Chapter 577: Father and Son Meet on the Battlefield

Zhong Shan held command over Yan Hong City!

Although Zhong Shan was an outsider, his exceptional abilities and the support of seasoned ministers allowed him to swiftly organize all military arrangements. The various armies were deployed according to his directives.

To avoid suspicion of usurping the throne, Zhong Shan stayed in the East City Tower, never stepping into the imperial palace. In a grand hall of the East City Tower, Zhong Shan sat at the command desk, with a group of Yan Hong Dynasty officials standing before him.

"Emperor Zhong, it's incredible! The troops you dispatched happened to encounter the flanks of the Taishui Dynasty perfectly. Although the outcomes varied, they finally slowed their advance. Our dynasty can finally counterattack!" an excited general exclaimed.

"Indeed, this is the first time we've held back the Taishui Dynasty. Such a victory will surely stabilize our army's morale," said Elder Wei, who had invited Zhong Shan.

"No, these are minor skirmishes. The real battle is imminent!" Zhong Shan said gravely.

"Oh?"

"Scouts report that the main force of the Taishui Dynasty's army is advancing towards Yan Hong City. They will arrive in five days," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

A heavy silence fell over the group.

"With Emperor Zhong in command, there shouldn't be any issues, right?" Wei Gong asked.

"That depends on your unity," Zhong Shan said, looking at everyone.

"United, absolutely united. In times of national crisis, how could we not be?" Wei Gong immediately replied.

"Good. Then replace the guards at the four city gates with your most trusted subordinates," Zhong Shan ordered.

"The four city gates?" Wei Gong was taken aback.

Zhong Shan suddenly produced a letter and tossed it forward. Wei Gong caught it and quickly read through it, his expression growing increasingly serious and then turning to anger.

"Outrageous! How dare they betray us and inform the enemy!" Wei Gong roared.

"Wei Gong, what is it?" someone asked.

Before Wei Gong could respond, Zhong Shan interrupted, "Resolve this internally."

"Yes, thank you, Emperor Zhong. We will handle it immediately," Wei Gong said respectfully, leading the group out of the hall quickly.

"Your Majesty, this…" Zhao Suoxiang frowned.

"Old Zhao, let the Iron Spear Battalion rest. We might have a tough battle ahead. Distribute the spirit stones and pills I gave you earlier. Don't be stingy. When we reach the Da Qian Dynasty, there will be plenty of these resources," Zhong Shan instructed.

Five days later, Crown Prince Chong Tian arrived at the eastern side of Yan Hong City with 1.5 million troops, gazing at the distant city shrouded in faint fortune.

"Report!" A scout hurried over.

"Speak!" Crown Prince Chong Tian, mounted on a giant warhorse, commanded.

"The seven flanking armies were ambushed, only two commanders escaped and are retreating towards the main force," the scout reported.

"Useless!" Crown Prince Chong Tian roared in anger.

The scout quietly withdrew.

Beside Chong Tian, riding on a demon steed, was Wang Chen.

"Wang Chen, you have a good adoptive father. In just a few days, he has thwarted my eighteen flanking armies. He's truly a strategist, capturing everyone regardless of victory or defeat," Crown Prince Chong Tian said with a mocking tone.

"Seventh Prince, mind your words. Let me reiterate: I have no further ties with Zhong Shan. If you continue to associate me with him, don't blame me for turning hostile!" Wang Chen said in a grave tone.

"Hmph!" Crown Prince Chong Tian snorted.

From a distance, they could already see the city walls.

Seeing the line of people standing atop the city wall, Crown Prince Chong Tian's eyes turned cold. But when he spotted Zhong Shan among them, a glint of interest flashed in his eyes.

"Fine. Since you claim to have no more ties with Zhong Shan, go and bring me his head!" Crown Prince Chong Tian ordered coldly.

Wang Chen fell silent for a moment.

"Are you afraid? Hahaha!" Crown Prince Chong Tian laughed suddenly.

"Is this a military order?" Wang Chen asked solemnly.

"Indeed, it is a military order. Wang Chen, as Deputy Commander, I command you to lead the vanguard, capture Yan Hong City, and bring me Zhong Shan's head!" Crown Prince Chong Tian ordered, his eyes glaring coldly at Wang Chen.

"Understood!" Wang Chen responded.

He squeezed his legs, and his demon steed stepped out of the formation. With a wave of his hand, about five thousand soldiers in bright red uniforms followed him out.

These were Wang Chen's private troops, designated as the vanguard to capture Yan Hong City and take Zhong Shan's head.

What must be faced, must be faced. Wang Chen rode forward, slowly entering the center of the battlefield, signaling his challenge.

From the distant city wall, Zhong Shan, leaning against the railing, watched the approaching army. He had received the scout's report long ago.

Crown Prince Chong Tian? Wang Chen?

Even from a distance, Zhong Shan recognized Wang Chen at a glance.

Zhong Shi Jiu? The foster son he had once favored most? The traitor?

Seeing Wang Chen advance with his vanguard troops, Zhong Shan felt a heavy weight in his heart.

Meeting in this manner, father and son, was unique and filled with complex emotions. Had he truly misjudged him back then?

Zhong Shan fell into a deep silence, saying nothing.

In the distance, Wang Chen led his troops out, also looking towards Zhong Shan on the city wall. His gaze was emotionless, indifferent.

Behind him, Crown Prince Chong Tian watched coldly. He had always disliked Wang Chen, and recently discovering he was Zhong Shan's foster son made things even more interesting.

"Emperor Zhong, Emperor Zhong..." A nearby minister kept calling out to Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan was lost in thought.

"Hmm?" Zhong Shan snapped back to attention.

"What should we do now?" Wei Gong asked worriedly.

Zhong Shan did not answer immediately. He took a deep breath, looking at Wang Chen in the distance. His heart was filled with conflicting emotions. He had expected to feel extreme anger and impulsiveness upon seeing this traitor again, but now, he only felt a deep sense of melancholy and the passage of time.

"Zhao Suoxiang!" Zhong Shan called out.

"Present!" Zhao Suoxiang immediately responded.

"What do you think?" Zhong Shan asked gravely.

"Based on the information gathered over the past few days, this Wang Chen is exceptionally gifted. His cultivation speed is remarkable, and he recently reached the Nascent Soul stage. I am also at the Nascent Soul stage. With Your Majesty's permission, I am willing to go and capture him alive!" Zhao Suoxiang said confidently.

"Hehe, capturing him alive won't be that easy," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"I will not disappoint Your Majesty!" Zhao Suoxiang replied stubbornly.

"No, it's not that I doubt your abilities. Your skills, even at the Nascent Soul stage, might trouble someone at the Emperor Extreme Realm. But I must remind you of something," Zhong Shan suddenly said.

"Oh?" Zhao Suoxiang was slightly taken aback.

The others were astonished. Zhao Suoxiang at the Nascent Soul stage able to contend with the Emperor Extreme Realm? How could that be possible?

"Wang Chen, formerly known as Zhong Shijiu, was once my adopted son," Zhong Shan suddenly revealed.

"What?" Zhao Suoxiang was shocked.

The surrounding ministers were equally stunned. Zhong Shan's adopted son?

"Of course, he disowned me as his foster father nearly a century ago," Zhong Shan said bitterly.

"A disloyal and treacherous scoundrel!" Zhao Suoxiang's eyes filled with anger.

"Hehe, regardless of what happened, I must warn you not to underestimate Wang Chen. Of my more than a hundred adopted sons, his talent was the greatest. He is very intelligent, highly capable, much like myself," Zhong Shan calmly assessed.

Wang Chen's talent was the greatest? Highly intelligent? Extremely capable?

These remarks already elevated Wang Chen's status significantly. Indeed, in a short time, Wang Chen had established himself firmly in the camp of Crown Prince Chong Tian and held a considerable position, indicating his formidable abilities.

But what struck Zhao Suoxiang the most was Zhong Shan's comment, "much like myself."

These three words overturned everything Zhong Shan had said earlier. To be like Zhong Shan implied Wang Chen's immense strength.

How strong was Zhong Shan? And Wang Chen was like him?

"I understand," Zhao Suoxiang took a deep breath, no longer daring to underestimate Wang Chen.

"Take the Iron Spear Battalion and meet him. Be sure to protect yourself," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"Yes!" Zhao Suoxiang nodded and left to rally his troops.

Zhong Shan gazed at Wang Chen from a distance, their eyes meeting across the battlefield. Zhong Shan's expression grew serious, reflecting the complexity of their relationship, the stakes of the battle, and perhaps other matters.

"Beat the drums, boost the army's morale!" Crown Prince Chong Tian commanded with a smile.

The drummers quickly pounded the battle drums.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

The thunderous drumbeats sent a wave of killing intent across the battlefield towards Yan Hong City. Some timid officials on the city wall shivered.

"By the Deputy Commander's order, capture Yan Hong City and bring me Zhong Shan's head!" Wang Chen shouted.

"Roar..."

The army behind him roared in unison, filled with a murderous aura as they advanced with the drumbeats.

Zhong Shan turned to the trembling officials beside him and tightened his expression. "Since ancient times, evil has never triumphed over righteousness. As long as we uphold a spirit of integrity and defend our city, we will be victorious. Beat the drums, prepare to engage!"

"Yes!" The fearful officials quickly gathered their courage, looking towards the enemy with renewed determination.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

The drums on the city wall began to beat as the city gates swung open. Zhao Suoxiang, in white robes and wielding a silver spear, led the Iron Spear Battalion out to meet the enemy.