Chapter 554: The Changing Banners on the City WallsThe Forbidden Lands Beyond the Underworld

Once the war began, it bypassed the warm-up phase and directly entered an intense state. Following the strategy set by Zhong Shan before his departure, the military genius Lin Xiao started planning a breathtaking layout. With every soldier and officer positioned perfectly, they awaited Guo Feng's move. As soon as Guo Feng launched his attack, Lin Xiao's orders were delivered like a tidal wave, directing all forces into a full-scale assault.

Guo Feng was caught completely off guard!

While Guo Feng led his troops to attack the Daying Dynasty, the defenses of the Dayan Dynasty were left vulnerable. Seizing this opportunity, Lin Xiao's army surged forward like a mighty river, launching ferocious attacks on various cities. Surrounding and attacking the cities to intercept Guo Feng's reinforcements, Lin Xiao's strategies in dozens of battles demonstrated the pinnacle of military prowess, each engagement becoming a classic example.

Two and a half months later, Lin Xiao's forces reached the capital of the Dayan Dynasty.

Guo Feng stood atop the city walls, looking at the army beneath him. A gust of wind lifted a lock of his white hair, making him appear significantly aged. The once-thriving Dayan Dynasty was now in ruins, its fate sealed in such a short time.

The imperial fortune above the city was now so faint it was nearly invisible. Could such a vast dynasty really collapse so quickly?

In the distance, Lin Xiao rode a demonic mare, a warhorse native to the underworld. This time, Lin Xiao had not deployed the Blood Wolf, as it was once the national beast of the Dayan Dynasty. Understanding the complex implications, Lin Xiao chose to leave it out, but even without the Blood Wolf, he was confident of victory. The evidence was clear before him—the Dayan Dynasty had only its last city standing.

Typically, the final battle would be between kings.

"Lin Xiao, I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to be such a formidable minister," Guo Feng admitted with a hint of regret.

"I dare not claim such a title! Guo Feng, surrender and open the gates!" Lin Xiao commanded.

"Surrender? Hmph, I, Guo Feng, would rather die than surrender. If this is the end, let Zhong Shan meet me for a final battle as per the rules of war!" Guo Feng demanded resolutely.

"You are not worthy to meet His Majesty, let alone duel him!" Lin Xiao replied, shaking his head.

"What did you say?" Guo Feng roared in anger.

Lin Xiao's disdainful look conveyed his thoughts clearly: How could someone like Guo Feng compare to the emperor? Even a single legion commander of the Dazhen Dynasty could bring the entire Dayan Dynasty to its knees. The Dazhen Dynasty had six such commanders. How could Guo Feng dare to challenge the emperor?

"Attack the city!" Lin Xiao ordered, wasting no more words.

A Month Later

Zhong Shan returned with Mr. Corpse and Xianxian.

By now, the Dayan Dynasty had been obliterated, and the two cities previously captured by the Dayan Dynasty from the Daying Dynasty had fallen into Lin Xiao's hands. The Dazhen Dynasty now controlled seventy-four cities, while the Daying Dynasty held twenty-six.

In terms of both military strength and morale, the Dazhen Dynasty was at its peak, brimming with a fervent desire for battle. The disparity in power was clear, naturally leading to the unification of the forbidden lands beyond the underworld.

However, the Daying Dynasty had long prepared for resistance, and with Yan Chongzhi's return half a month earlier, Lin Xiao's advance was immediately obstructed. Yan Chongzhi was a man of great talent, with far-reaching political insight and formidable military capabilities.

The former balance of power among the three great dynasties had been maintained due to the constraints imposed by the former Great Xian Emperor. Although the old emperor had died, he had been a ruthless character whose strategic deployments made Lin Xiao proceed with caution until Zhong Shan returned.

"Your Majesty, I have made all the necessary arrangements. Please review this strategy. With it, we can capture at least ten cities from the Daying Dynasty," Lin Xiao said, confidently handing Zhong Shan a jade slip.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan took the jade slip and carefully examined it.

"Excellent, Lin Xiao. Your war strategies are becoming more impressive. Even if this plan were revealed to the enemy, they wouldn't be able to defend against it. It's flawless, impeccable," Zhong Shan praised.

"Your Majesty flatters me," Lin Xiao replied, shaking his head modestly.

Zhong Shan gave Lin Xiao a satisfied look and said, "In that case, inform Yan Chongzhi of this plan."

"Uh?" Lin Xiao was taken aback.

Indeed, even if Yan Chongzhi were informed of this strategy, they could still capture ten cities from the Daying Dynasty. However, if Yan Chongzhi were not informed, they could potentially capture fifteen or more. Why would His Majesty want to inform the enemy?

Lin Xiao didn't understand, and Zhong Shan just smiled without explanation.

The next day, Zhong Shan sent a letter, including Lin Xiao's city-capturing strategy, directly to the capital of the Daying Dynasty, to Yan Chongzhi's hands.

Upon receiving Zhong Shan's letter, Yan Chongzhi was deeply conflicted. He didn't attend court that morning, instead, he spent the entire day in his study, pondering and deliberating, torn between conflicting decisions.

Zhong Shan's letter was as powerful as a million-strong army. Even someone as strategically brilliant as Yan Chongzhi found himself in a severe dilemma.

The entire day, Yan Chongzhi did not appear in court, causing great concern among the officials. The army of the Dazhen Dynasty was already at the front lines. Without a decisive command from their emperor, the Daying Dynasty was in grave danger!

However, Yan Chongzhi had ordered everyone to leave him alone, and no one dared to disturb him. Some senior officials realized that they had to request the old drunkard to see what was troubling the emperor.

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, the old drunkard was summoned and went straight to Yan Chongzhi's study. Perhaps he was the only one in the Daying Dynasty who could disregard Yan Chongzhi's orders.

"Yan Chongzhi, what's going on? Your ministers have been bothering me since morning. Can't a man get some sleep?" the old drunkard asked as he barged into the study.

Yan Chongzhi took a deep breath and handed Zhong Shan's letter to the old drunkard.

With a hint of curiosity, the old drunkard read the letter. His expression grew increasingly strange as he read, then he looked at Yan Chongzhi and asked, "Zhong Shan is inviting you to join his grand cause?"

"Yes," Yan Chongzhi nodded.

"What do you think?" the old drunkard asked curiously.

With a bitter smile, Yan Chongzhi replied, "What can I think? What do you make of Zhong Shan?"

"Strong! Mysterious! Far more strategically brilliant than you," the old drunkard said bluntly.

Yan Chongzhi shot the old drunkard a disgruntled look but did not argue.

"Do you think the Daying Dynasty can become the dominant power in the underworld?" Yan Chongzhi asked again.

"It's difficult. Dealing with just the Dazhen Dynasty is already tough, not to mention the many other imperial dynasties and two great celestial dynasties. It's extremely challenging," the old drunkard said straightforwardly.

"And what about Zhong Shan?" Yan Chongzhi inquired.

"Uh, I think you already have an idea in your heart, don't you?" the old drunkard replied enigmatically.

Dazhen Camp

"Your Majesty, when will we start the siege? I'm afraid if we wait too long, our strategy might become ineffective. Capturing those ten cities will cripple the Daying Dynasty's ability to resist us," Lin Xiao expressed his concern.

"Lin Xiao, how much do you think we can expand in the underworld on our own?" Zhong Shan asked with a smile.

"Uh, it's hard to say!" Lin Xiao frowned.

"In the underworld, where ghosts far outnumber humans, if our dynasty cannot incorporate ghost armies, we will inevitably be overwhelmed by the other dynasties," Zhong Shan affirmed.

"Your Majesty intends to recruit Yan Chongzhi?" Lin Xiao's eyes lit up, immediately grasping Zhong Shan's intention.

"Yes!" Zhong Shan nodded in satisfaction.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will wage the most decisive war to crush Yan Chongzhi's confidence, making it easier for you to recruit him," Lin Xiao pledged.

Zhong Shan smiled but did not respond directly. Instead, he said, "Let's go. It's about time. Now, let's go and take over the Daying cities."

"Yes!" Lin Xiao responded immediately.

Lin Xiao did not dwell on Zhong Shan's choice of words; Zhong Shan had said "take over," not "attack."

As the army moved westward, they reached the first city on the Daying border. Lin Xiao was stunned.

The city's gates were wide open, and the large "Ying" character on the city wall had been replaced with "Zhen."

What was going on?

The flags on the city walls had changed?

Lin Xiao was momentarily speechless, struggling to believe his eyes. Just then, a scout reported in.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, all twenty-six cities of the Daying Dynasty have their gates open, and all Daying banners have been replaced with our dynasty's banners," the scout reported.

Upon hearing the report, Lin Xiao felt dizzy. Could it be true? Had Yan Chongzhi surrendered the entire Daying Dynasty?

Lin Xiao found it hard to believe, but after receiving the same report from three more scouts, he finally accepted it. He suddenly recalled the letter Zhong Shan had sent to Yan Chongzhi.

Looking at Zhong Shan, Lin Xiao felt his admiration grow. His own perfect plan, which he believed to be flawless, was guaranteed to capture ten cities from Daying. Yet His Majesty, with a single letter, had taken all twenty-six cities without shedding a drop of blood. This was unimaginable. Standing at the pinnacle, one could see the true scale of the world. His Majesty was indeed a figure of extraordinary brilliance.

Of course, Zhong Shan's success in persuading Yan Chongzhi was partly due to Lin Xiao's impeccable siege strategy and the impact of the events at the Ghost Realm of the Great Marsh two months prior.

As the Dazhen army began taking over the cities, Yan Chongzhi personally led his ministers from the capital to meet Zhong Shan.

Dressed in black scholar's robes instead of his royal garb, Yan Chongzhi and his ministers bowed before Zhong Shan.

"Yan Chongzhi, along with the former officials of the Daying Dynasty, pays respects to Your Majesty!" Yan Chongzhi declared.

"Excellent! Yan Chongzhi, today I appoint you as the Seventh Corps Commander of the Dazhen Dynasty and bestow upon you the title of Marquis of Yingwu!" Zhong Shan announced, pleased with the appointment and the marquis title.

Seventh Corps Commander? Yan Chongzhi was momentarily taken aback. Seventh? Lin Xiao was the First Corps Commander of the Dazhen Dynasty. How had he suddenly become the Seventh? Did this mean there were five other corps commanders ahead of him? The thought made Yan Chongzhi's heart tighten, accompanied by a wry smile. His Majesty's depth of planning was truly profound.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yan Chongzhi immediately expressed his gratitude.