The three spies were startled and instinctively stepped back. They hadn’t expected to be discovered so quickly."Why do you look so surprised? Who ordered you to spy on me?" Wang Yihan asked.The three spies remained silent, exchanging anxious glances. They didn’t know what to do to avoid trouble—or worse, death. Fighting was clearly futile, considering the man before them was a former Supreme Commander whose strength far exceeded all three of them combined."As spies of the palace, you’re all too foolish and reckless! Have you forgotten who you’re spying on? I’m the one who taught you all the skills you now possess—and now you're using them against me?"They swallowed hard. That was all they could do. Their knees trembled violently with overwhelming fear."We were only carrying out orders from Commander Cai Rui, Sir," one of the spies finally dared to speak."On what grounds!?" Wang Yihan snapped."His Majesty suspects that you’ve betrayed us and informed the Shang Dynasty’s Emperor

Wang Yihan, accompanied by his wife and two daughters, respectfully bowed as the ruler of the Shang Dynasty entered the grand hall. All four wore warm smiles, radiating joy after a long separation.“My brother, Wang Yihan. When did you arrive? Why didn’t you inform me beforehand that you were coming to the palace with your wife and daughters?” Emperor Li Wei looked at Wang Yihan with curiosity. Something seemed different about his distant cousin.“Where is your ceremonial uniform as the Supreme Commander of the Ying Dynasty? Why are you not wearing it?” Emperor Li Wei pressed further.Wang Yihan offered a wry smile at the question—one that touched upon his past. Yet, to leave an emperor’s question unanswered was an insult, especially when Emperor Li Wei was still family.“Forgive me, Your Majesty... If I may be honest, I am no longer the Supreme Commander. My service and counsel are no longer valued there. Emperor Zhu Feng...” Wang Yihan paused, finding it hard to speak about the trou

Emperor Zhu Feng nodded. He was also confident that conquering the Shang Dynasty would be within reach—especially now that the infamous Demon Finger Warriors had joined their cause. Their terrifying reputation among the martial artists of the Ying Dynasty made them valuable allies."General, why haven’t the soldiers you sent to kill Wang Yihan returned yet?" Emperor Zhu Feng asked as he shifted in his seat, seeking a more comfortable position. "I have a feeling they failed.""It’s very likely they haven’t failed, Your Majesty. Perhaps they are just resting after a long march," Cai Rui offered a convenient excuse, though he himself harbored the same uneasy feeling."But isn’t this the only quickest route to reach the capital of the Shang Dynasty?" Emperor Zhu Feng asked, gently nodding his head while pondering."Yes, Your Majesty. But I doubt Wang Yihan would take this road—he’s with his wife and child. If he chooses another path, it would take longer but still ends at the other side o

Two palace guards standing by the gate observed the man from head to toe. His handsome appearance and calm demeanor conveyed no sign of hostility, prompting the guards to show him friendly smiles before one of them asked,"May we ask who you are, Sir, and what business brings you to His Majesty?" asked a guard in his mid-thirties."Just tell His Majesty that a guest from the Temple of Immortality has come to visit."The guards were stunned. They took a closer look at the man."Forgive us, Lord Zhao Wen. We did not realize it was you," one of them said after confirming the identity of the Temple of Immortality’s leader—recognizable by his striking features and the green sword on his back."It's alright. I understand you have to be selective in allowing guests through," Zhao Wen replied with a serene smile."Please follow me, Lord Zhao Wen. His Majesty is in the audience hall."Zhao Wen nodded. Since becoming the head of the Temple of Immortality, the temperament of Fang Yun’s closest c

Cai Rui's eyes darted around in confusion. He was now truly faced with a situation beyond the grasp of his understanding. His skill in flattery was useless when the situation turned against his expectations.Gandana, whom he had hoped would assist him, remained silent and entirely unreliable. The title of Grand Commander he had earned through sycophancy now turned into a double-edged sword.Cai Rui let out a long sigh. He stared at a scroll showing the map of the Shang Dynasty’s territory, especially the location of the barren hill, which was only half a day's journey from their resting place."Why are you silent, Commander!? Prove that I was not wrong in appointing you as Grand Commander to replace Wang Yihan," Emperor Zhu Feng snapped in frustration at Cai Rui's sluggish thinking."They already know we’re not far from the barren hill, Your Majesty. If we launch an attack now, we still have a chance to win. Our odds are the same as theirs. The barren hill is known for its extreme tem