For a full year, Doanh Thuong Quan continuously sought out and invited many talented individuals to join him. Most of these people hesitated and were undecided, but a few trustworthy individuals immediately followed him. Among them were two critical members:

  

  
• Chung Hoi: From the Yin-Yang School (?m D??ng gia), specializing in Battle Formations (tr?n pháp).


  
• Dang Trung: From the Talismanic School (Phù L?c), specializing in Charms and Thunder Magic (L?i thu?t).


  

  Chung Hoi taught Doanh Thuong Quan’s army of 7,000 men two main formations: the Five Elements Array (Ng? Hành Tr?n) for offense and the Eight Trigrams Formation (Bát Quái Tr?n ??) for defense. Dang Trung always followed Doanh Thuong Quan, carrying three types of talismans: the Eye Talisman (Phù Nh?n), the Ear Talisman (Phù Nh?), and the Mouth Talisman (Phù Kh?u). Dang Trung plastered these three types of charms everywhere in the cities they passed through. When the year was complete, Doanh Thuong Quan returned to meet the King, then set out again to take over the cities.

  Doanh Thuong Quan entered Zhong Binh City, also known as Deng City (??ng Thành), the hometown of Dang Trung. This time, they did not enter secretly but marched in like a Great General of the Western Campaign (??i t??ng Chinh Tay). He wore official General’s robes, rode atop a Triangular Dragon (Tam Giác Long), with trumpets and drums sounding loudly, and 1,000 soldiers lined up in two rows, slowly stepping into the city. Having not seen such a magnificent and lavish procession in a long time, the citizens streamed out to watch the spectacle.

  However, Dang Tran Cung, the City Lord, was not pleased. He refused to meet them and did not wish to give up his position. That night, Dang Tran Cung led 3,000 elite troops to assassinate Doanh Thuong Quan, but the attempt failed.

  Doanh Thuong Quan immediately put on his armor, wielded a Flame Sword (Ki?m L?a), and carried three shields (Ice, Fire, and Thunder), flying in circles around the General. Whichever shield he held, its corresponding attribute aura spread out, launching precise attacks on the opponent. Dang Tran Cung was an extremely skilled archer, capable of the Ten Stars Linked Shots (Th?p Tinh Liên Chau), firing ten arrows in a short time, every one of them hitting its mark, but they were all blocked. Doanh Thuong Quan managed to close the distance, held his sword to the City Lord’s neck, and forced him to order a surrender.

  Dang Tran Cung said, "Kill me. Even in death, I will not accept being a subordinate of the Chau Ngoc family again. But you must spare my soldiers; I will hand over my military authority to you."

  Doanh Thuong Quan replied, "Why be so difficult? You should forgive. Every grievance has a root and every debt has a master. Your father was killed by the previous King, not the current one. How long will you hold onto this stubbornness? I will wait outside the city for one day for you to consider."

  Dang Tran Cung returned home to deliberate, constantly receiving reports that the General of the Western Campaign (Chinh Tay T??ng Quan) was waiting outside the city, and had not left from morning until noon.

  Dang Trung came to the house and said, "Cousin, do you, a talented and capable person like yourself, really want to live such a dull life here?"

  Dang Tran Cung said, "I understand your intent, but don't say too much. I will not be a dog for the Chau Ngoc family again. That lineage is completely undeserving."

  Dang Trung countered, "No, I'm talking about the General of the Western Campaign. He is a chivalrous, exceptional man with great ambition."

  Dang Tran Cung laughed and said, "It's all the same; they still have to depend on the King. I would even have to send my son to be held captive by the King. I don't want to be separated from my children."

  Dang Trung laughed loudly, "I see. You are too fond of your son, aren't you? Then adopt a child—a commoner, perhaps. When that child goes to the capital, they will be treated as nobility, provided with food, drink, and proper education. They would be eternally grateful if you chose them as your adopted child."

  Dang Tran Cung stammered, "But... but..."

  Dang Trung said no more, pulling and dragging him along, saying, "Your talent is meant for everyone to see, not to be a turtle hiding its head in this corner. Come on, come with me."

  Afterward, Doanh Thuong Quan gained one more general and 1,000 troops.

  The two Deng brothers had extensive connections and became the representatives for the General of the Western Campaign to subdue the minor cities and Zhong Binh City. Dang Trung had posted the Eye Talismans (Phù Nh?n) and Ear Talismans (Phù Nh?) everywhere. Through these, he established a small organization called the Talismanic Intelligence Network (Phù Nh? Tình Báo), specializing in gathering intelligence on the city officials, forcing them to serve the General of the Northern Campaign (Chinh B?c T??ng Quan - this is likely a mistake and should be General of the Western Campaign, maintained as per original text) or their secrets would be exposed.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  In places that were too stubborn, Dang Trung had to rely on the assistance of Chung Hoi, who deployed a formation called the Five Elements Array (Ng? Hành Tr?n). This array utilized the five elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) and five banners (White, Yellow, Green, Blue, Red, Brown-Yellow. There are 6 colors listed, maintained as per original text). Each banner commanded five battalions, each battalion had 10 companies, and each company had 50 men, totaling 2,500 personnel. The Five Elements naturally have a mutually generating cycle, so when lined up in formation, they could transform and convert into one another, creating a collective energy source.

  In the center of the array was a table with the five banners and the three talismans: Ear Talisman, Eye Talisman, and Mouth Talisman. Chung Hoi stood in the middle of the table, performing the Spirit Summoning Art (Khu Th?n) to call for divine assistance. One of the 16 Fire Gods (H?a Th?n) appeared, holding a bow and with eyes blazing with fire, awaiting orders.

  Dang Trung said to the City Lord, "Please hand over the governance authority to the General of the Western Campaign."

  The enraged City Lord shouted, "Never! Dare to say that one more time, and I will throw you into a pot of boiling oil!"

  Dang Trung was silent for a moment, then said, "Very well, I shall take my leave, but before I go, please watch this."

  Dang Trung pointed at the city gate and spoke the number of a location where an Eye Talisman was posted. Chung Hoi, listening through the Ear Talisman, heard what Dang Trung said and immediately directed the Fire God to aim its bow and fire at the city gate that had the numbered Eye Talisman. From a distance of 10,000 meters, a fireball shot out, hitting the target precisely and collapsing the gate, astonishing everyone present.

  Dang Trung continued to call out other numbers, and fireballs accurately struck, terrifying everyone there and making them kneel before Dang Trung as if he were a god. However, the City Lord did not change his mind, as all those locations were deserted parts of the city and not concerning. Dang Trung then read out the City Lord's home address, and the addresses of the families of the city officials, and said, "I am not forcing you to agree immediately. I can wait, but only for one day. I will go outside the city. Hurry, my patience has its limits."

  Dang Trung waited for half a day, and then the officials came out, tied up the City Lord, handed him over to Dang Trung, and allowed him to deal with the situation freely. Just like that, the minor cities and Zhong Binh City rapidly surrendered.

  This news also reached Doanh Thuong Quan's two elder brothers, who were highly ambitious. They quickly mobilized their armies, claiming the title of the General of the Western Campaign, and conquered the surrounding cities. This forced Doanh Thuong Quan to accelerate his efforts to secure the remaining cities as quickly as possible. Among the five major cities, Tan Tay Thành, where the Great General (a Core Formation - K?t ?an cultivator) named Kieu Anh Phong was garrisoned, held the most crucial position.

  Doanh Thuong Quan led his entire army, including all his generals, with a force of nearly 30,000 men. The troops inside Xin Xi City also numbered around 30,000, but the defenders always held an advantage. Qiao Ying Feng looked at the small group of junior generals with contempt. The Great General rode out alone, wielding a large Great Saber (??i ?ao) in front of the city gate, and shouted, "Everyone, charge at me! I will take you all on by myself! If you're scared, go home and cry, ha ha!"

  Seven junior generals from Doanh Thuong Quan's side advanced. Among them, Dang Trung attacked from a distance using talismans, and Dang Tran Cung fired long-range arrows. The other five junior generals engaged in close combat. These five generals used the Five Elements Array (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) to attack and encircle the Great General. The Metal Junior General transformed himself into an impenetrable metal mass. The Wood Junior General used vines to bind the Great General. The Water Junior General used magic to create a fog, disorienting the Great General. The Fire Junior General attacked directly, burning the vines. The Earth Junior General encased himself in rock and attacked.

  The Great General was initially disadvantaged due to the surprise attack; even his horse was burned to ashes. The Great General praised them, "Good, good! Fighting bare-handed like this is not bad at all. But unfortunately, I already possess the Five Elements Protective Shield (Ng? Hành H? Thu?n). Damage of this level cannot harm me." The Great General flexed and grew in size, his strength amplified. A single shout was enough to stun the five junior generals. The Great General raised his saber and struck down, severing all the vines. The five junior generals also fell, becoming even more dazed. Soldiers from the city rushed out, tied up the five junior generals, and dragged them inside the city.

  Dang Trung and Dang Tran Cung charged forward together, attacking from the left and right with distracting long-range attacks. Dang Tran Cung fired 10 arrows at once and controlled their trajectory. Even if the opponent dodged, the arrows still struck. Dang Trung threw his talismans; they flew extremely fast and were razor-sharp, cutting into the opponent and causing the Great General to bleed. However, his wounds quickly healed, performing better than the Five Elements magic, leaving no lasting wound. Both attacked abruptly and retreated just as abruptly, leaving the Great General frustrated. He immediately chased after them, disappearing from view.

  A while later, the Great General returned, his heart heavy with worry and sadness, and he retreated into the city, refusing to fight anymore. This was because when he chased them a distance away, the Great General had met his three disciples, the three Long-Arm brothers (A Nhat, A Nh?, A Tam), and then met Doanh Thuong Quan himself in the General of the Western Campaign's attire. Doanh Thuong Quan offered terms of surrender, wanting him to join his faction. But the Great General refused