Chapter 314: The Pressure from Jin Chan

"Tell me more!" Zhong Shan said with a smile, looking at Zhao Chuan.

"Our army has maintained its position consistently, that's one front. General Shuijing's army is gradually gaining strength, that's another. Although General Jin Chan's tactics are unusual, he leads a significant force, making him the third. The last major force is commanded by General Xiang Bu of the Sixth Legion of the Da Luo Celestial Empire. The other two fronts have been repeatedly defeated and are now under General Xiang Bu's command," Zhao Chuan reported.

"How are the forces distributed?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"General Xiang Bu commands the largest force with three million troops. General Shuijing has one and a half million, and General Jin Chan also commands one and a half million. Our army is the smallest with just over nine hundred thousand! Although we have fewer troops, our combat strength is not lacking," Zhao Chuan analyzed.

"It's been two years, and apart from Baihuang City, we've only captured three cities. Xiao Wang's military prowess is indeed formidable!" Zhong Shan nodded and frowned.

"In these two years, besides General Jin Chan who has also captured three cities, General Shuijing and General Xiang Bu have only captured two cities each. We are already performing remarkably well!" Zhao Chuan laughed.

"Among the four forces, why has General Jin Chan's army suffered the least casualties?" Zhong Shan stared at Zhao Chuan.

"Rumor has it that General Jin Chan uses Buddhist teachings to convert the enemy," Zhao Chuan said, looking puzzled.

"Convert? More like executing key targets! General Jin Chan's forces are not just for war; they are also used to accumulate merits. With the mighty celestial dragon by his side, he can behead the enemy leaders at any time. His strategy is to position himself in a place of moral righteousness and heavenly favor, manipulating circumstances to his advantage and amassing divine merits. Truly worthy of someone from the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he has mastered the art of accumulating merits to an incredible degree," Zhong Shan said, taking a deep breath.

"General, are you saying that Jin Chan went to the Ancient Sacred City for the imperial examination and was then selected to lead the army with the intention of gaining merits from the Da Luo Celestial Empire's wars?" Zhao Chuan asked in astonishment.

"Judging by various signs, that seems to be his purpose," Zhong Shan said, nodding with a frown.

"General, our army funds are running low," Shui Wuhen suddenly interjected.

"Are we short on spirit stones?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Yes, we only have a million spirit stones left, which is too few for our army!" Shui Wuhen replied.

"Don't worry, the funds will arrive tomorrow," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Yes!" Although Shui Wuhen was puzzled, he trusted Zhong Shan.

Two years ago, after Daye City was looted, everything was handed over to Zhong Shan, who quickly transferred most of it to the Darong Merchant Guild to be converted into spirit stones. Now, after two years, the spirit stones were about to arrive.

This batch of resources has also contributed to the rapid growth of the Darong Merchant Guild.

"Report!～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"

A sudden report came from outside the hall, followed by a soldier rushing in quickly.

Kneeling on one knee before Zhong Shan, the soldier said, "Reporting to the General, two men claiming to be Jin Chan and the mighty celestial dragon are outside Baihuang City, requesting to see you!"

"Whoosh!～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～"

Zhong Shan stood up, frowning. Jin Chan? The mighty celestial dragon? What are they doing here?

"Lead the way!" Zhong Shan ordered.

"Yes!" The soldier immediately responded.

The other generals were equally surprised. Jin Chan? Why would General Jin Chan come here?

Outside the south gate, Jin Chan, dressed in a scholar's robe, stood quietly in an open area, with the mighty celestial dragon standing silently behind him.

On the Way

As they traveled, Zhong Shan had already reviewed the memory crystal's projections of the two men, and naturally recognized them immediately. Leading his generals, he swiftly exited the city.

"General Jin Chan, what wind has blown you to my little city?" Zhong Shan greeted with a laugh as they met.

"Greetings, Eastern Marquis!" Jin Chan responded politely.

"Please, come inside!" Zhong Shan gestured with a wave.

Although the mighty celestial dragon was a peerless powerhouse, his current status was that of Jin Chan's subordinate. Thus, it sufficed to properly receive the master.

"After you!" Jin Chan smiled.

With that, the group made their way into Baihuang City in grand procession.

Inside the Pavilion

In the lord's mansion of Baihuang City, within a gazebo, two long tables were set with fine wine and delicacies. Zhong Shan and Jin Chan sat on their knees facing each other across the tables. Outside the pavilion, the mighty celestial dragon, A Da, Zhi Huo, and the other generals waited patiently.

"General Jin Chan, please," Zhong Shan offered, raising a cup of wine in a toast.

"Eastern Marquis, please," Jin Chan responded with a smile.

"I wonder what brings General Jin Chan to my humble city today?" Zhong Shan asked, still smiling.

"Eastern Marquis, your military prowess is astounding. In five months, you've captured twelve cities in Dayu, and within a month, you've taken both Daye City and Baihuang City. Over the past two years, you've seized three more fortified cities. Such unparalleled achievements are truly admirable!" Jin Chan praised.

"Just luck. General Jin Chan, you're too kind!" Zhong Shan shook his head modestly while keeping his eyes fixed on Jin Chan, uncertain of his true intentions.

"General Jin Chan's command is also widely praised. Capturing cities with minimal casualties is a feat unmatched in history. With you in the Da Luo army, how can we not conquer the entire Daguang?" Zhong Shan reciprocated the flattery. He wasn't sure of Jin Chan's intentions, but he could play along diplomatically. Who couldn't?

"Eastern Marquis, you're too generous. I believe you can see the purpose behind my conquests, can't you?" Jin Chan found Zhong Shan's evasion troublesome and decided to get to the point.

"Oh? Isn't it to conquer Daguang for Da Luo and establish unparalleled merit?" Zhong Shan pretended not to understand.

Seeing Zhong Shan's feigned ignorance, Jin Chan smiled and shook his head slightly. "Eastern Marquis, no need to play dumb. My purpose is solely to gather heavenly merits. I'm sure you can see that."

Zhong Shan's pupils contracted. Something wasn't right. Why was Jin Chan being so direct? Although it wasn't a taboo topic, it wasn't something to be stated so plainly either. They both understood each other's motives; it was enough to discuss in veiled terms and reach a tacit understanding. Why spell it out like this, especially with his own generals listening outside?

Zhong Shan waved his hand, signaling his men to retreat. Only A Da and Zhi Huo remained, while the mighty celestial dragon stood guard outside.

Seeing Zhong Shan's gesture, Jin Chan smiled faintly.

"I wonder why General Jin Chan has sought me out?" Zhong Shan asked, perplexed.

"Among the four major forces in Daguang, although your army is the smallest, your battlefield victories are the most numerous. In one order, you laid waste to a million foes. Yours is a pure army of slaughter," Jin Chan said, staring at Zhong Shan.

"Uh? So what? The emperor's orders are for us to quickly conquer and capture cities!" Zhong Shan replied with a puzzled frown.

"Your bloodthirst is too intense, Eastern Marquis. I'd like to request that you cease hostilities for a year," Jin Chan said earnestly.

"Brother Jin Chan, can you give me a reasonable explanation?" Zhong Shan asked, staring at Jin Chan.

"Let me put it this way. Do you know why I am so intent on gathering merits?" Jin Chan asked, staring intently at Zhong Shan.

"I do not!" Zhong Shan shook his head.

"I am a reincarnated spirit child, meaning in my previous life I was a person from the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The merits I am accumulating now serve a single purpose: to restore my past life memories using the secret arts of the Pure Land. Originally, I would have needed another three to five years to achieve this, but circumstances have forced me to expedite the process," Jin Chan explained.

"And you've chosen to involve me?" Zhong Shan asked, visibly frustrated.

"Please forgive me, Marquis of the East. Among the four armies, only your force has the heaviest aura of slaughter. If you cease hostilities for a year, the reduction in carnage will allow me to gain enough merits to recover my past life memories," Jin Chan said.

Zhong Shan remained silent for a moment.

"Of course, to compensate for your losses, I will relinquish all the cities I've captured to you and transfer my entire army to your command. Once I regain my past life memories, I will leave immediately," Jin Chan said with a smile.

Staring at Jin Chan, Zhong Shan forced a dry laugh, then took a deep breath and said, "I agree to your terms."

"Thank you, Marquis of the East!" Jin Chan immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Heh," Zhong Shan let out another dry laugh.

After Jin Chan and the Mighty Celestial Dragon had left, Ah Da turned to Zhong Shan, puzzled.

"Sir, why did you agree to his terms?" Ah Da asked, confused.

"Yes, Jin Chan's troops might not be that good, and they'll need to be retrained and reorganized. What about your previous plans to capture the next three cities? Will they be put on hold?" Zhi Huo also asked, looking perplexed.

"Put on hold? Then so be it. It's only a year," Zhong Shan sighed deeply.

"But..." Ah Da hesitated.

"But what? We're lucky to still be alive. Jin Chan is not someone to be taken lightly!" Zhong Shan said, glaring in the direction where Jin Chan had disappeared.

"Uh?" Ah Da and Zhi Huo were both taken aback.

"Didn't you see that he brought the Mighty Celestial Dragon with him? If I hadn't agreed, he could have executed me on the spot, using 'Buddhist methods' to eliminate me and still accumulate heavenly merits!" Zhong Shan took a deep breath.

"How dare he?" Ah Da exclaimed in shock.

"Why wouldn't he dare? Kill me and then leave, heading back to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Do you think the Da Luo Celestial Empire would march into the Pure Land for a minor official like me?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"But..." Ah Da began to protest.

"Given the current situation, Jin Chan's previous life must have been more than just a bodhisattva; he was likely a Buddha. The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss would definitely protect him, and I would die in vain," Zhong Shan sighed.

"To greet you with a smile while harboring ill intentions—people from the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss aren't all compassionate," Zhi Huo sighed.

"Compassionate? Hah, everyone has a heart and a nature! There are no perfect people, and there are no absolutes. Remember, anything is possible," Zhong Shan said.

"Understood," Zhi Huo replied promptly.

"Alright, let's head back. We need to prepare to take over Jin Chan's cities and his army, and at the same time, we must devise a strategy to deceive Xiao Wang," Zhong Shan said thoughtfully.

"Understood," the two of them nodded.