Orion glanced back and saw it was Luo Yi.
"My lord, may I take a look at that spear?"
Luo Yi's eyes lit up with excitement as he fixed his gaze on the Emperor-killing Spear in Orion's hand.
"Of course! Here you go!" Orion chuckled, tossing the spear to Luo Yi.
It was clear that Luo Yi had a deep appreciation for weapons.
As Luo Yi caught the spear, his enthusiasm was palpable, akin to a fervent admirer encountering their idol.
"What a peerless weapon..." Luo Yi murmured, gently caressing the smooth surface of the spear and performing a few moves with it.
Zheng!
The Emperor-killing Spear emitted a sudden, resonant buzz. The sharp tip of the spear caused ripples in the surrounding air!
In Luo Yi's hands, the spear seemed even more formidable than when it was wielded by Orion.
Orion observed Luo Yi's fascination with interest.
"It seems Luo Yi has taken quite a liking to it."
"Moreover, if Luo Yi wields this spear, its full potential will be realized!"
"It's also the best option right now," Orion thought to himself.
He knew he was not suited to wield this Emperor-killing Spear. With his martial emperor level, he would be unable to fully utilize such a powerful weapon!
Among his subordinates, few were adept with guns.
Luo Yi, however, had the highest cultivation level!
The spear would be at its most effective in his hands.
"Luo Yi, since you appreciate this weapon, I'm giving it to you!"
Orion smiled at Luo Yi.
"Really?" Luo Yi's eyes widened with delight. He knelt on one knee and bowed deeply.
For someone who had dedicated their life to weaponry, receiving a superb gun was even more thrilling than finding a spouse!
"Haha! There's no need for such formality. A hero deserves a great weapon!"
Orion laughed and helped Luo Yi up.
After all, he already possessed a golden gun, which was more than enough!
Luo Yi's face beamed with joy.
With the Emperor-killing Spear in hand, his strength would be greatly amplified!
Just then, the Dragoon Army returned victorious.
Yuan Zuozong hurried to Orion's side, kneeling with a thud.
"My lord! I failed to manage the battlefield properly, allowing a stray army to break through. Please punish me!"
Yuan Zuozong's face was etched with guilt. If his negligence had harmed the Lord, he would have no choice but to face the consequences!
Orion quickly assisted Yuan Zuozong up, waving his hand reassuringly.
"General Yuan, don't worry too much! I'm perfectly fine!"
"They were merely here to kill me; they posed no real threat!"
"You played a crucial role in the capture of Shuofang City. I haven't had the chance to commend you yet!"
Orion was genuinely pleased with the Dragoon Army's performance. Despite the enemy's numerical advantage, they had taken Shuofang City with minimal losses!
Yuan Zuozong sighed with relief upon hearing this.
At that moment, Yuan Zuozong's eyes caught sight of the Emperor-killing Spear in Luo Yi's possession, and his gaze lit up.
"What a magnificent weapon!"
As a fellow gun enthusiast, Yuan Zuozong was naturally captivated by it. His heart raced with excitement!
Noticing Yuan Zuozong's intense stare, Luo Yi immediately clutched the spear protectively.
"Hmph! General Yuan, this spear has already been given to me. Don't even think about it!"
"It's not gentlemanly to covet what someone else cherishes!"
"Ah...? The Lord gave it to you?"
Yuan Zuozong was taken aback. He glanced from Luo Yi's wary expression to Orion's uneasy demeanor.
His eyes clouded with resentment.
So the Lord has a new favorite and forgotten the old one~
Orion:.....
Feeling Yuan Zuozong's resentful gaze, Orion chuckled awkwardly.
"Haha... Yes, General Yuan, I've given this spear to Luo Yi."
"But if I come across another fine weapon in the future, you'll be the first to know!"
Strangely enough, Orion felt a twinge of guilt, as if he had wronged an old friend.
Seeing the awkwardness of the moment, Luo Yi's eyes flickered with an idea. He stood up and said:
"Lord, with the Emperor-killing Spear in my possession, I no longer need my Desert Silver Spear."
"While it may not be an extraordinary weapon, it's still a pseudo-imperial weapon."
"Perhaps General Yuan could use it?"
Luo Yi reluctantly retrieved the Desert Silver Spear, which had been his companion for half his life.
Now that he had the Emperor-killing Spear, it made sense to pass this one to Yuan Zuozong.
"Really, this is too much!" Yuan Zuozong protested, though his eyes remained fixed on the Desert Silver Spear with undisguised desire.
"If we're like family, why stand on ceremony?"
"As long as you don't take advantage of my Emperor-killing Spear!"
Yuan Zuozong:...
So, this was Luo Yi's plan all along!
He understood well enough. Although the Emperor-killing Spear was impressive, it was beyond his current capability to wield effectively.
The Desert Silver Spear, however, was perfect for him at present!
"Thank you, General Luo!" Yuan Zuozong said with genuine gratitude, feeling as though he had discovered a treasure.
At this moment, Shuofang City's gates were wide open, and imperial guard corpses lay scattered.
"Lord, I've ordered troops to encircle Shuofang City. No one is allowed to enter or exit!"
"By the way, do we plan to keep Shuofang City?"
Yuan Zuozong asked Orion, who was considering the implications of occupying the city.
Given the current numbers, it would require splitting their forces.
"Yes, of course!"
"This city is the largest in northern Yizhou; we would be remiss not to use it."
Orion chuckled without hesitation.
Aside from its strategic value, Shuofang City would surely be rich in resources!
Inside the city, there were not only ordinary people but also several influential factions backed by Da Zhou.
"This is an opportunity to find some valuable healing elixirs for Luo Yi and Shibaqi!"
"These elixirs are rare and not easily found among the common folk."
Orion narrowed his eyes.
"Yuan Zuozong, let the Dragoon Army enter the city and summon all the leaders of the major factions to me!"
"Anyone who resists will be punished as a spy, and their homes will be searched!"
"All resources will be seized!"
With that, Orion handed Yuan Zuozong a space ring.
Yuan Zuozong:...
Yuan Zuozong stared at the space ring in surprise.
It was clear that Orion was serious about gathering resources from the city's influential figures.
The space ring had made Orion's intentions abundantly clear.