Undying Life

Chapter 774: Wangchen's Disposition

In the Lingxiao Heavenly Court of the Great Zheng Heavenly Dynasty, within the imperial harem, at Gan Bao'er's residence, Zhong Shan sat in the courtyard. The courtyard had an exquisite jade table with some delicacies, and all attendants had been dismissed.

Sitting at the jade table, Zhong Shan looked up at the moon, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly deep in thought.

Empress Gan Bao'er poured a cup of fine wine for Zhong Shan.

"Husband, has Tian'er gone to see Shijiu?" Gan Bao'er asked, looking at Zhong Shan.

"Yes, he will return after probing him," Zhong Shan nodded, letting out a soft sigh.

"I understand your thoughts, husband. In fact, if you had carefully examined the dispositions of your adopted sons back then, you would have known their true natures. But you didn't want to," Bao'er leaned against Zhong Shan's shoulder as she spoke.

"At that time, I wanted a 'Forbidden Breaking Pill,' so I adopted many sons and raised them with all my heart. I treated them as my own children. What father thinks badly of his own sons?" Zhong Shan shook his head.

"No, it's because you are too sentimental. You saw them as your own sons and felt guilty for initially adopting them just for the 'Forbidden Breaking Pill.' So, you indulged and pampered them excessively. If it weren't for the father-son bond, would you have always interpreted their unusual behaviors in a positive light? Your feelings have never been mixed with interests," Bao'er pouted.

Gently stroking Bao'er's hair, Zhong Shan didn't refute her.

"So, do you think Shijiu really betrayed you or just pretended to?" Bao'er asked curiously.

"Everything is variable; how can we judge now?" Zhong Shan shook his head and smiled.

"You are calmer than before, husband," Bao'er remarked with a smile.

"Oh?"

"In the past, you would have definitely hoped that your beloved sons were only pretending to betray you. Now, you calmly analyze from a neutral standpoint, as if preparing for a serious battle," Bao'er said gently.

"A battle? Yes, it's more complex than a battle because the battlefield is within my heart," Zhong Shan said.

"No matter what, we will always be with you," Bao'er said softly, holding Zhong Shan's hand tightly.

"Mm," Zhong Shan nodded.

The two conversed for more than an hour.

"Father!" Zhong Tian's voice came from outside the courtyard.

Gan Bao'er immediately sat up straight, and she and Zhong Shan looked towards the courtyard entrance.

"Come in!" Zhong Shan called.

"Yes!"

Soon, Zhong Tian entered the courtyard, frowning as he stood in front of the table.

"How did it go?" Zhong Shan asked.

"I think it's best if you decide, father," Zhong Tian thought for a moment before responding.

"Oh?"

"When Wangchen entered Cangwu Garden, he paused at the courtyard gate for two breaths of time. After entering, he stopped in the courtyard for three breaths before arranging for his subordinates to settle in, and he himself stayed in his old room," Zhong Tian reported.

Zhong Shan tapped the table lightly, listening intently.

"Later, when I went to see him, I met him in the courtyard, surrounded by his subordinates. I hinted at a private conversation, but he didn't respond and completed the meeting in front of everyone. As for the conversation, he spoke flawlessly, without any loopholes, saying only what an envoy should say," Zhong Tian explained.

"Mm," Zhong Shan nodded thoughtfully.

"Husband, what do you think?" Bao'er asked.

"It's hard to tell. Tomorrow, you, Zhong Tian, and Zhong Zheng will hide in the secret compartments of the Hall of Longevity. Let's observe together," Zhong Shan said, taking a deep breath.

The Next Day

"Summon the envoy from the Taishui Heavenly Dynasty to the Hall of Longevity for an audience!" a herald announced loudly.

Wangchen entered the Hall of Longevity with two of his subordinates. Wangchen wore a red robe, with a faintly visible 'Yao' character at his brow, now marked by a thin line of blood-red, representing his Blood Sea. His two subordinates wore gray robes.

As they stepped into the hall, Wangchen's pupils contracted. The hall was empty except for Zhong Shan, who sat alone. The civil and military officials were nowhere to be seen, leaving Zhong Shan as the sole figure in the grand hall.

However, Wangchen's two subordinates saw a different scene. To them, the hall appeared crowded with people on both sides, an illusion created to disorient them. They stopped at the entrance, unable to proceed further.

Wangchen continued walking in, while his subordinates remained frozen at the door, as if Wangchen were still standing in front of them. Reaching the center of the hall, Wangchen looked at Zhong Shan.

The two locked eyes. Wangchen's lips trembled slightly, his eyes flickering with emotion, and his brow furrowed, a hint of guilt flashing across his face. His knees seemed to bend, as if he wanted to kneel, trembling slightly.

"Wangchen, do you have something to say to me?" Zhong Shan asked gravely, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Wangchen looked at Zhong Shan, bit his lip, and glanced back at his two bewildered subordinates. A look of determination flashed in his eyes. Clenching his fists, Wangchen looked at Zhong Shan again, his body slightly bent as if about to kneel. Suddenly, his eyes widened, his brow furrowed, as if he had remembered something crucial.

With a sharp breath, Wangchen straightened up, his previous emotions vanishing. He looked at Zhong Shan and said, "Envoy of the Taishui Heavenly Dynasty, Wangchen, greets the Emperor of the Great Zheng!"

Zhong Shan sat upright, his eyes narrowing.

"Speak," Zhong Shan commanded, staring at Wangchen.

"The Taishui and Great Zheng Dynasties have had their share of grudges. I come on behalf of the Taishui Emperor to convey a message. First, we congratulate the Great Zheng Dynasty on its successful advancement. Second, we wish to turn hostility into friendship, to wash away past grievances, and to share the world of Shenzhou together," Wangchen said.

Share the world of Shenzhou? An alliance between Great Zheng and Taishui to destroy Great Qin? Zhong Shan sneered.

"Really? You speak for Kong Lietian with these words?" Zhong Shan asked coldly.

"Yes, I come with sincerity and hope the Great Zheng Emperor will consider this seriously," Wangchen replied.

Zhong Shan stared at Wangchen for a while, taking a deep breath. "Escort the guest out!" he ordered, bluntly rejecting Wangchen.

Wangchen bowed deeply before turning and leaving the hall with his subordinates. Throughout, the two subordinates saw a different scene from Wangchen.

After Wangchen left, Zhong Shan looked towards a corner and gave a signal.

"Seriously, you speak so nicely when you need my help, but after I help, you send me away!" a woman's voice complained from the corner.

It was Huanji. Though her voice was loud, only Zhong Shan could hear it. Zhong Shan gave her an exasperated look. Huanji pouted but still left.

From another corner of the Hall of Longevity, Bao'er, Zhong Tian, and Zhong Zheng emerged.

"Husband?" Bao'er asked, frowning.

"Hmm, what do you think?" Zhong Shan asked the three of them.

The three pondered for a moment.

"Zheng'er, you go first," Zhong Shan said.

"Yes, father. I believe that Wangchen is no longer Zhong Shijiu. He has completely severed his ties with the past. Earlier, father subtly hinted that only he and father could hear the conversation, a chance for a sincere father-son dialogue. If he had nothing to hide, he would have been honest. It shows that he has cut off all past emotions and never had good intentions," Zhong Zheng said gravely.

"Alright, Tian'er, your thoughts?" Zhong Shan turned to Zhong Tian.

"My thoughts are the opposite of Zheng'er's. I believe he has always been Shijiu and hasn't changed. Father, do you remember Xiao Wang? Xiao Wang's adopted son was the perfect example. He must have had his reasons back then, but by the time he returned, it was too late. And just now, father must have noticed Shijiu's emotional fluctuations. He wanted to kneel and confess everything but hesitated, possibly due to Kong Lietian's surveillance or other reasons. His subtle reactions should have shown father that he is still Zhong Shijiu," Zhong Tian replied.

"No, Xiao Wang's case doesn't prove anything. Do you remember Zhong Di? He was also taken in by an immortal sect but ended up trying to kill father. Moreover, before Yinglan died, he received two letters, one of which aimed to lead Yinglan to his death," Zhong Zheng shook his head.

"The content of that letter was meant to lead Yinglan to his death, but Yinglan didn't believe Wangchen's words, so it might have been a reverse psychology tactic, trying to express a positive message through a negative one. It doesn't prove anything!" Zhong Tian shook his head.

As the two princes argued, Zhong Shan looked at Gan Bao'er. The two princes also paused their debate.

"My memories of Zhong Shijiu are that he was always an obedient child. Before I began my cultivation, I always thought highly of him, and he was the son you favored the most. What do you think, husband?" Bao'er asked.

The three of them looked at Zhong Shan.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Shan frowned and said, "Did I favor him the most? Hehe, Zhong Shijiu always seemed the most like me. His intelligence and emotional quotient were the highest among his brothers. Because he was the most like me, he could grasp others' emotions well. His recent behavior doesn't reveal much. Like the old Dragon Gate competition, he never revealed his true intentions until the end. Everything from the past can only serve as a reference. We will have to keep observing."

"Understood," the two princes nodded.

After the two princes left, Bao'er gently massaged Zhong Shan's shoulders. "Husband, no one can escape your keen eyes. Can you still not see through Wangchen?"

"I want to observe him a bit more," Zhong Shan said, patting Bao'er's hand.

"Alright," Bao'er agreed.

In the Netherworld, at Jingbo Pond

Several elders of the Tian family were seated, with Tian Xiaozi standing before Tian Chenzi.

"Great Elder, do you want them to help us find the 'Tian Order'? Father has already gone to the Yang World!" Tian Xiaozi asked with a frown.

"Tianjizi? He's already dead," Tian Chenzi shook his head.

"Dead? Who killed him?" Tian Xiaozi's expression changed dramatically.

Tian Chenzi looked at Tian Xiaozi and shook his head. "You are no match for him. Don't even think about it."

"But...!" Tian Xiaozi's eyes flashed with anger.

"No buts. What I seek is not just the Tian Order. I have seen the Tian Order before but could not uncover its secrets. Your task is to learn from Tian Tang and Tianlai how to use the Tian Order and uncover its secrets," Tian Chenzi said sternly.

"Understood!" Tian Xiaozi nodded, frowning.