Zuo Men, seeing this final chance for victory, no longer hesitated and decided to unleash their ultimate secret move, "Human Sea Mirage."
The so-called Human Sea Mirage was a technique that created visual illusions for the opponent by rapidly changing positions.
He immediately opened his hands wide and then closed them swiftly, forming a pattern of convergence and dispersion in a cross shape. Kuaishu Pavilion.
His teammates immediately understood that this was the decisive move. They nodded to each other, then quickly shifted positions, their movements as unpredictable as specters.
Liu Shinian's team was blinded by their sudden transformation. Caught off guard, they lost possession of the ball to Zuo Men, who passed it in for a goal.
Amidst everyone's hushed breaths, they saw Bi Yao's hand add another number to the dark wooden board, keeping them balanced with Liu Shinian's team.
Everyone's gaze and heartbeats were at their peak tension. Liu Shinian knew deeply that this final ball was their last chance at victory.
With no other option, they too had to employ their ultimate skill, "Burning Life."
Burning Life meant pushing all speed, stamina, and interception capabilities to their absolute limit for a desperate struggle.
Liu Shinian made a deathly gesture, and the people behind him immediately understood that this was a fight to the death.
Then, Zuo Men initiated the play. The ball flew up, soaring across half the field. Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng seized the opportunity, leaping up together like two entwined white dragons, charging towards the vine ball.
Yan Wushuang caught the ball with one hand and landed slowly amidst everyone's astonished gazes.
At this moment, deafening cheers erupted from outside the field: "Go, go!"
Seeing the unfavorable timing, Zuo Men waved his hand, signaling all his players to retreat and defend their goal, forming a human wall in an attempt to block them.
Unexpectedly, a terrifying scene unfolded. Liu Shinian's teammates began to leap forward one by one, forming a human ladder.
Yan Wushuang passed the ball to Liu Shinian. In this moment of historical significance, she decided to let their captain, Liu Shinian, complete the play.
Liu Shinian received the ball, dribbled it, and stepped onto the human ladder. With everyone's nerves stretched taut, he reached the highest point, kicked with all his might, and sent the ball towards the goal.
Zuo Men lunged with all his strength, trying to catch the vine ball, but it still slipped through his fingertips and flew into the goal.
No one could believe their eyes. Silence lingered for a long time. I frowned, slammed the table, and stared in disbelief at what was happening, shouting.
"Cliché!"
Everyone turned their confused gazes towards me. I then realized I had spoken inappropriately. Clearing my throat lightly, I exclaimed with excitement.
"Amazing, truly amazing!"
Instantly, everyone else also shouted joyfully, "Liu Shinian! Liu Shinian! Liu Shinian! You are all amazing!"
However, the soldiers from the Western Purple Kingdom and the Southern Sea City, sitting on the side, had faces ashen and spirits dejected.
Zuo Men didn't seem to pay much attention, offering a slight smile. After landing, Liu Shinian walked towards Zuo Men, who, without reservation, praised them sincerely.
"You won. You were a worthy opponent."
Liu Shinian smiled happily, clasped Zuo Men's hand, and praised, "You weren't bad either. We almost lost."
At this moment, Bi Yao, Tian Long, Hei Feng, and everyone else rushed onto the field, surrounding Liu Shinian and his team, cheering exuberantly.
I, along with the four elders, approached the field. Seeing Zuo Men and his men left aside, I said to Tian Long and the others.
"Zuo Men and his team are also good. They are friends worthy of respect."
Everyone then realized this and also gathered around, surrounding Zuo Men and his men, offering praise. Liu Shinian stepped forward, threw an arm around Zuo Men's neck, and laughed.
"If I had the chance, I'd really want to be good brothers with you."
Zuo Men sighed deeply, released Liu Shinian, and led his team to stand before me. He knelt and cupped his hands, saying.
"We lost. As per our agreement, we will be imprisoned in the dungeon for eternity. We accept our loss and are leaving."
I looked at Lin'er and feigned displeasure, asking him, "What should we do? We'll have more people to feed."
Lin'er laughed heartily and said, "In that case, why don't we just let them go?"
"Alright, then let them go."
Everyone was astonished. Zuo Men's eyes widened in disbelief.
Then, I announced to everyone, "I declare that all soldiers from the Southern Sea City and the Western Purple Kingdom are now free to leave."
The group, who had been despondent and disheartened, suddenly felt as if struck by lightning, trembling all over and looking at me in disbelief.
I smiled slightly and continued.
"If any of you wish to stay, you are welcome to remain and become our good brothers and friends. Those who do not wish to stay may leave now.
I hope that all of you can live happy and fulfilling lives, be loved, and love others."
At these words, it was as if my words had touched the softest part of their hearts, or perhaps no one had ever wished them to be loved and to be themselves like I did.
Zuo Men smiled slightly. He knew he could no longer return to his former position as a great general. Rather than wander aimlessly, it was better to stay.
"I will stay," he suddenly said.
Only then did I turn around and look at the group kneeling before me, saying, "All of you, rise."
Everyone looked astonished, yet deeply moved. Liu Shinian stepped forward, once again threw an arm around Zuo Men's neck, and smiled.
"Have you thought it through? If you stay, you'll have to drink with us."
Zuo Men affirmed, "I've decided. I'm staying."
Ku Dinghai saw his resolve and, thinking that he had no relatives and would face punishment if captured and returned to the Western Purple Kingdom, and also liking the brotherly atmosphere here, he also expressed.
"I'll stay too. I'm not leaving."
Xue Gucheng and Hei Feng also gathered around, asking again, "Have you thought it through? Staying means forever."
He nodded, affirming, "I've thought it through. I still decide to stay. I like your freedom and happiness."
Xue Gucheng smiled slightly and stepped forward, giving him a big hug.
Ye Changfeng looked at those who hadn't yet expressed their intentions and asked, "What about you?"
Bu Yu and Fan Sheng exchanged smiles and both stated, "We are also willing to stay."
Old Yu walked out from the crowd, giving them warm hugs, almost moved to tears. He wiped his eyes, touched.
"There's wind blowing into my eyes. I see I have more good brothers."
The brothers behind Old Yu also stepped forward to embrace them one by one.
At this moment, the soldiers standing by watched this touching scene and excitedly declared, "I am willing to stay." "I am also willing to stay."
"Count me in." "And me."
More and more voices rose in succession. Everyone's tears could no longer be held back and fell involuntarily. Ye Changfeng, usually so aloof, also changed his demeanor.
He walked into the crowd with his three brothers and embraced them one by one. Liu Shinian, Xue Gucheng, Dao Lang, Fei Xiong, Hei Shan, and the others also surged into the ranks of soldiers, embracing them one by one.
Everyone comforted and encouraged each other like close friends and brothers, without distinction between generals or subordinates, only the warmth of equality and approachability.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out that all the soldiers from the Southern Sea City and the Western Purple Kingdom had stayed. I, too, was almost moved to tears by this heartwarming scene.
Suppressing my excitement, I said to everyone.
"I declare that all the imprisoned soldiers from the Southern Sea City and the Western Purple Kingdom are no longer prisoners from today onwards, but our brothers, our family.
From now on, everyone will move out of the dungeons and into the Mingjing Tower to live with us."
At this declaration, everyone erupted in cheers, shouting, "Good!"
"One more thing," I paused and then said, "This competition has no winner or loser. I declare that Liu Shinian's team and Zuo Men's team are co-winners."
"Yeah!"
Everyone became excited, cheering and leaping for joy. Their heartfelt excitement soared towards the sky, piercing the clouds.
It seemed as if it would reach the ears of some unknown heaven, letting it hear how excited people were now.
By the time the competition ended, the sun was setting, and the night was drawing in.
Given everyone's happiness and excitement today, I decided to hold a bonfire party in the training grounds. He Lian volunteered to play a song for everyone.
She brought her pipa, sat in the center of the crowd, and played and sang with her back to the bonfire.
"The calls of the wild geese return, the gardens change their hues, autumn's twilight presents a different scenery. Ripples lie across the land, brocade trees reflect the long sky."
Everyone listened intently, nodding their heads, looking utterly charming.
Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, after He Lian finished, I boldly stepped forward. "Since everyone is so interested, I propose we dance!"
Everyone frowned, looking at me with confusion.
I turned to He Lian and said, "Qiu Yu, play a more cheerful tune."
He Lian, as if understanding, began to play a lively and upbeat melody. I called everyone over. "Now, come here, everyone, hold hands."
They still looked confused, not understanding what I was doing, but they still followed my instructions and held hands.
So, I demonstrated at the front. "We'll just dance around the bonfire like this."
They still didn't quite grasp it. I then carefully taught them, "Step left, step right, move forward and backward."
They finally understood a little. Under my guidance, they began to step back and forth rhythmically. Gradually, they mastered the essence, moving with the wind and their hearts to the beautiful music and the lively bonfire.
Every face was beaming with a happy smile, which continued until late into the night before the crowd reluctantly dispersed.
On the way back, perhaps due to being too happy, I skipped along, humming the joy of the moment. "Hmm hmm hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm hmm."
Suddenly, a shout brought me back to reality.
"Demon King!"
I looked up and saw Qiu Yu holding a lantern, waiting directly ahead.
I smiled slightly and said, "I was wondering where you were. So you came back first."
She covered her mouth and chuckled, asking me, "Demon King, you know so much. Can you teach me?"
I grinned and generously replied, "It's nothing much. If you want to learn, then I can only reveal my unique Cha-Cha dance, which I've practiced diligently for three years."
She asked with a face full of confusion, "What is Cha-Cha dance?"
I grinned and stepped forward, exuding an unruly expression and exaggerated, casual dance moves. Then, I swayed my body like a walking toad, both exaggerated and funny.
Qiu Yu couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hahaha, this dance is so strange."
I also laughed. "Right? This kind of dancing only suits Liu Shinian. I'll teach you something else when I have the chance."
She nodded happily, her eyes filled with tenderness.
As we chatted, we returned to our chambers. Half chatting, half laughing, I drifted off to sleep on the bed.
She looked at my weary form and unconsciously reached out to wipe the sweat from my forehead. Then, she pulled up the covers, blew out the candle, and went to sleep.
The next morning, someone came to deliver a message, stating that the Four Elders and the Elders had been waiting in the main hall for a long time.
Although somewhat puzzled, I guessed it must be about the affairs of the four cities. So, I hurriedly got out of bed and followed the guards to the main hall. Indeed, I saw the Four Elders and Hei Feng already waiting.
"Demon King, you're here," Lin'er said.
"You're all here. Is it about the affairs of the four cities?"
"The Demon King is exceptionally intelligent. You guessed it right away."
I grinned and replied, "You all praise me too much."
Elder Mo Xuefu cupped his hands and said, "Demon King, since the matter of the soldiers has been resolved, and we have also had some time to rest, it is time to prepare for deployment."
"The Elder is right. Which city do you think we should attack this time?"
Elder Wan Gu analyzed.
"Now that the Southern Sea City has fallen into our hands, our feint plan is no longer viable. Moreover, they must have made preparations during this time.
The Western Purple Kingdom is a long journey away, and the Northern Divine Capital is powerful. Only Dongyue Town is relatively close."
I looked at the elders, clapped my hands, and called for guards to bring in a few chairs, placing them on both sides, and then invited the elders and Lin'er to be seated.
Elder Hei Yi agreed with Elder Wan Gu's viewpoint and also analyzed the current situation.
"I guess Dongyue Town must have also considered this issue, so they must have reinforced their city and dispatched heavy troops.
If we attack Dongyue Town, the other two cities will be unable to pay attention. Although Dongyue Town has elite soldiers, they have many idle personnel, and compared to us, they are far inferior."
After hearing their analysis, I also had an idea.
"I agree with everyone's thoughts. Attacking Dongyue Town is the best option. I have already devised a strategy called 'Courtesy Before Force.'"
The elders looked confused and murmured, "Courtesy Before Force?"
I explained, "They certainly wouldn't expect us to use the same tactic a second time. We will still issue a declaration of war to Dongyue Town, but without specifying a date, keeping them in suspense for a few days before attacking."
"Good, this strategy is excellent, worthy of the Demon King."
Elder Zhu Liuyun said.
"Demon King, in two days it will be Dongyue Town's Refugee Festival. At that time, everyone will surely be filled with laughter and joy.
I think we can send the messenger and the insider into Dongyue Town on that day, which will facilitate our grand plan of attack."
"Elder, this suggestion is good. Let it be done."
I looked at Lin'er and instructed.
"Elder, this will be a hardship for you again. The matter of delivering the declaration of war and assigning personnel is best left to your judgment."
Lin'er bowed slightly and respectfully replied, "Leave it to me. I will not fail."
"Alright, everyone has been quite tired these past few days. Since a decision has been made, you may all go and rest well."
"Yes."
After everyone had left, I also left the main hall and returned to my chambers to sleep soundly.