Chapter 1388: Chapter 1388 - 1373: A General in the Field

Half a quarter-hour later, Spirit Scout Niu Er walked out of Ye Zhen’s study with an indescribably bad mood.

In that brief half a quarter-hour, his life and his future were entirely in someone else’s control.

However, in such a situation, he had no choice; to not yield meant only death!

Originally, he had a slight hope, as Scouts like him from the Heavenly Patrol Department were all given Divine Soul Protection by Priests of the Ancestor God Temple to prevent being controlled by other forces and causing significant losses to the department.

Normal methods of Divine Soul control could not harm them, and they could even avoid the torment of a Soul Search.

But the strange thing was that the method Ye Zhen used to control the Divine Soul could disregard the Divine Soul Protection blessed by the Moon Priest of the Ancestor God Temple, thereby controlling his Innate Divine Soul.

Originally, he was somewhat free, but now he was completely tied to this short-lived Viscount Ye Zhen.

Before this, although Spirit Scout Niu Er was under the command of Ye Zhen, deep down, he still did not think highly of Ye Zhen.

Competing with Xio Qiangu of the West Patrol?

Only the personnel of the Heavenly Patrol Department understood the true strength of the West Patrol.

But now, it was too late to say anything. He could only listen to Ye Zhen’s orders and fight desperately against Xio Qiangu of the West Patrol.

The only comfort to his heart was the storage ring named settlement fee that Ye Zhen gave him, which contained a million Low Grade Spirit Stones, a hundred thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones, and ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones. Even for a Scout like him, it was no small sum.

Under normal circumstances, it would take ten years of not eating or drinking to save up such wealth.

But the most valuable was the hundred Spirit Void Fruits that Ye Zhen gave him, truly a grand gesture.

The year before last, he had investigated a particularly secret auction where a set of ten Spirit Void Fruits were auctioned off, finally selling for as high as seventeen thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones.

This was equivalent to seventeen thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones per Spirit Void Fruit, and this Lord Ye generously gave him one hundred Spirit Void Fruits at once, equivalent to one million seven hundred thousand High Grade Spiritual Stones.

Such generosity left Spirit Scout Niu Er quite shocked.

Apart from this, Heavenly Patrol Divine General Fengg Jiumo, a figure whose rank in the Heavenly Patrol Department was several levels above his, also seemed to have his Divine Soul controlled by Ye Zhen. Furthermore, it seemed that Ye Zhen had seized the Divine Souls of the entire Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters.

In his heart, a sense of balance gradually emerged.

"It seems, over the next few days, I need to gather those Ghost Scout leaders scattered in various places, and then let the lord seize their Divine Souls! If we are to die, let us die together, only then is it fair!"

"However, considering how generous this Lord Ye is, perhaps he won’t be easily dealt with by Xio Qiangu of the West Patrol? I just wonder how he plans to deal with County Captain Tang Biao. Only by completely controlling North Sea County can he have a foundation and possibility to stand firm!"

That night, many people couldn’t sleep.

Governor Qiao Fu, Heavenly Patrol Divine General Feng Jiumo, Spirit Scout Niu Er, Gu Tieqi, and Liuu Feng, they were all speculating about Ye Zhen’s possible actions or plans.

Many even thought Ye Zhen might conduct secret operations at night, arranging for Heavenly Patrol Divine General Feng Jiumo to assassinate County Captain Tang Biao, among other things.

But after a whole night, there was no movement within the Viscount’s Mansion.

Ye Zhen, Viscount of North Sea, quietly cultivated in his bedroom during the first half of the night and then rested on the spot.

This left Gu Tieqi, Liuu Feng, Feng Jiumo, Niu Er, and others secretly anxious, especially Feng Jiumo and Niu Er. Now that their Divine Souls were controlled by Ye Zhen, their fate tied to him, this was a critical time for taking over North Sea County, yet Ye Zhen showed no sign of action.

The quiet North Sea Viscount’s Mansion sprang to life just as dawn was breaking.

"Liuu Feng, take this Viscount’s seal along with Feng Jiumo and go to the County Governor’s Mansion, order Governor Qiao Fu to bring his subordinates to the West City Gate within a quarter-hour to await further orders!"

"Gu Tieqi, prepare this Viscount’s banners and carriages, have the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters act as escorts, exit the West City, and head to the West City Camp of the Soldiers of North Sea County!" commanded Ye Zhen.

"Yes....."

As he accepted the order, Gu Tieqi hesitated, "My lord, when a general is outside, he does not follow commands. Directly barging into the military camp could be too dangerous.

Not to mention the elite County Soldiers, in that West City Camp, County Captain Tang Biao’s cultivation is already at the Dark Palace Realm Fifth Stage, and he commands over a dozen generals in the Dark Palace Realm and countless generals in the Divine Communication Realm.

If that treacherous officer wishes harm upon you, surrounded by seventy thousand troops in the camp, I’m afraid....."

"My lord, in my humble opinion, you should catch the ringleader first, silently looking for an opportunity....."

Without waiting for Gu Tieqi to finish, Ye Zhen interrupted him, "Tieqi, I understand what you mean, but your method depends on the situation.

I am assuming the identity of the Lord of North Sea to take over North Sea County. If I were to secretly eliminate County Captain Tang Biao, how could I intimidate the masses?

At that time, even if I take over North Sea County, it would likely result in discord, problematic orders, and endless trouble.

I must take control of the Soldiers of North Sea County with a thunderous force, with honor and dignity, to smoothly take over the entire North Sea County in the shortest time possible. Do you understand?" Ye Zhen explained.

"But......."

"Prepare to set off!" Ye Zhen gave Gu Tieqi no further chance to advise.

Gu Tieqi, having always mixed among the Princess Mansion Guards, did not understand the rules within the military.

The True Profound Continent’s military scale and strength might differ from that of the Primordial Continent, but the handling rules within the military remain the same.

At the West Gate of North Sea County, Governor Qiao Fu was rather disheveled as he adjusted his garments, and most of the large number of subordinates behind him were in a similar state.

Early in the morning, while still in bed, I was suddenly disrupted by the arrival of the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters, who stormed into the mansion to deliver Ye Zhen’s orders. They made it clear that if I didn’t comply, I would be taken away, which was truly embarrassing.

"Lord Ye, where are you planning to go? Why didn’t you inform me earlier so I could prepare the entourage?" Governor Qiao Hong greeted Ye Zhen as soon as he saw him.

"West City Camp!"

"Depart!"

Without waiting for Governor Qiao Hong’s response, Ye Zhen waved his hand, and the large group immediately set out hastily towards the West City Camp.

The West City Camp is less than thirty miles from the County City of North Sea, a distance easily covered in a moment even by an ordinary horned horse.

However, just as Ye Zhen departed from the West Gate of North Sea County, scouts had already reported the matter to the West City Camp.

First Army Commander Che Ben, upon receiving the report, promptly went to the Commander’s Tent to inform the Commander-in-Chief of the 320,000 troops of North Sea County, which is County Captain Tang Biao.

What worried First Army Commander Che Ben was that County Captain Tang Biao, having entertained the Junior Director Ma from the West Patrol Office with drinks the previous night, was in a state of drunken stupor and could not be awakened easily.

Finally, when the scouts reported that Viscount of North Sea Ye Zhen was five miles away from the West City Camp, First Army Commander Che Ben took the unusual step of ordering County Captain Tang Biao’s trusted aides to forcibly awaken him in the camp.

The scene inside the camp was quite unpleasant; bare limbs were entangled, and the aides managed to rouse County Captain Tang Biao from among the embraces of several naked women.

Upon awakening, Tang Biao immediately glared and began to rage, rubbing his drink-weary head, "You scoundrels, have you forgotten all the rules I’ve taught you, letting them go to the dogs? Who gave you permission to intrude into my Commander’s Tent?"

The trusted aides looked innocently at First Army Commander Che Ben, who stepped forward to explain, "My lord, I have urgent matters to report, which is why I ordered them to do this!"

"My lord, the newly appointed Viscount of North Sea, accompanied by Governor Qiao Hong and several subordinate officials from the Governor’s Mansion, is heading straight for the West City Camp!"

"What matter requires such urgency..."

As Tang Biao was still battling his morning temper, he sat up promptly after hearing First Army Commander Che Ben’s report.

"Why is he heading straight for the camp, what is his aim? Quickly, tell me, where is he by now?"

"Report, Viscount Ye Zhen of North Sea, Lord Ye, and Governor Qiao Hong, Lord Qiao, are outside the camp gates requesting an audience with County Captain!" came the long report from the scouts outside the tent.

This report infuriated County Captain Tang Biao, "What are you all doing, letting him reach the camp gate before awakening... me?"

He hadn’t finished reprimanding when Tang Biao’s demeanor turned awkward, as he finally became fully aware of the situation.

Throwing on a thin robe, County Captain Tang Biao started pacing back and forth inside the Commander’s Tent, pondering over Ye Zhen’s intentions.

What is Ye Zhen thinking, coming so openly to the camp?

How should he respond?

A few moments later, Junior Director Ma from the West Patrol Office, who had also heard the news, arrived at County Captain Tang Biao’s tent to discuss the matter together.

"Lord Tang, I believe Ye Zhen’s actions are clear; by calling out specifically for the County Captain, he simply wants you to submit to him and his sense of justice!"

"So, if Lord Tang complies with Ye Zhen’s request, when he presents the Viscount Seal of North Sea, what will you do?" Junior Director Ma asked.

"What could I do, go through the motions officially, as I wouldn’t know how to? Bowing to him won’t cost a life!" County Captain Tang Biao scoffed.

"However, if Ye Zhen uses the opportunity of your bow to capture you on the spot, what will you do?" Junior Director Ma pressed on.

"This..." Tang Biao’s expression changed. "With seven thousand troops under my command, I doubt he would dare!"

"Why wouldn’t he dare? According to the Law of Great Zhou, all nobility have the authority to appoint or remove military and administrative officials in their territories. If he publicly announces your dismissal, what will you do?"

Junior Director Ma’s continuous questioning left Tang Biao at a loss, prompting him to stamp his feet in frustration, "If only I had led the troops to deter the foe yesterday, I wouldn’t be in this predicament now!"

Hearing this, First Army Commander Che Ben grew urgent, "My lord, the camp gate is receiving constant urgings for a decision, please instruct us quickly!"

Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Junior Director Ma suddenly said, "My lord, when a general is on the outside, orders do not have to be obeyed!"

County Captain Tang Biao’s eyes lit up suddenly, "Exactly, when a general is on the outside, orders do not have to be obeyed!"

"Commander Che, immediately proceed to the camp gate and inform them that I am deterring enemies outside; the army is ready to move at a moment’s notice, and no irrelevant persons are allowed in the camp!

Tell that Ye, that he should wait peacefully in the County City of North Sea. I will pay respects after repelling the enemies!"

First Army Commander Che Ben hesitated, "My lord, what if he tries to break in as a Viscount?"

Hearing this, Junior Director Ma started to sneer, "Break-in, does he think this place is just anywhere? This is the county troops’ camp ready to set off at any time.

If he dares to force his way in, it will be treated as attacking a military camp, and crossbows will be unleashed!"

"Unleash crossbows?" First Army Commander Che Ben was startled, "My lord, if we accidentally kill this Viscount of North Sea, that would be quite a... problem."

After pondering a few moments, County Captain Tang Biao’s expression became vicious, "Don’t worry, forcing an entry into a military camp, that Ye Viscount doesn’t have the guts.

If he truly attempts, then conduct a volley; even if he is killed, this matter, if taken to the Military Department, we would be justified; at worst, it’s a case of accidental killing!

Our Great Zhou treasures military discipline the most! Perhaps we might even be rewarded," Tang Biao said, a sinister grin forming on his face!