office mobile

Chapter 324: Chapter 324: The Sky Collapsing Plan

"We are gambling on you, and we are gambling on me," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

Yi Yan listened quietly.

"If I lose, I am willing to serve under Mr. Yi Yan for two hundred years as a common soldier," Zhong Shan chuckled.

"Two hundred years? Yi Yan\'s lifespan is not even twenty years. How can you speak of two hundred?" Yi Yan shook his head.

Yi Yan\'s age was known to many throughout the world, and it was the basis upon which Zhong Shan had dared to predict the longevity of the Great Yu Dynasty.

"Hehe, when I say two hundred years, it matters not whether Mr. Yi Yan survives!" Zhong Shan reiterated.

At Zhong Shan\'s words, Yi Yan\'s pupils contracted. "And if I die, would Mr. Zhong Shan be willing to take over as the Grand Marshal of the Great Yu Dynasty?"

"Naturally, I would devote myself wholeheartedly," Zhong Shan affirmed.

The current Great Yu Dynasty was Yi Yan\'s aspiration, naturally stirring some excitement. However, upon receiving Zhong Shan\'s affirmation, Yi Yan became calm again.

"And if you win?" Yi Yan inquired.

"If I win, Mr. Yi Yan will serve under me as a common soldier for two hundred years!" Zhong Shan said straightforwardly.

"Hehe, Mr. Zhong Shan is joking again. As I just said, I have at most twenty years of lifespan due to a massive poison in my body. Who knows when I might die prematurely? Do you still hope for my ghost to assist you?" Yi Yan shook his head and chuckled.

"Hehe, then let it be the remaining time you live in this world!" Zhong Shan continued.

Upon hearing Zhong Shan\'s words, Yi Yan frowned again, staring at Zhong Shan, uncertain about what scheme Zhong Shan was plotting!

"What exactly are we gambling on?" Yi Yan asked in a deep voice.

"We are gambling on the lifespan of the Great Yu Dynasty. Within ten years, my Great Luo Dynasty will surely overthrow the Great Yu Dynasty," Zhong Shan said confidently.

"Ridiculous! Ten years? The Battle of Linhai Twelve Cities was your biggest victory. It was rumored that it took you only five months, but I think from planning to the final victory, it must have taken at least a year and a half, thanks to the Eastern Sea Dragons. Ten years? The Great Yu Dynasty still has over a hundred and fifty cities. Ten years? Impossible!" Yi Yan scoffed.

"Mr. Yi Yan has overlooked one thing. The current Great Yu Dynasty not only has over a hundred and fifty cities, but also a strategist like yourself," Zhong Shan smiled.

Staring at Zhong Shan, Yi Yan could not believe such nonsense. Ten years? Could ten years really be enough?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

However, Yi Yan was not a stubborn person. Naturally, he did not get entangled in the possible or impossible, but rather thought about the gains and losses.

In ten years, would he still be alive? This gamble seemed to be a loss for Zhong Shan, but Yi Yan always felt there was some kind of conspiracy behind it.

"What does Mr. Yi Yan think? Dare you take this gamble?" Zhong Shan smiled.

Staring at Zhong Shan, Yi Yan thought and thought again, unsure, unable to see any flaws. Nor could he see any advantage for Zhong Shan.

"What\'s the point of not gambling? It\'s just that Mr. Zhong Shan will be at a disadvantage!" Yi Yan shook his head.

"Hehe, at a disadvantage? No, Zhong Shan is taking advantage!" Zhong Shan said.

With that said, Zhong Shan flipped his hand and took out a small purple bottle.

Yi Yan looked at it curiously.

Zhong Shan placed the small bottle on Yi Yan\'s table.

"This is...?" Yi Yan furrowed his brows.

"The Heavenly Origin Divine Pill!" Zhong Shan declared.

The Heavenly Origin Divine Pill was the supreme eighth-grade pill of the Tai Dan Sect, the last one. It could swiftly elevate Yi Yan from the peak of the Nascent Soul stage to the Unity stage, forming his Yuan Shen, thereby immediately purging the toxins within his body.

"The Heavenly Origin Divine Pill?" Yi Yan\'s eyes widened with astonishment and a hint of ecstatic joy.

"After Mr. Yi was poisoned, you sought numerous methods but to no avail. Yet, you must have heard of the Heavenly Origin Divine Pill," Zhong Shan chuckled.

Taking a deep breath, Yi Yan hesitated as he looked at the small vial but did not reach out. He had already believed Zhong Shan\'s words. Zhong Shan wouldn\'t deceive him with this, and there was no need for it.

"Do you have such certainty?" Yi Yan frowned.

"Indeed. Since I boast of this, naturally, I have the capability to accomplish it. Mr. Yi should accept this gamble. I, Zhong Shan, do not wish to take advantage of your misfortune. After you recover, we will confront the enemy together," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"Aren\'t you afraid I might break my promise?" Yi Yan stared at Zhong Shan.

"I trust in Mr. Yi\'s character. Some things are more important than life itself. Otherwise, Mr. Yi wouldn\'t have stayed in the Great Yu Dynasty for so many years," Zhong Shan affirmed.

Yi Yan gently rose and solemnly bowed to Zhong Shan. "Very well, then I will hold this post for ten years! I will await the outcome."

Zhong Shan also stood and returned the gesture. "May heaven and earth bear witness."

"Heaven and earth bear witness," Yi Yan echoed.

With a wave of his hand, Iron Blood and his men approached from afar, and Flame Rider swiftly flew closer.

Yi Yan said no more, boarded the sedan, and was carried away by Iron Blood\'s men.

As for Zhong Shan, he sighed deeply and watched Yi Yan depart.

Ten years! Would Yi Yan really allow Zhong Shan to have his way?

"They\'ve left," Flame Rider remarked.

"They have indeed. Let\'s go too. Call Ada. Our time is exceedingly limited," Zhong Shan said gravely.

"Yes, sir!" Ada responded promptly—

Above the white clouds, Ada steered the cloud carrying Zhong Shan and Flame Rider towards a specific direction.

"Sir, are we not returning to the Radiant City?" Ada asked in confusion.

"Not for now. We\'re heading to the Great Profound City," Zhong Shan replied.

"The Great Profound City? Is sir meeting with the Great Profound King?" Ada exclaimed.

"Exactly. I\'ve already informed the princess; she knows. Rest assured," Zhong Shan smiled.

"Yes!" Ada nodded in acknowledgment.

Three months later.

Great Profound City, the Lord\'s Mansion! Study of the Great Profound King!

The Great Profound King was discussing matters with his advisors.

"Your Majesty, from this military intelligence, Yi Yan and Xiao Wang might have already met," one advisor reported.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the upcoming battles are becoming increasingly challenging," another advisor added.

"I heard that the progress on the side of the First King is very smooth. Your Majesty, although we face two dynasties, the support from the Emperor is the greatest. We cannot fall behind," the earlier advisor continued.

"Getting more difficult? Yi Yan\'s lifespan is at most twenty more years. If we fight for another twenty years, the Great Yu Dynasty will undoubtedly be defeated," another advisor commented.

"Not necessarily defeated. We can only say it will be very difficult for the next twenty years. After twenty years, who can guarantee that another Yi Yan won\'t emerge from the Great Yu?" the first advisor shook his head.

"The overall situation points to the downfall of the Great Yu Dynasty. During the time when Jiu Lu King was in power, Yi Yan lost the opportunity to reverse the situation. He wants to turn from defense to offense, which is not easy, and with his limited lifespan, slowly depleting, the Great Yu will also perish. After that, Da Guang will find it difficult to stand alone and will also be defeated," another advisor suddenly spoke up.

"Indeed, but we cannot afford to wait too long!" the first advisor suddenly spoke up.

"True, and the other three princes won\'t stop to wait for us. Do we have a swift method to swiftly defeat the enemy?" the Great Profound King looked at his advisors.

The advisors fell silent for a moment and then shook their heads.

"It\'s difficult!" the first advisor spoke again.

"Oh?" the Great Profound King looked at him. Difficult, but not impossible?

"From the normal perspective of leading troops, if we want to swiftly overthrow both dynasties, we must employ extraordinary tactics, a battle beyond the conventional!" the first advisor continued.

"A battle beyond the conventional?" the Great Profound King looked at the first advisor.

"Yes, it must be a battle outside the regular battlefield, but as for the specifics, I haven\'t figured that out yet," the first advisor shook his head.

"That\'s alright, having a direction is enough!" the Great Profound King smiled.

Just as the Great Profound King and his advisors were in discussion, a steward-like figure entered from a side room.

The steward was evidently someone trusted by the Great Profound King, and the advisors paid no particular attention.

"My lord!" the steward bowed respectfully.

"What is it?" the Great Profound King asked with a furrowed brow.

"Dongfang Marquis Zhong Shan seeks an audience outside!" the steward said respectfully.

"Zhong Shan?" the Great Profound King furrowed his brows.

The advisors exchanged surprised glances and then focused their gaze back on the Great Profound King.

"How many are with him?" the Great Profound King asked.

"Including Zhong Shan, there are three in total. The other two are Ada and Flame Rider," the steward replied deferentially. Clearly, the situation regarding Zhong Shan\'s subordinates was no secret.

"My lord, Zhong Shan\'s visit must hold significant importance!" the first advisor spoke up.

"Hmm, let Zhong Shan come in," the Great Profound King nodded.

"Yes!" the steward left to carry out the order. The advisors also arranged themselves.

Zhong Shan arrived at the Great Profound City and, by virtue of his status, was soon received at the Lord\'s Mansion to wait.

"You two wait here!" Zhong Shan instructed Ada and Flame Rider.

"Yes!" they responded.

"Dongfang Marquis, His Majesty summons you!" the steward smiled at Zhong Shan.

"No trouble at all," Zhong Shan nodded.

"It\'s my duty," the steward smiled.

Soon, Zhong Shan ascended the floating island and entered a side hall, circled around, and entered an inner chamber.

In the chamber, the Great Profound King with his four pupils sat behind the desk. Eight scholars dressed in attire stood on either side. Everyone gazed silently at Zhong Shan. The steward offered a bow and withdrew.

After several years, seeing the Great Profound King again, Zhong Shan still felt the pressure emanating from his four pupils, as if an infinite force was pressing down on his heart.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan bowed respectfully. "Your humble servant Zhong Shan pays respects to Your Majesty."

Observing Zhong Shan, the Great Profound King\'s expression grew serious. "Zhong Shan, instead of confronting the enemy at the front lines, why have you returned here, acting independently? Have you not received my military orders?"

Upon hearing the Great Profound King\'s inquiry, Zhong Shan showed no fear but remained respectful. "Your Majesty, I have crucial military intelligence to report. The gravity of this intelligence compelled me to return in person."

"Critical military intelligence?" the Great Profound King squinted at Zhong Shan. Military intelligence? Could there be matters at the front lines that I am unaware of?

"Yes!" Zhong Shan affirmed.

"Speak! If what you say is true, you are forgiven. If not, it would be insubordination, punishable by the laws of our army," the Great Profound King stated sternly.

However, Zhong Shan did not immediately speak. Instead, he glanced around at the advisors, indicating that this was sensitive military information that should not be known to outsiders.

"They are all my trusted confidants! Speak," the Great Profound King instructed.

"Yes!" Zhong Shan nodded.

"Your Majesty, based on the information I have gathered over these years, I have devised a \'Heaven Collapse Plan.\' It is estimated that within five years, we can overthrow the Great Yu Dynasty! Please review," Zhong Shan spoke and then took out a jade slip from his sleeve.

(To be continued...)