Many Sons, Many Blessings: Marrying the Fallen Empress Leads the Whole Clan to Ascension - Chapter Summaries - Page 18

Ch. 341Victory and Defeat—What Guidance Do You Have?

Zhang Chen reveals that he has prepared two measures to ensure Feather Cauldron Dao Lord cannot escape.
His first preparation is the Earth-Sealing Heaven-Locking Formation, an incomplete ancient formation recovered from the Great Qin Dynasty’s treasure vault.
Once activated, the formation can lock down several thousand li, suppress Spiritual Energy, prevent Blood Escape and Earth Escape, and even destroy a fleeing Primordial Spirit.
Zhang Chen proposes trapping Feather Cauldron at the formation’s center, where the three Spirit Transformation ancestors can join forces to kill him.
The others point out the plan’s weakness: Feather Cauldron is cautious and unlikely to willingly enter such an obvious trap. If he detects danger, he could flee before the formation fully restrains him.
Zhang Chen reveals his second preparation: obtaining help from a fourth Spirit Transformation cultivator. With four against one, combined with the formation, they could eliminate Feather Cauldron with certainty.
The three ancestors are shocked because the Southern Domain appears to have no other available Spirit Transformation experts.
Xue Sha realizes that Zhang Chen intends to use Dao Lord Emptiness Aspect, the former enemy monk who surrendered after the fall of Xianjing.
The chapter ends with the High Priest rejecting the idea as impossible, emphasizing that Emptiness Aspect belongs to one of the Three Great Sacred Lands and remains a mortal enemy despite his surrender.

Zhang Chen demonstrates strategic foresight, confidence, and a willingness to exploit unconventional alliances. He has carefully studied the enemy’s psychology and recognizes that brute force alone will not be enough.
Zhang Tianzheng remains supportive of Zhang Chen but also acts as a cautious elder, pressing him to explain how the trap can actually work.
Xue Sha proves perceptive by connecting Zhang Chen’s mysterious proposal to the recent appearance of Dao Lord Emptiness Aspect.
The High Priest remains openly skeptical and practical. He focuses on the political and personal impossibility of relying on a former enemy for help.
Feather Cauldron Dao Lord, though not present, is characterized as dangerous, intelligent, and cautious—an opponent who will not blindly walk into an obvious ambush.
Dao Lord Emptiness Aspect is reintroduced as a hostile but potentially valuable figure whose surrender may have created an unexpected strategic opportunity.

Victory depends on strategy, not merely strength: Even with three Spirit Transformation cultivators, Zhang Chen believes an airtight plan is necessary to defeat Feather Cauldron.
The difficulty of controlling powerful enemies: The formation is extremely strong, but its effectiveness depends on successfully luring the target into it.
Unlikely alliances and political pragmatism: Former enemies may become temporary allies when facing a greater threat.
Trust and betrayal: The elders doubt whether Emptiness Aspect can truly be trusted, highlighting the danger of relying on someone whose loyalty is uncertain.
Preparation versus improvisation: Zhang Chen’s advance planning contrasts with the uncertainty and suspicion of the older cultivators.

Zhang Chen presents his plan to Zhang Tianzheng, Xue Sha, and the High Priest, treating them as both trusted allies and advisers.
The three elders challenge the practicality of the formation, forcing Zhang Chen to address its limitations.
Zhang Chen deliberately builds suspense before revealing the possibility of a fourth ally.
Xue Sha’s realization shifts the discussion from confusion to alarm, while the High Priest immediately rejects cooperation with Emptiness Aspect.
The chapter closes with the group divided between Zhang Chen’s calculated strategy and the elders’ deep distrust of their former enemy.

Zhang Chen visits the imprisoned Emptiness Aspect Dao Lord to discuss the imminent arrival of Feather Cauldron Dao Lord.
He reveals that Feather Cauldron is leading 200,000 Immortal Sect Alliance troops toward Xianjing and will arrive within two or three days.
Emptiness Aspect recognizes Feather Cauldron’s fierce temperament and assumes Zhang Chen wants him to mediate a peace agreement.
Zhang rejects this idea, acknowledging that his destruction of Supreme Unity Sacred Land, the death of Mountain Severer, and the attack on Sword God Sacred Land have created an irreconcilable blood feud.
Instead, Zhang Chen demands that Emptiness Aspect leave his prison cell and join him in battle against Feather Cauldron, helping kill him beneath Salt Capital City.
Emptiness Aspect reacts with disbelief and outrage. He refuses, insisting that betraying Feather Cauldron and attacking a fellow Sacred Land would destroy his reputation and dishonor his sect.
The chapter ends with Zhang Chen responding only with a cold laugh, suggesting that he has a calculated argument or threat prepared to undermine Emptiness Aspect’s moral objections.

Zhang Chen is portrayed as calm, strategic, and unsentimental. He openly acknowledges the consequences of his actions and does not pretend that reconciliation is possible. His goal is not mediation but forcing Emptiness Aspect into a military alliance.
Emptiness Aspect Dao Lord reveals both his political intelligence and his attachment to honor, loyalty, and reputation. Although he previously surrendered to save his disciples, he still refuses to publicly betray his longtime ally and the traditions of the Sacred Lands.
Emptiness Aspect’s internal conflict becomes clear: he fears Zhang Chen, recognizes the danger posed by Feather Cauldron, and has already compromised his dignity by surrendering, yet he clings fiercely to the remaining principle of loyalty.

Honor versus survival: Emptiness Aspect has already chosen survival once, but now insists that there are limits to the compromises he will make.
Loyalty and betrayal: The relationship among the three Sacred Lands is presented as one built on shared history and mutual allegiance, making Zhang Chen’s demand especially abhorrent to Emptiness Aspect.
Pragmatism versus moral principle: Zhang Chen evaluates the situation through power and necessity, while Emptiness Aspect frames it in terms of reputation, righteousness, and historical judgment.
Political manipulation: Zhang Chen’s calm demeanor and refusal to argue emotionally suggest that he intends to exploit the difference between Emptiness Aspect’s ideals and his practical circumstances.
The consequences of past actions: Zhang Chen’s attacks have made peace impossible, while Emptiness Aspect’s earlier surrender has already damaged his standing among Central Continent cultivators.

Zhang Chen controls the conversation through measured questions and blunt revelations, while Emptiness Aspect reacts with growing alarm and anger.
Emptiness Aspect initially tests whether Zhang seeks diplomacy, but Zhang reverses the expectation by demanding active participation in Feather Cauldron’s destruction.
Their exchange highlights a clash between Zhang’s cold strategic thinking and Emptiness Aspect’s pride and moral resistance.
Zhang’s final icy laugh leaves the confrontation unresolved and implies that he believes Emptiness Aspect’s refusal can still be broken.