“Sacrificing the evil god, both jade and stone are burned to ashes?”
Moments later, Wu Ming walked out of the secret chamber, followed by the Shixin Tongzi, whose eyes were dazed, his head pierced with countless black needles.
Moreover, a layer of beautiful purplish-red patterns emerged on the opponent’s body, exquisitely intricate, vaguely forming a complex formation, yet broken at several key points.
“He actually thought of such a move…”
Wu Ming shook his head, somewhat speechless.
Clearly, the Shixin Tongzi had been completely deceived by the Blood Oath Leader, promised countless things, including revealing the great ability of “modifying missions” and even guaranteeing resurrection. Finally, he risked everything, even transforming himself into a massive explosive package!
After letting the person explain, Wu Ming naturally did not believe everything. Instead, he used another mind-control technique to extract more information. Comparing the two versions, he now understood the Shixin Tongzi better than the man himself.
“This ‘Evil God Sacrifice’ involves offering one’s entire essence, blood, and soul to summon a contaminating force powerful enough to kill an ancient evil deity. If truly unleashed, its range would be at least dozens of zhang, with terrifying destructive power, enough to severely damage even a land of immortals.”
Wu Ming shook his head again. However, he had initially sensed something wrong with the Shixin Tongzi, so further investigation naturally revealed the flaws.
Besides, once the myth of the Blood Oath Leader was dispelled, even if the Shixin Tongzi wanted to die together with him, he probably wouldn’t dare.
“So… the enemy is really that Blood Oath Leader?”
Wu Ming was certain that the Blood Oath Leader was his enemy, and moreover, a Privileged One, possessing a strange authority that could conceal Reincarnation tasks and release mists.
This authority, when truly understood, was actually trivial. However, it could spell doom for Reincarnators.
“But… is he really my greatest enemy?!”
Wu Ming lowered his eyelids, and in the Shixin Tongzi’s memories, there wasn’t even a glimpse of the Blood Oath Leader’s true face.
All he knew was that the opponent was extremely powerful, naturally lucky, always managing to survive impossible missions, and eventually rising to become the Blood Oath Leader.
Most importantly, he possessed top-secret intelligence on all members, including their Great Zhou identities!
“Just… extraordinary people must have extraordinary traits. This Blood Oath Leader…”
Wu Ming rubbed his chin, a glint flashing in his eyes: “Perhaps… only when we breach the capital of Shang will I get my answers…”
…
More than ten days later.
“Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories!”
Amidst the soldiers’ cheers, the Ten-Jue Pass gates opened wide, welcoming the grand army of King Ji Yi.
With cultivators no longer interfering, Han Hulin indeed lived up to his reputation as a Rebel King, successfully defending the Ten-Jue Pass until now.
“It’s not that the Shang penal army isn’t formidable—it’s just that the natural defenses are too difficult to overcome!”
Standing atop the city wall, Wu Ming watched King Ji Yi’s royal chariot slowly enter, flanked by cheering crowds, and sighed inwardly.
Previously, the Shang generals had tried everything to capture the Ten-Jue Pass. With a hundred thousand soldiers attacking day and night, they even resorted to driving local civilians to charge the walls like ants.
However, the Ten-Jue Pass was a natural stronghold, and without cultivator support, they simply couldn’t overcome it!
Even the Rebel King Xu Zongwu had taken years of gradual attrition to capture the pass, finally succeeding only with the help of an insider!
Unfortunately, now the Mandate of Heaven had abandoned Shang. In a direct confrontation between the two armies, Han Hulin emerged victorious in the end.
“Ji Yi’s arrival has reduced the Shang army from a hundred thousand to fifty thousand. They dared not stay any longer and retreated yesterday… Han Hulin suspected a trap and dared not pursue, after all… the commander returning would die anyway!”
King Jie’s temper was notorious, and he naturally wouldn’t spare a defeated general, even if the man was clever and loyal!
Knowing that Shang’s only option now was to defend the capital to the last, he still brought back fifty thousand troops, fully aware that his return meant certain death! This made Wu Ming sigh again—despite the nation’s crisis, there were still loyal subjects, though few in number.
For example, many civilians inside the pass were already preparing to “welcome the righteous king’s army with food and wine.”
This was partly due to the previous Shang general’s atrocities—capturing villagers en masse to charge the walls to their deaths, which had lost the people’s hearts. But even high-ranking county magistrates and military commanders had come to surrender, revealing the complexity of human nature, which even Wu Ming found moving.
“But… why has the Red Dragon’s aura weakened so much? Even with the Mandate of Heaven gradually replenishing it, this is still inexplicable…”
Wu Ming activated his Heavenly Eye and naturally saw Ji Yi’s royal aura.
However, this Red Dragon appeared even weaker than what he had seen before, making him momentarily incredulous.
Recalling some vague rumors and information, he grew even more convinced of a certain suspicion: “No wonder Yuqing has been so energetic and hostile toward the Buddhist sects… so that’s it!”
…
The “Taizu Benji” records: “The King raised an army for over a month, capturing dozens of prefectures and counties. When he first arrived at Ten-Jue, his banners stretched endlessly, ten thousand armored troops, perfectly disciplined. Han Hulin was amazed, surrendered in homage, and the people within the pass, long suffering under Shang rule, welcomed the righteous king’s army with food and wine. In no time, they reached the gates of the capital!”
Ji Yi united with Han Hulin, recruited three Rebel Kings, and commanded a force of one hundred and fifty thousand, claiming two hundred thousand. The entire region was shaken, and they advanced like an irresistible tide to the gates of the Shang capital!
Gazing at the heart of the Great Shang’s nineteen provinces, flanked by endless banners and soldiers, Wu Ming felt a strange sense of being immersed in history.
“Originally, Ji Yi held all the advantages at this point and should have proceeded cautiously. If he had remained in the Ten-Jue Pass, sending subordinates to capture cities and expand territory, even the Shang provinces could have been secured without battle. No matter how strong the capital’s defenses were, they would have been useless… Unfortunately, the Twelve Golden Men were nearly completed, leaving no time for such a gradual approach…”
Looking at the towering, blood-smeared silhouettes of the Twelve Golden Men faintly visible within the capital, Wu Ming couldn’t help but inhale sharply.
“The Twelve Golden Men require forty-nine days of refinement, fusing with the great dragon vein of the land before reaching full power. Forty-six days have already passed! Time is running out…”
Not only Wu Ming, but also Daoist Yuqing and Ji Yi, clad in golden armor at the heart of the army, felt the same heavy burden upon seeing this.
It is generally unwise for a charging general to dress too flamboyantly—white horses and shining armor easily draw concentrated attacks. However, the sovereign commanding the entire army is the safest, needing no such concerns.
Ji Yi’s mission was to let his troops recognize their core and boost morale, so he naturally dressed as dignified and eye-catching as possible.
By the time enemies reached the central command and Ji Yi himself had to fight, it would already be near the end of their forces.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The war drums thundered like lightning.
“Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories!”
Over a hundred thousand soldiers roared as the central command advanced. Ji Yi sat upright, while a scholar-like official approached the capital’s gates, unfurling a yellow proclamation: “King Jie is tyrannical… Though ‘Wu’ is an old title, its mandate is renewed! Officials and officers within the city, submit to the heavenly will immediately, or face regret too late when the army enters!”
“Traitorous rebels!”
A shout came from atop the capital’s walls, followed by an arrow streaking down like a meteor.
“Neigh!”
The horse startled, retreating several paces, narrowly avoiding the arrow, which grazed the envoy’s cheek.
The official’s heart pounded, barely maintaining his composure as he returned to the ranks to report to King Ji Yi.
This arrow signaled both sides’ resolve—this battle would end only when the last soldier fell.
“The capital…”
Ji Yi gazed at the city, his expression tinged with emotion: “Since I raised my banner, though I’ve faced trials, I’ve never suffered a major defeat. This city must be my final test!”
“It must be breached!”
At these words, several generals behind him immediately knelt on one knee: “Requesting to be appointed vanguard! We must breach this city for Your Majesty!!”
At the founding of a dynasty, when both civil and military officials are devoted, this is the scene.
“My loyal subjects! Within three days, whoever captures this city shall receive great rewards!”
Ji Yi declared loudly, causing immediate silence below.
Frankly speaking, among these founding officials and officers, not one was mediocre. To conquer the Shang provinces, as long as they proceeded cautiously, success was all but guaranteed.
But to capture the imperial capital of Shang in just three days?
Instantly, several resentful and hostile glances shot toward Daoist Yuqing beside them.
They were not cultivators and did not understand the might of the Twelve Golden Men.
Even if they had known, Confucian disciples still followed the principle of “not discussing strange powers, violence, or spirits,” dismissing dragon energy as nonsense. Thus, they regarded Yuqing as a treacherous minister—heretic!—and had already prepared enough impeachment memorials to fill a small room.
After all, under such overwhelming advantage, insisting on a swift resolution seemed nothing but a betrayal of the nation and the ruler!
Yuqing naturally understood this, his face calm, hiding only bitter laughter within.
“Your Majesty, a nation’s strength does not lie in mountains and rivers, but in the hearts of the people! Now, Your Majesty rose at twenty, full of vigor, capturing two provinces, loving the people as his children, and gaining the throne. If you govern diligently and advance steadily, seizing the nineteen provinces’ altar and founding a new dynasty would be as simple as turning one’s hand!”
A Confucian scholar stepped forward, removed his hat, and said: “But now, a Daoist spreads heretical words, misleading the ruler. I request that this heretic Yuqing be executed, restoring clarity to the world!”
His tone was fierce, even making Daoist Yuqing’s expression flicker slightly.
This was practically a death remonstration. Ji Yi had no doubt that if he refused, this old Confucian scholar would dare to smash his head against the ground and die right then and there!
His expression became hesitant.
In fact, if it were said that Ji Yi followed Yuqing’s every word, that would be nothing but a lie!
As a king, how could he not understand the truth that listening to all sides brings clarity, while partiality brings darkness? Even before the uprising, the Ji family had dedicated servants to spy on the realm’s intelligence.
After Ji Yi ascended the throne, he placed even greater emphasis on this, and the collected information was indeed shocking!
Of course, although these materials were numerous, they could not truly convince a dragon. What truly convinced Ji Yi was his own experience!
Every time he looked at the Twelve Golden Men, a sense of urgency filled his heart, making him certain of the intelligence’s authenticity!
This intuition had helped him escape death or achieve victory countless times. Now, he naturally trusted it even more.
Clang!
He drew his sword, slashing down a table corner with a fierce motion, and declared coldly: “The capital must fall within three days! My decision is final. Whoever disobeys shall share this fate!”
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