207: Chapter 207 A Broken Body Travels Alone to the Star-Picking Tower

Su Chen watched him quietly for a moment.

Then, slowly and with extreme solemnity, he bent his waist.

He reached out his fingers and gently closed the young man's eyes, which had yet to close in peace.

A single drop.

A cold liquid.

Without any warning.

It rolled down from the corner of Su Chen's eye.

It slid across his gaunt cheek.

Leaving a moist trail behind.

Finally, it sank into his collar.

And vanished from sight.

"I'm sorry..."

"I... cannot save you all."

"I cannot even give you a proper funeral to comfort your heroic souls."

"The only thing I... can do now."

"Is to use this broken body of mine, which is already nearing uselessness."

"To let more of you live on."

He straightened up.

The one who stood up this time.

Was no longer the transmigrator and investor named Su Chen.

But a person.

Known as Di Xin.

The Human Emperor of the Yin Shang Dynasty.

Di Xin no longer looked, nor did he dare to look again.

At those loyal souls who had died for him.

He continued to walk forward.

One step, then another.

Walking toward the script's...

Predetermined finale.

(From here until the protagonist fakes his death, he will be referred to as 'Di Xin'.)

(It's because Old Chen is deep in character, not because he's been possessed! Not possessed! Not possessed!)

(Important things must be said three times!)

...

Di Xin's appearance quickly caught the attention of the Western Zhou soldiers searching the nearby streets.

"Look, that person... is he King Zhou?"

"Black robes, white hair, right?"

"That's right, I absolutely haven't mistaken him. It's him, the tyrant Di Xin!"

"He actually dares to walk the streets alone?!"

"Quick, surround him."

"Don't let him get away!"

"Be careful of a trap. Legend has it this man is cruel and cold-blooded, and can use the power of the Yin Shang Dynasty's national providence. Although the Shang's national strength is currently waning, remember the principle of not cornering a desperate foe!"

Although a few calm voices could be heard.

Most of the soldiers from the Western Zhou's Ji Clan were already blinded by the high bounty.

After all.

Who would risk their lives on the battlefield...

If not for fame, fortune, and building a legacy?

If they could personally kill Su Chen.

Their status after the founding of the Ji Dynasty...

Would likely be second only to King Wu of Ji, Ji Fa, and some ministers who were exceptionally skilled in civil and military strategy.

For a moment, within the Ji Dynasty army camp.

The sound of blades being unsheathed rang out all around.

More and more Western Zhou soldiers emerged from street corners, alleyways, and behind ruins, trailing far behind Su Chen and forming a loose encirclement.

Greed flickered in their eyes.

This man before them, thin as a rail and walking with somewhat unsteady steps.

While his appearance was more or less consistent...

Was he really that legendary King Zhou who could lift a bronze tripod, indulged in 'pools of wine and forests of meat', and was cruel and inhumane?

No one dared to rush forward blindly.

King Zhou's fearsome reputation preceded him.

Even if he looked weak and exhausted right now, who knew if it was a disguise?

No one expected.

That the crimes the Ji Dynasty's upper echelon had fabricated for Di Xin...

Would actually become the best protective coloring for him to safely finish this stretch of road.

After all, no one knew.

Whether there were terrifying death-sworn guards lying in ambush around these empty long streets.

Furthermore, capturing or killing King Zhou was a monumental achievement.

Everyone wanted it for themselves, and no one wanted to do the hard work only for someone else to take the credit.

Thus, they simply followed Di Xin closely, waiting for the optimal moment to pounce.

Waiting for higher-ranking generals and other experts following the army to arrive and make a decision.

Di Xin acted as if he saw nothing of his surroundings.

He continued to walk at an unhurried pace, his gaze calmly fixed ahead.

At the Star-Plucking Tower, whose silhouette grew clearer in the twilight.

The last glimmer of the setting sun happened to reflect on the eaves of the tower's roof.

Gilding it with a layer of gold.

As if it were guiding him to his final journey home.

Closer, even closer.

He could even see the marks on the two stone beasts in front of the tower and the familiar patterns on the main gate.

Finally, he reached the front of the Star-Plucking Tower.

His footsteps stopped.

He turned around, facing the increasingly large crowd of Western Zhou soldiers behind him.

As well as further away.

Those vaguely visible flags and figures representing the various feudal lords and the will of the immortals and gods.

Seeing Di Xin's gaze sweep over them.

None of them moved.

They seemed to be waiting for this tyrant to submit himself before the 'Heavenly Dao'.

He slowly scanned the area.

He even took a few extra looks at the places where Western Zhou figures were hiding.

Wherever his gaze landed, no one dared to meet his eyes.

Many even subconsciously took half a step back.

Then, he smiled.

It was an extremely calm smile.

As if mocking their cowardice.

Mocking this so-called 'Mandate of Heaven'.

And mocking...

His own ridiculous and futile life.

Without a word.

He turned around and reached out his hand.

And pushed open the ajar main gate.

"Creak—"

The sour sound of the door being pushed open echoed through the deserted city of Zhaoge.

Inside the gate.

Was a darkness that could swallow everything.

Di Xin did not hesitate.

With one step, he entered that darkness.

Almost at the same time he stepped through the gate.

The Western Zhou warriors who had been following him suddenly broke into a frenzy.

"He went in!"

"This... how does he dare to go in alone?"

"Don't worry about that, quick, just keep up first, don't let the credit be snatched away."

"Hey, hey, you in the front, watch out for an ambush!"

Driven by such immense interest.

Without much hesitation, ecstasy and greed instantly overwhelmed caution.

At least dozens of Western Zhou figures shot out from both sides of the street Di Xin had just walked through.

Among them were many with powerful auras, clearly military experts or even cultivators who had secretly received benefits from immortal sects.

They weren't particularly afraid of Di Xin, a mere mortal.

After all, the only thing he could borrow was the power of national providence.

And the Yin Shang Dynasty's current national strength...

Had already weakened to an immeasurable degree.

Thinking of this, they were even more afraid of falling behind.

They scrambled to rush toward the wide-open gate.

The instant the silhouette of the last Western Zhou expert disappeared into the gate.

"Release!"

"Release with me!"

"Di Xin, you tyrant."

"I have endured for so long just for this moment!"

"Burn to death, hahahaha!"

A woman's sharp shout suddenly exploded.

It was Su Daji.

Following her command, hundreds of Zhaoge soldiers and civilians who had long been lying in ambush suddenly appeared.

They took the prepared bundles of firewood soaked in oil, saltpeter bags, and even crude pottery fire-bombs.

And used all their strength.

To madly hurl them toward the open doors and windows of the Star-Plucking Tower.

"Follow Lady Su Daji and slay the tyrant!"

"Slay the tyrant!"

"Burn!"

"Bang, bang, boom—!"

The sounds of impact and explosions instantly merged into one.

The Star-Plucking Tower was itself a wooden structure.

The dry wood that made up the building, along with the flammable curtains and the books and scrolls scattered all over the floor inside...

With the aid of the oil and saltpeter.

In almost the blink of an eye, towering flames surged upward.

Tongues of fire danced wildly, and thick smoke billowed.

Quickly swallowing the entire high tower.

The scorching heat waves radiated outward, forcing the surrounding soldiers and civilians to retreat repeatedly.