Chapter 6: A Just Cause for Action

With a single command from Qian Ye, the entire Darkflame immediately kicked into full gear.

Moments later, the heads of various departments and those of general rank gathered in the command room. Seated at the high seat, Qian Ye gazed upon the room full of people, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction and joy.

Those who were qualified to enter the large command room were either the heads of departments or had to be War Generals. In the past, the number of rear commanders in Darkflame was greater than those of frontline commanders and generals, making the large command room look rather sparse. But now, as Qian Ye looked around, over half of them were War Generals, their auras clashing, making the less powerful civilian officers pale and weak, as if they might faint at any moment.

The generals naturally noticed this, but instead of restraining themselves, they flaunted their auras, much like peacocks in heat, trying to outdo their rivals.

Compared to before, the number of generals in the meeting room had more than doubled. Looking around, there were nearly thirty War Generals, a significant force by any measure.

Most of the newly appointed generals were survivors from the White City battle. During Qian Ye’s absence for cultivation on the Northern Continent, they hadn’t idled; each had been training hard. With Qian Ye providing abundant materials to help form origin power vortexes, every one of them who reached the threshold successfully formed their own vortex. At the peak, three would become War Generals in a single day.

In addition to the White City mercenaries, there were also two generals recently recruited. They had brought their entire mercenary teams to join. According to Song Zining’s rules, these new recruits’ units were to be reorganized and integrated into existing ones.

Seeing the strength of Darkflame, these two generals accepted the reorganization without a word.

Such a smooth integration, without any resistance, was rare even for the Zhao Clan. Of course, many of the mercenaries had already exhausted their potential when they broke through to become War Generals. Their primary cultivation methods weren’t sufficient to push them beyond their limits, and they lacked the carefully designed equipment, combat techniques, and supporting comrades. In terms of actual combat power, ten Zhao Clan War Generals could easily defeat ten mercenary War Generals.

However, in the neutral lands, this was an unprecedentedly strong force. Only a few factions, such as the Blood Throne and the Heavenly King’s Palace, could match it.

Thinking of the Heavenly King’s Palace, Qian Ye felt a stir in his heart, realizing something he had overlooked. Over so many days, those old “friends” had almost disappeared, nearly slipping his mind entirely.

But he put that aside, looking around at his generals, and said, “After the White City battle, many of our old brothers have grown. This is excellent! You all hoped I would lead you to create a new world. Now is the opportunity. The Zheng State is in turmoil, and we need to send troops to stabilize the situation. Any thoughts?”

A general scratched his head, saying, “Where is the Zheng State? And even though they are in turmoil, it seems to have nothing to do with us. It feels… like an unjust cause!”

None of them were fools. The so-called stabilization was just a pretext, similar to maintaining order in a major city in the neutral lands. But they needed a proper justification, or they risked becoming a target.

Qian Ye smiled slightly, “Where the Zheng State is, that’s a good question. Everyone should go back and learn about it. The intelligence department will compile all the information and maps, and each of you must memorize them within a day. As for the lack of a just cause, we can find a weaker prince among the Zheng princes who want to ascend. We can get him to invite us, and that solves the problem.”

The generals nodded in agreement, though some looked distressed. They were used to fighting, not memorizing.

Ignoring their distress, Qian Ye dismissed the meeting, promising to check their knowledge the next morning. Anyone who couldn’t recite the information would be confined to the black room to study until they could.

Darkflame was now a substantial force, having just completed its expansion. The order to prepare for war wasn’t something that could be accomplished in a day or two. This period was perfect for detailed planning. Qian Ye planned to lead the newly formed elite corps, built to Red Scorpion standards, into battle first, followed by three divisions for support. The main duty of these divisions was not combat, but occupation and maintaining order.

The mobilization work was left to the subordinates. Qian Ye, however, had other preparations to make, especially dealing with the Heavenly King’s Palace.

In the Imperial Capital, everyone seemed to be in a hurry, with an invisible tension hanging over everyone’s hearts.

Since the Floating Land Battle, strange phenomena had frequently appeared in the capital. Most ordinary people in the capital had relatives working in key positions, and rumors spread rapidly. In taverns and restaurants, after a few drinks, people would vividly recount secrets about the Heavenly King and divine generals as if they had witnessed them firsthand.

When news of the great victory came, everyone was initially elated, but those in high positions knew the truth.

This was a costly victory.

The imperial family had poured all their resources into this battle of national fortune. Even the long-secluded Princess Haomi had been ordered to fight, and several talented princes and princesses, like the 14th Prince and the 19th Princess, had died on the battlefield. The death of the 14th Prince, in particular, directly affected the choice for the Crown Prince.

Fortunately, Emperor Hao had emerged from his seclusion, showing his true capabilities. With his current momentum, the matter of the Crown Prince was still far off.

But the aftermath of the Eternal King’s death was a serious issue. After his death, Emperor Hao had swiftly taken control of the capital and the core areas of the Qin Continent to deal with the bloody funeral. This was a temporary measure. To completely uproot the Eternal King’s faction, which had been established for over a century, was no easy task. This imperial king had intricate connections in various fields, and the royal bloodlines were intertwined with almost all noble families and middle-to-upper-class clans. This cleanup would take years.

For some, Lin Xitang’s disappearance was another significant matter. His sudden appearance on the Floating Land, killing the Right Prime Minister, and reorganizing the battle situation were no longer secrets. Several cabinet members had already started to fabricate charges against the Right Prime Minister, indicating the direction of the wind to those around them.

Afterward, Lin Xitang went into the void and was never heard from again. Emperor Hao refused to acknowledge his death, calling it a disappearance. When someone reported information from the Evernight side, he was furious and demoted the messenger three ranks. No senior officials dared to advise him, and they all remained silent, either because they had experienced the Floating Land battle firsthand or had detailed intelligence, making their feelings about the Imperial Tutor complex.

Moreover, the information from the Evernight side was equally vague, providing only a result without any details. This was also strange in the Evernight camp. Blood Noble Habus didn’t go to the council to report, instead returning to his castle and refusing visitors, reportedly due to severe injuries. The other nobles on the Evernight fleet were too afraid to speak, with the Demon Emperor present at the time. Who would dare to lie?

Thus, no one in the court spoke of the Imperial Tutor. But experienced generals and commanders knew that under such circumstances, Lin Xitang likely had fallen.

With Lin Xitang gone, many realized his importance. Many major empire matters had been handled by him with ease. Only when they took over did they realize how difficult it was. He was like the beam of a house, unnoticed until it was missing, causing anxiety and fear.

During this time, everyone in the court was busy, with the streets buzzing with activity.

In the Imperial Military Department, Song Zining was discussing military supplies with several generals. They joked with each other, clearly very familiar. These generals were originally part of Zhang Boqian’s direct line and had worked with Song Zining. After Zhang Boqian retired as the Marshal, they moved to the Military Department.

At this moment, Song Zining’s attendant entered and whispered something in his ear. Song Zining’s expression changed, starting calm, then shocked, and finally oddly amused, as if trying to stifle a laugh.

“Seventh Young Master, what’s so amusing?” one of them asked. They still called him Seventh Young Master, even though he had severed ties with the Song Clan.

Song Zining laughed, “Nothing, just that Qian Ye, that idiot, has suddenly become smart.”

Qian Ye’s name was once taboo in the Military Department, but that changed after the Floating Land Battle. Many young, belligerent generals and front-line commanders had a favorable view of Qian Ye and disdained Li Fengshui’s faction. Now, while Qian Ye’s identity was still taboo, it was no longer about his vampire heritage.

Hearing this, the generals exchanged looks, and the youngest one said, “Sir Qian Ye isn’t an idiot, is he?”

Song Zining replied casually, “When has he ever been smart?”

The young general sighed, “Only Seventh Young Master would say that. In front of Sir Qian Ye, I feel like I can’t breathe.”

After the White City battle, these generals had met Qian Ye and shared the sentiment, nodding in agreement.

Song Zining laughed, “Don’t be so tense. Qian Ye is actually very kind, well, easy to bully.”

“Who would dare bully Sir Qian Ye? Are they tired of living?” The general voiced the others’ thoughts.

Song Zining laughed and returned to the discussion of military supplies.

Outside the Tidal Wave City, a massive shadow swept across the ground, heading towards the ancient totem fortress. Inside the city, people noticed the anomaly and climbed to high places, watching the colossal object in the clouds.

The ancient totem fortress sounded the alarm, and the ballistae on the towers were raised, aimed at the approaching behemoth. The ballista operators, sweating, focused on the dragon ship in their sights.

“Hold steady! No one is to fire without orders!” officers shouted, fearing an accidental trigger.

The keen-eyed experts saw that the floating ship showed clear signs of human craftsmanship, which was even more shocking. They couldn’t imagine such a ship existed.

An elderly werewolf, staring at the dragon ship, suddenly exclaimed, “The Ancestral Temple! Quickly inform the Chief!”

Behind him, the Wolf King’s voice echoed, “No need, I see it.”

The werewolf leaders turned and bowed to the Wolf King, who had appeared behind them.

The Wolf King, squinting at the Ancestral Temple, said, “Relax. Bring Qian Ye to me when he arrives.”

With that, he left, no longer looking at the Ancestral Temple.