Zhong Shengguang's Resolve

General Red remained silent. Behind her mask, no one could catch even a glimpse of her expression. Yet He Lingchuan understood that, from the Demon Emperor's perspective, Beijia had already humbled itself before Panlong City. With a single nod from Zhong Shengguang, the endless ravages of war would instantly cease, sweeping away the mortal peril that had plagued Panlong City for years on end. With a single nod from Zhong Shengguang, Beijia would pour capital into this land, bringing visible, dramatic improvements to the economy and environment of the Panlong Wasteland. While greatly easing internal worries and external threats, Lingxu City had not even demanded that Zhong Shengguang abandon Mitian, nor had it demanded that he turn his devotion to the gods of Lingxu! Others might not have fully grasped the gravity of this, but He Lingchuan had traveled through Beijia and felt firsthand the absolute dominion and influence the gods of Lingxu held over the northern demon kingdom. Because of that, he knew all too well what a staggering concession this was for exalted Lingxu City to make. "Lingxu City believes it has gone to every length to extend goodwill. This is the arrogance of an empire, and likely its final ultimatum," Wen Daolun said slowly. "If Commander Zhong refuses, Beijia's wrath will strike like thunder." The Demon Emperor had already shown the utmost sincerity. If Panlong City cast it aside like a worn-out shoe, how would Beijia react? Everyone present knew that empire had a short temper. *I lowered myself to speak to you with polite grace, and instead of showing gratitude, you dare spit in my face? Then war it is—beating you until you drop to your knees and beg for mercy.* Vice Commander Zhao Xianhe could not help remarking, "To have the Demon Emperor personally offer terms of amnesty... you must be the first, sir?" "No." Zhong Shengguang's face was cold as frost. "The precedent was set by the King of Yuan. Back then, the Demon Emperor of Beijia also sent him an official missive, asking him to cease resisting." The King of Yuan had refused, mobilizing his entire nation to fight back. He Lingchuan and the others already knew how that had ended. Now Zhong Shengguang had arrived at that same crossroad. If he refused, he too would be gambling the lives of millions to fight Beijia and the gods! It truly was another reckless gamble, another turn of the cycle. Zhong Shengguang's gaze swept over the faces in the hall, his tone solemn. "All of you here are the backbone of Panlong City—its spine, its spirit, and its reliance. I have gathered you today because Panlong City has once again arrived at a pivotal moment, just as it did seven years ago!" *Seven years ago?* Every heart tightened. That particular turning point was the time Zhong Shengguang had conducted the deity blood sacrifice, imploring Mitian to descend. Panlong City had stubbornly fought for twelve years until it could no longer hold out, only then turning to Mitian for aid. Mitian had appeared by possessing General Red, truly delivering Panlong City from peril. Now, Panlong City stood once more at a threshold of life and death. Faced with the olive branch extended by Beijia, would it compromise or fight to the bitter end? "I tell you this today: if any among you harbor doubts, if you lack the courage or will to face Beijia head-on, if you have no wish to be endlessly entangled with it and desire only to live in peace, you may stand and leave Panlong City right now. The world outside is vast, and I wish every person who departs a bright and prosperous future." Zhong Shengguang pressed one hand flat against the tabletop. "Those who choose to stay must prepare to face a raging tempest. From this day forth, peace and joy will have nothing to do with you!" Taken off guard by his sudden ultimatum, the commanders fell into a silence so absolute that a pin drop could be heard across Gange Hall. General Red suddenly sat down, swinging a pair of long legs onto the table. Her stance could not have been clearer. She was already bound to Panlong City; to her, options did not exist. General Nan Ke boomed, "Beijia's offer of amnesty harbors treacherous intent! Saying the Panlong Army must answer to Xiluo's orders—ha! They want to wield us like a spear, pointing us wherever they want us to strike. What kind of nature does Beijia have? Even if we bend to them, Panlong City won't reap anything good!" He dropped boldly into a chair. "I'm staying. I will live and die with Commander Zhong!" He Lingchuan glanced at him instinctively. General Nan Ke was a blunt, outspoken man who had shown no hesitation in voicing his mind when impeaching He Lingchuan before. Yet today, he had stepped up to provide Zhong Shengguang with crucial momentum. This fellow was not nearly as simple as he appeared. Sure enough, after Nan Ke declared his stance, several more generals sat down in succession. "We are willing to serve as Commander Zhong's vanguard!" "Beijia's lackeys raised hell in my homeland and forced us to flee our roots. Now they want to lay hands on Panlong City? We won't back down again!" Even the snow leopard demon hesitated for a brief moment before taking a seat. Nine others deliberated for a long while before stepping forward and bowing deeply to Zhong Shengguang. "We have failed Commander Zhong." "We truly..." Zhong Shengguang waved a dismissive hand. "We met by chance like drifting duckweed, and our shared path has simply run its course. There is no need for bitterness. I wish each of you safe passage to find your own haven of peace." One of them asked in confusion, "The world is so vast. Why do you fear that Beijia cannot tolerate Panlong City?" Beijia was mighty beyond measure. By comparison, Panlong City was no more than a firefly beside a brilliant moon. Zhong Shengguang replied simply, "How can a sleeper tolerate another snoring beside his bed?" Why would Beijia idly watch a fledgling regime grow strong enough to threaten it? Panlong City had already begun displaying that very potential. To make matters worse, Panlong City was not actually far from Beijia, separated only by a handful of feeble nations. Flushed with shame, the nine exchanged glances before ultimately turning to leave Gange Hall. To stay meant defying and fighting Beijia, so they would gather their families and kin to depart Panlong City. He Lingchuan tallied them up. These nine made up about thirty percent of the assembly, mostly new faces. They had arrived in Panlong City only half a year or a year ago. They had not yet forged the convictions shared by its longtime soldiers and citizens, nor were they prepared to cross Beijia and die alongside Panlong City. That was hardly surprising. They had come seeking a new life, not to throw themselves into a desperate war. Only after the hall doors closed once more did Zhong Shengguang bow with clasped hands toward those remaining. "You have entrusted your lives to stand or fall with Panlong City. I am deeply moved and honored, and I swear I will never fail your trust!" Those who remained had declared their loyalty through action, leaving him free to speak his mind without restraint or pretense. "Ever since Beijia's founding, the world has known no peace. Blood and slaughter have reigned everywhere, channeling boundless nightmare energy into the divine realm for six hundred years. Even a remote outpost like Panlong City has suffered nineteen years of relentless war, all courtesy of Beijia! The root of mortal suffering lies in that northern demon kingdom, an expansive empire that is nothing less than a scourge upon this world!" Every officer present knew of the nightmare energy, and not a single one showed surprise. "Back when I performed the deity blood sacrifice, I swore an oath in blood to do everything in my power to remove this mountain weighing upon all living beings. Even if Beijia looms like a towering peak, I will spend my insignificant life to shake the earth and move that mountain, achieving what others deem impossible!" Zhong Shengguang's voice echoed through the quiet hall. "Seven years ago, Panlong City was weak and imperiled, so I dared not let that oath be known. Seven years later, Panlong City thrives by the day, and my resolve has never wavered!" In those earlier days, Zhong Shengguang was merely a minor Commander with few soldiers, meager funds, limited territory, and a grim situation. Even had he harbored grand ambitions, he could only bury them deep in his chest to avoid becoming a laughingstock. Today's Panlong City could no longer be compared to the past. Zhong Shengguang finally possessed the chance and confidence to speak his heart! He Lingchuan's brow twitched. Was his own management of the Yangshan Archipelago any different? While his power was still modest and his forces scarce, he had to keep his true strategic designs hidden in the depths of his heart, daring not reveal them to a soul—save for the soul-snatching mirror at his side. "Commander Zhong's aspiration is our aspiration. Besides, though the terms Beijia offered seem generous, they actually leave us no alternative path. It needs the Panlong Wasteland to remain chaotic and feeble like the southern realms, or to turn directly into its lackey, stirring up storms across the world just like Baling and Xianyou are doing now," Wen Daolun said gravely. "Looking back three hundred years, aside from Beijia's few vassal demon kingdoms, none who compromised with it ever met a good end." Taking history as a mirror, that was indeed the case. The assembly nodded in unison. Zhong Shengguang then said, "Now that our direction is set, let us discuss our response. Beijia will not let this rest, and Panlong City will likely face major battles before long! However, we cannot simply wait around for Beijia to make its move." He was a seasoned strategist who would never stiffen his neck and confront Beijia head-on like a fool. Thus, after the council concluded, Panlong City sent a missive to Lingxu City. First, it formally protested the usurpation by the false king and challenged his legitimacy; next, it laid out numerous demands regarding Beijia's mediation agreement. Since it was called an "agreement," there was naturally room for negotiation. Once Panlong City yielded, Beijia would seek to employ it as a chess piece, preferably to intimidate neighboring lands and stir up conflicts and tensions. Panlong City therefore sought to secure its own interests and seize greater initiative within the agreement— For instance, demanding that all conquered lands remain in its hands, with no returns or concessions! In short, it was pure haggling. A great distance separated Panlong City from Beijia. Even using message-bearing birds, such back-and-forth prevarication dragged on for several months. Taking advantage of this window, Panlong City drilled its troops and made urgent preparations for war. With General Red at the helm, it launched another fierce offensive against the Xianyou Kingdom! Xianyou had suffered repeated defeats in the past, and its soldiers and citizens blanched at the mere mention of General Red. When the flames of war flared anew, they swept directly north of the great river. General Red led a surprise assault with crushing momentum, capturing three cities in rapid succession before encountering any meaningful resistance. Xianyou had no choice but to organize counterattacks while pleading with Baling and Beijia for aid. Lingxu City's reaction, however, was rather delicate. Panlong City was in the midst of negotiations with it, demanding recognition for the lands it had seized. Therefore, grabbing as much territory as possible before the agreement was formally signed seemed entirely natural. Under such circumstances, should Lingxu City demonstrate a measure of good faith? Naturally, the great empire had sharp minds who pointed out with piercing clarity that this was likely Zhong Shengguang's ploy to mislead them. Furthermore, decrees, troop movements, and various insider intelligence reports from Panlong City were continuously flowing into Beijia. Yet all of these could only serve as counsel and reference. The ultimate decisions rested with the Demon Emperor and the celestial gods. What if Panlong City was merely posturing, and the agreement could truly be finalized in the end? Beijia was likely sorely tempted by that possibility. Where there was desire, there was room for deception. Given Panlong City's formidable strength today, if it truly compromised and served as Beijia's distant enforcer, it would prove far more useful than Baling and Xianyou combined.