Chapter 1357: Gambling City

While Chen Sanliang was admiring the distant mountain scenery, he saw a figure appear behind him: “Sir, your methods are remarkable, to actually conceal the demon race’s aura. Such methods are unheard of, and if word got out, I’m afraid the human race would fall into chaos.”

“Although my methods are exquisite, they can’t escape your eyes.” Chen Sanliang turned his head to look at Zhang Chen, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Zhang Chen’s skills were truly powerful. Ever since knowing Zhang Chen, he had never seen through his depths. The scholar capable of concealing the demon aura was a carefully prepared method, yet it still could not escape Zhang Chen’s eyes.

“I can see it is a demon beast, but I don’t know why it can conceal the demon aura within its body.” Zhang Chen asked, a trace of curiosity and inquiry in his words.

Chen Sanliang did not hide it and directly explained: “Recently, the demon race found a new ancient tomb. In the tomb, they unearthed this supreme secret technique, which I then improved to have the current effect. If you’re interested, I could teach you a bit.”

“No need, I’m not interested in this method.” Zhang Chen shook his head, rejecting Chen Sanliang. He already had the Nine Revolutions Profound Skill, and in his eyes, the divine technique manuals of this world were insignificant; he wasn’t interested.

“Logically, it would take you three to five years to get from Jiangnan to Kyoto. How did you arrive today?” Zhang Chen curiously asked.

“Times have changed. In the past, I naturally had time to slowly sweep across the human territories, gathering the fortunes of the literary Dao. But now, a great fortune has descended in Kyoto. Seizing this great fortune will rapidly enhance my cultivation. Defeating the academy will bring the literary Dao under submission. My discourse in Jiangnan was merely to refine my scholarship. Now my scholarship is complete, spreading it quickly will yield greater rewards. How I spread my scholarship doesn’t matter to me.” Chen Sanliang smiled.

Whether it was spreading doctrine or using the demon race’s momentum to forcibly conquer human territories first, for Chen Sanliang, it was just a process.

Zhang Chen gave Chen Sanliang a look: “The demon army’s marching speed is indeed fast. From Marquis Wen’s territory to Kyoto, not a word has leaked. How did you manage to descend upon the capital so quickly without a word getting out?”

Chen Sanliang responded with a strange expression: “The demon race flew over. Your human race’s information transmission can’t compete with our flying speed.”

“Flew over?” Zhang Chen was stunned.

“The demon race doesn’t lack great demons capable of flight. Some can spread their wings and carry hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers. Of course, the speed at which your information travels can’t match our flight. Some in the demon race have refined the great divine technique of Heaven and Earth, allowing them to carry millions of demon members across the void. The so-called heroic passes are nothing but illusions to us.” Chen Sanliang explained to Zhang Chen: “The demon race actually leveraged an information gap. The great demon carried part of the army, bypassing Marquis Wen’s territory. With tens of millions of troops at their disposal, they surrounded Kyoto, cutting off its connection with the outside world. Now, the demon race, centered on Kyoto, is invading the dukes’ territories in all directions, conquering human territories from within. Those human dukes, each fighting individually, still believe the capital has fallen. Wherever the demon army passes, the human dukes are eager to surrender.”

Zhang Chen was taken aback: “Such a brilliant strategy, those beasts couldn’t have thought of it. It must have come from you, sir.”

Chen Sanliang proudly smiled: “Indeed, it was my personal plan. With such a great fortune appearing in human Kyoto, the demon race naturally had to take a risk to share in the profits. Otherwise, if the human race widens the gap, the demon race will never have a chance to conquer the Divine Land.”

Zhang Chen had to marvel at Chen Sanliang’s ingenuity, pulling off a masterful deception.

The demon army suddenly appeared in Kyoto, surrounding the city and cutting off its communication with the outside, making Kyoto believe the outside had already fallen to the demon race.

With Kyoto as the center, the demon race conquered the dukes from within. The dukes believed the human capital had fallen and that the elite of humanity was destroyed. Along the way, they surrendered at the first sign of the demon race, allowing the demons to easily take vast territories without effort. Soon, they would connect with the outermost demon army, completing their grand scheme.

“Your grand strategy has a critical flaw. If a message gets out from the capital and links up with external forces for a pincer attack, the demons deep inside human territory would be in danger.” Zhang Chen commented to Chen Sanliang.

“The demon grand scheme has already secretly activated the Twelve Primordial Stars formation, with Hu Li the Immortal personally overseeing it. No one can break the defense.” Chen Sanliang confidently declared.

Zhang Chen hesitated, glancing distantly. The entire scene of Kyoto was reflected in his eyes, watching the millions of demon troops surround it. He raised his own doubts: “Does the demon race really think they can conquer the capital with these troops? Even if more demon troops are transported by air, how many can they really bring? And if the capital’s Imperial Guard takes the initiative, although you have millions deployed outside the capital, you might reveal a weakness. The experts in the capital could discover your plan. Don’t underestimate their capabilities.”

Hearing Zhang Chen, Chen Sanliang laughed: “You’re overthinking it. The demon race never intended to attack the capital. The demon army’s task is just to put on a show. The true goal of the demon race is to force the human race into a gamble.”

“A gamble?” Zhang Chen was taken aback.

“That’s right!” Chen Sanliang stopped speaking there and changed the topic: “I came here today to ask you, how is your master’s soul restoration going?”

Zhang Chen looked at Chen Sanliang thoughtfully and then said, “I have already remolded my master’s soul, but it’s too weak and hasn’t awakened yet. But don’t worry; I’ve found Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. As long as it nourishes my master’s soul for a while, it will awaken and complete rebirth.”

Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Chen Sanliang’s face suddenly became excited: “Are you telling the truth? Has your master’s soul really reunited?”

Zhang Chen nodded upon hearing these words: “Of course it’s true.”

“Good! Good! Good! Whatever conditions you have, just tell me, I will never say no to things I can accomplish,” Chen Sanliang’s voice was very enthusiastic.

Upon hearing Chen Sanliang’s words, Zhang Chen smiled: “Sir, you are mistaken; my master is my duty to save.”

Chen Sanliang turned his head and looked at Zhang Chen, the two exchanged glances, and Chen Sanliang perceived the sincerity in Zhang Chen’s eyes and nodded: “Your master’s eye for people is far superior to mine.”

The summit returned to silence, and the two were swept by the mountain breeze without speaking. After a long time, Zhang Chen said: “If the kingdom is breached this time, how many people will survive?”

“After breaking into the city, I will spare the people of Kyoto, but nobles and scholars must be exterminated!” Chen Sanliang’s eyes revealed a deeply ingrained hatred as he turned to Zhang Chen: “If the kingdom is breached, will you intervene?”

“As long as the demon race doesn’t massacre wildly, I will not intervene,” replied Zhang Chen.

“I’ve already petitioned Hu Li the Immortal and Peacock Ancestor that if the demon race conquers the Divine Land, I am willing to exchange all my merits so the Zhang Family can be a prominent family among the demon race, maintaining its current status,” Chen Sanliang looked at Zhang Chen: “You may choose any fief you like.”

Chen Sanliang’s gaze was sincere, and his words were gentle: “We humans must stick together, and as the demon race climbs up, we can turn the entire demon race into our demon race.”

“How did you persuade the demon race not to massacre wildly?” Zhang Chen looked at Chen Sanliang with surprise, knowing it must be incredibly difficult.

Chen Sanliang responded with a proud smile: “Of course, it’s due to my current cultivation level!”

At this point, Chen Sanliang paused: “The demon race’s internal factions are full of intrigues and deceit. I secretly recruited some and suppressed others. Additionally, I’ve been preaching in the demon race, with countless disciples and followers, and my authority is gradually increasing. In the future, replacing the demon leadership will not be without hope. My cultivation has already surpassed the Eleventh Tier and is just a step away from the Twelfth Tier; when I break through to the Twelfth Tier, my status within the demon race will undergo a huge change.”

Then Chen Sanliang looked at Zhang Chen: “You are capable; if I truly have the chance to replace the demon leadership and become their leader, would you assist me?”

Zhang Chen looked at Chen Sanliang upon hearing his words, surprised by Chen Sanliang’s vast ambition.

“The demon race has a Twelfth Tier Hu Li the Immortal and a profound demon leader; even if you break through to the Twelfth Tier, you will only be their equal, and the hope of defeating them is slim,” Zhang Chen rejected Chen Sanliang’s proposal.

Besides, he didn’t want to assist in any confrontation; with the environment of Heaven and Earth growing harsher, Zhang Chen genuinely didn’t want to consume his internal Essence Qi. He just wants to find a quiet place to wait until he breaks through the Primordial Heavenly Creation Daluo, and then he’ll live freely and eternally without dying.

“It’s difficult, but not impossible!” Chen Sanliang looked intently at Zhang Chen, awaiting his answer. Zhang Chen was his opportunity; as long as Zhang Chen agreed, everything would fall into place.

Zhang Chen refused Chen Sanliang’s proposal: “Forget it; I really have no interest in this.”

Chen Sanliang’s face showed disappointment but said nothing more: “Then forget it; I’ll find another way.”

Zhang Chen glanced at Chen Sanliang; neither Hu Li the Immortal nor that enigmatic demon leader are easy opponents. Hu Li the Immortal possesses the Innate White Tiger bloodline, with an invincible immortal defense and likewise invincible killing power, yet willingly remains under the demon leader’s thumb, evidencing that leader’s capabilities.