Translator: Silavin
The number of Nobles supporting Seventh Princess Xia Zilin grew day by day.
However, Qin Yichen did not relax. Instead, he intensified the production of Black Cloud Weapons and Armour.
After all, the Li Family was deeply entrenched in the whole system. There was a Prince born to the Royal Consort from the Li Family and the highest ranking official overseeing the entire army, the Grand Marshal, was Li Family’s Patriarch Li Zhengping.
To be prepared for any possibility, it was better to make arrangements early.
The Li Family remained quiet.
A silence that was somewhat frightening.
It seemed as if the Li Family had accepted their fate and did not plan to resist.
In Twilight City, all was peaceful.
The entire Grand Empire was also peaceful.
“The army shows no unusual movements…” Xia Zelei said to Qin Yichen, who was sipping tea.
“Oh>” Qin Yichen responded, but his brows furrowed even more.
The less action the Li Family took, the more concerned he became. [Is the Li Family truly willing to accept this situation? I don’t believe it for a second.]
“Master Qin, perhaps you are overthinking this.” Xia Zelei did not understand some of Qin Yichen’s suspicions. Even if Xia Zilin ascended to the throne later, the Li Family would still be the Li Family, without much change. At most, they would just keep a lower profile.
However, if the Li Family made any inappropriate moves, they would surely be pletely uprooted.
“Let’s hope so.” Qin Yichen put down his teacup and asked Xia Zelei, “How are things on your end?”
“The twenty thousand sets of Black Cloud Weapons and Amour you’ve provided have been distributed to my personal guards. They are currently training with them!”
Speaking of this, Xia Zelei became excited. With such a powerful Force under his mand, he was eager to test them. If not for having to acpany his Wife, he would have personally gone to drill them.
“Good!” Qin Yichen finally felt somewhat relieved.
This way, even if major changes occurred, they could respond effectively.
The situation looked promising.
However, Qin Yichen still did not rush to have the Soaring Joy Chamber of merce enter Twilight City.
He still could not take that risk.
Everything had to wait until Xia Zilin became the heir to the throne.
The appointment of the heir would happen on New Year’s Day, one month later.
A month’s time was not particularly long but it was not short either.
At the city gates, a rider approached at full gallop. But before reaching the gates, both horse and rider fell.
“Who goes there!?” The guards at the gate immediately rushed over.
“Quick, report to his Majesty! Our border is under attack! The Great Ease Grand Empire and Thousand Silk Grand Empire’s allied Forces have captured three cities at the Ease-Silk Border and are advancing onto Ancient Mountain Pass…”
After delivering this message, the scout fainted.
Soon, the news reached the Imperial Court, causing an immediate uproar.
No one had anticipated that two Grand Empires would launch an attack on them without any warning.
Ancient Mountain Pass was the last defensive position at the Ease-Silk Border. If this mountain pass fell, four or five provinces would be directly consumed.
The Emperor’s orders were quickly issued.
Gather all military Forces except those stationed at various borders and rush to Ancient Mountain Pass.
Though the Grand Empire’s army was considerable, after accounting for troops stationed at various borders, there were not that many Forces left.
It was like trying to put out a fire with a cup of water.
“Two Grand Empires are advancing on our borders!?” Upon hearing this news, Qin Yichen’s face darkened, his eyes flickering, “Damn it, how did I not consider this possibility!”
“Master Qin, you are saying…” Xia Zelei frowned.
“Do you think the Ease and Silk Grand Empires could have so easily taken three cities and advanced to the Ancient Mountain Pass without someone intentionally letting the enemy through?”
Qin Yichen’s counter-question caused Xia Zelei’s expression to darken.
Actually, as they spoke, Qin Yichen also found it strange why Ancient Mountain Pass had not fallen yet.
If the Li Family truly intended to collaborate with the enemy, logically speaking, Ancient Mountain Pass should have already fallen.
“The Grand Marshal now is Li Family’s Patriarch Li Zhengping. The border troops are under his mand. If there’s a traitor, he’s the most likely suspect!”
Xia Zelei’s face was grim as he spoke this unfortable truth.
When a nation’s Grand Marshal mits treason, one can imagine how scattered the military Forces under him must be.
And now that the Emperor was gathering border troops for support, if Li Zhengping truly had ulterior motives, would this not mean they were essentially mounting no resistance?
“It’s strange, three border cities have fallen, yet Ancient Mountain Pass still holds?” Qin Yichen softly mutters.
“Master Qin, you may not know this, but Ancient Mountain Pass has unique terrain that makes it easy to defend and difficult to attack. This is why it can hold against invasion since ‘ancient’ times. However, if things are as you suggest, I fear the pass won’t last long.” Xia Zelei’s expression was grave as he spoke.
“Master Qin, I’ll take my leave now. After I repel the invaders, let’s share a few drinks!”
A martial aura burst from Xia Zelei as his eyes flashed with determination. At this moment, the presence of the Iron-Blooded Carefree Prince finally awakened like a mighty lion!
“Then I’ll await your good news here then, Prince.” Qin Yichen clasped his hands and smiled as he spoke.
After this, Xia Zelei said nothing more and quickly departed.
A hundred kilometres outside Twilight City, in dense military camps, countless soldiers stood straight and tall outside their camps, their gazes burning with passion as they looked at the figure in the air.
Even after more than ten years, no one had forgotten him!
He was their army’s Soul… the Carefree Prince, Xia Zelei!
“All soldiers, hear my mand! Target: Ancient Mountain Pass! Move at maximum speed. Even if you were to die on the road, you must reach there within two days!”
At this mand, the prepared cavalry poured out of the camps like a flood. At the front, a great banner flew, the three characters for ‘逍遥王’ (Carefree Prince) dancing in the air, stirring the hearts of the mon man.
“Hurry! Everyone hurry!” As the earth trembled, a massive army raised rolling clouds of dust. They were like an angry Dragon, rushing toward Ancient Mountain Pass at the border.
The Carefree Prince led several manders, riding flying Demonic Beasts toward Ancient Mountain Pass.
He was very anxious. If he had control of the whole military, he would be confident that even if the border temporarily fell, he could recover it.
But now, things were different. He did not have many troops under his mand. With only thirty percent of his Forces, even the mighty Carefree Prince was not confident he could repel the invasion of two Grand Empires.
Now, they could only rely on Ancient Mountain Pass’s terrain advantage for defense. Once Ancient Mountain Pass fell, vast territories of the Grand Empire would be lost, and even he would be powerless to reverse it.
Ancient Mountain Pass.
Due to its narrow terrain, it had bee the primary defensive position at the Great Prosperity Grand Empire’s border.
Now, an oppressive atmosphere shrouded the entire fortress atop Ancient Mountain Pass.
Before Ancient Mountain Pass, the ground was covered with corpses, with blood flowing into a chilling river.
Looking out from Ancient Mountain Pass, dense black figures filled the view. At a rough glance, their numbers reached at least a million!
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