Heavenly Court’s plaza, Qian Nation Conglomerate:
The surroundings fell silent. Everyone watched Long Zhanguo stand in front of the black hole. While they could not see what was in the black hole, Long Zhanguo strangely could clearly see Gu Hai and Long Shenying.
“Long Zhanguo, I opened this passageway using your aura as the anchor. Only you can see us clearly. Furthermore, keeping the time here and where you are synchronized drains a lot of energy, so I cannot maintain this passageway for long. I have to return immediately. I’ve already sent Long Shenwu to you. As for what happened recently, ask Long Shenwu. This is Long Shenying. Hah! My Han Nation and the Ying Nation have already started fighting. As for what happens next, well, it’s better you know,” Gu Hai said gravely.
“You…you…you…” Long Shenying gazed at Long Zhanguo in shock.
Father is alive? He did not die? How can this be? Where is this?
“Shenying, where did the zombie blood in your body come from?” Long Zhanguo asked, slightly worried.
Long Shenying’s eyelids twitched as he looked at Long Zhanguo. Only Eminent Father has said these words to me.
Is this really Father?
“Didn’t I tell you before? Never be obsessed with zombies? The four branches of zombies cultivate the divine, not blood. As you are, you will only be another person’s pawn!” Long Zhanguo said somewhat angrily.
Father said this before too!
“Eminent…Eminent Father!” Long Shenying suddenly kneeled in pleasant surprise.
Long Shenying was the most filial among the Long brothers. When he saw his father was not only alive but doing well, tears welled up in his eyes in his excitement.
“Gu Hai mentioned the Ying Nation? An imperial dynasty? The Ying Nation is fighting the Han Nation? That means you made the first move on Gu Hai?” Long Zhanguo said coldly.
“I…”
“Humph! I discussed it with Gu Hai previously. As long as you didn’t make the first move, he wouldn’t target you. Why did you make the first move?” Long Zhanguo said coldly.
“I…”
Long Shenying immediately felt bitter. He finally understood why Gu Hai never sent any soldiers to the Ying Imperial Dynasty when fighting the Wu Nation. Gu Hai even ignored the Ying Nation. It was not that Gu Hai feared him but because of a promise to his father.
“This child was unfilial. I colluded with the Spirit Mountain Holy Land,” Long Shenying said with bloodshot eyes.
Long Zhanguo narrowed his eyes. “The Spirit Mountain Holy Land? Hah! How many times have I told you that Jiang Gautama harbors evil intentions? Yet you worked with them?”
“I…”
Long Zhanguo looked at Gu Hai. “Gu Hai!”
Gu Hai looked back at Long Zhanguo.
“How is your Han Royal Dynasty now?” Long Zhanguo asked.
“The Han Imperial Dynasty, no worthy enemies near it!” Gu Hai answered seriously.
“Oh?” Long Zhanguo raised his eyebrows.
Imperial dynasty? No worthy enemies near it? That means all the imperial dynasties in its vicinity are not comparable to the Han Nation?
Long Zhanguo understood Gu Hai’s character. Gu Hai would never say such words without basis. Gu Hai would even hide his strength and understate it.
After some silence, Long Zhanguo said, “Then, let me make the decision. Long Shenying, take the lead in joining the Han Imperial Dynasty with the Ying Imperial Dynasty. Let him join your nation as an official. What do you think?”
“Father!” Long Shenying said in shock as he glared.
“What’s wrong? How are you superior to Gu Hai?” Long Zhanguo glared back.
“I…”
“Shenying, it’s not that we don’t think highly of you. You are quite capable, a good general and commander. You can expand territory and hold a prominent position, but you are not suitable to be an emperor,” Long Zhanguo said.
“Why?” Long Shenying asked anxiously.
“Strength is just one aspect of a sovereign. The most important thing is knowing how to use people. Father does not know how your two dynasties are right now, so tell me. Compare the important officials of your two nations. Who does Gu Hai have, and who do you have? I don’t even need to guess to know that you are very much inferior to him regarding officials,” Long Zhanguo explained.
“I…!” Long Shenwu opened his mouth but did not know what to say.
Gu Hai had Gao Xianzhi, Mo Yike, and Sima Changkong as advisers, and Chen Tianshan, Meng Tai, and Gu Qin for administration. Then he had Kong Xuan, Shangguan Hen, Ao Shun, and the Mosquito Daoist for muscle.
Indeed, Long Shenying did not think himself inferior to any of those people. However, so what?
These were just Gu Hai’s officials. What about his own officials? If he compared his officials to Gu Hai’s officials, his officials would be left far behind.
He would just be comparing himself to Gu Hai’s officials.
Long Shenying revealed a bitter expression.
When Long Zhanguo saw Long Shenying lower his head, he said coldly, “If we are right, you would not even be qualified to join the Han Imperial Dynasty if not for us.”
“Eminent Father!” Long Shenying protested, feeling unconvinced.
Indeed, the nearby Gu Hai frowned, not showing any joy.
“Gu Hai, what do you think of my suggestion?” Long Zhanguo looked at Gu Hai.
“Long Shenying, he…” Gu Hai hesitated.
“I know you understand my intention. I want you to help Long Shenying solve his zombie progeny problem. Gaining a Long Shenying in exchange for enmity with Jiangchen is indeed a loss. However, based on the earlier conversation, you will probably clash with the Spirit Mountain Holy Land after this, right?” Long Zhanguo smiled.
“Oh?” Gu Hai’s expression changed slightly as he looked at Long Zhanguo.
Long Zhanguo was indeed extraordinarily capable. He managed to guess so many things from the brief exchange earlier.
“The Spirit Mountain Holy Land is not as simple as you think. Aside from its faction in the land of the living, it also has factions in the nether realm. All you see is just the tip of the iceberg. Aside from the Myriad Age Daoist Sect’s Essence Genesis, the Spirit Mountain Holy Land is the most unfathomable of the three upper-tier sects. As I see it, the Spirit Mountain Holy Land can easily consume the Myriad Age Daoist Sect and the Solar Divine Palace,” Long Zhanguo said seriously.
“Easily?” Gu Hai narrowed his eyes.
“With Shenying around, he can at least help you. Furthermore, he has some understanding of the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. Right now, what you lack the most is time. You need to be fast. Fast! Fast! Fast!” Long Zhanguo looked at Gu Hai.
Gu Hai looked at Long Shenying at the side and nodded. “Never mind. If he is willing, I can make an exception: the Han Imperial Dynasty’s Eighth Corps commander!”
“Oh?” Long Zhanguo’s expression changed. A trace of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
A corps commander. Long Zhanguo had studied the military structure of the Han Nation before. A corps commander absolutely counted among Gu Hai’s most trusted men.
“Excellent!” Long Zhanguo nodded.
Long Zhanguo turned his head and looked at Long Shenying. “Shenying, do you remember what I said?”
“But Eminent Father…!” Long Shenying protested anxiously.
“No buts. If you acknowledge me, then agree immediately. Humph!” Long Zhanguo shouted coldly.
“I…” Long Shenying had a bitter expression on his face.
Give up my imperial dynasty? Join the Han Nation as an official? How can I do that…?
“Oh no! I can’t maintain this passageway much longer. Long Zhanguo, let’s end it here. I need to leave immediately!” Gu Hai called out.
Long Zhanguo stared at Long Shenying.
Long Shenying gritted his teeth, not saying anything.
Rumble…!
The entire passageway shook.
Long Zhanguo looked at Long Shenying and sighed softly, “Never mind. Do as you please.”
Boom!
A loud sound rang out as the black hole in front of Heavenly Court Pavilion suddenly vanished.
When the black hole vanished, everyone inwardly released their bated breath.
Long Shenwu remained kneeling, not daring to say anything.
“Chairman, is everything alright now?” Secretary Wang immediately stepped forward.
“It’s fine now. Secretary Wang, deal with this,” Long Zhanguo said.
“Yes!” Secretary Wang answered.
Long Zhanguo looked at Long Shenwu. “Come with me.”
“Yes!” Long Shenwu nodded, got up from the ground respectfully, and followed Long Zhanguo into Heavenly Court Pavilion.
The two entered the elevator as everyone watched.
Ding!
The elevator doors closed, and the two moved upstairs.
The moment Long Zhanguo left, the place broke out in a commotion.
“The chairman’s son is that powerful?”
“You were just calling him a monster earlier!”
“Who said that? It was not me. Stop making things up about me!”
“That was the young master!”
…
Countless people started gossiping.
The two receptionists appeared sorrowful.
“Why does the chairman have a son? Does this mean there is a madam?”
“Do I have to be a mistress?”
The two appeared depressed.
“Alright. Return to your positions. Security Section Chief, check on everyone’s injuries and immediately treat them!” Secretary Wang instructed.
Three Mountains City:
Gu Hai entered the black hole while the Unborn Man stood guard outside.
Long Sanqian coughed blood in the city below, enduring his injuries as he hid in a corner and looked at the sky.
He saw the enchanted treasures forming the ritual array and spirit stones drain of energy. Then a loud sound rang out.
Boom!
The black hole seemed to tear, then vanished.
Gu Hai and Long Shenying immediately came out.
Gu Hai grabbed the Life Trapper Saber and put it away.
“Long Shenying?” The Unborn Man readied to fight a powerful enemy.
“It’s fine!” Gu Hai stopped the Unborn Man.
Long Shenying looked at Gu Hai with an extremely complicated expression.
The two now looked at each other quietly. This made the distant Long Sanqian feel incredibly shocked. “How did it turn out like this? Weren’t they enemies to the death?”
“Gu Hai, was that real? Was that real earlier?” Long Shenying asked incredibly anxiously.
There was pleasant surprise, fear, sorrow, and excitement. Long Shenying did not know what exactly he felt.
“It’s enough that you saw it. Remember, only you and I know about this matter. A third person must never find out,” Gu Hai said.
“Don’t worry. I will never say anything about it,” Long Shenying responded seriously.
“I know you cannot accept what he said earlier. The Ying Imperial Dynasty has much more territory than my Han Nation. How could you just give it to me and submit to me? You won’t accept that. I wouldn’t accept that if it were me. Everyone has their ambitions. I won’t force you. However, remember this: I can stop pursuing the earlier matter on account of him, but if you attack me again in the future, don’t blame me for being merciless,” Gu Hai said.
Long Shenying looked at Gu Hai, and his eyelids twitched.
Join the Han Nation as an official? Long Shenying was loath to do so.
Long Shenying saw Gu Hai’s disdain for him. However, that was his eminent father’s instruction. He felt incredibly conflicted.
“Hey? That’s not right. Your shoulder…” Gu Hai’s face suddenly tensed.
“Long Sanqian broke my skin when we captured him earlier,” Long Shenying said as his expression changed. He turned his head to look.
“That’s not right. It is not broken skin; it is a tattoo of a guqin. You said Long Sanqian left it?” Gu Hai’s expression changed.
Indeed, there was a picture of a guqin where the skin broke.
“Exchange!” A loud shout suddenly came from the city.
Boom!
A blue light suddenly rushed into Long Shenying’s body. His expression changed dramatically.
“You unfilial brat! You are seeking death!” Long Shenying shouted.
Suddenly, Long Shenying’s body trembled, and a blue light left his body.
The next moment, a furious roar came from a corner of the distant Three Mountains City. “Long Sanqian, you are seeking death! Cough! Cough! Cough!”
Gu Hai’s expression changed as he immediately took out the Life Executioner Saber.
Long Shenying suddenly revealed a cold smile. “Gu Hai, I will return! Hahaha!”
Boom!
Long Shenying took a step forward and shot into the distance, instantly vanishing into the horizon.
Gu Hai’s face sank. “Soul exchange?”
Gu Hai lowered his head and happened to see the distant Long Sanqian, howling in rage while coughing blood, severely injured.
Whoosh!
Gu Hai instantly arrived before Long Sanqian.
“Cough! Cough! Cough! Hahahaha! Gu Hai, you must think this is funny, right? Hahahaha!” Long Sanqian said bitterly with a furious expression.
Earlier, he saw himself as the aloof emperor of an imperial dynasty. Now, he hit rock bottom. How laughable! How extremely laughable!
“Long Shenying, you are the Han Imperial Dynasty’s Eighth Corps commander from today on. We will help you get your body back!” Gu Hai declared.
“What?” Long Sanqian looked at Gu Hai in shock.
“Long Zhanguo did ask me for this. If you were capable of rejecting, we would not force you. However, you are no longer capable of doing so and do not have the right to reject this. It is settled, then,” Gu Hai said firmly, not permitting disagreement.
