After that, Yu Lian told his master everything that was happening outside.
From the site of the Spirit Vein Technical Academy being secured to his having entered the Celestial Domain, from the chaos currently laid bare across the Empire to the movements of its various armies.
It seemed they were simply watching him storm into the Celestial Domain.
"Ah, that's the Tirilloans for you. They were just like this during the War of Independence, when Black Moon and I were roaming and infiltrating the Empire." His master spoke proudly. "Of course, I did most of the roaming, while Black Moon handled the infiltrating."
Yu Lian had a feeling that the second half was what his old master really wanted to emphasize, but he still asked, puzzled, "During the War of Independence?"
"When that dimensional abomination was released, the Empire's various power brokers watched the Emperor set out alone. They took it for granted that it was the Emperor's own battle, and that no one should interfere." His master shrugged. There was a trace of mockery in his expression, but also a little sympathy.
"He was different from every other emperor. The emperor of the Nine Rings was in a class of his own. Once you've sat in that supreme position for over a century, you're no different from a true god. Naturally, your subjects hold their ruler to the standards of a god."
"Defeating the fiend threatening the nation is indeed a god's work. And a god can't afford to show weakness." Yu Lian understood at once. His master had truly been prepared to trade one life for one—or even two.
If the Emperor were gravely wounded, his followers would come down from that fanatical loyalty, which bordered on religious worship. Then the backlash would follow.
When the supreme wielder