Translator: Yukidaruma Translations Editor: Yukidaruma Translations
In Serene Region’s Regional Governor Manor…
The previous regional governor had surrendered a long time ago. The person who was now living amongst this stretch of exquisite building clusters was naturally Serene Region’s current person-in-charge and dominator—Prince Xin, Fang Yingtan.
Prince Xin had just reached 40 years old. In addition to his domineering martial arts cultivation as well as his experience and attributes, he was currently at the pinnacle of his lifetime.
Furthermore, on his way here, he had crushed the various tribes in the plains and taken over both Serene Region and Beiyuan Region. He had been invincible, all-conquering, and undefeatable. Even the feudal vassals from afar sent envoys to establish friendly relationships with him.
All of these seemed to show Prince Xin’s bright prospects. It also caused the many subjects in the two regions to make up their minds and join his side.
Right now, Prince Xin was wearing a headgear and a python robe 1 . Each and every one of his movements had a prestigious flair that seemed to grow more prestigious by the day, causing his servants and subjects to become increasingly respectful.
He threw a glance at the booklet in his hand and laughed, “Everyone, my son has made advances as a vanguard. Thankfully, his martial arts aren’t bad and he has taken down the Divine Martial Pass. His troops have reached the Divine Capital.”
A military officer stepped out and said with a smile, ” Congratulations, Prince Xin. With your son taking down the Divine Martial Pass and reaching the Divine Capital, those people there must be scared out of their wits by now, unable to sleep at night.”
A few other officials immediately followed suit to fawn over and congratulate Prince Xin.
Prince Xin smiled and did not say anything. It was only after they had all finished talking that he spoke up, “Although Wangshu has 30,000 elites under him, the Divine Capital is the imperial court’s core after all. It will be impossible for him to take down the Divine Capital with just several ten thousand Imperial Guards and the two experts, He Wanzhou and Wang Yong.”
He then looked toward a general in white armor and said, “Ye Ran, lead the Abyss Tiger and Steel Formation armies to provide Wangshu with assistance. On this day next month, I want to be seated in the Hall of Supreme Harmony 2to discuss matters.”
Ye Ran stepped out, cupped his hands together, and replied solemnly, “Your subordinate receives the order.”
Prince Xin nodded, feeling satisfied. Ye Ran was the strongest general Prince Xin had under him, a Disha Realm expert who had cleared 72 acupuncture points. With Ye Ran leading the two powerful Abyss Tiger and Steel Formation armies, even a Tiangang Realm expert would not be able to do anything to them.
Moreover, Ye Ran was an orphan whom Prince Xin had taken in at a young age. He had an undoubted loyalty toward Prince Xin.
After making arrangements for Ye Ran, Prince Xin drew out another document and tossed it on the table, saying, “The envoy sent by Li Region’s Wang Daoran said that Wang Daoran wishes to marry his daughter to Wangshu. What are your thoughts about this?”
Wang Hai—the leading civil official under Prince Xin and also a pinnacle Disha Realm expert—stepped out and said, “The situation in Li Region is one where two tigers are competing for the top position. Wang Daoran and Regional Governor Ning Baichuan are fighting each other. Wang Daoran probably can’t hold on anymore and thus wishes to join forces with us.
“The Li Region is southward of Jing Region—a place our army must fight for. That Regional Governor Ning Baichuan is from the Mountain River Sect, and he is an unbridled character. If he were to defeat Wang Daoran, then it’s very likely that he would be even less willing to submit to us.”
“Old Wang is saying that we should go with the political marriage?” Prince Xin’s finger knocked on the table rhythmically.
Everyone in the hall started discussing this matter like the Divine Capital was already in their hands and that they needed to quickly come up with a plan to deal with Li Region.
However, before the many officials came up with a conclusion, one of Prince Xin’s trusted subordinates went up next to him and whispered next to his ear.
At the next moment, an explosive sound rang out from under Prince Xin’s feet, causing the marble flooring in the hall to explode into fragments.
Prince Xin’s face was that of great fury. He said coldly, “We’ll leave things here for today. Everyone can go back. Ye Ran and Old Wang stay behind.”
Although the others could not understand what had happened, they did not dare to disagree upon seeing the fury in Prince Xin’s eyes. Consequently, they took their leave in succession.
Prince Xin then looked toward the servants and said, “You guys take your leave as well.”
It was only after everyone left that Prince Xin said with a grim countenance, “The 30,000-man army under Wangshu has been annihilated, and he has been captured.”
Ye Ran raised his head abruptly, and there seemed to be killing intent flashing past in his eyes. “Who?”
“The people from the imperial court,” Prince Xin said coldly, “It’s said that the person is a woman.”
“A woman?” Wang Hai said solemnly, “To be able to do this single-handedly… she must be a Tiangang Realm expert? Since when was there such an expert in the imperial court?”
“It’s probably the people from the Demon Sect,” Prince Xin said as his eyelids lowered down. His tone sounded cold as the cold wind from the north as he shared his deduction, “There were rumors in the Divine Capital previously that a Tiangang Realm expert from the royal family made a move and suppressed the rebellion led by Cao Yuan.
“How could I not understand the situation in the royal family? I thought that it was young Fang Xuan trying to blow his own trumpet. But by the looks of it, it seems that I was wrong.
“Cao Yuan and the Demon Sect have always been in contact. Back then when he headed to the west for an expedition, his relationship with the Illusory Emotions Path was already unclear.”
Prince Xin’s gaze grew distant like his mind had drifted to the great battle that occurred several decades ago.
The other two who were present were both Prince Xin’s trust followers, and they were no fools. Upon hearing Prince Xin’s words, both of them immediately reacted.
Wang Hai frowned and said, “Prince Xin is saying that the previous rumors were false and that Cao Yuan hasn’t been suppressed…? Instead, he has successfully taken control over the Divine Capital with the support from the Demon Sect…?”
“That should be it.” A hint of realization gleamed in Ye Ran’s eyes. “Even if Cao Yuan succeeded, his conferment wouldn’t be legitimate or justified. Instead, he feigned his death to get away and the royal became worshippers for the Demon Sect’s experts. This allows there to be legitimacy.”
Streams of killing intent flashed in his eyes. “The Illusory Emotions Path’s Sect Master, Zhao Yinglan, is also a woman.”
At the mention of this, the trio seemed certain about the current situation. It must have been that after the Demon Sect assaulted the Divine Capital and took control over the young Emperor, they announced a fake imperial decree and also spread fake news that there had been a Tiangang Realm expert hiding within the royal family. Zhao Yinglan naturally became this expert from the royal family and was also the culprit responsible for defeating the 30,000-man army this time around.
At the thought of this, the fury in Prince Xin blazed up even more. Having 30,000 elites wiped out was the equivalent of him having one of his sharp talons chopped off.
Moreover, if this news were to spread out, his soldiers’ morale would take a blow.
“It seems that the person we have to deal with next is the Illusory Emotions Path’s demonic woman.” Prince Xin let out a cold laugh. “Do the Demon Sect’s brats think that they can make a comeback?”
He then looked at Ye Ran and said, “You will still lead the armies and fight. However, set up camp at the Divine Martial Pass first. Don’t let them take a single step into the Serene Region.” Prince Xin then looked toward the direction of the sky outside the hall and added with a hint of pride, “There will be the people from the Three Mountains Four Peaks to take care of the people from the Demon Sect.”
The Demon Sect’s seven paths had a feud with the Three Mountains Four Peaks that had lasted for several centuries. Prince Xin understood well that once he shared the news of the Demon Sect’s situation to the Three Mountains Four Peaks, there would not be any need for him to request for their assistance. These leaders of the righteous sects that had suppressed the pugilistic world with their power would immediately rush toward the Divine Capital.
Wang Hai also understood this and said, “We’ll let them fight it out first. We’ll first take care of the Serene Region. There are many strong youths and also many sects in the pugilistic world established there. We’ll take them all in first and make up a great army that has 30,000 men or more.”
