Chapter 331: The Collapse of Heaven's Three Layers
In the city of Daxuan, beneath the Lord's Manor, an endless army stood in perfect formation despite the biting cold wind, their hearts filled with unwavering determination.
Above the floating isle of the Lord's Manor, the generals stood respectfully, awaiting the appearance of the King of Daxuan.
Inside the central hall, the King of Daxuan sat at the command table, surrounded by a group of advisors. Leading them was the chief advisor, Fan Yipin, who stood at the forefront to report to the King.
"My lord," Fan Yipin began, "I have been in Guanghui City for a year and a half now. Regarding Zhongshan, have you discerned anything?"
"Not yet," the King of Daxuan replied, his gaze fixed on Fan Yipin.
"Nothing? Is he more astute than Duke Qitian?" the King of Daxuan inquired further.
"He may not be as intelligent as Duke Qitian, but within a hundred years, Duke Qitian will never surpass him!" Fan Yipin asserted confidently.
"Oh?" A hint of surprise flickered in the King of Daxuan's eyes.
"Because he has an advantage—a significant one that Duke Qitian lacks, ensuring his invincibility before Duke Qitian," Fan Yipin said solemnly.
"An advantage?" the King of Daxuan pressed.
"Yes, my lord. This kind of advantage is rare, only seen in Your Majesty, the princes, and the Emperor himself. It's exceedingly difficult for Your Majesty to control Zhongshan," Fan Yipin affirmed.
"Hmm." The King of Daxuan nodded thoughtfully.
Having understood the situation, the King of Daxuan rose slowly.
Suddenly, the doors of the grand hall swung open.
Amid the reverent gazes of the generals, the King of Daxuan walked slowly to the edge of the floating isle, overlooking the vast multitude of soldiers.
As the soldiers caught sight of the King of Daxuan, they too looked on in silent reverence.
"The time for the decisive battle with the Great Yu Empire has come. The Great Yu Empire, a mere vassal state, dares to defy our might. Today, I shall personally lead the expedition against the Great Yu Empire, bolstered by ten additional armies, aiming to capture their Sky City!" the King of Daxuan declared loudly.
"Roar~~~~~~"
"Roar~~~~~~"
"Roar~~~~~~"
... A thunderous roar erupted from the generals.
The King of Daxuan's personal campaign against the Great Yu Empire was about to begin!
Meanwhile, on the former battleground of the Great Yu Empire, four armies advanced: Zhongshan dispatched one, while the King of Daxuan sent ten, fifteen in total, pressing forward against the Great Yu Empire on all fronts!
Zhongshan, Princess Qianyou, Ada, and A'er headed towards the army led by Shui Wuheng. As for Zhihuo, Zhongshan had instructed him to march with the main army. Zhihuo's mission was to protect Shui Wuheng, Liang Wushuang, and Zhihuo's own son.
"Sir, why aren't you leading troops?" Princess Qianyou frowned at Zhongshan.
"Shui Wuheng is a talent in the making, but still too green. He needs more tempering," Zhongshan chuckled.
"Are you using the Great Yu battleground to train troops?" Princess Qianyou teased.
"Partially true," Zhongshan didn't deny.
"Then why build such a powerful army?" Princess Qianyou asked Zhongshan.
"What do you think?" Zhongshan turned to Princess Qianyou.
Zhongshan looked over, Princess Qianyou frowned, then her eyebrows relaxed, and nodded,
Upon seeing Princess Qianyou's understanding, Zhongshan nodded with a smile.
"The Collapse Plan, Step Four!" Princess Qianyou gazed towards some wandering Great Yu civilians who were searching for treasures far away.
Collapse of the First Layer of Heaven! Economic Collapse!
Collapse of the Second Layer of Heaven! Chaos in the Hearts of Men!
Collapse of the Third Layer of Heaven! Heaven's Soldiers Overthrown!
"The cities of the Great Yu Empire have already decayed, so now we need swift action, the swiftest action, the strongest action! We are currently on the fourth step!" Zhongshan nodded, smiling.
"The Collapse Plan is truly magnificent, each step earth-shaking! Sir, is there still a fifth step?" Princess Qianyou sighed in admiration as she looked at Zhongshan.
"Yes, there is still a fifth step, but whether it will succeed depends on fate!" Zhongshan took a deep breath.
In the Sky City, within a side hall of the imperial palace.
Nalan Piaoxue gazed at Yi Yan, bloodshot eyes reflecting concern.
"Your Majesty, the hearts of the people are in turmoil, even the military's morale is crumbling. I cannot stay here any longer; I must immediately head to the front lines. Only by going to the front lines can I offer some resistance," Yi Yan said with a worried expression.
"Is it that serious?" Nalan Piaoxue frowned.
"Yes, I am certain. King Daxuan has committed all available forces, launching a full-scale assault on our cities. The morale of our cities and military has collapsed; they cannot withstand it. If I do not go, within three years, they will breach the Sky City," Yi Yan stated.
"Can our Great Yu military really be so feeble?" Nalan Piaoxue refused to believe.
"No, it has decayed completely. In just over a year, it has become utterly weak and vulnerable. Your Majesty, every prediction I have made has come true. Perhaps, the war on the front lines has already begun," Yi Yan affirmed confidently.
Nalan Piaoxue took a deep breath, staring at Yi Yan with a furrowed brow, forming the shape of the character 川.
"Do you have a strategy?" Nalan Piaoxue asked solemnly.
"A strategy? Heh, this time, the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty's plan is ruthless—the extermination policy. There is no good strategy; only some clumsy methods have been implemented. I have already written letters, sending them to the Great Guang Dynasty and Xiao Wangzhi, urgently requesting reinforcements. I will go to the front lines and defend the city of Dayu. It's a crucial checkpoint; if we can block the formidable troops of the Great Luo Dynasty at Dayu City, we may have a chance of survival!" Yi Yan explained.
"Dayu City? Won't we lose dozens of cities in front?" Nalan Piaoxue's eyes narrowed.
"Yes, we will definitely lose them. The troops of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty are like a tsunami. Dayu City is a gate; we must block them here. I have already sent letters to various city lords, instructing them to follow my arrangements," Yi Yan replied.
"When will the Great Guang Dynasty arrive?" Nalan Piaoxue inquired.
"Great Guang? Heh, Your Majesty, although I have sent letters, do not count on them. We must also be cautious of them," Yi Yan cautioned.
"Cautious?" Nalan Piaoxue frowned.
"Yes, the Great Yu Empire is currently in a mess. Though they say 'when lips are gone, teeth are cold', this time, the Great Yu Empire is in such a dire state that even if they bring troops to rescue us, it may not save us. And if they do manage to save us, it will only drag down the roots of the Great Guang Dynasty. Therefore, they dare not send full reinforcements. We must wait and see if we can stand on our own. Dayu City is the key; if I can halt the troops of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty there, they will dispatch reinforcements. If I cannot stop them..." Yi Yan furrowed his brow.
"If you cannot stop them, what then?" Nalan Piaoxue asked sternly.
"If I cannot stop them, the cities of the Great Yu Empire will fall to the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty instead of the Great Guang Dynasty. They will send troops to swallow up those neighboring cities adjacent to us!" Yi Yan concluded.
Yi Yan spoke the truth—between the two dynasties lay an alliance of interests, yet also a cruel reality.
Taking a deep breath, Nalan Piaoxue said in a solemn voice, "Very well, I understand. I wish you victory, General."
"Yes, Your Majesty, however, before I depart, there is one more matter I hope Your Majesty will agree to," Yi Yan continued.
"Speak," Nalan Piaoxue replied.
"Although Your Majesty reigns as the emperor of a dynasty, with a single decree, a million corpses may fall. However, amidst the current turmoil of the Great Yu Empire, I implore Your Majesty to refrain from further bloodshed. Stirring the anger of the people, who are the foundation of the dynasty, especially at this time, would be disastrous. We cannot afford any more bloodshed that could be exploited by those with ill intentions," Yi Yan earnestly advised.
"Rest assured, at this critical juncture, I am well aware of the gravity of the situation," Nalan Piaoxue assured him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave," Yi Yan said.
"Take care," Nalan Piaoxue bid him farewell.
In the Great Guang Dynasty, at the camp of Xiao Wangzhi, within a grand hall.
Xiao Wangzhi sat at the command table, holding a letter which he read, with several generals standing by his sides.
After reading the letter, Xiao Wangzhi took a deep breath and closed his eyes in contemplation.
"Father Commander, is this truly a letter from Yi Yan?" Xiao Yuandeng was the first to speak up.
Xiao Wangzhi did not reply immediately, remaining deep in thought. He extended his hand and passed the letter over. Xiao Yuandeng swiftly took it, read it, and passed it on to the other generals in the hall.
"Sigh~~~~~~~~~~"
Xiao Wangzhi exhaled deeply, then opened his eyes.
"Father Commander, should we not go to rescue the Great Yu Empire? When lips are gone, teeth are cold. Once the Great Yu Empire falls, our Great Guang Dynasty will face even greater hardships," Xiao Yuandeng suggested.
"Lips and teeth? Heh, it depends on the state of those 'lips'. These lips have already developed numerous festering sores and are riddled with holes. Can they still recover? If not, would it be worth sacrificing the teeth to block the wind, only to end up with a completely dead lip? During this period, the teeth may also be corroded by the festering sores on the lip, causing more harm than good!" Xiao Wangzhi shook his head.
"Father Commander, are we just going to watch the Great Yu Empire collapse?" Xiao Yuanfeng furrowed his brow.
"The corruption within the Great Yu Empire runs deep—it's a corruption of the entire populace, not just individual cities or towns. Even Yi Yan, as skilled as he is, may not be able to turn the tide. However, we must still give it a chance. Let's see what Yi Yan can do. If he can block the vast army of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty from the Great Yu Empire, then we will intervene. If he cannot..." Xiao Wangzhi's eyes turned cold.
"Understood!" The generals responded immediately.