Ancestor Chaoyang sneered, his voice laced with pride. "Since you don't know my name, surely you've heard of the Baichao Chamber of Commerce!" He paused, letting the name settle. "I founded it. The Hundred Dynasties Chamber of Commerce is my creation!"
He spoke with an air of certainty, as though the weight of his influence was undeniable. In the Dongzhou Continent, the Baichao Chamber of Commerce was a force to be reckoned with, and the idea that anyone might not know it seemed impossible.
"Hundred Dynasties Chamber of Commerce..." Yuan Zuozong muttered, his eyes flashing with recognition. A memory stirred of the branch in Shuofang City, and realization dawned—could the true master of the chamber have finally appeared?
Ancestor Chaoyang's eyes narrowed as they fell upon Finn. His tone turned mocking. "So, you must be Finn. Bold, aren't you?" His sneer deepened. "I gave you a chance before, but you spat on it!"
Finn stiffened as Ancestor Chaoyang's words struck. He knew what this was about—the time he had robbed the Shuofang branch of the Baichao Chamber of Commerce. He hadn't anticipated retaliation. Maybe it was fear, maybe strategy, but the chamber hadn't struck back immediately. Instead, they'd sent emissaries to negotiate. Finn had killed those emissaries. He'd thought it would send a message, but now, it seemed, the real consequences had arrived.
"You're really here for revenge," Finn muttered, his expression darkening. He had overheard the earlier conversation and feared this exact outcome. And now, the Baichao Chamber had come—at the worst possible moment.
"Lord, watch out!" Yingmo, Yuxiang, and the others sprang to their feet, placing themselves between Finn and Ancestor Chaoyang. They knew the gap in power was vast—a Half-Emperor could crush them like insects—but they stood firm. For Finn, they would face certain death.
Finn felt a wave of emotion at their loyalty, but he knew better. They couldn't stop Ancestor Chaoyang. If he wanted to kill Finn, nothing could prevent it. His gaze swept over his surroundings. There were no masters here capable of defending against someone of Half-Emperor caliber.
"There's no escape this time," Finn thought bitterly. "Actions have consequences. It's time to pay for mine."
Yuan Zuozong, sensing Finn's unease, stepped forward. "Lord, don't worry. I believe I can handle him."
Finn shook his head. "Even if you could hold him off, what about the rest of their army? We haven't escaped the camp yet."
Yuan Zuozong fell silent. Finn was right. While they had defeated a significant number of Great Zhou's elite forces, there were still two million troops left to deal with. Even though the dragon cavalry could handle them, time was not on their side.
Finn's expression shifted as he spoke with a sudden smile. "General Yuan, don't be concerned. I've got a plan."
Yuan Zuozong raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Finn grinned. "I was planning to wait until after this battle to use the emperor-level lottery. But I guess there's no time like now."
He opened his personal panel with a flourish.
[Host: Finn]
[Strength: Mid Martial Emperor]
[Factions: Yanyun's Eighteen Cavalry (injured), 100,000 Snow Dragon Cavalry (enhanced), 50,000 Trapped Camp, Shadow Guard, 10,000 Beifu Army (disabled)]
[Guards: Emperor Qingyun, Li Sandao, Xu Chu (enhanced)]
[Luck value: 11,820,563]
Finn's eyes gleamed at the luck value—a fortune amassed from various battles, including a significant boost after Yuan Zuozong's nighttime raid on the camp.
"System, let's do the emperor-level lottery," Finn commanded.
[Ding! Emperor-level lottery initiated...]
[Ding! Congratulations! You've won 3,000 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!]
The system's announcement was like music to Finn's ears. His heart raced as the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry materialized. Three thousand warriors, each more elite than the last, formed before him. The commander was at the peak of Half-Emperor, the captains at the peak of Half-Saint, and the soldiers ranging from Martial King to Martial Saint.
Finn could hardly believe his luck. "Three thousand Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!" he exclaimed, excitement surging through him. This was no ordinary force—they were elite warriors, revered as much as the famed Trapped Camp. Their numbers might be fewer, but their skill was unmatched.
"Is the leader really a Half-Emperor?" Finn whispered, eyes flashing with anticipation. "Perfect."
At that moment, a figure emerged from the ranks, kneeling before Finn. "The last general, Cao Chun, pays homage to the Lord!"
Finn stared in awe at the legendary commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. In history, Cao Chun had been a formidable leader, though he'd died young and was often overshadowed. But here, resurrected and empowered, his presence radiated strength.
"General Cao, rise. There's much to do."
As Cao Chun stood, Finn's confidence surged. With the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry at his side, the tide of the battle was about to turn.