" General Lan has returned quite early this time."
" General Tian seems to have a lot of free time."
The leaders of the two armies met again at the pass. Although their tone was calm, anyone with discerning eyes could smell the strong tension between them!
Tian Heng looked at the other person with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. He himself had not awakened any memories, so he figured he didn't have any past life. He had heard about the cruel environment of the Yin-Yang Road, and that to have a past life, one either needed an extremely powerful background or exceptionally good luck.
Lan Shang's family is not good. According to the old rules, the Lan Family can only be a count family for the next ten generations. They are vassals of the Xiao Household. The reason they can have the title of count is because they sided with a good family head.
Only now do I realize that the other party is the true aristocrat.
It's likely that he was the chosen one many years ago.
However, he was very curious about the mindset of someone who suddenly awakens memories of past lives. Do they really not care about this life at all?
The Emperor of the Xiao Household values him so highly, even granting him the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Army—a position many established families with long histories couldn't secure. Does he really not care about this level of recognition and favor?
"I'm not as free as Lord Lan," Tian Heng said with a smile. "You still have time to wander around? The Eldest Princess came by before, did Lord Lan receive the news?"
Upon hearing this, Lan Shang's pupils contracted slightly, and he almost instinctively looked around warily.
This scene made Tian Heng's heart grow even colder.
He showed no surprise, not even the slightest respect; all he felt was wariness and a hint of malice!
The kindness shown to him by the Xiao Household is probably nothing at all in his eyes now.
What about those awakened individuals within their own faction?
Of the hundreds of thousands of men in the West Sea Army, some were naturally influenced by the Buddha's light, including two newly appointed vice-generals. This made Tian Heng extremely wary. Even someone like Lan Shang, who had received such a great favor, did not hesitate to harbor thoughts of betrayal. Were his own men truly still loyal?
Can I still trust them?
This is only what has already been revealed; how much more is lurking in the shadows, we have no idea.
If Chen Qing doesn't return soon, the situation in Jiangnan might really collapse.
"His Highness returned without writing to me beforehand?" Lan Shang said quietly, "That's strange. Where is His Highness?"
"I heard that Lord Lan went to Great Azure Mountain, so I went to look for you. Did Lord Lan?" Tian Heng asked, feigning surprise.
Lan Shang: "."
The leaders of the new army were well aware of the Princess's abilities. Not only was her command ability top-notch, but her personal strength was also terrifying. Even the evil spirit within them had said that the Princess's strength was comparable to that of King Xiang, making her a top-tier figure.
When she arrived here, her first instinct wasn't to take over the army, but to come looking for herself. What did she want?
Did she find out?
Thinking of this, Lan Shang's eyes grew even colder.
Seeing the other party's expression, Tian Heng sneered inwardly, but on the surface he smiled and said, "It's alright. If you miss it, I'll just have the Mountain God of Great Azure Mountain inform His Highness. General Lan, please wait a couple of days; His Highness should be able to arrive soon."
"Then thank you very much, General Tian." Lan Shang smiled and bowed, saying, "Your Highness's arrival was sudden, without any prior notice. Did you inform Brother Tian that there was anything urgent?"
"It must be something very urgent," Tian Heng said seriously. "Your Highness did indeed arrive in a great hurry. It's said she rode here at top speed. Even the fastest bird couldn't match her speed on her dragon steed. Giving her advance notice wouldn't have made much difference."
Lan Shang nodded slightly upon hearing this. This explanation made sense. If they had arrived immediately, then there would have been no need for Fei Niao to notify them.
"As for what happened, I can't inquire further. I've only heard that there seems to be some turmoil in the capital, and the Princess has come here to safely lead the army back to the capital."
"I see." Lan Shang rubbed his fingers together, clearly a cunning man in his past life. Even sensing danger, he remained calm, feigning anxiety. "What? Trouble has broken out in the capital? Is His Majesty alright?"
"His Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, a rare emperor in ten thousand years. How could anything happen to him?" Tian Heng said with a smile. " General Lan, there's no need to be nervous. I have already informed the Mountain God, and the eldest princess has received the message. Even if she has to travel by water, she will be back in two days at most. Just wait patiently."
"Then I will trouble General Tian." Lan Shang bowed gratefully.
"No, no."
The two exchanged forced smiles and probing glances, chatting for nearly half an hour before Lan Shang finally left Cheng Pass and hurried towards his military camp.
" Laoda, what do we do now?"
After Lan Shang left, his subordinates hurriedly asked.
"Keep a close eye on him!" Tian Heng said coldly. "Notify the men below to maintain a state of war at all times. Double the number of people on night watch and be ready to receive orders at any time."
" Laoda, is that guy surnamed Lan going to make a move?"
"He has no choice but to take action!" Tian Heng sneered. "Otherwise, once the Eldest Princess returns, she will definitely target him directly, and he will certainly make a move."
"Isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to pressure him like this? Why don't we wait for the Princess to return before informing him?"
"The news of the Princess's arrival can no longer be concealed," Tian Heng said quietly. "Those affected by the Buddhist light are not only the imperial army, but also our people."
The lieutenant was taken aback, then gasped, " Laoda, you mean..."
"We must prepare for the worst," Tian Heng sighed. "The Princess's intelligence cannot be concealed. Whether I tell her or not, she will take action. As long as she takes action, we can take her down legitimately. The imperial army already covets Jiangnan. As long as I control the army, even if the Princess returns, I will have a legitimate reason to take at least half of her people!"
The lieutenant's eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn't expected his Laoda to be so ruthless, actually setting his sights on the imperial army!
"The risk is huge, but we have no other choice. Jiangnan is currently short of troops; if we don't find a solution, I'm afraid the Shen Family inside won't be able to hold out."
"I don't quite understand, but Laoda, what should we do?"
"You're like this all night."
--
"General, is the news true? Has the Princess really come?"
Beside Lan Shang was the deputy general who had accompanied him to the Buddhist temple. The two were now quite close, as coincidentally, they had been superior and subordinate in their previous lives.
"This news is definitely true. Tian Heng has quite a few people under his command who are influenced by the Buddha's light. If he lies, the information will naturally be revealed."
"Then what do we do?" The lieutenant was somewhat anxious. Even if they regained their powers from their previous lives, they might not be a match for the princess, let alone now.
"We have to move the plan forward. We need to take control of the army, break out, and coordinate with the Heavenly Python outside to first break through the Jiangnan pass. Once things get chaotic, we can head straight north, find a good pass, and no matter how strong the Xiao Household siblings are, without an army they're just rootless duckweed, unable to amount to anything!"
"But the Buddha wants us to take over Jiangnan."
"Given the current situation, it would be good enough to just maintain control of the army, let alone take over Jiangnan." Lan Shang rolled his eyes. "The situation is constantly changing; how can a plan remain static?"
"As long as the army is in our hands, we have value. The Buddha will understand this."
"So, tonight then?"
"Tonight!!!"