After a round of wine, Quản Vân raised his cup toward Khiêm and Tu, saying, "Brothers, when I first entered service, I had no one to support me and thus humbled myself under Tề Uy's banner. I regret not meeting the lord governor sooner, or my path to glory would have long been fulfilled."
Vương Khiêm, narrowing his eyes with a smile, said, "Lord Quản, the lord governor is wise and valiant, a rare and virtuous leader in this world. That you did not meet him earlier but have now is surely Heaven's will, granting you to serve him!"
Lữ Tu chimed in, "Công Dịch speaks true! Lord Quản, henceforth we are fellow officials, aiding the lord governor to achieve his grand dominion! Let us spare the formalities."
With that, Tu raised his cup, drained it, and loudly proclaimed, "To the lord governor's swift achievement of his great dominion!"
Khiêm and Vân, seeing this, laughed heartily, raised their cups, and shouted, "To the bottom!"
After drinking, Quản Vân smiled and asked, "Brothers, what do you think of our lord's enterprise as it stands? Here, among just us, there's no need for concealment!"
Vương Khiêm, now warmed by wine and filled with fervor, said, "Lord Quản! The lord governor is a noble of the district, widely connected, promoting worthy talents without regard for kinship—a mark of a true enlightened ruler! I, Vương, come from rustic origins, saved years ago by the Trương family's patriarch, and fortunate to serve the lord governor. My current prominence is thanks to that past! Vương Công Dịch lives as a loyal servant of the Trương family and will die as their ghost, serving with utmost devotion until my last breath!"
Lữ Tu, with boundless zeal, said, "The lord governor has held Trường Lạc for but a short time, yet he governs with benevolence, spreading grace far and wide. His elite troops are wholly loyal—how could an ordinary man achieve such feats? It's only that dog traitor Tôn Bặc, stirring rebellion, that has drained the treasury and depleted provisions, leaving the people in misery! If the lord governor were given time to rule this district, with strong soldiers and able generals, and prosperous people, it would not be a mere dream!"
Quản Vân laughed loudly, saying, "Your profound insights leave me in awe, brothers!"
Khiêm and Tu, immensely pleased, modestly replied, "We dare not boast! Lord Quản is too kind."
With that, they carelessly drank several more cups. But soon after, Vương Khiêm and Lữ Tu felt a burning discomfort within, their stomachs wracked with unnatural pain, their faces contorted in agony. Quản Vân, seeing this, asked with concern, "Brothers, is something amiss?"
Vương Khiêm, grimacing, growled, "Quản Vân, what have you done?"
Even a fool could tell he had been poisoned. Quản Vân, dropping all pretense, laughed loudly, "Vương Công Dịch, you who think yourself so clever!"
Lữ Tu glared with hatred and shouted, "Quản Trọng Nhan, why would you harm us?"
Quản Vân smiled faintly, saying, "To welcome a true lord to rule Trường Lạc, of course."
Vương Khiêm and Lữ Tu, shocked, exclaimed in horror, "You've defected to that dog traitor Tôn Bặc! Villain, the lord governor treated you well—why betray him?!"
Vân coldly replied, "Trương Giang is brutal and bloodthirsty, arrogant and overbearing, shunning worthy vassals while favoring petty men! How could I, Quản Vân, submit to such a man?"
Vương Khiêm and Lữ Tu were speechless, their eyes burning with hatred. Their limbs grew numb, unable to move; otherwise, they would have lunged to kill Quản Vân. Vương Khiêm said icily, "Villain, I only regret not seeing through your scheme sooner! Had I, you'd already be a ghost!"
Quản Vân laughed even louder, saying, "Vương Công Dịch, Lữ Hiếu Nhân! For the sake of our past brotherhood, lend me one thing…"
Lữ Tu's face paled as he stammered, "You…"
Before Tu could finish, Quản Vân drew a dagger from his sleeve and slew him. Vương Khiêm, witnessing this, was gripped by fear and cursed, "Dog traitor! You…"
Quản Vân, swift as thunder, struck down Vương Khiêm as well. Blood pooled across the floor as Quản Vân, his face cold, walked toward the rear courtyard. There, he gently opened the door, where the scent of sandalwood incense wafted. Entering, Quản Vân bowed and said, "I have not failed my mission; Vương Khiêm and Lữ Tu are dead."
Inside, a man in a long cyan robe, holding a feathered fan, waved it lightly and said, "Brother Quản, your stratagem is masterful; I, Hi Quân, am deeply impressed. Our lord has gained another talented vassal!"
This man was none other than Lý Dương, Lý Hi Quân! After offering his ingenious plan to Tôn Bặc, Lý Dương had volunteered to infiltrate Trường Lạc alone, orchestrating a scheme to seize the city by nightfall.
Lý Dương smiled at Quản Vân, saying, "Brother Trọng Nhan, with Vương Khiêm and Lữ Tu eliminated, Trương Giang's remaining followers are mere empty husks, no cause for fear. However, Trương Quyết and Lưu Di are capable generals, loyal only to Giang and unusable for our lord. They must be removed. I've heard Văn Ôn, a former subordinate of Quách Kiệm, harbors resentment due to mistreatment. Can he be swayed to our cause?"
Quản Vân replied gravely, bowing, "Brother Lý, Văn Ôn is a man of exceptional valor and can be persuaded! He resents Giang for executing his friend and now guards the western gate. Though unworthy, I am willing to convince him!"
Lý Dương smiled, "Then I trouble you, Brother Trọng Nhan! If this succeeds, you shall claim the greatest merit!"
Quản Vân nodded, changed into dark robes, and set out for the western gate under cover of night. Atop the gate tower, Văn Ôn stood lost in thought, his heart tangled, brooding over his friend Lôi Vũ's execution. Gazing at the moonlight, his troubles found release only in a weary sigh.
Suddenly, a voice from behind called, "Why does General Văn sigh? Is your heart heavy with cares?"
Ôn turned, frowning, and saw a man in black robes, dignified in bearing. Startled, he bowed, saying, "This humble general greets the Chief Clerk. Why do you come in person at this late hour?"
The man smiled faintly and said, "General Văn, having lost a friend this morning, do you not harbor resentment toward the lord governor?"
Văn Ôn, alarmed, bowed low and said, "This humble general… dares not!"
The man laughed heartily, "I, Quản Vân, never misjudge a man. Can you hide your discontent?"
With a meaningful tone, he asked, "General Văn, do you wish to achieve a great deed?"
Văn Ôn, increasingly confused, probed, "My lord, I do not understand your intent…"
Quản Vân smiled, "To seize Trường Lạc!"
Ôn, no fool, was horrified and exclaimed, "Chief Clerk… you plot rebellion? Forgive me, but I cannot comply! Let today's matter be as if I heard nothing!"
Quản Vân calmly said, "Trương the traitor is bloodthirsty by nature, arrogant and harsh, no true lord. I wish to offer Trường Lạc to the true lord in my heart, and I need your strength to succeed. If this comes to pass, General Văn shall claim the greatest merit!"
Ôn's face darkened as he pondered, then said softly, "The true lord you speak of is Tôn Bặc, Tôn Đức Dương?"
Quản Vân did not answer, only gazing at Văn Ôn. Ôn wrestled with his thoughts, recalling Trương Giang's intent to exterminate Quách Kiệm's clan and his execution of Lôi Vũ. After a moment, Văn Ôn, like a sword unsheathed, said gravely, "I, Văn Ôn, will aid in offering the city!"
Quản Vân, overjoyed, helped Ôn up, saying, "With General Tử Phụng's aid, success is assured!"
Văn Ôn clasped his fists and asked, "Lord Quản, what would you have me do?"
Vân replied calmly, "Kill Trương Quyết and Lưu Di, and rally the entire army in the city!"
Văn Ôn declared firmly, "This humble general obeys!"
With that, Văn Ôn entered the gate tower, retrieved a sharp long saber, and, with a light leap, used his agility to head toward the camp of Lưu Di and Trương Quyết. Watching Ôn depart, Quản Vân silently wished him swift success.
Trương Quyết and Lưu Di commanded a large force at the southern gate, with Di deferring to Quyết as the leader, assisting Trương Quyền with military affairs. In the command tent, Trương Quyền consulted Quyết and Di, asking, "Generals, what are my brother's chances in this battle?"
Quyết stepped forward and said, "Lord Military Advisor, the outcome of the lord governor's battle remains uncertain!"
Trương Quyền, surprised, asked, "Why so?"
Quyết explained, "Lord Military Advisor, scouts report that only Tôn Nghĩa's forces are engaged, with no sign of Tôn Bặc's army. Where, then, is Tôn Bặc?"
Lưu Di added, "I once urged the lord governor to be cautious, as this may be a scheme! Alas, he did not listen!"
Trương Quyền said gravely, "Generals, since my brother took high office, he has grown arrogant and dictatorial. Our duty now is to fulfill our roles and watch for changes. If the worst comes, I beseech you to march and save his life! I will be forever grateful!"
With that, Quyền bowed to Lưu Di and Trương Quyết to show his sincerity. Di and Quyết, overwhelmed, said, "Lord Military Advisor, you must not! How can we, mere subordinates, deserve such a gesture?"
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the tent, with countless shouts causing Quyền, Quyết, and Di to pause in confusion. A bloodied soldier stumbled in, crying, "Lord Military Advisor, rebellion! Rebellion!"
Lưu Di, frowning, demanded, "Speak clearly! What rebellion? Who rebels?"
The soldier, wincing, said, "General Văn Ôn has rebelled! He's stormed the camp, killing men!"
Trương Quyết, furious, roared, "Văn Ôn dares? Truly, he follows in Lôi Vũ's footsteps! The lord governor showed him great favor, ordering him to assist the Military Advisor, yet he betrays us? A wolf's heart and dog's lungs—I'll charge and slay him myself!"
Quyết drew his sword and, with agile steps, rushed out. At that moment, Văn Ôn, as if possessed by a demon, slaughtered countless soldiers, blood flowing like rivers, striking fear into all who dared not move. His aura soared as he shouted, "Trương Quyết, Lưu Di, where are you? Come face your death!"
From afar, a furious roar replied, "How dare you, dog traitor Văn Ôn! Die!"
Trương Quyết, his face ferocious, channeled inner energy into his sword, unleashing a heaven-shaking sword aura to slay Văn Ôn. Seeing Quyết's sword aura, Văn Ôn's long saber flashed with dazzling light to meet it.
Văn Ôn summoned his full power, unleashing a killing move, shouting, "Take my Army-Breaking Saber!"
The Army-Breaking Saber, true to its name, could shatter ten thousand foes! This single strike, as if ten thousand sabers converged, was unstoppable. Trương Quyết, seeing the saber's heaven-defying killing intent, tried to parry with his sword.
Alas, Quyết, focused on military strategy, had only secondary martial skills and underestimated the strike. The Army-Breaking Saber's edge tore through his sword like paper, slaying him on the spot.
Lưu Di, rushing out to assess the situation, was heartbroken at the sight. Glaring at Ôn with hatred, he unleashed a fist brimming with immense inner energy.
Lưu Di, a master of fist techniques with formidable inner strength, struck like a thunderbolt from the heavens. Ôn countered with his saber but was thrown back. Di, with refined footwork, swiftly attacked from behind, aiming to end Văn Ôn's life.
Văn Ôn dodged nimbly, his long saber weaving like falling blossoms, each strike radiating clear killing intent toward Di. Lưu Di countered with palm and fist techniques, his condensed inner energy allowing him to block the sharp saber barehanded, neither side yielding.
At that moment, a shout rang out, "Tử Kiện, fear not—Trương Quyền comes to aid!"
It was Trương Quyền, wielding a sharp short blade, his inner energy surging as he struck. Quyền roared at Văn Ôn, "Raging Sea Blade Art: Mad Sea Strike!"
The Mad Sea Strike unleashed a frenzied killing aura, like endless ocean waves or a tsunami swallowing all. Văn Ôn, undaunted, parried with his saber, its movements pure and masterful, blocking all attacks.
Quyền and Di fought in tandem, like twin dragons, unstoppable, their sharpness at its peak! Văn Ôn laughed heartily, exhilarated, saying, "Not bad! Today, I shall make my name in this battle!"
With that, he channeled inner energy into his saber and roared, "Army-Breaking Saber Slash!"
This strike was as if the Overlord himself stood reborn, the Army-Breaking spirit embodied, its blazing aura like the sun, overwhelming the surrounding soldiers and Quyền and Di. The slash shook the earth, and though Quyền and Di tried to block it, they could not withstand the Army-Breaking Saber Slash, torn asunder as if their souls were scattered.
The surrounding soldiers, witnessing this, stared at Văn Ôn in stunned silence. Ôn stepped forward and declared gravely, "Surrender, and you shall not be killed! From this day, I command this camp!"
The soldiers, hearing this, bowed in submission, shouting, "We pay homage to General Văn! We pay homage to General Văn!"
Văn Ôn nodded, then ordered a soldier, "Go quickly to Quản's residence and summon the Chief Clerk!"
The order given, the soldier obeyed promptly. Soon after, Quản Vân arrived with an unfamiliar figure. In the command tent, Văn Ôn saluted Quản Vân, but seeing the other man—handsome, clad in a cyan robe, holding a feathered fan—asked softly, "Lord Quản, who is this?"
Quản Vân smiled, "This is Lý Dương, Lý Hi Quân!"
Ôn, startled, bowed respectfully, saying, "This humble general greets Lord Lý."
Lý Dương said nothing, smiling with narrowed eyes at Văn Ôn, as if beholding a treasure, making Ôn feel a moment of unease.