Di Yi Entrusted His Son
The candlelight crackled inside the hall, casting the two figures' shadows onto the golden curtains, making them appear precarious.
Di Yi's chest heaved violently a few times; the surge of emotion just now seemed to have exhausted the last bit of vitality in his body.
His chest heaved violently a few times, and his face quickly went from a sickly flush to a ashen color.
But the light in his eyes remained sharp.
"Zi Shou."
Zi Shou quickly stepped forward, wanting to help Di Yi up, but Di Yi gently waved his hand to stop him.
"Go."
Di Yi pointed outside the palace, his gaze piercing through the heavy curtains, seemingly looking towards a very distant place.
"Bring the Grand Tutor in."
"I have something to say to him."
Zi Shou a chill run down his spine.
Grand Tutor Wen.
That was the towering white jade pillar of the Great Shang Dynasty, the Purple Gold beam spanning the sea.
She was also a highly accomplished disciple of the Saint Mother Jinling of the Jie Interception Sect, and had already attained the Golden Immortal Path Fruit, possessing immense Magic Power.
In the grand court of the Shang Dynasty, if there is anyone whom the King would be so concerned about, it is only Grand Tutor Wen.
"Yes, Father."
Zi Shou any hesitation, Zi Shou sheathed the Human Emperor Sword, bowed, and left the bedchamber.
Outside the hall.
A biting wind howled, and dark clouds obscured the moon.
All the civil and military officials waited outside the hall, their expressions solemn.
Wen Zhong, dressed in dark armor, stood like an iron tower at the foot of the steps leading to the bedroom.
His signature white eyebrows drooped slightly, his inner eyes were tightly closed, Surrounding Body exuded a chilling aura of Baleful Qi and majesty.
The Grand Tutor of the Great Shang Dynasty, however, had an expression of barely concealed anxiety and unease on his face.
Even the Grand Tutor, who remained unfazed when facing a massive army, lost his composure when confronted with the tightly closed doors of his bedchamber.
The palace doors opened.
Zi Shou's figure was revealed.
Upon seeing Zi Shou, Wen Zhong slightly opened his tiger-like eyes, which gleamed with sharp light.
Zi Shou could speak, Wen Zhong stepped forward. His usually calm and steady voice trembled slightly.
"Your Highness, Your the King..."
Looking at the old Grand Tutor who had watched him grow up, Zi Shou felt a pang of sadness.
He stepped aside to make way for him.
"Grand Tutor, my father summons you."
Wen Zhong's body trembled slightly.
He raised his head and looked at the tightly closed palace door, a hint of undisguised sorrow flashing in his eyes.
He was a Daoist practitioner, and his skill in observing qi was already highly refined.
The purple aura of the Human Emperor that had been swirling above the palace was now like a candle flickering in the wind, about to vanish into nothingness.
His time has come.
"My lord, I obey the order."
Wen Zhong took a deep breath, suppressing the heaviness in his heart, and strode towards the bedchamber.
Inside the sleeping hall.
The candlelight was dying down, leaving the room dim and unclear.
Wen Zhong walked quickly to the bedside.
Looking at the once heroic and valiant emperor who fought alongside him and swept away the Four Barbarians, he now appeared so withered and frail.
Even though he had cultivated Daoism for many years and his heart was as firm as iron, he couldn't help but have his eyes redden slightly at this moment.
His voice trembled slightly.
"Your the King, your old minister... has arrived."
Di Yi slowly opened his eyes.
Looking at that familiar face before me, and at Wen Zhong's ever-straight back.
He smiled.
That smile lacked the majesty of a monarch, only a sense of ease and relief that came from letting go of all defenses.
Di Yi stretched out his withered hand, wanting to pat Wen Zhong's shoulder, but he could only raise it halfway before it fell limply to the ground.
Wen Zhong reacted quickly, catching the withered hand and holding it tightly.
Di Yi looked at Wen Zhong and called out softly.
"Fellow Daoist."
"You've come."
This address of "fellow Daoist" caused the Grand Tutor, a seasoned warrior and a master of Daoist arts, to freeze in shock.
Fellow Daoist.
How long has it been since I last heard that title?
Since Di Yi ascended the throne and took control of the Great Shang Dynasty.
To maintain the monarch's authority, only the titles "Your the King" and "Grand Tutor" remained among them.
Those terms of address, belonging to those who cultivate the Tao and to friends, have been buried deep at the bottom of the long river of time.
Long-forgotten memories surged forth like a tide.
That was hundreds of years ago.
He descended the mountain on his Master's orders, entering the mortal world with pride and vowing to assist a wise ruler and establish unparalleled achievements.
At that time, Di Yi was not yet the old and frail emperor, but a prince of equal vigor and spirit.
The two hit it off immediately.
They galloped on horseback in the Northern Sea and drank together under the moon in Chaoge.
Discussing the Dao, talking about metaphysics, and pointing out the state of the nation.
At that time, there was no ruler and his subjects.
There were only two like-minded seekers of the Way.
They addressed each other as fellow Daoists and pledged to the Human Clan and ensure the eternal stability of the Shang Great Shang Dynasty.
Wen Zhong looked at the lifeless face on the bed, its lines etched with deep wrinkles.
He Wen Zhong possessed the wondrous methods of the Interception Sect and had already attained Immortal Path, enjoying a long lifespan.
But his old friend, the king of the Great Shang Dynasty, ultimately succumbed to the ravages of time.
He fell before that insurmountable chasm called "Immortal and Mortal".
Hundreds of years are but a fleeting moment for immortals, but for mortals who have not yet entered the path of Immortal Path, it is a lifetime.
Wen Zhong gripped Di Yi's hand tightly, his voice choked with emotion, no longer able to maintain his image as the stern and impartial Grand Tutor.
"Fellow Daoist..."
This call, bridging the centuries-old divide between ruler and subject, once again reunited their hearts.
Di Yi looked at the grief in Wen Zhong's eyes and gently shook his head.
"Fellow Daoist..."
"Although I failed to embark on the path to immortality and attain eternal life in my life, it has still been a life of great achievements."
"With you by my side, pacifying the four directions, bringing peace and prosperity to this great Shang Kingdom, I... would die without regret."
His chest heaved violently a few times, as if each breath was draining his life force.
"In this life, I am the King of Shang, and you are the Grand Tutor."
"In our relationship as ruler and subject, it's actually the title 'fellow Daoist' that we've used far too rarely."
Di Yi's gaze became somewhat unfocused, yet he still gripped Wen Zhong's arm tightly.
That hand was as thin as a rake, yet its strength was astonishing.
"Fellow Daoist..."
My time will come tonight.
"Fellow Daoist..."
Wen Zhong's voice choked with emotion as he reached out his rough, calloused hand and grasped Di Yi's withered palm.
A surge of extremely pure Magic Power flowed from his palm into Di Yi's body without regard for the cost.
However.
Like a clay ox sinking into the sea.
That body was like a sieve that leaked air everywhere; its life Origin Essence had long since dried up, and it couldn't retain even a trace of Spiritual Qi.
The difference between immortals and mortals is cruelly vast.
No matter Tongtian Magic Power you are, you cannot save a mortal destined to die.
Di Yi gently shook his head, stopping Wen Zhong's futile attempt.
"No need to bother."
"My time has come; it is my destiny, and there is no way to change it."
"Fellow Daoist, listen to what I have to say."
"When I leave, what I will miss most is the Great Shang Dynasty and my Zi Shou."
"This Zi Shou, Zishou, is exceptionally intelligent and Human Emperor."
"But he is young, hot-tempered, and hasn't experienced real hardship."
"The imperial court is rife with intrigue and treachery."
"These four feudal lords each harbor their own ulterior motives."
"And those barbarian tribes beyond the borders, eyeing us covetously."
"Without you here, I... am truly worried."
"After I'm gone, what will become of this Great Shang Dynasty dynasty, these hundreds of millions of people..."
"And that good-for-nothing Zi Shou..."
"I'll have to leave everything to you, fellow Daoist. Please take good care of me!"
Wen Zhong nodded emphatically, each word ringing out firmly.
"Rest assured, fellow Daoist!"
"Wen Zhong is still alive! The Interception Sect is still alive!"
Wen Zhong swore to the heavens, "As long as I have a breath left, I will ensure the eternal stability of the Great Shang Dynasty and protect the new emperor from harm!"
Even if I die and my soul perishes, I will have no regrets!