Nine Expeditionary Armies!!

Outside the Empire, what had happened within the Empire was as if it had never happened at all. Foreign nations acted as though they knew nothing.

That was indeed the case. Everyone knew the Empire was serious this time, having recalled all of its Expeditionary Armies.

This meant the Empire was truly making a major move.

They were also afraid the Empire might go mad. What if it really did? So they all pretended not to know.

After all, they knew the Empire's strength well enough. It was fine to deceive fools and those raised under ignorant indoctrination in ordinary times.

But they must not truly deceive themselves.

However, the return of the Expeditionary Armies had indeed shocked every empire in the Main World, and they all sent messages to the Empire.

They were all probing for the Empire's intentions.

The Empire's reply was rather interesting: handling domestic affairs!

And that was the end of it.

It was not until several great Families within the Empire were dealt with—especially when a branch of the Gu Family was directly exterminated—that word spread among the upper echelons of the Main World.

Everyone outside the Empire was thoroughly shocked.

What were the Empire's great Families? They understood that perfectly well. They were like the financial conglomerates within their own nations.

They had not expected the Empire to act so decisively. That also meant the Empire was truly preparing for something, and that was no good news.

They knew that ancient nation handled all matters with conciliatory methods.

But once it became serious, that was another matter entirely.

And now, that ancient Empire was indeed getting serious.

It had ruthlessly dealt with a batch of members from great Families.

That would have been utterly impossible in their own countries. Who could deal with those