Everyone's Persuasion

Xiqi Camp.

Inside the command tent, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

Jin Zha and Mu Zha sat dejectedly in the corner of the tent. From the moment they returned to the camp, they had not uttered a word and had simply kept their heads down.

Their father's thunderous roar and heart-wrenching rebukes echoed in their minds.

Were we... wrong?

That incredibly brave young general in red robes, who could fight back even when surrounded by more than a dozen of them, was actually their Third Brother?

They actually colluded with outsiders and almost killed their own brother!

A tremendous sense of absurdity and guilt nearly shattered their resolve.

Ji Fa and Shen Gongbao strode into the tent, where this was the scene they saw.

The other disciples of the Clarify Sect surrounded the two, but they were also helpless and could only anxiously watch.

Ji Fa strode forward, his face showing concern.

"My two immortal masters, what happened today... alas, you two need not take it so seriously."

He organized his thoughts and offered gentle words of comfort.

"General Li Jing's reputation for loyalty and bravery is known throughout the land."

"His loyalty to the Great Shang Dynasty throughout his life is commendable, but now he is blinded by the tyrannical Di Xin and has failed to see the true state of affairs."

"When our army conquers Chaoge and overthrows the tyranny, General Li will naturally understand that your actions today are truly acts of loyalty and filial piety."

Ji Shudan also came over and patted Jin Zha on the shoulder.

"Junior Brother Jin Zha, Second Brother is right."

"The Great Shang Dynasty's fate has run its course; the tyrannical ruler is incompetent. This is the will of Heaven."

General Li, having lived in Chaoge for a long time, was deeply misled by Di Xin and unaware that the outside world had already undergone earth-shattering changes.

"It is understandable that someone might speak rashly because they do not understand the great principle of Xiqi's obedience to Heaven and the people."

"He's just too caught up in the situation to see it clearly."

Nangong Bo echoed this.

"Yes! Di Xin was most skilled at bewitching people's hearts. It's understandable that General Li, having been in Chaoge for so long, would be deceived by him."

"My two senior brothers need not blame themselves."

"Our actions are precisely to break through the barrier as soon as possible, rescue General Li from that tyrannical emperor, and persuade him to abandon darkness and embrace the light!"

"Yes! Once we break through Sishui Pass, we can invite General Li to our Xiqi Camp. Then the whole family can be reunited. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

The Chan Sect Disciple began to speak one after another.

Their words converged into a torrent, constantly impacting Jin Zha and Mu Zha's faltering understanding.

is that so?

Was the father simply misled?

Everything we did was to save him?

Jin Zha and Mu Zha slowly raised their heads, their faces still filled with confusion.

They grew up in a sacred mountain, and their master was their heaven.

The orders of the master and his sect are the supreme truth.

In their understanding, the Clarify Sect represented the orthodox way of Heavenly Dao, while Di Xin of the Great Shang Dynasty was a tyrant who defied Heaven.

But today, their most respected and trusted father tells them that everything is wrong.

The tyrant they spoke of was, in the father's description, a wise and benevolent ruler, a sage-king rarely seen throughout history.

Their belief in "acting on behalf of Heaven" was, under their father's angry rebuke, transformed into a shameless act of "disloyalty and unfilial piety" and "inability to distinguish right from wrong."

Two completely contradictory perceptions clashed wildly in their minds.

Jin Zha's lips moved, and he spoke in a hoarse voice.

"But... but was that person yesterday really my Third Brother?"

"Father... why would he...?"

This question silenced everyone present.

That young man who single-handedly defeated twelve Third-generation disciples of their Clarify Sect, leaving them utterly humiliated.

It turned out to be Li Jing's son, and the younger brother of Jin Zha and Mu Zha.

This is utterly absurd.

At this moment, Shen Gongbao, who had been silent all along, finally spoke slowly.

He walked up to Jin Zha and Mu Zha, a compassionate smile on his face.

"My two Martial Nephew, there's no need for that."

I know you are suffering.

Shen Gongbao stroked his long beard and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"The bond between father and son is innate; blood is thicker than water."

"General Li's anger on the battlefield today is only natural."

"It's understandable that you two would waver because of this."

These words were like a warm current, bringing a little comfort to the two who were suffering greatly.

Compared to others who only emphasize "righteousness," this Martial Uncle seems to understand their pain better.

Shen Gongbao took in the changes in their expressions, sneered inwardly, but his face grew even more amiable.

"But."

He then changed the subject.

"What is reasonable and emotional may not be the same as what is natural and ethical."

"General Li is merely a mortal military commander, unaware of the vicissitudes of fate."

"What he saw was only the loyalty between the ruler and his subjects, and the affection between family and country in Chaoge."

"But what we see is the grand trend of the Three Realms, the workings of the Heavenly Dao."

He was deceived by Di Xin, mistaking defiance of Heaven for compliance, and a tyrant for a wise ruler.

"This is a limitation of vision, not a fault of the war effort."

Shen Gongbao paused, looked around at everyone, and continued.

"As for Nezha... I never imagined he was General Li's third son."

"It seems that Di Xin is a man of deep cunning, having laid this plan long ago, all to sow discord among us and shake your resolve."

"Look, hasn't he already achieved his goal today?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Zha and Mu Zha were both shocked.

Yes!

All of this was Di Xin's conspiracy!

It was he who made my father stand against us!

It was he who sent his Third Brother to fight us brothers to the death!

He's the one who caused all of this!

Seeing the renewed hatred and anger in their eyes, Shen Gongbao's smile held a subtle hint of amusement.

Ji Fa also spoke up at the opportune moment, his face full of sincerity.

"Prime Minister Shen is absolutely right!"

"My two immortal masters, your father was a man of loyalty and righteousness. Your Third Brother is a young hero."

"They should have been the pillars of our Great Zhou! Now they have gone astray, serving a tyrant. It is truly a regrettable thing."

He solemnly bowed to Jin Zha and Mu Zha.

Ji Fa hereby assures you both!

"Once our army breaches Sishui Pass, we will treat General Li with the utmost courtesy and will not harm him in the slightest!"

"At that time, the two of you will join me in persuading General Li to submit to our Great Zhou and together achieve this great undertaking!"

"As for the Nezha brothers, if they are willing to serve my Great Zhou, Ji Fa will certainly welcome them with open arms!"

These words were spoken with sincerity and sincerity, giving the two of them a way out.

The scales in Jin Zha and Mu Zha's hearts began to tip once again.

Perhaps... the Prime Minister and the Second Young Master are right.

What we need to do now is not to doubt, nor to back down.

Instead, we must fight on with even greater determination, break through Sishui Pass as soon as possible, and "rescue" our father and Third Brother from the clutches of that tyrannical emperor!

Having figured this out, Jin Zha took a deep breath and stood up.

He bowed solemnly to Ji Fa and Shen Gongbao.

"Thank you for your understanding, Second Young Master."

"Jin Zha, I understand."

Mu Zha also stood up, his confusion replaced by a resolute expression.

"We will certainly do our utmost to help the Great Zhou break through the formidable pass and restore order!"

Seeing the two regain their spirits, Ji Fa and all the Chan Sect Disciple were overjoyed.

"Great! Okay!"

"With your assistance, our army's morale is high!"

Inside the command tent, the atmosphere became lively again.

After discussing their next move, the group dispersed.

As the noise subsided, only Jin Zha and Mu Zha remained inside the large tent.

A night breeze blew by, slightly lifting the tent curtains and bringing a touch of coolness.

Mu Zha looked at his Elder Brother, remained silent for a long time, and finally couldn't help but speak.

"Big brother..."

His voice was a little hoarse.

"Did we... really do the right thing?"

Jin Zha's body stiffened abruptly, and he fell silent.

Yes, have we really done it right?