Northwest border
The situation on Lan Ping's side was not as glorious as they said. The victory is true, but the process is far more arduous compared with the other two generals where they had complete control over their soldiers. For Lan Ping, his brother was a double-edged sword.
"Brother Pan, please don't attack our own soldiers." Lan Ping's mouth twitched slightly when he once again saw his brother attacking his soldiers. While that brother of his is indeed a big help, he won't differentiate between friend and foe, making it harder for him to maintain the unity of his soldiers.
The soldiers were all afraid of Lan Pan. Firstly, this man's big blade would attack anyone whenever he wished. Secondly, this man's martial arts is far higher than any of them, including Lan Ping which made it even harder to stop him. Thirdly, he won't listen to anyone except Lan Ping to a certain degree.
"What is it, my dear brother?" Lan Pan smiled back. His face was very similar to Lan Ping's, but the murderous intent around him made people unable to breathe properly. His devilish smile would be on his face, but his eyes were exceedingly cold and unfeeling.
"Don't attack them," Lan Ping said once again.
"Fine. When will we go into another war? I'm already impatient." Waving his blade, Lan Pan stepped back. His casual demeanor caused the soldiers to feel chills even just by looking at this man. They truly wished this man to go away and not bother them anymore. No one wants to get close with a person who might kill them on a whim.
"Later." Lan Ping answered.
"Really? How long is that later?"
Facing this question, Lan Ping felt troubled. He knows that his father didn't trust him enough to be able to face off the enemies, which is the reason Lan Pan was sent here. But, the problem is, even he cannot fully command his brother. Lan Pan is a scary person and even Lan Ping felt afraid when facing him.
The numerous victories he gained over the past few weeks were all Lan Pan's credit, but at the same time, Lan Ping had lost nearly half of his original soldiers and most of them were caused by this man over here. He didn't dare to complain to his father, but he too cannot explain the loss of thousands of soldiers to his father without mentioning the name of his brother.
He directed his gaze to his brother. "I don't know. Please be patient."
Lan Pan narrowed his eyes and looked towards his brother. In the past, Lan Ping always pestered Lan Pan to train with him and followed him wherever he went. But, Lan Pan's cruel methods and his attitude caused Lan Ping to never do it again. He would distance himself from his brother and even went to the battlefield alone. Lan Pan never said anything and a smile was always plastered on his face.
"I can't stay patient. I want to kill them."
Lan Ping's face turned ashen. "You can't."
"You call them your soldiers? These weaklings are not worth it."
Lan Ping knows that his brother's martial arts is exceptional, but all of these soldiers are the soldiers of the Lan family. They might not be able to be compared with the soldiers of the Nanglong family and the Jun family, but they are certainly not weak. Unfortunately, it is useless to reason with this man and Lan Ping cannot refute him.
"They are enough, brother, please have some rest."
"I'm the one that the heavens chose, why should I need rest?" Lan Pan said coldly.
The pressure coming from Lan Pan was much more heavier than the previous one. Lan Ping never understood this talk about being chosen by the heavens and all, but he knows that his brother believed in it completely. Going by his brother's words, he is someone the whole world should respect, but Lan Ping never believed this rambling. He only knows that his brother is someone strong and problematic.
"Then just go and don't kill them," Lan Ping said while bearing the pressure.
"If you say so, my dear brother."
After Lan Pan left, Lan Ping could finally breathe in relief. After all these years, he could never surpass his brother and was always left in the dust by his prowess and ability. He is still afraid of him and cannot see him anymore.
"General, why are you keeping him here? The losses we have suffered all this time…"
"Shut your mouth." Lan Ping glared at that soldier. "Did I give you any permission to talk about your superior?"
"No, I'm sorry, general!"
Lan Ping dismissed them and returned back to his tent. He was awfully tired of handling that problematic brother of his. He's sure that in front of his own soldiers, he has turned into an incompetent leader who should have demoted his rank back down.
One of the soldiers came to report a piece of unexpected news. Lan Ping's eyes shone when he heard the news. This time, it will be another chance for a showdown between the three of them.
"The distance from here to the north border and from the northwest border to the north border is more or less the same. This time, I will arrive even faster than them and dominate the war." Lan Ping smiled evilly. He had wanted to erase his name of the incompetent general for some time and this is the perfect chance for him.
"Tell Lan Pan, we are going to slaughter some people."
"Yes, General!"
Lan Ping smiled. With Lan Pan helping him, even those two would be unable to contend against him. The victory will be his as long as he arrives first.
Edit (12/8/2019) Editor: Gigglypuff and Yuki