"Big brother, come and catch me, haha!"
"Mu Zha, stop running! Stand still! I'm definitely going to teach you a lesson on Mother's behalf today!"
In the Li residence, two children, one big and one small, both around six or seven years old, chased and played around in the courtyard. In the pavilion nearby, a beautiful woman in her early twenties watched them frolic through an open wooden window, her face filled with affection.
"Slow down, you two. Don't fall. Oh!"
As soon as Madam Yin spoke, a sudden pain struck her abdomen. The unborn child inside her was kicking wildly, and it took quite a while before it finally settled down.
"It's been a year and a half, my child. Just how long are you planning to stay in there before you're willing to come out?"
"All you do every day is cause trouble. Go stand facing the wall and reflect on your mistakes!"
Madam Yin had just coaxed the little one in her belly into calming down when she heard Li Jing's roar from the courtyard. There was no need to guess—those two little troublemakers must have caused trouble again.
In the courtyard, Li Jing glanced sideways at Di Xin's expression. Seeing that he was still smiling, he finally relaxed and glared at his two little ancestors of trouble.
"Both of you, go stand facing the wall and reflect on your mistakes. No eating without my permission."
"Yes."
Jin Zha and Mu Zha lowered their heads and answered softly. They were about to go play somewhere else when Di Xin stopped them.
"Hehe. Commander Li, your two sons have extraordinary bones and are geniuses at martial arts, with truly exceptional talent. If they find a renowned master, they'll certainly achieve great things in the future. As their father, you shouldn't be so harsh on them."
"Yes! I... I'll certainly discipline them properly and have them contribute to the eternal achievements of Great Shang in the future."
Li Jing had just begun to speak when he remembered that Di Xin had said he needed to conceal his identity. He hurriedly changed how he addressed him.
"Little fellows, what are your names?"
Di Xin removed the only two jade pendants hanging from his waist, held them in his right hand, and placed them before Jin Zha and Mu Zha. He deliberately asked, "Tell me, and I'll give each of you a gift. How about it?"
These jade pendants were made of extraordinary materials. Though they did not reach the level of innate treasures, they contained a trace of innate spiritual energy. They had also been nourished daily by Di Xin's Human King fortune, gaining further miraculous properties. Wearing them for a long time could cleanse the meridians, strengthen the bones, and increase one's fortune. They could be considered fairly good treasures.
Mu Zha secretly raised his head and glanced at Li Jing. After confirming that there was no useful information on his father's face, he decisively chose his course of action.
"Mu Zha greets Uncle. This is my elder brother, Jin Zha."
"Mm, not bad. This is for you."
Di Xin laughed heartily, stuffed the jade pendant into Mu Zha's hand, and patted his head.
"All right, I have something to discuss with your father. Could you go play somewhere else for a while?"
Children remembered their first impressions of people especially deeply. Di Xin had also put away his imposing air and made himself more approachable.
"Father, we...?"
After receiving the jade pendant, Jin Zha looked up, wanting to ask Li Jing something, but Mu Zha dragged him outside.
"Father, my big brother and I are going to stand facing the wall and reflect on our mistakes. Don't forget to call us when it's time to eat."
"Alas!"
After the two children ran off, Li Jing sighed. He clasped his hands and bowed, his face full of worry.
"Great King, I failed to educate my sons properly and have made a fool of myself before you."
"Hahaha, those two are much less troublesome than my two boys."
Di Xin shook his head with a laugh and spoke as he walked.
"I built a Star-Gathering Pavilion in Chaoge to manage the extraordinary people hidden throughout human territory, register them, and have them work for the nation and for humanity.
"Although the Star-Gathering Pavilion has yet to be built, I've already invited its pavilion master here. You once studied under an extraordinary person, so you should know what kind of realm a Grand Unity Golden Immortal is. How about it? Would you consider letting these two little fellows study under him for a while?"
"It is my sons' honor. I thank you on their behalf for your favor, Great King!"
Li Jing's face lit up, and he immediately agreed.
He had once studied at the Eight-Treasure Numinous Light Cave on Jiuding Iron Fork Mountain. He was a disciple of True Man Du E, who in turn was a disciple of Taishang Laojun, so he naturally knew how exalted a Grand Unity Golden Immortal was!
Moreover, Di Xin had personally made the offer, so he could not refuse...
"Ever since you took charge of Chentang Pass, you've worked diligently every year without making the slightest mistake. I should be thanking you for guarding this great land on my behalf. The strength of Yin Shang is growing step by step. Sooner or later, I will unify humanity once more and suppress the Eight Wastelands! When that time comes, there will naturally be a place for you to display your abilities. And I certainly won't mistreat a group of meritorious subjects like you."
After giving Li Jing a sweetener, Di Xin naturally had no reason to keep playing the villain.
First, he used an emotional appeal to win people over. Then, he displayed his grand ambitions and gave these "undervalued talents" hope. Finally, he drew them a deliciously enticing picture of the future.
He was an expert at this!
"Thank you for your grace, Great King! I, Li Jing, swear to follow you to the death. I will lay down my life for you and never shrink from death!"
Li Jing dropped to one knee and, with his blood surging in his chest, offered Di Xin his loyalty.
A man would die for the one who understood him, while a woman would adorn herself for the one who pleased her. With just a few words, Di Xin had completely breached Li Jing's psychological defenses and made him utterly loyal from then on.
Of course, that was assuming Di Xin did not do anything outrageous. Take Huang Feihu, for example. After King Zhou had torn his family apart, hadn't he rebelled as well?
"Husband, who is this?"
With the help of a maid, Madam Yin descended the stairs. As soon as she left the pavilion, she saw Li Jing kneeling on one knee, his face flushed red. He clearly looked as though his blood had rushed to his head.
Could it be that, during the year and a half I've been pregnant, my husband has been holding it in too long?
Bah, bah, bah! How could that be? Even if he couldn't stand it anymore, he would only find a few beautiful concubines. Why would he seek out a heroic man?
"My wife, this is..."
Li Jing rose and was about to introduce him, but Di Xin pressed him down with one hand.
"This is my younger brother's wife, isn't it? I'm a friend of your husband, Li Jing. My surname is Rong and my given name is Jun. I know a little about medicine. I heard Brother Li Jing mention the child in your womb and became curious, so I came to see whether I could be of any help."
"Li Jing, what exactly are you trying to do?"
The moment Madam Yin heard this, she turned hostile. Covering her pregnant belly, she warily looked at Di Xin.
"This is my child, not some monster! I don't care who you are. If you want to harm my child, you'll have to kill me first! I'd like to see just how vicious my heartless husband and my child's cold-blooded father can be!"
"Madam, you've misunderstood. The child isn't a monster!"
Li Jing explained with a bitter smile. He tried to approach Madam Yin, but only frightened her into backing away repeatedly.
"Little sister-in-law, could you hear me out?"
Di Xin secretly activated the Kongtong Seal, causing his words to carry a trace of an effect that stabilized emotions.
"Little sister-in-law, the child in your womb is extraordinary, not a monster. He is destined to soar to great heights and hold a high position at court.
"If my calculation is correct, he should remain in the womb for a full thirty-six months—that is, three years—before being born. Only a year and a half has passed. There's still plenty of time."
"R-Really?"
Madam Yin stopped retreating and suspiciously looked at Li Jing.
"He didn't lie to me?"
"Madam, he... he wouldn't lie to you!"
Li Jing was at once amused and exasperated. At the same time, a trace of guilt rose in his heart. He had indeed neglected Madam Yin's feelings somewhat.
"Little sister-in-law, rest assured. This child and I are fated to meet. After he is born, I'd like to take him as my godson. How about it?"
Before you continue