“War has brought enough suffering to the world. Thousands of years of conflict among nations have left the Wilderness in ruins. My journey today is to clearly tell the world that from now on, the smoke of war will no longer fill the air! The rivers and mountains will no longer be stained with blood!”
“Raise the flag, march out!”
With the Empress’s command, the court officials each used their divine powers to teleport to the troops ambushed outside the Imperial Capital.
A hundred kilometers away from the Imperial Capital, in the Meteorite Canyon, all was silent. The wind rustled the trees, creating a peaceful and natural scene, with only the sound of leaves shaking.
Boom, boom, boom.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed without warning, shaking the entire canyon. From the winding paths in the forest, hidden cliff caves, and natural openings behind waterfalls, squads of black-armored soldiers emerged.
In an instant, a black tide formed, gathering hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The ten generals of the Ministry of War flew through the air, inspecting the troops below.
Suddenly, a minister in court robes shattered the void and arrived, shouting in a low voice:
“By the Empress’s order, the army shall march! Follow the pre-arranged route, conceal your movements, and head straight for the Northern Sejong Alliance!”
The ten generals of the Ministry of War brightened their eyes, and the ten peak Moon Shine Realm experts guarded the four directions, leading the main force on the expedition.
The army filled rivers when they encountered them, moved mountains when they blocked the way, and hid in the vast mountains, advancing mightily towards the north.
Meanwhile.
Several flamboyantly dressed young masters and wealthy ladies, accompanied by their relatives and guards, rode exotic beasts and swaggered out of the gates of the Imperial Capital.
Among them, a red-clad girl and a black-robed young master led the group, while the others were all their followers.
Some passersby saw this and exclaimed in awe at their wealth.
“Which young masters and ladies from the Capital are going on an outing this time? Just the number of servants and guards they brought is in the dozens. How extravagant!”
“Ha, it’s wartime, aren’t they afraid of running into trouble?”
“Bah! The national war is led by the Prime Minister, who has taken the army thousands of miles away to trample the Western Buddhist Kingdom. They won’t be fighting here. Our Imperial Capital has the Empress and the Empress’ Husband guarding it. I heard the Sword Saint returned a few days ago too. It’s as stable as Mount Tai, perfectly safe, no danger at all.”
“True…”
On the back of a flying beast with wings spanning over ten meters, the black-robed young master adjusted his silk eye mask and said calmly:
“The Empress’s secrecy is truly impressive. The army has marched out, taking away more than half of the city’s strong defenders, yet the common people know nothing.”
The red-clad girl naturally held the black-robed young master’s arm, standing on the beast’s back, overlooking the beautiful landscape. She took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and said calmly:
“I’ve told you, don’t call me ‘Your Majesty’ when we’re outside. We’re traveling incognito, and secrecy is paramount. Remember, we’re an engaged couple. You call me Miss Qin, and I’ll call you Brother Meng, got it?”
The black-robed young master was undoubtedly Meng Qingzhou. Hearing the Empress’s words, he couldn’t help but feel like a traitor.
“Your Majesty, we just left the city. Aren’t you afraid the Empress’ Husband will hear?” Meng Qingzhou’s heart pounded wildly.
He was a bit worried that the Empress’ Husband, who had been living in the deep palace, might suddenly burst out in anger, shout “Traitor, prepare to die!” and then chop off his head in a fit of rage.
Hmm…
According to vague rumors, the Empress’ Husband was very powerful, but the specifics were unclear. No one wanted to talk much about him, which made Meng Qingzhou quite frustrated.
“What are you afraid of? It’s not real. For the sake of the nation and the welfare of the people, we have to disguise ourselves.” The Empress leaned against Meng Qingzhou’s chest, shrugged indifferently.
“Don’t worry, the Empress’ Husband won’t mind.”
Meng Qingzhou swallowed hard, trying several times to pull his arm out, but the Empress held him tightly. He lowered his voice and angrily scolded, “Little Meng! Remember your duty as a personal guard!”
Helpless, Meng Qingzhou had to give up, his face showing a look of utter resignation, his facial muscles slack.
He had thought that with the national war starting, his duties would become much simpler. At most, he would participate in a battle or two and protect the Empress.
Who would have thought the Empress would come up with such a bizarre plan?
She said this operation required utmost secrecy, so they split into two routes. The Empress and Meng Qingzhou, along with the officials, disguised themselves as wealthy young masters and ladies on an outing, while the ten generals of the Ministry of War led the army, stealthily following behind.
As for why they had to split into two routes, the Empress said it was because—if one side’s movements were exposed, the other side could at least react quickly and hide.
Thinking back, Meng Qingzhou found it laughable.
What a ridiculous excuse. If the Northern Sejong Alliance discovered their movements, they could just start the war directly. What’s the point of hiding?
“Miss Qin, I have a question I’d like you to clarify,” Meng Qingzhou said.
The Empress seemed to be in a good mood, showing a relaxed and carefree expression on the eve of the battle. She squinted her eyes comfortably like a cat being scratched in the right spot and waved her hand calmly, “Go ahead.”
“The army led by the ten generals of the Ministry of War, I just used my Sword Sense to check, and there are only about two hundred thousand soldiers. Where are the other troops?” Meng Qingzhou asked.
The Empress smiled mysteriously, “Take a guess.”
Meng Qingzhou rolled his eyes.
Ha, guess my foot. Who knows what you’re up to.
“Young master, young lady… would you like some tea?” On the back of the flying beast, a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes, dressed like a butler but with the demeanor of a battlefield general, bowed and asked. His tone was very cold, and he looked at Meng Qingzhou with a complex expression.
Both undercover, why is this kid doing so well, surrounded by beauties, and the one he’s holding is the Empress of Great Jin! The next candidate for the head of the Heaven-Watching Pavilion, Ji Wushuang, is drooling over her.
And I can only be a humble servant!
Fortunately, Li Guanyan had good self-restraint. It was just a fleeting thought, and he didn’t dwell on it.
“Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with Butler Li. See you later.” Meng Qingzhou understood and patted the Empress’s jade hand that was tightly holding his arm.
Hearing this, the Empress was first stunned, then remembered Meng Qingzhou’s inexplicable actions in the court, and naturally glanced at the expressionless Li Guanyan, chuckling, “Alright, go ahead.”
“Let’s go, Butler Li, let’s talk over there.” Meng Qingzhou pointed to a giant flying beast following behind.
The beast’s body was as large as a small town, with many buildings on its back, intricately carved and connected by flying pavilions…
“Alright, I also want to hear Young Master Meng’s insights.” Li Guanyan forced a smile, his face stiff.
…………
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