The light pillar that descended from the sky disappeared gradually together with the two figures. It was as though they never existed, yet they linger on, for all eternity.
The sky was brightening up, though the rain continued to fall.
The Mountain Breaking Army and Yan Cloud Calvary started to clean up the battlefield in silence. No one spoke as they lifted the bodies off the grounds.
They were victorious. The Northern Barbarians had retreated and King Xieluo had fallen.
However, this was a victory that no one was happy about. That was because countless soldiers had fallen in the rain. Even Prince Li of the First Rank, a legendary figure to the Great Xia Dynasty had sacrificed himself in this war.
Yan Qianli slowly walked towards Prince Li of the First Rank. Quickly, he arrived right in front of him before covering him in his own coat.
Lin Mubai trembled slightly as he knelt down in front of Prince Li of the First Rank. He clenched his fist tightly upon seeing the closed eyes of his fellow comrade.
A desolate grief rose from his heart. This war in the Flame Capital City had destroyed the castle walls and the city gate, all of which could be repaired.
However…
The death of Prince Li of the First Rank, the usurpation of the throne by the Crown Prince, the revolution led by King Duan and lastly, the emotional grief in his heart were things that needed time to heal.
Most importantly, Ping Yang was taken by Cang Yue. Lin Mubai felt a sense of loneliness from the depths of his heart.
Although the throne was a seat ridden with loneliness to begin with, this did not mean that Emperors needed no emotional comforting.
"Who do I place my trust in from now on?" Lin Mubai looked up slightly and allowed the rain to wash over his face. He had lost all whom he trusted and those whom he loved.
If he had to narrow down his choices, the only one left was Xing Yuanguo.
However, Xing Yuanguo's talent lay in the military. As the head of the Thirteen Constabularies, Xing Yuanguo's undoubtedly had talent in the field. These talents usually would not participate in the political decision-making processes.
Lin Mubai could not possibly hand the entire reins of the military to Xing Yuanguo despite his trust.
How could he save this boat filled with holes?
Lin Mubai felt his body go weak. This Emperor was restless and dejected. He could only stand with Chen Feihua's support.
"Where is the First Dragon Envoy, Yan Qing?"
"Here!" A figure quickly walked forward after hearing Lin Mubai's words. It was Yan Qing.
"Apart from the Crown Prince and King Duan, where are the rest of my children?"
"Your Majesty, from what I know, the Seventh Prince had led his guards in a fight at the West Palace gate. However, as the number of his guards were insufficient, he did not succeed. The Eleventh Prince did not attack the palace, he stayed in the City to console the citizens. As for the Ninth Prince…"
"What about him?" Lin Mubai sensed something amiss as he frowned.
"Ninth Prince… has left the city. Just when the Northern Barbarian Army attacked, the Ninth Prince took the chance to leave!"
"What? This useless brat, to think he would escape his responsibilities!" Lin Mubai trembled with rage as he hollered. How could he contain himself when his son had escaped when Flame Capital City needed him the most?
"Your Majesty please take care of your health!" Yan Qing stared at Lin Mubai's face and immediately knelt onto the ground. As a member of the Dragon Protection Squad, his role was to protect the Emperor. Apart from that, they were tasked to keep an eye on all his children. One could say that they wield great power.
However, that was also why they could not enter the political scene, or even appear in the morning court sessions. They were also forbidden to gossip about happenings in the palace and could only report the truth.
"It's fine, let him go!" Lin Mubai stared at the kneeling Yan Qing and shook his head in disapproval. He was too tired to even feel anger.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this battle is not over!" At that moment, Xing Yuanguo appeared in front of Lin Mubai. He cast his gaze to a distant place and frowned.
"What do you mean?" Lin Mubai stared at Xing Yuanguo and felt slightly more reassured.
"When I reached the city gate, I already saw smoke arising from all the Pinnacle torch. I predict that all our troops are heading towards Flame Capital City right this moment. I am not worried about the other areas, but the Northern Lands… The Divine Lord is now in the capital and Su Qing is the Chief of the Northern Land Five Constabularies. If I am not wrong, the Northern Barbarian Army might be…"
"Yes, that is exactly the thing I was worried about. I am afraid the Northern Barbarian Army had already reached the Northern Lands by now. This war is truly not over!" Lin Mubai nodded as he sighed, looking into the Northern Lands in the distant.
The torrential rain fell and washed away the blood spilled on the battlefield.
Fang Zhengzhi was not in a good mood. However, when he saw Lin Mubai and Xing Yuanguo approached him, he still politely bowed.
"Zhengzhi… I, the Emperor, have to thank you on behalf of the citizens of the Great Xia Dynasty!" Lin Mubai stared at Fang Zhengzhi with an inexplicable expression as he said.
"Has Su Qing escaped?" Fang Zhengzhi cast his glance towards the Northern Lands instead of Lin Mubai as he said.
"Yes."
"I want to take a trip to the Northern Mountain Village."
"I understand. However, the Northern Lands is not safe at the moment. If you don't mind, you can go to the Northern Lands with Yuanguo as the advance party. I will appoint the Dragon Protection Squad to escort you. What do you say?"
"Thank you, but Yan Xiu alone is enough," Fang Zhengzhi shook his head politely and declined.
"Hm, that will do as well. Zhengzhi ah, I know you are…" Lin Mubai was just about to say something when a voice appeared behind him.
"I have to meet the Emperor!"
"Let me see the Emperor!"
"What is going on?" Lin Mubai frowned as he turned to look behind him.
A man with a small stature was struggling within the arms of several royal guards. He was holding a letter in his hand, waving it around fanatically.
"Your Majesty, he is a servant of the Ninth Prince Residence. He claims that the Ninth Prince has a letter for you!" The royal guards quickly replied.
"Ninth Prince, that useless brat left a letter? Drag him away, I do not want to read it!" Lin Mubai waved his hand and dismissed it immediately.
"Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince did not run away. He really didn't! Your Majesty only have to read this letter to understand the situation!" The servant became agitated after hearing Lin Mubai's words and shouted in denial.
Lin Mubai did not speak immediately. He stared at the servant for several seconds before he said, "Give me the letter!"
"Yes!" A few royal guards took the letter from the servant's hand and quickly delivered it to Lin Mubai.
Fang Zhengzhi remained silent as he witnessed the scene.
Yan Xiu and Shan Yu remained silent as well. They stood beside Fang Zhengzhi with a peculiar expression on their faces.
As for Wu Yuer, she was looking at a distant spot in the opposite direction while deep in thought.
The letter had reached Lin Mubai's hands.
Lin Mubai did not hesitate to tear open the letter. He glanced briefly through the contents as the frown on his face slowly disappeared.
"Your Majesty, has the Ninth Prince went to the Northern Lands?" Xing Yuanguo stared at Lin Mubai and asked.
"Yes, he went to Golden Scale City!" Lin Mubai nodded and replied after a moment of silence.
"So that's how it is. He has made a great contribution then. Although Su Qing is the Chief of the Northern Lands Five Constabularies, the Ninth Prince is a member of the royal family. The moment he set foot in Golden Scale City, our troops would listen to his orders!"
"Yes," Lin Mubai nodded his head in satisfaction.
The letter was one of apology, seeking forgiveness for his sin of forging a fake royal decree. Clearly, the Ninth Prince wanted to seize the authority over the Northern Lands troops using this decree.
This was a great sin.
However, Lin Mubai knew that he could not blame him for his actions. Not only would he not do that, he even realized that there was a useful person beside him all along.
The battle of Flame Capital City happened extremely suddenly.
Only under such circumstances could one's crisis management abilities be put to the test.
Trying to barge into the palace to save the Emperor was a good move, consoling the citizens was a commendable act as well. However, these acts were only temporary measures.
A leader looks at the big picture.
Amidst the chaos of the Flame Capital City, one would not be able to accomplish much with a title as insignificant as the Ninth Prince.
However, just as what Xing Yuanguo had mentioned, he was still a member of the royal family. While his influence was limited in the capital city, it would be completely different in the Northern Lands.
"Your Majesty!" At that moment, Yan Qianli walked towards Lin Mubai and stared at Yan Xiu and Fang Zhengzhi before bowing respectfully.
"King Yan, how are your injuries?" Lin Mubai stared at Yan Qianli and returned the greetings. His eyes glimmered with concern.
"It's nothing serious," Yan Qianli shook his head. Following which, he cast his glance to the North and said, "I have already placed a troop of heavy armored knights along the borders between Western Liang and the Northern Lands. I have given orders for them to attack the Man Ling Guan of the Holy Barbarian Empire the moment they sensed something is amiss."
"This… Prince Yan had saved the Great Xia Dynasty!" Lin Mubai was startled at this sudden turn of events. He was obviously pleased.
"I seek forgiveness for deploying the troops on my own accord!"
"Prince Yan, you are being way too humble. How could I not understand your actions!"
"Hm, Your Majesty might have to walk the rest of the road on your own. I do not plan to return to Western Liang after this," Yan Qianli said as he nodded.
"Is Prince Yan going to…"
"Yes."
"I understand," A hint of sadness flashed through Lin Mubai's eyes as he replied. However, he recollected himself after a while and knelt down to send off Yan Qianli.
Yan Qianli did not stop Lin Mubai from doing so. He allowed him to finish his formalities before stretching out his hand to help him up.
"Your Majesty, since Prince Yan had already planned beforehand and the Ninth Prince had already set off, please give your orders now!" Xing Yuanguo stared at the brightening sky and clenched his fist as he said.
"Alright, Listen up!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"I appoint Xing Yuanguo as the commander in chief. The Mountain Breaking Army and all other troops are to rush to Golden Scale City immediately to assist the Ninth Prince in his fight against the Northern Barbarians.
As the torrential rain fell, a small group could be seen riding their war horses across the plains. The red cloud logo on their chest sparkled in the pouring rain.
They were the Yan Cloud Calvary.
Four horses led the way.
They were Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu, Shan Yu and Wu Yuer.
The raindrops fell on their heads as mud splashed each time the horse's hooves fell. The four of them kept their gaze to the front, leaving a trail of their inconspicuous hoofprints.
There were over ten black figures behind them as well. Each of them was equipped with a long sword which glimmered with a slight radiance.
"Young Master, the escaped Northern Barbarian Army is still two miles away!"
"Alright," Yan Xiu nodded his head as he replied. He then glanced at Fang Zhengzhi from the corner of his eye. Somehow, he felt that Fang Zhengzhi had changed.
Usually, Fang Zhengzhi would not accept Lin Mubai's proposal immediately. More specifically, even if he would accept it, it would be tied with some conditions.
But this time around…
Fang Zhengzhi did not propose any conditions.
What would he do in half a year?
Yan Xiu subconsciously tightened his grip on the reins and hollered, "Su Qing, you will not escape!"
…
A huge battle had begun in a forest around 80 miles away from Flame Capital City. Over 3000 Yan Cloud Calvary rushed into the defensive fort of the Northern Barbarian Army and completely destroyed them.
The Northern Barbarian Army lay on the ground with their bloodstained armor as they stared at the Yan Cloud Calvary in front of them in disbelief.
The traps that placed had no effect at all.
How did they do it?
They had no idea, but they knew that there was no turning back. The battle was over.
"Fang Zhengzhi, even if you kill me, the Holy Barbarian Army had already stepped into the Northern Lands, we will not lose!" Su Qing shouted in a fanatical tone.
"That's a shame. There is no turning back once I stepped into the Northern Lands," Fang Zhengzhi stared at Su Qing and remembered the time when they first met.
At that time…
Su Qing had a smirk over his face, a smile that seemed to suggest he had everything under control. However, that arrogance was now replaced by a horrifying realization.
Was this how power worked?
Fang Zhengzhi stared into the horizon as he fell into a deep thought. Su Qing had been known for his intricate tactics and plans. In fact, he was a lot better at these schemes than Fang Zhengzhi was.
But he was now cowering in fear in front of Fang Zhengzhi.
Absolute power.
Fang Zhengzhi had Wu Yuer, Yan Xiu, Shan Yu, the black figures from the Shadow Sect and the Yan Cloud Calvary with him. This conclusion of this battle was clear.
Ling Yun Tower?
Perhaps he would be in the same state in front of Ling Yun Tower.
"It seems like I have truly lost this time." Su Qing sighed.
"Tell me, where is Qian Wu?"
"Qian Wu? Haha, you will see him soon, you definitely will!" Su Qing was startled at first before he burst out into a fanatical fit.
"Fang Zhengzhi, do you need me to help you?" Wu Yuer's voice rose at that moment. Her seductive eyes shone with a murderous intent.
"There is no need to, I will do this myself," Fang Zhengzhi shook his head as he said. Following which, a sinister purple light glowed from the Traceless Sword, emitting a humming sound.
The purple light then slowly made its way into Su Qing's heart.
A trail of fresh blood flowed from Su Qing's mouth as he grabbed the Traceless Sword tightly. His eyes shone with rage and bitterness as he did so, though he eventually succumbed to his fate.
Silence!
The rain stopped and golden sunrays shone through the horizon.
…
Half a month later, the stars shone brightly in the night sky.
A golden temple sat atop a towering mountain that seemed to rise into the heavens. It stood quietly in its place, emitting an inexplicable authority, as though it was looking down upon the lost souls of the earth.
On top of the temple, the two words, Heavenly Dao, could be seen shining in the night sky.
At that moment, a light rained down from the horizon. It was like a shooting star, though it seemed different. That was because it illuminated the sky completely.
Most importantly, a voice seemed to whisper amongst the light. It was something like a low rumble which appeared desolate and ancient.
Boom! The heavens and earth rumbled.
At the same time, a figure hastily appeared in the backyard of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion. Her pink dress fluttered in the night sky and a white silk belt could be seen around her waist. Her beautiful hair draped along her shoulders. She was truly a stunning beauty.
The figure was extremely fast.
She reached the horizon in an instant.
Following which, a peculiar thing happened. The figure collided with the star, though it did not seem like a terrible accident, but a heavenly and long-awaited reunion.
It was as though they belonged together in the first place.
"Look, the sky!"
"Could that be…"
"Yes, it is our junior!"
"This sounds like the voice of the heaven and earth, could junior have…"
Everyone gazed into the sky and stared into the dissipating brilliance. Each of them had an expression of shock on their faces.
At that moment, the brilliance in the horizon had disappeared and turned into specks of tiny light. They then congregated onto her forehead.
Under the illumination of the light, a beautiful and exquisite face appeared. She had porcelain-like skin and a pair of bright eyes.
It was an arrogant beauty that allowed her to look down on mortals on the earth.
How stunning!
"Miss!" A young woman clad in an emerald dress shouted from the backyard. She stared at the figure in the horizon in joy as she said, "The lady is out!"