Emperor Zheng Qin paused, startled. "The Nine Cauldrons?"
Bowen Liu nodded. "Yes. After the Qin army conquered the Zhou royal domain in Luodong, they seized the Nine Cauldrons and claimed they were lost in the Wei River. But in truth, they remained with the Qin Dynasty. Later, you used them to establish contact with the Nine Cauldrons beyond the wall, confirming their existence outside. You used the cauldrons to suppress the barrier, creating a breach—solely to facilitate your future entry into the main world should you achieve immortality. Coincidentally, I discovered that breach, allowing me to contact the main world through it."
Emperor Zheng Qin frowned, a suspicion forming. "So you found Erwin, and after years of planning, finally brought him here over a decade ago to stop me?"
Bowen Liu nodded. "Yes. But what I didn't expect, young master, is that he knows more than I thought." He turned his gaze to Erwin. "So, young master, you have your own plans. What do you want to do?"
Erwin placed his piece. He looked at Emperor Zheng Qin. "Your Majesty, you have lost."
Emperor Zheng Qin glanced at the chessboard. Sure enough, Erwin's black pieces had gained the upper hand. Yet he didn't care about the game. He felt that something was beyond his expectations.
"What I want to do? You will know," Erwin said. "I've said it before: I never want to be a pawn. I can only be a player. Anyone who tries to use me will ultimately regret it. No one is an exception."
A faint killing intent emanated from Erwin, causing the purple dragon behind him to waver, its color deepening. Emperor Zheng Qin frowned as he watched. Bowen Liu's fingers moved rapidly behind his back, calculating.
Erwin looked at him. "Don't bother. You can't predict it. Even in your prime, you couldn't—let alone now."
Without waiting for a reaction, he looked down at the battlefields below. "This is war."
His words drew the attention of both Bowen Liu and Emperor Zheng Qin. The battle had reached a fever pitch. Initial probing attacks were gone; now everyone fought for their lives.
Every second, several lives were lost—not only Qin soldiers, but wizards. Even Dumbledore and the Kunlun Sect Leader were wounded.
Erwin looked up at the sky. Soon…