Although Xun Shen and Xuu You each had their own ideas, they had to admit that both were quite understanding. Though they didn’t fully grasp Sheni Pei’s words, they both agreed, for even if something went wrong, they wouldn’t have to worry about taking the blame.

“Gong Ren and Zhouping, I also feel there might be some issues with them, but so far, they haven’t done anything to wrong us. Perhaps their aspirations lie elsewhere,” Xuu You nodded and said.

When Ju Shou was around, Xuu You and Ju Shou had also observed Dong Zhao and Cui Jun. Indeed, they were talented individuals, and though they hadn’t given their all, they hadn’t committed any disloyal acts. On the contrary, at moments of crisis, both of them appeared to do their best.

“Don’t inform those two about this matter, but we shouldn’t pay them too much attention either. They are outstanding in the world, and if we focus too much on them, they will likely notice soon,” Xun Shen also agreed with Sheni Pei’s words, but his advice was relatively more conservative.

“That’s the only way,” Sheni Pei nodded and said.

Sheni Pei also understood the value of Cui Jun and Dong Zhao and naturally knew that now was definitely not the time to suspect internal problems. Even if there were internal issues, as long as it’s not outright rebellion, they must rely on cooperation until they get through this most dangerous period and only then consider severe measures.

Zhang He and Gao Lan, leading their personal troops, headed to Bingzhou. Along the way, few generals dared to trouble them, and so with over a thousand men, they steadily reached Yanmen County in Bingzhou.

“Jun Yi, what do we do now?” Gao Lan said bitterly as he looked at the ruined city walls and the sparse soldiers.

“First, reorganize the army. Nothing is more important than military power. The lord was killed by Liu Bei; how can we not avenge this enmity?” Zhang He said with icy eyes.

“But Guan Yu…” Gao Lan trembled slightly. Under Ye City, one strike had not only defeated Yuan Shao’s Army but also shattered his confidence as a Top General.

“Yuanbo, are you afraid?” Zhang He’s body also trembled slightly. That strike of Clear Radiance, after the devastation at Ye City, had startled him awake countless times from his dreams.

“Aren’t you afraid?” Gao Lan said with a bitter smile.

Under that strike, Gao Lan’s Martial Arts were shattered and he no longer had the spirit of a martial artist. Even though the Inner Qi that he had honed for years was still there, his blade was no longer sharp, and his spear was no longer fierce. He was no longer qualified to be one of the Four Pillars supporting Hebei.

“Afraid, but the lord was killed by Liu Bei. How can we not go for revenge just because we’re afraid?” As he spoke, Zhang He raised his hand and looked at his slightly trembling hands. “General Yann died at Guan Yu’s hands, General Wen perished by Guan Yu’s hand, the lord fell by Liu Bei’s hand; how can we not avenge such deep hatred?” Yo$ur- su@pp&o@rt! at M$V&^LEMP*^YR& k#ee$ps the s@e&r@ie*s go+i#n#g.#

“The lord’s grace to recognize us, how can we forget so easily!” Zhang He shouted loudly, as if such firm determination could help suppress his inner fear of Guan Yu.

“The lord…” Gao Lan’s eyes turned red. The news of Yuan Shao’s death shocked them and made them bitter, which is why Yuan Tan sidelined them and they did not have any complaints.

On one hand, they needed to adjust from the shock of Guan Yu’s strike, and on the other hand, Yuan Shao’s death made Zhang He and Gao Lan deeply hate their actions during the retreat, even blaming themselves for Guan Yu’s overwhelming power and falling into greater pain.

If we had chased after, perhaps the lord wouldn’t have died. This deep-seated guilt made Zhang He and Gao Lan unspeakably painful. In this life, Yuan Shao had never forsaken Zhang He or Gao Lan; on the contrary, Zhang He and Gao Lan had once let down Yuan Shao. Yet, Yuan Shao had given them a chance to prove themselves!

Soldiers die for those who understand them; since ancient times, Yan and Zhao have been full of righteous men, with heroic songs treating life and death lightly. Yuan Shao did not fail Zhang He and Gao Lan, and in this life, aside from not achieving his goal, he lived a nearly perfect life, naturally giving Zhang He and Gao Lan no reason to betray him.

Had Yuan Shao not unexpectedly died in battle, Zhang He and Gao Lan would, without any surprises, have continued to follow him until the day of their deaths.

“Should we refrain from avenging the lord out of fear? General Yann, General Wen, General Juo, Military Advisor Tian, and Secretary-General Ju Zhizhong are all watching us!” Zhang He looked at Gao Lan with eyes burning with fire.

“I can no longer wield my spear…” Gao Lan said, using his trembling hand to push away Zhang He’s hand on his shoulder.

“You coward!” Zhang He punched Gao Lan in the face. Gao Lan didn’t resist at all and was knocked back dozens of meters by Zhang He’s punch. It’s worth mentioning that Zhang He had held back upon realizing that Gao Lan hadn’t made any defenses, otherwise, Gao Lan, suppressing his Inner Qi without responding instinctively, would have died from that punch.

Gao Lan lay among the sparse dry grass, eyes looking at the sky. He despised his cowardice, but every time he recalled that Clear Radiance, he would tremble all over. The opponent was simply too strong, to the point of despair!

Even knowing the intrigues behind it, Gao Lan also knew he could never face Guan Yu again. His spirit was shattered, and fear had already seeped in. A martial artist should be fearless, but once fear sets in, once they deny themselves, even thinking of battle is delusion.

Zhang He was also afraid. Seeing his friend knocked away by his own punch, Zhang He walked over with a bitter smile because he understood such fear. Even now, he was afraid, unsure how much power he could muster against Guan Yu when seeking revenge for Yuan Shao.

“Get up,” Zhang He extended his hand toward Gao Lan’s direction. He had already seen Gao Lan’s vacant eyes, and he too felt extremely bitter. His best brother had become like this because of the battle at Ye City.

“Jun Yi, let me calm down a bit,” Gao Lan didn’t look at Zhang He but replied in a low voice, “I want to seek revenge, but now I don’t even have the strength to hold a blade against the enemy. I’m no longer high-ranking General Gao Lan of Hebei; I’m just a waste.”

As he spoke, tears flowed from Gao Lan’s eyes. He hadn’t cried for many years, but this time he felt immense pain. He had lost not only the lord who always recognized him but also the strength to avenge for the lord.

This isn’t the fertile land of Jizhou; here there’s no one else, only the vast plains with his friend Zhang He. Gao Lan could no longer suppress his inner pain.

As Zhang He said, Gao Lan was a coward, a coward who couldn’t even avenge the lord. Why did such a coward survive? Why didn’t fate let him die in front of the lord’s steed? Why did this coward survive? Why?

With tears, Gao Lan painfully questioned his own heart. As the saying goes, “Men don’t easily shed tears, only because their hearts have not been broken!” (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.wuxiaworld.site to read.)