The boots and socks of the court officials were soaked in blood, the table laden with a dazzling array of dishes and fruits, and countless corpses lay beside the table legs, their eyes wide open in unwilling death.
This was the Empress’s warning. With the nation at war and the chances of victory slim, there would inevitably be those whose resolve wavered.
The Empress’s message was simple.
You may fear battle, and someone will bear the burden for you. When it comes time to reward merits, you can just watch from the sidelines.
But there is one thing you absolutely cannot do: betray the country!
Anyone who colludes with the enemy or sells out the nation will end up like those lying on the ground.
The court officials exchanged glances, their hearts filled with awe at the Empress’s methods. It was no wonder she had achieved such success at a young age.
Though the Emperor’s assistance was indispensable, the Empress’s ruthless and decisive iron hand was also crucial.
Dongfang Liuli swirled the wine in her cup, the crimson liquid like blood, and took a small sip with her red lips, exuding an eerie charm. She spoke calmly:
“The Emperor and the Prime Minister have set the national policy. This time, sending troops to the Western Buddhist Kingdom is just a facade. The true target of Great Jin is the Northern Sejong Alliance!”
The court officials were in an uproar, especially those who had not participated in the Present Village meeting and were unaware of the truth.
Great Jin already had slim chances against the Buddhist Kingdom, and now they were to simultaneously attack the Northern Sejong Alliance!?
“Your Majesty, I believe this is unwise!” An official stood up urgently, “If Great Jin splits its forces to attack both the Buddhist Kingdom and the Sejong Alliance, it will surely provoke both forces to unite against us.”
“If they join forces, Great Jin could face the danger of annihilation.”
Dongfang Liuli propped her left hand on her cheek, holding the wine cup in her right hand, staring at the crimson liquid, and spoke slowly:
“Oh?”
“Then what? Should we slowly maneuver against the Western Buddhist Kingdom, only to be harassed and ambushed by the Sejong Alliance, resulting in mutual destruction, and then retreat to recuperate? When the Ji family of Sky State arrives, what will Great Jin use to resist?”
“Should we rely on the Emperor alone to charge into battle for the country!?”
Dongfang Liuli suddenly clenched her five fingers, crushing the wine cup, the liquid flowing down her palm, her voice filled with murderous intent:
“Then what use do I have for you!?”
The official who had offered advice fell silent, thinking it over, and finally sighed helplessly, bowing and retreating to the ranks of the civil officials.
Too many things had happened recently.
The vassal king’s rebellion, the seven major forces besieging the birthday banquet, the King of Shu knocking on the Emperor’s gate, the decisive battle in the extreme north, the visitors from Sky State…
Continuous battles had exhausted the people, and the populace was becoming numb.
But these crises, each and every one, were inseparable from the help of the Emperor and the Space-Time Sword Saint. Without them, Great Jin would have perished long ago.
One of the ten generals of the Ministry of War stepped forward and said:
“Your Majesty, when the Emperor and the Prime Minister set the national policy, did they mention how to attack the Sejong Alliance?”
“Since Great Jin subdued the Shu region and the seven major forces, the army has expanded to two million. Half of the forces are following the Prime Minister to confront the Buddhist Kingdom, and even the high-end combat power has been halved. Do we send out the remaining half as well, leaving no one to guard Great Jin?”
Some ministers pursed their lips, inwardly skeptical of this policy.
It’s easy to say, but hard to do.
The Wilderness is divided into three major powers, with the Buddhist Kingdom being the most mysterious and seemingly the strongest, followed by Great Jin, and the Sejong Alliance ranking last, only slightly inferior to Great Jin.
Why declare war on both the first and third-ranked powers simultaneously? If they had such strength, they would have unified the Wilderness long ago, without all this fuss.
Dongfang Liuli’s tone was calm as she stared at the ten generals of the Ministry of War, speaking word by word:
“It’s simple, I will personally lead the expedition.”
The ten generals’ eyebrows twitched wildly, exclaiming: “Your Majesty, absolutely not! Great Jin is not without capable people. How can we let Your Majesty personally go to war!?”
Standing beside the imperial throne, Su Qingqiu’s eyes showed anxiety upon hearing this, and she quickly transmitted her advice:
“Your Majesty, your seal has been lifted. Every time you make a move, it burns your lifespan. The only proper course is to quickly break through to the Sky-Reaching Realm!”
Dongfang Liuli’s face was expressionless, her peerless beauty appearing extremely cold.
How could she not know how dire her situation was…
With a Great Emperor-grade divine soul, her divine soul body was at the ‘half-step Sky-Reaching Realm,’ but her cultivation level was only at the mid-stage Morning Glow Realm.
The divine soul body and flesh body were like a thousand-pound iron weight placed on a flimsy wooden frame. Any slight movement could shatter the frame instantly.
Every move she made was like violently shaking an already overburdened wooden frame.
Moreover, if she led the expedition herself, there would be no time for cultivation.
She knew that her lifespan was only three months. If she couldn’t break through to the Sky-Reaching Realm in three months, she would die completely, her soul unable to enter reincarnation.
“I am not asking for your opinions. There is no need for advice. To achieve great ambitions, some sacrifices must be made.”
Dongfang Liuli smiled, picked up another wine cup, filled it, and raised it high:
“Come! Before the war, I toast to you all!”
“May Great Jin achieve victory and end the chaos of the Wilderness!”
“You will follow in my footsteps, leaving your names in history, immortal for all time!”
The court officials, filled with emotion, stood up and raised their cups, shouting in unison: “To Your Majesty!!!”
……
The next day.
A piece of news swept through the entire Wilderness like a tornado, shocking all nations. Countless reclusive old monsters emerged, causing a massive uproar!
Everyone was talking about it, and even some small countries that were constantly at war signed non-aggression pacts in unison.
Reclusive great beings, those waiting for an opportunity to make a name for themselves, various leaders, and deep-water crocodiles… all emerged, sensing the arrival of a great era!
“Following the final unification battle in Sky State, the Wilderness… has also reached its endgame.” A reclusive great being turned his head towards the rising sun in the east, murmuring to himself.
“As I expected, Dongfang Liuli is the one to swallow the world. A rare female emperor in a thousand ages. Will she become the next Human Sovereign?” Someone else, with deep-set eyes, spoke gravely.
“The Empress of Great Jin, the Emperor of Great Jin, Jiang Canghai… Great Jin truly has dragons among men, with boundless fortune! Such boldness! To dare to initiate the unification war!”
It all started because the Western Buddhist Kingdom erupted in an epic battle!
Great Jin led an army of a million to launch a surprise attack on the Western Buddhist Kingdom! The flames of war had already swept across half of the Buddhist Kingdom!
And this…
Was not even the most shocking news.
The real bombshell was that Prime Minister Jiang Canghai of Great Jin led the army and killed an Arhat of the Buddhist Kingdom!
Thus, the eighteen Arhats were reduced by one, becoming seventeen Arhats!
………………
[Happy Dragon Boat Festival, an extra chapter]
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