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Chapter 316: Chapter 316: War Seal

Everything seemed too bizarre.

"Master!" Ah Da immediately queried Zhongshan.

Zhongshan waved his hand, halting Ah Da's questions, signaling him to remain silent.

Ah Da nodded understandingly.

As he stowed away the Kasaya, Zhongshan discovered it couldn't fit into his storage bracelet. Did it possess a treasure spirit? A ninth-grade magical treasure?

Staring at the Kasaya, Zhongshan took a deep breath. Jinchan truly possessed immense courage—

Six months passed. Baihuang City, within the Lord's Manor, in the central hall.

Zhongshan studied a map, contemplating future military deployments. Outsiders were forbidden from disturbing the hall. Even Ah Da and Zhihuo stood guard at the doorway.

"Who goes there?" A furious roar echoed outside the hall.

"Stop!" Ah Da's voice followed.

Zhongshan's thoughts were interrupted, and he frowned, glancing towards the hall's entrance.

Outside the hall stood ten individuals.

Ten people dressed in various styles, none of whom Zhongshan recognized. His brow furrowed slightly. Why had Ah Da ordered the soldiers to halt?

"Who are you?" Ah Da called out to the ten individuals.

"Where is your commander?" The leader among them, a burly man, demanded.

Zhongshan lightly stepped out of the hall's door. "I am Zhongshan. And you are?"

With a flick of his hand, the man threw a letter.

Ah Da reached out and caught it, then passed it to Zhongshan.

"This is a War Seal issued by Da Wei Tianlong and fifty Emperor Extreme experts under him. Within the next five months, no one is allowed within a hundred thousand miles of Yue Ming City and Yue Xi City." The leader spoke.

Afterwards, the ten individuals stomped their feet, transforming into shadows and departing from the Lord's Manor.

"What's going on?" Zhongshan asked Ah Da.

"Master, these ten people came in and pressured us with their momentum. I could sense they are all Emperor Extreme realm experts, so I instructed the soldiers not to act." Ah Da explained.

"Hmm." Zhongshan nodded, looking at the 'War Seal' in his hand.

"Heh, such audacity, a War Seal?" Zhongshan's eyes narrowed coldly.

After reading it carefully, Zhongshan furrowed his brow.

The so-called War Seal indicated that Da Wei Tianlong had gathered fifty Emperor Extreme realm experts to exterminate the Nier Mo. They planned to set a trap between Yue Ming City and Yue Xi City to lure out the Nier Mo and annihilate it in one stroke. During this period, neither the armies of Da Guang nor Da Luo were permitted within a hundred thousand miles of these two cities. Furthermore, the troops within the cities had to withdraw quickly. Otherwise, Da Wei Tianlong and the Emperor Extreme experts would spare no effort in hunting down anyone who violated the War Seal.

Fifty Emperor Extreme experts, along with Da Wei Tianlong. Such a formidable force. Even though they were gathering solely to reap the rewards of vanquishing the Nier Mo, Zhongshan realized it wasn't a force he wanted to provoke at this moment.

Presumably, other factions felt the same.

The War Seal displayed such audacity! Such unreasonable dominance!

However, dominance was only temporary. In five months, they would seek to break through!

"Zhao Chuan!" Zhongshan called out to Zhao Chuan, who had arrived with the ten great experts.

"Here!" Zhao Chuan promptly responded.

"Quickly gather intelligence on Yue Ming City and Yue Xi City," Zhongshan ordered.

"Yes!" Zhao Chuan responded promptly.

As Zhongshan was about to enter the main hall, Shui Wuren flew over.

"Commander, there's important news!" Shui Wuren exclaimed with a smile.

"Oh?" Zhongshan halted, turning to face Shui Wuren.

"Our scouts report a major victory within Da Yu Empire. Qi Tianhou ambushed and killed the Great Deer King at Bahuang City, the Chief Commander of the Northern Expedition for Da Yu Dynasty. It's an unprecedented triumph! With the Great Deer King dead, Da Yu's military forces are on the brink of collapse, hastening their defeat," Shui Wuren reported.

"No!" Zhongshan frowned.

"Huh? Isn't that good news?" Shui Wuren asked in confusion.

"Da Yu Empire still has another formidable figure!" Zhongshan pondered aloud.

"You mean Yi Yan?" Shui Wuren widened his eyes.

"Commander, are you suggesting Yi Yan will be reinstated?" Shui Wuren gasped in disbelief.

"That's certain!" Zhongshan affirmed firmly—

Da Yu Empire, Sky City. Inside the Imperial Palace.

When news of defeat arrived, the entire court was stunned. Losing a city or a region wasn't a big deal; losing ten cities and thirty regions wouldn't be either, as all could be reconquered. Da Yu Empire had weathered such disasters before.

But the Chief Commander of the Three Armies was slain?

It was a great humiliation, a national disgrace. Moreover, after the death of the Chief Commander, Da Yu's military situation became immediately tense.

The Great Deer King was dead!

With the Chief Commander dead, how would Da Yu continue its campaign? Would they each defend independently like a pile of loose sand? Obviously not. More importantly, there was the matter of morale. Once morale faltered, it would be an immediate collapse.

Was Da Yu finished?

In the court, a profound silence fell. The initial mourning had passed, and now everyone was contemplating what to do next and how the Emperor would respond to the enemy.

Nalan Piaoxue sat upon the throne, observing his ministers below.

"My lords, do any of you have anything to say?" Nalan Piaoxue spoke solemnly.

At this moment, an elderly-looking man stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this old minister had advised against allying with Da Guang Dynasty and attacking Da Luo Empire. I warned that it would invite disaster. But Great Deer King ignored my counsel. If only he had listened, things wouldn't have come to this!"

"Yes, indeed!"

"That's right!"

Voices of agreement echoed throughout the court. Nalan Piaoxue's expression turned to disgust as he turned to another figure.

"Minister Zhu, you were an ardent supporter of the Great Deer King's policies. Care to explain?" Nalan Piaoxue pointed to a minister.

The ministers fell silent.

"Your Majesty, the strategy was sound. My words were not wrong. The mistake lay with the Great Deer King. He lacked the capability but was so determined to hold onto military power. He didn't know his place and took reckless risks. Your Majesty, while I supported his policies, I did not support him as the commander!" Minister Zhu immediately distanced himself.

"Yes, the Great Deer King was headstrong, leading to his own and the nation's downfall!" another minister beside him chimed in.

"Yes!"

"That's right!"

...The courtiers were discussing and shirking their responsibilities, constantly blaming the scapegoat, the Great Deer King.

"Enough!" Nalan Piaoxue's angry shout echoed through the hall.

With that command, the courtiers fell silent.

"A bunch of useless people!" Nalan Piaoxue's cold voice continued.

The courtiers were as quiet as cicadas in winter.

"Ironblood, as the Chief Commander, what do you suggest we do?" Nalan Piaoxue pointed directly at Ironblood.

Ironblood stepped forward promptly. "Your Majesty, with the Chief Commander dead and the nation in turmoil, the confidence of the defending armies is shattered. They are bound to collapse immediately. To stabilize their morale and launch a counterattack, there are only two ways!"

"Oh?" Nalan Piaoxue raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The courtiers looked on, intrigued. Two ways? There were two?

"Firstly, let us request the reinstatement of Yi Yan as the Chief Commander of the Three Armies of Da Yu Empire. I dare guarantee that once this news spreads to all garrisons of Da Yu Empire, the morale of the defending armies will soar beyond what it was previously," Ironblood suggested confidently.

"Yes! Yi Yan as Chief Commander, with him in command, Da Yu will be saved immediately. We will surely sweep away all enemy forces of Da Luo," another minister quickly chimed in.

"Yes!"

"That's right!"

However, Nalan Piaoxue's expression did not look good. Summon Yi Yan?

"Is there another way?" Nalan Piaoxue asked.

"There is another way, Your Majesty. It is for Your Majesty to personally lead the expedition. Wherever Your Majesty goes, the defending armies will be hundredfold in confidence! Our Da Yu will surely be unstoppable and reclaim all lost cities," Ironblood proposed straightforwardly.

Lead the expedition personally?

The courtiers seemed eager to agree, but as soon as the words reached their lips, they hesitated.

Requesting Your Majesty to lead the expedition? If Your Majesty goes out and wins, it's fine, but if there's an unfortunate defeat, then Da Yu Empire will be completely finished.

Nalan Piaoxue stared at Ironblood, his eyes flashing with anger—

In the evening, at Yi Yan's residence.

A very luxurious sedan chair, carried by thirty-two attendants, stopped at the entrance of Yi Yan's residence.

Ahead of the sedan chair were the Imperial Guards of Da Yu Empire, while General Ironblood stood excitedly in front.

The steward of Yi Yan's residence peeked out, and upon seeing this, his heart trembled in fear. A royal sedan chair? Emperor Nalan?

He waved his hand, and a servant immediately went in to report. The steward quickly approached respectfully.

The curtain of the royal sedan chair was lifted, and Nalan Piaoxue stepped out. His brows were slightly furrowed, his expression heavy with concern.

"Yi Yan, I pay my respects to Your Majesty!" Yi Yan stepped out from inside the residence and immediately bowed respectfully.

"No need for excessive courtesy, Yi Yan." Nalan Piaoxue supported Yi Yan, who seemed as if he could be blown over by the wind at any moment.

"Your Majesty, please come inside!" Yi Yan gestured for Nalan Piaoxue to enter.

"Come! We haven't talked in a long time!" Nalan Piaoxue grabbed Yi Yan's arm as if they were old friends, supporting each other into the residence!

Inside Yi Yan's residence, a feast was set.

Seated at the head of the table, Nalan Piaoxue suddenly said to Yi Yan, "Yi Yan, I now appoint you as the Chief Commander of Da Yu Empire, in charge of all military authority. Defend Da Yu against all external invasions!"

With Nalan Piaoxue's words, the hall fell silent. Even General Ironblood looked on with anticipation at Yi Yan.

Cough, cough, cough...

A series of coughs interrupted the silence, appearing extremely weak. Nalan Piaoxue frowned as he looked at Ironblood, who was filled with worry.

After a bout of coughing, Yi Yan finally calmed down. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Nalan Piaoxue again.

"I obey Your Majesty's command!" Yi Yan said earnestly.