Chapter 329: Divergence, the Azure Clad!

And just as the Great Xuan army led by Yang Jian encountered Huatie Lu in the south.

Yet the Yellow Turban Army that Yang Su was defending in northern Great Xuan suffered an accident.

Yellow Turban Army council hall.

The night was like water, moonlight spilling outside the Yellow Turban Army's council hall, bright and silvery, yet unable to pierce the heavy curtain.

Inside the hall lights blazed, but the atmosphere was tense, a fierce debate unfolding.

"Now the court is corrupt, the people cannot survive; as Yellow Turban scholars, we ought to rise up, strike at the Yellow Dragon, and save the masses!"

Zhang Tianxuan wore armor, a sharp aura showing between his brows, his voice firm and impassioned.

"Brother Tianxuan, I naturally admire your ambition, but our Yellow Turban Army, though numbering a million, is mostly the old and weak."

"And that Yang Su of Great Xuan opposite us is no pushover either."

"The urgent priority should be to rest and recuperate, consolidate our foundations, not act rashly."

Zhu Yuanzhang, in plain clothes, calm and composed, spoke slowly, his tone revealing deep consideration.

"Brother Yuanzhang, in these troubled times, where could stability come from?"

"If we do not take the initiative, we fear missing a good opportunity."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained unmoved, shaking his head.

Zhang Tianxuan snorted coldly, disdainfully.

"Brother Tianxuan, you and I both know this troubled time is not a cold snap of a single day."

"Brother Tianxuan, are you serious about this?"

"My mind is made up; tonight I will leave the Yellow Turban Army, raise my own forces, and walk my own path."

"Brother Yuanzhang, if you fear battle, I, Zhang Tianxuan, am willing to bear all responsibility alone!"

"Now is the time for our Yellow Turban Army to display grand ambitions; how can we cling to old ways and miss the opportunity?"

"Our Yellow Turban Army may wish to save the nation, but we must act within our means."

"Brother Yuanzhang, your path is not what I desire."

"Act within our means? Brother Yuanzhang, do you not know that 'the times make heroes'?"

"Brother Tianxuan, you are too radical."

"The common people of the world look forward with hope; how can I sit idly by?"

After a long while, Zhang Tianxuan shook his head.

The two leaders' opinions had clearly diverged, the atmosphere growing ever more tense.

"Think again?" Zhang Tianxuan snapped, "We Yellow Turban scholars should advance boldly; why need we think thrice?"

Zhang Tianxuan heard this, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes.

Zhu Yuanzhang furrowed his brows.

Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his face suddenly changing.

"Saving the masses is not a task of a day; it requires long-term planning."

"War is no child's play; we must think thrice before acting."

These words spoken, the council hall fell instantly silent.

"Indeed."

"I, Zhang Tianxuan, may not be a hero, but I am willing to find a way of survival for the people of this world."

Zhang Tianxuan said firmly.

"Brother Yuanzhang, though our ideals differ, we both serve the world's people; I hope you can understand."

"If we part tonight, perhaps we shall never meet again; take care."

Having spoken, he rose and gave Zhu Yuanzhang a deep bow.

"Brother Tianxuan, since you have made up your mind thus, I, Zhu Yuanzhang, will say no more."

"I only hope you remember that the life and death of this million-strong Yellow Turban Army is not yours alone."

Zhu Yuanzhang drew a deep breath and slowly rose to his feet.

Having said that, he turned and walked out of the hall, his silhouette appearing especially lonely in the light.

Behind him, Chang Yuchun and the others exchanged glances, following closely.

Zhang Tianxuan stood where he was, his gaze fixed on Zhu Yuanzhang's retreating back.

Though his heart felt a thousand reluctances, he also knew the ideological conflict could not be reconciled.

"From now on, I, Zhang Tianxuan, wish to lead you to create glory together! Who will follow me to battle in all directions?"

He took a deep breath, turned, and looked at the people in the hall.

The people in the hall glanced at one another, then shouted in unison: "We will follow General Zhang to battle in all directions!"

The sound shook heaven and earth, as if it would overturn the hall's roof.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang had already left the council hall, raised his head to the bright moonlight, and couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions.

He knew that this argument with Zhang Tianxuan had already caused a rift in their relationship.

But he also firmly believed his choice was for the future of the entire Yellow Turban Army.

"Different paths do not plot together." He murmured to himself, "I only hope Brother Tianxuan can understand my sincere intentions."

The night grew deeper, yet the Yellow Turban Army's camp was ablaze with lights.

The soldiers sat around the campfire, whispering about what had transpired in the council hall tonight.

"Have you heard? General Zhang and General Zhu have fallen out."

"Yeah, I heard that too. General Zhang wants to go out and fight, while General Zhu thinks we should rest and recuperate."

"What are we to do now? Our Yellow Turban Army is bound to split!"

The soldiers' murmurs rose and fell, worry written on every face.

They knew well that the two generals' decisions would have a crucial impact on the future of the entire Yellow Turban Army.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the camp, Zhang Tianxuan stood alone in the night, gazing blankly at the distant firelight.

His heart was filled with resolve and determination, yet mixed with a hint of helplessness and sorrow.

He knew his choice would change the fate of the entire Yellow Turban Army.

But he firmly believed that only by pressing forward could he save more lives.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also lost in thought inside his tent.

Although he disapproved of Zhang Tianxuan's radical approach, he also understood his painstaking intentions.

He simply understood all the more the importance of preserving strength in this chaotic age.

He hoped that by resting and recuperating, the Yellow Turban Army would become stronger, thereby achieving better results in future wars.

Their ideological disagreement had already become a rift within the Yellow Turban Army.

Regardless, they both wished for the Yellow Turban Army to move toward a better future.

This debate never truly had a winner or loser from start to finish.

After a month or so, Zhang Tianxuan relied on the prestige and connections he had accumulated during his time in the Yellow Turban Army.

Leading some of the original Yellow Turban forces, he quickly gathered a new army in the northern regions—the Blue-clad Army.

This army took blue clothing as its emblem, symbolizing integrity and righteousness.

Their attire was predominantly blue, appearing solemn yet retaining vigor.

Every soldier of the Blue-clad Army wore a specially made blue badge, engraved with the characters "Blue-clad".

The standard was a large blue flag, embroidered with the flowing characters "Blue-clad".

In the night sky it fluttered in the wind, like the brightest star.

That night, the Blue-clad Army arose silently like a gentle breeze.

Under the cover of darkness, the blue banner was planted in every corner of White Prefecture overnight.

In the night, a blue shadow flitted across the fields, accompanied by faint footsteps, as the Blue-clad troops moved like ghosts through the darkness.

Their figures were light and agile, like a gust of wind, silently sweeping over villages and fields straight to every part of White Prefecture.

At the command, the Blue-clad Army struck like a drawn sword, thrusting straight at the heart of White Prefecture.

The blue banner fluttered in the night sky like bolts of lightning tearing through the darkness, announcing the arrival of the Blue-clad Army.

(End of chapter)