dramatic change, becoming an unforgettable delicacy!”

Everyone tasted it one after another, full of praise.

The rich layers of flavors such as spicy, fragrant, sweet, and numbing created a powerful impact on the tongue.

This was the interweaving of fire and fragrance!

The bird meat was made even more tender and smooth by the honey coating, and the baking and flame sauce complemented each other perfectly, conveying a sense of elevation from the ordinary to the extraordinary to the diners.

Liu Er and Guan Hong were experiencing such luxury for the first time. As they savored it, complex emotions surged within their hearts.

Shuang Jing ate the bird meat, looked at Ning Zhuo, his expression complex, and softly chanted:

“Feathers red like flames illuminate the setting sun,”

“Fragrance permeates bone marrow, intoxicating the heart.”

“When will the ordinary bird perch and transform,”

“Flying to the clouds, displaying chapters of glory.”

This poem was both about the dish, about Ning Zhuo, and even about himself.

Having finished reciting, this noble young master drained the wine in his cup and stood up in low spirits.

“I am drunk.”

“Farewell, everyone.”

He turned and left, stepping directly over the windowsill, onto a light cloud, his wide sleeves fluttering, alone and solitary, merging into the night.

Shuang Jing’s poem completely dissolved the atmosphere of the wine table.

The guests rose one after another and took their leave.

Ning Zhuo also wanted to leave with Liu, Guan, and Zhang, but was pulled back by Mu Lan.

“Young Master Ning Zhuo,

It is late; why not return to the Red Blossom Camp with me?”

“I will impart the ‘Profound Gold Armor-Breaking Technique’ to you.”

Liu Er was just about to descend the stairs when he heard this and his footsteps paused.

Guan Hong and Zhang Hei also stopped, turning to look at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo cupped his hands to Mu Lan, “General Mu Lan, I have no interest in the ‘Profound Gold Armor-Breaking Technique.’ Becoming your husband was merely a twist of fate, compelled by circumstances.”

“I am the Military Advisor of the Three Generals’ Camp!”

“The night is deepening, General should also rest early and recover from her injuries. Farewell.”

Having spoken, the white-clad young strategist turned his back without looking, met the pleased and admiring gazes of the Three Generals, and joined them.

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