"Marshal Deng, you're mistaken. Back then, you promised your beloved daughter, Deng Chanyu, to Tu Xingsun. Tu Xingsun believed you, and so did everyone in the world. If you go back on your word now, won't you be breaking your promise and inviting ridicule?"
"Today, Jiang Ziya has brought the betrothal gifts and brought Tu Xingsun here to marry your beloved daughter. That, too, is in keeping with your own words, Marshal Deng!"
Jiang Ziya spoke slowly.
"Hahaha!"
Deng Jiugong couldn't help laughing.
What a silver tongue, spouting nonsense and twisting the facts.
They were forcing their way into taking what they wanted, and somehow they thought they were in the right.
"Why are you laughing, Marshal Deng?" Jiang Ziya asked calmly.
"Though I said it after drinking that day, I did promise you."
"However, I also said that Ji Fa's and your heads would be the betrothal gifts. Jiang Ziya, are you planning to cut off your own head right here?"
"You've come here today from Xiqi in such a menacing manner, forcing your way into taking what you want. Aren't you afraid the whole world will laugh at you?"
Deng Jiugong said evenly.
"Marshal Deng, a real man keeps his word. Are you truly going back on yours?"
Jiang Ziya asked with a frown.
"I have not gone back on my word. Today, Jiang Shang will leave his head here, and you can bring Ji Fa's head afterward."
"Can your Xiqi manage that?"
Deng Jiugong said calmly.
At that, all the soldiers at Three Mountains Pass burst into laughter.
Their marshal had made the promise after drinking, but he had not forgotten the matter of the betrothal gifts!
The laughter of the soldiers at Three Mountains Pass darkened the faces of everyone on Jiang Ziya's side.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Ziya spoke.
"Marshal Deng, since we're to be joined in marriage, there's no need to be so aggressive. Open the pass at once and welcome us into your camp for the wedding feast. Your future son-in-law can hardly wait!"
At that, Tu Xingsun indeed looked impatient.
"What shameless behavior! You force your way into taking what you want, and still claim to be in the right. Who ever said you could come here today to arrange the wedding?"
"You rebels of Xiqi intend to seize my Great Shang's splendid realm, and now you expect us to open the gates and welcome you in? Your Xiqi has ulterior motives and truly stops at nothing!"
Deng Jiugong's expression hardened as he spoke.
At that, Jiang Ziya's expression changed.
Once again, Deng Jiugong had turned the argument against him.
Jiang Ziya had come today plainly intending to seize the bride. He was forceful and skilled at arguing his case.
If this had been the old Deng Jiugong, he really would have been beaten down in the argument.
But simply pointing out that the rebels of Xiqi intended to seize Great Shang's realm left Xiqi with no grounds to argue.
And Jiang Ziya had not mentioned San Yisheng at all, because he still hoped to persuade Deng Jiugong to surrender.
He hadn't expected that he would lose the argument after just a few exchanges.
"Marshal Deng, King Zhou is unjust, and the whole realm has turned against him. He has waged war against Western Zhou time and again, but all who oppose Western Zhou bring about their own destruction. Even Grand Tutor Wen of your Shang Dynasty has already perished. Why persist?"
"Remaining loyal to Shang will get you nowhere. Heaven's will is clear, and the difference between going with it and against it is plain. A good bird chooses a tree to nest in; a worthy minister chooses a lord to serve. Why be so stubborn?"
"Today I, Jiang Ziya, have brought generous betrothal gifts and many soldiers from Xiqi to arrange this marriage. I have already shown my sincerity. Please give it careful thought, Marshal Deng!"
Unable to talk Deng Jiugong around, Jiang Ziya could only make his true intentions clear.
At that, Deng Jiugong couldn't help laughing.
"So this is your real intention!"
"Your rebels from Xiqi came here in such a menacing manner. How is that showing sincerity? You're plainly here to threaten us!"
"Let me see whether the betrothal gifts you brought are Ji Fa's head. Your head alone, Jiang Shang, won't be enough!"
As soon as Deng Jiugong finished speaking, he raised a hand and sent out a blast of force. Several large chests of betrothal gifts in front of Jiang Ziya suddenly burst open, revealing the many weapons inside.
"This is your Xiqi's sincerity?"
"You shameless rebels, plotting a rebellion, and you still want to marry my Chanyu!"
Deng Jiugong said.
With his scheme exposed, Jiang Ziya's expression changed abruptly.
With his scheme exposed, Jiang Ziya knew he could not persuade Deng Jiugong to surrender. He could only proceed according to the original plan.
Once the two armies were fighting and chaos broke out, he would have Tu Xingsun sneak into Tang Camp and seize Deng Chanyu.
"Deng Jiugong, since you refuse to see reason, we'll settle this on the battlefield!"
As soon as Jiang Ziya finished speaking, Yang Jian and the others beside him readied themselves for battle.
"Master, Dragon Beard Tiger requests permission to fight!"
Dragon Beard Tiger spoke up.
Dragon Beard Tiger was the second disciple Jiang Ziya had taken after Wu Ji. He was a spirit beast that looked like both a tiger and a dragon. He was enormous, covered in scales, and possessed not only tremendous strength but also powerful defenses.
Deng Chanyu had repeatedly defeated Western Zhou generals with the Five-Colored Stone.
Though Dragon Beard Tiger had been injured by Deng Chanyu before, he had since found a way to counter her.
As long as he guarded against Deng Chanyu's surprise attacks with the Five-Colored Stone, he would not lose.
If Deng Chanyu dared to fight, he would capture her.
If Deng Jiugong sent out any other soldiers, they would be no match for Dragon Beard Tiger.
This time, if Deng Chanyu dared to fight, she would never make it back.
"Very well!"
Jiang Ziya nodded, allowing Dragon Beard Tiger to fight.
After all, the Five-Colored Stone's attack was no longer a secret. As long as he stayed on guard, nothing would happen.
Besides, although Dragon Beard Tiger was his second disciple, he was a spirit beast who had existed as far back as the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. His abilities far surpassed Wu Ji's.
Jiang Ziya was confident in sending Dragon Beard Tiger into battle. On Deng Jiugong's side, as long as they guarded against Deng Chanyu, no one else could stand against him.
If Deng Chanyu fought, he would have Tu Xingsun sneak over and capture her.
If she stayed back, the others would surely lose, and that would also deal a blow to Deng Jiugong's morale!
After all, Dragon Beard Tiger was at the Heavenly Immortal Realm, while everyone on Deng Jiugong's side was merely mortal.
"Just a defeated opponent!"
Seeing Dragon Beard Tiger come out to fight, Deng Chanyu spoke at once, clearly intent on joining the battle.
"Chanyu, you must not rush into battle. You defeated Dragon Beard Tiger before only because he underestimated you and let his guard down."
"He's so confident now; perhaps he has a way to counter the Five-Colored Stone."
"Jiang Ziya is full of schemes and will do everything he can to trick you. Stay here and do not fight!"
"This time, I'll go out myself!"
Deng Jiugong said firmly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the three armies behind him surged with energy. Cannons boomed like thunder, and battle cries shook the sky.
Deng Jiugong's army was vast in number and full of momentum, greatly bolstering their morale.
Deng Jiugong moved, landing right in front of Dragon Beard Tiger.
"Mid-Heavenly Immortal Realm..."
Deng Jiugong murmured, having already judged Dragon Beard Tiger's cultivation.
Deng Jiugong now had the cultivation of the Earth Immortal Realm Perfection, three minor stages below the late Heavenly Immortal Realm.
He simply didn't know how his combat strength compared to his opponent's.
"Ding-dong! The host's current situation has been detected. God-Tier Options activated!"
"Option One: Beat Dragon Beard Tiger senseless and obtain one Innate Spirit Fruit!"
"Option Two: Slay Dragon Beard Tiger and obtain the Five Elements Great Escape Divine Ability Jade Slip!"
At that moment, the system's notification rang in Deng Jiugong's mind.
Deng Jiugong's expression froze.
"This!!!"
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