Chapter 730: Zhong Shan Manipulates His Opponents

Three months later, in the main hall of the City Lord's Mansion in Dragon Slayer City.

"Father, Zhao Suoxiang has led the Iron Spear Battalion to the rear to confront the Yin Corpse Imperial Dynasty. They have left Feather Fan City!" Xiao Yuanfeng burst into the hall with excitement.

Inside the hall, Xiao Wang sat at the command table, with a large number of generals standing on either side.

Hearing this news, the generals all seemed eager, as if they wanted to lead their troops immediately.

"Commander, I volunteer to be the vanguard to attack Feather Fan City!" one of the generals said.

"I am also willing to go!" another general shouted.

Six months of humiliation had left the generals of the Tianmai Imperial Dynasty seething with a desire for revenge, constantly thinking about reclaiming their honor.

"Father, give the order!" Xiao Yuanfeng urged.

Xiao Wang lightly tapped the command table, his brow furrowing.

"Wait a bit longer. Be cautious of any trickery," Xiao Wang said solemnly.

"Father, what are we still waiting for?" Xiao Yuanfeng asked anxiously.

"We wait for the final wave of scouts to return," Xiao Wang said firmly.

A month later, in the same hall.

Everyone was waiting, and Xiao Wang sat at the command table, with a man in plain clothes standing before him.

"What did you find?" Xiao Wang asked.

"I saw it. Three nights ago, at the third watch, ten people in black robes quietly left through the south gate. When they showed their tokens at the gate, the gatekeeper immediately knelt, but one of the black-robed figures stopped him. They left quietly," the plain-clothed scout reported.

"They left, good!" Xiao Wang said with a hint of excitement.

"Did you see who they were?" Xiao Yuanfeng asked.

"No, I couldn't see their faces," the scout replied.

"Not seeing them is even better!" Xiao Wang said, growing more confident.

"Father, who were they?" Xiao Yuanfeng asked, puzzled.

The generals also looked at Xiao Wang.

"It was Mr. Shui Jing. It has to be him!" Xiao Wang said confidently.

"Shui Jing? But his banner is still flying on the city walls," a general said.

"That's just for show," Xiao Wang sneered.

"But Father, could Shui Jing be deceiving us? Zhao Suoxiang has already left," Xiao Yuanfeng said, still doubtful.

"No, Zhao Suoxiang can't handle this alone."

"Oh?"

"This time, it's not just the Yin Corpse Imperial Dynasty. I've also contacted another imperial dynasty. Zhao Suoxiang might handle one, but two? Impossible in a short time. If Shui Jing doesn't go, several of their cities will fall. If those cities are lost, Feather Fan City can't be defended. So Shui Jing must leave!" Xiao Wang said with absolute certainty.

Though not fully understanding, the generals sensed something significant. Suddenly, all the generals knelt.

"We volunteer to be the vanguard and capture Feather Fan City!" the generals shouted in unison.

Xiao Yuanfeng was also excited. Finally, they could avenge the humiliation of ten years. Ten years of being a turtle, now they would transform into a dragon and rise.

"Prepare the troops. In two hours, take the 'woman's dress' sent by Shui Jing as a symbol, and follow me to attack the city!" Xiao Wang commanded proudly.

"Roar!" The generals let out an excited roar.

Ten days later.

"Boom!"

The gate of Feather Fan City was broken open.

"Kill!"

The generals of the Tianmai Imperial Dynasty finally breached Feather Fan City, charging into the city.

Once inside, the first task was to seize strategic locations.

Xiao Wang, accompanied by several generals, also entered the city. Seeing Feather Fan City fall, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Damn it, even without Shui Jing and Zhao Suoxiang, this city was still hard to take!" a general cursed.

"Because it's Shui Jing's city. Even after leaving, he made thorough arrangements," Xiao Yuanfeng commented.

"Feather Fan City, we've finally taken Feather Fan City!" Xiao Wang exhaled deeply.

"Shui Jing? He's not so great after all. I wonder what his expression will be when he returns to see our command flag flying over Feather Fan City?"

"Hahaha...!" The generals laughed excitedly.

Command flag? Xiao Wang's pupils contracted.

"No, we've been tricked! Retreat quickly!" Xiao Wang suddenly shouted.

"Father, what do you mean we've been tricked?" Xiao Yuanfeng asked, confused.

"Kill!"

Suddenly, the sound of a fierce battle cry erupted outside the city.

"Commander, something's wrong! At the four main gates, large formations have appeared, preventing us from leaving! But outsiders can come in," a scout reported in panic.

"Commander, something's wrong! A flag bearing the character 'Zhao' has appeared outside the city!" another scout shouted.

"Commander, something's wrong! The City Lord's Mansion has activated the seals on the four city towers, preventing anyone from getting onto the walls."

The sudden flood of bad news caused panic among everyone.

Realizing they were caught in a trap, Xiao Wang immediately said, "Follow me!"

"Roar!"

The troops quickly gathered and followed Xiao Wang towards the City Lord's Mansion. As they reached the floating island below the mansion, they found it surrounded by a large army. Zhao Suoxiang's forces swiftly charged in from outside the city, coordinating with the inner troops to encircle Xiao Wang's army.

The formation around the floating island dissipated, allowing those outside to see inside.

Under the floating island, Xiao Wang gave a bitter smile as he looked up. Seeing the group above, he realized he had fallen into a meticulously planned trap. Such a cunning strategy had even fooled him.

Above the floating island, Mr. Shui Jing stood, waving his feather fan, with a group of officials behind him. Standing at the forefront was Zhong Shan, clad in black robes.

Zhong Shan? So it was Zhong Shan all along?

The morale of the two armies was drastically different. Xiao Wang's army had a look of tragic determination, while Zhong Shan's army was filled with excitement. The outcome was clear: victory had been decided.

The two leaders, Xiao Wang and Zhong Shan, stared at each other across the distance.

After a moment of silence, the two armies, though facing off, refrained from attacking each other, waiting for orders from their commanders.

Xiao Wang glared at Zhong Shan. Zhong Shan looked back at Xiao Wang. In many ways, their lives had been similar, but their fortunes had led them to vastly different fates.

Finally, Zhong Shan spoke, his voice carrying across the battlefield.

"Xiao Wang, you have fought bravely and skillfully. Your reputation is well deserved."

Xiao Wang responded, his voice filled with resignation and respect. "Zhong Shan, your strategies are unparalleled. I see now why you have achieved such great success."

"Join me, Xiao Wang. Together, we can achieve even greater things. There is no need for further bloodshed," Zhong Shan offered, his eyes locking onto Xiao Wang's.

Xiao Wang paused, considering the offer. He knew that continuing to fight would only lead to more loss and suffering for his men.

After a moment, Xiao Wang nodded. "Very well, Zhong Shan. I will join you, but only if you promise to treat my men with the respect they deserve."

Zhong Shan smiled. "You have my word, Xiao Wang. Together, we will build an even greater empire."

The two leaders nodded to each other, a new alliance formed amidst the ruins of Feather Fan City.

Although Xiao Wang had praised Zhong Shan in front of Tian Xiaozi, he harbored a similar pride, a pride that bowed to no one. Deep down, he did not believe he was inferior to Zhong Shan. Long ago, Xiao Wang had yearned to face Zhong Shan in battle and utterly defeat him. But now...

"Zhong Shan!" Xiao Wang called out in a deep voice.

"Xiao Wang!" Zhong Shan replied.

"To defeat me, would you really sacrifice Feather Fan City and even the twenty-one cities behind it?" Xiao Wang asked, frowning.

"Oh? What makes you think that?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Shui Jing didn't go to the front lines, and Zhao Suoxiang's army was hiding in the mountains nearby. Aren't you concerned about the two attacking imperial dynasties?" Xiao Wang asked, puzzled.

"Ten years. Great Zhen has countless capable people. Do you think we've been idle here for ten years?" Zhong Shan said with a smile.

Xiao Wang raised an eyebrow, seemingly realizing something.

"The Yin Corpse Imperial Dynasty has been under my control for five years," Zhong Shan revealed.

Xiao Wang's pupils constricted.

"So it was all a play, a show for me. Zhao Suoxiang didn't need to go to the front lines. The other attacking dynasty was handled by the Yin Corpse Imperial Dynasty. Hahaha, what a brilliant, subtle plan. I didn't see it at all. Hahaha!" Xiao Wang laughed with a mix of disbelief and complexity.

"The ten-year wait in Feather Fan City has made you impatient," Zhong Shan said, taking a deep breath.

Xiao Wang suddenly stared at Zhong Shan, a look of shock flashing in his eyes. At that moment, Xiao Wang finally saw the true horror of Zhong Shan. Ten years, this plan had waited so long, just to wait for him to become impatient? Just to wait for that brief moment of impatience?

Xiao Wang was a self-reflective person, aware that everyone has various emotions. However, a wise person can periodically cleanse themselves of negative emotions. But in that brief moment of impatience, before he could clear it, Zhong Shan had seized the opportunity, sending the humiliating dress and triggering Xiao Wang's complete outburst of impatience, clouding his judgment for a brief moment.

That brief lapse led to a fatal mistake. A mistake from which there was no return! Zhong Shan was terrifying. Being his opponent was horrifying. On the battlefield, he could manipulate the enemy commander's psyche. If he could control his opponent, how could he not win? It was terrifying! In an instant, a seed of "Zhong Shan is unbeatable" was planted in Xiao Wang's heart, a seed of "never be enemies with Zhong Shan."

Xiao Wang sheathed his sword and took a long breath, suddenly feeling much more fatigued.

"The victor becomes the king, the loser the bandit. I surrender, but I hope you will spare my brothers," Xiao Wang said, pointing to the generals behind him.

"Commander—!" The generals knelt together, tears streaming down their faces.

"Father, let's fight! Let's fight!" Xiao Yuanfeng shouted tragically.

"Let's fight—!"

The generals echoed his cry with a tragic shout.

"Silence!" Xiao Wang roared.

The voices stopped, but the tears in their eyes continued to flow.

Silencing his army, Xiao Wang looked up at Zhong Shan, awaiting his decision.

Zhong Shan looked at Xiao Wang, a hint of admiration in his eyes. He waved his hand.

Zhao Suoxiang's army quickly made an opening.

"Xiao Yuanfeng, listen to my command!" Xiao Wang ordered.

"Father!" Xiao Yuanfeng's eyes flashed with tragic determination.

"Lead the army back to Dragon Slayer City!" Xiao Wang commanded.

"Father—!"

"Commander—!"

The generals were reluctant to leave.

"This is an order!" Xiao Wang said sternly.

"Yes, sir!" Xiao Yuanfeng accepted the order with unwillingness and sorrow.

Xiao Yuanfeng vowed to hold Dragon Slayer City because only by holding it might he save his father.

Under the command, the army slowly withdrew from Feather Fan City.