Li Jing and Wei Hu, among others, took action separately. They swept through the mountains and rivers like a swift wind and quickly arrived at Youhun Pass and Three Mountain Pass. Eastern Marquis Jiang Huan Chu and Southern Marquis E Shun had already been fighting hard at these two passes for several days, but they were still unable to break through.

Seeing the arrival of Li Jing and his companions, both Jiang Huan Chu and E Shun were overjoyed. Without much conversation, Li Jing immediately discussed a battle plan with them. They divided their forces to encircle the enemy and seize victory through surprise attacks, and within just a few days, they had successively taken Youhun Pass and Three Mountain Pass.

After capturing the passes, these two armies did not stop to rest; instead, they quickly integrated their forces, cleared obstacles along the way, and advanced towards Chaoge City like a force unstoppable. Their marching speed was so swift that the scouts within Chaoge City failed to detect them in time.

Before long, the armies from the east and south had joined forces with the Great Shang army outside Chaoge City. The combined forces were vast and mighty, numbering over a million strong. They surrounded Chaoge City completely, their impressive might resembling a rainbow, as if with a single command, they could reduce the city to flat ground.

Di Xin stood atop the city walls, looking at the densely packed enemy tents in the distance, and his heart was incredibly heavy. He had originally believed that the robust defenses of Chaoge City would be sufficient to withstand any enemy, but now, faced with such a massive force, he couldn't help feeling fear.

As night fell, Di Xin returned to his sleeping chamber, tossing and turning restlessly. His mind was filled with grave concerns: worries about the fierce attack the enemy could launch at any moment, worries about the safety of Chaoge City, and even more about the fate of his nation.

Under such pressure, Di Xin's expression became increasingly haggard; he knew he had to make a decision and could no longer afford to wait passively.

At this moment, Shengong Bao entered Di Xin's chamber and, seeing the anxious look on Di Xin's face, said softly, "Your Majesty, though the enemy is strong, as long as we unite as one, Chaoge City will not easily fall. I have already summoned all the capable individuals and they will use their unique skills to construct an indomitable line of defense for the city."

Di Xin, upon hearing Shengong Bao's words, felt somewhat comforted but still full of worries. He looked at Shengong Bao and asked in a deep voice, "State Preceptor, do you truly have confidence that we can hold Chaoge?"

Shengong Bao smiled slightly, replying with confidence, "Your Majesty, as long as you trust in me, I will not fail your expectations. Every brick and inch of land in Chaoge City will be the enemy's grave."

After these words, Di Xin finally showed a faint smile; he knew that with Shengong Bao's help, the defense of Chaoge City would be even more solid. He nodded, signaling Shengong Bao to arrange everything.

Outside Chaoge City, war drums thundered, while warriors and horses clad in armor readied for siege. The troops of the Eastern Marquis and Southern Marquis, carrying siege engines, pounced upon the city walls like ferocious beasts. Not to be outdone, the northern lords also launched ferocious attacks, engulfing the area inside and outside the city with flames of war, extending to the sky.

On the city wall, the defenders fought fiercely, but the enemy's onslaught was so intense that soon enough, enemy soldiers began scaling the wall using ladders. Di Xin's face was stern as he ordered Shengong Bao to immediately activate the city's arrays and traps.

With a wave of his hand, Shengong Bao triggered the city's mechanisms, and suddenly the ground split open, revealing countless blades that sprang up from below, shredding the enemy soldiers who had just climbed onto the wall into pieces. At the same time, the defenders took this opportunity to repel the enemy from the walls. For a moment, blood flowed like rivers inside and outside of Chaoge City, and the screams of the dying were unceasing.

However, just as it seemed like Chaoge City was about to hold its ground, a series of clear Daoist chants suddenly rang through the sky. Several figures broke through the air, arriving from the Chan Sect — Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, and a group of Golden Immortals.

Their arrival was like divine soldiers descending from heaven, instantly changing the tide of the battlefield.

Guang Chengzi wielded the Sky Flipping Seal in his hand, each strike effortlessly breaking an array and incidentally claiming a talented individual; Chi Jingzi held the Water and Fire Blade, and with a single swing, turned rows of traps into ash.

Shengong Bao's face turned pale; he, of course, knew these Golden Immortals were no ordinary foes, as the arrays and traps of Chaoge City were powerless before them.

He just never expected them to take action personally!

At this moment, all he could do was watch as those Golden Immortals from the Chan Sect wielded their Spiritual Treasures, effortlessly slaughtering all the experts Shengong Bao had recruited, one by one.

On the city wall, Di Xin watched as his array was broken and his capable and extraordinary followers were killed; despair grew ever denser in his heart.

Fortunately, the goal of the Chan Sect Golden Immortals on this expedition was solely to slay those capable and extraordinary followers; they disdained ordinary soldiers and did not participate in the siege.

This also allowed Chaoge City to withstand another day under a fierce attack.

The night was as dark as ink; Di Xin stood atop the high city wall, looking at the sky twinkling with stars, his heart, however, was in utter chaos. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he noticed several figures stealthily descending from the city wall, hurrying towards the direction of the Xi Qi army camp.

Di Xin's rage was instantly ignited, and he shouted loudly, "Bowmen! Where are the bowmen?!"

A troop of archers quickly arrived, saluting Di Xin: "Your Majesty!"

"People are fleeing at night; shoot them down immediately!" Di Xin's voice was icy cold, leaving no room for doubt.

The archers immediately obeyed the command, bowstrings sang, and arrows, like meteors in the night sky, streaked through the darkness, blanketing the sky and shooting towards the deserting soldiers. Screams erupted in an instant, then abruptly ceased as the figures of the deserters fell one after another, with none escaping to see another day.

There was no trace of pity on Di Xin's face, only coldness and determination. He knew that at this moment, any weakness could lead to the fall of Chaoge City.

Returning to the Royal Palace, Di Xin felt an unprecedented exhaustion.

No one could understand his feelings, only Daji, the woman who had always been by his side.

He sat on the dragon throne with a vacant look, speaking to Daji, "My beloved, if Chaoge cannot be held, would you be willing to die with me?"

A complex emotion flickered in Daji's eyes; she walked to Di Xin's side, gently holding his hand: "Your Majesty, Daji is willing to die with you."

Di Xin looked at Daji, and the despair in his eyes gradually took on a hint of warmth. He said softly, "Daji, if it truly comes to the end, I hope you can accompany me..."

"But..." Daji's tone changed, "The servant rather wishes to live with Your Majesty! Why don't we surrender?"

"Surrender?" Di Xin gave a bitter smile, "My love, even if I were willing to surrender, those people would never let the two of us off."

"No!"

Daji spoke earnestly, "That Wen Zhong at Linhuan Pass, he is willing to give us a way out!"

"Wen Zhong?"

Di Xin recalled for a moment, and disdainfully said, "Even if he could spare me, so what? What he wants is nothing less than to replace Great Shang, but can he withstand the armies of the four major lords, totaling over a million troops?"