Chapter 576: Chapter 576: Stepfather Zhong Shan
"You're right. I might really lose control, but I have to face it!" Zhong Shan said solemnly.
"Oh? Who could make you lose control?" Zhao Suoxiang frowned.
"I can only say it's a possibility. He is the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince!" Zhong Shan took a deep breath, his eyes gradually filling with bloodshot veins.
"The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince?"
Zhong Shan then briefly recounted Kui'er's story to Zhao Suoxiang.
"So, the Empress died at his hands! But Your Majesty, are you going to see him now?" Zhao Suoxiang frowned deeply.
"This is a knot in my heart, a mountain pressing down on me. I must face him sooner or later. The longer I wait, the worse it is for me. I can feel my hatred growing over the years. If I don't confront him, this hatred will consume me. This time, facing him, regardless of the outcome, I can relieve some of the anger in my heart," Zhong Shan said gravely.
"What if you lose control when you see him? That would be very disadvantageous for you!" Zhao Suoxiang expressed his concern.
"That's why I need you to remind me, even snap me out of it!" Zhong Shan said seriously.
"But what if you don't wake up?" Zhao Suoxiang frowned.
"Then shout the names of my empresses. That should do it," Zhong Shan thought for a moment and suggested.
"But…" Zhao Suoxiang hesitated.
"No buts!" Zhong Shan said decisively.
"Don't worry. I can ensure my safety. If I do lose control, take the Iron Spear Battalion and retreat quickly. Don't worry about me; I'll find a way to get out!" Zhong Shan reassured.
"Understood!" Zhao Suoxiang nodded.
After another ten days, Zhong Shan arrived at Yan Hong City.
Yan Hong City, the capital of the Yan Hong Empire.
After the old minister brought back news of reinforcements from the Blue Flame Empire, morale was restored, the people were reassured, and the military became more disciplined. Reinforcements from various cities also became more united.
In the court, the old envoy explained the situation to the key officials.
When they heard that only five thousand soldiers were sent, nearly everyone was stunned, followed by a wave of anger towards Lan Yanwei.
But when they learned Zhong Shan was coming, everyone's eyes lit up.
Who was Zhong Shan? Among the rulers of the world's dynasties, who didn't know Zhong Shan?
"How did you manage to invite such a powerful figure?"
The pressure from the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince's impending attack was greatly alleviated.
"Duke Wei, is it true? Is he really Zhong Shan?"
"Absolutely!"
Zhong Shan arrived in Yan Hong City, and the ministers fully supported him without reservation.
There was no need for precautions against him; Zhong Shan's foundation was in the east of Shenzhou, while this was the west. He couldn't possibly annex the Yan Hong Empire, and given their dire situation, they had to trust him.
On the way, Zhong Shan had already studied various strategies. Upon arrival, he immediately organized and deployed troops. Units of soldiers were swiftly arranged and dispatched, with all movements under Zhong Shan's command.
With the city fortified, Zhong Shan also set up defensive positions in Yan Hong City, waiting for the Taishui Empire's army to attack.
Zhong Shan knew he couldn't stop the Taishui Empire's advance any longer. The Taishui Empire had just taken another city, and the next target was Yan Hong City.
Currently, the Taishui Empire's army was stationed in the recently captured Jian Hong City.
In the main hall of the City Lord's mansion in Jian Hong City, a man in a golden robe sat at the command desk. His face exuded arrogance and pride, with a vertical slit on his forehead, as if hiding a third eye within.
On the command desk lay various intelligence reports. The man in the golden robe silently reviewed them, his expression unreadable. This man was Zhong Shan's greatest enemy, his fated adversary, the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince of the Taishui Empire.
As the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince reviewed the reports, a group of subordinates stood before him. Among them were some familiar faces to Zhong Shan.
One was the Crown Prince Chong Tian, who had recently suffered a setback at the Grand Pill Assembly due to Zhong Shan.
Another was Monk Seke, formerly a member of the Demon Legion, bearing the 'Yao' character divine seal on his forehead.
Yet another was Wang Chen, previously Zhong Shan's adopted son, known as Zhong Shijiu. To forget his past, he had renamed himself 'Wang Chen.'
There were others whom Zhong Shan did not recognize.
"Third Brother, is that him? Is that Zhong Shan? He's the one who humiliated me at the Grand Pill Assembly!" Chong Tian Crown Prince said angrily.
"Zhong Shan?" The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince narrowed his eyes as a magical projection of Zhong Shan appeared before him.
"Third Brother, let me kill him. I will tear him to pieces!" Chong Tian Crown Prince demanded.
"Zhong Shan is indeed capable. He just arrived a few days ago, and his deployment has already neutralized our offensive," the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince said in a deep voice.
"Master, this Zhong Shan is extremely dangerous. Many of our people have already fallen to him. We must eliminate him, or he will be a perpetual threat to us!" Monk Seke suddenly shouted.
"Oh? Do you also want to go?" The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince looked at Monk Seke.
Monk Seke shivered and immediately shook his head, "Master, I don't dare face him. I won't go!"
Seeing Monk Seke's cowardice, everyone else showed disdain, especially Chong Tian Crown Prince, who looked down on Monk Seke and couldn't understand why his third brother valued him so much.
"Master, I am willing to go and cut down Zhong Shan!" another general volunteered.
"Master, let me go..." Several subordinates quickly stepped forward to request the mission.
"Wang Chen, what about you?" The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince suddenly focused on Wang Chen, narrowing his eyes.
Wang Chen took a deep breath and said, "Master, Zhong Shan was once my adopted father."
"Huh?" Almost everyone was suddenly stunned, their mouths agape.
They couldn't believe it. Wang Chen's adopted father? Was this true?
Wang Chen was highly valued by the master, renowned for his strategy and talent. Could he really be Zhong Shan's adopted son?
The news was mind-boggling. Monk Seke, suffering from a sort of 'Zhong Shan phobia,' involuntarily stepped aside after hearing Wang Chen's words.
The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince stared at Wang Chen, showing no surprise, as if he already knew.
"Oh? Then you should know Zhong Shan best. What kind of person is he?" The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince asked calmly.
"I… I don't know him very well," Wang Chen replied ambiguously.
"What do you mean you don't know him well? How could you not know him if you were his adopted son?" Chong Tian Crown Prince interjected.
Wang Chen turned to Chong Tian Crown Prince, his eyes showing no fear, but a calm and authoritative demeanor. "Seventh Prince, I'll say it again. I was Zhong Shan's adopted son. Now, I am only a subordinate of the master."
"You!" Chong Tian Crown Prince was infuriated that a mere Nascent Soul cultivator dared to talk back to him.
"Seventh Brother, let him speak," the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince said.
Wang Chen continued, "Zhong Shan is an exceptionally shrewd and calculating person. His strength lies not just in his power but in his strategic mind. He has a way of turning the tides even in the most unfavorable situations. That's what makes him dangerous."
The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince nodded thoughtfully. "And what do you suggest we do about him?"
Wang Chen hesitated, then replied, "Zhong Shan's strength comes from his unpredictability and his connections. If we can undermine his support and isolate him, we stand a better chance of defeating him."
"Interesting. So you believe weakening his alliances and isolating him is the key?" The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince asked, his interest piqued.
"Yes, Master. That's the most effective strategy," Wang Chen affirmed.
The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince leaned back, contemplating Wang Chen's words. "Very well. We will proceed with caution. For now, let's focus on our immediate objectives. Wang Chen, I want you to lead a reconnaissance mission to gather more intelligence on Zhong Shan's movements. Chong Tian, you will prepare the main forces for an eventual confrontation."
"Yes, Master!" both Wang Chen and Chong Tian Crown Prince responded in unison.
The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince turned his gaze back to the reports, a cunning smile playing on his lips. The battle with Zhong Shan was far from over, and he relished the challenge ahead.
Crown Prince Chong Tian could only grit his teeth in silence.
"I know Zhong Shan, yet I don't understand Zhong Shan," Wang Chen continued. "He had over a hundred adopted sons, but no one fully understands him. He's like a mystery, starting as a mere mortal, struggling and crawling his way up. In my memory, nothing could stop him besides his own strength. His natural talent was extremely poor, destined to remain a mortal for life. But somehow, around a hundred years ago, he suddenly got lucky, breaking through to the Xiantian stage and reaching his current achievements in one fell swoop!"
"Oh? Then why don't you acknowledge him anymore?" the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince asked calmly.
"Heh, why recognize him? Why did he adopt us as his sons? Wasn't it to satisfy his own desires? He only wanted us to enter the immortal sects to seek immortal pills for him. A lifetime of calculations ended in a vain dream. During the Dragon Gate Tournament for mortals, we were selected, and none of us cared about him anymore. Just as he said, mortals are 'livestock.' Why should we acknowledge him?" Wang Chen sneered.
After Wang Chen finished speaking, everyone frowned in thought, their eyes showing a trace of peculiarity.
"Is that so?" the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince said indifferently.
"Master, rest assured. Since Wang Chen is loyal to you, he won't think of anything else. You have given Wang Chen power and status, which is a true act of great kindness. Wang Chen won't offer empty words of praise but will prove his loyalty through actions," Wang Chen said immediately.
Everyone looked at Wang Chen, deep in thought.
The Sky-Splitting Crown Prince played with the tea leaves in his cup with the lid, seemingly indifferent.
After Wang Chen finished speaking, he stood there respectfully, waiting for the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince's instructions.
"I naturally trust your loyalty, especially since you bear my 'divine seal,' making betrayal unthinkable," the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince said lightly.
"Yes!" Wang Chen responded immediately.
"In that case, you and Seventh Brother will lead the vanguard and meet Zhong Shan," the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince ordered calmly.
"Good. Don't worry, Third Brother, I will definitely take Zhong Shan's head," Crown Prince Chong Tian declared immediately.
"Yes, Master, rest assured. Wang Chen will not be swayed by old feelings. Wang Chen is your Wang Chen!" Wang Chen affirmed.
"Very well, you both prepare the troops and set out. I will join you in a few days," the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince said indifferently.
"Third Brother? You won't lead the attack on Yan Hong City?" Crown Prince Chong Tian asked, surprised.
"No, I have some matters to attend to. But I will arrive for the final battle at Yan Hong City. For now, you will lead," the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince said in a deep voice.
"Alright, Third Brother, don't worry. It's overkill for you to lead an attack on a mere empire. Even when we deal with the Blue Flame Empire, it won't be worthy of your leadership!" Crown Prince Chong Tian said with a smile.
"Heh," the Sky-Splitting Crown Prince chuckled faintly.
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