Chapter 11: Struggling to Move Forward

The pale moonlight poured in through the window, blending with the flickering candlelight. In the dim glow of the study, Count Old Gunner's office, Li Bing was flipping through a stack of historical books.

Li Bing ignored his newlywed wife and his buy-one-get-one-free sister-in-law, focusing instead on understanding the situation in this world. From these historical texts, it seemed that the Northern Province, where Luoshui Territory was located, was in a difficult position, as the Northern Territory it depended on, the Phantom Flame Northern Domain, wasn't doing well either.

The Northern Domain had originally been established by the second prince, Rich Best, who was stationed in the northern frontier. With the support of a group of iron-clad nobles, King Rich had defeated the barbarians of the northern grasslands and expanded the territory. However, the vast wilderness of the Great Barbarian Mountain in the far north had become a forbidden zone. The wild tribes and magical beasts in that region now prevented any further expansion of the Northern Domain.

To the east, there was the Kingdom of Holy Hills, one of the Four Holy Nations of the Eastern Light Church, led by the Hill Dwarves under King Carlos. For years, the Holy Hills had been a powerful sword of the Eastern Light Church. Anyone who dared to oppose the Light Church in this region was asking for their own demise. Many kingdoms had already been eradicated under the banner of the Holy War.

To the west, there was the formidable Snow Maple Empire. The land of this empire was barren, mountainous, and cold, but it was rich in iron ore and coal. The Snow Maple Empire had always harbored great ambitions. The empire's Black Warriors and Black Knights were famous across the world. Though the Light Church was displeased with the empire, they dared not act too rashly, as the Snow Maple Empire was not one to be trifled with. It was a blessing that the Snow Maple Empire hadn't invaded the Northern Domain.

As for the southern region, the political power established by nine princely families was the Northern Domain's most pressing threat. The three former vassals of the Phantom Flame Empire in the eastern part of the Olorba Plains, Madan, Ingrid, and Saxon, had not only lost contact with the Northern Domain, but were also struggling to survive. The Olorba League, to which Madan, Ingrid, and Saxon belonged, might appear united to the outside world, but internally, there was severe infighting. Madan was constantly suppressed by its neighbor Plus, Saxon was oppressed by the Franks, and as for Ingrid, which used to be one of the five major countries of the EU, it had fractured into four nations: Ingrid, Suklan, Wels, and Airlan. Although these three countries had never pledged allegiance to any "pseudo-government," they were too weak to help unify the Phantom Flame Empire.

Li Bing pondered the situation of the entire continent. The Light Church's influence resembled a dumbbell—large on both ends but narrow in the middle. The Holy White Wing Empire in the west, where the Pope of the Light Church resided, had swallowed up much of the surrounding territory. Its land was now over twice the size of the Phantom Flame Empire. Several neighboring nations had become its vassals: the Kingdoms of Saint Aiven and Saint Mael helped defend against the western barbarian tribes; to the south, the Kingdoms of Saint Cancein and Saint Milton kept an eye on the southwestern nations led by the Pompeii Empire, which followed the Sky Goddess; the narrow Saint Francisco Kingdom in the east served as a bridgehead to monitor the 27 nations of the EU; and the only neighboring non-Light Church nation, the Shante Empire to the north, was also hemmed in by the Saint Eldar Kingdom.

The entire western region had essentially fallen under the control of the Light Church or the Holy White Wing Empire.

In the central region of the continent, the southernmost part of the Southern Peninsula, the long-established strong nations of the Crystal Radiance Empire and the smaller Gondor Kingdom had been in a standoff with the newly emerging Imperial Dragon Empire. These three countries followed the Crystal God and the Dragon Spirit faith, making it difficult for the Light Church to interfere. In the Olorba Plains between the two great rivers—Dragon River and Phoenix River—the EU nations had many believers of the Light Church, but the mainstream religion was still the ancient faith of the Saint Lords. As for the stubborn Snow Maple Empire, it had little regard for the Light Church.

Further east, two major factions dominated. To the north, there was the Phantom Flame, which had fragmented into four parts, with both the Star God and the Light Church having their own supporters. To the south, the Jiangnan Alliance of sixteen countries each followed their own primitive totems, effectively a no-go zone for the Light Church.

However, the Four Holy Nations of the Far East were loyal followers of the Light Church. Aside from the fact that their kings were Light Church adherents, the people of the former Shangri-La Empire in the East had deep gratitude toward the Light Church. After all, the Holy Wars had always been brutal, but this time, after only three years of fighting, the Light Church seemed far more competent, so the Four Holy Nations, though their territories were large—especially the Saint Elven Kingdom in the south, which was comparable in size to an empire—still called themselves the Holy Kingdoms and continued to support the Light Church.

"Chaos! Damn chaos!" Li Bing slammed another book shut, pinching his brow. But the body he had now was much better than the one that had been drained by instant noodles. His memory was much sharper, and after all, staying up late before exams had been a regular routine for him, so this didn't feel too exhausting.

Li Bing slumped in his chair again, continuing to ponder the future of the Luoshui Territory, but after a long while, he was still at a loss. His mind was still a tangled mess.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Prince Charlemagne seemed to have not shaken off his old habits from when he was a wandering spirit, silently appearing beside Li Bing. He whispered, "Master, are you troubled?"

Li Bing jumped in surprise but steadied his emotions before asking in confusion, "Why are you following me? You were ambushed and killed by the Demon Clan. I mean..."

Charlemagne chuckled a few times, lowering his voice further. "Master, it wasn't the Demon Clan that ambushed us."

Li Bing, used to watching Chinese historical dramas, quickly realized and whispered, "It was... your brother? The Emperor of Phantom Flame?"

Charlemagne nodded, then shook his head, smiling without answering. Li Bing fell into deep thought.

After a long pause, Charlemagne continued, "Master, we wandered as spirits full of resentment for over a decade. It was you who brought us back to this world. We are knights—noble knights. You gave us life, and we will serve you with our lives!" With that, Charlemagne took off a ring from his hand and handed it to Li Bing.

"This is the Blood Flame Ring that the Emperor of Phantom Flame gave me. It symbolizes the commander of the Blood Flame Legion. Now, it is yours!"

Li Bing took the ring. Though it looked unimpressive, the ruby embedded in it glowed faintly with blood mist and emitted a soft glow when brought close.

After Li Bing put the ring on, he said to Prince Charlemagne, "There are thirteen main commanders in your Bloodblood Legion, right? The common folk used to call you the Thirteen Star Gods. To avoid suspicion, from now on, I'll call you the Thirteen Guardians."

Finally, Li Bing asked pitifully, "Do you guys need a salary?"

Seeing Li Bing's puppy-dog eyes, Charlemagne couldn't get angry. He merely said ambiguously, "We are currently unencumbered. You may decide, Master."

After arranging for the Bloodblood Legion to temporarily stay in the Luoshui Army Camp, and the remaining forces of the Luoshui Corps to maintain order within the castle, Li Bing finally decided to take care of his readers by going to find his wife for some rest.

It was very late at night, and only a few soldiers on night duty remained in the corridor, along with a few maids waiting to meet their lovers. Li Bing sneaked into the room and climbed into bed. As expected, Ikalu was still with Elian, and as always, they were both naked. Li Bing smiled wickedly, and the magic sword's tiny underwear flew away in a clever motion. Then, the demons suddenly awoke...

Li Bing was just diving into the covers, serving the beauties. As both women were already blushing and weak, a sudden, hurried knocking at the door echoed through the room!

"My God! This is so unfair!" Li Bing groaned in frustration. Then, shouting toward the door, he called, "This person is dead! If you need something, burn some paper!"

But the knocking continued relentlessly.

Li Bing began frantically putting on clothes. The process was too complicated, and the more rushed he became, the more chaotic it felt. Just as he was about to lose it, a small hand pressed on his shoulder.

"I'll help you dress, my husband," Elian smiled sweetly, and Li Bing felt his heart soften.

By the time Li Bing was dressed, Ikalu was already standing by with a cold face. Li Bing couldn't help but smile inside, remembering how the frost queen had been the most vocal one in bed.

As soon as Li Bing opened the door, a soldier from the Luoshui Corps rushed to him, shouting in panic, "Son-in-law! The border scouts report that a force is approaching Luoshui City from the east. The flag says... it's the Saint Dragon 77th Legion!"

Li Bing, who had just finished reading the books, felt a chill run down his spine. The Saint Dragon Kingdom was the seat of the Light Church's Far Eastern headquarters. Apart from its formidable Flying Dragon and Earth Dragon Cavalries, it also had the Saint Dragon Cavalry, an elite guard made up of the best of both the Flying and Earth Dragon Knights. Some even said that there were legendary Dragon Knights in this group!

Had Ikalu's affair been leaked?! How could his luck still be so bad?! Li Bing stared at the beautiful night sky, murmuring, "Could the gods here also want to 'take care' of me? I don't have that kind of pull, do I?"