Chapter 84: Begin Action

「Strictly obey the general's command! 」

All the generals shouted in unison.

Under everyone's gaze, Guan Zhen looked toward Guan Shan on his left side and said in a low voice,

「Guan Shan's greed for merit and reckless advance caused dozens of combat soldiers to die and dozens more to be seriously injured. 」

「Effective immediately, Guan Shan is demoted to Dutong, shifting from commanding the Second Camp to merely overseeing it. 」

Upon hearing this, the officers and soldiers felt that Guan Shan deserved his punishment, while also having to admit that Guan Zhen's rewards and punishments were clear-cut.

Although Guan Shan had faults, those traitors were ultimately ferreted out by him.

By comparison, his achievements far outweigh his faults.

Guan Zhen could easily have fabricated an excuse to revoke Guan Shan's punishment.

He could even have promoted Guan Shan!

But Guan Zhen did not do so, thereby making his stance clear.

Even if it were his own brother, favoritism would be impossible in the army!

This action made the officers and soldiers even more convinced and willing to submit.

「All units, move out immediately! 」

After Guan Zhen had arranged the work.

Zhou Kuan and the other generals glanced at Guan Shan without a trace, then quickly left.

If Guan Zhen had not punished Guan Shan first, they would surely have ganged up on him at the meeting!

But what they need to do now is resolve internal issues before launching an attack on Dan Ren Cheng.

To repel external threats, one must first secure the interior—an timeless truth!

「Brother, it's all my fault this time. 」

Only Guan Zhen and Guan Shan remained in the tent, Guan Shan's face full of self-reproach.

「If I hadn't been greedy for merit, but instead reported the matter to you immediately, things would definitely not have blown up like this. 」

It's impossible to hide the fact that nearly seventy martial practitioners and combat soldiers died at the Second Camp.

Even Guan Zhen couldn't keep the news under wraps.

Everyone already knows the news of those people going missing.

And the root of it all is that Guan Shan's greedy, reckless action gave the spies in Dan Ren Cheng an opening to exploit.

Guan Zhen's lenient handling of Guan Shan's demotion by one rank was already taking his feelings into account.

「Who would have thought that this bunch of spies could cause such a commotion? 」

Guan Zhen patted Guan Shan on the shoulder and comforted him,

「To be frank, even if someone else had discovered this news, they would have made the same choice as you. 」

After all, this is Mu Shan Cheng, the territory of Ben Lang Guo.

No one would have thought that Dan Ren Cheng would dispatch such a strong force into Mu Shan Cheng.

If the entire army were wiped out here, it would definitely be a heavy blow to Dan Ren Cheng.

Guan Shan knew his brother was merely comforting him, and said in a low voice,

「Don't worry, brother—I will definitely ferret out these people! 」

Having said that, Guan Shan walked out of the tent.

「General Guan. 」

As soon as he stepped out of the tent, he met Gu Han, who had been waiting there.

Guan Shan frowned, looking at Gu Han with suspicion,

「I had the Flaming Hound escort you back to camp—why are you here? 」

Speaking, he also glanced at the Flaming Hound wagging its tail beside Gu Han.

That look was clearly questioning why the Flaming Hound was here.

The Flaming Hound shrank its head, cautiously hiding behind Gu Han.

Gu Han responsibly stood in front of the Flaming Hound.

If not for the Flaming Hound, even though Gu Han was the person Guan Shan had singled out for special protection, he could not have made it all the way to the temporary meeting room.

「General Guan, Gu Han and the Flaming Hound accidentally discovered someone colluding with the spies of Dan Ren Cheng while returning to camp yesterday. 」

「So the Flaming Hound accompanied me on this unsanctioned reconnaissance. 」

「Nonsense! 」

Guan Shan did not rejoice at Gu Han's discovery; instead, he coldly rebuked him,

「What you need to do now is train hard and grow quickly, not meddle in such dangerous actions! 」

「Little Red may be strong, but two fists can't fight four hands; once in danger, it might not be able to protect you! 」

Gu Han knew Guan Shan was worried about his safety, and waited until he finished speaking before explaining,

「General Guan, if you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get its cub? To gain anything, taking risks is indispensable. 」

「The city guard's patrols may seem airtight, but they always leave an opening to be found. 」

「If my first reaction were to report back and forth, not only might Zhang San flee early, but the leads pointing to the Grey Wolf Gang would also be cut off! 」

Upon hearing Gu Han's words, Guan Shan's brow immediately furrowed,

「You mean this matter is related to the Grey Wolf Gang? 」

Gu Han asked in surprise,

「General, do you know the Grey Wolf Gang? 」

Guan Shan nodded and inquired,

This kind of grey gang, I naturally know about it, but what does this matter have to do with the Grey Wolf Gang?

Gu Han took out from his storage space the abstract map he had seized from Zhang San.

Immediately after, he briefly described the whole process from him capturing Zhang San to being forced back by Di Ying.

Among them, he naturally concealed the fact that he had defeated Wang Keyan.

Instead, he attributed all the credit to the Flame Hound.

The Flame Hound didn't know why Gu Han said that.

But seeing the owner's approving gaze, it also raised its tail and swayed.

That fellow Di Ying is indeed not easy to deal with.

Guan Shan took the map scroll from Gu Han's hands.

We have suspected Di Ying several times before, but that fellow's hands are very clean.

Anything done under him ends up spotless, with nothing traceable back to him.

Each time, we can at most punish him for the offense of lax discipline.

This time we have the map, but I didn't expect him to still be stubborn.

Saying this, Guan Shan suddenly shifted the topic.

Right, are there any survivors among the Grey Wolf Gang?

If there are survivors, take them back to the interrogation office; maybe we can implicate Di Ying.

Upon hearing that, Gu Han and the Flame Hound stared at each other.

Guan Shan naturally understood the meaning of the man and the dog, and gave a faint smile.

That's right; Di Ying should have already returned to the Grey Wolf Gang by now.

If he finds out, those unclean subordinates are probably already dead, wanting to leave no living witnesses.

You've been busy all night; go rest properly first.

I'll take this scroll, and I'll have someone look for any clues about the Grey Wolf Gang.

Gu Han also knew that his eyes were now bloodshot, his head feeling heavy and dazed, unsuitable for further action.

He therefore did not persist, but instead applied to Guan Shan to have the Flame Hound send him back to the camp.

Guan Shan waved his hand, tacitly accepting Gu Han's request.

Gu Han mounted the scorching Flame Hound, and amidst the gallop, the cold wind howled in his ears.

But the warmth coming from beneath him made Gu Han not feel the winter chill, but rather a sense of exhilaration.

Gu Han patted the little wolf's head that had popped out from his bosom.

Look at you, when will you grow as big as the Flame Hound so I can also have a blast?

The little wolf cutely rolled its eyes.

You don't understand; being small is cute, okay?

In the blink of an eye, Gu Han returned to the camp.

Different from the grim and stern atmosphere in the city

The New Recruit Camp remained as usual, with combat soldiers training and logistics soldiers working.

The room happened to be empty; after Gu Han took a shower, he returned to his blankets and slept soundly.