Section 76: Encouragement x Suspicion

The expressions of all three darkened. Though they did not know if the rumor was true, the logic behind it held up. It meant that the forces they had pinned such high hopes on were not capable of crushing the enemy with overwhelming force; they were only slightly stronger—or perhaps, barely different at all.

They had joined Wuzhou for various reasons, but at the core, it was because the group kept winning. Lin Feirui—regardless of her reputation or her unsavory habits—was a leader who always won.

The battlefield is unlike ordinary scenarios. Victory brings immense benefits, while the defeated often suffer catastrophic casualties among their contractors. Even a perennial winner like Wuzhou sometimes lost a significant number of people. Now, with defeat a distinct possibility, doubt, hesitation, and even the search for an exit strategy were perfectly natural reactions.

None of the men moved or spoke. After a while, Black Sha broke the silence. "I heard the contractors on the other side are quite magnanimous. They accepted all who surrendered, didn't demand any universal points, and instead assigned them high-reward tasks. And even when they suspected Charles, they didn't kill him..."

"They don't even kill prisoners," the Soldier chimed in. "The enemy leader seems to be a newcomer. He has a special ability to command the soldiers within the scenario. A newcomer with such a powerful ability..."

"Enough," Red Lightning interrupted. "Don't be hasty."

"Executing a few soldiers who fled back won't change much. The Han army's discipline is strict; this is to prevent the enemy's ideology from spreading." He paused. "Commander Lin will have a way. To put it another way, if it truly comes to that point... there will still be time."

After a brief silence, the Soldier spoke up. "You're right. There will indeed be time."

***

Returning to his tent, Wang Luo found the table covered in hot dishes.

"You've worked hard, General." The woman Zhou Yingxiong had recently reassigned to serve Wang Luo greeted him with a beaming smile. Dressed in a pale yellow gown of unknown origin, she stepped forward to help him remove his armor.

"Uh..." Wang Luo tried to offer a greeting, but he realized he had forgotten her name. So, he remained silent, letting her assist him.

"Did you cook all these dishes?" After changing, she brought him a cup of hot tea. Wang Luo took a sip and looked at the sumptuous spread.

"The other women from the rear camp and I prepared them together," she said, head bowed. "We found the ingredients in a village along the way. I didn't know how to cook before, but somehow, I just remembered."

Knowledge instilled by Getini? Wang Luo picked up his chopsticks and took a bite. "It tastes good."

To be precise, it was much better than what Zhou Suyan used to make. Hearing the praise, she said nothing, but the smile on her face bloomed like a thousand flowers at once. Wang Luo was momentarily dazed, and to avoid awkwardness, he gave a small laugh.

"Such fine food shouldn't be eaten alone. Someone, come here!"

Two guards from outside the tent entered.

"Invite the commanders and the wounded sub-commanders over. Bring a few jars of wine as well; they’ve worked hard too."

Before long, the officers, having just shed their armor, filed in. The soldiers had already set up a dozen tables, and the woman returned to the rear camp to bring out more food.

Counting his subordinates: Zhang Xiong was away; Tie Zhu was dead; Bai Erjin was also dead; Su Si's fate was unknown. Now, most of those around him were newcomers.

Zhang Shitou sat at Wang Luo’s left hand. Beside him was Liu San, an officer he had known since entering the scenario. However, Liu San’s abilities were mediocre, and he had never had any standout moments, so he remained a sub-commander. To Liu San’s left was Su Da, once one of Su Si's men, who had been promoted from a common soldier to a sub-commander for his valor in recent battles. Further down were four others: Wang Chuan and Wang Meng, both acting commanders, and Zhou Chu and Zhou Chen, both sub-commanders. All were men Wang Luo had selected from the ranks for their bravery.

Zhou Yingxiong sat at Wang Luo’s right hand, and next to him was Liu An, another veteran from the start. He now served as the deputy manager of the main camp, assisting Zhou Yingxiong with logistics. To his right were four more newly promoted men: Sun Qiao as acting commander, and Zhang Wan, Mu Tou, and Zhao Bing as sub-commanders.

These men had been promoted to fill the vacancies left by superiors who had died in battle or committed errors. Wang Luo scanned the room and raised his wine bowl.

"Everyone has worked hard today! Drink!"

The group raised their cups and downed the wine in one gulp.

"The Han army is brutal. You must continue to drill your troops and fight with all your might. The wine and food are meager today, but when we crush the Han army, we shall celebrate your victories properly!"

Wang Luo refilled his bowl and raised it again. The officers roared their agreement and finished another round. Afterward, as Wang Luo scanned the room, he realized something was amiss.

"Where is Wentian?" he asked Zhou Yingxiong in a low voice.

"He went out to patrol."

***

In his own tent, Charles was reading through the record of Wang Luo’s recent battles.

Getting this information wasn't difficult; he had traded two bottles of wine for it from a few veterans. After stripping away the hyperbole and Wang Luo’s own self-aggrandizement, a rough image formed in Charles’s mind.

This was a lucky man; otherwise, he wouldn't have stumbled into the fight where Charles had fobbed off those two women with a demon card upon first entering the scenario. He was a greedy and cunning man; otherwise, he wouldn't have betrayed his superior and used Lin Qi as bait. He was a hypocritical and cruel man, capable of feigning profound compassion and speaking of saving others while burning thousands to death without batting an eye.

Charles smiled bitterly, recalling Wang Luo’s attitude after being struck by the blood rain—it was clearly displaced anger. They had been talking perfectly well before, but then, immediately, without any evidence, Wang Luo had accused him without reservation. Though the intelligence had indeed come from him, it was impossible for Wang Luo to have known; there was absolutely no evidence...

It was the same with Zhou Suyan. Once he sensed a potential threat, he banished her immediately. He was magnanimous, showing no harshness when accepting prisoners.

In other words, when things were going well, everything was fine, and everything could be tolerated or forgiven. But once problems arose or defeat loomed, he would disregard evidence and immediately eliminate potential threats, not caring in the slightest whether those he disposed of were innocent.

If so, how would *she* deal with a man like this?

He thought of Lin Feirui, then of Getini.

That fop was a sinister person. What kind of agreement had they reached? She had won over twenty battlefield victories, relying on ability, choice, luck, and accumulated experience.

Wait. If I can see what kind of man Wang Luo is, wouldn't she be able to as well? Dealing with a man who ignores evidence and is deeply suspicious...

Yang Wentian.