Just a moment ago, they were talking about the imperial guards attacking Niu Youde, and now they were attacking this side. Kou Lingxu asked with a grim expression, "Has the situation been confirmed?"
Tang Henian replied, "There shouldn't be any mistakes. They were attacked in more than one place. There can't be mistakes everywhere, right?"
Kou Lingxu gritted his teeth, "What is Master Qing trying to do?"
Tang Henian wasn't done yet. He made another call with the Star Bell in his hand, then hurriedly reported, "Your Highness, the five hundred million monk soldiers from the Blissful Realm have come out of seclusion. They have appeared in our northern army's territory."
Kou Lingxu's expression darkened. At first, he thought that the troops from the Blissful Realm were used to deter the eastern army. Who would've thought that the imperial guards would attack his territory? The eastern army's matter was resolved, but the Blissful Realm's troops still came out. What were they trying to do?
His first thought was that Master Qing was trying to make a move against him. He solemnly said, "Inform our men to seal off the star regions where the Blissful Realm's troops have appeared. Order everyone to gather and defend themselves. Stop the imperial guards from gathering and annihilate all who attack us!"
"Understood!" Tang Henian immediately relayed the order.
Meanwhile, Kou Lingxu hurriedly took out the Star Bell to contact Miao Yi and the others. He wanted to know what was going on over there. If a war were to break out, he would have to seek the support of the other families …
In a large courtyard within a bustling city, Cao Man stood under a tree in silence.
Qi Jue arrived and reported, "Master, the orders are already being carried out. They should be able to move the family members away soon."
Cao Man hesitated, "Who are the family members of these imperial guards? Why did the old man have to warn them to move them safely?"
Qi Jue said, "This old servant did a quick check just now and found a common point in their resumes. When Niu Youde was in the Imperial Guards, these people all served under Niu Youde. They were the survivors of the half of the Tiger Banner that followed Niu Youde in the Youding Region!"
"It's them?" Cao Man was shocked. She didn't think the old man would be willing to cripple his men in the imperial guards for these people …
In the Starry Hall of the Heavenly Palace, Qing Zhu sat quietly behind his desk with his eyes closed. The war had already begun. He looked calm on the surface, but in his heart, he was looking forward to the news of victory.
However, Wu Qu, who had just put down the Star Bell in his hand, paled and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, things are not looking good! When Qu Changtian's troops approached the target, they were surrounded by 1.5 billion soldiers of the southern army! Niu Youde seems to have been prepared for this, and Qu Changtian's troops have fallen into his trap!"
Shangguan Qing suddenly raised his head. Sima Wentian's eyes were filled with shock.
Gao Guan frowned. After launching the attack, there was no need to hide things from him, so he called him over to listen to orders.
Qing Zhu opened his eyes abruptly and slowly stood up. He then roared furiously, "Immediately order Hua Yitian's troops to reinforce them!"
The Star Bell in Wu Qu's hand rang again, and after a brief connection, Wu Qu said hatefully, "Qu Chang Tian's general had led fifty million soldiers to seal off the exit of the stargate, but in the end, he was besieged by the five hundred million soldiers led by Marshal Si Road, Heng Wu Dao! Your Majesty, Niu Youde has arranged an army of two billion soldiers waiting for us. It looks like he already knew about our attack plan! "
"Immediately order Hua Yitian's troops to reinforce them!" Qing Zhu roared.
However, just as Wu Qu mentioned the Star Bell, more news arrived. This time, Wu Qu's expression really turned ugly. He slowly raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, the three hundred million soldiers led by Hua Yitian had just moved when they were immediately surrounded by 1.5 billion soldiers!"
Qing Zhu was enraged. He pointed at Wu Qu and rebuked, "Where did this 1.5 billion army come from?"
Wu Qu shook his head with difficulty and said, "It's Cheng Taize's troops, Cheng Taize's 1.5 billion soldiers! Hua Yitian and the others are in danger!"
"Cheng Taize! Don't fall into our hands, or we will cut you into a thousand pieces! " Qing Zhu slammed his fist on the table with a savage expression. He had been suspicious about the disappearance of Cheng Taize's troops, which was why he had sacrificed the spy that the Supervisory Department had planted in the Ox King's Residence to test the waters. The results of the test had dispelled his suspicions, allowing him to send out his troops without any worries. But now, it looked like it was all a joke. The other side had clearly seen through his intentions and played along with him.
At first, he had thought that Niu Youde had seen through his plan because someone on his side had leaked the secret, but now it seemed that this was not the case at all. He had not revealed this plan to anyone at all from the very beginning. Moreover, Niu Youde's actions, from colluding with the other clans and using the Primordial Army as a pretense to force him to give up on his support for Cheng Taize, clearly indicated that Niu Youde was already plotting against Cheng Taize. Niu Youde had long since gathered the forces under Cheng Taize's command, forcing Cheng Taize into a dead end and forcing him to submit to Niu Youde.
When he realized this, Qing Zhu snorted. "Despicable Niu Youde! I was blind back then and allowed a tiger to grow in my bosom!"
Wu Qu used the Star Bell in his hand to communicate again before he said in grief and indignation, "Your Majesty, the 400 million scattered troops in the southern army's territory have been mobilized, but the Netherworld Rebel Army has suddenly reconciled with the Southern Army's rebel army and turned around to defeat our 10 million troops in one fell swoop! The remaining one billion troops under Niu Youde have started to gather and guard the main roads, while the rebel army is chasing after our scattered troops! If this continues, our scattered troops will be obstructed at every pass, while the rebel army will be able to freely chase after our troops! "
Qing Zhu's face was ashen, as he could imagine the consequences. The troops that he had transferred to Yuan Venerate Qing back then were the elites of the guards. After becoming the Netherworld Great Army, they had steadily improved their strength over the years. If these tens of millions of troops were to gather and cause trouble, the tens of millions of guards scattered throughout the southern army would not be able to stop them.
He had originally planned to use these elite troops as a sharp knife to stab Niu Youde, but now, Niu Youde had used them to stab him instead.
The rage in his heart was indescribable, and he wanted nothing more than to hack Xiahou Chengyu and his mother into pieces.
The Netherworld Rebel Army's sudden shift to Niu Youde's side also made him suspect something. Why hadn't they supported Cheng Taize when they had joined forces to support Teng Fei in occupying the eastern army's territory? The steps that Niu Youde had taken to force Cheng Taize to join his side were already very clear. When he thought about how Teng Fei had stirred up trouble in the imperial harem, he now had every reason to suspect that Niu Youde had something to do with Teng Fei stirring up the Cold Palace incident and that Teng Fei had most likely been used by Niu Youde.
The incident in the Cold Palace had caused Xiahou Chengyu and his mother to start a mutiny in the Netherworld Rebel Army. Now, the Netherworld Rebel Army had easily shifted to Niu Youde's side. Niu Youde had also easily killed his son, Yuan Venerate Qing, after deciding to quell the rebellion. It would be strange if there wasn't something fishy going on.
Based on this reasoning, it was completely possible to believe that the incident in the Cold Palace had been instigated by Niu Youde. He had deliberately provoked the father and son into turning against each other so that he could take control of the Netherworld Army. Then, he had used a series of methods to manipulate the eastern army to take control of Cheng Taize's troops until he had taken the bait and fallen into the trap.
He had a clear idea of what had happened. His chest heaved up and down as he thought about the scene of his son's severed head in the box. He was so furious that he almost vomited blood.
He had to admit that such a series of methods was really brilliant. It was so brilliant that it was terrifying!
Back when Niu Youde had taken down Hao Defang, he had been anxious to get rid of Niu Youde precisely because he had felt that Niu Youde's methods against Hao Defang were too brilliant. He had already felt some fear in his heart, but it wasn't entirely because of the Xiahou Family. Now, the thing that he feared had finally happened to him.
He really couldn't figure out what the Xiahou Family was thinking. Was it safe to work with someone who had such overpowering methods? Why had they helped him get rid of Third Brother Bai back then? Wasn't it because the Xiahou Family was also afraid of Third Brother Bai?
He had to admit that he was inferior to Third Brother Bai in all aspects!
He once again lamented that Xiahou Ta had died too early. This Cao Man was simply dancing with the wolves. The Xiahou Family would definitely regret this one day!
Of course, he also suspected that his ambush in the Desolate Era had angered Niu Youde to the point that Niu Youde was willing to sacrifice himself.
He regretted it a little. This was the consequence of messing with his subordinates.
Listening to Wu Qu's report, Shangguan Qing and Sima Wentian were shocked. They all said that Niu Youde was good at conquering and fighting. Today, they finally learned a lesson. Niu Youde had turned from a passive position to an active one. It was like stabbing a knife into the Heavenly Palace's weak spot!
"Your Majesty, please order the four hundred million troops to retreat immediately and gather the troops first. Otherwise, they will only be defeated one by one and suffer unnecessary losses!" Wu Qu requested loudly.
"Permission granted!" Just as Qing Zhu shouted, he took out the Star Bell and contacted the Buddha Lord. He reported the unfavorable situation of the battle and asked the Buddha Lord to prepare. After putting away the Star Bell, Qing Zhu became murderous. He said in a deep voice, "Gather all the troops in the Heavenly Palace. I will personally lead the army!"
The few of them suddenly looked up at him. Shangguan Qing said, "Your Majesty, if everyone retreats, the Heavenly Palace will be easily destroyed!"
Qing Zhu stared at him and said coldly, "If we lose the world, the Heavenly Palace will only be used as a wedding dress for others."
Shangguan Qing was silent for a moment. After thinking about it, he asked, "What about the nobles in the harem?"
Qing Zhu coldly snorted, "Are those sluts loyal to us? They all have a master behind them. Isn't giving them freedom exactly what they want? If they want to leave, they can leave. If they want to stay, they can stay. I will not stop them. Other than the Heavenly Consort, there is no need to pay attention to anyone else! "
Shangguan Qing reminded, "They are all beauties. If they fall into the hands of others and are used to blackmail and toy with, it will affect Your Majesty's reputation."
Qing Zhu scoffed again, "Then kill them all. Leave none alive!" He then strode out of the hall …
Miao Yi returned to the conference hall in the Ox King's Manor.
Yang Zhaoqing, who had followed him in, grabbed the Star Bell and reported, "Your Highness, Yan Xiu said that the Xiahou Clan has said that it won't be a problem to evacuate the family members. It will be settled soon."
"Good!" Miao Yi nodded and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He probably wouldn't be able to protect many of his old subordinates this time. However, he couldn't abandon their family members again. After so many years, many of his old subordinates had family members now. Most of the family members of the Imperial Guards were also gathered around the Heavenly Palace to look after them. No matter how many of his old subordinates survived, he had to at least protect their family members as much as possible. That way, he would be able to account for the dead, and also for his future subordinates.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
