The entire South Sea Royal Palace was brightly lit that night, and the grand hall within was exceptionally lively.
This time, it was different from before. Instead, the hall was arranged with two rows of small tables for two, from top to bottom, front, back, left, and right, each table having two small cushions.
Then, they heard the attendants holding gongs and drums at the entrance of the hall strike a bronze gong and shout loudly, "All lords, please enter the hall! All lords, please enter the hall!"
Afterward, people began to enter one after another. Upon hearing this announcement, Yue Jiu turned to Shui Fang and Ying Lu and said,
"The banquet has begun, let's go quickly."
"Alright, let's go then."
"Let's go."
Upon entering the hall, besides the Demon King seated in the main seat, below him, from the very front, were Lin'er and the four elders in order.
Following them were the Four Great Protectors of the Mermaid Tribe and Bi Yao, then the people of Black Mountain, namely Liu Shi Nian, Xue Gu Cheng, and others.
After them were the Twenty-Four Mountain Lords, followed by various generals. Shui Fang and Ying Lu, being my friends, naturally sat in the Black Mountain row.
Seeing everyone seated, I stood up and cupped my hands towards everyone, saying,
"It's been a long time since we've sat together so joyfully. You have all worked hard recently, and I have prepared some delicacies for everyone."
Saying this, I clapped my hands remotely, and a group of maids and guards entered with small dishes, delivering them to each table.
Then, I poured wine for myself and said to everyone, "This time, I want to introduce two people, Shui Fang and Ying Lu."
I raised my hand towards them, and Shui Fang and Ying Lu immediately stood up and cupped their hands to everyone.
I then said,
"I met these two friends first, and they saved me multiple times in my time of need.
My gratitude towards them is beyond words. It is a great joy that they can come to South Sea City today."
Afterward, I raised my wine cup and said to everyone, "Everyone can enjoy themselves tonight. After today, we will be busy again. This first cup, I offer to all of you present."
With that, I drank it all in one gulp.
They then raised their cups in return.
Seeing everyone present, Yue Jiu thought it was a good opportunity to express his intentions. Thus, he exchanged a look with Shui Fang and Ying Lu.
The two immediately understood and, following him, walked from their seats to the center and knelt before me.
Yue Jiu began,
"Mu Ye, I have watched you from an unknown nobody to the Demon King you are today. We have experienced much along this path, and I have understood much.
Therefore, I have decided to join Black Mountain and attack the Four Cities with you."
Hearing his words, I was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Brother Yue, are you truly willing?"
"I am willing."
The other person also stated,
"Mu Ye, we are here in South Sea City at Brother Yue's invitation to join you, so I am also willing to join Black Mountain."
Ying Lu then added, "Me too, me too, I am also willing to join Black Mountain."
Hearing them say this, I beamed with joy.
Although I was certain in my heart, I still had to ask.
"Are you truly willing to join Black Mountain and follow me in battles far and wide?"
"We are willing, we are willing to follow you until death or success."
"Good, good, good, you have truly touched me. Please rise, please rise."
Saying this, I personally stepped down to help them up.
At this moment, Ye Chang Feng also brought out the Four Great Villains and stood before me, kneeling.
"Although we haven't known you for long, we have walked with the people of Black Mountain to this day, and we consider ourselves a part of Black Mountain.
We haven't been able to properly express our feelings before, but today we wish to take this opportunity to declare our resolve. We are also willing to join Black Mountain and become a part of it."
"Excellent, excellent, excellent, then we are truly a family."
Then, a sudden thought arose in my mind, and I called Lin'er over, asking him,
"Now that my friends have all come to my side, I think it's time to give them titles. What do you think, Elder?"
Lin'er thought for a moment before replying, "How about we collectively call them the Twelve Star Generals?"
"Twelve Star Generals, that's good."
After discussing it with him, I announced loudly to everyone present, "Those whose names I call, please step forward: Liu Shi Nian, Xue Gu Cheng, Yan Wu Shuang, Hei Feng, Xue Ru Yi."
Xue Ru Yi, whose whereabouts were always mysterious, suddenly appeared before me like a phantom upon hearing his name.
I then returned to my high seat and announced to everyone,
"Now that my friends have all come under my command, it is truly the greatest fortune of my life. I have just discussed with the Elder, and from now on, you twelve will be collectively known as the Twelve Star Generals.
You are the Twelve Star Generals of my Ghostly Tribe, and also the Twelve Star Generals of our allied army."
Upon hearing this, there was a roar of cheers, and everyone was very happy.
Henceforth, the Twelve Star Generals were Liu Shi Nian, Xue Gu Cheng, Yan Wu Shuang, Hei Feng, Xue Ru Yi, Ye Chang Feng, Zhu Yan, Gui Ye, Fu Zi Mo, Shui Fang, and Ying Lu.
Later, this news reached the Western Purple Kingdom and the Northern Divine Capital, and it was jokingly nicknamed the Twelve Demon Generals by the people of that time. From then on, the Twelve Star Generals also had another title: the Twelve Demon Generals.
After the joy subsided, everyone returned to their seats. Shui Fang and Ying Lu voluntarily offered to perform their specialties for everyone.
Shui Fang held a long spear, and Ying Lu held a snake-shaped sword. They stood facing each other.
Then, they unleashed their skills simultaneously, and a surge of fierce fire and cold water intertwined.
Afterward, the two leaped into the intertwined fire and water, transforming into a water dragon and a fire dragon respectively.
The water dragon and the fire dragon roared at each other in mid-air, then spewed out clouds and mist, moving and colliding within the mist.
Then, with a long roar, the two dragons landed separately and transformed back into human form.
The crowd, still wanting more, shouted, "Another one, another one!"
Shui Fang and Ying Lu, unable to refuse, had to perform again. This time, however, they did not use their weapons. Instead, they each transformed into two white cranes.
The two white cranes circled each other in mid-air, then spewed cold water and fierce fire from their mouths.
One spewed fire and the other dodged; one spewed water and the other dodged.
Afterward, the cold water and fierce fire fell to the ground, forming a mirror-like lake. Where the water fell, the fire transformed into blooming lotus flowers.
Then, the two dove into the water, transforming into koi fish chasing and playing with each other.
Finally, they transformed again into a fire dragon and a water snake, entwined together. After a brief struggle, they soared into the air and turned into clouds and mist, from which the two descended to the ground.
"Excellent!"
At that moment, thunderous applause erupted. Everyone had smiles of satisfaction on their faces. This also allowed them to witness the strength of Shui Fang and Ying Lu, gaining a certain affirmation.
Then, I raised my cup and said to everyone, "After joy comes fine wine. Come, let's drink this cup together."
"Yes."
Immediately, everyone raised their cups in response and drank heartily.
As the spirits soared, I called out, "We won't go home until we're drunk tonight!"
The crowd below responded, "We won't go home until we're drunk! We won't go home until we're drunk!"
The feast continued until late into the night. By then, I was already deeply intoxicated. Seeing that the time was almost right, Lin'er dismissed everyone.
Liu Shi Nian, as always, could hold his liquor. Seeing me unable to walk, he stepped forward to support me.
At this moment, a cough was heard, and Bi Yao, who was also tipsy, was seen nearby, unconscious.
Tian Long and the other three merely smiled slightly and said to him,
"Our驸马 (consort), the princess is yours. You should take her back yourself."
Liu Shi Nian frowned slightly, looking troubled. He then decided to escort Bi Yao back to her room. Afterward, Qiu Yu arrived late and helped me back to my chambers.
On the way back with Bi Yao, Liu Shi Nian inadvertently overheard her muddled, drunken words.
Bi Yao, lying in his arms, spoke intermittently, saying, "Brother Liu, Brother Liu, we, we must, must always be together."
Liu Shi Nian smiled faintly, but his heart grew sorrowful.
In the past, he liked Xue Ji but couldn't protect her. Later, he had feelings for Mu Ye but couldn't protect her well.
Now, with Yue Yao, he feared her getting hurt even more.
Although he had let go of Xue Ji since returning to South Sea City, the guilt in his heart still lingered like a nightmare.
If he could truly reach a day when they could calmly discuss marriage, it would likely only happen after conquering the Four Cities and everyone found a good place for themselves.
On the other hand, after He Lian escorted me back to my room, she took out the peace charm she had embroidered, looked at it repeatedly, and was overjoyed. She then composed a poem:
"Straightforward longing is of no avail,
Yet it does not prevent a melancholy, wild delight."
Afterward, she sat in front of the chambers, lost in thought, gazing at the peace charm she had made.
That night, some slept soundly, while others could not.
The next day, I woke up leisurely around noon and immediately called out, "He Lian, He Lian, what time is it?"
He Lian entered with a basin of water and replied,
"The Demon King drank too much last night and slept through the morning."
"Through the morning?"
I rubbed my eyes groggily and suddenly remembered my agreement with Zhong Dang.
He was to assist my army in heading to the Western Purple Kingdom in three days. Tomorrow was the third day, and I was still sleeping so soundly.
Suddenly, I panicked, rolled out of bed, and immediately instructed He Lian,
"Quickly, quickly go and summon the Elder."
"Yes."
She then hurried off to deliver the message. Soon after, Lin'er slowly arrived.
Upon entering the hall, he asked, "Demon King, why are you in such a hurry?"
I put on my clothes and went out to meet him, saying,
"Elder, tomorrow is the three-day mark of our agreement with Zhong Dang. I had intended to prepare the personnel in advance, but with so many miscellaneous matters in the past few days, I almost missed it. We must quickly prepare the personnel now."
Upon hearing this, Lin'er chuckled and reassured me,
"Demon King, do not worry. I have already handled this matter. It is only the matter of the generals that has not been finalized."
I thought for a moment and asked him, "How many troops do you plan to take this time?"
He held up two fingers, indicating.
"Twenty thousand troops? Isn't that too few?" I asked, somewhat surprised.
He shook his head and said, "It's not too few. All the chosen ones are elite soldiers and good generals."
"What about the Twenty-Four Mountain Lords?" I asked.
"Although they are currently loyal, to be safe, we will bring them all. These twenty thousand will include the Twenty-Four Mountain Lords."
"Good, then who will remain to guard South Sea City?"
"Zuo Men and Ku Ding Hai. They understand how to defend a city better than us. Besides them, there are a few elders, and some womenfolk."
"Good, I trust your decisions. Now, let's hurry to the main hall."
"Yes."
I then said to He Lian,
"Qiu Yu, I'll trouble you to make another trip. Please summon the people of Black Mountain, the Twenty-Four Mountain Lords, and Zuo Men and Ku Ding Hai to the main hall. I have something to say."
"Yes."
She guessed that it was time for war again, so she didn't dare to delay and hurried off to deliver the message.
When Lin'er and I arrived at the main hall, the elders also arrived shortly after. Soon, people began to enter one after another.
Before long, everyone had arrived.
Seeing that everyone was present, I spoke to them about this operation.
"We have rested in South Sea City for quite some time, and it is time for us to deploy our troops.
This time, we will march on the Western Purple Kingdom. In order to capture this territory of the Western Purple Kingdom in one fell swoop.
I have decided to have Zuo Men and Ku Ding Hai remain to guard South Sea City. Except for Yan Wu Shuang and myself, all the womenfolk will remain in South Sea City. Naturally, the four elders will also stay behind."
I paused and looked at Lin'er, signaling him to present his plan.
Lin'er understood and began to speak,
"For this operation, the Twelve Star Generals will accompany the main force.
The Twenty-Four Mountain Lords will be divided into small teams to head to the Western Purple Kingdom.
The main force will consist of ten thousand men, and the small teams will be ten thousand men, led by the various Mountain Lords and entering from different entry points."
At this moment, someone suddenly asked,
"Then what are we supposed to do?"
Everyone looked up and saw the Four Great Protectors walking in from the door. The one speaking was Protector Tian Long.
I smiled slightly and replied to him,
"There are no flowing rivers in the Western Purple Kingdom this time, so the Mermaid Tribe can rest for now."
"However, we were ordered to help everyone. If we are made to guard the home, it would be a waste of our talents. Let us go together."
I laughed heartily and agreed, "Alright, since you volunteer, I will not be polite. You will go with Liu Shi Nian and the others."
"Thank you, Demon King."
Then, I looked at Zuo Men and Ku Ding Hai, personally stepped down from the platform, walked to their side, and clasped their hands, saying earnestly,
"This time, South Sea City will be entrusted to you."
Zuo Men nodded and said, "Yes, as long as you trust us, we will surely guard South Sea City well."
I patted their shoulders and affirmed, "Do not doubt those you employ, and do not employ those you doubt. I believe in you."
"Demon King, please rest assured and go. This place will be handed over to General Zuo Men and me," Ku Ding Hai said.
"Good, then I entrust it to you. Take care of yourselves."
"Yes."
Then, I looked at Lin'er and nodded. He understood and began to instruct everyone,
"Liu Shi Nian and the others will stay behind for a while. The Twenty-Four Mountain Lords can lead their teams now, but they can only travel separately.
Try your best to disguise yourselves as refugees, peddlers, or horse drivers. The smaller the target, the better. By any means necessary, you must successfully enter the Western Purple Kingdom."
"Yes."
"Alright, you may depart immediately."
"Yes."
After the Twenty-Four Mountain Lords left, Lin'er began to brief the elders and Liu Shi Nian and the others.
"I have arranged for ten thousand elite soldiers to disguise themselves as civilians and disperse to rendezvous with Zhong Dang.
Your objective is to lead this group into the Western Purple Kingdom. The Demon King and I will follow with the main force to the Western Purple Kingdom."
"Yes."
"You may now go and wait for news outside the city."
"Yes."
After everyone had left, I asked Lin'er, "Are we bringing the main force this time to create a chaotic situation?"
"As expected, nothing escapes the Demon King's eyes. Let them lead the troops.
We will then bring the main force to create momentum and cover for the personnel in front.
Afterward, when the Western Purple Kingdom sends troops to meet us, we will cause internal strife, and we will achieve victory with minimal losses."
Hearing his plan, I couldn't help but praise, "Excellent strategy, excellent strategy. You are truly the Elder of my tribe."
"The Demon King flatters me."
"Then let us also hurry to prepare."
"No rush, let's wait a few more days before deploying."
"Good, I'll listen to you."
It seems that this time, the attack on the Western Purple Kingdom has a higher chance of success. I could almost see victory ahead, right beneath my feet.