The enemy's ministers weren't ordinary envoys. Kill one, and there was one less.
Hearing this, Deng Jiugong nodded in satisfaction.
Both his children were so well-behaved!
He had a son and a daughter, one of each—a blessing indeed!
However, his son was named Deng Xiu, and he called him Xiu'er. Deng Jiugong couldn't help feeling that something about it was off.
Looking at Deng Xiu now, Deng Jiugong realized his cultivation was only at the Qi Refining to Spirit Transformation stage.
Still, although Deng Xiu's cultivation wasn't impressive, he had trained himself in flashy but impractical techniques. When it came to leading troops into battle, he was at least useful in mortal warfare.
Since his cultivation was inferior to Tailuan's, it was no wonder the original Deng Jiugong had appointed Tailuan as the vanguard instead of Deng Xiu.
By contrast, his daughter Deng Chanyu, Deng Xiu's younger sister, had a higher cultivation level than her brother. She had already reached the Refining Spirit Returning to Void stage.
Although Refining Spirit Returning to Void was still far below the realm of immortals, Deng Chanyu possessed the Five-Colored Stone, his family's treasured heirloom. Even against an immortal, she could put up a fight.
The main reason was that the Five-Colored Stone could be hurled at enemies, its flying stones wounding them like meteors—too fast to dodge, and aimed right at their faces. Its power was immense, leaving enemies bruised and battered and allowing the weak to overcome the strong.
In battles with the Zhou Army, Deng Chanyu had used the Five-Colored Stone to injure several generals in the Zhou camp. Nezha, Huang Tianhua, and Dragon Beard Tiger had all been struck by it.
It was no wonder Deng Jiugong favored his daughter, Deng Chanyu.
In Deng Jiugong's camp, apart from the marshal himself, Deng Chanyu was probably the strongest.
Though she was a female general, Deng Chanyu was even stronger than Deng Jiugong's vanguard, Tailuan.
As for Deng Jiugong himself, he was famed for his Divine Swordsmanship. His strength had now increased greatly, and he had undergone a complete transformation.
Xiqi!
"What?"
"Minister San is dead?"
When Ji Fa heard that San Yisheng had been executed, fury filled his face.
San Yisheng had repeatedly distinguished himself in Xiqi. Losing such an important minister left Ji Fa deeply grief-stricken.
San Yisheng had once rescued his father from Chaoge and then served as Ji Fa's adviser. He held a pivotal place in Ji Fa's heart. Yet now, on a mission to the Shang camp, he had met with disaster.
When Jiang Ziya learned that San Yisheng was dead, he was shocked.
He couldn't help taking a moment to calculate the matter, and his expression changed.
"Something must have gone wrong!"
Jiang Ziya spoke.
Before San Yisheng left, he had calculated the man's fortune.
San Yisheng was supposed to go to Deng Jiugong's camp to discuss a marriage alliance without encountering any danger.
Jiang Ziya was skilled at divination. Though he couldn't discern the workings of fate during this calamity, he could still calculate the fate of ordinary people.
Back when he was in Chaoge, Jiang Ziya had often told fortunes for mortals. Even his eldest disciple, Wu Ji, had become his student after Jiang Ziya saved his life through a fortune-telling.
Jiang Ziya's predictions had never been wrong. Yet San Yisheng had gone to Deng Jiugong's camp to discuss a marriage alliance and ended up dead.
"When two armies are at war, envoys should not be killed. Deng Jiugong has no sense of honor!"
"Prime Minister Jiang, who can capture Deng Jiugong and avenge Minister San?"
Ji Fa was furious, looking as if he wanted Deng Jiugong executed at once.
"Your Majesty, this matter requires careful consideration!"
"We've received word from Tang Camp that Minister San was arrogant and was accidentally killed by the soldiers. That's obviously just an excuse Deng Jiugong made!"
"Deng Jiugong sent us this message because he fears the whole realm will laugh at him!"
"He's also telling us that he will never marry his daughter to Tu Xingsun!"
Jiang Ziya spoke slowly.
"If that's the case, then Xiqi should send troops at once, attack Tang Camp, and execute Deng Jiugong."
Ji Fa said.
"Your Majesty, please don't be hasty!"
Just then, a Daoist appeared.
This Daoist was Juliusun, one of the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals and Tu Xingsun's master.
He looked sly and shifty. It was no wonder he had taught a disciple like Tu Xingsun, who could burrow underground.
Juliusun was also very good at scheming.
"Senior Brother!"
"Immortal Master!"
Jiang Ziya and Ji Fa greeted Juliusun with great respect.
After all, Juliusun was an immortal from Kunlun, with profound cultivation. His abilities were far beyond Jiang Ziya's understanding.
Juliusun had appeared, naturally, because of his disciple.
"This matter arose because of my disciple Tu Xingsun. I can't just stand by and do nothing!"
"However, Deng Jiugong commands an army of three hundred thousand—a formidable force."
"If we recruit him to our side, taking Chaoge will be only a matter of time."
"If we seize Deng Jiugong's daughter, Deng Chanyu, he'll have no choice but to surrender."
Juliusun spoke.
"Your Majesty, we must put the realm first!"
Jiang Ziya thought Juliusun's words made sense. He was also trying to persuade Ji Fa.
If Xiqi lost its war against Emperor Xin, it wouldn't just be San Yisheng who suffered—the people of the realm would all face disaster.
If losing San Yisheng could make Deng Jiugong surrender, it would be a great gain for Xiqi.
Hearing this, Ji Fa pondered for a moment, forcing down his anger. His expression gradually returned to calm.
As King Wu, he couldn't consider only his personal grievances. He also had to think of the people of the realm.
For their sake, he could only swallow his anger.
"Immortal Master, what do you propose?" Ji Fa asked.
"Deng Jiugong's daughter, Deng Chanyu, is bound by the red thread of fate to my disciple Tu Xingsun. This is a match ordained by heaven!"
"Whether Deng Jiugong surrenders hinges on Deng Chanyu."
"If we seize Deng Chanyu and consummate the marriage, Deng Jiugong will have no choice but to surrender!"
Juliusun spoke slowly.
When he finished, Jiang Ziya and Ji Fa couldn't help laughing.
Juliusun's plan was underhanded, but it was indeed a good one.
"But how can we seize Deng Chanyu?" Ji Fa asked.
"Deng Jiugong previously promised Deng Chanyu to Tu Xingsun. Whether or not he said it while drunk, we can simply go and claim the bride."
"Then we'll act according to the situation!"
Jiang Ziya said.
Clearly, they planned to seize her and make a run for it. It would certainly work.
After all, he had plenty of valiant generals by his side. Even if a fight broke out, they could still escape unharmed.
Hearing this, Juliusun nodded and said, "I can go with you."
Jiang Ziya was delighted.
"With Senior Brother there, nothing can go wrong!"
The Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals were all accomplished immortals.
Moreover, they had lived from the Witch-Demon Calamity to the present, and their cultivation was at least at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal stage.
A Grand Unity Golden Immortal was an overwhelmingly powerful ally to them.
With such a powerful immortal backing them, Jiang Ziya was sure they could seize Deng Chanyu without a hitch.
Three Mountains Pass!
After executing San Yisheng, Deng Jiugong returned to the governor's residence.
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