Chapter 249: Imperial Edict
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Present - Slaughter City arc completed.
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"I have made up my mind. We will attack the Spirit Hall and rescue Fang Xuan."
When these ambitious words were spoken, everyone in the hall trembled. Everyone could feel the Emperor's firm determination.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, Prince Xue Xing, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect worked with the empire's army to discuss how to rescue Fang Xuan.
The Heaven Dou Empire had mobilized a hundred thousand soldiers for this expedition. In addition to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's army of over a thousand soul masters, the Spirit Hall couldn't match them in numbers.
However, the Spirit Hall had stood tall on the Douluo Continent for hundreds of years. They didn't rely on ordinary soldiers. They relied on the continent's strongest soul-master army. The Martial Spirit Hall controlled most of the soul master resources on the Douluo Continent.
Therefore, even though the Heaven Dou Empire had the advantage in numbers, the Spirit Hall had a greater chance of victory. After all, the Spirit Hall's soul masters were powerful. Furthermore, the public trial would be held in the Pontiff's Palace. They were waiting for everyone to walk into the trap.
The Emperor, Ning Fengzhi, and the rest discussed how to rescue Fang Xuan in the war room.
"Our goal isn't to fight to the death with the Spirit Hall. We're going to rescue Fang Xuan. Therefore, our army doesn't have to fight. If we can rescue Fang Xuan, it'll be our victory."
Ning Fengzhi acted as the military advisor and commander. He started to formulate a battle plan and a marching route.
"There are less than ten days until Fang Xuan's public trial. It'll take at least half a month to get from Heaven Dou to Spirit City. Is there enough time?" Dugu Bo furrowed his brows.
"I know a shortcut to Spirit City. It can save us a week." Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood with his hands behind his back. He said, "However, this shortcut is in the mountains. It's more rugged and not suitable for a large army."
"Then we can choose an elite team to set off first. We can shorten the time and let the main army bring up the rear." Ning Fengzhi said.
At this moment, everyone in the war room looked at the majestic man in his golden dragon robe. They waited for the Emperor to give the final order.
"We'll set off tomorrow morning." The Emperor stood up and calmly scanned the crowd before making the final decision.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Everyone's expression was solemn, and they were all prepared for a great battle.
"Creak…"
With a sound, the meeting room door was suddenly opened, and a cultured and elegant figure walked in. His white robes were untainted by a speck of dust. His golden hair was natural and unrestrained, and his straight and slender body was tall and thin. On his handsome face, there was always a confident and gentle smile.
It was the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.
"Eh, Qinghe? Why are you here?" Seeing who it was, the Emperor was stunned and puzzled.
"Father, I have something significant to report to 'you.'"
Xue Qinghe stood with one hand behind his back and smiled lightly. He emphasized the word 'you'. Everyone in the room was an essential figure at the world's top. Naturally, they understood what the Crown Prince was implying.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Highness the Crown Prince, please continue. We will take our leave first." Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, and the others all took their leave, leaving the father and son alone.
Soon, only the Emperor and Xue Qinghe were left in the large meeting room. The two of them were silent for a while. Neither of them said anything at first. The room was deathly quiet.
The Emperor stood before the window with his hands behind his back, looking north from the third-floor window. Fang Xuan once lived alone in that shabby thatched hut in the north of Heaven Dou City for more than ten years. His expression was melancholy, as if he had thought of something in the past. He sighed faintly and finally said, "Qinghe, I know why you are here, but I … I owe your brother too much."
Xue Qinghe's eyes were as calm as still water. He said quietly, "Father, I remember that three years ago, you stood in this room before the window, just like today. You also looked north … I remember that the weather was a little gloomy that day."
Hearing this, the Emperor's body trembled. He abruptly turned around and stared at the smiling Xue Qinghe with disbelief. "What, what did you say?."
Xue Qinghe … no. It should be Qian Renxue. He calmly looked at the Emperor, his clear eyes shining with a mysterious light. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a row of sinister teeth. "How did I have a son like this …"
"How … how did you know about this?" The Emperor's eyes trembled violently. He stumbled back four or five steps and slammed into the wall. He looked at Qian Ren Xue with shock and panic in his eyes. That expression was as if the most terrifying secret hidden in the depths of his heart had been revealed. He was panicking.
"'Qin Zhong' asked me to greet you." Qian Ren Xue continued.
"So that's how it is, that's how it is …" The Emperor came to a sudden realization. His forehead was covered in dense, cold sweat. He suddenly collapsed to the ground. Regret, annoyance, pain, and guilt. All kinds of complex emotions gradually crept onto his weathered face. It made the Emperor, already over fifty years old, look even older. It was as if he had aged more than twenty years instantly.
The Emperor gritted his teeth. "So he's one of your people."
Chihiro Snow was unfazed. "But the one who gave him that order wasn't me. It was you, my dear father."
The Emperor laughed bitterly. He sat on the ground alone, looking a little dazed.
"You're not wrong. You'll never be wrong because you're the supreme ruler of this country. And now, you need to eliminate all the 'huge hidden dangers' that may threaten this country in the future." Qian Ren Xue narrowed his eyes and calmly stared at the weathered Emperor. He hinted, "Since you've already made your choice, please stick to it until the end."
The Emperor was silent. The room gradually fell into a dead silence.
The next morning. This was the day the army would leave, which we talked about yesterday.
Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Bo, and the rest led the elite troops of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and the Empire, respectively. They were already resting on their spears, waiting for the Emperor's order to depart.
However, for some reason, the Emperor didn't show up.
Everyone waited until noon. Finally, the Emperor's order came from the palace.
However, this wasn't an order for the army to depart.
It was … three imperial edicts that couldn't be defied.
1. Give up on rescuing Fang Xuan and disband the assembled army.
2. Cancel the marriage between Fang Xuan and the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.
3. Banish Fang Xuan from the Heaven Dou Empire.
The world was in an uproar.
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