Li Guangyi's gaze swept over Zhou Ji's fallen body and finally settled on Chen Zhennan.

He was filled with mixed feelings. Chen Zhennan's shot not only ended Zhou Ji's life, but also solved a major problem for him. The disputes in the court might be temporarily calmed down as a result.

The atmosphere was heavy, as if even the wind had stopped blowing. Finally, Li Guangyi broke the silence.

"Escort the people down the mountain."

His orders were not to be questioned, but the head of the Imperial Guard showed signs of worry.

"Marshal, isn't it too risky for you to stay behind alone?" The Imperial Guard leader frowned slightly, his gaze shifting between Chen Zhennan and Li Guangyi.

Li Guangyi smiled slightly and waved his hand casually, "It's alright. If Chen Zhennan really wanted to harm me, he would have done it long ago, he wouldn't have waited until now."

Upon hearing this, the leader of the Imperial Guards, though still worried, nodded and turned to lead his troops to escort the people down the mountain.

Chen Zhennan waved his hand lightly to his special forces soldiers, and the three hundred men turned their horses around like ghosts and quickly left the scene, leaving only Chen Zhennan and Li Guangyi staring at each other.

Li Guangyi spoke first, asking in confusion, "Chen Zhennan, didn't you refuse to see me? Why did you bring people into my territory?"

Chen Zhennan smiled slightly, his smile carrying a hint of deeper meaning: "Marshal Li, I've come to discuss cooperation with you."

His voice was calm, but his words revealed an aura that should not be underestimated.

Li Guangyi casually sat down on a tree stump and asked lazily, "Cooperation? What kind of cooperation could there be between us, except for a fight to the death?"

Chen Zhennan nodded slightly, then his expression changed and he suddenly became serious.

"Now that Zhou Jianjia is dead and the Great Zhou is in turmoil, I intend to unite the three kingdoms. I wonder what Marshal Li thinks?"

Li Guangyi raised an eyebrow slightly, not expecting Chen Zhennan to have such a grand plan.

"The unification of the three kingdoms?" Li Guangyi repeated Chen Zhennan's words, his voice tinged with amusement. "Chen Zhennan, your ambitions are quite grand, but as long as I, Li Guangyi, am in the Great Zhou, you can forget about unifying the three kingdoms. This matter is non-negotiable."

Chen Zhennan stared at Li Guangyi, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

"Li Guangyi, you know perfectly well that you've already lost, so what's the point of persisting?"

Li Guangyi's face was solemn, his brows furrowed. Although he understood that Chen Zhennan's words made sense, he was still unwilling to compromise easily.

"Chen Zhennan, how can the grudges between you and the Great Zhou be settled with just a few words? Although you have a strong army, the dignity of the Great Zhou cannot be violated. If you truly care about the people, then take your army and leave the territory of the Great Zhou."

Chen Zhennan smiled slightly, a smile tinged with helplessness and tolerance. He knew...

He acknowledged Li Guangyi's persistence, but he also knew that this era needed change and unification.

“Li Guangyi, we are both sensible people. The outcome is already decided. The unification of the three kingdoms and the harmony of the world is the trend of history and the expectation of the people. Why should we cause the people to suffer more for our own selfish reasons?”

A flicker of struggle crossed Li Guangyi's eyes, but his voice remained firm: "Chen Zhennan, what you say may have some merit, but I, Li Guangyi, have spent my life on the battlefield and have never retreated. If you want to enter the Great Zhou, you will have to step over my dead body."

Chen Zhennan sighed and said calmly, "Li Guangyi, time waits for no one. There's less than a month left. Once that time is up, I hope you can keep your promise and give me a clear answer."

"Sure, no problem. I'll give you an answer when the time comes."

Chen Zhennan nodded slightly, turned his horse around, and quickly drove away towards the back mountain.

Three months have passed in the blink of an eye. Chen Zhennan and Li Guangyi returned to the place where they made their bet three months ago, but their feelings were quite different now.

Behind Li Guangyi, 50,000 troops stood in formation, banners waving, armor gleaming, and a chilling atmosphere arose.

Chen Zhennan smiled slightly, a faint confidence on his face. Behind him stood only five hundred citizens of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

"Li Guangyi, the battle is over, and the people behind me are the best proof. What exactly do you intend to do with your 50,000 troops?"

Li Guangyi sat high on his horse, looking arrogant and unconcerned about Chen Zhennan's victory.

“You won this bet, Chen Zhennan. Although I have eliminated the Jewish missionaries, the people are still spontaneously practicing Judaism.”

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Chen Zhennan's eyes.

"Marshal Li, since you admit defeat, then fulfill the bet and represent the Great Zhou in submitting to the Great Yan. The unification of the three kingdoms will begin today."

Li Guangyi's face darkened, and his voice carried a hint of determination: "Chen Zhennan, I am the marshal of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and there is no way I will surrender to you. That's why I brought these 50,000 troops. If you're not convinced, then let's start a war."

Chen Zhennan gave a cold laugh, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes: "Old man, you're going back on your word!"

Li Guangyi frankly admitted that he was cheating and provocatively said, "I just don't keep my word, what can you do about it? Chen Zhennan, if you have the guts, launch an attack. There's absolutely no way you can make the Great Zhou submit!"

As Li Guangyi spoke, the imperial guards behind him stepped forward and pointed their swords and spears at Chen Zhennan.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and the breathing of soldiers on both sides became heavy.

Just then, Chen Zhennan gave a cold laugh, pulled out a pistol, and fired a shot into the air.

The crisp sound of gunfire echoed across the battlefield, startling everyone present.

As the gunshot rang out, more than a dozen horse-drawn carriages slowly approached from a distance, their wheels making a low thud as they rolled across the ground.

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