txolops Chapter 268 The Destruction of Xiqi City
Chapter 268 The Destruction of Xiqi City
In the beginning, it all stemmed from Li Bai's guidance.
It was he who guided Jiang Ziya to Xiqi, telling him that his destiny lay hidden there.
It was precisely because of this revelation that Jiang Ziya rescued Ji Chang at the city gate and escorted him back to Xiqi.
Subsequent events seemed to confirm what Li Bai had said:
Jiang Ziya was fortunate to meet an enlightened ruler and was highly valued, becoming a prominent minister of Xiqi, second only to the ruler.
However, today Taibai dismissed the disciples of the Chan Sect and no longer allowed them to assist Xiqi.
If that were the case, Xiqi would lose all chance of victory.
After all, the Shang dynasty had a deep foundation, and with Wen Zhong in charge, it was as stable as a rock.
In terms of both the number of immortals and the fighting strength of soldiers, Xiqi at this time was no match for Yin Shang.
Jiang Ziya had no intention of leaving. He was determined to live and die with Xiqi to repay Ji Chang's kindness in recognizing his talent.
Without Ji Chang, he would not be in his current high position as a minister.
Therefore, even if it meant death, he would stand on the side of Xiqi.
However, even with his extraordinary talent, he was like an ant trying to shake a tree in the face of this desperate situation, all in vain.
Previously, the main force of the Western Zhou army was stationed inside Lintong Pass.
However, the attack of the Jie Sect's Ten Thousand Immortals Formation almost destroyed the entire pass, and all the soldiers there perished.
At present, the only troops that can be gathered within Tongguan Pass are just over 60,000.
Even including the remnants of Chuanyun Pass guarded by Xu Gai, Xiqi could only mobilize a maximum of 100,000 troops.
In contrast, according to intelligence obtained by Jiang Ziya, Wen Zhong had urgently mobilized troops from the various passes under his control during the Yin-Shang period.
Despite the heavy losses suffered by the Shang Dynasty in the previous battle, its manpower was replenished very quickly, and the generals from all directions had been summoned to Sishui Pass to await orders.
At present, the defeat and destruction of Xiqi seems to be imminent.
Ji Fa also saw through this hopeless situation, and he had the idea of surrendering, also wanting to preserve a trace of the Ji clan's bloodline.
However, when the surrender letter was delivered to the palace of the King of Chaoge, Emperor Xin did not even look at it and tore it to shreds.
He even gave Wen Zhong a death order: to exterminate the entire Ji clan of Xiqi.
Wen Zhong's military campaigns were always swift and decisive, and with the assistance of a great man like Kong Xuan, his advance was incredibly rapid.
Within a single day, the Shang army had successively recaptured the previously lost Lintong Pass, Tong Pass, Chuanyun Pass, and Sishui Pass.
Their military might is unstoppable.
Jiang Ziya had no choice but to protect Ji Fa, leading the remaining able-bodied soldiers and some able-bodied men from the city, and retreating all the way to Xiqi City.
They intended to use this fortified city as a final act of resistance.
Since death is inevitable, why not go crazy one last time?
Ji Fa, on the verge of despair, was nearly driven mad.
Despite Jiang Ziya's repeated advice against it, he insisted on issuing the final order:
All able-bodied men in the city were driven onto the city walls to serve as human shields against the Shang army.
When the order was given, wails filled the fields, and the city of Xiqi was shrouded in sorrow and despair, with cries shaking the heavens.
When Wen Zhong's vast army finally surrounded Xiqi City, he looked up and what he saw made him furious and chilled to the bone.
On the city wall, the crowd was densely packed with unarmored and unarmed civilians, with only a few Xiqi soldiers with sallow complexions interspersed among them.
"Jiang Ziya!" Wen Zhong's voice boomed like thunder, echoing below the city walls.
"Is this the Zhou King you swore to serve to the death? Driving the people to defend the city, using their flesh and blood as a shield—how shameful! Do you have even a shred of humanity or righteousness left?"
Jiang Ziya stood silently behind the city wall, listening to every word of Wen Zhong's angry rebuke.
His lips trembled, and he could only close his eyes, taking a deep breath of the dust-filled and despair-laden air, the God-Slaying Whip in his hand icy cold.
Seeing the city walls utterly silent, with only the suppressed sobs and trembling of the people in the cold wind, Wen Zhong felt his anger burn even brighter, yet a deep sense of sorrow also swept through him.
He said no more, knowing that the matter could not be resolved with words.
He leaped into the air, mounted the magnificent jade unicorn beside him, and brandished his twin golden whips, pointing them straight at the gates of Xiqi City.
"All troops, listen to my command! Smash the city!"
Following its master's wishes, the jade unicorn raised its head and let out a deafening roar that resounded through the heavens, the sound waves rolling so loudly that even the bricks and stones on the city wall trembled slightly.
Immediately, auspicious clouds arose beneath its four hooves, and its body radiated brilliant light, transforming into a golden bolt of lightning that crashed directly into the thick and sturdy city gate of Xiqi City.
Rumble!
With just one strike, the gates of Xiqi City were breached.
Before the dust had settled, Wen Zhong's 200,000 elite Yin Shang troops, along with the troops led by the generals of various passes, surged into the city through the breach.
The shouts of battle were deafening, and the cold glint of armor instantly pierced through the gloom over Xiqi.
However, this victorious army strictly adhered to one military order: not to harm civilians.
Even the innocent young men who were driven onto the city walls were only subdued and dispersed; the blades were pointed only at the remaining armored soldiers and nobles of Xiqi.
Wen Zhong sat atop the jade unicorn, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding battle. His divine sense had already spread out, instantly enveloping the entire city and searching for Jiang Ziya's presence.
Almost the instant Wen Zhong's divine sense swept over the area, Jiang Ziya, hidden in a corner of the dilapidated city wall, sensed something.
Almost the instant Wen Zhong's divine sense swept over the area, Jiang Ziya, hidden in a corner of the dilapidated city wall, sensed something.
He knew that the final moment had arrived.
With the country on the verge of collapse, all else is lost. The only way left is to die for the country, which may be a way to repay Ji Chang's kindness and alleviate my guilt.
As for the important task of bestowing titles upon the gods entrusted to him by the Primordial Celestial Venerable, he believed that with the abilities of a sage, there would always be a way to resolve it, and that he, as a pawn, had probably made the best use of his abilities.
He straightened his clothes, held the God-Slaying Whip in his hand, and calmly stepped out from his hiding place, intending to face Wen Zhong directly.
However, the moment his figure appeared in Wen Zhong's field of vision, the surrounding scenery suddenly distorted and blurred.
He felt a sudden dizziness, and in a flash, he disappeared from the spot.
"Jiang Ziya is still useful. Go and deal with Ji Fa first."
Taibai's voice rang in Wen Zhong's mind. He stopped hesitating, changed direction, and headed straight for the Marquis's mansion in the city.
Jiang Ziya looked closely and saw Taibai dressed in a plain robe, calmly gazing at him.
Jiang Ziya, as if seeing a lifeline, fell to his knees with a thud, banging his head on the ground, his voice filled with anguish:
"Senior Brother! Please, I beg you, save Xiqi! The rise of the Great Zhou is the inevitable trend of Heaven!"
"You're overthinking it. The purpose of the Investiture of the Gods is to fill the Investiture of the Gods list. Who is the common ruler of the human race is not important."
These words completely extinguished the last glimmer of hope in Jiang Ziya's heart.
His straight spine collapsed instantly, and he slumped to the ground, his face ashen, the last glimmer of life in his eyes gone.
Now he has nothing left.
If the Zhou Dynasty were established, even if one could not continue cultivating immortality, one could at least enjoy all the riches and honors of the mortal world.
However, with the fall of the Zhou Dynasty and the end of the Investiture of the Gods, he was reduced to a mortal, and his past power and wealth vanished like smoke.
Even though he had reserved a place for himself in the pantheon, he was well aware of the truth:
Based on one's own destiny, the chance of truly ascending to a divine position is as faint as a lamp in the fog.
Ultimately, Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao were merely two players in the game of the Investiture of the Gods, both wielding the pieces and being players themselves.
However, compared to Shen Gongbao, Jiang Ziya's ending ultimately had a touch more warmth.