"My lords!"
"Regarding the Great Cloud Dynasty's request for military aid, what are your suggestions?" the Green Azure Human Emperor, his hair white, his eyelids heavy, spoke with a voice aged yet imbued with imperial might, unmatched by any of the younger generation of Human Emperor lords.
Though his lifespan was nearing its end, and the nine Human Emperors of his generation had long since passed, he alone had endured for hundreds of years, holding the reins of power. Even with his dwindling vitality, his mind remained sharp.
He saw through the Great Cloud Dynasty's current predicament at a glance and had plans of his own. However, he wished to test his court officials and select a group of capable ministers to assist his son, the next Green Azure Human Emperor, in governing.
"Human Emperor, this minister disagrees with sending troops!" the Grand Commandant stepped forward, his brow furrowed. He met the gaze of the elderly Human Emperor directly, his tone resolute. "Human Emperor, currently the three major dynasties of the Sacred Yuan are engaged in a dynastic war. The situation is turbulent and unstable, engulfing half the lands of our human race. Even with the humiliation of a defeated nation, we must wait until after the holy war. But for the Sacred Yuan, Great Cloud, and Blood Sun dynasties to choose this timing, regardless of who wins or loses, it will be a loss for our human lands."
"Human Emperor, this minister disagrees with the Grand Commandant's view. I believe that at present, our Green Azure Dynasty and the Great Cloud Dynasty are like lips and teeth – if one is destroyed, the other is endangered. If the Great Cloud Dynasty collapses, the sharpness of the Great Han will tear through the peace of our Green Azure Dynasty."
"The Great Yan Dynasty, the Weiyang Dynasty, and the Tian Yue Dynasty are too far away; their war will not reach us. But our Green Azure Dynasty is different. To the south, we share a long border with the Great Cloud Dynasty, and to the southeast, we border the Cang Mu Dynasty. Whichever of the Great Cloud or Cang Mu Dynasties falls first will be a devastating blow to our Green Azure Dynasty."
"The Great Cloud is far away. Why not seize this opportunity? At the very least, it will ensure the peace and stability of one of our borders. Therefore, Human Emperor, I suggest we send troops to aid the Great Cloud and declare war on the Great Han!"
"It is better to offend a dynasty than a whole empire. Declaring war on the Great Han will not offend the powers of other empires!" General Qing Mu of the Green Azure Dynasty glared at the Grand Commandant and directly refuted his argument.
"You!" The Grand Commandant was enraged and about to speak.
"Silence!"
The Green Azure Human Emperor, his eyelids still half-closed, instantly suppressed the court with his imperial aura. The entire hall was filled with the immense pressure of potent Yuan force.
"Human Emperor!"
Qing Mu glanced at the Human Emperor and said softly, "Our Green Azure Dynasty can follow the Great Cloud Dynasty's request and fight in the Great Cloud. Of course, repelling the Great Han is true, but occupying Great Cloud's cities and expanding our territory is also true. If we can then advance into Cang Mu, we can divide vast territories with the Sacred Yuan Dynasty!"
"At that time, our Green Azure Dynasty will also ascend to the pinnacle of the empires, looking down upon the world!"
"Good!"
"Qing Mu, heed my command!" The listless Green Azure Human Emperor, forgoing his usual demeanor, opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed in his aged, clouded eyes.
"Your subject is here!" Qing Mu glared at the Grand Commandant and cupped his fist in salute to the Human Emperor.
"Declare war on the Great Han today and lead your troops to battle the Great Cloud Dynasty!"
***
Blood Sun Dynasty.
"Marquis, beyond this city, a hundred li to the west, lies the Blood Sun Dynasty's foremost western military fortress – Blood Mountain Pass!"
This was the western region of the Blood Sun Dynasty, a place Marquis Lie Feng had never been. As a lord of this land, he had always been stationed in the northwest, guarding against the Great Yan Dynasty. Later, he had only participated in holy wars. Thus, this western part of the Blood Sun Dynasty was his first time setting foot here. Behind Marquis Lie Feng, three generals at the first level of the Heaven Fusion Realm followed closely. The army behind them accelerated their march, kicking up dust. The troops had assembled at the dynasty's call, and under the leadership of Marquis Lie Feng, they had traveled day and night for ten thousand li, finally arriving within a hundred li of Blood Mountain Pass.
"Pick up the pace!" A general at the Heaven Fusion Realm shouted at the vast army behind him. There was none of the usual excitement of battle on his brow.
Zhang Liao, the commander of the Great Han's Vermillion Bird Legion, a figure who had, before the eyes of many lords of the realm, cleaved the Great Cloud Dynasty's Great General Xiong Feng and the Sacred Yuan Dynasty's Heaven Fusion Realm expert Ying Ji, had led his troops into their territory. How could they not be alarmed?
The defenders of the western cities and their armies found it difficult to resist. Even without Zhang Liao and Xu Chu, the Vermillion Bird Legion could have ravaged the four directions. The important coastal strongholds in the west had all fallen. The Vermillion Bird Legion then turned its direction, aiming for the foremost western military fortress – Blood Mountain Pass.
Once this pass was lost, the Great Han army would directly enter the central region, with a clear path ahead and no more formidable passes to guard. The Great Han's Vermillion Bird Legion would then reach the imperial city in a matter of days.
"Generals, under no circumstances can we relax. The Vermillion Bird Legion has two Heaven Fusion Realm experts at its command. We must be extremely cautious in this battle and must not equate the Great Han Dynasty with other dynasties!" Marquis Lie Feng frowned. He had no confidence in facing Zhang Liao in this battle.
When the Great Han declared war on the three major dynasties, his greatest concern was this Vermillion Bird Legion. The other legions had never set foot in the imperial dynasties, nor did they have fierce generals renowned throughout the land. But the Vermillion Bird Legion was different. Zhang Liao alone was incredibly troublesome, and now Xu Chu had also entered the Heaven Fusion Realm. He had no confidence in this battle.
If he knew that the Great Han's Vermillion Bird Legion also had a general named Gan Ning, who was now also a Heaven Fusion Realm expert, he would not dare to accept this command and lead his troops to their deaths.
"Has there been any news from Blood Mountain Pass?" Marquis Lie Feng looked towards the mountains and rivers. They were still a hundred li away from Blood Mountain Pass, yet the nearby cities were lifeless. The army passed through, and they rarely saw any commoners or warriors; most had already evacuated, fleeing in advance. This showed that the iron-fisted reputation of the Great Han had already shaken the four directions!
"Reporting, General!"
"The commander of Blood Mountain Pass, Zhou Yu, has no news at present. The last message three days ago mentioned no movements from the Great Han's Vermillion Bird Legion!" A general immediately replied respectfully. The four lords of the Blood Sun Dynasty, which of them was not renowned? The ultimate goal of the Blood Sun Dynasty's generals was to become like Marquis Lie Feng, fighting valiantly for the Blood Sun Dynasty and ascending to the ranks of the lords.
"Then let's speed up. This battle absolutely cannot be delayed!" Marquis Lie Feng's tone instantly turned cold. With the assistance of three Heaven Fusion Realm generals, he did not believe they could not kill Zhang Liao. If Zhang Liao died at his hands, then Marquis Lie Feng's reputation would surely surpass that of all other lords. That day, in the Sacred Yuan Dynasty, the four experts faced Zhang Liao. They appeared united, but it was only superficial; each had their own agenda. If they had been truly united, how could Zhang Liao have been so brazen in the Blood Sun Dynasty?
"Yes!" The three generals immediately cupped their fists and raised their command tokens, directing the army to advance rapidly!