“Chaoge City is too far away. Even without any obstacles, it would take at least half a month to reach. With an army marching, there will surely be scouts and sentries. How can we launch a surprise attack?”

“The merchants and civilians in Chaoge City are countless. Even if the gates are opened as promised, who knows if it’s not a trap, like a quagmire that will ensnare our army?”

“How could King Zhou be without defenses? If our troops here show any movement, the Shang army will surely notice. If we’re attacked from both front and rear, our army would be in grave danger.”

Late at night, in the Zhou army’s main camp.

Various Zhou ministers spoke of how unreliable the surprise attack plan was, but those skilled in reading the situation maintained their silence.

Ji Fa’s brows were deeply furrowed, his eyes flickering with light.

After glancing at Guangcheng Zi sitting beside him, Ji Fa stood up and declared firmly:

“King Zhou is without the Way, cruel and tyrannical. Today we must raise arms against him!

Currently, our Zhou army has no more than several hundred thousand troops capable of fighting. From here to Chaoge City, the Shang army numbers over a million!

A surprise attack is our Zhou army’s only chance. If we fight our way there conventionally, even with immortals’ aid, we won’t have enough troops.

Where is the Grand Teacher?”

Jiang Shang, who had remained silent at the side, stood up and answered: “Your servant is here.”

“Grand Teacher shall command the main army and coordinate from the center. This King needs to mobilize all elite troops, horses, war chariots, and magical beasts. Grand Teacher must lead the remaining forces to draw the Shang army’s attention here.

This King will lead the elite forces to circle through the Wind Valley on the western side, rushing straight for Chaoge!”

Ji Fa’s voice carried indescribable determination, resolute to the point of absolute decisiveness.

Jiang Shang said softly: “Your Majesty, can we trust the one who made the promise? Just now, that messenger wouldn’t even reveal his master’s name, truly…”

Ji Fa laughed: “With the Enlightened School immortals as guarantors, this King has no worries.”

Guangcheng Zi also spoke from the side: “Great King need only lead the army forward. This poor Daoist will arrange everything.

Though we immortals cannot directly interfere with a mortal succession of royal power, we can assist the Great King with favorable winds, enhance the horses’ strength, and slay commanders.

During this surprise attack on Chaoge City, this poor Daoist will protect the Great King’s person to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

“Good!”

Ji Fa declared firmly: “My loyal ministers need not try to dissuade me. This King’s mind is made up. Tonight we prepare the troops, tomorrow we launch a frontal feint attack, and this King will lead forces in the surprise attack on Chaoge!”

The ministers bowed their heads in acknowledgment, and Guangcheng Zi nodded slightly.

Jiang Shang pondered for a moment and asked: “Great King, Chaoge City is filled with Shang citizens. Though King Zhou is tyrannical… he has considerable support among the Shang people. If Great King forcefully attacks Chaoge City, a hundred thousand troops may be far from enough.”

From the corner of the tent, the well-dressed elder who had arrived with Guangcheng Zi stepped forward half a step and bowed.

“Please, Great King, simply deploy your troops. The merchants and civilians in the city will not oppose the Great King when the time comes. My master has made complete preparations.”

Jiang Shang said: “Great King, what if this is King Zhou’s trap?”

“Jiang Shang,” Guangcheng Zi frowned slightly, “do you not even trust your elder brother?”

“Jiang Shang wouldn’t dare.”

Jiang Shang lowered his head submissively, knowing that no matter his concerns, he could change nothing tonight. He could only bow to the Martial King and sigh:

“Great King, this old servant wishes to follow at your side. The feint attack can be handled by Lord Ji Dan.

With this old servant by the Great King’s side, I can be more at ease, arrange battle formations and strategies, and respond promptly to situations.”

Ji Fa considered for a moment slowly nodded, and said solemnly: “This is indeed more prudent. Thank you for your consideration, Father Zhong.”

“This old servant will mobilize the elite troops now and go instruct Lord Ji Dan about defense matters,” Jiang Shang bowed and requested to withdraw. Though white-haired, the elder moved as swiftly as a young man.

The next day at noon, the Zhou army split into two forces. One launched a frontal feint attack to draw the Shang army’s attention, while the other moved south, quickly disappearing from the Shang scouts’ view.

After several days of searching, the Shang army discovered this Zhou force’s tracks near Muye and hurriedly reported to Chaoge City.

Fei Lian wanted to dispatch troops to encircle them, but before defenses could be arranged in various locations, the enemy had already penetrated deep into Shang territory, pressing toward Chaoge City!

Dark clouds suddenly pressed down over Chaoge City.

The ancestral sacrifice for the Shang founders was approaching, yet King Zhou and the Shang ministers all believed that the Zhou forces would be exhausted from their march and that there was no need to abandon the city.

In the Great King’s Hall, dozens of Shang army commanders knelt before the throne, each requesting to lead troops to meet the Zhou army.

After careful consideration, King Zhou ordered Father and Son Fei Lian and E Lai to personally lead the army into battle.

But problems arose immediately.

Chaoge City had no troops to spare for battle. The remaining forces were already at the minimum needed to defend the city.

Therefore, King Zhou issued an order to conscript young and strong slaves from within the city. If they achieved victory in this battle, any slave who participated would be freed from slavery, receive money and silk, gain farmland, and be allowed to move freely within Chaoge City.

Overnight, hundreds of thousands of able-bodied men responded.

Chaoge City’s great warehouses brought out their ‘old capital’, and the Shang citizens gathered countless supplies of grain and armor. In a short time, they assembled several hundred thousand new troops, led by tens of thousands of elite soldiers, and marched to the battlefield not far from Chaoge City.

Muye.

After marching for several days, under the Shang commanders’ painstaking instruction, the new troops had learned the meanings of the ‘attack drum’ and ‘golden gong retreat’ signals.

Behind that exceptionally fast-moving Zhou force, various armies gave chase. They only needed to intercept this Zhou force here, and then the Zhou army would have nowhere to maneuver, leaving Chaoge City secure.

That day, clouds covered the sky.

The Zhou army of over a hundred thousand appeared on the horizon, wheels rolling and hooves thundering. The hundred thousand troops emanated a kind of killing air as they arranged their formation at Muye, facing the Shang army.

Without setting up camp or cooking meals, the Zhou soldiers each took out dry rations and water for a meal, appearing surprisingly unfatigued.

In contrast, Ji Fa, sitting in his war chariot, had closed his eyes in concentration, his face pale. Though attended by soldiers, he looked as if he might faint at any moment.

This was the proper reaction after several days of forced marching.

Before the Zhou formation, Jiang Shang sat atop his Si Xiang beast, his gaze sweeping across the Shang army formation ahead, silently nodding to himself.

He then looked back at the Zhou soldiers behind him, his eyes showing traces of helplessness and resignation.

How could Jiang Shang not know what was happening?

Several days ago, on the first night, this army rested, while he was resting in his tent, his elder martial brother Guangcheng Zi had found him and placed a treasure pouch before him.

At that time, he and Guangcheng Zi sat across a long table from each other.

“Elder Brother, what is this?”

“The Edge of the Abyss Pills.”

Guangcheng Zi said softly: “In ancient times when the human race fought great battles with the Demon Court, three thousand demon soldiers voluntarily fell into demonhood and burned their demon souls to overthrow the Monster Race’s Heavenly Court.

When Xuanyuan fought Chi You, Chi You’s tribe had few soldiers but great strength. To allow humans to fight against the half-shamanic race, Xuanyuan ordered alchemists to create these Edge of the Abyss Pills, which could stimulate human potential.

However, there’s one point—these Edge of the Abyss Pills were prepared for Qi practitioners, while the Zhou army now consists entirely of mortals.”

Jiang Shang’s fingers trembled: “Elder Brother, is it truly appropriate to use this on mortals?”

Guangcheng Zi said: “There are three hundred Edge of the Abyss Pills here, which can be dissolved in the army’s drinking water.

After taking them, mortals will know no fatigue and have increased fighting power with endless energy for the next month.

After the medicine’s effects wear off, the mortals will sleep for several days, but there won’t be any other problems.”

“Truly no problems?” Jiang Shang asked again.

Guangcheng Zi smiled: “Then what problems does Brother think there might be?”

“Though your brother’s cultivation is shallow, it is precisely because of this that I understand the limits of mortal strength. To have endless energy for an entire month—unless these are perfect Nine Cycles Spirit Pills, they must be consuming the soldiers’ life force!”

Guangcheng Zi remained silent.

“Elder Brother,” Jiang Shang said softly, “this matter will harm our virtue!”

“Ah,” Guangcheng Zi closed his eyes and sighed deeply, “Brother, we have no other choice.

If King Zhou wins the Shang-Zhou conflict, the Severing School will gain momentum, and when their disciples all emerge, we will be unable to stop them.

The Severing School has ten thousand immortals at court, while the Jade Void Palace has only hundreds of disciples and followers. We cannot lose a single step, and cannot make a single mistake.

This battle at Muye is the battle for the fate of Zhou and Shang. We only need Ji Fa to breach Chaoge City and enter the Royal Palace to seize the position of the South Continent’s rightful ruler. It won’t matter if King Zhou escapes then.

Brother, the fate of the Enlightened School and the Zhou kingdom rests on your shoulders.”

Jiang Shang remained silent, holding the treasure pouch as if it weighed a thousand jin.

“Elder Brother, how many years of life will it cost the soldiers?”

“Fifteen years.”

“I must let them know about this.”

“Brother must not,” Guangcheng Zi said, “The army’s morale would waver. Brother should know what weighs more—this is about establishing Zhou’s foundation.

Moreover, we’ve already penetrated deep into Shang territory, with pursuing forces behind and encirclement ahead. If we can’t move quickly, these hundred thousand men won’t even have the chance to lose years of life.

Brother, the world has suffered under Shang for too long.”

Jiang Shang suddenly gripped the treasure pouch tightly and said through gritted teeth: “It’s the feudal lords who suffer under Shang!

This is nothing but a struggle for power among feudal lords—what talk is there of common people!

Please leave, Elder Brother!

I will make my decision before dawn.”

Guangcheng Zi nodded with a smile, showing no anger at Jiang Shang’s dismissal, his form departing directly with the wind.

That night, Jiang Shang’s hair whitened several more shades.

But before dawn, Jiang Shang sighed, staking his merit and karmic virtue, summoned the army’s cooking stations, and placed these ‘Bone-Strengthening Spirit Pills’ into the drinking water, then reported this matter to Ji Fa.

The Edge of the Abyss Pills’ effects were truly terrifying—mortals gained the strength to tear apart tigers and leopards with their bare hands.

Alas…

Jiang Shang raised his wooden whip high, and drum beats sounded from all sides.

Ji Fa stood up from his chariot, took a deep breath, forced himself to maintain his spirit, drew the sword at his waist, and was escorted to the front of the formation by his generals.

“Armies, hear my command!”

Ji Fa called out in a clear voice, his voice carried across hundreds of li by nearby immortals.

“The ancients said: ‘A hen should not crow at morning; when a hen crows at morning, it portends the fall of the family.’

Now King Zhou of Shang only listens to women’s words, abandoning his duties without response! He has abandoned his royal ancestors, parents, and brothers without guidance!

The many criminals of the four directions who flee the dao, he elevates and promotes them, trusts and employ them, making them great officials and lords of territory. He allows them to be cruel and tyrannical to the common people, and to be evil within the Shang cities.

Now I, Fa, respectfully carry out Heaven’s punishment.

Today’s matter will not err by six or seven steps but will stop when complete. Strive on, men! Do not err in four, five, six, or seven attacks, but stop when complete.

Strive on, men! Be mighty and fierce, like tigers and leopards, like bears and grizzlies, in the outskirts of Shang.

Do not welcome them but chase them to serve the western lands, strive on, men!

Those who do not strive, upon your bodies there will be punishment!

(Note: This is the ‘Oath of Muye’)”

Before the Zhou formation, a young soldier turned his head to look at the veteran beside him and asked quietly: “What is the Great King saying?”

“Why worry about that?”

That veteran soldier glared at the speaker, “Just get it done!”

At this moment, Ji Fa raised the long sword in his hand.

“All armies attack!

Charge for Chaoge!”

The three armies responded with a thunderous roar, war chariots rolling and war horses neighing, as the entire Zhou army pressed forward, charging straight ahead.

Like a mountain flood, they charged toward the Shang army formation.

Within the Shang army, many commanders suddenly felt something was wrong, but before they could react, the Zhou army had already reached them!

…

Small Qiong Peak, forest tea room.

Li Changshou frowned deeply, staring at the imposing Daoist before him.

“Ancestral Master.”

“This matter was not this poor Daoist’s calculation,” Honored Lord Hongjun said gently. “This poor Daoist, having engaged in this impromptu game with you here, would not make any arrangements.

The Shang-Zhou conflict, since you slew the sage, had already set foot on this path.

You slew Zhunti, advanced to ninth in the Heavenly Dao sequence, and showed goodwill to the Severing School. Zhao Gongming entered the Heavenly Court and reached the top ten in the Heavenly Dao sequence—how would the Enlightened School disciples react?

This Guangcheng Zi is not skilled in magical combat, though his dao realm is passable, yet his heart is entirely focused on how to address the Enlightened School’s crisis.

He is not like you, able to easily break free from calamity and observe this world from an outsider’s perspective. He is in the situation, and under anxiety, he inevitably resorts to some extraordinary measures.

Changgeng, this is the power of great momentum.”

Li Changshou gave a cold laugh and said calmly: “Ancestral Master is making himself too clean of this.

This is great momentum.

Without Ancestral Master’s grand scheme, without Ancestral Master’s set mandate of heaven, where would such momentum come from?

Elder Brother Guangcheng Zi was indeed improper, and I will settle accounts with him later regarding his manipulation of Jiang Shang’s karma, but under the Ancestral Master’s arrangement, Elder Brother Guangcheng Zi could only see two or three options.

Those within the game may err, but the game-setter is the root of evil.”

Honored Lord Hongjun slowly nodded:

“What you say is not wrong, from the perspective of those within the game.

But Changgeng, this poor Daoist can no longer stand within the game.

This poor Daoist has no desires, no seeks, thinks only of heaven and earth’s benefit, acts only for heaven and earth’s longevity—this is… the price of merging with the Dao.”

Li Changshou fell silent.

He soon said: “Ancestral Master, your disciple has long wondered, if stars had consciousness, could they understand and communicate with living beings?

Looking at it now, it seems impossible.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Aren’t you the proof?”

Li Changshou sighed softly, continuing to gaze at the sand table before him. From the sand table, scene after scene projected into his heart, allowing him to see the situation everywhere at a glance.

Though the Shang army had many slaves, the new troops were scattered in resistance.

Yet the Zhou army was unstoppable, breaking through the Shang army lines like a mountain flood destroying an earthen dam. Within half a day they had regrouped and charged toward Chaoge City by night!

Within Chaoge City, rumors spread.

[Zhou’s Martial King Ji Fa has Heaven’s mandate, divine soldiers descend, and Shang’s great momentum is lost.]

[Sacrificial divination shows Zhou will destroy Shang, the Martial King is Heaven’s son.]

[The Zhou army has millions, each killed until red-eyed, with generals publicly eating people!]

[The Martial King has ordered not to kill civilians or execute nobles, attacking Chaoge City only to seek revenge on King Zhou for his grandfather, father, and elder brother!]

Li Changshou saw that undercurrent surging beneath Chaoge City erupting everywhere overnight—the situation in Chaoge City was completely out of control.

Noble household guards went out disrupting city security, and black-clothed private soldiers and Qi practitioners began fiercely attacking the city gates.

Bandits roamed about, starting fires everywhere.

Bewildered commoners, old ministers jumping out to shout of King Zhou’s loss of virtue, witch covens suddenly appearing in various streets and alleys crying that King Zhou had been abandoned by the ancestral spirits of heaven and earth…

“What is this?”

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh. “Human power cannot match immortal methods?”

Honored Lord Hongjun shook his head slightly and said: “This is the darkness of human hearts.”

“Is Ancestral Master trying to persuade me not to care too much about living beings?”

“Correct. Even if you oppose the Heavenly Dao for them, they will neither be grateful nor show you the slightest respect.”

Hongjun said calmly:

“The hearts of living beings are just this greedy. For their own private interests and personal satisfaction, how would they care about others’ life or death?

You think about how to fight for living beings’ freedom, while this poor Daoist thinks about how to make living beings and heaven and earth endure longer.

This poor Daoist has pondered for long ages, extremely long ages, and finally discovered that reducing living beings’ desires is the only answer.

Freedom must be constrained—indulgence will only lead to disaster.”

But Li Changshou said: “Then it still shouldn’t be heaven and earth doing the constraining.”

Hongjun shook his head slightly: “Before the temptation of freedom, humans cannot constrain themselves.”

“But a collective can do it. When individual behavior is constrained by the moral baseline and formal norms formed by the collective when good is promoted and evil avoided becomes the collective’s hostage, indirect self-constraint can be achieved.”

“The evil of living beings is only covered up, ready to erupt with slight temptation—the hidden danger is not eliminated.”

“A collective doesn’t only reveal living beings’ evil, but also their good.”

Li Changshou said: “A mentally mature individual being will understand that what we see is not only good but also evil—this is reality. What we need to do is criticize evil, promote good, and thus maintain this collective’s living environment.

Ancestral Master seems to be trying to use Elder Brother Guangcheng Zi as an example to convince your disciple, but Guangcheng Zi cannot represent living beings as a whole, or even the small circle of Enlightened School immortals.

Ancestral Master, you and I have fundamental differences in philosophy.

Good and evil will always coexist—why can’t heaven and earth show more tolerance for living beings’ good and evil?

The Heavenly Dao should be supremely impartial. Ancestral Master, as a pioneer, you should guide living beings toward good. Why did the Heavenly Dao, after merging with the Ancestral Master, choose to suppress living beings instead?”

Honored Lord Hongjun sighed: “If Changgeng could sit in this poor Daoist’s position, you would understand.”

“More useless platitudes.”

Li Changshou said: “If the Ancestral Master could explain the specific reason, this disciple would immediately lead people away from the primordial world, becoming one who departs, fulfilling the Heavenly Dao and Ancestral Master’s wishes.”

A flash of sharp light crossed Honored Lord Hongjun’s eyes.

“Ancestral Master cannot explain,” Li Changshou sighed. “Heaven and earth originally had no nature—where did these messy emotions come from?”

“Watch the show.”

Honored Lord Hongjun’s expression showed some displeasure, but he did not act on it, closing his eyes again without further words.

Li Changshou shook his head and returned his gaze to the situation in Chaoge City, his eyes falling on the Great King’s Palace.

…

“Great King, the city is in panic, rumors are spreading! Bandits are setting fires and causing chaos everywhere!”

“Great King! That little Ji Fa came prepared—there are traitors in the city working with him from within!”

“Those Zhou troops are extremely strange, each having the strength of a hundred men! This must be those immortals using some method! Otherwise, our generals would never retreat like this!”

“Please, Great King, take temporary shelter!”

“Please, Great King, take temporary shelter!”

Below the throne, the gathered Shang ministers knelt on the ground, crying out continuously.

On the throne, King Zhou stared somewhat vacantly at the gloomy sky beyond the hall doors, now dyed orange by flames.

“Have I done something wrong… whom did I wrongly trust?”

“Great King!”

Royal Uncle Bi Gan rushed in from outside the hall, too urgent to mind his panting, shouting:

“Please, Great King, immediately move east! Our Shang elite troops are all in the eastern campaign!

This battle is not the Great King’s fault, nor the soldiers’ fault!

Great King need only avoid today’s deadly calamity—tomorrow you can raise troops from the east to retake Chaoge City! Our Shang people are of one heart, they will not fail their king!”

“Silence!”

King Zhou suddenly roared, standing up in anger: “Am I such a cowering, scattering king? Would I fear this little Ji Fa!”

“Great King!”

Bi Gan said firmly: “Now is not the time for pride—the foundation of Great Shang rests on the Great King’s shoulders!”

“The ancestors are all watching me! The ancestors are all watching this king!”

King Zhou’s eyes were bloodshot: “I will personally lead troops now, I will fight that little Ji Fa!”

Bi Gan shouted: “Great King, our Shang army is not defeated!”

“Report—the western city has fallen, Zhou troops have broken through the gates and are coming toward the royal palace! Their numbers cannot be counted!”

“Great King! Please leave first!”

“Don’t fight for momentary victory or defeat!”

“All of you shut up!”

King Zhou roared: “All of you get out, out!”

“Your Majesty,” Bi Gan rushed forward, “Zi Shou! Come to your senses!”

“Bi Gan, you are bold! Directly calling this king’s name!”

King Zhou gnashed his teeth in rage: “Guards, come! Take Bi Gan to the dungeon, give him ten lashes, and make him Shang’s chief criminal!”

Dozens of armored soldiers immediately rushed in from outside, swarming forward to seize Bi Gan.

“Who dares come forward!”

Bi Gan turned his head and roared, his somewhat aged face showing no fear of the threat, then looked up at King Zhou again, saying firmly:

“Great King, Bi Gan knows Great King’s intent. Even if the Zhou army takes Chaoge City today, even if they have fate’s favor, they cannot gain a foothold in Shang territory—they still need a tablet to stabilize our Great Shang citizens. Bi Gan certainly will not die.

But Great King! Great King ah!

Bi Gan assisted the previous king, assisted the Great King, for decades without the slightest negligence. Bi Gan is a Shang minister, a Shang prince, Great King’s uncle!

How could I not understand heaven and earth’s great momentum?

The Grand Teacher Wen was of the Severing School, and now Zhou has the Enlightened School’s aid—surely it must be those immortals’ mischief making the Zhou army so fierce!

Later, the Great King need only join with the Eastern army, then send Qi practitioners to request immortals from the Eastern Sea—we may yet fight Zhou again!

Today, Bi Gan is willing to guard the royal dignity of the Great King!

Bring a sword!”

An armored soldier standing somewhat closer unconsciously stepped forward.

King Zhou cried out urgently:

“Don’t give him the sword!”

But with a clang, Bi Gan had already drawn the blue sword from the soldier’s waist, and a handful of hot blood poured onto the steps before the hall.

Bi Gan’s body trembled continuously, his lips turning purple-black. As the long sword clattered to the ground, he raised his hand to grasp that seven-orifice spirit heart gleaming with rainbow light, slowly pulling it out.

“Great King, do not trust immortals and gods, do not fail your subjects.

Bi Gan offers death as a remonstrance, hoping the Great King will temporarily endure and leave immediately!

Leave immediately!”

Forcefully gripping the seven-orifice immortal heart, blood light sprayed forth. As the ministers called out in panic, Bi Gan’s form fell backward.

King Zhou’s form retreated half a step powerlessly, collapsing onto the throne, his eyes suddenly becoming somewhat hollow.

Battle cries erupted from the western city.

The firelight grew ever brighter, cries of weeping echoing from all directions.

In the Great King’s Hall, King Zhou waved his hand, and the armored soldiers drove out all the Shang ministers, leaving only Bi Gan’s supine corpse.

“Royal Uncle, where can I go?

Where can I go.”

He stood up somewhat powerlessly, stumbling down the steps to Bi Gan’s side, bending to pick up that long sword, and then turning toward the inner palace.

In the palace, guards rushed toward the western gate, palace maids fled through other palace gates, and chaos prevailed everywhere.

Some guards spotted the Great King’s form and surged forward to escort him to the eastern palace gate, but were quietly rebuked by their king.

The Star-Plucking Tower was empty, his beloved consort long gone to parts unknown.

“Just as well.”

King Zhou murmured, the corner of his mouth curving in a slightly self-mocking smile. “Just as well.”

He casually took a candlestick and threw it onto the magnificent bed, then turned to climb toward the Star-Plucking Tower’s top level.

The Banished Immortal Platform.

Sitting on the Banished Immortal Platform, one could see how chaotic Chaoge City had become and could see the Zhou army rampaging through the western city streets.

Even if he could leave tonight, then what?

The teacher had said, that as long as Great Shang’s national fate remained for one day, he would be safe and sound.

The opposite meant danger.

How could he not understand that those so-called immortals did not dare directly kill him, a mortal emperor—they had to borrow Ji Fa’s hand, using Zhou to replace Shang, nothing more?

If he fled Chaoge City, he would merely be hunted by these immortals and gods, dying casually somewhere.

But!

My defeat is not a military defeat, not a loss of virtue, not a universal betrayal!

My defeat lies in this world having too many immortal sages, and too many powers!

Defeated by heaven’s principles being unjust…

Unjust ah.

King Zhou took a deep breath, leaning on his sword atop the high tower, trying to find something in the night.

Meanwhile, outside Chaoge City, in the newly established Zhou army camp.

Ji Fa sat in a wooden chair, listening to the continuous reports of victory from outside, traces of anticipation crossing his eyes.

He had wanted to lead the army forward in battle but was persuaded by Jiang Shang and the ministers to remain here, waiting for the moment when he would become Heaven’s chosen son.

Ji Fa seemed to already feel that so-called fate gathering above his head.

His outstretched palm seemed already able to grasp the entire world!

Outside the tent, an armored soldier, head lowered and carrying a tray, quickly entered the tent and said in a deep voice:

“Great King, you should eat.”

“No need, how could this king eat at such a time?”

Ji Fa stood up, sighing with hands behind his back: “With soldiers fighting at the front, how could this king’s heart bear to remain here unable to advance and kill enemies alongside the troops?”

That soldier stepped forward twice, saying softly: “You must not wear yourself out.”

Ji Fa’s brows furrowed—why was this soldier so inconsiderate?

Suddenly, the soldier raised his head, pink light flashing across his eyes, a streak of light flying out from beneath the tray, straight for Ji Fa’s neck!

Ji Fa froze in place, without the slightest room to move.

But just as that cold light was about to touch Ji Fa’s neck, a large hand appeared from nowhere, firmly grasping that silver needle magic treasure and casually crushing it.

Yang Jian frowned at this soldier, traces of helplessness crossing his eyes as he said softly:

“Yang Jian’s duty requires it—apologies, friend.”

The soldier’s face showed some panic, but when raising his head to look at Yang Jian, pink light again flashed in his eyes.

Yang Jian showed no reaction, the vertical eye on his forehead opening a crack, a divine light shooting out to strike the soldier directly out of the tent, sealing their immortal spirit.

More feminine shouts came from outside as several guards threw off their armor, each wielding magic treasures, and weapons as they charged into the tent.

Yang Jian took Howling Celestial Dog from his bosom and threw it forward. Howling Celestial Dog instantly grew to the size of a giant elephant, opened its dog mouth, and directly swallowed these female demons.

When Howling Celestial Dog transformed back into white light and returned to Yang Jian’s bosom, the female demons and that soldier were all bound together with immortal rope, piled outside the tent.

Ji Fa had already fainted by this time.

Yang Jian arranged for the accompanying palace maids to attend to him, then personally guarded the demon women who had come to assassinate him, waiting for the Grand Teacher to return to camp and deal with them.

“Great King…”

That ‘soldier’ called softly, body trembling continuously as she slowly returned to her original appearance.

The demon consort, Daji.

Yang Jian paid no attention, simply standing silently, looking toward the city.

Great fires raged up from the Star-Plucking Tower’s upper levels. The wooden Star-Plucking Tower became like a torch.

King Zhou had already felt waves of heat, and he who had stood motionless finally moved.

What method should be used to let my subjects know that I have neither retreated nor avoided?

King Zhou stood up, looking at the sky, looking at this earth, looking at this great city floating and sinking in the fires of war, feeling his subjects’ panic and fear.

In the end, the king was incompetent.

But, but!

What crime have we committed, why submit to Heaven?

What sin have we committed, by what right do immortals punish?

Enough, enough!

I make no more excuses—in the end, I couldn’t bear the burden the ancestors placed on my shoulders.

But the backbone of our Great Shang’s descendants should be carried by the king!

The sword edge cut across, blood gushing from his heart.

King Zhou’s eyes bulged wide as he supported himself with one hand on the sword hilt, sitting cross-legged atop the Star-Plucking Tower. His face flushed red, yet he forcefully held back from making even half a cry of pain.

Father… your child was useless…

It turns out I was not heaven’s mandate.