Chapter 96: You Have Quite the Courage

"This is what they call 'interest bundling'?" Yinglan seemed to recall the words Zhongshan had spoken to her in her childhood.

"Interest bundling? Haha, you could say that," Zhongshan chuckled heartily. It was obviously more than just that, but for Yinglan, a female general, knowing this much was sufficient.

Behind him, Zhongtian and Zhongzheng also wore faint smiles.

"Let's go, back first. Prepare for the upcoming national war," Zhongshan said confidently.

National war, preparing for a national war? Zhongtian and Zhongzheng exchanged a glance. Did their foster father's words just now place them in the position of a nation? Faced with the Great Kun Country, had their foster father decided to abandon his previous thoughts and prepare to establish a renowned nation for generations to come?

As they returned to Yilan Hall, everyone's mood had improved significantly. What seemed like a tangled mess of internal and external troubles before had now become clear and straightforward under Zhongshan's management. Unity was soon to be achieved within Xuancheng, and then they would stand united against external threats.

"Zhongtian, why have you returned this time?" Zhongshan sat down again, looking at his adopted son, Zhongtian.

"This time, I've come back to bid farewell to Father," Zhongtian replied after a moment of silence.

"Oh?" Zhongshan looked at Zhongtian.

"A few days ago, I attained the innate realm. My master said my physique is one in ten thousand and wants to take me to a place called 'Shenzhou' to enter its main gate for long-term cultivation. So, I requested my master to allow me to return to bid farewell," Zhongtian said, furrowing his brow.

"That's great," Zhongshan immediately exclaimed.

"But..." Zhongtian hesitated.

"Don't worry. Since I've reached the innate realm, I'll have boundless opportunities in the future. While you cultivate in Shenzhou, my influence will sooner or later extend there. When you return after completing your training, you can assist me then," Zhongshan said solemnly.

"Understood," Zhongtian breathed a sigh of relief. If Father said it could be done, then it definitely could.

After a moment of thought, Zhongshan asked again, "Shenzhou, your master mentioned Shenzhou. What kind of place is Shenzhou, and what do we call our own land?"

"My master didn't say much, but he did mention that where we are is called 'Tianlang Island'," Zhongtian said after some thought.

Tianlang Island? An island? Just a large island? How could an island be so vast?

Zhongshan furrowed his brow in thought for a while before looking at Zhongzheng, Zhongtian, and Yinglan.

"Yinglan, you'll command all the soldiers in Xuancheng," Zhongshan said.

"Yes," Yinglan nodded excitedly.

"Zhongzheng," Zhongshan turned to his adopted son again.

"Here," Zhongzheng stepped forward immediately.

"Others may not know, but I know, you have the talent for command, understand how to wield influence. For years, I've had you in charge of market expansion, and you've done an excellent job. In the past, we managed a certain type of goods, but from now on, I'll be managing a nation, a dynasty, a world. Are you prepared for this?" Zhongshan looked at his adopted son with a smile.

At the same time, besides Yinglan, Zhongtian and Zhongzheng heard Zhongshan's exact response for the first time the establishment of a nation.

"Yes, I've been waiting for this day," Zhongzheng said excitedly.

"Good, let's start with the people's livelihood. Yinglan will lead the troops, and you will be in charge of the city's civilians, all the constables and city management will be under your coordination. Quickly stabilize the people's hearts for me, root out spies, draw out able-bodied men, and reinforce the city's defense," Zhongshan said solemnly.

"Yes," Zhongzheng accepted the command.

"As for Zhongtian," Zhongshan looked at Zhongtian again.

"Here," Zhongtian stepped forward.

Zhongshan handed over a piece of Yin Spirit Stone and a piece of Yang Spirit Stone, gently passing them to Zhongtian, saying, "You have reached the innate realm. Rest well for a short time, and then accompany me to confront the other innate masters."

"Yes," Zhongtian responded immediately, somewhat surprised as he lightly took the two spiritual stones.

"Alright, you may leave now," Zhongshan said again.

"Yes," the three immediately left the hall.

When everyone had left, Zhongshan spoke softly, "Dark Emperor, come out."

"Yes, master," a figure wrapped in a black robe slowly emerged from a dark corner of the hall.

"Please, sit," Zhongshan gestured to the Dark Emperor.

"Yes," the Dark Emperor nodded and sat at Zhongshan's side.

"These days, I assume your Dark Night Hall has already dispatched operatives. What's the defense situation outside the city?" Zhongshan asked.

"Yes, the Dark Night Hall has sent numerous assassins to infiltrate the army. They are constantly getting closer to the generals. As long as you give the order, they will not hesitate to risk their lives to assassinate the high-ranking officers. However, it's not easy to deal with the several innate masters from the four major families and the royal family," the Dark Emperor replied after some thought.

"Twelve innate masters? Quite the grand arrangement. But there's no need to worry too much about them. Innate masters can't withstand a volley of arrows, and there's only one at the pinnacle of innate. I have the Eight Ox Crossbow Array; they won't dare to attack recklessly. As for those generals, I'll give you a list later. Withdraw the assassins targeting those generals. They are our own people," Zhongshan said in a deep voice.

"Yes," the Dark Emperor nodded.

Two days later, south of Xuancheng, within the central tent of the camp, the twelve innate masters gathered once again.

The Patriarch of the Su Family spoke first, "It's already the sixth day. Lian Xian, you said there would be chaos among the people in the city, that Xuancheng would fall without needing to be attacked, but none of that has happened. Moreover, there are even civilians participating in the defense on the city walls, and the defensive weaponry has increased."

The former Emperor, Su Lian Xian, furrowed his brow, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes as he said, "Perhaps the news brought by Zhongshan's adopted sons was false, meant to disrupt our judgment."

"No, Father," Emperor Su Zhengde suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" Everyone turned to look at Su Zhengde.

"Maybe, just maybe, Zhongshan wasn't injured at all. And the fact that civilians are participating in the defense could only mean that Zhongshan has intervened. Because, although the people of Xuancheng may not be loyal to the Great Kun Country, they wouldn't rebel without cause. If they are truly rebelling now, there's only one possibility Zhongshan's involvement," Su Zhengde explained.

Upon hearing Su Zhengde's words, everyone nodded in agreement. Indeed, only Zhongshan would have such tremendous influence. This was treason, and without Zhongshan's intervention or the current Crown Prince's call, the people wouldn't dare to rebel.

After some contemplation, it was Su Lian Xian, the former Emperor, who spoke again, "Tomorrow, I will challenge them at the South Gate to see if Zhongshan has truly appeared."

"Yes," everyone nodded.

The next morning, two hundred thousand troops assembled at the South Gate, with the twelve innate masters at the forefront, each mounted on horseback, coldly gazing towards the distant city walls.

On the city walls, Yinglan stood with her sword in hand, calmly observing the scene below. Archers lined the walls, arrows nocked and ready, yet Yinglan remained unfazed. Beyond the city walls lay a moat; though not particularly wide, it was enough to deter these invaders on horseback. With eight hundred thousand troops surrounding the city gates, only two hundred thousand were stationed at the South Gate.

Among the twelve innate masters, a man who appeared to be in his forties, Su Lian Xian, rode forward on horseback.

"Where is Zhongshan?" Su Lian Xian bellowed towards the city walls.

With his shout, his voice resonated for miles around, echoing not only on the city walls but also within the city itself, a testament to the power behind his voice.

Within Xuancheng, at the same time, Zhongshan slowly made his way towards the southern gate and the city wall.

Zhongzheng had managed civil affairs impeccably. Most of the populace stayed indoors, with few venturing out to some taverns or teahouses. As Zhongshan walked along the streets, the people in various shops and households showed expressions of reverence and admiration. Even the heads of the Eight Major Families, who had stood in their respective shops, along with numerous merchants and servants, looked on with utmost respect as Zhongshan made his way towards the city wall.

"Mr. Zhong."

"Zhong Patriarch."

... Everywhere Zhongshan went, respectful voices echoed, but Zhongshan merely nodded faintly in acknowledgment.

Xuancheng had a peculiar geography. There was an outer moat, and it seemed there was also an inner moat within the city. Crossing the inner moat, Zhongshan reached the city wall, where the defenders seemed to be revitalized by his presence.

It wasn't until Zhongshan reached the topmost part of the city wall, standing on the terrace, looking down at the army below, that Yinglan, upon seeing him, immediately stood behind him, sword in hand.

"Zhongshan, do you still recognize me?" Su Lian Xian shouted from atop his horse, facing Zhongshan on the city wall.

Others also noticed that indeed, Zhongshan had emerged from the city unharmed.

Zhongshan's eyes narrowed. He glanced at the various innate masters, then finally turned his gaze towards Su Lian Xian.

"Su Lian Xian," Zhongshan said in a deep voice.

"Do you remember me, Zhongshan? You are guilty of heinous crimes, amassing troops and fortifying the city, undermining the foundation of our Great Kun Dynasty. We are here today to exterminate you, the traitor. Do you have anything to say?" Su Lian Xian called out.

Su Lian Xian's words were not directed at Zhongshan, but at the army behind him. Although Zhongshan was merely a merchant, his influence within the Great Kun Dynasty was immense. He had earned a great deal of money and had equally spent much on charitable deeds. At least one-fifth of the country's populace had benefited in some way from Zhongshan's various businesses. Among the soldiers behind Su Lian Xian, there were likely those whose relatives had been helped by Zhongshan, or even some who had directly received his aid. Now, to deal with Zhongshan, they had to tarnish his reputation as well.

Zhongshan glanced coldly at Su Lian Xian.

"Su Lian Xian, you are the former Emperor of the Great Kun Dynasty. During our conversation at the Lan Pavilion, I made a promise. As long as your Su family did not target me, Zhongshan, I would remain a loyal subject of the Great Kun Dynasty, never to rebel, and merely be a merchant. But, unexpectedly, you broke your promise and even brought eighty thousand troops to kill me," Zhongshan said solemnly.

As Zhongshan spoke, Su Lian Xian felt a chill. Indeed, Zhongshan had said such words to him before. He had broken his promise first, but what could be done now?

"Targeting me is one thing, but to send assassins to kill my adopted sons... You have quite the courage!" Zhongshan shouted.

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Almost everyone was momentarily stunned. The phrase "you have quite the courage" made it sound as if Zhongshan were the emperor reigning supreme, and the current Su Lian Xian was a rebellious traitor seeking to usurp the throne.

Chapter end