Jin Zha, Mu Zha, your parents are in my hands

Chaoge City, Nine Chamber Hall.

Di Xin sat on the High Platform throne, flipping through a scroll of bamboo slips recording military affairs at the border.

Inside the main hall, it was so quiet that the only sound was the soft rustling of bamboo slips being turned.

Just then, a servant strode in from outside the hall.

"Your the King, the Grand Master Fei Zhong is requesting an audience outside the palace."

Di Xin did not take his gaze off the bamboo slips, but simply responded with a faint sound.

"Announce."

"Yes."

The attendant withdrew, and shortly after, Fei Zhong strode into the hall.

His clothes were still covered with some yellow dust from beyond the Great Wall, indicating that he had rushed here without changing his clothes before heading straight to the palace.

This travel-worn appearance was obviously put on for the That One above to see.

He entered the main hall and bowed deeply.

"Your subject Fei Zhong pays his respects to Your the King!"

Di Xin put down the bamboo slips in his hand and turned his gaze to the minister he had personally promoted.

"Get up."

"Thank you, Your the King!"

How's the matter going?

"Report to the King!"

"I have fortunately fulfilled my mission and have safely brought General Li Jing of Chentang Pass and his family to Chaoge."

"As Your the King instructed, excellent residences have been arranged for them in the city."

"Especially for Lady Yin, who was pregnant, they took meticulous care of her and dared not neglect her in the slightest."

A look of satisfaction finally appeared on Di Xin's face.

Although Fei Zhong had a bad reputation, he was indeed meticulous in his work and always accurately understood my intentions.

"Well done, thank you for your hard work."

These few simple words made Fei Zhong feel completely comfortable, even more so than drinking the finest nectar.

He immediately kowtowed.

He quickly waved his hand, his face full of loyalty and righteousness.

"To share Your the King's burdens is not only my duty, but also a blessing I have accumulated over many lifetimes. How could I possibly complain about hardship!"

"Everything I have is a gift from Your the King. I would gladly go through fire and water for Your the King!"

If Wen Zhong, Bi Gan, and others heard these words, they would probably feel contempt.

But Di Xin was quite pleased.

Or rather, what he needed was a "pure" subject like Fei Zhong, who wore his desires on his sleeve.

It's easy to use and I don't feel any psychological burden.

Di Xin smiled noncommittally.

"Alright, I know your loyalty."

Fei Zhong carefully observed Di Xin's expression and continued.

"Your the King, General Li Jing, deeply grateful for Your the King, is currently waiting outside the palace. Would Your the King like to see him?"

"Let him in."

"As you command!"

Fei Zhong accepted the order, turned around, and jogged out of the main hall.

Soon, a burly general in armor followed Fei Zhong into the Nine Chamber Hall.

It was Li Jing.

As soon as he stepped into the hall that represented the highest authority of the Human Clan, he felt an invisible pressure.

On the High Platform, the Dao Body Black Robe of the Dark Bird, though simply sitting there quietly, seemed to be the center of the entire world.

Li Jing dared not look up directly at the emperor, and quickly stepped forward, performing the grand salute of a subject to his sovereign ten steps away from the imperial steps.

"Your subject Li Jing pays his respects to Your the King!"

His voice was loud and clear, with the fierceness unique to military generals, but it could not hide a slight tremor within it.

That was a profound reverence from the very soul when facing the might of the Human Emperor.

"Rise."

Di Xin's voice came through, calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"Thank you, Your the King."

Li Jing stood up, still keeping his head down, not daring to overstep his bounds in the slightest.

He could feel a deep, penetrating gaze fixed on him, as if trying to see right through him, inside and out.

This made his already nervous heart beat even faster.

Di Xin looked down at the future Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, his heart calm.

In the original course of his Fate, this person was considered a significant figure.

Unfortunately, although he was Human Clan, he was not in control of his own destiny and could not even protect his own son.

How tragic, how lamentable.

But now that I'm sitting here, all of that will be rewritten.

Li Jing.

"Your subject is here!"

"Chentang Pass is bitterly cold; you've suffered greatly, my dear minister."

With just that one sentence, Li Jing's anxious heart instantly turned into a surge of passion.

What a military general seeks is nothing more than a word of recognition from the emperor.

Li Jing's eyes were slightly red, and his clasped hands were trembling slightly.

"It is my duty to defend the borders of the Great Shang Dynasty; I dare not complain of hardship!"

Di Xin nodded slightly, his tone as casual as if he were having a friendly chat.

"Your transfer to Chaoge this time is to entrust you with an important task."

"I have issued an imperial decree ordering you to serve under Grand Tutor Wen and assist in the defense of Chaoge."

"I hope that from now on you will be loyal to your duties and not let me down, nor will you disappoint the Grand Tutor's expectations of you."

"Grand Tutor Wen is a veteran of three reigns and a master of military strategy. Under his command, you must not tarnish the prestige of your position Chentang Pass."

Di Xin's words were all just polite formalities; he didn't mention anything about his wife and children.

It seems that he was transferred here simply because his talent was valued.

This completely dispelled the last trace of doubt in Li Jing's heart.

He felt a rush of heat to his head.

This is an immense blessing!

Who exactly is Grand Tutor Wen?

That was a veteran of three dynasties of the Great Shang Dynasty, a pillar of strength!

To be able to Grand Tutor Wen was an opportunity that many military generals would rather die for; it was an honor he never dared to dream of before!

"Your subject will certainly fulfill his duties to the utmost, and shed his last drop of blood for the Great Shang Dynasty, never failing Your the King's high expectations and the Grand Tutor's cultivation!"

"I would gladly die a thousand deaths to repay the King's kindness in recognizing my talent!"

I am very pleased that you have this intention.

Just when Li Jing thought the audience was about to end, Di Xin suddenly changed the subject and asked a seemingly casual question.

"I've heard that besides the Qilin Child in your womb, you have two other sons who have already entered the immortal sect and gone out to learn their skills?"

Li Jing's mind went blank.

Your the King... Your the King even knows this?

The shock he felt was a hundred times stronger than when he first heard the transfer order.

The King, sitting deep within the palace and busy with countless affairs of state, actually knows everything about his two good-for-nothing sons!

Is this the Human Emperor?

Truly, he possesses unparalleled insight and keen observation!

Li Jing dared not conceal anything and quickly and respectfully answered.

"Your the King, this is indeed true."

"My eldest son is named Jin Zha, and he is a disciple of Manjushri, the Manjushri Guangfa Heavenly Lord, at the Cloudy Heaven Cave Five Dragon Mountain."

The second son was named Mu Zha, and he became a disciple of the Samantabhadra True Person at White Crane Cave on Nine Palaces Mountain.

"Disciple of an immortal?"

Di Xin feigned surprise, then clapped his hands and laughed.

"Good."

"Very good."

"My dear minister, you are indeed a person of great fortune."

"These three outstanding individuals from one family are all extraordinary; they will be the pillars of our Great Shang Dynasty in the future!"

Upon hearing the praise, Li Jing was both excited and humbled, and quickly replied modestly.

"Your the King flatters me."

"It is all thanks to the good deeds of my ancestors and the great fortune of Your the King. How dare this humble general claim credit?"

Di Xin waved his hand and said.

"My dear minister, there's no need for such modesty."

"Your two sons are both blessed with divine inspiration and have received the transmission of wondrous techniques; they are destined to become extraordinary talents in the future."

With a gentle smile on his face, he spoke solemnly, word by word.

"When your two sons return from their studies, please remember this."

"Let them serve my Great Shang Dynasty well."

"How can my Human Clan's Qilin Child be sent to guard the Cave Abode of those reclusive beings?"

"Their skills should be used to expand their territory and protect our Human Clan, so as not to waste their immortal abilities."

"Your the King, rest assured!"

"When those two rebellious sons return, I will make sure they come to pay homage to the King the King immediately, pledge their loyalty, and serve the Great Shang Dynasty!"

"If they dare disobey, I... I will personally break their legs!"

"Good."

That was exactly what Di Xin wanted to hear.

"Your loyalty is commendable, and I am very pleased."

"When they return after completing their studies, they will serve my Great Shang Dynasty. You and your father will serve as ministers in the same court, working together to protect our nation."

"What a beautiful story that would be!"

Li Jing quickly replied.

"Your the King is absolutely right!"

"The day they descend the mountain, I will bring them to Chaoge to pay homage to Your the King and have them serve the King!"

Di Xin nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright."

"You're tired too, you may leave."

"Rest well these next few days, recharge your energy, and then go to the Grand Tutor's Mansion to report for duty."

Li Jing expressed his deepest gratitude and bowed deeply in thanks.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

Fei Zhong, being very perceptive, also bowed in return.

"Your subject will also take his leave."

The two of them left the Nine Chamber Hall one after the other.

Silence returned to the hall.

The gentle smile on Di Xin's face slowly faded, replaced by a deep, cold indifference.

The Spirit Pearl was already in his possession.

Now, only Jin Zha and Mu Zha remain.

In the original Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, these two brothers were at the forefront of the anti-Shang movement.

Now, Li Jing is right here in my Chaoge City, right under my nose.

If Jin Zha and Mu Zha want to rebel against the Shang Dynasty in the future, the first person they will have to face is their father.

I'd like to see that.

How are you going to oppose my Great Shang Dynasty this time?!