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Chapter 299: Chapter 299: Ambitions

"The body? It wasn't buried," A-Da replied.

"Not buried?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"Hmm. At the time, during the hour of the boar (亥时), the Third Prince's life force was exhausted, and he died. The Jiao Dragon abandoned him and fled. After his body was inspected by everyone, it was taken by the princess," A-Da explained after thinking for a moment.

"With the princess?" Zhong Shan asked in surprise.

"Hmm. At that time, no one dared to contest with the princess. She said she wanted to take it back and have experts study the bloodline of the Third Prince. So, the body was preserved in ice and taken back. It might still be with the princess, or it could be with Tian Lao now," A-Da speculated.

"The princess asked Tian Lao to study it?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"That's what the princess said back then," A-Da confirmed.

Hearing A-Da's account, Zhong Shan slowly sat down, frowning and contemplating for a while. A-Da respectfully waited by his side.

After some thought, Zhong Shan said, "A-Da, I have a task for you."

"Please give the order, Master!" A-Da responded immediately.

"I'll write a letter. You must deliver it to the princess personally. She will instruct you on what to do next," Zhong Shan looked at A-Da and said.

"You want me to return to the Ancient Holy Capital?" A-Da asked in surprise.

"Yes, hurry to the Ancient Holy Capital. I'll write a letter for the princess. Don't worry about things here; there will be no issues with safety. I won't deploy troops until you return. I'll be waiting here in Wushuang City," Zhong Shan said seriously.

Looking at Zhong Shan, A-Da thought for a moment and then said, "Understood!"

The next day, A-Da disappeared from everyone's sight!

Zhong Shan was in no hurry to lay siege; instead, he sent a letter, personally delivered to the Great Xuan City, and placed on the desk of the King of Great Xuan.

The King of Great Xuan sat at his desk, reading and rereading the letter, with seven or eight strategists standing in front of him, discussing among themselves.

Gently placing Zhong Shan's letter down, the King of Great Xuan looked at the gathered strategists.

"You've all read the letter. What are your thoughts on Zhong Shan?" the King of Great Xuan asked slowly.

"Your Highness, considering Zhong Shan's actions over the years, he is a person of great strategy and composure, handling matters with exceptional wisdom and calmness. He is a rare talent, and Your Highness needs such a person," one of the strategists said.

"He handles matters smoothly and appropriately, possesses extraordinary wisdom, judges the situation accurately, and makes decisive decisions. Calling him a mere talent is an understatement. To lead a weak group and maneuver through the Grand Universe Empire's eight million soldiers, to attract divine wrath with an examination essay, to conquer the impregnable Wushuang City with just two thousand casualties—any other person would be incredibly proud of such achievements. But Zhong Shan treats them as if they are ordinary matters, as if nothing significant has happened. Such deep scheming is truly terrifying! This man is not a descendant of the Da Luo Dynasty's ministers, which means his ambitions must be immense. His heaven-defying achievements pale in comparison to his ambitions, far less, far less!" another strategist said.

"Ambition?" The King of Great Xuan's four eyes narrowed, revealing a slight smile.

"Your Highness, precisely because of such ambition, there is no need to worry about him being swayed by Prince Zhengyi. Whatever Princess Qianyou can offer him, Your Highness can offer the same, even more. Unless, unless Princess Qianyou offers herself in marriage! That's something Your Highness cannot give him," the first strategist said with a laugh, shaking his head.

"Princess Qianyou? I can offer him the same. But this matter still requires some time. Lin'er is in the center of it all, and everything is still unclear," the King of Great Xuan contemplated.

In the heart of the dense, ancient forest, a group of strategists stood before the Marquis Qi Tian, each with a thoughtful furrow on their brow.

"My Lord, in my humble opinion, Zhongshan is akin to the sharpest sword in your arsenal," began the foremost strategist. "However, this sword's handle is short. While it is undoubtedly sharp, wielding it carries the risk of injury to oneself. Mastering its use requires not only skill but also considerable prowess."

As he spoke, the other strategists nodded in agreement, their silence signaling their respect for his wisdom and high regard within the group.

"I am a master of the sword myself!" The Great Marquis replied with a confident smile. His words hinted at his resolute intention to enlist Zhongshan's services.

"Since you have made your decision, Your Highness, then we should proceed with the plan outlined in this letter," the leading strategist affirmed with a nod.

"Fifteen Eternal Monoliths? Such bold demands! He claims that with these monoliths, he can capture twelve coastal cities within a year?" one of the strategists asked, his skepticism clear.

"A year? For others, even a decade might not be enough to conquer a single city. And he speaks of taking twelve in just a year? Such audacity! How does he plan to achieve this? With just fifteen Eternal Monoliths?" another strategist questioned, furrowing his brow.

"Do you remember that a significant figure arrived in Wushuang City about six months ago?" the leading strategist asked.

"The Western Poison Emperor? Does he intend to seek the Western Poison Emperor's help?" the earlier strategist asked, his surprise evident.

"Is he planning to use the Eternal Monoliths to bribe the Western Poison Emperor, to poison the entire population of a city, and then use that as a threat to the remaining eleven cities?" another strategist suggested with a strange expression.

"Poison an entire city? He wouldn't dare. Only a madman like the Western Poison Emperor would resort to such measures, and even then, only out of revenge. Zhongshan would not stoop to such a level for conquest," the lead strategist responded calmly.

"Your Highness, regardless of how Zhongshan intends to achieve it, if he can indeed capture twelve coastal cities within a year, then the fifteen Eternal Monoliths are a small price to pay," the first strategist spoke again.

"Oh?" The Great Marquis looked at the first strategist, curious to hear more, despite having already made up his mind.

"Firstly, the Eternal Monoliths do not belong to you, Your Highness. You are merely requesting them from the Emperor, so you won't lose anything. Secondly, there are seventy-two Eternal Monoliths in total, and rather than letting them gather dust in the Ministry of Works, it would be better to use them to secure a significant victory for you. Additionally, the Emperor does not place much value on these monoliths. Finally, if Zhongshan succeeds, it will greatly alter the southern warfront in your favor. Even if he fails, you would have extended a gesture of goodwill to him, thus securing a handle on the sword," the chief strategist explained.

"Excellent!" The Great Marquis smiled in satisfaction.

Wushuang City, Central Hall of the City Lord's Mansion

In the grand central hall of the City Lord's mansion, all eyes were on Zhongshan. The generals present were growing restless.

"Commander, it has been eight months since the imperial edict arrived. When will we begin our campaign to capture the twelve coastal cities?" Shui Wuhen asked with a frown.

"Is your army ready?" Zhongshan asked, turning his piercing gaze towards Shui Wuhen.

"We have trimmed the ranks and recruited new soldiers. Now we have an army of five hundred thousand, well-trained and prepared," Shui Wuhen replied after a moment's thought.

"Five hundred thousand? Each city has a defending force of one million. How do you plan to lay siege with just five hundred thousand? Continue training your troops," Zhongshan said, shaking his head.

"Yes, sir," Shui Wuhen responded, a hint of resignation in his voice.

"Commander, the other corps have already begun their attacks. Are we just going to remain idle?" Zhao Chuan interjected with a frown.

"The other corps? Tell me, how have they fared so far?" Zhongshan asked.

"In the past eight months, the forces targeting the Da Yu Empire have captured four of their cities. Qi Tian Marquis recently took his second city and is now consolidating his forces," Zhao Chuan explained.

"Oh? Qi Tian Marquis has already captured two cities? Impressive. How heavy were his losses?" Zhongshan inquired.

"He suffered greatly. It will take at least six months of recovery before he can resume his campaigns," Zhao Chuan replied.

"Such heavy losses? Hm, and what about those targeting the Da Guang Dynasty?" Zhongshan asked.

"They're facing difficulties. General Xiao Wang of the Da Guang Dynasty is a formidable opponent. Shui Jing managed to take two cities, Jin Chan took one, and other commanders captured three cities. However, shortly after, Xiao Wang recaptured two cities and breached two of our own Da Luo Dynasty's cities," Zhao Chuan explained.

"So, they captured six cities but lost four?" Zhongshan frowned.

"Yes," Zhao Chuan confirmed.

Glancing at Zhao Chuan, Zhongshan smiled faintly. "Rest assured, I'm waiting for something. Once it arrives, we will resume our campaigns. For now, intensify the training. The strength of our army lies in its soldiers."

"Yes!" The generals could only nod with resignation.

"Also, have you gathered all the information on the commanders defending the twelve cities of Linqi?" Zhongshan turned to Zhao Chuan.

"We've collected all that we can. For those we haven't, we're still sending people out," Zhao Chuan replied.

"Good, accelerate the collection process. Our army remains still for now, but once it moves, it will be unstoppable!" Zhongshan reassured the generals.

"Yes!" The generals nodded in agreement—

In the following days, the generals obediently continued training their troops while Zhongshan meticulously reviewed the gathered information. One day, during a break, Zhongshan called for Nian Youyou.

"What's this? Just remembering me now?" Nian Youyou pouted with an expression of mock hurt, her big watery eyes fixed on Zhongshan, resembling a resentful maiden.

Zhongshan rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Come, I'll show you something."

Nian Youyou looked puzzled. Why was Zhongshan suddenly seeking her out? What did he want to show her?

Before long, Zhongshan brought Nian Youyou to the square in front of the City Lord's mansion.

Upon arriving at the square, Nian Youyou's eyes widened in surprise.

Because, spread across the square, were all kinds of flowers in full bloom. Their myriad colors filled every corner.

They all shared a common name—roses!