Soul Guidance Battleship (2)

"This is the death of my general, not a mistake in battle. What can be done?!"

On the city wall, seeing that the Heaven Dou Empire had actually pushed Zhu Youlan out directly, the hot-tempered Star Luo Empire general could only sigh to the heavens and was forced to order a retreat.

Immediately afterwards, whether out of overwhelming shame or knowing that he would be beheaded by Dai Weisi even if he returned, this Star Luo Empire actually drew his sword and slit his own throat on the spot, committing suicide!

Meanwhile, the Star Luo Empire's garrison was ambushed by the Tiandou Empire Army's light Cavalry Legion during their retreat.

Without a qualified commander, the morale of the Star Luo Empire was repeatedly damaged, and the Tiandou Empire forces continued to threaten them with the life of Empress Dowager Zhu Youlan. As a result, the Star Luo Empire, which was originally experienced in combat and well-trained, broke down after a brief resistance and was pursued and killed, suffering heavy casualties.

In this battle, with Empress Dowager Zhu Youlan acting as a shield, the Heaven Dou Empire occupied Dragon Rise City almost without bloodshed.

Of course, using the phrase "without bloodshed" might be an exaggeration. The vanguard light cavalry of the Tiandou Empire Army slaughtered the fleeing soldiers of the Star Luo Empire, leaving them with countless heads and blood-stained battle robes.

Although it was almost all enemy blood, the soldiers of the Tiandou Empire's side also shed a lot of sweat.

Some soldiers killed so many enemies that their swords became dull and worn out.

In short, it was a resounding victory, and the news of the triumph was swiftly delivered by the Speed Clan's Needletail Swift Soul Master to Empress Xue Ke's desk!

"Haha, I knew it! Zhu Youlan is a useful person!"

Imperial Study, Xue Ke held the report of victory in her hand, overjoyed. She laughed unrestrainedly, disregarding all decorum, bending down and slapping the Imperial Desk with her delicate hands, laughing until tears streamed down her face.

Yu Tianmeng: "..."

Lady Zhi Xin and the other court ladies. "..."

After a long while, Xue Ke calmed down, drank a glass of water to moisten her throat which was dry from laughing, cleared her throat, looked at Zhi Xin was standing beside her with her head bowed, and ordered, "Rose Duke, immediately draft an edict ordering the frontline army to take Zhu Youlan and advance deep into the heart of the Star Luo Empire!"

"I want to see just how many cities this Empress Dowager of the Star Luo Empire can conquer for the Heaven Dou Empire and for me!"

"Yes, sir!"

Zhi Xin lifted the hem of her court dress and bowed, then took small steps toward the document room next to the Imperial Study.

As she spent more and more time in the palace, Zhi Xin, the once valiant and indomitable Soul Saint, began to resemble a true noblewoman of the court.

Her clothing, makeup, and etiquette were all impeccable.

Watching Zhi Xin's increasingly graceful figure, Xue Ke chuckled and said, "Life in the palace is too comfortable. It's time for Zhi Xin to lead her court ladies back to the battlefield."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tianmeng raised an eyebrow and said, "Sister Ke is planning to have Zhi Xin and the others..."

"Um."

Zhi Xin nodded and said, "I intend to have them command the Royal Guards and the City Defense Garrison, launching a sea attack that will penetrate deep into the heart of the Star Luo Empire!"

"That escort fleet for the transport convoy..."

Yu Tianmeng frowned slightly and asked.

As Xue Ke's control over the Heaven Dou Empire grew stronger and her political maneuvering became more and more skillful, Yu Tianmeng could no longer use the Tian Ji Guard's spies to understand the various aspects of the Heaven Dou Empire as she had before.

Not long ago, Xue Ke also established a separate intelligence agency under the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, named... the Swan Opera Dance Troupe.

Yes, this secret service agency, which specializes in assassinating enemies, monitoring nobles, and investigating situations in various places, has been given such an artistic name.

With the full support of the royal family, the Swan Opera Dance Troupe spread throughout the entire Heaven Dou Empire in a very short time, and even the Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire were under their surveillance.

Moreover, this artistically named organization is also subtly targeting and excluding the Tian Ji Guard under Yu Tianmeng's command in various ways.

For example, this time, due to the obstruction of the Swan Opera Dance Troupe, Yu Tianmeng was completely unable to intervene in the Empire Fleet, and was not even clear about the progress of the fleet reorganization.

This made Yu Tianmeng somewhat unhappy.

This Xiao Xue is really judging others by her own petty standards!

Yu Tianmeng knew very well that there was only one reason why this Swan Opera Dance Troupe dared to challenge her: the one who gave them the orders was Empress Xue Ke.

Yes, Xue Ke was wary of Yu Tianmeng, fearing that this legitimate daughter of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family would usurp power in the Heaven Dou Empire.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family boasts numerous powerful members and possesses the world's number one Beast Martial Soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Their strength is enough to threaten the status of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Therefore, we must take precautions.

This kind of proactive vigilance and suspicion is an instinct of emperors.

The only person Xue Ke could completely trust was her husband, Zhou Chen, who was as handsome as jade and possessed unparalleled strength.

Sensing Yu Tianmeng's slightly displeased gaze, Xue Ke quickly smiled and said, "Under Zi Zhenzhu's command, the Empire Fleet's sailors have completed basic reorganization and training, and the warships have also undergone significant modifications, making them capable of facing the complex environment of the deep sea and those powerful Sea Soul Beast."

"Oh."

Yu Tianmeng nodded, then suddenly asked, "Have all those Soul Guidance Cannon been installed on the warships?"

"Everything is installed, even the Soul Guiding Power Furnace. We have to thank Sister Tian Meng for this."

Xue Ke thanked her with a smile.

Yu Tianmeng returned a polite but not awkward smile, while secretly thinking to herself...

On the other side, in the document room, a group of beautiful female Soul Master were sitting leisurely, drinking tea, reading books, or eating dried fruits and snacks.

These female Soul Master were almost all composed of court ladies who had retired from the Tian Xuan Guard and Yao Guang Guard.

Their strength is generally above the Soul King level, but their main task is to help Xue Ke draft the imperial edict, affix the imperial seal, and promulgate it throughout the empire.

At first, they found it very difficult to adapt to the transition from military personnel to civilian staff.

But before long, they grew to love this leisurely, carefree, and comfortable life.

They arrived at work on time every day. Upon reaching the Imperial Study, they would first greet Her Your Majesty the Queen, and then proceed to the document room. There, they would sit in large, comfortable chairs and engage in activities beneficial to their mind and body, such as making tea, drinking tea, eating snacks, reading leisurely books, and chatting about interesting anecdotes.

If there were decrees from Her Your Majesty the Queen to be drafted, they would be busy for a while.

However, the issuance of edicts is a very serious matter, and Her Your Majesty the Queen usually takes a long time to draft an imperial decree.

Most of the time, they were slacking off.

When it was time to leave work, they immediately began their shift change and happily went home.

At this moment, Zhi Xin's arrival interrupted their time off, forcing them to devote some of their energy to drafting the imperial edict.

"Hmph, all of you better be more alert for this duke!"

Zhi Xin snorted in exasperation, saying, "Look at all of you, with your lazy expressions and movements, do you even resemble Soul King or Soul Emperors?"

"Sister Zhi Xin's teachings are very good. We will definitely try harder next time."

A fair-skinned girl with chubby cheeks smiled and said.

"Yes, yes, we will try our best."

"His Highness the Duke speaks so well!"

"I'm blown away by the beautiful Zhi Xin sister..."

Upon hearing what the girls said, Zhi Xin's lips twitched involuntarily.

These words were clearly just empty words; they showed no respect for her, the duke!

Fortunately, these young ladies dared not disobey Her Your Majesty the Queen's decree.

They quickly drafted the edict, then affixed many seals, and finally stamped it with a huge imperial seal. They blew on the ink that was about to dry, and a complete imperial edict was freshly produced.

Immediately afterwards, they handed the imperial edict to Zhi Xin, who was waiting nearby, and asked her to review it.

"Hmm, it flows quite well, so let's leave it at that."

Zhi Xin glanced at the imperial edict, then left the document room and headed to the residence of the court ministers.

The position of court minister was not a specific official post, but a part-time job that was subject to rotation.

However, only a very small number of people are qualified to serve as court ministers. These people are all top nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire.

For example, the Imperial Minister of Military Affairs, known as the Nine Lives Divine Dragon Ge Long, was a part-time court minister.

For example, only high-ranking nobles who control various departments of the empire are qualified to concurrently serve as court ministers.

Inside the palace, a court minister would take turns on duty each day to help the emperor relay messages, review less important memorials, and so on.

Today's duty officer is none other than the Nine Lives Divine Dragon, Ge Long, who enjoys considerable prestige within the Heaven Dou Empire's army.

Sitting in his office, Ge Long saw through the open window that Zhi Xin was slowly approaching, carrying a golden scroll stamped with Swan Seal. He immediately stroked his beard and laughed, "What decree does Your Majesty have this time?"

"See for yourself."

Upon entering the office, Zhi Xin smiled slightly and handed the scroll to Ge Long.

After tearing off the seal bearing the Swan Seal, Ge Long opened the scroll and glanced through the imperial edict. His expression changed from a smile to something increasingly strange.

Closing the scroll, Ge Long said, somewhat bewildered, "This... wasn't this a bit too much? Zhu Youlan is, after all, the Empress Dowager of the Star Luo Empire. Is it appropriate to use her and humiliate her like this?"

"What's wrong with it?"

Zhi Xin's expression turned serious, and she said calmly, "Originally, Her Your Majesty the Queen intended to spare Zhu Youlan. However, she dared to spread rumors and sow discord between Moon God Douluo and Her Your Majesty the Queen, harboring ulterior motives. It is already Her Majesty's mercy not to kill her outright!"

"Moon God Douluo?"

Ge Long nodded in sudden realization.

The title of Moon God Douluo is well-known within the Heaven Dou Empire, and it is especially famous to Ge Long.

Others might think that this mysterious Moon God Douluo was an elder of the Xuanyuan Family, but Ge Long knew very well that the young girl in the prime of her youth was the legitimate daughter of the Netherworld Cat Family, named Zhu Zhuqing, and was related to Zhu Youlan.

Based on age and seniority, to be precise, Zhu Youlan should be Zhu Zhuqing's aunt.

According to Xue Ke's previous revelations, Zhu Zhuqing appears to be pregnant.

That's interesting.

As an aunt, how could she incite her pregnant niece to confront Her Your Majesty the Queen? Wasn't she afraid that her niece's anger might affect the fetus?

This behavior... no wonder Xue Ke got so angry and humiliated Zhu Youlan like this.

Moreover, I presume that His Highness the Nation Protecting Prince also meant the same thing.

After all, the child in Zhu Zhuqing's belly is Zhou Chen's.

Thinking of this, Ge Long dared not object any longer, and quickly nodded with a smile, saying, "Let's do it this way. That poisonous woman Zhu Youlan really needs to be taught a lesson this way!"

"Then on behalf of Her Zhi Xin the Your Majesty the Queen, I thank you."

Zhi Xin bent slightly and said with a smile.

With the approval of Ge Long, a highly respected veteran minister, everything else proceeded smoothly.

Before long, under Zhu Youlan's influence, the Tiandou Empire Army successively conquered large areas of the Star Luo Empire's fortresses, and the Star Luo Empire's garrison was also severely wounded.

Upon hearing this news, Star Luo Emperor Dai Weisi of Xingluo City, far away in Star Luo City, flew into a rage and ordered the execution of a large number of generals and city lords who had performed poorly in battle.

However, the cities of the Star Luo Empire continued to fall.

After all, no one dared to resist, because the Heaven Dou Empire had already made it public that anyone who dared to resist would be killed by Zhu Youlan.

Zhu Youlan is the biological mother of Emperor Dai Weisi of the Star Luo Empire. Who would dare to touch her?

Even a cold-blooded emperor like Dai Weisi, who was indifferent to family ties, did not dare to directly issue an order for the garrison commander to resist stubbornly, regardless of Zhu Youlan's life or death.

After all, as emperor, Dai Weisi also had his pride and did not want to be accused of being unfilial by the world.

A distressed Dai Weisi could only offer hints to the commanders of the various fortresses.

Hints won't work.

The city fell, and the defending general died alone. But if Zhu Youlan were forced to commit suicide, to demonstrate filial piety, Dai Weisi would absolutely exterminate the general's entire clan!

After much deliberation, Dai Weisi finally made up his mind to ask his ancestor, the Evil Eye Saint King, the White Tiger God, to rescue Zhu Youlan.

But the Evil Eye Saint King was not happy at all.

Just kidding, right now the Heaven Dou Empire has no idea that the Star Luo Empire has gained a White Tiger God.

The Evil Eye Saint King did not want to reveal his strength and attract the attention of the Xuanyuan Family Young Master.

That boy is terrifying! I've heard that even the Sea God Poseidon was no match for him, and even the Asura God King was defeated!

It's best not to provoke such a formidable person for now.

It's not too late to make a move after the Divine Realm gathers a large number of deities and Dai Weisi achieves the position of War God.

As for whether Zhu Youlan is alive or dead?

Heh, the Evil Eye Saint King didn't care at all. "My surname is Dai, yours is Zhu. We're not family, so what do I care?"

Upon hearing the explanation from the Evil Eye Saint King, Dai Weisi was completely dumbfounded.

Ancestor, it's understandable that you want to hide yourself and therefore don't want to save people. But the problem is, the Star Luo Empire's territory is being constantly eroded!

A bewildered Dai Weisi thought it over and over again and had no choice but to send an envoy to Spirit City invite Bi Bi Dong, the Rakshasa God who was stationed there, to help rescue Zhu Youlan!

Bi Bi Dong's reply was also very simple:

Zhu Youlan can be saved, but the Star Luo Empire must submit to the Spirit Hall!

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