Undying Life

Chapter 515: WangChen

In Guangling City.

Zhong Shan reviewed the reports from the frontline.

"Sigh, still too late!" Zhong Shan suddenly sighed.

"What happened?" Gu Qianyou stopped her work and looked at Zhong Shan.

"See for yourself," Zhong Shan handed her the memorial, then fell into deep thought.

Gu Qianyou read it and frowned.

"Ying Lan didn't receive your letter?" Gu Qianyou asked.

"From the timeline, the letter never reached her. No, there wasn't even time to get it to her. Still too late. Han Wei mustn't die yet!" Zhong Shan frowned.

"It's done. There's no use dwelling on it. Let's focus on what lies ahead," Gu Qianyou consoled.

"Hmm, Han Jiguang is a formidable adversary—ambitious, talented, and adaptable. He's a deep strategist. I didn't want Ying Lan to clash with him," Zhong Shan reflected.

"If you let Ying Lan take charge, she'll have to face her challenges. With her wisdom, she can weigh the risks. How long can you shield her? Let her forge her own path," Gu Qianyou suggested.

"No, Ying Lan must not come to harm. As long as I live, no one can touch her," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"Sigh, you're too indulgent with Ying Lan. You never worry like this about me or our sisters," Gu Qianyou pouted, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

Zhong Shan smiled wryly at her. "It's not like that. I just can't let Ying Lan take such risks."

"So what are you going to do?" Gu Qianyou asked.

"I'll write another letter. As long as Ying Lan doesn't leave the chaotic lands, she should be safe. She needs to focus on the Great Honorable Dynasty," Zhong Shan said.

In the Great Guang Dynasty! The palace study.

"Boom!"

Han Jiguang, in a fit of rage, shattered the teacup on the table.

The rows of close ministers remained silent, not daring to speak.

The Crown Prince stood by, glaring at a general kneeling before Han Jiguang.

Han Wei was dead?

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No wonder Han Jiguang was so furious.

In just one battle, three hundred thousand troops were annihilated, and even the commander, Han Wei, was killed. Han Jiguang had three sons, and the one he doted on most, Han Jue, had already died. Now his second son, Han Wei, was also dead.

"Father, I am willing to lead our troops to avenge my brother!" The Crown Prince stepped forward with a look of anger.

Han Jiguang, once a mighty emperor, quickly suppressed his rage and adopted a rational approach.

"The Great Zheng Dynasty, Zhong Shan?" Han Jiguang narrowed his eyes.

"Your Majesty, our nation is still recovering and cannot afford to send troops now. Besides, the Great Zheng Dynasty's forces are too formidable. We should not provoke them," a minister advised.

"Your Majesty, we are willing to follow the Crown Prince to avenge the Second Prince," a military officer declared.

"Your Majesty, the six commanders of the Great Zheng Dynasty are too strong. Prince Han Wei faced just one of them and lost three hundred thousand troops. Our nation's situation is unstable; we cannot afford a direct confrontation," the first minister insisted.

"No, now is precisely the time. Do we wait until the Great Zheng Dynasty consolidates the chaotic lands? They are at a vulnerable moment. We should strike now. The Great Zheng Dynasty, next to the Great Guang Dynasty, will sooner or later become a significant threat," another minister argued.

"Enough!" Han Jiguang ordered, his voice cutting through the room.

The ministers immediately fell silent.

"Father!" Crown Prince Han Chong's eyes were filled with impulsiveness.

Taking a deep breath, Han Jiguang closed his eyes, seemingly in a battle with himself.

"Han Chong, stay. Everyone else, leave," Han Jiguang said with his eyes still closed.

"Yes!" The ministers quickly exited the room.

"Father!" Han Chong looked at Han Jiguang expectantly.

"Han Wei's defeat was within my expectations. It was meant to be a trial for him, a chance for growth. After all, only by experiencing defeat can one quickly mature. I didn't expect this defeat to cost him his life. The Great Zheng Dynasty and Zhong Shan?" Han Jiguang's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness.

"Father, let's deploy the Ice Army!" Han Chong suggested urgently.

Han Jiguang shot Han Chong a cold look, silencing him immediately.

"Military action is a matter of utmost importance to the state. It cannot be driven by emotions," Han Jiguang said sternly.

"But... my brother..." Han Chong said with a sorrowful expression.

"If it were any other dynasty, I wouldn't hesitate to send troops. But this is Zhong Shan we're dealing with. We must be cautious. I met him a few years ago. He hides his strength very well, deep and inscrutable," Han Jiguang sighed.

"No matter how deep he hides!" Han Chong retorted, unconvinced.

"Zhong Shan has the potential to threaten those at the Imperial Extreme Realm," Han Jiguang stated.

"How is that possible?" Han Chong exclaimed.

"Decades ago, he was just at the Golden Core stage. How could he reach the Imperial Extreme Realm in such a short time?" Han Chong found it hard to accept.

"I said he has the potential to threaten the Imperial Extreme Realm, not that he has reached it," Han Jiguang clarified, his displeasure with his son's lack of composure evident.

"Is Father certain about this?" Han Chong, noticing Han Jiguang's displeasure, quickly suppressed his shock and asked again.

"Indeed. A few years ago, in the Underworld, he partnered with Jian Ao. Although his cultivation was lower than Jian Ao's, being recognized by Jian Ao means his strength far exceeds his cultivation level. Jian Ao, at the Imperial Extreme Realm, was defeated by the Canglan Demon Lord. I never fought Zhong Shan, but I could sense his threat. His true strength should be at the peak of the Imperial Extreme Realm, threatening even those at the Emperor Extreme Realm," Han Jiguang explained.

"Then what should we do? Just let my brother's death go unavenged?" Han Chong asked, unwilling to accept it.

Han Jiguang fell silent for a moment.

"Father, if that's the case, Zhong Shan should be eliminated. His rapid growth means he will only become a greater threat over time. If we can defeat him now, we might not have the chance later!" Han Chong insisted.

"It's not the right time yet," Han Jiguang finally shook his head.

"And what about Wei Yinglan? She is the direct cause of my brother's death," Han Chong quickly mentioned Yinglan, clearly wanting her dead.

"How many times have I told you?" Han Jiguang's expression turned cold.

Seeing his father's expression, Han Chong immediately fell silent, though anger flickered in his eyes.

"If we act, it must be with overwhelming force. If we provoke Zhong Shan, it must be to kill him," Han Jiguang instructed.

"Yes, Father, I understand," Han Chong reluctantly agreed.

"Your Majesty, Prince Chuang requests an audience," a eunuch announced from outside the study.

"Uncle?" Han Chong was surprised and curious.

Han Chong glanced at Han Jiguang, who furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Let him in!" Han Jiguang commanded.

"Brother, it's been so long! I've missed you," a loud voice called from outside the study. Despite its enthusiasm, it sounded insincere.

Two figures entered the room. One resembled Han Jiguang, wearing a red robe—it was his younger brother, Han Chuang. The other was wrapped in a loose purple robe, obscuring any identifying features.

"Uncle," Han Chong greeted politely.

"Chong'er? You've grown so much, haha!" Han Chuang responded.

"What are you doing here?" Han Jiguang's eyes turned cold.

"Brother, we are still family. I've come back to help you," Han Chuang smiled.

"Help me? You're more likely to cause trouble," Han Jiguang said dismissively.

"Brother, I promised that when my training was complete, I would return to assist you," Han Chuang said.

"Oh? Your training is complete?" Han Jiguang's eyes flashed with disdain.

Han Chuang looked at Han Jiguang, then released a surge of his aura.

"Imperial Extreme Realm?" Crown Prince Han Chong exclaimed.

Han Jiguang's eyes showed a hint of approval, but Han Chuang wasn't satisfied and continued to elevate his aura. Suddenly, a purple mark appeared on his forehead.

A character appeared—幺!

If Zhong Shan were present, he would immediately recognize it as a divine mark, similar to those of the Demon Legion. Han Chuang also possessed one?

As his aura reached its peak, Han Jiguang's expression grew serious, focusing on the mark on Han Chuang's forehead.

"This... this... this..." Han Chong was forced to step back by the overwhelming aura.

"Emperor Extreme Realm?" Han Chong exclaimed in shock.

"A talisman from the Demon Legion? You have one too?" Han Jiguang's eyes grew cold. Clearly, he knew something about the Demon Legion.

"The Demon Legion's talismans are low-level divine marks compared to mine," Han Chuang said, retracting his aura and divine mark.

"A divine mark? How did you get this?" Han Jiguang asked coldly.

"That's not important, Brother. I came to help you because I heard about your conflict with Zhong Shan," Han Chuang replied.

"Help me?" Han Jiguang was skeptical.

"Of course. You're my brother, after all. Let me introduce you—this is my junior disciple, Wang Chen. He can help you defeat the Great Zheng Dynasty," Han Chuang said.

"Oh?" Han Jiguang looked at the purple-robed man with a hint of mockery.

Wang Chen? Help him defeat Zhong Shan? Han Jiguang was not easily convinced.

"Greetings, Emperor Han," Wang Chen said in a raspy voice, filled with an ancient tone.

"You can help me defeat Zhong Shan?" Han Jiguang asked.

"Indeed," Wang Chen replied.

"Why are you so confident?" Han Jiguang's tone was indifferent.

"Because I know Zhong Shan very well," Wang Chen said calmly.

"Know Zhong Shan? Haha!" Han Jiguang laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke.

Know Zhong Shan? Such a meticulous and secretive figure, how could anyone claim to know him well? If Wang Chen's claim were true, Zhong Shan wouldn't be considered one of the top military strategists.

"Yes, I know Zhong Shan, and I know a fatal weakness of his, one that no one else in the Divine Continent is aware of," Wang Chen added.

"Weakness?" Han Jiguang stared at Wang Chen, his eyes filled with a mix of mockery and curiosity. Such bold words! No one dared claim to know Zhong Shan's weakness, as he was widely regarded as having none.

But Wang Chen's assertion piqued Han Jiguang's curiosity.