The rank of Admiral is one that oversees the military police. While the Northern Army is nominally a private army under the Duke, appointing such a person there indeed seems somewhat out of place. Moreover, this General is also a Divine General.
Although Zhao Junhong introduced the other as Lin Wu, Zhao Jundu had already recalled his identity; he was formerly Fang Qingkong, the Right Enforcer of the Cabinet’s Oversight Bureau. Both the Northern Army and Fang Qingkong were former subordinates of Lin Xitang. Since Zhao Jundu had remembered the connection, he saw no need to ask further questions.
Zhao Jundu and Lin Wu both wore neutral expressions, exchanging a courteous military salute.
The Zhao family, the military district, and the Northern Army represent the pinnacle of the Empire’s military power on the Western Continent. Now that all the key figures were present, Zhao Ruqin quickly provided a detailed account of the current intelligence.
As it stands, the sudden appearance of a non-native dark dukedom fleet seems to target the rebel provinces, with reconnaissance detecting the deployment of assault troops. Only two hours have passed since the incident, so the specific ground combat situation has not yet been reported back.
However, the Empire is completely unable to understand the fleet’s motives.
Although the rebel provinces are ostensibly at war with both the Empire and the dark races, in reality, their armed conflicts with either side are far fewer than those between the Empire and the dark races. In comparison, their trade relationships, especially in gray markets, are much more frequent.
The southern and northern provinces have no particular natural resources, and their prosperity comes from factional smuggling. Moreover, the rebels lack a Divine General to lead them, with the White Egret Legion’s commander merely reputed to be at the Heavenly Gate stage.
Thus, the Evernight Parliament’s deployment of ducal-level forces is meaningless. The dark races should be well aware that the Empire would not stand idly by while they absorbed those two provinces.
After Zhao Ruqin finished speaking, Zhao Junhong mused, “That ducal fleet consists entirely of warships, with no troop transports. This means their total force cannot exceed 20,000.”
Zhao Ruqin nodded, “Yes, the ground forces they deployed are estimated to be around 10,000 strong.”
“Regardless of the quality of the troops, such a number is insufficient to occupy a province,” Zhao Junhong pondered for a moment before saying, “A decapitation strike might be appropriate…”
Zhao Ruqin looked confused, “Decapitate who? The rebel leader? Up to now, there’s no news of any ground forces being dispatched from the dark territory. If it’s a decapitation strike, what is the purpose?”
Just then, a commotion arose below the watchtower, with someone running up heavily.
The man stopped, gasping for breath, and shouted, “General, please send troops to support the south! The dark races, the dark races are massacring the city!”
Zhao Ruqin was greatly shocked. On closer inspection, the intruder was Qi Ming, the deputy commander of the city guards. “What’s going on? Where are the scouts? Call the scouts to report directly!”
Qi Ming hesitated, “The scouts haven’t returned yet…”
At this point, Lin Wu spoke coldly, “The Zhao family truly has many capable people. Information from the garrison is more reliable than from our secret agents.”
His words drew the attention of both Zhao Jundu and Zhao Junhong.
Lin Wu, while in the Oversight Bureau, had a reputation for being strict, but countless facts proved that he never made baseless accusations or fired shots in the dark. His words here and now carried deep meaning.
Zhao Ruqin, however, couldn’t care less about what Lin Wu was saying. With his subordinates breaching the alert line and reporting such nonsensical information, he would be held accountable. He angrily demanded, “Where did you get this information?”
Qi Ming stammered, “Someone from the southern province escaped and came to us…”
Zhao Ruqin frowned, realizing the flaws in the response, but now was not the time to argue. He ordered, “Bring the person up!”
Qi Ming immediately turned and ran down.
Lin Wu then added, “In these special times, General Zhao, you know the importance of caution. Don’t let the city gates be lured open.”
Zhao Ruqin felt a surge of anger but had no grounds to refute. In the past, there had been incidents where human beings from rebel provinces used the pretense of seeking refuge to facilitate attacks by the dark races on Zhao territories. However, such tactics were difficult to employ in key military strongholds like the Youtu Pass, where high-ranking warriors were stationed.
While Zhao Jundu and Zhao Junhong remained silent, they exchanged glances. They sensed Lin Wu’s subtle hostility, suggesting he knew something that could be detrimental to the Zhao family.
Qi Ming soon returned with a visibly distressed middle-aged man.
Upon questioning, the man was a merchant who had delivered goods to Fucheng, the stronghold of the rebel White Egret Legion, and witnessed the dark races’ massacre.
The merchant could not provide many details, having fled at the city gate and using a small floating airship, which allowed him to escape to the Youtu Pass quickly.
However, several points were clear: the city gates were open, with no sign of wartime preparations, indicating the attack was unanticipated. The White Egret Legion’s quarters were engulfed in flames, and the dark race warriors killed indiscriminately, even attacking those with a similar appearance to the dark races. Lastly, on his way to the Youtu Pass, he saw signs of conflict in other cities.
Various expressions crossed the faces of the audience.
Zhao Ruqin waved, dismissing Qi Ming. However, Qi Ming returned shortly, requesting to join the battle.
Zhao Ruqin furrowed his brow, realizing the situation was complex. Even if the merchant’s words were true, the Zhao family needed to carefully consider their next move.
If they went overland, they might face attacks from rebel cities along the way. An aerial approach would put them within range of the ducal fleet in the void, necessitating a full-scale battle.
Qi Ming appeared extremely agitated, recognizing Zhao Jundu and Zhao Junhong, and understanding from Lin Wu’s attire that he was a high-ranking officer. After his initial rashness, he kept his voice low, persistently urging Zhao Ruqin.
Zhao Ruqin interrupted, “Check if the scouts have returned…” Such critical military information required more than a merchant’s word.
Before Qi Ming could say more, Lin Wu leaped off the wall, returning moments later with the informant merchant.
Without a word, Lin Wu sliced through the merchant’s outer garment, revealing a blue and white soft armor beneath, standard issue for elite warriors. The colors matched the White Egret Legion’s uniform, and the merchant had changed his outer clothes but not the inner armor due to haste.
The merchant trembled in fear, and Qi Ming’s face turned pale.
Zhao Ruqin’s face darkened, glaring at Qi Ming.
Given that the merchant came straight to the Youtu Pass and Qi Ming believed his story, they were clearly acquainted. No one had addressed this because, although the rebel provinces were at war with the Empire, interactions between people of the same race were not uncommon.
However, for a deputy commander of the Zhao family’s city guard to befriend a rebel merchant, especially a genuine rebel, was a serious matter.
Qi Ming, seeing that he could not hide the truth, explained that the man was a quartermaster of the White Egret Legion, and his information was accurate, explaining his judgment and actions.
Zhao Ruqin called for his men to take the quartermaster away, but before he could address Qi Ming, everyone looked toward the southern province.
Even at this distance, they could see the sky as if a vast curtain, lifted by an invisible hand, revealing a floating city!
Those with sharper vision, like Zhao Jundu and Lin Wu, could even make out the dark race warriors within the city. Surrounding the floating city, numerous black dots indicated over a dozen warships.
A report from the outer void surveillance post indicated that the ducal fleet had descended into the near-void above the southern province.
Zhao Ruqin exclaimed, “What is that thing!”
Qi Ming shouted, “General, I was right, it’s an invasion!”
Lin Wu interjected, “Even if it’s an invasion, it’s on the southern province, what does it have to do with you?”
Qi Ming turned, his eyes red, disregarding Lin Wu’s status, “The southern province is also human!”
Lin Wu coldly replied, “If the southern province is only human and not part of the Empire, why should the Empire intervene?”
Zhao Jundu and Zhao Junhong both frowned, sensing the trap in Lin Wu’s words.
Before anyone could stop them, Qi Ming clenched his fists and roared, “Even if there are rebels, there are more civilians!”
Lin Wu, emotionless, scrutinized him and said, “I suspect not just civilians, but your family too, right?”
This statement caused Zhao Ruqin’s face to change, realizing the gravity of the situation.
Indeed, Qi Ming confirmed, “Correct, my wife is in Fucheng. She gave birth to my son three months ago. War is war, but women and children are innocent. Moreover, we are all humans, and we must stand together against the Evernight!”
As Lin Wu sneered, Zhao Ruqin struck Qi Ming, ordering his men to take him away.
Lin Wu remarked, “Many people have ties across the lines, but setting up a home on the other side is a different matter.”
Zhao Ruqin was speechless. Zhao Junhong coughed, “Admiral Lin, long in the capital, is quite familiar with the Western Continent’s situation.”
Lin Wu continued, “Recently, rumors spread from Fucheng that Grand Tutor Lin Xitang survived the battlefield. The rumor reached Yanxi Province in a day, and by the second morning, it was in the capital, and by nightfall, it was in Tianqi.”
Lin Wu’s blunt words left no room for misinterpretation, even Zhao Junhong’s face paled, and Zhao Ruqin wished he could suddenly go deaf.
Only Zhao Jundu, after a deep look at Lin Wu, calmly stated, “We will give Admiral Lin an explanation later.”
Pointing to the floating city, he said, “That floating city looks like a semi-plane weapon. What are your thoughts, Admiral Lin?”
Lin Wu replied, “The Duke of Beiyue sensed void oscillations, which were likely the precursor to the floating city’s spatial jump.”
Zhao Jundu frowned, “Do we rely solely on the Heavenly King’s perception?”
Lin Wu responded, “Our current technology cannot guarantee detection. The void is never still, with storms, planetary orbits, and chromatic turbulence.”
Zhao Jundu nodded, “I’ll take a look.”
Lin Wu advised, “Better not. Such a superweapon can cover an entire province and destroy all ground structures. It reappeared after a millennium, not just as a deterrent, but to fire. Wait for its first strike and then respond accordingly.”
Zhao Jundu repeated, “Destroy all ground structures…”
Everyone fell silent, knowing what this meant based on historical records.
Lin Wu added, “By the Empire’s classification, it is at least a Heavenly King-level offensive weapon. However, until we obtain data, the old Duke should not be sent.”
Silence lingered, no one discussing the possibility of supporting the southern province. Whether it was a trap or a victim, the gray areas served as a buffer, a test bed for new weapons.
A voice suddenly dropped from above, “The Duke of Beiyue will remain in the Western Extreme City.”
A figure slowly descended, wearing a marshal’s uniform without insignia, standing tall like any soldier, with no other distinguishing features.
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