There Is Always Someone Better (Thanks to Invincible Chu Tianxing for the Recommendation Vote~)

Night.

City Lord's Mansion, banquet hall.

Owens raised his wine cup, walked over to Zhao Yun, and said with a sigh, "There is always someone better, and there are always heights beyond the heavens!

"The bottleneck in my spear technique that had troubled me for half a year broke through immediately after your guidance!

"Not only is your soul power stronger than mine, but your attainments and understanding of spear techniques are far deeper as well!"

Zhao Yun modestly waved his hand. "They were merely a few words from experience. If they could help the general, that is naturally for the best."

After all, he had lived sixty or seventy years in his previous life.

Owens, meanwhile, was only in his forties. Naturally, he could not compare to Zhao Yun in terms of experience with the spear.

Yet Owens still toasted him. "No, no, no! If not for your guidance, even if I studied it for several more years, it would have been difficult for me to make a breakthrough.

"Because of your help, I saved at least several years of time!

"This shows just how important a good teacher truly is!"

Zhao Yun took the opportunity to say, "In that case, should we discuss the matter of the 'wager'?"

Owens froze for a moment, then dismissed the others. He sat down beside Zhao Yun's table and asked in a low voice, "The Pelagi Kingdom is now impoverished, and its people are suffering beyond endurance.

"So every so often, some people with ulterior motives incite peasant uprisings!

"But most of those who rise up are ordinary people. Before they can cause much of a stir, they are suppressed.

"Yet things have been different lately... Some time ago, I vaguely sensed powerful soul power fluctuations south of Langya City.

"But every time I left the city to investigate, those fluctuations vanished.

"Please tell me honestly, were those soul power fluctuations connected to you?"

Zhao Yun had not expected this Soul King's perception to be so sharp.

When he took control of the three villages of Peng Village, he had indeed released his soul power rather frequently.

Moreover, those villages were closer to Langya City, so it was not strange that someone at the Soul King level had sensed it.

Since they had already spoken this plainly, Zhao Yun did not deny it in order to show his sincerity. "You guessed correctly. It was indeed related to me—to our Shu-Han Empire!"

Seeing Zhao Yun admit it, Owens was not overly surprised. Instead, he seemed to let out a slight sigh of relief.

He could sense that those soul power fluctuations had been extremely powerful!

Coupled with how easily Zhao Yun had defeated him in their spar today, it was clear that Zhao Yun's strength was at least that of a seven-ringed Soul Sage, perhaps even higher!

And in their Pelagi Kingdom, the strongest person was merely a Soul Sage!

Owens finally asked, "Are you the strongest person in your Shu-Han Empire?"

Zhao Yun chuckled and shook his head under Owens's astonished gaze. "Of course not. There is another... no, there are many people who can stand shoulder to shoulder with me, or are even stronger than I am!"

Looking at Zhao Yun's certain expression, Owens felt that he did not seem to be lying.

If that was the case, then this Shu-Han Empire was not merely stronger than the Pelagi Kingdom.

It might even be qualified to challenge the two great empires of Heaven Dou and Star Luo?

If that was truly so... then the sky over Pelagi really was due for a change!

With a resolute gaze, Owens dropped to one knee before Zhao Yun. "Please give your orders, sir. So long as it can protect the innocent people of Pelagi, I am willing to serve you!"

Zhao Yun hurriedly helped Owens up, a clear smile appearing on his handsome face. "Please rise, General! With your aid, our Shu-Han Empire will surely prosper!"

Owens laughed heartily. "You flatter me. I am merely a humble Soul King.

"Those who can truly influence the overall situation must be people like you... Uh, may I ask what realm you are in?"

Zhao Yun answered with a faint smile, "Title Douluo."

"Title..."

Although he had already suspected it, Owens still gaped in shock upon hearing Zhao Yun's true realm!

He had actually competed in spear techniques with a Title Douluo? And even received his guidance?

Zhao Yun could clearly have used strength far beyond Owens's to suppress him by force, yet he had still chosen the gentlest way to communicate with him.

That was enough to show Zhao Yun's sincerity, as well as his desire not to harm the innocent.

Otherwise, if a Title Douluo went all out, he could easily destroy half a city!

After learning Zhao Yun's true strength, Owens immediately changed how he addressed him. "This humble one greets Lord Title Douluo..."

Zhao Yun patted his shoulder. "There is no need for that, General. If you do not mind, you may simply call me Zilong...

"Uh, Zilong is another name for me."

This world had no custom of taking courtesy names, so he used an explanation Owens could understand.

Owens had not expected this Title Douluo to have no airs whatsoever.

Moved, he became even more certain of his decision. "General Zilong, what should I do now?"

Only then did Zhao Yun's expression turn serious. "With your current prestige, can you make all the generals and soldiers under your command obey your orders?"

After thinking for a moment, Owens replied, "The ten thousand soldiers within the city are no problem, but the twenty thousand troops stationed outside the city are separately commanded by five Soul Ancestor-level regiment commanders.

"Two of those commanders are my confidants, so they will naturally obey my orders.

"But the other three were sent by the king to keep me in check.

"Under normal circumstances, they will obey my commands.

"However, if I ask them to betray Pelagi and join the Shu-Han Empire with me, they will most likely be unwilling."

A glint of murderous intent appeared in Zhao Yun's eyes. "Then as long as those three Soul Ancestors are dealt with, the soldiers under their command will have no choice but to obey your orders, correct?"

Owens nodded. "Even if some soldiers are unwilling, they can only follow the crowd and obey their officers' commands. They cannot decide their own fate."

Zhao Yun immediately stood up. "Tell me their names and appearances. I will deal with them right away!"

Owens hurriedly grabbed him. "Do not rush, General! If you attack them in the military camp, it may very well cause unrest and a mutiny among the soldiers.

"Tomorrow at noon, I will invite them to my residence for drinks.

"When the time comes, General, you may subdue or assassinate all three of them.

"Then, with a suitable excuse, I will be able to easily take control of the soldiers under their command."

After hearing Owens's plan, Zhao Yun also felt that they could not act too hastily.

Killing three people would be easy, but winning over people's hearts was not something strength alone could accomplish.

Thus, he nodded in agreement. "We will do as you say. However, I do have a good idea..."

The next day at noon.

At Owens's invitation, five figures arrived at the City Lord's Mansion together.

Among them were Owens's two trusted subordinates.

If he had invited only the other three Soul Ancestor regiment commanders, they might have grown suspicious.

But inviting all five made it seem perfectly normal.

The five sat down in the banquet hall. Owens, seated in the place of honor, suddenly clapped his hands.

A tall man dressed as a servant carried a tray over and placed it on the table before Owens.

On the tray lay two magnificent pieces of jade, radiating dazzling light!

Owens said to everyone, "Yesterday, I obtained two unusual pieces of jade of considerable value from a distinguished guest.

"Keeping this jade on one's person can greatly increase the speed of soul power cultivation!

"Unfortunately, there are five of you. Grey and Engel, the two of you will not participate.

"As for the remaining three regiment commanders, which two of you do you think I should gift these two pieces of jade to?"