Undying Life

Chapter 837: Zhong Shan Forces Taichu

After sending most of the people away, Zhong Shan once again looked at the Taichu Holy King, the masked monarch whose face was never revealed. According to the information Zhong Shan had gathered, this Holy King had never exposed his appearance. The Taichu Holy Court, with its national beast being the fox clan, divided the Fengzhong Domain alongside the Taiji and Taiyi Holy Courts.

The Taichu Holy King looked at Zhong Shan and said, "Alright, all the major forces have left. What else do you have to say? When will you follow me back to the Taichu Holy Court as a hostage?"

Zhong Shan solemnly looked at the Taichu Holy King and said, "There is still an enemy force on the outskirts, a foe of the Dazhen Holy Court. I hope the Taichu Holy King will drive away this enemy for me, and I will immediately accompany you to the Taichu Holy Court!"

"An enemy?" Sima Zongheng frowned, seemingly realizing something but unable to articulate it.

"A vassal state that drives away the five major forces of the Fengzhong Domain, sends its closest relatives out of this dangerous situation, dismisses the numerous 'allied' forces with ulterior motives, and still preserves the Dazhen Holy Court. You have achieved four things with one action; quite impressive!" The Taichu Holy King did not answer Zhong Shan directly.

"Since we are now a vassal of the Taichu Holy Court, I need not be cautious. The so-called 'allied' eight major forces just now were not all on my side. For example, the Central Master would rather see me dead, and the experts from the Shitian Holy Land do not wish for my survival. If a real conflict had arisen, Dazhen would have been obliterated! I had no other choice!" Zhong Shan did not deny it.

At this moment, many ministers of Dazhen finally realized the gravity of the situation, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Previously, seeing the Holy King bow had made them feel indignant, thinking that the eight allied forces had more strong members than the enemies.

Now, seeing it clearly, they realized they had been struggling on the edge of death, not knowing who was friend or foe. They had just barely escaped.

Many ministers swallowed nervously.

"Quite a 'no other choice.' So you have been toying with all the immortals? Including us?" Sima Zongheng said coldly.

"May I ask your name?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Sima Zongheng!" Sima Zongheng responded directly.

Sima Zongheng? Zhong Shan's eyes flashed with understanding. He quickly realized why Sima Zongheng was speaking so harshly—it was because of Sima Ce, who had died in the Small Thousand World. They must have been related, hence his animosity towards those from the Small Thousand World.

"You exaggerate. Dazhen merely found a sliver of survival in a crack. Besides, the Taichu Holy King's offer of surrender was accepted by Dazhen. There is no conspiracy involved!" Zhong Shan shook his head.

Indeed, one offered surrender, and the other accepted. There was no deception involved; both the Taichu Holy Court and Zhong Shan benefited, though Zhong Shan gained more.

Sima Zongheng still felt uncomfortable, wanting to see Dazhen destroyed, yet Zhong Shan had managed to persevere.

"You mentioned another enemy? Why didn't you have the eight allied forces help you eliminate this enemy earlier?" another Taichu official asked.

"As I said before, they were not united with me. They could help, but what might happen during their 'help' is not something I desired. Moreover, seeing so many strong people, the enemy might not even show up!" Zhong Shan explained.

"Oh? You just came from the Small Thousand World. What kind of enemy could you have?" Sima Zongheng sneered.

As soon as he finished speaking, Sima Zongheng realized his mistake. What did it matter if they came from the Small Thousand World? This group of abnormal individuals couldn't be measured by the standards of the Small Thousand World. They had just arrived and already had so many connections. Even in the grand world, his powerful family wasn't as exaggerated as this.

"A very strong enemy. That's why the generals of Daqin stayed behind to join you in confronting my enemy!" Zhong Shan said solemnly.

The ministers of the Taichu Holy Court fell into silence. Hearing Zhong Shan's words, they couldn't help but feel a sense of oppression. It was as if a shroud of being manipulated by Zhong Shan enveloped them.

The cooperation between Daqin's ten generals and the Taichu Holy Court? Why was cooperation necessary? Who were these people that warranted such a need? Just how strong were the individuals Zhong Shan had brought?

"In the Fengzhong Domain, besides the other two dynasties and the three dojos, is there anyone else that the Taichu Holy Court cannot handle?" asked one of the Taichu officials.

"It's not a force from the Fengzhong Domain," Zhong Shan shook his head.

"Oh?"

"They've arrived?" Sima Zongheng smirked, looking at a distant figure flying closer.

Everyone followed Sima Zongheng's gaze. A man with a sword as tall as himself was shooting towards them from afar.

"It's not him," Zhong Shan shook his head.

The man did not head towards Lingxiao Heavenly Court but landed on a distant peak. Soon, another figure leapt out from the valley.

Zhong Shan squinted his eyes as he saw the person emerging from the valley. Zhao Tiansha? He wasn't dead yet?

In the distance, Zhao Tiansha seemed to be conversing with the sword-bearing man. After a while, Zhao Tiansha pointed at Zhong Shan with a face full of resentment, seemingly urging the man to cause trouble for Zhong Shan.

However, the sword-bearing man reprimanded Zhao Tiansha.

Afterwards, the man took the unwilling Zhao Tiansha and flew away from Dazhen, disappearing quickly.

"Human Dao Sect?" Sima Zongheng frowned as he looked into the distance.

The Taichu Holy King glanced briefly before turning his gaze back to Zhong Shan.

"Who is your enemy?" the Taichu Holy King asked.

Everyone looked at Zhong Shan. Sixteen Taichu officials were all staring at him. A joke—was there anyone in the Fengzhong Domain that a Holy King couldn't deal with?

"The Kong family," Zhong Shan replied.

"The Kong family? Which Kong family?" an official asked, not yet understanding.

A few Taichu officials twitched at the mention of the Kong family. The Kong family?

"Which Kong family?" Sima Zongheng's forehead started to sweat.

"The family of the Sage of Confucius, Kong Qiu, the Kong family," Zhong Shan clarified.

The Sage of Confucius? Kong Qiu's family? The Kong family?

Hearing Zhong Shan's words, the first reaction of the Taichu officials was that Zhong Shan had tricked them.

The Kong family? You offended a Sage? The family of a Sage?

Fighting the Kong family? Are you mad? Even without Confucius, the Kong family is a formidable force in the Great Thousand World. Now, with the Sage of Confucius, how could one even think of confronting the Kong family?

The seventy-two disciples of Confucius, each one above the rank of a Great Immortal, and numerous descendants of the Kong family. How could a barbarian from the Small Thousand World provoke the Kong family?

"Are you joking? The Kong family?" Sima Zongheng's facial muscles twitched.

"I am not joking! I believe the descendants of the Kong family are outside, waiting for some time now," Zhong Shan said, taking a deep breath.

The Taichu Holy Court officials looked at each other, realizing even a fool would know they had been tricked by Zhong Shan.

"How severely did you offend the Kong family?" the Taichu Holy King asked.

"A descendant of the Kong family established a dynasty in the Small Thousand World and was killed by me. However, I did not destroy his soul," Zhong Shan replied.

"Descendant of the Kong family?"

"Yes, it seems to be a direct descendant of Confucius," Zhong Shan replied thoughtfully.

Silence ensued among the officials of the Taichu Holy Court. They felt completely trapped by Zhong Shan.

If they had known earlier, they might have destroyed Dazhen outright. Now, after offending the major forces of the Fengzhong Domain, did they really need to provoke the Kong family as well?

The Kong family! The family of Confucius! And not just disciples, but a direct descendant? How had Zhong Shan not been struck by lightning for such a transgression? What a disaster!

They had just shielded him from so many threats after the opening of the heavens, and now another formidable challenge loomed—one of unprecedented magnitude.

"Holy King, it seems we cannot involve ourselves in this matter!" one official said.

"Indeed, Holy King, we've already offended the five major forces of the Fengzhong Domain. It's truly not the time to make enemies with the Kong family now."

"Holy King, I believe Dazhen is a disaster! Not only does it bring misfortune upon itself, but it also drags our Taichu Holy Court into the fray!"

"Yes, Holy King, accepting Dazhen as a vassal is not advisable. We cannot allow them to become a vassal!"

"If we accept Dazhen as a vassal, we will make enemies on all sides!"

Several Taichu officials urged the Holy King to reconsider his earlier decision. There were also officials who remained neutral.

The scene became extremely awkward. Just moments ago, they had enjoyed the feeling of being superior, of having Dazhen as a vassal. Now, it seemed too hot to handle, something they wanted to cast off immediately.

The Kong family was a towering presence, one of the highest echelons of power in the world. To become their enemy was to challenge the pinnacle of the world. Was the Taichu Holy Court ready to challenge the pinnacle of the world?

The Taichu Holy King stared intently at Zhong Shan, as if trying to decipher something from his face.

"You said that as long as Dazhen became a vassal, you would ensure its safety. My enemy is right before us. Can you uphold your previous promise?" Zhong Shan asked again.

Could he?

If he could, he would face the enmity of the Kong family—a great misfortune.

If he couldn't, it would make the Taichu Holy Court a laughingstock in the Fengzhong Domain—another great misfortune.

Zhong Shan presented yet another difficult dilemma.

"Ensuring the safety of Dazhen? You knew Dazhen was doomed from the start and deliberately dragged the Taichu Holy Court into this mess?" one official sneered.

Zhong Shan ignored him, focusing instead on the Taichu Holy King. Because no matter what these officials said, it couldn't compare to a single word from the Taichu Holy King.

The Taichu Holy King, seeing through Zhong Shan's intentions, stared deeply at him and then looked at Wang Jian and the other generals.

"Are the people of Daqin willing to fight against the Kong family?" the Taichu Holy King asked solemnly.

"General Wang Jian, does Daqin fear the Kong family?" Zhong Shan turned to Wang Jian.

Wang Jian looked at Zhong Shan and replied solemnly, "Daqin and the Kong family are as incompatible as water and fire. Daqin fears nothing!"

Daqin fears nothing! This statement revealed the antagonistic relationship between Daqin and the Kong family.

"So, you already had enmity with the Kong family and now want to drag our Taichu Holy Court into it? Such intentions are punishable!" one Taichu official accused.

"Holy King, this is a feud between Daqin, Dazhen, and the Kong family. Our Taichu Holy Court has no need to get involved!" Sima Zongheng nodded.

"Yes, Holy King, let them fend for themselves!"

"No, plotting against our court is a crime punishable by death. Destroy their court and kill their Holy King!" another official said harshly.

Zhong Shan paid no attention to the Taichu officials, keeping his eyes on the Taichu Holy King.

"Taichu Holy King, have you made up your mind? If you accept Dazhen as a vassal, I, Zhong Shan, will honor my word. After this battle, I will follow you to the Taichu Holy Court as a hostage. If you do not accept, I will still be grateful to you," Zhong Shan said earnestly.