"Uncle Tian."
Just as Tian Liang and Tian Heng were organizing a large number of the West Sea Army to collect the pills, a group of high-ranking West Sea Army were already secretly discussing their plans.
"The commander-in-chief this time..." The first middle-aged man to speak hesitated, but was clearly extremely anxious.
"He went too far this time!" The speaker was Tian Yusheng, a member of a collateral branch of the Tian Household. He was now considered one of the most respected elders in the Tian Household. After all, he was the only remaining descendant of Tian Heng's lineage. Although they were called collateral branches, they were actually the direct descendants of the Tian Household.
"He's planning to abandon us all for his own future," Tian Yusheng said with a gloomy expression.
"If he's unrighteous, he can't blame us for being unjust," said another tall, burly man. Anyone in the Tian Household Army would recognize him; his Wu You, the current head of the Wu Family family, the largest affiliated family of the Tian Household. After the deaths of several of the most prominent deputy generals in the previous incident, he took their place and became one of the most powerful deputy generals in the Tian Household Army, instantly enjoying a significant increase in benefits.
Just when things were going very well, before he could enjoy it for long, he was faced with his subordinates leaving. How could he not be furious?
"Guys, back then, we all followed him wholeheartedly. Whatever he said, we believed. When he joined the Xiao Household, the risks were enormous, but did any of you brothers say anything? Didn't you all just blindly follow him and rush in?"
"Later, he sided with Chen Qing. Originally, we all held titles in the court and belonged to the orthodox nobility. There was absolutely no need for us to take this risk. But what happened? Nobody said a word. He led us to Jiangnan, and everyone rolled up their sleeves and worked alongside him."
"How could an outsider like him become a top figure in the Jiangnan military? How could he rival Xu Hu? Why did Chen Qing not only give him the resources of the Southeast Commandery, but also the aquatic resources of the West Sea Dragon Palace? Was it because of him personally?"
"It's all thanks to the brothers supporting him. Without our large family network, without this influence, what does he think he has to rely on?"
"Well, now that you've made your share of the profits, you're complaining that the brothers are in your way?"
"Exactly!" the others chimed in.
"These days, I'm sure I'm not the only one dreaming about my past life, am I?" Wu You said softly.
Upon hearing this, everyone present turned into a strange expression.
It was fine to say that before, but it's a bit sensitive to say that now. The whole of Southern Capital is resisting the Buddha Kingdom, saying that these Buddhist temples are disturbing people's hearts. But even so, it would be a lie to say that I don't have any thoughts when I dream of those once glorious past lives.
"There's no need for us to hold back," Wu You sneered. "With our talents, if we weren't born into such circumstances, what would we be lacking compared to Tian Heng? He managed to get this far despite his lowly birth, so I suppose we weren't much worse off in our past lives either. Tian Heng was lucky to have a good birth, but under the same conditions, he might not be any better than us."
The others exchanged glances and nodded slightly. They certainly hadn't been so arrogant before, but the dream within the Buddha's light was so real, showing them what it would be like to have a good birth. Compared to that, how could they possibly accept it?
"General Wu, just tell us directly, what should we do?" A burly man with dark skin asked in a deep voice from the crowd.
"Before, everyone was mindful of past relationships. Even though we all knew that going to the Buddhist temple might lead to a better future, we didn't take action because of past favors. But now that Tian Heng is willing to sacrifice us for his own future without hesitation, why can't we pursue our own future? What do you think?"
Everyone looked at each other, then at Tian Heng in the distance, who was busy distributing pills to the soldiers. After some hesitation, they all nodded.
They were already itching to make a move, but in the past, because the resources here in the West Sea Army were more stable, and they knew nothing about the Buddhist temple, and no one knew whether it was a trap or not, so they didn't act rashly. As for loyalty and righteousness, that's pure nonsense.
But now.
They've been pushed to this point. Everyone knows that Tian Heng's goal is to balance the power of the West Sea Army. Without the previous resources, why should they still follow him?
"Do it!" Tian Yusheng shouted sternly.
"And you?" Wu You, looking at the others.
The rest of the people curled their lip. They'd come this far; if they didn't comply, they'd become mortal enemies and likely be killed on the spot.
"Alright, we'll do as General Wu says. What should we do?"
Wu You smiled slightly, "Come closer."
--
"General, the pills have all been distributed. When shall we depart?" Tian Liang asked, his face beaming with anticipation.
As mentioned before, the greater the merit he makes this time, the higher the position he will receive after entering the Underworld. He is preparing to take a big gamble. Everyone knows that the Underworld forces in Nanming Prefecture and Nanyang City are weak. There isn't even a single commander, let alone a general.
Once the army of the Underworld reaches a certain size, it will definitely need a general, or even a deputy general. He felt that he had a chance to fight for such a position, which was a great opportunity.
After all, given their current resources and status, the direct descendants of the West Sea Army would definitely give up everything to compete with them. The chances are great, or even once in a lifetime!
"Have the brothers get ready; we'll set off in half an hour," Tian Heng said quietly.
"Half an hour?" Tian Liang was taken aback.
If a safe advance is desired, then it should be delayed until dawn to allow the soldiers to be well-rested before setting off. If Godspeed is of the essence, then an immediate departure is necessary to prevent leaks. What is the point of setting off half an hour later?
Doesn't this give the traitor an opportunity to report?
"Do you have any doubts?"
"Your subordinate," Tian Liang hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I believe that Godspeed is of the essence in war. Although the West Sea Army is weary from their journey, their physical strength has not been greatly depleted. Their morale is high, and their combat effectiveness is not a problem. There is no need to rest for half an hour and give certain people an opportunity."
"Who are you referring to as 'certain people'?" Tian Heng took a step closer and asked quietly.
Tian Liang gritted his teeth and looked around the army. Where were those loyal sons of his?
"General!" Tian Liang said in a low voice, "Perhaps you will think I am taking this opportunity to speak ill of others, but I still have to say that in the past few days I have heard Elder Tian Yusheng and the others mention their past lives more than once, their tone full of pride and resentment. I believe..."
"You dare to say that?" Tian Heng chuckled.
At this point, the other person has just gained recognition, so speaking ill of their former boss is very risky and will raise suspicions about their motives.
However, the fact that the other party still dared to say that suggests that Tian Heng appears to be a loyal and righteous person.
Unfortunately, there are very few people like this in the world.
"We must give them a chance!" Tian Heng said coldly.
"General, you?" Tian Liang was taken aback, and his gaze toward Tian Heng became somewhat complicated.
"As you can see, this move will make the former affiliated families and collateral branches of the Tian Household extremely dissatisfied with me. The people's hearts are already scattered. Since that's the case, let's go all the way!"
Upon hearing this, Tian Liang was speechless, unable to utter a single word.
He disapproved of the behavior of those aristocratic descendants, but Tian Heng's resolute actions were also chilling!
Is this the case for everyone in a high position?
--
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Tian Heng, Shen Er was facing another uninvited guest inside the Nanming Prefecture.
No, it should be said that Shen Er was the uninvited guest at this moment.
"Your Highness, this supernatural power of the King of Qin is truly terrifying." Shen Er looked at the King of Qin with an unusually gloomy expression.
At this moment, he was in the World in the Painting, and he had been in this world since yesterday. He clearly saw in this world that the King of Qin had transformed into his own image and bewitched Tian Heng into accepting that batch of pills!