"What? That Wu Tan... he really said that?"

Shang Yin was stunned. His expression flickered, and his brow furrowed deeply as he muttered to himself, "The Daoist and Buddhist Sects are going to make a move?

They’re going to take my brother’s head while he’s surrounded by his army?

And they’re announcing it beforehand?

Such arrogance!

How is that even possible?

Taking a general’s head from amidst a sea of soldiers?

If they’re really that powerful, what’s the point of us fighting for control of the world?

We might as well just surrender!

When our army stormed Anchan Temple, my brother even killed a few Monks, and nothing happened, right?

Still, the Daoist and Buddhist Sects have stood for many years, surviving multiple dynasties without ever paying taxes.

It really is very strange."

"That is exactly what the Divine Monk said."

Shang Rou said urgently, "Brother, I know you’ve never believed in any Divine Buddha since we were young!

But you absolutely cannot be reckless this time!

Since the Divine Monk dared to say it, it will definitely happen!

I’ve had a lot of contact with the Divine Monk over the years!

Everything he has ever said has come true!

And you’d better not do something stupid.

Since one of you—you or your brother—is destined to die, don’t go getting some heroic idea about sacrificing yourself for him!

You’re the only older brother I have left!

Be selfish for once!

Be the one who survives and takes power!

The Divine Monk said they are people of the cloth and don’t easily meddle in worldly affairs!

They’re only acting this time because you first defiled the Daoist and Buddhist faiths!

That’s why they’re delivering this punishment, to let you know that the Daoist and Buddhist faiths cannot be trifled with!"

Shang Yin’s expression shifted once again.

"Don’t worry, little sister. I won’t do anything foolish."

Then he added, "If one person must die and the other must take power, I would certainly choose the latter.

Brotherhood is brotherhood, loyalty is loyalty.

But matters of life and death are no joke."

"I’m relieved to hear you think that way, Brother."

Shang Rou sighed in relief. "So, does this mean you believe the Divine Monk’s words?"

"To be honest, deep down, I still don’t really believe in ghosts and gods."

Shang Yin’s expression turned serious. "It’s just that this Divine Monk Wu Tan has clearly anticipated my skepticism.

The situation now is that even if I don’t believe, I have no choice but to half-believe.

After all, he said my brother would die amidst his army, condemned by the Daoist and Buddhist faiths.

If that really happens, how could I not believe?

Besides, the Daoist and Buddhist Sects are indeed mysterious. Perhaps people like us, who rose from nothing, just never had the chance to encounter certain things?

If that’s the case, then I have you to thank for this, little sister.

Regardless, I must treat this matter with the utmost seriousness!

Sister, I won’t be staying for dinner tonight.

I must return to the barracks immediately.

If the Daoist and Buddhist Sects want to move against my brother, I can’t just stand by and watch.

Although I can’t bring myself to trade my life for his...

...if the Daoist and Buddhist Sects think they can get away with some cheap tricks, they’re mistaken!

I’d like to see just how the Daoist and Buddhist Sects plan to kill the head of my army while he’s surrounded by tens of thousands of soldiers!

If they can really do it, then it just proves I’ve been a frog in a well, ignorant of the wide world.

After that, I wouldn’t mind going to that Wu Tan and offering a humble apology."

With that said,

Shang Yin turned and walked straight out the door.

"Brother, you have to keep yourself safe!"

Shang Rou chased after him, calling out, "In all the time I’ve known the Divine Monk, his words have never been false.

When you face him, you must not be arrogant or conceited!

Whatever you do, be careful. Be extremely careful.

I’ll be waiting for you at home."

Shang Yin glanced back at Shang Rou and nodded.

Then he strode out, leaping onto his tall horse.

He then led a great, sprawling mass of soldiers away from the city.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, he arrived at the army barracks.

A vast sea of troops was stationed there.

As far as the eye could see, there was a dense crowd of heads.

’To kill the head of an army in a place like this, and announce it beforehand?’

Shang Yin still couldn’t wrap his head around it; the idea was utterly absurd. ’What a joke.

But that Wu Tan was the one who gave the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, potatoes, and other things to the world.

Our own army is using the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse right now to transport supplies.

Would a man like that play this kind of joke on an army of over a hundred thousand men?’

With these thoughts in mind,

he went directly to see the Grand General.

"Second Brother, perfect timing!"

Inside a military tent, a bare-chested, extraordinarily burly man with a thick beard boomed, "I’ve gotten my hands on some fine beef and good wine today!

Let’s eat and drink together, then we can properly discuss our next campaign plans!"

The two had once been mountain bandits together.

So even though they now commanded a massive army,

they still addressed each other as brothers in private.

Back in the mountains, as an outlaw, the man who became Shang Yin’s big brother was naturally a giant himself.

When fighting in the forests, outside of formal battle formations, he was a fierce warrior capable of taking on dozens of men by himself.

His personal combat prowess was exceptional.

Clad in armor on the battlefield, he was a whirlwind of death in chaotic melees, cutting down enemies left and right.

When he smashed his long spear down, an ordinary soldier trying to block with a sword or blade would have their weapon knocked from their hands!

It could be said that in a world without the Extraordinary, his individual strength was at the absolute peak.

"Big Brother!"

Shang Yin cupped his fist. "I heard a rumor that some power is plotting to assassinate you!

For the next few days, you should try to stay within the barracks!

Don’t go running around!

It’s safest here in the camp!

And all of your guards, even your Personal Guard, must be personally and carefully vetted to be safe!"

"Someone wants to assassinate me?"

Hearing Shang Yin’s words, the bearded man just laughed dismissively. "Second Brother, what are you talking about?

Since you and I first raised the banner of rebellion and led our troops into battle, how many people have wanted to assassinate me, or have tried to?

How many people have wanted me dead?

But has anyone ever succeeded?"

"Big Brother!"

Shang Yin’s expression grew anxious. He pressed, "Regardless, this time, you must be careful. Extremely careful!

This time might be different from the others.

You must be on your highest alert."

He didn’t mention that the Daoist and Buddhist Sects were the ones planning to act.

He only warned his brother of the danger.

That was because Xu Lei’s letter had instructed Shang Yin not to reveal that the Daoist and Buddhist Sects were involved.

Otherwise, if the Grand General acted rashly and sent the army to raid the temples,

many ordinary Monks would die, and the blame for that would fall on Shang Yin’s head.

In that case, Shang Yin certainly wouldn’t survive either.

So for now, Shang Yin simply warned his brother.

"Alright."

Seeing Shang Yin’s expression, the bearded Grand General didn’t remain entirely careless. "Since you’ve put it that way, Second Brother, I understand.

Don’t worry. I’ll be extra careful these next few days!"

Whether Shang Yin had heard some news...

...perhaps that some old Noble Family was going to make a move against him, and he could only give a warning without saying too much?

Or had Shang Yin discovered that one of his own men had ulterior motives and might strike from the shadows?

Either way, it was worth paying attention to.

Seeing that his brother had taken the warning to heart, Shang Yin said no more.

He also didn’t offer to vet the various Personal Guards for his brother.

After all, if something were to happen to his brother, he would be the one with the most prestige and the highest chance of taking over.

If he got involved in that, it would look suspicious.

Although they were still in the stage of conquering the realm and the two brothers were of one mind,

they had not yet reached the point of turning on each other to fight for power.

it was still better to avoid any suspicion.

However, he later learned that his brother did indeed conduct a thorough inspection of his Personal Guard.

He even personally adjusted the guard rotations.

The number of guards surrounding his tent increased significantly!

For the next few days, he declared he wouldn’t leave the barracks.

All official business would be conducted within the camp.

He even stopped going back to sleep with the women he’d taken and installed in a commandeered mansion.

’With this level of protection, how could anyone kill him?’

Shang Yin thought to himself. ’If he still dies... then it can only mean that mysterious beings like Divine Buddhas truly exist!’

Aside from that,

Shang Yin also made some preparations of his own.

Just as Xu Lei had said, if his brother died, he had to take control of the situation as quickly as possible.

This was to prevent the rebel army from collapsing and turning on itself in a power struggle.

Of course, Shang Yin already held immense prestige within the army, so he didn’t actually need to do much.

He just made a few simple arrangements.

His actions were not conspicuous.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Then, for several days in a row, Shang Yin also stayed in the military barracks.

He was waiting!

Because Xu Lei’s letter had given him a few days to prepare.

Although he had long since finished his preparations,

he obviously didn’t send Shang Rou back with a message like, "I’m ready.

You can start now.

Kill my brother for me to see."

So he just kept waiting.

Waiting for the time to pass.

And today, three days had passed!

On this day, feeling agitated and restless, Shang Yin was in the barracks, practicing frantically with a long spear.

Night began to fall.

But he didn’t stop.

To be honest, since raising his army, everything had gone smoothly, and he held great power.

He had become a bit arrogant.

But now he heard that the Daoist and Buddhist Sects were going to kill a General in the middle of his own army!

A fear of the unknown had begun to grow in his heart.

Although he still didn’t know if it was true, he had a gut feeling that it might be!

"Amitabha Buddha."

Just then, a somewhat familiar voice suddenly echoed from the sky, reaching Shang Yin’s ears. "The three-day period has ended.

Patron Shang Yin, the Daoist and Buddhist faiths are about to deliver their judgment and sentence your army’s General for the crime of blaspheming the Divine Buddha!

If you are interested, you may go and witness the ceremony!

Tonight is the night your army’s General loses his head!"

Shang Yin froze in horror. He spun around, spear in hand, pointing the tip left and right, but only his Personal Guards were beside him.

"General, what’s wrong?"

"Why are you so tense all of a sudden?"

"Is there an assassin?"

A few of the brothers who had been bandits with him asked.

Shang Yin didn’t speak. He just gripped his long spear and called over a dozen of his most trusted Personal Guards.

Then, the group armed themselves to the teeth.

They searched the area around his tent.

He wanted to find any trace of Wu Tan!

But there was nothing!

But if Wu Tan hadn’t snuck into the army camp, how had that voice reached his ears just now?

Shang Yin’s face paled, and sweat beaded on his forehead.