After making all preparations, Jiang Ziya led the elite troops, with flags fluttering and marched grandly towards Chaoge.

Passing Mianchi County, they reached Mengjin, which was the meeting place where the feudal lords had agreed to rise in arms.

At Mengjin, Jiang Ziya set up a high platform and, from a vantage point, overlooked the gathering armies of the feudal lords, their banners rippling in the wind, full of high morale.

However, among the four major feudal lords, only the Western Marquis and the Northern Marquis personally led their troops to the scene, while the Eastern Marquis Jiang Huanchu and the Southern Marquis E Shun failed to break through the Great Shang's defenses and arrive at Mengjin before the agreed time.

This sight filled Jiang Ziya's heart with some disappointment and also some delight.

In this way, it also saved a lot of trouble.

When the day of the alliance meeting arrived, he invited the Western Marquis to ascend the high platform and loudly addressed the feudal lords: "From today onwards, I, Western Marquis Ji Chang, am willing to be the leader of the lords to resist the tyranny of Shang!"

The Western Marquis's voice was firm and powerful, resonating in everyone's ears.

Seeing the Western Marquis's wise and martial prowess, and with the assistance of the Chan Sect Immortal Gods, the feudal lords bowed and pledged allegiance one by one, causing the Xi Qi army to more than double in a short time.

This great strength, like an overwhelming torrent, moved eastward, directly targeting Chaoge.

Inside the city of Chaoge, there was a sense of crisis and nervousness.

News came that the Xi Qi army had arrived at the city, causing the civilians to be panic-stricken, continuously locking their doors, fearing the scourge of war. The Chaoge defensive forces patrolled the city walls, holding their weapons, but the fear in their eyes could not be concealed.

Di Xin sat on his throne, his face as gloomy as water.

He angrily slapped the armrest of his throne, filled with both anger and fear. He couldn't comprehend why his realm had become so perilously unstable.

The court officials all bowed their heads, none daring to face Di Xin's wrath.

"All my officials, is there not even one loyal enough to risk his life for me?" Di Xin's voice carried a hint of despair.

The civil and military officials looked at each other, but no one dared to step forward.

Most of them were opportunists who went with the flow, as the truly loyal officials had long been killed or demoted by Di Xin; there were barely any left in the court with true loyalty and courage.

Di Xin looked at these people, his anger burning fiercer, but he was also aware that this was not the time to be angry. He had to think of a way to counter the formidable enemy outside.

Just then, a eunuch ran in frantically, kneeling on the ground, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, the Xi Qi army has begun their assault on the city, the walls are starting to shake!"

Di Xin stood up, his eyes flashing with determination: "Spread my command, let the defenders be on guard day and night! I will personally go to the city wall, and vow to fight to the death against Xi Qi!"

The court officials, upon hearing this, all turned pale. Although they were fearful and timid, they knew that if Di Xin himself went to the city wall, they must follow too, as it was their duty as court officials.

Di Xin, wearing a golden crown and battle robe, holding a treasure sword, walked in the group heading towards the city wall. His steps were firm, his gaze revealing an indomitable will.

At this moment, he finally regained some of the demeanor of a King.

He knew this might be his last time standing on the city wall, but he would not easily surrender.

Di Xin stood atop the city wall, his gaze fierce, his treasured sword pointing towards Western Marquis Ji Chang on the high platform outside the city, his voice filled with anger and sarcasm: "Ji Chang! You were once the Western Marquis of Great Shang, blessed with limitless grace from me. Yet now you have turned against me, becoming a treacherous and rebellious minister. Are you not afraid of being punished by our ancestors?!"

Western Marquis Ji Chang stood on the high platform outside the city, upright and imposing. Facing Di Xin's accusations, he calmly responded, "Di Xin, you rule with tyranny and cruelty, harming the loyal and good people, causing suffering to all under heaven! Though I, Ji Chang, am not of great talent, I represent the feudal lords of the world in raising troops to punish you! This is to follow the heavenly principles and righteousness. Why don't you hurry out and surrender, to prevent further harm to the people?"

His voice was sonorous and resolute.

After his words fell, among the troops of Xi Qi, numerous soldiers shouted in unison: "Di Xin, come out and surrender quickly, to avoid further calamities!"

"How presumptuous!"

Di Xin was furious, "You rebel scoundrels dare to address me by my name?"

He glared fiercely at the Western Marquis, his eyes as if intending to tear him apart alive.

Yet the Western Marquis showed no fear, still looking calmly at Di Xin.

Just then, Jiang Ziya waved his hand lightly, and disciples of the Chan Sect like Jinzha and Wei Hu stepped forward in succession. Dressed in battle armor and holding magical treasures, they were an imposing sight.

Jinzha stepped forward first, holding the Wu Hook, standing below the city walls and loudly challenging: "I am Li Jinzha, the Vanguard Commander of Xi Qi. Who dares to battle me, let me show you how I'll take your head!"

Wei Hu also displayed his strength, swinging the Demon-Subduing Pestle, his voice booming, "Who dares to compare skills with me?!"

Listening to the challenges from below, Di Xin's face turned ashen.

He looked around, intending to send out a brave general to respond to the challenge, but found that his formerly countless valiant warriors were now unavailable. A sense of indescribable powerlessness surged in his heart, an unprecedented feeling of defeat.

Having no choice, Di Xin had to order the city gates to be tightly shut, commanding the soldiers to defend and not engage lightly: "Pass down my order, close the city gates tightly, do not battle lightly! Wait for reinforcements from all places to arrive, then we will make plans."

Following his orders, the city gates were immediately closed, and the defending soldiers retreated to the city walls like defeated dogs.

The entire Chaoge City became eerily silent, trapped like a cage, while outside, the Xi Qi army's momentum was overwhelming, with war drums thundering and continuous siege horn sounds that were deafening.

Jiang Ziya stood on the high platform, his eyes piercing as he observed the panic-stricken defending soldiers atop the city walls. He knew that at this moment, Chaoge City was on the verge of collapse, awaiting the final blow.

He waved his command flag, his voice cold and determined: "All generals heed my command, attack in turns, launch a fierce assault on Chaoge!"

Upon hearing the order, the great generals of Xi Qi sprang into action, each leading their elite troops toward the city walls with ferocious vigor. Siege machines continuously bombarded the city gates, the massive battering rams striking like thunderous fury, each hit producing earth-shattering sounds against the heavy gates.

Atop the city wall, Di Xin's expression grew even grimmer, feeling the walls tremble with each strike, as if they could collapse at any moment.

In the Xi Qi army, the sound of war drums and horns was incessant, the soldiers waving their weapons and charging towards Chaoge.

The defending soldiers inside became disarrayed and unsettled under the oppressive assault, many losing their will to fight, merely wielding their weapons instinctively, trying to block the flood of attacking soldiers.

Outside the city walls, Xi Qi's siege engines began a fierce bombardment against the walls. Giant stones and fireballs traced arcs in the sky, striking the walls with deafening crashes.

Di Xin stood atop the city wall, holding his treasured sword, directing the defending soldiers in resistance. His eyes sparkled with determination, unwavering even in the face of such a formidable enemy.

…