Undying Life

Chapter 922: Chapter 922: The Great Yin’s Assault

In the southern Zhuanlun Domain, at the Tianzi Mansion.

"What? Say that again?" The Third Prince stood up from his throne, glaring angrily.

"Great Yin's forces are marching south. In their first battle, four cities surrendered without a fight, completely falling to Great Yin!" an official reported with a bitter expression.

"Impossible!" The Third Prince roared.

"Your Highness, it's true. The four city lords of the northern border cities surrendered almost simultaneously, without any warning, as if they had coordinated it. It seems they were bought by the Great Yin Holy Court. The border cities fell in an instant, and the Great Yin army is continuing to advance south!" the official said with a bitter expression.

"That's impossible. The four city lords of the northern border cities were personally chosen by me. They are absolutely loyal to the Wuxiang Holy Court. They cannot betray us!" the Third Prince refused to believe it.

"This is the frontline battle report. Please see for yourself, Your Highness." The official handed over a jade slip.

Scanning it with his divine sense, the Third Prince's face turned ashen.

"Smash!"

The Third Prince furiously shattered the jade slip.

"How dare they still be city lords? It turns out they were spies from the Great Yin all along. Zhong Shan, you've gone too far!" the Third Prince roared.

"Third Prince, the Great Yin Holy Court clearly had this planned all along!" an official said worriedly.

"Cease all operations in the southern Zhuanlun Domain immediately. Gather our forces to fend off the Great Yin's southern invasion. Also, send letters to all the celestial dynasties around Great Yin, urging them to attack Great Yin together," the Third Prince commanded angrily.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Zhong Shan, I swore to tear you to pieces, and I didn't expect it would be so soon!" the Third Prince said coldly.

In Changjing, the Immortal Palace, in the court.

Zhong Shan sat on the dragon throne, listening to the reports from his ministers, lightly tapping his fingers on the throne.

"Holy King, our army has moved south, capturing thirty-two cities so far. Twenty-eight of these cities' lords were our people from Great Yin, leaving only four cities where we faced resistance. The twenty-eight cities submitted to Great Yin quickly, and the remaining four surrendered shortly afterward!" Xiao Wang reported excitedly.

This campaign was unprecedentedly smooth. It felt less like conquering cities and more like conducting an inspection.

At this moment, Xiao Wang once again marveled at the Holy King's wisdom. Wang Jingwen, the insider in the enemy's ranks, had been invaluable to Great Yin. For all these years, Wang Jingwen had been laying the groundwork for Great Yin, not the Wuxiang Holy Court.

In this unification of the Zhuanlun Domain, Wang Jingwen's contribution was unparalleled.

"Hmm, I see. You, Xiao Wang, will be in charge of the southern Zhuanlun Domain," Zhong Shan said, nodding.

"I accept the decree!"

"Holy King, Nian Ben's letters should have reached the rulers of the surrounding celestial dynasties by now," Yi Yan stepped forward and said.

"They won't dare to act. They are waiting for us and Nian Ben to destroy each other. Since that's the case, let's accelerate our pace. We will take down the remaining twenty-four celestial dynasties and eighteen holy lands in the north all at once," Zhong Shan said solemnly.

"In the Small Thousand World, our Great Yin, as an imperial dynasty, conquered twenty-four imperial dynasties, defeating celestial dynasties with an empire. Now, as a holy court, we are subduing celestial dynasties with our strength. This will be even easier. Rest assured, Holy King!" Yi Yan replied respectfully.

"Good. The Zhuanlun Domain is unified under the Wolf Tribe, making our operations easier," Zhong Shan nodded.

"Yes!"

Back at the Tianzi Mansion.

"Boom!"

The Third Prince furiously flipped over the command table in front of him.

"Third Prince, it's now fifty-four cities. All fifty-four cities have surrendered to Great Yin. These people... were they not all...?" an official said, panic-stricken.

Taking a deep breath, the Third Prince closed his eyes, forcing himself to remain calm. Suddenly, memories of his past conversations with Wang Jingwen resurfaced.

"I want these people as city lords!" the Third Prince had said firmly.

"Third Prince, these people are of unknown origins. I do not support their appointment as city lords. They are unqualified!" Wang Jingwen had warned.

"Unqualified? And the ones you chose are qualified? Their backgrounds are clear?" the Third Prince had retorted disdainfully.

"The people I chose have all been personally vetted by me. Though their backgrounds are unclear, they are absolutely loyal to the Tianzi Mansion!" Wang Jingwen had said earnestly.

"The people I chose are also absolutely loyal to the Tianzi Mansion. Don't argue anymore. This matter is settled," the Third Prince had insisted.

With a slight sigh, Wang Jingwen had nodded. "I hope the Third Prince is right. I take my leave."

Reflecting on Wang Jingwen's repeated warnings, the Third Prince wished he could slap himself.

"Third Prince, Great Yin's advance is too fast, and many of our officials are spies for Great Yin. There are certainly more traitors in the remaining cities. What should we do next?" an official asked.

Shaking his head, the Third Prince looked dejected. "I personally chose all the city lords. I can't remove them now. I don't even know who to remove. Removing them all would cause massive turmoil! Zhong Shan, what a poisonous plan!" Just then, another official rushed in.

"Third Prince, we have a problem. The remaining four celestial dynasties in the southern Zhuanlun Domain are taking advantage of the situation. We are now besieged from both sides." the official reported anxiously.

The Third Prince slumped back into his seat.

"Reports of defeat come in every day. I don't even know which cities truly belong to us anymore." the Third Prince said with a despondent look.

"Third Prince, recall Wang Jingwen!" an official suggested.

"Yes, Third Prince. It has only been a year. Wang Jingwen has not yet reached the Wuxiang Domain. Just use the Holy King's purple order, and he will surely return." another official urged.

"Our control over the southern Zhuanlun Domain is still strong, even in defeat. It would take at least ten years for Great Yin's army to reach us, even if they continue winning. If Wang Jingwen returns, we have a chance!" Finally, the officials began to see Wang Jingwen's value.

"Fine, that's our only option." The Third Prince's face turned grim, but he had no other choice.

A year later.

In the Tianzi Mansion.

The Third Prince watched the song and dance in the hall, when suddenly an official rushed in.

"If it's another defeat report, I don't want to hear it. I'm tired." The Third Prince shook his head.

For the past year, defeat reports had been a daily occurrence, and the Third Prince's ears had grown callous. This year had been an unprecedented ordeal for him. The former commanders, who had performed brilliantly under Wang Jingwen's command, now seemed inept under his leadership. Why?

Why? Because the true military genius had been demoted by Wang Jingwen and hidden away somewhere. The current commanders were merely obedient generals, excellent at following orders but lacking the strategic brilliance to lead a campaign.

Meanwhile, in Changjing, the Immortal Palace, Zhong Shan continued to receive reports from his ministers, confident in his unrelenting advance. The war for the Zhuanlun Domain was far from over, but the tides had already turned decisively in favor of the Great Yin.

With defeat after defeat, the Third Prince's spirit had plummeted to an all-time low. Only the daily songs and dances provided him with a semblance of relief.

"No, it's not another defeat report, Third Prince. Our people have returned, but... Wang Jingwen, Wang Jingwen, he..."

"Wang Jingwen has returned?" The Third Prince immediately perked up.

"No, Wang Jingwen's party changed their route at some point and have disappeared without a trace!" the official reported.