Sima Changkong understood he would become a zombie when he returned.
On the other hand, his family would be safe as long as he did not betray the Wu Nation. It did not matter whether or not he returned.
Ao Sheng sneered, “Lord Sima, you must be joking. His Reverence’s commands supersede everything. You have already given away seventy cities. Would you care about this battle?”
As Ao Sheng spoke, he waved his hand.
Boom!
A berserk wind rushed into the hall.
Sima Changkong’s expression changed; he knew things were bad. However, Ao Sheng was too strong. He instantly rushed before Sima Changkong and sealed Sima Changkong’s cultivation.
“Stop!” the generals and officers shouted furiously.
“I have His Reverence’s Nine Dragon Golden Medallion. Seeing the Nine Dragon Golden Medallion equals seeing His Reverence. Do you want to rebel?” Ao Sheng glared.
The faces of the generals and other officers sank.
“Don’t worry. Sima Changkong will return in at most six hours. Just wait,” Ao Sheng said coldly.
“Milord!” The officials looked at Sima Changkong anxiously.
However, Ao Sheng had sealed Sima Changkong’s cultivation. Sima Changkong could not even speak, only showing an extremely unsightly expression.
Ao Sheng did not tarry, immediately soaring into the sky while carrying Sima Changkong.
Whoosh!
Then the two turned into a beam of light shooting to the north.
Held under Ao Sheng’s arm, Sima Changkong showed an expression of regret. Why did His Reverence become so impatient? Didn’t he agree not to turn me into a zombie? Why is he insisting on this?
Was I blind? Did I misjudge Long Shenwu?
Sima Changkong rued his choice to bet everything on Long Shenwu.
In one of Gu Hai’s shops in Silver Moon City:
Ao Shun stood under the eaves, watching the distant Ao Sheng bring Sima Changkong away. He showed a cold smile. “Inform His Reverence. The fish has bitten the hook.”
“Yes!” a person behind him answered respectfully.
After Ao Shun spoke, he turned into a beam of light and gave chase.
Ao Shun soon caught up to Ao Sheng outside Silver Moon City.
Boom!
Ao Shun immediately blocked Ao Sheng.
“Huh? Ao Shun, why are you here? Didn’t Gu Hai command you to recruit the Northern Sea’s dragons?” Ao Sheng demanded with a furious expression.
Gu Hai had arranged for Ao Shun to rescue and recruit the Northern Sea’s dragons. However, how could he get the Wu Imperial Dynasty to drop its guard against Ao Shun if he did not say that during the morning assembly?
Indeed, Ao Shun’s appearance caused Ao Sheng’s expression to change.
“Leave Sima Changkong behind. His Reverence wants him,” Ao Shun said coldly.
The held Sima Changkong’s face suddenly sank.
Ao Shun was here? Then everything was a trap Gu Hai set for me?
“It looks like His Reverence guessed right. Sima Changkong, there is indeed something off with you!” Ao Sheng coldly eyed Sima Changkong.
“Hmm! Hmm! Hmm!” Sima Changkong tried his best to speak but could not.
Smack! Ao Sheng struck Sima Changkong’s back, and Sima Changkong immediately spoke.
“Gu Hai schemed against me! Ao Sheng, don’t listen to his words!” Sima Changkong shouted.
Ao Sheng frowned coldly at Ao Shun.
“Sima Changkong did not betray the Wu Nation. His Reverence just desires his talents, so he sent me to invite Lord Sima over. Ao Sheng, let him go!” Ao Shun said coldly.
Even when Ao Shun said that, Ao Sheng still doubted Sima Changkong.
“Humph! Let him go? You must be joking. Kill him if you can!” Ao Sheng sneered.
“Ao Sheng!” Sima Changkong glared furiously.
“Do you think you can hold him hostage against me? Although His Reverence desires talents, he is not a Han Nation official, after all. There is no problem with killing him. At worst, I’ll get scolded by His Reverence.” Then Ao Shun threw a palm strike.
As the palm strike approached, Ao Sheng retreated quickly, his expression changing.
Boom!
The palm strike missed.
The nearby Silver Moon City had noticed something wrong by now, and a few soldiers came rushing over.
“Protect Sima Changkong and inform His Reverence!” Ao Sheng tossed Sima Changkong to them and charged Ao Shun.
Boom!
Ao Shun and Ao Sheng threw heavy attacks, producing powerful shock waves as they started an intense battle.
“Milord!” The soldiers rushed towards Sima Changkong.
However, a strange force pulled Sima Changkong into the forest.
“Oh no! Quickly, save Milord!” The soldiers rushed into the forest, but Sima Changkong had disappeared.
Sima Changkong landed on a rock in a valley. A man in black Daoist robes stood before him.
“Mosquito Daoist?” Sima Changkong said in shock.
The Mosquito Daoist had dragged him into the forest earlier.
The Mosquito Daoist? Ao Shun? Gu Hai had planned this long ago!
“Han Imperial Dynasty’s Six Corps commander, Mosquito Daoist, greets Mister Sima!” The Mosquito Daoist smiled.
“Humph! Since you have long been in Silver Moon City, why didn’t you make a move earlier?” Sima Changkong glared.
“That’s right. I arrived in Silver Moon City three days earlier. I also learned about Mister Sima’s location prior to that. It would have been easy to capture you,” the Mosquito Daoist said, smiling.
“Huh?” Sima Changkong’s expression changed.
“However, His Reverence ordered us to be polite to Mister Sima, not to threaten you, so we did not make a move until now, when Ao Sheng captured Mister Sima. We came to rescue you.” The Mosquito Daoist kept smiling.
“Hah! Hahahaha! Ao Sheng making a move? Isn’t that your fault in the first place?” Sima Changkong countered with a sullen expression.
“Mister Sima, that’s where you are wrong. When two nations fight, we each rely on our means. His Reverence did send people to spread rumors in Martial Heaven City. However, didn’t you send spies into Borderless Heavenly Capital, too? As for the others, those were merely strategies of the battlefield. Everyone relies on their ability; it is all out in the open. Isn’t that so?” the Mosquito Daoist rebutted, still smiling.
“Humph!” Sima Changkong snorted coldly, unable to retort.
“His Reverence appreciates talents. That’s why he did not threaten Mister Sima. I am here today to convey His Reverence’s sincerity in inviting Mister Sima to join my Han Imperial Dynasty to do great things!” the Mosquito Daoist said gravely.
“Join the Han Imperial Dynasty? Hahaha!” Sima Changkong scoffed.
“Mister Sima, why the need for that? Long Shenwu is very wary of Mister Sima, even wanting to turn you into a zombie. Why such reluctance to leave?” The Mosquito Daoist smiled.
“His Reverence is not as you say. His breadth of mind is not what you can imagine.”
“Then why do you face today’s threat?” the Mosquito Daoist countered, smiling.
“Humph! A subject cannot serve two masters. It is impossible for me to join the Han Imperial Dynasty.”
“Is it because your family is in Martial Heaven City? We will do our best to rescue your family and clansmen,” the Mosquito Daoist said.
Sima Changkong’s eyelids twitched slightly; he could not help feeling tempted. However, he resisted the urge, eventually shaking his head. “Long Shenwu appreciated this humble one. A gentleman is ready to die for his bosom friend. I won’t betray my nation!”
“His Reverence is aware of Mister Sima’s strength of character. He also told me to tell you that compared to Mister Sima’s intelligence, he cares more about your strength of character and your sense of responsibility towards your family and clansmen. His Reverence said the Han Imperial Dynasty is determined to get Mister Sima,” the Mosquito Daoist said seriously.
However, Sima Changkong countered with a cold smile, “Determined to get me? By kidnapping me?”
“No, His Reverence said we should wait until Mister Sima is willing. We will not force Mister Sima,” the Mosquito Daoist said seriously.
“Haha! You will not force me? Then will you let me leave?” Sima Changkong asked.
“That is natural. If Mister Sima is unwilling to leave with me, I’ll leave immediately. However, Mister Sima needs to let me give His Reverence a proper account. How should I answer when His Reverence asks? What would make Mister Sima willing to join my Han Imperial Dynasty?” the Mosquito Daoist asked.
“Tell Gu Hai it will be impossible unless I completely give up on Long Shenwu,” Sima Changkong said coldly.
“Alright. I will pass on the message!” the Mosquito Daoist said with a smile.
Then the Mosquito Daoist’s figure flashed, disappearing.
Sima Changkong felt slightly shocked. The Mosquito Daoist really left?
“Milord, are you alright?” The Wu Nation soldiers soon found Sima Changkong.
“I’m fine!” Sima Changkong said with a complicated expression.
“Milord, was that the Mosquito Daoist earlier?” A Wu Nation soldier’s expression changed.
“Indeed!” Sima Changkong grimaced, realizing the Mosquito Daoist had intentionally let others see him. Another trap for me?
“Milord, shall we return to Silver Moon City?” a soldier asked.
However, Sima Changkong frowned heavily and looked at Ao Shun and Ao Sheng’s battle. After some silence, he shook his head. “No. I will follow Ao Sheng back to Martial Heaven City later.”
“Ah?!”
“I want to meet His Reverence and explain everything. Otherwise, everything here will become harder to explain,” Sima Changkong said bitterly.
“However, will it be dangerous for us here? Ao Shun and the Mosquito Daoist are Upper Heavenly Palace Realm experts. We…”
“They will be leaving immediately!” Sima Changkong said with a bitter smile.
Boom!
Indeed, a loud report came from the sky, and Ao Shun and Ao Sheng parted from each other. Ao Shun flew off, leaving behind an Ao Sheng with an extremely unsightly expression.
“Prime Ao Sheng!” Sima Changkong called out.
Far away, Ao Sheng narrowed his eyes and instantly approached.
“Sima Changkong? What’s going on?” Ao Sheng said coldly.
“I’ll follow you back to Martial Heaven City to meet His Reverence!” Sima Changkong said with a bitter smile.
Now, he appeared even more suspicious. Gu Hai’s sabotage came wave after wave, making explanations difficult.
Remain here? That will only make His Reverence more suspicious. I only have a chance to explain myself if I return. Hopefully, His Reverence will stop doubting me.
His Reverence is a man of great talent and bold vision, not calculative and narrow-minded like the crown prince. He will understand me. I can convince His Reverence! Sima Changkong thought in his heart.
Ao Sheng picked up Sima Changkong once again and flew into the horizon. This time, he faced no obstructions.
The emperor’s study, Martial Heaven City:
Thud!
Long Shenwu slammed a hand on the table as he glared at the official before him.
“Your Reverence, that Mosquito Daoist met with Lord Sima for only a while,” that official reported.
“Sima Changkong? Gu Hai? Hah! Hahahahaha!” Long Shenwu showed a sullen expression.
“Your Reverence, Sima Changkong will return soon. We can question him then. Furthermore, when we turn him into your zombie progeny, he will…,” Six Fingers said with a frown.
Long Shenwu nodded with a sullen expression, suppressing the rage in his heart.
“Oh no!” Six Fingers’s face suddenly sank.
“What’s wrong?”
“Sima Changkong’s wife is trying to flee with his son?” Six Fingers’s eyes twitched as his face darkened.
“Capture them and bring them here!” Long Shenwu glared.
“Yes!”
