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"General Lan returned rather early this time."

"General Tian seems quite idle as well...."

The leaders of the two major armies met again at the border gate. Though their tones were calm, an astute observer could easily detect the heavy scent of tension and hostility beneath their words.

Tian Heng looked at Lan Shang, not only with vigilance and caution but also with a tinge of curiosity.

He himself had not awakened any memories, which led him to believe he had no past lives.

After all, he’d heard of the harsh conditions on the Path of Yin Yang: to have a previous existence, one either needed significant backing or incredible luck.

Lan Shang’s family background wasn’t particularly prominent.

According to the old rules, the Lan Family would remain an Earl’s Family for the next ten generations, merely serving as vassals to the Siao Family.

Even the Earl title they held resulted from having once pledged allegiance to the right Family Head.

But now, it became clear that Lan Shang was the true nobility.

Perhaps, years ago, he had already been chosen for this destiny...

Still, Tian Heng couldn’t help but be intrigued by those who abruptly awakened memories of several lifetimes. How did they truly view this current life? Did they really not care about it at all?

The Emperor Siao valued Lan Shang greatly, even granting him the position of army commander—a role that many seasoned families with deep connections couldn’t secure. Such magnanimity and recognition—did Lan Shang genuinely not care about it the slightest?

"Unlike you, General Lan, I don’t have the leisure," Tian Heng said with a smile. "You seem to have time to wander around. The Princess Royale visited recently; did General Lan receive word?"

Lan Shang’s pupils subtly contracted upon hearing this. He instinctively glanced around with heightened alertness.

This reaction made Tian Heng’s heart grow even colder.

There was neither surprise nor respect in Lan Shang’s expression—only a sense of wariness and a hint of malice!

The Siao Family’s favor seemed to mean absolutely nothing to this man now.

And what about those awakened within Tian Heng’s own ranks?

The Western Sea Army, with its tens of thousands of soldiers, naturally included individuals influenced by the Buddha Light, among them two newly promoted deputy generals.

This filled Tian Heng with deep unease. If even Lan Shang, someone who owed so much, harbored rebellion in his heart, could his own subordinates truly still be loyal?

Could he... still trust them?

And these were the ones who had already revealed themselves. How many more lay hidden, completely unbeknownst to him...

If Chen Qing doesn’t return soon, the situation in Jiangnan will likely unravel beyond repair...

"The Princess came back without notifying me in advance?" Lan Shang remarked calmly. "That is unusual... Where is Her Highness?"

"I heard that when General Lan headed to Daqing Mountain, Her Highness went there seeking you. You didn’t encounter her?" Tian Heng feigned surprise and deliberately asked.

Lan Shang: "......"

The Princess Royale’s capabilities were well-known among the commanders of the new army—not only was her strategic command exceptional, but her personal prowess was terrifyingly supreme.

Even the Evil Spirit within Lan Shang had once mentioned that her strength rivaled that of King Xiang, placing her among the strongest of all.

If she came here, and her first action wasn’t to take command of the army but instead sought him directly—what could her intentions be?

Could she possibly know?

With this thought, an icy chill flashed in Lan Shang’s eyes.

Upon seeing his expression, Tian Heng couldn’t help but smirk internally, though outwardly he still maintained a warm and affable demeanor.

"No worries. If you missed her, I’ve asked the Daqing Mountain Spirit to notify Her Highness.

General Lan, please remain patient for a couple of days. Her Highness should arrive shortly."

"Thank you, General Tian..." Lan Shang regained his composure and bowed courteously. "Her Highness’s arrival without any prior notice—did she mention anything urgent to you?"

"It seems it is quite pressing..." Tian Heng answered solemnly. "She arrived in considerable haste—fast as lightning. She rode her Dragon Colt, outrunning even the fastest carrier birds, so advanced notice likely wouldn’t have mattered."

Lan Shang nodded slightly upon hearing this explanation. It made sense; if she had indeed come at such speed, sending notice beforehand via carrier bird would indeed have been implausible.

"As for what’s urgent, I’m not the one to ask. However, I’ve heard rumors that something happened in the Capital City, and Her Highness’s purpose in coming is to escort the army back safely."

"Is that so...." Lan Shang murmured, rubbing his fingers thoughtfully.

Clearly, his prior lifetimes had shaped him into a deeply calculating person.

Even feeling the shadow of an impending threat, he remained remarkably composed.

With feigned anxiety, he asked, "What? Something’s wrong in the Capital City? Is His Majesty safe?"

"Your Majesty is a once-in-a-generation ruler, immensely talented, and unmatched as an Emperor. What trouble could come to him?" Tian Heng chuckled. "General Lan, you needn’t worry. I’ve already informed the Mountain Spirit, and as soon as Her Highness receives the message, she’ll promptly return—even if it requires crossing water routes.

At most, two days. For now, you can wait with ease. "

"In that case, I am indebted to General Tian." Lan Shang expressed gratitude with a deferential bow.

"Oh, please—what an honor to help!"

The pair continued their polite yet insidious probing, engaging in conversation for nearly an hour before Lan Shang finally departed Cheng Guan, striding quickly toward his own army camp.

"Boss, what should we do now?"

Lan Shang’s subordinate questioned him as soon as he departed.

"Keep an eye on him!" Tian Heng ordered sharply. "Alert our men below; maintain wartime readiness, double the guards on night duty, and stay ready at all times to receive any orders."

"Boss, do you think Lan Shang will make a move?"

"He has to make a move!" Tian Heng sneered. "Otherwise, once the Princess returns, she’ll undoubtedly take him down immediately. He’s bound to act."

"But isn’t this pushing him too hard? Why not wait for the Princess to return and then notify him?"

"The news of the Princess coming here can no longer be concealed." Tian Heng replied darkly. "It’s not just the Imperial Army that has been affected by the Buddha Light—our forces have been compromised as well..."

The deputy general froze upon hearing this, then sucked in a sharp breath. "Boss, you’re saying..."

"Prepare for the worst..." Tian Heng sighed heavily. "The Princess’s arrival can’t be hidden from him. Whether or not I say anything, he’s bound to act.

And once he does, we’ll have a legitimate reason to remove him.

The Imperial Army has long been drawn to Jiangnan—if the army ends up under my control, even when the Princess arrives, I’ll have sufficient reason to at least seize half her forces! "

"This..." The deputy general’s eyes widened, shocked at his leader’s ruthlessness. He hadn’t expected Tian Heng to set his sights on the Imperial Army itself!

"The risks are significant, but I’ve been left with no other choice. Jiangnan is critically short on military power. If I don’t act, the internal forces tied to the Shen Family will collapse under the pressure."

"I don’t quite understand, but Boss, what’s the plan?"

"Tonight, do this..."

---------------------------------

"General, is the news true? The Princess really has arrived?"

Beside Lan Shang stood his deputy general, the one who had accompanied him to the Buddhist Temple. The two shared a relatively close relationship—in their past lives, they coincidentally served as superior and subordinate.

"The news is undoubtedly true. Even under Tian Heng’s command, many individuals have been influenced by the Buddha Light. If he were lying, the information would inevitably leak."

"Then what should we do?" The deputy general asked anxiously. The Princess Royale’s strength was unrivaled—even if their prior-life powers were regained, they wouldn’t likely stand a chance against her. Let alone now...

"The plan must move ahead of schedule. We seize control of the army, break through, and coordinate with the Celestial Serpent outside to smash through Jiangnan’s defenses.

Once chaos erupts, we’ll march north and secure a stronghold.

Without an army, the Siao siblings are nothing but rootless pawns—they’ll pose no real threat! "

"But the Great Buddha tasked us with taking Jiangnan..."

"With the situation this unstable, securing the army’s loyalty is already a feat—let alone conquering Jiangnan..." Lan Shang scoffed. "Circumstances change quickly; no plan remains immutable."

"As long as the army stays firmly under our control, we hold value. The Great Buddha will understand this principle."

"So, tonight?"

"Tonight!!!"