### Chapter 30: Internal Strife and External Threats, No Way to Turn the Tide, Consumed by Flames at Lutai - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 30: Internal Strife and External Threats, No Way to Turn the Tide, Consumed by Flames at Lutai [The Marquis of the West, Ji Chang, was brought out from his long-term confinement. The people of Zhaoge, upon hearing the news, rejoiced and rushed to witness the grand sacrificial ceremony.] [They had suffered too much hardship in the past.] [In their eyes, you were not only a ruler who put justice above family by sacrificing your own uncle Bi Gan, but you also offered Ji Chang and his son as sacrifices.] [You were undoubtedly seen as a diligent and compassionate king.] [However, just as the priests were about to sacrifice Ji Chang, you received news that an unearthly phenomenon had appeared in the sky.] [You, along with Daji and the ministers, made your way to the sacrificial altar, where you saw Ji Chang for the first time.] [He was an old man with white hair, bare-chested, and his body was covered in lash marks.] [The high priest held a bone knife in hand, preparing to extract all of Ji Chang's internal organs.] [But above Ji Chang, celestial phenomena descended, halting the proceedings.] [Colorful clouds filled the sky, surrounded by a ghostly white halo.] [As you approached, the clouds began to morph—some became enormous eyes overlooking the mortals, some transformed into twisted human faces silently screaming, while others shifted into various sharp weapons.] [Everyone was terrified.] [To them, it seemed as if the spirits and gods were enraged.] [Ji Chang, favored by the spirits, bore a significant destiny.] [Sacrificing such a person would not please the gods, but rather infuriate them.] [You discerned the fear in everyone's hearts.] [So, you instructed a nearby attendant to bring you a bow and an arrow.] [Then.] [Bending the bow.] [Drawing the arrow.] [The arrow flew through space, becoming a straight line that pierced Ji Chang's heart in an instant.] [The once tranquil clouds in the sky twisted chaotically, devoid of their earlier gentle demeanor.] [Soon, as if gathered by an invisible hand, all the clouds merged into a giant eye.] [The eye was hollow and profound, with not a glimmer of light within.] [You gazed upon the eye unflinchingly, meeting its gaze.] [The two of you locked eyes for a long time.] [It was an invisible collision.] [Eventually.] [The massive eye formed by the clouds dissipated into thin air, and the sky returned to its original clear, azure state.] [Only Ji Chang's heart continued to bleed.] [You glanced at the stunned high priest beside you.] "Collect the blood well; make it into blood sausage without waste." [Hearing your command, the high priest nodded repeatedly, directing people to fetch a clay pot to capture the flowing blood from Ji Chang.] [Everyone was shocked by your earlier actions, none expecting that you dared to kill Ji Chang amid the divine manifestations!] [And from the looks of it, it seemed the spirits were frightened away by you!] [For a time, your legend reached its pinnacle among the subjects of the Shang dynasty.] [You gained unprecedented renown.] [However, as time passed, the story of how you turned Ji Chang and his son Bo Yikao into meat pies began to spread among the various vassals.] [The lords were initially terrified upon hearing this, as they hadn't anticipated such cruelty.] [The rebellious thoughts in their hearts were momentarily suppressed.] [But as time went on, they realized something.] [That your actions were meant to intimidate them, thus stabilizing the dynasty of Shang.] [Meanwhile, Ji Chang's second son, Ji Fa, was secretly building alliances with the vassals, driven by an overwhelming desire to avenge his father and brother.] [You had a premonition.] [That your remaining good days were numbered.] [Daji spent her days either meditating or observing the changes in the nine bronze cauldrons.] [The patterns of the gluttonous beasts on them seemed increasingly lifelike, almost ready to leap out.] [This was part of her deal with Zhujin Yin.] [To help Zhujin Yin convert the country's destiny into a novel form of energy for it to consume.] [You gradually became neglectful of state affairs, leaving the governance to Fei Zhong and You Hun, while spending your days in revelry.] [Some royal family members tried to counsel you, but you instructed Fei Zhong and You Hun to handle them, not wishing to disrupt your pleasures.] [Daji observed these changes in you.] [She called you over.] [Her expression was complex, seemingly filled with affection yet as cold as frost.] "Leave, go to the Qiang." "You don’t have to die with me." "Besides, never forget, you are always my slave. Whatever I ask of you, you must comply." [Your gaze turned cold upon hearing Daji's words.] "What if I refuse?" [You tried to embrace Daji, but the power surrounding her firmly blocked you, making you feel a deliberate distance.] [Daji turned away, no longer allowing you to see her eyes.] "You fool." "Foolish slave, I’ve never loved you." "You're just flattering yourself here." [You grit your teeth, an unexplainable fury filling your chest.] [Once more.] [Daji’s words were like a heavy hammer, striking your heart.] [But this time, you would not obey.] [After leaving Daji's palace, you returned to attend court.] [All the ministers were astonished, unsure of what had prompted this change in you.] [The vassals had already gathered their armies in rebellion. The rebel army was just three cities away from Zhaoge, and Fei Zhong and You Hun had kept this information hidden, unwilling to inform you.] [Seeing you in court unexpectedly, they assumed you were already aware of the situation and disclosed everything.] [Upon hearing their reports, you were shocked by the severity of the situation. If this continued, it wouldn't take long for Zhaoge to fall to the rebels.] [Connecting this with the cauldrons carrying the nation's destiny, you realized time was short and decided to take Daji and flee from Zhaoge.] [Thus, you issued orders to resist the rebels at all costs.] [Then you hurried back to Daji's quarters.] [But upon reaching the main hall, you discovered Daji was already gone, along with the gluttonous beast patterns on the cauldrons.] [A sense of being deceived arose within you.] [Daji had left, yet she hadn’t informed you, fueling your anger.] [Not knowing how to vent, you directed your wrath towards the Shang King, Emperor Xin.] [Emperor Xin, perished.] ... In the imagery. Emperor Xin’s body was pounded into mince. Witnessing the scene, Su Mo couldn’t help but click his tongue twice. In this simulation, his own actions. Seemed overly brutal. If it were himself, he surely couldn’t have done it. ... [You sat idly in the main hall, waiting for a long time, with no sign of Daji's return.] [At some point, the sounds of battle and slaughter echoed from outside the palace.] [Maidens screamed, seeking possible protection.] [You stepped outside, finding the palace already overrun by rebels dressed in unified attire.] [Upon seeing you, the rebels charged forward, eager to capture the Shang King and claim their reward.] [But you were born with the strength of a mighty ox.] [Seizing a spear from a soldier, you fought your way to Lutai.] [Lutai was deserted.] [The once stately royal throne now seemed to mock you, unable to keep even the one you loved.] [In anger, you knocked over an eternal palace lamp, and flames began to engulf Lutai.] [Suddenly, a violent wind arose, fanning the flames into a raging inferno, consuming everything in Lutai.] [You sat alone on the throne, calmly observing it all.] [Flames started to lick your body, pain surging like tides.] [But you remained upright.] [As the Shang King, even if only an impostor, you wouldn’t let yourself be captured and humiliated by the enemy.] [In the fire’s final moment of engulfing you, you still pondered where Daji had gone.] [But.] [It’s fine if nothing's wrong.] [As long as nothing’s wrong!] (End of Chapter)