Undying Life

Chapter 516: The Meeting of the Traitor

"And what is Zhong Shan's weakness?" Han Jiguang asked, looking at Wang Chen.

"Wei Yinglan," Wang Chen replied in his raspy voice.

"Wei Yinglan?" Han Jiguang's eyes flickered with amusement.

"Indeed, Wei Yinglan. Do you know her relationship with Zhong Shan?" Wang Chen asked.

"Oh? Is there some special connection?" Han Jiguang looked at Wang Chen with curiosity.

"She is Zhong Shan's grandniece, the woman he cares about most in this world. She is his greatest weakness," Wang Chen said.

"Oh?" Han Jiguang's initial amusement turned into a more serious expression.

"What Wang Chen says is entirely true. Believe it or not, the decision is yours. But if you wait any longer, the one who will regret it will be you," Wang Chen said in his raspy voice.

"Regret? What would I regret?" Han Jiguang asked.

"Once the chaotic lands are conquered, the next target will be your Great Guang Dynasty. You know Zhong Shan's rapid growth as well as I do," Wang Chen said gravely.

This struck a nerve with Han Jiguang, whose expression turned uncertain.

"Brother, I can guarantee with my life that everything Wang Chen says is true!" Han Chuang interjected.

"You... humph!" Han Jiguang looked at Han Chuang with disdain.

Han Chuang looked disgruntled, a hint of annoyance on his face.

Han Jiguang turned his attention back to Wang Chen.

"What proof do you have?" Han Jiguang asked, staring at Wang Chen.

"Proof? That's hard to come by, but this information is absolutely true. I can even point out Zhong Shan's lair for you to investigate," Wang Chen said.

Han Jiguang scrutinized Wang Chen, pondering deeply. Who was this Wang Chen, and how did he know so much about Zhong Shan?

"As for knowing Zhong Shan's weakness, I believe you'll know what to do next," Wang Chen continued in his raspy voice.

"Very well, stay here for now. I need to think about this," Han Jiguang did not commit immediately.

Wang Chen nodded.

"Brother!" Han Chuang seemed to want to say more.

"You too, leave," Han Jiguang ordered.

The study was left with only Han Jiguang and his son, as Han Chuang and Wang Chen were escorted out by an old eunuch to their quarters.

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As they walked, Han Chuang's face showed a hint of disdain. It was clear that he didn't hold his brother in high regard.

"Here you are," the old eunuch said, pointing to a courtyard.

"Clear everyone out!" Han Chuang commanded.

Soon, the large courtyard was empty, leaving only Han Chuang and Wang Chen.

"Wang Chen, what does the master want us to do here? Why not just kill Zhong Shan and be done with it? Why all this elaborate planning?" Han Chuang complained.

"Follow orders. You..." Wang Chen started but then stopped abruptly, looking north.

"What is it?" Han Chuang asked.

"Stay here. I have something to do," Wang Chen said.

"What is it?"

"Wait for my return," Wang Chen said before flying off.

As he watched Wang Chen's figure disappear into the distance, Han Chuang's eyes flashed with a cold glint.

Wang Chen flew out of the Great Guang Dynasty's capital, heading to a secluded forested mountain area.

On two peaks, standing close together, stood two figures. Wang Chen, in his purple robe, stood on one peak, while a figure entirely cloaked in black stood on the other.

"Are you Zhong Xuan?" Wang Chen asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Zhong Shijiu, long time no see," the black-robed figure replied coolly.

"I am not Zhong Shijiu anymore. Zhong Shijiu is dead. I am Wang Chen!" Wang Chen replied coldly. Surprisingly, his voice no longer carried the previous rasp, indicating that it had been an affectation.

"Wang Chen? Do you think changing your name will help you forget your past? Can you truly forget everything by just changing your name?" Zhong Xuan taunted.

"Hmph, you're no different from me, hiding under that robe," Wang Chen retorted without backing down.

"Hiding is better than forgetting your roots," Zhong Xuan responded coldly.

"Hmph!" Wang Chen snorted.

"How did you find me?" Wang Chen asked coldly.

"Find you? If you do not wish to be discovered, do not act. Shijiu, you'd better not commit any more acts of rebellion, or I will not spare you," Zhong Xuan said with a sinister edge to his voice.

"Not spare me? Who do you think you are? Our foster father? He disowned you long ago. And now you pretend to be filial? Hahaha!" Wang Chen mocked.

Zhong Xuan fell silent, not refuting the taunt.

"Hmph, since we've met today, you can stay here!" Wang Chen suddenly declared.

Purple light erupted around Wang Chen as he flew towards Zhong Xuan.

Zhong Xuan extended his palm, and the two clashed fiercely.

"Boom!"

Their palms collided, unleashing a massive burst of energy. Wang Chen was forced back to his original peak.

"Boom! Boom!"

The two peaks exploded under the immense force, seemingly evenly matched.

"Shijiu, take care of yourself," Zhong Xuan said indifferently before turning and flying away.

Wang Chen did not pursue but watched Zhong Xuan's retreating figure in deep silence. After a moment, he turned and flew back to the courtyard in the Great Guang Dynasty's palace.

In Guangling City.

Zhong Shan and Gu Qianyou reviewed reports from various regions.

Another six months had passed, and the six divisions had almost completed their campaigns. The chaotic lands were nearly entirely subdued, with only the eight major dynasties remaining.

Among them, Ying Lan had made the most rapid progress. While the other divisions had just reached the borders of the major dynasties, Ying Lan had already advanced to the capital of the Great Honorable Dynasty.

The final battle was near!

As Zhong Shan read the latest report, a knowing smile appeared on his face. Ying Lan was indeed pushing herself too hard. However, the final stage was approaching.

Lost in thought, Zhong Shan turned to the next report.

As he read, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"Hmm," Zhong Shan stood up abruptly, clearly seeing something unexpected.

"What is it?" Gu Qianyou asked.

Zhong Shan took a deep breath and handed the letter to Gu Qianyou, his demeanor becoming extremely serious.

"The Great Guang Dynasty has sent a secret army south?" Gu Qianyou looked at the letter in surprise.

"This doesn't make sense. Han Jiguang shouldn't be so reckless," Zhong Shan furrowed his brows.

"The Ice Army? The elite force of the Great Guang Dynasty?" Gu Qianyou asked, astonished.

"It must be," Zhong Shan said gravely.

"Ying Lan should stay within the chaotic lands, right?" Gu Qianyou asked, concerned.

"In normal circumstances, she should. But I'll write her a letter emphasizing that she must not leave the chaotic lands," Zhong Shan said, picking up a brush to write.

Three days later, Zhong Shan and Gu Qianyou were playing chess in a pavilion.

"Why have you been so restless these past few days?" Gu Qianyou asked worriedly.

Zhong Shan paused, holding a chess piece.

It's not here. It's my main body. Something feels off, though the Red Luan Pink Lotus hasn't changed. The ominous feeling is growing stronger.

"Whoosh!" Zhong Shan suddenly stood up.

"What's wrong?" Gu Qianyou asked.

"I must go to Ying Lan! Something doesn't feel right," Zhong Shan said abruptly.

"Now?" Gu Qianyou asked, puzzled.

"Yes, right now. I'm leaving this place to you," Zhong Shan said, looking at Gu Qianyou seriously.

Although she felt a twinge of jealousy over Zhong Shan's concern for Ying Lan, Gu Qianyou knew the importance and nodded, "Alright."

After giving some instructions, Zhong Shan quickly flew out of Guangling City, heading north toward the Great Honorable Dynasty.

Faster, faster, faster!

Zhong Shan had a strong sense of foreboding. Though he couldn't pinpoint the exact nature of the threat, he sped toward Ying Lan.

In the Great Honorable Dynasty, one of the eight major dynasties in the chaotic lands, Ying Lan had defeated its forces. Though the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation had lost nearly half of its two hundred thousand troops, they had ultimately toppled the Great Honorable Dynasty.

With the fall of the Great Honorable Dynasty, the endless fortune flowed to Tianlang Island, enriching the Great Zheng Dynasty.

Originally, Ying Lan was ready to attack the neighboring dynasty, but sudden news disrupted her plans.

The Ice Army was moving south?

She received two letters. After reading them, Ying Lan stopped all activities.

Two letters from her uncles—Third Uncle and Nineteenth Uncle. Two men she loathed for betraying her granduncle. Now, they both wrote to her, and simultaneously?

Ying Lan read both letters. Zhong Shijiu's letter contained tempting words and provoked her anger, aiming to lure her out of the chaotic lands and into the Great Guang Dynasty.

Zhong Xuan's letter, on the other hand, advised her to stay within the chaotic lands, warning her not to leave.

The contrasting letters made Ying Lan scoff. Since they had left the Zhong family, why pose as elders now? Ying Lan sent a message back to Zhong Shan and then carefully pondered her next move.

Meanwhile, the Ice Army had reached the border of the chaotic lands.

"Prepare the army. Move north to confront the enemy!" Ying Lan commanded.

Ten days later, Yi Yan and Lin Xiao received news from Ying Lan's direction.

"What's happening? Why is Ying Lan moving north?" Yi Yan looked at the letter in surprise.

"Iron Blood, withdraw the siege troops and lead the army to the northwest immediately!" Yi Yan quickly saw the urgency and issued new orders.

"But, sir, we're on the brink of victory. Withdrawing now would be a great loss," Iron Blood protested.

"When I say move, you move! No more nonsense!" Yi Yan glared at him.

Similarly, upon receiving Ying Lan's message, Lin Xiao swiftly regrouped his forces, abandoning the siege to rush to Ying Lan's aid.