The lights in the General’s Mansion were dim. Most of its residents were already asleep, but patrols of the Imperial Guard were everywhere.
Tantai Zhan was in his study poring over books of military strategy, not yet asleep. A Mental Force Field unfolded, clearly gauging the general’s strength.
Super Grade Late Stage! Celestial Human Realm! A fitting level for the commander of the three hundred thousand Imperial Guards, Emperor Xia’s most trusted Grand General, the man responsible for the safety of all of White Jade City.
Around him were also several Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters, but to Xia Wuyang, as long as they hadn’t transformed into Extraordinary True Monarchs, they weren’t a problem.
The Enchanting Heart Technique was released without a sound. Under the effect of Extraordinary Spiritual Power, the surrounding Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters all fell into an illusion.
Tantai Zhan had a Top Level Mortal Artifact protecting his Sea of Consciousness. However, it was completely useless against a Low Level Spiritual Technique like the Enchanting Heart Technique, especially when backed by Extraordinary Spiritual Power.
In addition, Tantai Zhan had several protective Spirit Talismans on his person—some for attack, some for defense. Under normal circumstances, they could even fend off an ordinary True Monarch for a moment or two.
But against the silent approach of the Enchanting Heart Technique, before Tantai Zhan could even react, he was already submerged in an illusion.
In the Fallen Dragon Land, there were truly very, very few members of the Human Race with Extraordinary Spiritual Power. Even among most True Monarchs, it was difficult for their Spiritual Power to reach the Extraordinary level.
Tantai Zhan, a dignified Super Grade Celestial Human, had Spiritual Power only equivalent to a Level 4 Ghost Spirit or Anomaly—the same level as the Fourth Floor of the Enchanting Heart Technique. Even so, this was considered remarkable among Body Refining Martial Artists.
Many Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters had not even opened their Sea of Consciousness, let alone cultivated Spiritual Power.
In the face of such absolute strength, the Spiritual Shackles technique entered Tantai Zhan’s Sea of Consciousness with ease. It was a Companion Talent, its might far surpassing the Enchanting Heart Technique, and it was even augmented by Extraordinary Spiritual Power.
Before he could even register what was happening, he was firmly locked down by the Spiritual Shackles, becoming Xia Wuyang’s Spiritual Servant.
"Ugh..."
Even with Tantai Zhan’s astonishing Willpower, the most he could do was realize something was wrong and let out a pained grunt.
Then his vision blurred. When he came to again, he was in a secret chamber near the study.
The room was soundproof; not a sound could get out, and no sound could get in.
"You... Who are you? What have you done to me?"
Tantai Zhan sensed that something was terribly wrong. He looked at the cloaked Xia Wuyang before him and said in horror.
"Relax, General Tan Tai. As long as you listen to me obediently, everything will be fine."
As he spoke, Tantai Zhan felt his very soul being pierced by countless steel needles. The pain was far worse than death by a thousand cuts; even with his Willpower, he couldn’t help but cry out.
He wanted to strike out and eliminate the person who had ambushed him, but he couldn’t move a muscle, his entire body frozen as if by ice.
"Thinking of attacking me?" Xia Wuyang sneered. "The more you struggle, the more you suffer. Only by submitting can you find the true path."
Tantai Zhan gritted his teeth. "I am the Grand General of the three hundred thousand Imperial Guards, His Majesty the Emperor’s right-hand man! How could I submit to some unknown person like you?"
Seeing Tantai Zhan refuse to yield even in the face of such agony, Xia Wuyang was slightly surprised.
’No wonder Emperor Xia entrusted him with such great responsibility. With such Willpower, plus his loyalty to the Emperor... if it were me, I’d trust him too.’
’If I had relied solely on the Enchanting Heart Technique and the Soul Capturing Technique, I probably wouldn’t have been able to control him at all. At best, I could have confused him temporarily. The moment I made him do something that betrayed Emperor Xia, he would likely snap out of it immediately.’
’Fortunately, what I used to enslave Tantai Zhan wasn’t one of those, but my Companion Talent, Spiritual Shackles—its might far surpasses the Enchanting Heart Technique and the Soul Capturing Technique.’
"Well then, it seems the only way is to have General Tan Tai kill Emperor Xia!"
Xia Wuyang sneered. "Go. Bring me Emperor Xia’s head." At his words, before Tantai Zhan’s incredulous eyes, he found himself uncontrollably picking up his long saber and walking outside, preparing to kill Emperor Xia.
"What is this Demon Technique!" Tantai Zhan’s face was filled with terror. He tried with all his might to resist, but still, he walked step by step toward the door. "I would rather die than betray His Majesty!"
Just as he was about to leave the secret chamber, Tantai Zhan suddenly drew his saber and brought it to his own neck.
’So loyal!’
Xia Wuyang’s expression changed slightly. He used the Enchanting Heart Technique, instantly plunging Tantai Zhan into a state of confusion. The general unconsciously lowered his saber and walked outside.
He soon returned, carrying his most beloved children and concubines, who were now unconscious.
"General Tan Tai, how do you feel now?"
Only then did Xia Wuyang allow him to wake up. The combination of Spiritual Shackles, the Enchanting Heart Technique, and Extraordinary Spiritual Power was too much to resist, even for someone with Tantai Zhan’s astonishing Willpower.
Looking at the children and concubines he was about to behead, Tantai Zhan finally broke, his face a mask of terror. "You... You’re a devil! What do you want?"
Faced with this unheard-of control technique, one that could even make him kill his own friends and family—he could even feel that if the other party hadn’t held back, he really would have just led the Imperial Guard to attack Qianqing Palace and kill Emperor Xia with all his might.
This horrifying reality finally shattered all of Tantai Zhan’s psychological defenses, especially the fact that he had personally brought his children and concubines here and had nearly killed them.
Even with his astonishing Willpower, Tantai Zhan could not withstand this kind of fear.
He wasn’t afraid of death, but he was terrified of personally killing the people he cared about.
Seeing Tantai Zhan bow his head in submission, Xia Wuyang smiled faintly. "For now, I don’t need you to do anything. In the future, just be my man and provide me with what I need. For example, any unusual movements in White Jade City, the situation inside and outside the Imperial Palace, or occasionally helping me observe certain Courtiers, Princes, and Princesses..."
"You... Which Prince do you serve?" Tantai Zhan had somehow guessed something from his words and suddenly felt a sense of relief. If this person was a subordinate of a Prince, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about being forced to betray the Great Xia Dynasty, or even Emperor Xia.
That was what mattered most to him. If that was truly the case, then following orders in the future wasn’t out of the question, and he wouldn’t have to resist to the death.
Xia Wuyang perceived his surface-level thoughts and smiled faintly. "You’re a smart one. Don’t worry, I won’t make you betray the Great Xia Dynasty. This is just for the sake of taking the position of Crown Prince."
"Then... then will you move against His Majesty?" Tantai Zhan hesitated for a moment before he couldn’t help but ask.
Xia Wuyang thought for a moment. "That depends on whether Emperor Xia moves against us. But as long as Emperor Xia doesn’t try to kill us, the most we’ll do is make him the Supreme Emperor."
"That’s good, then." Tantai Zhan seemed to have convinced himself, breathing a sigh of relief. "Although His Majesty can be somewhat brutal to outsiders, he has always taken good care of the Princes and Princesses."

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