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Chapter 344: Chapter 344: The Wheel Hall of the Shadow Mansion

Three months later, Shui Wuheng once again captured a city. Leaving a garrison behind, the main army converged again in Guanghui City.

Inside the Lord's Mansion of Guanghui City, in the central hall, Zhongshan sat behind the command table with his generals standing on either side.

"Zhao Chuan, well done!" Zhongshan praised without hesitation.

"General Zhao did nothing!" Zhao Chuan immediately responded.

"Doing nothing is exactly what's commendable. I trust you to defend the city, and not one was lost!" Zhongshan chuckled.

"General Zhao would rather charge into battle with the Commander-in-Chief. It's a pity to be stuck here!" Zhao Chuan said regretfully.

"Haha, rest assured, your time to shine will come soon," Zhongshan smiled.

"Shui Wuheng and Liu Wushuang have also done well. In less than four months, they've taken another city!" Zhongshan grinned.

"No, General, we only took one city. Compared to the other armies, we are far behind," Shui Wuheng shook his head with a sigh.

"Oh? Are you talking about Shui Jing's troops?"

"Yes, General. Since the news of Xiao Wang's death, Shui Jing's army has been unstoppable, capturing twenty cities in just three months. This pace is even faster than when you captured twelve cities in Linhai within five months!" Shui Wuheng frowned.

"Indeed, General, twenty cities in three months, that's one city every six days, including consolidating their control. It seems unreal!" Liu Wushuang added, frowning.

"Shui Jing? He's truly a remarkable talent. But you've only just seen a glimpse of his abilities. Over the years on the battlefield of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty, Shui Jing has quietly led his forces, never seeking fame but always steady and reliable. Despite Xiao Wang's frequent ambushes and disturbances, did they ever catch Shui Jing off guard?" Zhongshan asked.

"According to the Commander-in-Chief, it seems so. Although Shui Jing's sieges were standard, Xiao Wang's several ambushes never yielded results," Shui Wuheng pondered.

"That's because Shui Jing had already anticipated them. Those twenty cities weren't taken in three months; he began laying the groundwork from the moment he arrived at the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty's battlefield. It's just that the time wasn't ripe until Xiao Wang died. Then, with lightning speed, he swiftly took twenty cities," Zhongshan affirmed.

"Shui Jing's determination is truly admirable!" Shui Wuheng sighed.

"A leader must have great patience and determination. Remember that," Zhongshan instructed Shui Wuheng.

"Yes!" Shui Wuheng nodded.

"Now that Xiao Wang is dead and news of Shui Jing capturing twenty cities is out, the morale of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty will surely plummet. Let's take advantage of our momentum and aggressively attack! Our target: the capital of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty, Aurora City!" Zhongshan declared.

"Yes!" the generals responded.

Six months later, On the battlefield of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty, the Great Xuan King dispatched numerous armies from the Great Yu Dynasty battlefield, along with several additional routes, totaling twenty armies including Shui Jing's. They launched a full-scale assault on the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty.

Though not as easy to conquer as the Great Yu Emperor Dynasty initially was, twenty armies were akin to a flood, unstoppable.

The defense of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty had become exceedingly perilous. With the Grand Commander dead and his successor lacking the talents of Xiao Wang, coupled with Shui Jing's rapid capture of twenty cities, the morale of the various garrisons was severely shaken. The Great Guang Emperor Dynasty was in danger.

In the capital city of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty, Aurora City...

The Emperor of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty, Emperor Han Jiaguang, had founded his empire with unparalleled arrogance and vigor, despite its twilight years. He exuded not just regal aura, but also an overbearing dominance that rivaled all under heaven. Without such dominance, how could he have built such a vast empire across the divine land of China?

Inside the imperial palace, within Emperor Han Jiaguang's study...

Emperor Han Jiaguang sat at his desk, perusing the battle reports sent from various regions. His complexion was fair and noble, but his eyes were icy cold, capable of freezing anyone who dared meet his gaze.

Despite the chaotic state of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty's military affairs, Emperor Han Jiaguang remained calm and composed, as if nothing under the heavens could rush him.

Standing before Emperor Han Jiaguang were three men, each handsome and robust. The last among them, if Zhongshan were present, would immediately recognize as Prince Han Jue, formerly targeted by Yi Yan in the Great Yu Dynasty to assault Princess Qian You, and who had witnessed the overwhelming power of the Eight Extremities Heaven's End in Fengling City alongside Zhongshan.

"Father Emperor, the situation in the northeast is deteriorating rapidly! How should we respond?" the first man spoke.

"Yes, Father Emperor, with Xiao Wang dead, the new Grand Commander is utterly useless. Of the one hundred and eighty cities in the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty, we've already lost sixty!" the second man anxiously reported.

Emperor Han Jiaguang gently placed down the letters in his hand and said, "It's not sixty cities anymore. By now, it should be sixty-five."

"Sixty-five cities?" all three princes frowned.

"Father Emperor, your sons are willing to go to the front lines to boost the morale of our troops and resist the incoming enemy!" Prince Han Jue offered.

"I too am willing!" the other two princes immediately chimed in.

Seeing his sons, Emperor Han Jiaguang smiled faintly and said, "Rest assured, even the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty will soon find it impossible to capture a single city!"

"Uh, Father Emperor, do you already have a plan?" Prince Han Jue asked.

"I believe it's about to arrive," Emperor Han Jiaguang said, taking a deep breath.

Just then, a eunuch's voice sounded from outside the room, "Your Majesty, he has arrived!"

"Let him in," Emperor Han Jiaguang ordered.

As Emperor Han Jiaguang spoke, he rose slightly, causing all three princes to stand as well, filled with curiosity. Who could warrant such solemnity from their father Emperor?

The doors opened slowly, and a figure in black robes entered. The person was completely enveloped in black, with even their head obscured, making their identity indiscernible.

"Han Jiaguang, are you in trouble?" the figure in black spoke softly.

"Are you still the Muddy Bodhisattva?" Emperor Han Jiaguang stared at the figure in black.

"The Muddy Bodhisattva is singular, but not solitary. The previous Muddy Bodhisattva has died, and I am the new one," the figure in black replied.

"Will the promises made by the former Muddy Bodhisattva still hold true?" Emperor Han Jiaguang fixed his gaze on the figure.

"The Muddy Bodhisattva is the Muddy Bodhisattva. Promises made will naturally be fulfilled. When you assisted my master in sealing the Eight Extremities Heaven's End, I vowed to help you once," the Muddy Bodhisattva said in a deep voice.

"Good. As the Muddy Bodhisattva always keeps his word, out of the sixty-four cities of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty, I have already arranged them according to the sixty-four hexagrams as requested by your master. However, ten cities have already been taken by the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty," Emperor Han Jiaguang stated, locking eyes with the Muddy Bodhisattva.

"Ten cities? It matters not who holds them. I practice Feng Shui, not politics. As long as the positions are correct, that's all that matters!" The Muddy Bodhisattva took a deep breath.

"If that's the case, then all the better. When do you plan to begin?" Emperor Han Jiaguang inquired.

"In ten days' time, at midnight, I will come to activate this grand Feng Shui formation," the Muddy Bodhisattva replied after a moment's thought.

"And is there anyone who can break this formation?" Emperor Han Jiaguang asked again, considering the possibility of a defensive and retaliatory strategy against the Great Luo Dynasty.

"This Feng Shui formation is called the 'Rotating Hall of the Shadow Mansion.' Inside the Rotating Hall, I am the Wheel Turner. Even if you enter, it will be difficult to leave," the Muddy Bodhisattva asserted confidently.

"The Wheel Turner?" Emperor Han Jiaguang scrutinized the Muddy Bodhisattva.

Capable of trapping oneself within a Feng Shui formation? Emperor Han Jiaguang smiled slightly and nodded.

"Could we use this to counterattack against the Great Luo's armies?" Emperor Han Jiaguang asked once more. Clearly, he hoped not only to defend but also to strike back at the Great Luo Dynasty.

Glancing at the assembled individuals, the Muddy Bodhisattva replied calmly, "The realm of the Netherworld is a place of absolute death. It poses a threat not just to the armies of the Great Luo Dynasty but also to your own forces if they venture beyond the city walls. They will not return alive!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Han Jiaguang furrowed his brows slightly.

"However, there is an exception," the Muddy Bodhisattva continued.

"Oh? What exception?" Emperor Han Jiaguang asked curiously.

"He is the exception!" Suddenly, the Muddy Bodhisattva pointed to Prince Han Jue standing nearby.

All eyes turned to Prince Han Jue, filled with curiosity.

"What do you mean?" Emperor Han Jiaguang asked, puzzled.

"Is this your son?" the Muddy Bodhisattva countered.

"Yes, he is my third son, Han Jue!" Emperor Han Jiaguang confirmed.

"In the realm of the Netherworld, I immediately sensed it. Your son is no ordinary individual. He has assimilated the essence of the Netherworld into his being. While this may not be advantageous elsewhere, within my Feng Shui formation, he fits like a fish in water, a dragon emerging from the nine abysses!" the Muddy Bodhisattva explained.

Beside him, Prince Han Jue, after a brief moment of surprise, immediately bowed respectfully. "Elder, your insight is profound."

Emperor Han Jiaguang looked at his son and then grinned oddly. "Han Jue!"

"Here!" Prince Han Jue responded promptly.

"I hereby appoint you as the Grand Commander of the Great Guang Emperor Dynasty. Lead the three armies and defend against the onslaught of the Great Luo Dynasty!" Emperor Han Jiaguang declared solemnly.

"I will obey your command!" Prince Han Jue replied without hesitation.

"The appointment decree will be transmitted to all cities shortly. In the meantime, you will consult with the venerable Muddy Bodhisattva on how to confront the enemy," Emperor Han Jiaguang stated.

"Yes!" Prince Han Jue acknowledged immediately.

Prince Han Jue naturally understood Emperor Han Jiaguang's intentions. Apart from seeking advice on facing the enemy, it was also crucial to win over this Feng Shui master. If possible, he might even seek to become his disciple!

Ignoring the conversation between father and son, the Muddy Bodhisattva turned to Prince Han Jue and said, "Let's go. Let me see how far your so-called assimilation with the Netherworld has progressed."

"Yes!" Prince Han Jue responded promptly.

(To be continued...)