Heaven Dou City.
Inside an inconspicuous building.
Xue Yu, clad in gleaming silver armor, sat there with his eyes closed.
Leading troops out for training had naturally been a smokescreen. He had indeed left with troops—the thirty thousand Imperial Guards—but that did not mean he could not return. He had secretly slipped back into Heaven Dou City the day before yesterday.
Many generals were also waiting inside the building, and without exception, they were all commanders of regional forces.
Since he dared to rebel, he naturally could not rely solely on those thirty thousand Imperial Guards.
He was not a fool. Trying to accomplish anything with only thirty thousand Imperial Guards was simply wishful thinking. If he was going to rebel, he needed ample preparation. Originally, he had hoped the two kingdoms supporting him would lend him aid, but now neither kingdom paid him any heed.
He knew those two Kingdoms could no longer be counted on. In fact, they had likely already betrayed him.
"Father Emperor seems to have given up on me as well."
"He already knows I intend to rebel."
A general behind him asked, "Should we make our move now?"
Fifty thousand regional troops had been traveling in secret by night and hiding by day. They had now reached a forest outside Heaven Dou City and concealed themselves there. As long as Xue Yu gave the order, they could act, cooperating from within and without to seize Heaven Dou City.
As long as they took hostage the families of the nobles, ministers, and generals within the city, Xue Yu could seize the initiative. Most importantly, the families of the Royal Knights and Imperial Guards were also mostly within Heaven Dou City.
By holding those people hostage, they could prevent the Imperial Guards and Royal Knights from