297: Chapter 297: Catching a Turtle in a Jar 297: Chapter 297: Catching a Turtle in a Jar Sikong Jing, upon hearing these words, glanced at Pan Zha and retorted coldly, “A command such as yours will not be heeded by Pan Zha, who is also a Deputy General.”

“He has already been bribed by Lan Zhuanghe.

The news was out soon after Elder Wei’s arrival,” he said.

As a Deputy General, in Ning Jingjing’s absence, Pan Zha was one of the leaders of the 99th Army.

How could he possibly obey this command?

As soon as these words were spoken, Pan Zha felt a chill run down his entire body.

How could Sikong Jing guess so accurately?

But he quickly reacted, “What nonsense are you spouting?

How could I possibly be bribed by Lan Zhuanghe?”

Upon hearing this, Sikong Jing pointed to the corpse of Lady Pan and said coldly, “If you weren’t bribed by Lan Zhuanghe, then why did your woman force my wife to go to the 96th Town?

Why endanger my family?”

With those words, a murderous intent surged from Sikong Jing towards Pan Zha.

This matter was Sikong Jing’s Achilles’ heel.

Although Lady Pan was already dead, Pan Zha deserved to die even more.

His words made all the Black-armored Soldiers in the room widen their eyes in disbelief, staring at Pan Zha.

The latter’s body trembled violently as he then shrieked, “You—you—you… Slandering me!

What on earth are you trying to do?

I get it now; you want to become the General of the 99th Army while General Ning is away.”

“Pfft…”

With a derisive laugh, Sikong Jing spoke lightly, “How could someone unacknowledged with a Spirit Martial Root like me become the General of the 99th Army?

Pan Zha, oh Pan Zha, please use your brain when making excuses.”

All of a sudden, Pan Zha was at a loss for words.

Sikong Jing, who wasn’t even enlisted in the Black Burning Army, couldn’t possibly become a General; his accusation was like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot.

“Right, my father-in-law and elder sister-in-law might be in danger at the Black Burning Reserve Camp.”

“Pan Zha threatened my wife and my mother-in-law using their lives as leverage.”

“Now, I must trouble Elder Wei to send a message to a trusted person at the Reserve Camp to check on my father-in-law’s situation promptly.”

Elder Wei, upon hearing this, did not dare to delay and immediately moved to send the message…

However, just at that moment, Sui Yu’s voice was heard outside the castle.

“I need to see General Ning.

Uncle Su and Su Yue Immortal are trapped in the Fire Refining Field.

No one is going to save them!”

On hearing this, the two Deputy Generals exchanged glances and quickly ordered Sui Yu to be let inside the castle.

Then Sui Yu rushed in, and upon seeing Sikong Jing, he excitedly recounted the situation at the Reserve Camp.

It was Su Zhenglong and Su Yue Immortal who were sent to a place called the Fire Refining Field to undergo trials, but it was perilously dangerous, and one had to come out within a set time, or there would be fatalities.

At the time, Sui Yu shouted for the instructors to rescue them, but the responsible instructors did not move at all, ignoring him.

Consequently, Sui Yuli suspected a conspiracy and secretly escaped from the Reserve Camp to seek Ning Jingjing at the 99th Castle.

Of course, he still didn’t know that Ning Jingjing was not in the castle.

After hearing this, Sikong Jing broke into a cold sweat, his murderous intent growing even wilder.

If he had not arrived one step ahead, Sui Yu’s appearance might also have been silenced by Pan Zha.

And as Sui Yu detailed the account, the two Deputy Generals, Elder Wei, and the surrounding Black-armored Soldiers all felt chills, their gazes fixed on Pan Zha, further convincing everyone of the veracity of Sikong Jing’s words.

Of course, Elder Wei also hurriedly sent a message, instructing trusted individuals in the Reserve Camp to promptly rescue Su Zhenglong and Su Yue Immortal.

Just then, a Deputy General at the Martial Arts Sect Realm shivered violently and gave a stern command, “Someone, quickly mount a flying steed and check on the 99th Army Castle’s situation, and make it fast.”

Following that, two Black-armored Soldiers ascended into the sky but then suddenly stopped midway.

One of them turned back, his complexion drastically changed, and reported, “They have come.

Lan Zhuanghe has indeed arrived, and their large army will soon reach our 99th Army Castle, likely in less than half a moment.”

At these words, the entire room went colder still.

A Deputy General glared daggers at Pan Zha, shaking as he pointed at him and said, “General Ning has been good to you!”

With the arrival of Sui Yu and Lan Zhuanghe, they were now thoroughly convinced of Sikong Jing’s words.

However, Pan Zha shook his head frantically, still arguing, “Don’t believe his lies.

I haven’t betrayed General Ning.

This is all a coincidence… No, it’s all the conspiracy of this Canglong Domain youngster.”

“He is the one who has sided with Lan Zhuanghe.

He wants to internally dismantle us.”

Pan Zha knew he absolutely couldn’t admit it, for doing so would mean only death awaited him.

But what greeted him was the icy gaze of the crowd, and, of course, Sikong Jing’s sneer, “No tears till they see the coffin.”

Having said this, Sikong Jing then looked toward the two deputy generals and said indifferently, “If you trust my advice, now is the time to heed it – open a city gate to let Lan Zhuanghe in.”

Upon hearing this, the deputy generals and the Black-armored Soldiers’ gazes turned to stone.

Pan Zha’s eyes brightened, “Listen to him, he’s exposed himself, he’s baring his fangs…

He even says to open the city gates and let Lan Zhuanghe in.

Isn’t that his conspiracy?”

Everyone stared intently at Sikong Jing, their faces filled with hesitation and confusion.

Suddenly, Sui Yu sneered, “Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

“Lan Zhuanghe is still under the impression that Pan Zha will fling open the city gates to welcome him, and as soon as a few hundred of his main forces are inside, we immediately close the city gates, then we can catch Lan Zhuanghe… like catching a turtle in a jar!”

Sui Yu, having fought many battles alongside Sikong Jing, instantly grasped Sikong Jing’s idea.

“And does Brother Sikong have the final say in the 99th Army?

Can he simply order you not to close the city gates?”

Seeing the crowd still doubtful, Sui Yu immediately added another explanation.

In an instant, the deputy generals had an epiphany; indeed, this was true.

Sikong Jing wasn’t Pan Zha; he had no confidants in the 99th Army Castle, and whether to open or close the city gates wasn’t up to him, but to the deputy generals.

In other words, Sikong Jing had no way to carry out any conspiracy…

“Alright, we’ll follow Brother Sikong’s suggestion and open the city gates to let Lan Zhuanghe in.”

“At the same time, after several hundred cavalry have entered, the two of us, the deputy generals, will personally shut the city gates.

Catching a turtle in a jar.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Black-armored Soldiers, who had still harbored doubts, immediately calmed down, knowing that even if Sikong Jing did side with Lan Zhuanghe, the deputy generals couldn’t possibly be Sikong Jing’s men.

Having them personally shut the city gates was naturally trustworthy.

At this moment, hundreds of Black-armored Soldiers surrounded Pan Zha, encircling Sikong Jing and the others to ensure safety, while other Black-armored Soldiers waited at various positions, ready for the moment when Lan Zhuanghe made his move.

Thud, thud, thud…

Half a moment later, the sound of hoofbeats grew louder and louder; Lan Zhuanghe’s forces were arriving at the 99th Army Castle.

Just then, a gap in the city gate opened, and a Black-armored Soldier stuck out his head saying, “General Lan, quickly enter the city.”

After speaking, the Black-armored Soldier retreated.

The city gates remained tightly shut, but Lan Zhuanghe smiled, casually saying to the deputy general beside him, “Pan Zha is indeed reliable.

The city gate certainly isn’t locked.

Let’s charge in and catch the 99th Army off guard.”

As the words fell, Lan Zhuanghe charged towards the city gate at the forefront.

He crashed through, the gates indeed opening up, and with a wild laugh, Lan Zhuanghe stormed into the city, his army closely following.

“Ning Jingjing, 99th Army, today you will be trampled under my feet,” Lan Zhuanghe declared.

Even though he knew Ning Jingjing wasn’t in the city at the moment, Lan Zhuanghe still roared in exhilaration, savoring the thrill.

One rider, two riders, three riders…

When several hundred cavalry had charged into the city, two figures suddenly dropped from the shadows and appeared behind the city gate – the 99th Army’s two Martial Arts Sect Realm deputy generals.

With a fierce shout, they unleashed all their strength and vigorously closed the city gates.

Then one held off the attack of incoming 96th Legion knights, while the other firmly locked the massive iron bar into place.