When Li Yao, Lei Chenghu, and Li Jialing reached the meeting room at the back of the bridge, the commanders of the fleets had already projected themselves into the meeting room through holographic transmission. They were waiting anxiously.
In the Imperium of True Human Beings where the strong preyed on the weak, the highest commander of the fleets of every Sector was often the trusted subordinate or even the blood relative of the Sector Master even if they were not the real masters of the Sector Master. They were the representatives of the local interests.
Thanks to the continuous development of space jump technology, although teleporting an enormous fleet would consume tremendous spiritual energy, it was still bearable for one or two starships to jump back and forth. Many Sector Masters hurried back and forth between the frontline and their nests in such a way.
After hearing the news that Lei Chenghu had escaped and that he had raised the banner of justice, the Sector Masters and the warlords who had been loyal to him for more than ten years all came. On one hand, it was out of loyalty, but more importantly, it was because they hoped that Lei Chenghu could defend their interests, just like the father and son of the Wei family in the Red Nimbus Sector.
"General!"
"My lord!"
"Commander Lei!"
Seeing that Lei Chenghu had come in, all the 3D projections stood at attention. They saluted Lei Chenghu respectfully at first before they addressed Lei Chenghu in various ways.
However they addressed him, all the Sector Masters and the warlords were beaming with eagerness.
Lei Chenghu glanced around slowly. Out of everyone's expectations, he did not return the salute. Instead, he took off his hat and held it in his hands. Then, he made a movement that was beyond everyone's expectation. He closed his legs and bent his waist at ninety degrees, bowing deeply at his subordinates!
"This is —"
All the Sector Masters and the warlords were greatly surprised. What they projected to Iron Torrent, the flagship of the Third Battle Area, was only a shadow. Their real bodies were still on their respective flagships. Naturally, it was impossible for them to go forward and help Lei Chenghu. They could only stammer, "What — What are you doing?"
"Before the official start of the military meeting, allow me to express my deepest apologies to everyone."
Lei Chenghu kept the posture of bowing and apologizing for three seconds before he stood straight again. Putting on his hat and clothes, he said solemnly, "Don't get me wrong. I'm not just apologizing to you, but also to the men of the Imperium who have fought bloody battles for more than ten years and even sacrificed valiantly under your command.
"I once promised all of you and all the men who gathered under my blade that I would lead them to victory. I would let them die a worthy death. Even if they died in battle, their sacrifice could be exchanged for their own glory, the rise of their bloodline, and the future of their homeland!
"I promised that I would ask the Council of Elders to fulfill the promise before the war and give the 'miscellaneous troops, bumpkins, and mobsters' in the past the respect, honor, military credits, and interests that they deserve. I would build a monument ten thousand meters tall in the capital, and the name of every victim would be found on it!
"I have guaranteed all of this with my life, Lei Chenghu!
"However …
"I have disappointed you. I failed to fulfill my promise. A month ago, I went to the Council of Elders and asked them to hear the voice of the frontline and our voice in a peaceful way! However, the Council of Elders rejected our reasonable request in the most indifferent, humiliating, and shameful way. The hundred years of hard work, sacrifice, loyalty, and selfless devotion of all of us, the living and the dead, were smashed into pieces and stomped into a swamp that was even lower than dust!
"I'm sorry to everyone. I'm sorry to every soldier who fought valiantly in the Third Battle Area. I'm sorry to the heroes who charged at destruction under my call with the lightning trident flag in the past hundred years. I'm sorry to everyone who once trusted me!"
As he spoke, the eyes of Lei Chenghu, the "God of War", turned red, and his voice was shivering.
"General!"
"My lord!"
"Commander Lei!"
Even though the warlords and Sector Masters had become big shots in the ruthless world of Immortal Cultivators, and their hearts were as cold and hard as iron, they still could not help but feel overwhelmed by emotions when they heard Lei Chenghu's soul-stirring apology. They said in excitement, "It — It's not your fault. We all know that you've tried your best. It's a pity that the Council of Elders is dominated by wolves and wolves. You were almost caught too!"
"Only the losers say that they've tried their best. The winners only think about how to win!"
Lei Chenghu's eyes were red. The dirty tears that he shed for the heroes were still flowing out of his eyes. He gnashed his teeth and said, "The facts in the past month have proved that the path of peace and stability has been completely cut off. Not just the soldiers in the frontline, even the Imperium and even His Majesty are mired in great danger.
"As Immortal Cultivators and soldiers of the Imperium, we have to do our best and sacrifice everything. We cannot retreat when we are faced with 'trying our best'. Given the perilous situation, we can only choose a different path!
"At this moment, I am not a general, a lord, or Commander Lei. I am just a common Immortal Cultivator and a soldier of the Imperium. I am just a brother who has been through life and death with you for more than ten years!
"I, Lei Chenghu, have summoned all of you here because I want to ask you one question. Are you willing to trust me one last time?"
Lei Chenghu's eyes fully explained the meaning of "covetousness".
All the warlords and Sector Masters hurried to nod. "Yes, of course we are. Not just one time, we will absolutely trust you a hundred times!"
"One time. Just one last time will be enough, because I will not let you down again. I will not let any of my men die in vain. I will not let the pigs, dogs, and wolves infringe upon any of the interests that should belong to you!"
Taking a deep breath, Lei Chenghu looked around again like lightning. His eyes were so intense that they almost tore apart all the holograms. It was not until then that he finally said unhurriedly, "I have introduced the specific situation to you in the secret letter. I will not repeat it here. Now that you are willing to trust me and work for me without caring about anything, you will be the backbone of the new Imperium. I am willing to trust you without reserve, too!
"Allow me to introduce you to Fellow Cultivator Li Yao, who escaped from His Majesty's side from the capital at the risk of his life. He used to be His Majesty's personal guard. Right now, he has been granted the identity of 'special envoy' by His Majesty, and he is here to deliver His Majesty's secret edict!"
Li Yao coughed softly and stepped forward. Vague flames of spiritual energy were spreading out of his body. The bright golden flames of spiritual energy made his dark eyes even more immeasurable.
"It's an honor to meet you, Special Envoy Li!"
Whether or not this "Special Envoy Li" and the "secret edict" that popped up out of nowhere were real or not, at least the Gold Vulture and Li Yao's unparalleled strength could not be faked. Those warlords and Sector Masters were all too smart. Naturally, they knew that this "Vulture Li Yao" was a central person of the reformists. Once he achieved something great, even the false would become the truth.
Therefore, they bowed to Li Yao respectfully, confirming his identity as an "angel".
Solemnly, Li Yao did not return the greeting. Instead, he closed his hands into the shape of a slowly blossoming lotus and retrieved a jade chip from his Cosmos Ring.
His careful and solemn manner made it seem as if this jade slip contained some kind of extraordinary treasure.
Everybody was slightly dazed. Looking at the jade chip that was carved with the lightning trident emblem and the royal runes, they immediately realized what it was. Their hearts skipped a beat.
Lowering his head, Lei Chenghu said, "Generals, please receive the secret edict!"
The secret edict was not an official decree. The Imperium of True Human Beings did not have as many complicated formalities as the dynasties in the age of ancient Cultivators. Therefore, it was not as complicated as kowtowing.
The warlords and Sector Masters all stuck their fists to their chests and waited patiently.
Li Yao mumbled something and changed his hands into dozens of gestures. They were the etiquette and techniques of the royal court that Li Linghai had taught him on the spot. With his understanding and simulation abilities as a Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivator, naturally, he performed them perfectly.
As the gestures changed nonstop, the jade chip that was carved with dragons and phoenixes glowed, too. Suddenly, a vague roar of a dragon echoed, and streaks of brilliance in the shape of dragons rushed out of the jade chip and soared to all directions.
The glamorous sound and visual effects were enough to prove that the jade chip had been crafted by the refiners of the royal family with their blood and sweat. It was a real royal item from the royal palace.
When Li Yao reached the end of the incantation, he clasped his hands together, and a light curtain immediately surged out from the jade chip. The light curtain was decorated with three-star lightning patterns, and there were also mysterious and complicated flood dragons faintly flowing up and down. And the content in the middle was impressively —
Empty.
The so-called 'secret edict' was empty. There was not a single word on it!
All the warlords, Sector Masters, and fleet commanders were dumbfounded. They looked at Li Yao in confusion.
"With His Majesty's every move being closely monitored right now, do you think that I would've been able to bring the edict out of the royal palace and the capital if there was half a word on it? Even if I did, would His Majesty still be alive if he was discovered?"
Li Yao said coldly, "This' wordless edict 'is enough to indicate the difficulties of His Majesty's situation and the arrogance of the treacherous rebels!"
"That's right. Everyone, take a good look at the seal of this' wordless edict. 'It really does have His Majesty's spirit imprinted on it. If you want to fake it, you can just write a few words on it."
Lei Chenghu said solemnly, "But it is exactly His Majesty's intention to express his situation and fury with this' wordless edict '. Do you not know what the edict says exactly? Then, let's just ask Special Envoy Li to explain it clearly. Those are His Majesty's original words."
The warlords and Sector Masters looked at each other in bewilderment and realized that it did make sense. They looked at Li Yao again.
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