The night was as dark as ink in the imperial palace of Dongsheng Kingdom, yet the candles inside burned brightly.
Zhang Yu sat upright on the Dragon Throne, with Zhang Lingyun beside him, and the patriarchs and representatives of the Four Great Families seated below.
Meanwhile, in the very center of the guest seat, Sima Sheng felt extremely uncomfortable, surrounded by several cryptic gazes.
Sima Sheng felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead from the stare. He chuckled awkwardly twice before saying sheepishly:
"Um... actually, I'm an undercover agent."
All those previous actions were to lower the Prime Minister's guard so that I could infiltrate the 'enemy' and gather firsthand information.
Everything I've done is for today, to deliver a fatal blow to Zhu Wuyuan at this crucial moment.
Upon hearing this, the members of the Four Great Families exchanged glances, their expressions of doubt deepening.
But ironically, everything Sima Sheng did today left them no choice but to believe him.
Zhang Yu didn't even raise an eyebrow, only glancing indifferently at Sima Sheng, already certain in his heart—
This person is definitely Proxy of the Twelve Immortals.
He suddenly stood up and said to Murong Bai and the others:
"Senior Murong, let's stop here for today. I have some matters I'd like to discuss with Lord Sima privately."
The words had been spoken clearly and without any concealment. Murong Bai and the others exchanged glances, understanding perfectly, and then rose to take their leave.
As soon as the Hall Door closed, only Zhang Yu, Sima Sheng, and Zhang Lingyun remained in the empty Great Hall; even the candlelight seemed to dim.
Zhang Yu didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point:
Behind you, are those the Twelve Immortals?
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty, as if he had seen through everything.
"W-what, the Twelve Immortals...?"
Sima Sheng instinctively wanted to deny it, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he found his voice was a little tight.
You don't need to rush to deny it.
Zhang Yu smiled faintly, leaning against the armrest of the Dragon Throne, his gaze sharp as a knife, dissecting the other person's defenses inch by inch.
"I am not as rigid as my ancestors, nor do I want to blindly adhere to those outdated ancestral precepts."
Contact the people behind you and tell them that I, Zhang Yu, can find a way to break their Oath and set them free.
"As long as the conditions are right, I will personally sign the Imperial Decree to Protect the King after I ascend the throne."
"You... are you really willing to negotiate?"
Sima Sheng was stunned, almost thinking he had misheard.
In the past, as far as he knew, every emperor of the Sheng Family had been a born stubborn man.
The Twelve Immortals tried every method imaginable, but none of them achieved their goal.
Because all the ancestors of the Sheng Family had been Mind Hypnosis, they knew that releasing the Twelve Immortals would surely cause chaos in the world, so they vowed to resist to the death.
But Zhang Yu said—we can talk.
This surprised and excited Sima Sheng.
You heard me right.
Zhang Yu's tone remained calm, yet carried a chilling pragmatism. "Anything is negotiable as long as the conditions are right."
He was not hypnotized, nor did he believe in any ancestral teachings being above all else.
In his eyes, the only reliable thing in this world is self-interest.
What conditions do you... want to set?
Sima Sheng's body trembled slightly.
Immediately afterwards, an aged and ethereal voice emanated from his body.
That wasn't his voice, but rather the "existence" within him.
"Yes, state your conditions."
Another unfamiliar voice rang out, carrying a scrutinizing tone, but also a hint of lingering anticipation.
It turns out that the Twelve Immortals left some kind of mark on Sima Sheng, which is equivalent to Spiritual Sense possession, allowing him to observe the outside world at any time.
A meaningful smile slowly crept onto Zhang Yu's lips.
"Speak! State your conditions, and even if you want the stars in the sky, I'll pluck them down for you!"
The voice was urgent and forceful, as if squeezed out from between teeth, carrying a restlessness that had been suppressed for millennia.
Great Hall, Rosy Clouds surged, and twelve illusory figures appeared and disappeared, surrounded by a cool, Immortal Light that had never dissipated for millennia.
They were once powerful figures who dominated their own region, but because of Oath they made years ago, they were forced to retreat to a small area and live in seclusion for a full ten thousand years.
Over the past ten thousand years, the world has changed, and the seas have turned into fields.
They could only guard this lifeless barrier, their pent-up frustration reaching a breaking point, their eyes gleaming red, almost to the point of madness.
At that moment, upon hearing of a chance to see the light of day again, that frenzied desire instantly overwhelmed the dam of reason.
"It's very simple."
Zhang Yu stood with his hands behind his back; though his figure was slender, his tone left no room for argument.
"I want you to obey my orders and submit to me."
Upon hearing this, all Twelve Immortals were enraged!
"Presumptuous!"
A loud shout exploded, shaking the void:
"You mere mortal, still wet behind the ears, dare to spout such arrogant words, demanding that we bow down and submit?"
That's utterly delusional.
Another sharp sound followed immediately:
Even when your Ancestors, the world-renowned Dao Ancestor Li, came in person, we did not bow down.
Who do you think you are?
By what right do you demand our submission?
Twelve angry shouts, each imbued with Supreme pressure, intertwined and transformed into a tangible wave of energy that swept towards Zhang Yu, as if to crush this arrogant ant who dared not acknowledge the immensity of heaven and earth.
Faced with this overwhelming rage, Zhang Yu remained calm, merely raising his hand and saying indifferently, "Don't rush, I haven't finished speaking yet."
His gaze swept over every face contorted with rage, and he continued speaking unhurriedly:
"I do not demand your eternal submission; I only require that you... obey my commands for one year."
"A year?"
The immortals were stunned; their fury subsided, replaced by utter astonishment.
Zhang Yu said with certainty, "That's right, it's one year."
A year later, Zhang Yu was confident that he could surpass the Immortal through the system, so he no longer needed these Twelve Immortals.
"Is it really only a year?"
A silent Azure-Robed Immortal suddenly gleamed with a sharp light in his eyes as he stared intently at Zhang Yu.
For Immortal with limitless lifespans, a year is but a fleeting moment; exchanging this small price for freedom is an extremely worthwhile investment.
However, Zhang Lingyun, who was standing to the side, was so anxious that she almost jumped up.
These are the Twelve Immortals; if they can be used properly, they could be of great use to her take revenge on the Jiang Family the Sword Sect.
"No!"
Zhang Lingyun quickly interjected, her tone tinged with anxiety and a hint of manipulation:
A year is too short.
Zhang Yu, even if you are Great Being Reincarnation who has started anew, it will still take you some time to recover your peak Combat Power.
One year is probably not enough; it will take at least ten years.
She watched the Twelve Immortals' reactions intently, thinking to herself:
"These old guys have been locked up for ten thousand years, they're going stir-crazy."
"Don't even mention ten years, even if they were to endure a hundred years of hardship, they would definitely agree to regain their freedom."
Sure enough, as soon as Zhang Lingyun finished speaking, one of the most hot-tempered, Red-faced Big Man couldn't hold back any longer.
Fearing Zhang Yu might change his mind, he preemptively shouted:
"Ten years it is, I've had enough."
Kid, don't try to renege on your debt."
Zhang Yu frowned slightly, and before he could retort, the Red-faced Big Man, looking as if afraid the cooked duck would fly away, urged him repeatedly:
"Hurry up, hurry up and swear an oath, I don't want to stay a moment longer."
Looking at this group of eager Immortal, Zhang Yu's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.
He sneered inwardly. A year was indeed enough, but since the other party was so eager to come to him, he would not refuse.
So he nodded slightly and uttered three words decisively. "Okay, ten years it is."
"However, my oath is useless."
To remove these restrictions from you, I must ascend the Imperial Throne and issue a formal edict, using the Emperor's Jade Seal that embodies the National Destiny, as proof.
Zhang Yu said confidently, "But I still need to pass two more tests set by Zhu Wuyuan before I can become emperor."
"Why make it so complicated? All the Rebel Army and high-ranking officials in the Grand Council are just pawns in our game."
"At my command, the Rebel Army will immediately enter the city and enthrone you as emperor."
An impatient voice was eager to try.
No.
Zhu Wuyuan possessed unparalleled luck; I sensed the pedantic aura of the Jixia Academy scholars emanating from him.
If handled improperly, it could attract the attention of the Jixia Academy, which would be troublesome.
A worried voice came from behind.
"Indeed, although we are not afraid of those pedantic scholars, it is probably best to avoid provoking them."
"That's right, we should avoid provoking them if possible."
A group of Immortal exchanged Spiritual Sense, seemingly somewhat wary of the Jixia Academy.