Chapter 96: You Have Quite the Courage

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: You Have Quite the Courage

"This is what they call 'interest bundling'?" Yinglan seemed to recall the words Zhongshan had spoken to her in her childhood.

"Interest bundling? Haha, you could say that," Zhongshan chuckled heartily. It was obviously more than just that, but for Yinglan, a female general, knowing this much was sufficient.

Behind him, Zhongtian and Zhongzheng also wore faint smiles.

"Let's go, back first. Prepare for the upcoming national war," Zhongshan said confidently.

National war, preparing for a national war? Zhongtian and Zhongzheng exchanged a glance. Did their foster father's words just now place them in the position of a nation? Faced with the Great Kun Country, had their foster father decided to abandon his previous thoughts and prepare to establish a renowned nation for generations to come?

As they returned to Yilan Hall, everyone's mood had improved significantly. What seemed like a tangled mess of internal and external troubles before had now become clear and straightforward under Zhongshan's management. Unity was soon to be achieved within Xuancheng, and then they would stand united against external threats.

"Zhongtian, why have you returned this time?" Zhongshan sat down again, looking at his adopted son, Zhongtian.

"This time, I've come back to bid farewell to Father," Zhongtian replied after a moment of silence.

"Oh?" Zhongshan looked at Zhongtian.

"A few days ago, I attained the innate realm. My master said my physique is one in ten thousand and wants to take me to a place called 'Shenzhou' to enter its main gate for long-term cultivation. So, I requested my master to allow me to return to bid farewell," Zhongtian said, furrowing his brow.

"That's great," Zhongshan immediately exclaimed.

"But..." Zhongtian hesitated.

"Don't worry. Since I've reached the innate realm, I'll have boundless opportunities in the future. While you cultivate in Shenzhou, my influence will sooner or later extend there. When you return after completing your training, you can assist me then," Zhongshan said solemnly.

"Understood," Zhongtian breathed a sigh of relief. If Father said it could be done, then it definitely could.

After a moment of thought, Zhongshan asked again, "Shenzhou, your master mentioned Shenzhou. What kind of place is Shenzhou, and what do we call our own land?"

"My master didn't say much, but he did mention that where we are is called 'Tianlang Island'," Zhongtian said after some thought.

Tianlang Island? An island? Just a large island? How could an island be so vast?

Zhongshan furrowed his brow in thought for a while before looking at Zhongzheng, Zhongtian, and Yinglan. Nêww chapters will be fully updated at novelhall.com

"Yinglan, you'll command all the soldiers in Xuancheng," Zhongshan said.

"Yes," Yinglan nodded excitedly.

"Zhongzheng," Zhongshan turned to his adopted son again.

"Here," Zhongzheng stepped forward immediately.

"Others may not know, but I know, you have the talent for command, understand how to wield influence. For years, I've had you in charge of market expansion, and you've done an excellent job. In the past, we managed a certain type of goods, but from now on, I'll be managing a nation, a dynasty, a world. Are you prepared for this?" Zhongshan looked at his adopted son with a smile.

At the same time, besides Yinglan, Zhongtian and Zhongzheng heard Zhongshan's exact response for the first time – the establishment of a nation.

"Yes," everyone nodded.

The next morning, two hundred thousand troops assembled at the South Gate, with the twelve innate masters at the forefront, each mounted on horseback, coldly gazing towards the distant city walls.

On the city walls, Yinglan stood with her sword in hand, calmly observing the scene below. Archers lined the walls, arrows nocked and ready, yet Yinglan remained unfazed. Beyond the city walls lay a moat; though not particularly wide, it was enough to deter these invaders on horseback. With eight hundred thousand troops surrounding the city gates, only two hundred thousand were stationed at the South Gate.

Among the twelve innate masters, a man who appeared to be in his forties, Su Lian Xian, rode forward on horseback.

"Where is Zhongshan?" Su Lian Xian bellowed towards the city walls.

With his shout, his voice resonated for miles around, echoing not only on the city walls but also within the city itself, a testament to the power behind his voice.

Within Xuancheng, at the same time, Zhongshan slowly made his way towards the southern gate and the city wall.

Zhongzheng had managed civil affairs impeccably. Most of the populace stayed indoors, with few venturing out to some taverns or teahouses. As Zhongshan walked along the streets, the people in various shops and households showed expressions of reverence and admiration. Even the heads of the Eight Major Families, who had stood in their respective shops, along with numerous merchants and servants, looked on with utmost respect as Zhongshan made his way towards the city wall.

"Mr. Zhong."

"Zhong Patriarch."

... Everywhere Zhongshan went, respectful voices echoed, but Zhongshan merely nodded faintly in acknowledgment.

Xuancheng had a peculiar geography. There was an outer moat, and it seemed there was also an inner moat within the city. Crossing the inner moat, Zhongshan reached the city wall, where the defenders seemed to be revitalized by his presence.

It wasn't until Zhongshan reached the topmost part of the city wall, standing on the terrace, looking down at the army below, that Yinglan, upon seeing him, immediately stood behind him, sword in hand.

"Zhongshan, do you still recognize me?" Su Lian Xian shouted from atop his horse, facing Zhongshan on the city wall.

Others also noticed that indeed, Zhongshan had emerged from the city unharmed.

Zhongshan's eyes narrowed. He glanced at the various innate masters, then finally turned his gaze towards Su Lian Xian.

"Su Lian Xian," Zhongshan said in a deep voice.

"Do you remember me, Zhongshan? You are guilty of heinous crimes, amassing troops and fortifying the city, undermining the foundation of our Great Kun Dynasty. We are here today to exterminate you, the traitor. Do you have anything to say?" Su Lian Xian called out.

Su Lian Xian's words were not directed at Zhongshan, but at the army behind him. Although Zhongshan was merely a merchant, his influence within the Great Kun Dynasty was immense. He had earned a great deal of money and had equally spent much on charitable deeds. At least one-fifth of the country's populace had benefited in some way from Zhongshan's various businesses. Among the soldiers behind Su Lian Xian, there were likely those whose relatives had been helped by Zhongshan, or even some who had directly received his aid. Now, to deal with Zhongshan, they had to tarnish his reputation as well.

Zhongshan glanced coldly at Su Lian Xian.

"Su Lian Xian, you are the former Emperor of the Great Kun Dynasty. During our conversation at the Lan Pavilion, I made a promise. As long as your Su family did not target me, Zhongshan, I would remain a loyal subject of the Great Kun Dynasty, never to rebel, and merely be a merchant. But, unexpectedly, you broke your promise and even brought eighty thousand troops to kill me," Zhongshan said solemnly.

As Zhongshan spoke, Su Lian Xian felt a chill. Indeed, Zhongshan had said such words to him before. He had broken his promise first, but what could be done now?

"Targeting me is one thing, but to send assassins to kill my adopted sons... You have quite the courage!" Zhongshan shouted.

You have quite the courage!

Almost everyone was momentarily stunned. The phrase "you have quite the courage" made it sound as if Zhongshan were the emperor reigning supreme, and the current Su Lian Xian was a rebellious traitor seeking to usurp the throne.