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"Master truly did not choose the wrong person!"

A deep, feminine voice emerged from the body of a deputy general, tone carrying a certain approval.

The Ancient Demon clan began their schemes in the previous cycle, and ever since the Magician Dynasty concealed itself, the advent of this cycle became critical to the Ancient Demon’s revival.

The strategy developed initially was to start from the Human Race.

However, just as things were reaching a crucial point, an unpredictable figure emerged, making it tough to discern the overall situation.

Every clan was placing their bets, which made the Ancient Demon clan even more cautious, to the point of delaying their plans, especially during the King of Qin’s era. No one expected that a person could nearly alter the trend of ancient advents.

Now, they couldn’t help but admire the selection above; while all other forces’ attention was on the King of Qin, the Siao Family, or the Lu Family, they alone chose Tian Heng, who seemed to be an inconspicuous existence.

In chaotic times, who would have thought that the Tian Family, a minor clan, could be so fortunate? During a period of war, they actually managed to steadily ascend to the position of the duke in the new dynasty?

Everyone attributed it to the opportunities in a chaotic world, but in reality, the Tian Family always chose the right place to be each time. Did they really think it was all coincidental?

Among the dukes of the Great Jin Dynasty, aside from the Lu Family, the Duke of Wei’s lineage in the north, the Weichi Clan in Capital City, the Hong Family, they were all the focus of much attention.

Only the Tian Family, being a vassal to the Lu Family and not located in Capital City, remained unnoticeable despite their notable strength.

Indeed, it turned out just as they predicted at the start, those early prominent families either got targeted and eradicated or fell to their own ambitions for supremacy.

Like that member of the Siao Family—the fools in the council thought they could completely control others, only to be countered and outplayed.

The Duke of Qin’s Lu Family was booming, yet it was like cooking with fire and oil, the easiest to be plotted against, and, as expected, was ousted early on.

Eventually, the Tian Family’s piece played a key role in helping them secure Jiangnan, the most unstable piece on the board!

The emergence of two generations of Kings of Qin was an unforeseen variable for the Ancient Demon clan, and the impact of this variable was immense.

The first King of Qin almost changed the world’s situation, nearly destroying their plans in the womb.

They spared no effort in secret against Chen Qing, who was suspected to be the reincarnation of the King of Qin.

It was no coincidence that Tian Heng was selected by Chen Qing.

During the Ancient Worm battle, when the Duke of Qin, Lumings, was ordered to quell the rebellion in Jiangnan, Tian Heng, at their behest, volunteered to take part in the suppression.

To outsiders, it seemed like the Tian Family wanted to use military merits from that campaign to enter the Capital City and become true nobility.

No one knew that the real reason was that the Ancient Demon was not confident about the unpredictable factor of Chen Qing, and they sent someone to nip the problem in the bud.

Yes, Tian Heng’s initial purpose for coming was to kill Chen Qing and completely eliminate the hidden threat.

But no one expected that during the chaos caused by the Ancient Worm, the Lu Family would be so blatantly outmaneuvered by Siao Mingyue. They also did not foresee that Chen Qing would acquire the power to stand shoulder to shoulder with Siao Mingyue and gain a foothold in Jiangnan so quickly.

Therefore, when Chen Qing extended his recruitment, Tian Heng joined Chen Qing’s command on their sign, and it was then that the forces of the Ancient Demon confirmed Chen Qing had a deep connection with Pu YunChuan, leading to the subsequent schemes.

"This time, there must not be the slightest mistake!" the woman’s voice declared with gravity, "Chen Qing, like the King of Qin from years past, is the biggest variable. Given any chance, he could make a comeback. His Divine Path faction must be completely disintegrated!"

"Understood!" Tian Heng nodded, turned heel, and mounted his Dragon Colt, lifting his spear high, "Brothers, let’s move out!"

Under the lingering glow of spring, the spear shone brilliantly.

All confidants witnessing this scene showed excitement.

They had received a promise that if they succeeded this time, they too could become one of the esteemed Ancient Demons, no longer subject to the ravages of time, looking down upon the earth, transcending the world, living long and prospering!

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"Shouldn’t we follow them?" As Tian Heng led his army away, several figures in red robes appeared out of nowhere, a hoarse voice asking the red-robed woman who had just been conversing with Tian Heng.

"No need..." the woman replied softly, "Tian Heng’s current strength is nearly at the Dragon King Level. To threaten him with force, you’d need at least five of you to be safe. But with Xu Hu potentially forcing a breakout, if five of you leave, it will give Chen Qing’s subordinates a chance.

That Wei Gongcheng, I’ve observed him, steady in his dealings usually, but bold and meticulous when it counts.

Even when ensnared by Mister Hua Pi, in such a desperate moment, he found an opportunity to buy time for Weichi Peng. He must not be underestimated."

"But I always feel that Tian Heng is reluctant to act against Jiangnan..."

"It doesn’t matter..." the woman sneered. "He wasn’t very willing to move against the King of Qin back then either, but what of it? The leader of a power is held aloft by his subordinates, and it’s impossible to completely ignore their opinions, especially over such major issues as cutting off someone’s financial path.

Everyone under him wants to move up a step, to live forever.

Unwilling as he might be, he’d still be carried along with the tide.

There are countless examples in human history where someone has been forcibly cloaked in the yellow robe of the Emperor. "

"Besides, he’s already gotten this far. An arrow shot can’t be called back, there’s no reason for him to stir up trouble now."

"That’s true..." the others nodded slightly.

The overall situation was now set. As long as the Warrior Army was completely wiped out and the forces of Jiangnan were fully absorbed, with the help of the Nanhai Dragon Palace, breaking through the city would be a matter of time.

After managing the situation for so long, it was finally time to reap the rewards.

"What about the Siao Family? Has there been any news?"

"They’re also within our plans!" The woman smiled faintly.

The Emperor of the Siao Family indeed had great talent and strategy, and his ambition and patience were the most dangerous she had encountered among humans over the years.

Even the once-arrogant four Great Guilds were severely outwitted by him, a feat unparalleled in history.

Unfortunately, his foundation was too shallow, and many things were beyond his calculations.

How could King Xiang, as the Ghost King with the shallowest foundation, so quickly overshadow the other Ghost Kings?

If it weren’t for their secret help, King Xiang’s influence wouldn’t have grown so large. The downside of rapid power expansion is an unstable foundation, so from the moment they agreed to go to Yundu, their downfall became inevitable!

"King Chu Jiang has already started to act, and the pawns we’ve placed under King Xiang are all ready, just waiting for all the Ghost Soldiers to reach the border before we make our move!"

Hearing this, the remaining people couldn’t help but let out a long howl. They had been repressing their ambition for far too long... This time, the era that belonged to them was finally dawning!!

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Capital City...

"Ah, at my age, I still have to do the things I did when I was young... That guy... really knows how to order people around."

Perhaps no one anticipated, at this critical juncture, outside the Capital City, there would come someone nobody expected...

"Duke, that’s rather unfair to say. After all, it was a realm you had once helped to conquer with your efforts. Now that it has turned into such a ghostly state, don’t you want to come have a look?"

"Heh heh... Not in the slightest," the other party chuckled. "In this lifetime, I do not wish to collaborate with the Siao Family again. That ungrateful pup, there’s nobody more conscienceless in the world than him."

"Didn’t you just say yesterday that the most conscienceless person in the world was Mister Wang Ye?"

"Pah, don’t mention him to me, that heartless wretch!"

"Hahaha..." The others burst into laughter.

The bustling commercial roads of the Capital City were now desolate, and the two men riding horses and hauling goods looked particularly conspicuous. Yet, to those who recognized these two, it would surely be a curious sight.

His Highness, the late Duke of Sung, who had already had a grand burial, had unexpectedly come to the Capital City.

And the other person was someone many would not have anticipated...