CHAPTER 149: CHAPTER 148: DIVERGENCE

Seeing the situation starting to show signs of becoming uncontrollable, Situ Jing’s face grew increasingly grim. He raised his hand to signal those below to quiet down and frowned, asking, "These days, I’ve been telling you all daily that the brothers who got into trouble have been sent to a proper place for treatment, but it takes time.

I also warned you to be more cautious in your daily activities. Why are you so adamant about this Great Immortal’s magic?"

"General!" A man resembling a Centurion fell to the ground with a thud, weeping bitterly. "You have only been in Li State for ten days, which to you might just be ordinary military affairs.

But for us brothers who have been in this camp together for years, those people are like brothers!

We watched helplessly as our brothers fell under the spell, killing each other and bleeding through their seven orifices. How can we not be worried and anxious!

We have wives and children back home. If it were truly about fighting enemies on the front lines, dying honorably in battle would be fine!

But now, to die so absurdly, we are heartbroken!

To invite someone to perform rituals would only result in some gossip for you, in essence, just reputation, but for the brothers, it’s a matter of life and death!"

He spoke with such heartbreaking sorrow, tears streaming down, causing many around him to be moved, and they followed suit, kneeling down.

Zhu Yu carefully observed the Centurion who first knelt, recognizing his name from the list Lu Qing had.

Situ Jing apparently also noticed this, so he did not give more people the chance to plead and cry, signaling those nearby to pull up those kneeling: "Alright, since so, if I don’t agree, it would seem that I am being callous, ignoring the life and death of the brothers.

If more than half of you today want to invite the Mage to perform exorcism in the camp, I will follow your wishes.

But if it is less than half, then you will go back and wait patiently for the brothers who were sent out to recover and return.

This way, you should have no objections, right?"

Seeing that he did not punish anyone and showed signs of relenting, the soldiers immediately voiced their approval.

"Brothers, listen to me." Zhou Kang immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Those who hope the General agrees to set up a platform for rituals stand on the left, those who do not agree stand on the right, so we can show the General our stance.

We are all in the camp together; the General treats each brother equally, just as his personal soldiers, how could he not care about our safety!"

As soon as personal soldiers were mentioned, some in the imperial guard changed their expressions, some unhappily glancing at Situ Jing.

After Zhou Kang’s words, the imperial guard soldiers started moving, some eagerly squeezed to the left, while some stayed put, torn between going left for fear of the General’s backlash, and not daring to go right for fear of being blamed by camp brothers.

Liao Yu and others, however, were resolute, joining a like-minded group of soldiers directly on the right.

"Brothers, we have lived righteously and with integrity, what evil spirits would dare haunt our camp?" Liao Yu was somewhat annoyed seeing more people move to the left, "In this world, only those who have done wrong would be haunted by evil spirits, we have lived with integrity, why believe in ghosts and gods!

A group of imperial guards, speaking of ghosts and gods, how can you then fight on the battlefield!"

Some were initially hesitant and inclined to go left, but after hearing him, felt deeply ashamed, retracting their steps, hesitantly finally stood on the right.

Someone taunted him, saying, "Liao Chengju, you sure know how to speak in a way that pleases the General, but I advise you to save it, make sure to protect your life first and then flatter later.

Otherwise, no matter how good you speak now, you might be the one cursed next, dying more miserably than Pang Centurion, and these words would be wasted!"

Liao Yu glanced at that person with disgust, snorted coldly, and turned away, ignoring him.

Thus, in no time, the crowd that initially stood closely together split into two factions, at a glance both sides seemed numerous, but on closer inspection, the left was slightly larger.

Zhou Kang, seeing the left side swell in number, nearly couldn’t contain his smugness and had to suppress his grin, turning to Situ Jing with a troubled expression: "General... look... this... if you really are reluctant, I could try persuading these brothers again."

"No need." Situ Jing waved his hand, despite his grim look, he was quite straightforward, "A man stands tall with words of honor.

I’ve already given my word; I will not go back on it.

Since so many of the imperial guard brothers wish for an exorcism to be arranged, I’ll trouble the Deputy Capital Commander to arrange it.

I don’t like these matters, so I won’t join; you all do as you wish."

With that, he glanced over at those standing on the left.

Those caught in his gaze, some were smug, others slightly lowered their heads, lacking the confidence.

However, Situ Jing didn’t say anything more, turning and heading back to the main tent, followed by Lu Qing, Zhu Yu, and the personal soldiers who had been standing by.

Outside, Zhou Kang’s voice could still faintly be heard, seemingly soothing the emotions of the soldiers, promising to quickly arrange for people to enter the camp to perform the exorcism rituals, instructing them to continue with their duties as normal.

Soon, the people outside dispersed, and calm returned around the main tent.

Situ Jing returned to the tent, his expression already calm as he sat by the low table. He looked up at the personal soldiers, asking, "Have all the tasks I entrusted you with these days been handled properly?"

"General, everything is done, the Divine Doctor’s medicine has been distributed to reliable brothers, there will be no mistakes when the time comes." The leading personal soldier clenching his fists, seemed eager and ready.

No wonder, recently, they have been the most under pressure in the camp, all eager to reach the final critical moment.

Situ Jing nodded with satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Lu Qing.

Lu Qing glanced at the runes that had quietly returned the night before.

The rune, understanding the cue, immediately spoke, "Everything outside has been arranged, we are ready for them, it’s only a matter of whether they dare to come."