Di Xin had just finished speaking when the air inside the hall seemed to solidify, a heavy atmosphere quietly spreading. Then, a low and confident voice broke the silence: "Your Majesty, although the four great vassals command many soldiers and generals, they are not of one heart. The appearance of their overwhelming million-strong army is in fact as loose as sand, and not to be feared."

The voice came suddenly and unexpectedly. Di Xin sharply lifted his head, only to see a figure emerge from the shadows. He was dressed in a black battle robe and wore a heavy bronze sword at his waist, its handle carved with intricate patterns, appearing ancient and mysterious.

"Who are you?" Di Xin exclaimed in shock, not having expected someone to infiltrate his sleeping quarters so silently.

"I am Wen Zhong."

While speaking, Wen Zhong slowly paced towards Di Xin, calmly meeting his gaze.

His face was resolute, his eyes piercing, and above his forehead was a tightly closed vertical eye, giving him an imposing aura without anger. His appearance was like a bolt of lightning in the dark night, catching one off guard.

"Wen Zhong? The leader of the Linhuan Pass rebels?"

A sinister premonition suddenly rose in Di Xin's heart.

He quickly turned his head towards Su Daji.

The fact that someone could appear in the sleeping quarters so silently must surely be related to Su Daji.

Standing beside Di Xin, Su Daji's eyes revealed a hint of cunning. She whispered softly into Di Xin's ear: "Your Majesty, those vassals all wish to eliminate us swiftly. Only he is willing to spare our lives... Why don't we surrender and find a picturesque place to live freely and lovingly? Wouldn't that be better?"

Di Xin was flooded with complex emotions. He glanced at Su Daji, the woman who once drove him mad, but now instilled an inexplicable fear in him.

He understood that Su Daji's words contained her own schemes, but he also knew he had no other choice.

The crisis in Chaoge, his reign, and his love-hate relationship with Su Daji, everything had come to a moment where a decision had to be made.

He took a deep breath, calming the turmoil in his heart, then slowly said to Wen Zhong: "Wen Zhong, do you truly intend to spare me? Are you not afraid that I will rise again?"

Wen Zhong lightly smiled and confidently replied, "If Your Majesty is able to rise again, then feel free to take this world back."

Di Xin, looking into Wen Zhong's resolute eyes, felt his defenses gradually breaking down.

He knew this might be his only chance to survive and his last gamble.

He slowly nodded in agreement.

Di Xin felt a turmoil as tumultuous as roiling rivers and seas within him, his hands tightly gripping the armrests of the dragon throne, his knuckles turning white from the force. A trace of reluctance flashed in his eyes; this once invincible King of Shang now had to bow his head to a rebel leader. His pride, his glory, everything had been reduced to ashes by the ruthless flames of war.

But the instinct to survive told him this was the only way out. He took a deep breath, suppressing the struggle and reluctance in his heart, and said in a deep tone: "Wen Zhong, I agree to surrender. But you must ensure that Daji and my lives are not threatened."

Wen Zhong nodded, his gaze firm and penetrating as if he could see into one's heart: "Your Majesty, I, Wen Zhong, always keep my word. As long as Your Majesty does not rise in rebellion again, I guarantee your and Daji's safety. As for Chaoge, we will enter the city at dusk tomorrow. Please open the gates then and welcome my troops."

Di Xin's lips twitched slightly. He knew this was an invisible signing of his own death warrant. But he had no choice; he could only agree, "Alright, I will do as you say."

Wen Zhong slightly nodded, turned and left, his figure gradually blurring in the night until he disappeared.

The night grew thicker. Di Xin returned to his sleeping quarters, his gaze hollow, his heart filled with a despair as deep as the night. He looked at Daji, his once close confidante, now his only reliance. He softly said, "Daji, at dusk tomorrow, everything will end."

Daji gently took his hand, her eyes also revealing hard-to-detect sorrow: "Your Majesty, no matter what, Daji will stay by your side."

The next day, as night fell, the Linhuan Pass army under Wen Zhong's command, like cheetahs in the dark night, launched a fierce attack on the Eastern Marquis's camp. Their movements were rapid and decisive, and within moments, the Eastern Marquis's camp was thrown into chaos.

Although the soldiers of the Eastern Marquis's camp were brave, under Wen Zhong's finely planned night raid, their defensive line was soon torn open with a huge gap. Wen Zhong's army surged into Chaoge like a tide.

Di Xin, standing on the city walls, watched all this with mixed feelings. He watched those soldiers who had once sworn to defend Chaoge, now laying down their arms at his command to welcome the enemy's invasion.

His heart was filled with pain and helplessness, but he knew this was the only thing he could do, to survive for himself and for Daji.

The fate of Chaoge was completely changed that night.

The night was not yet over, and the Linhuan Pass army, like specters of the night, silently occupied every corner of Chaoge. The streets, once bustling, were now replaced with a taut atmosphere; soldiers patrolled silently, their eyes cold and resolute, as if any attempt to disrupt order would be ruthlessly suppressed.