In a study, Heavenly Court City, Qian Heavenly Dynasty:
Curtains divided the study into two. In the inner section of the study, behind the curtains, the Qian Heavenly Emperor could be indistinctly seen reading memorials to the throne.
Long Shenwu stood respectfully in the outer section of the study.
“Eminent Father, Princess Wanyu and the others have already returned,” Long Shenwu said deferentially.
Behind the curtains, the Qian Heavenly Emperor continued what he was doing as he asked, “What did Gu Hai do?”
“Nothing. Up until now, Gu Hai has remained in Chaoge City. He even did his best to persuade Princess Wanyu to return. He did not try to keep her around or ask Prime Ao for help. He did not even ask my Qian Nation for help,” Long Shenwu replied seriously.
“Oh?” The Qian Heavenly Emperor put down his brush.
“Eminent Father, is Gu Hai trying to draw trouble to himself? This child cannot understand why he is doing this,” Long Shenwu said with a frown.
The Qian Heavenly Emperor softly tapped the desk.
“Does Gu Hai wish to deal with the Yuan Nation’s attack personally? He is indeed extraordinarily bold!” the Qian Heavenly Emperor said.
“Indeed. However, this child cannot figure it out. Isn’t Gu Hai just seeking death by doing this?” Long Shenwu asked, confused.
“Even in Major Metropolitan City—the enemy’s territory—Gu Hai had plenty of space to maneuver. Now, he is on his home ground. How is this seeking death?” the Qian Heavenly Emperor countered indifferently.
“Huh?”
“You may withdraw. Come and inform us when there is more information,” the Qian Heavenly Emperor said indifferently.
“Yes!” Long Shenwu left the study, still bewildered.
Even after leaving the study, he could not figure out the reason despite much consideration. He had even mentally reviewed all the information about Gu Hai’s past.
Nevertheless, he still felt that dealing with the Yuan Nation would simply be like trying to break a rock with an egg for Gu Hai. Why does Eminent Father think Gu Hai can deal with the Yuan Nation?
——
Chaoge City:
Gu Hai did not let anyone tidy up the rubble, leaving everything as it was. This was a memorial for the Han Nation, a record of the Han Nation’s humiliation so that he and the citizens would remember it—the consequence of complacency.
The soldiers that Gu Hai mobilized from the other cities camped around Chaoge City and trained there, looking exceptionally mighty. All of the Han Nation soldiers showed a fury in their eyes, as though waiting for Gu Hai to command them to kill the enemies.
Although Gu Hai had not frequently appeared before the citizens since the Han Royal Dynasty’s establishment, the various beneficial policies in place had already won his citizens’ hearts.
The citizens completely acknowledged the Han Royal Dynasty. They saw the Han Royal Dynasty as their home. How could they permit others to come and wreck their homes?
On a floating island to the south of the city:
Gu Hai stood in a plaza on the floating island, looking into the distance, along with his officials.
Standing beside Gu Hai, Venerable Liu Nian asked, “Mister Gu, you have brought over three million soldiers from the surrounding cities. However, can these soldiers withstand the Yuan Nation’s retaliation?”
Gu Hai looked at Venerable Liu Nian and shook his head. “Three million soldiers? Venerable Liu Nian is worrying too much. They are just here to confuse the Yuan Nation. Venerable, don’t worry. I have thought of everything already.”
“Alright. Perhaps I am worrying too much.” Venerable Liu Nian nodded.
The surrounding officials looked at Gu Hai. Although they trusted Gu Hai, they still felt somewhat worried.
Whoosh!
A beam of black light shot over from a distance, arriving at Gu Hai’s floating island in the blink of an eye.
Gu Hai waved to stop the surrounding guards.
Bang!
A gust blew out when the black light landed.
A black-robed Chang Ming rushed over to Gu Hai.
“Your Majesty! It’s Archduke Xi Kang. He is attacking my Han Royal Dynasty with five million zombies! He broke into a city and was about to start a wanton massacre,” Chang Ming said respectfully.
“Oh? He wants to kill our officials? To think that he wants to capture a city with just a group of zombies?” Gu Hai said.
“I don’t know. Fortunately, he still had not made a move when I went over, so I shouted at him and agitated him as per Your Majesty’s instructions. Furthermore, I said that I would be returning to kill the Bat Ancestor to prevent future trouble. He immediately abandoned the city and led the zombie army over,” Chang Ming said seriously.
“Alright!” Gu Hai nodded.
“He should be arriving soon. Your Majesty, what should we do now?” Chang Ming asked worriedly.
“It does not matter. Archduke Xi Kang cannot cause much trouble,” Gu Hai said in a deep voice.
“However, Archduke Xi Kang is a Middle Heavenly Palace Realm cultivator. Furthermore, he has five million zombies. We…,” Chang Ming said worriedly.
Gu Hai shook his head without explaining. Then, a churning, black cloud appeared in the distance.
This black cloud covered the sky and the ground, looking like the apocalypse arriving with devastating might.
Everywhere the dark clouds passed, all living things froze in fear.
Even from a great distance, everyone could feel a shockingly suppressive aura.
All the citizens around Chaoge City immediately showed horrified expressions.
“Your…Your Majesty!” Some of the citizens looked at the floating island to the south of the city.
Gu Hai took a step forward on the floating island, watching coldly as the dark cloud approached.
As the dark cloud approached, its destructive aura instantly dashed all thoughts of resistance.
Venerable Liu Nian had an unsightly expression. Chang Ming appeared restless and anxious. The officials trembled in fear. Only Gu Hai looked somber as he surveyed the many figures under the dark cloud.
“Five million Heavenly Palace Realm zombies?” Gu Hai narrowed his eyes.
The five million zombies lined themselves up in the sky, densely packed together. All of them radiated murderous intent as they looked coldly at Gu Hai’s Chaoge City.
An enormous flying ship led the five million zombies. Archduke Xi Kang and his subordinates stood on the flying ship.
Now, Archduke Xi Kang showed a cold smile as he looked at the area south of Chaoge City.
Archduke Xi Kang had tested the five million zombies earlier. They only needed moments to break the defenses of any city.
That Mo Yike is such a coward, behaving so cautiously. With this zombie army, who can stop me?
“Chang Ming, that traitor. To think that he joined Gu Hai? He even said that he would return to kill the Bat Ancestor. Humph!” Archduke Xi Kang snorted coldly.
Archduke Xi Kang could already see Chaoge City in the distance. He could also see Gu Hai and the Han Nation officials on the floating island outside Chaoge City.
“Gu Hai?” Archduke Xi Kang’s pupils constricted as overwhelming hatred flashed in his eyes.
The various scenes of the past flashed in his mind.
In Five Sacred Mountains Academy, Gu Hai had written poems and greatly embarrassed him before the entire Major Metropolitan City, putting him in a difficult spot.
In Major Metropolitan City, Gu Hai had killed his son, Xi Yong, before everyone there.
In Vacant City, he had left behind a painting to trap them, unexpectedly making him pregnant.
Each of these events would already be enough for him to want to chop Gu Hai into thousands of pieces.
“Stop!” Archduke Xi Kang shouted coldly.
The five million zombies stopped moving.
Both sides were quiet.
Archduke Xi Kang looked up at the blessings above Chaoge City, revealing a cold smile.
“Gu Hai? Hah! To think that you are not running away despite seeing me?” Archduke Xi Kang looked coldly at the distant Gu Hai.
“Since Archduke Xi Kang graced us with your presence, why should we leave?” Gu Hai retorted coldly.
“Humph! Are there people from the Qian Nation still here? Tell them to come out!” Archduke Xi Kang shouted coldly.
“Archduke Xi Kang, you are here for the Bat Ancestor, right?” Gu Hai sneered.
“Huh?” Archduke Xi Kang said.
As Archduke Xi Kang spoke, he turned his head and saw the three-hundred-thirty-meter-tall bat trapped outside the city.
“Bat Ancestor?” Archduke Xi Kang narrowed his eyes slightly.
Then, he waved.
Many zombies immediately charged towards the Bat Ancestor.
Gu Hai did not take action because of this, merely waved a sleeve. At the side, Chang Ming nodded and extended his hand towards the distance to execute a secret technique.
Boom!
The Bat Ancestor’s body exploded.
“What?” Archduke Xi Kang’s expression changed.
“The Bat Ancestor’s mission has already ended,” Gu Hai said coldly.
Archduke Xi Kang’s expression changed, turning icy. “The Bat Ancestor died long ago? This was a fake?”
“After killing ten million Han Nation citizens, why should he survive?” Gu Hai said coldly.
Archduke Xi Kang narrowed his eyes as he looked at Gu Hai.
“Haha! Gu Hai, did you lure me here on purpose?” Archduke Xi Kang said coldly.
Gu Hai said, “We initially wanted to lure Imperial Emperor Xi Yu over. Unexpectedly, you came. This time, this does not involve you. Leave the zombie army behind, and you can go back to wherever you came from.”
“Hah! Hahahahaha! Go back to wherever I came from? Do you think that you can run today? No, it’s not just you. Anyone associated with you can forget about running. There’s that traitor Chang Ming too. Humph!” Archduke Xi Kang laughed with a ferocious expression.
“Archduke Xi Kang, we have already given you a chance,” Gu Hai said coldly.
“Humph! A chance? What a joke! Why would I need you to give me a chance? Gu Hai, after the incident in Five Sacred Mountains Academy, the grudge between us has been irreconcilable. You then killed my son and humiliated me in Vacant City. I have long sworn to cut you into thousands of pieces; I just have not had the opportunity to yet. Now, I am here. Initially, I came to save the Bat Ancestor. However, since you have already killed him, there’s no need for that anymore. I shall kill you as revenge for the Bat Ancestor. Your officials and subjects can die with you. Kill!” Archduke Xi Kang shouted.
Boom!
The five million zombies showed ferocious expressions as they charged in Gu Hai’s direction.
Before the zombie army arrived, their murderous intent had already triggered a snowfall around Gu Hai’s floating island.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
The five million zombies charged forward in an imposing manner.
“Your Majesty, what should we do?” The officials appeared terrified.
Venerable Liu Nian also felt a chill. He had only just entered the Heavenly Palace Realm. However, there were millions of Heavenly Palace Realm zombies here. Fighting them would simply be seeking death. What was Gu Hai planning?
Chang Ming looked at Gu Hai. Is His Majesty going to use a ritual array? However, I did not see His Majesty burying spirit stones. What is he going to do?
Archduke Xi Kang revealed a ferocious smile.
However, as Gu Hai looked at the army charging over, he smiled coldly.
Boom!
Suddenly, an overwhelming, baleful aura burst out from a small house behind Gu Hai.
This baleful aura scattered most of the dark clouds in the sky. The murderous intent dispersed, and space trembled slightly. Then, churning, crimson clouds appeared in the sky above the floating island.
When the intense, murderous intent poured out, the distant Archduke Xi Kang trembled.
“Indeed, there’s a Qian Nation expert. Hurry! Hurry! Kill Gu Hai! Quickly kill Gu Hai!” Archduke Xi Kang roared as he directed the five million zombies.
Buzz!
However, the five million zombies suddenly stopped.
“What?” Archduke Xi Kang’s expression changed. Why did my zombie army stop?
Creak!
The door of the house behind Gu Hai opened slowly.
Then, a black-robed person walked out.
“Isn’t this…,” Chang Ming exclaimed.
Not long ago, this black-robed man had been on the flying ship Gu Hai and Chang Ming took to Chaoge City from Nine-Five Island. That black-robed man had moved extremely stiffly, not even comparable to zombies. At that time, Chang Ming had mocked this black-robed person.
However, this black-robed man now gave off an overwhelming, baleful aura. How could this be possible?
The black-robed man slowly walked over to Gu Hai’s side. From his aura, the five million zombies suddenly seemed to realize something.
“Go and kill! Hurry! Go on! Kill Gu Hai!” Archduke Xi Kang yelled in alarm.
Why are the zombies afraid? Why did they stop?
Just as Archduke Xi Kang was about to turn enraged, the five million zombies all dropped to one knee nearly simultaneously. Then, they placed their right arms across their chests, performing military salutes to the black-robed man.
“Long live Your Holy Eminence! May Your Holy Eminence live for ten thousand years!” the five million zombies suddenly shouted.
Archduke Xi Kang: “…”
Venerable Liu Nian: “…”
Chang Ming: “…”
The citizens: “…”
The Qian Nation spies among the citizens were utterly stupefied at this moment.
