Even after leaving the palace, Dai Mubai remained in a daze.
Dai Mubai turned back to gaze at the tall, majestic palace—this place where he had lived for over a decade.
He never imagined that one day, he would have to leave here.
It wasn't reluctance to part with power.
Rather, Dai Mubai understood that once he followed his father's arrangements.
Relatives, friends... would all become mere symbols, perhaps never to be seen again in this lifetime.
"I'm sorry, Father. I must disappoint you."
Dai Mubai murmured, his expression hollow, then gradually becoming resolute.
"Even if I must die, I will die on the battlefield."
"If fate has decreed that the Star Luo Empire must fall, then let me be buried alongside the empire in the dust of history."
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his eyes filled with the flames of battle.
He was Dai Mubai, the legitimate son of the Nether White Tiger imperial family. He would not be crushed by any difficulty!
Just as Dai Mubai was about to step through the palace gates.
A horse came galloping, with an armored knight shouting:
"Urgent military intelligence! Urgent military intelligence!"
Dai Mubai's expression turned grave as he stopped the armored knight. "Could it be that Spirit Hall has launched another surprise attack?"
These past days, Spirit Hall's army had been restless.
Constantly attempting to break through the Star Luo Empire's defense lines, though all attempts had been successfully resolved.
The armored knight, seeing the Crown Prince, dared not be negligent.
However, having a mission to fulfill, he couldn't dismount to show proper respect. He therefore symbolically cupped his hands and said:
"It's not Spirit Hall, but the southern rebels."
"The southern rebels have bypassed the provincial governors and the Black Eagle Legion's encirclement, rampaging through over ten locations. They're now less than 400 li from Star Luo City!"
Dai Mubai's expression grew three degrees graver. "How many troops do the rebels have?"
The armored knight reported truthfully, "According to the provincial governors' combined estimates, approximately 200,000 men, likely more rather than less!"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's hand trembled and he fell silent.
The southern rebellion had occurred less than three months ago, yet had already gathered 200,000 rebel troops!
How could this not shock Dai Mubai?
Though he doubted in his heart that this figure was fabricated.
Now was not the time to discuss the enemy's numbers.
Being able to break through the provincial governors and the Black Eagle Legion's encirclement meant the rebel army's combat power was extraordinary.
If the rebels managed to reach Star Luo City, setting aside the imperial family's face.
It could very likely crush the morale of the Star Luo northern front army!
"Quickly follow me to see Father!"
Dai Mubai's face darkened as he turned back toward the palace.
"Mubai, why have you returned?" The Star Luo Emperor, reviewing memorials, raised his dignified face.
Dai Mubai didn't explain but rapidly reported to his father the intelligence about the southern rebel army.
"Crash!"
The memorials on the table were instantly swept to the floor.
Frightening the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs, who all prostrated themselves on the ground.
The Star Luo Emperor's face was so gloomy it could drip water.
"Those governors are all useless!"
"200,000 troops—they really dare fabricate such numbers!"
The Star Luo Emperor, having handled state affairs for many years, naturally had rich experience in military matters.
The governors reporting such troop numbers was nothing more than to reduce their own responsibility.
The Star Luo Emperor was too weary to pursue this.
After all, the nation had already suffered to this extent. Dismissing a few governors couldn't salvage the situation.
Taking a deep breath and calming down, the Star Luo Emperor said coldly:
"Pass down my order: have the Commander of the Royal Knights, Dai Yunzhe, come for an audience."
"Also, issue an imperial decree to the military department. All private soldiers of nobles near Star Luo City must assemble."
"All able-bodied adult men are to be registered. Daily training will commence in the next few days, and weapons will be distributed."
"..."
After issuing a series of commands.
Only then did the Star Luo Emperor catch his breath, half-reclining in the dragon throne, forcefully massaging his forehead.
Dai Mubai was somewhat puzzled. "Father, since these 200,000 rebel troops are mostly exaggerated."
"Why are you still urgently mobilizing Star Luo City?"
The Star Luo Emperor glanced at Dai Mubai and shook his head. "It seems you haven't carefully read the intelligence brought back by Black Eagle Legion Deputy Commander Mo Ziqi."
"The southern rebel army is no ordinary force."
"The banner of so-called Princess of Thorns Dai Ya is merely a cover."
"Their true leader is called Ye Tian, extremely young and talented."
"If possible, I would rather hope that what's racing toward Star Luo City is truly just an ordinary 200,000-man army."
"Ye Tian?!" Dai Mubai's pupils contracted. "This name, I seem to have heard before."
"It's probably the same Ye Tian you know."
The Star Luo Emperor bent down to pick up the memorials just knocked to the floor, speaking casually.
Dai Mubai sighed. "Ye Tian once served as the Heaven Dou Imperial Preceptor. It seems that this time, our Star Luo Empire is truly isolated and without援."
"That's why I wanted you to leave." The Star Luo Emperor was somewhat disappointed. "Why must you stay?"
Dai Mubai's expression was calm. "Father, if we are destined to become historical dust, then we must shine our brightest in this final moment."
"Rather than living ignobly and being mocked by future generations."
The Star Luo Emperor was silent for a long time, seemingly agreeing with this view.
Slowly standing up, the Star Luo Emperor gazed at his son and sighed deeply. "As an emperor, I believe I've done well enough."
"As a father, I owe you and Weiss much. This lifetime, I fear it can only remain a regret."
"Father, being your son, I am very proud!" Dai Mubai suddenly raised his head, his gaze resolute.
"Mm... Good! Then let us father and son accompany the empire our ancestors personally created on its final journey!"
...
Northern Star Luo Empire.
Spirit Hall main camp.
Central command tent.
"It seems Xiao Tian was still modest before leaving."
Looking at the intelligence from southern Star Luo, Bibi Dong in her noble purple palace gown showed a trace of a smile.
Ye Tian had gone to southern Star Luo less than three months ago.
Yet had already stirred the southern provinces into complete chaos.
Yue Guan beside her smiled. "If not for Ye Tian, I'm afraid our Pope's Hall would be far from where we are today."
"Teacher, you received news from my husband and didn't even think to notify me." Pushing open the tent flap, Hu Liena walked in with a pout.
Bibi Dong squinted. "My notification, how could it compare to your keen nose?"
Hu Liena blushed and hurried to Bibi Dong's side, helping massage her shoulders while mumbling:
"I was just afraid military intelligence might be delayed."
"Hmph, I think you're missing Ye Tian, aren't you?"
"Mm..." Exposed, Hu Liena's face turned red as an apple. So her little thoughts had been seen by her teacher all along.
Bibi Dong smiled lightly and patted Hu Liena's fair arm:
"Don't worry. The war won't last much longer."
"The Star Luo Empire is at its end."
"Why don't I add two more fires to make this empire burn faster?"
Bibi Dong said with narrowed eyes.
Then her beautiful eyes swept over Yue Guan and Gui Mei as she raised her hand lightly:
"You two, tonight, each lead 50,000 troops and fiercely attack the Heavenly Soul Mountain eastern mountain range defense line."
"At dawn the next day, I will personally lead the main army forward and pierce through the Star Luo Empire's defense line from the west!"
(End of Chapter)