[Douluo II Period]
Star Luo Empire, western frontier military camp.
Dead silence.
A silence more terrifying than death itself.
"Crack—
—"
An old veteran, his beard unkempt and his eyes bloodshot, silently snapped the spear he had carried for twenty years—the symbol of his honor and loyalty—in two.
The crisp crack rang out like the first peal of thunder, ripping through the oppressive silence.
Then came a second, a third—
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
Thousands upon thousands of weapons were broken and smashed by the very hands of their owners!
The sharp snaps rose and fell, weaving together into a dirge of despair.
At last, the silence, oppressive to its limits, was torn apart by a scream of anguish!
"Dai Hao—!!"
"You're not human! Give me back my brothers' lives!!"
The one-eared veteran had been the first to stand up for Dai Hao before the Sky Screen appeared.
Now his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman.
In the Battle of Blackwater City, his unit had been one of the "sacrificial pawns" sent to launch a feint at East City Gate!
He had survived, but the more than a thousand brothers who had been by his side day and night were forever buried in that scorched earth!
He had always believed they had died for their country, and that their deaths had been worthwhile.
But only today had he learned that their deaths had meant nothing! They had only served to build the reputation of a "God of War" who was a fraud!
"Kill him! Avenge our fallen brothers!"
The volcano, suppressed to its limit, finally erupted!
In that instant, hundreds of thousands of battle-hardened soldiers throughout the White Tiger Barracks roared as one!
The resentment and murderous intent in their cries seemed strong enough to tear the sky apart!
Their faith, everything they had fought and sacrificed for, had become the biggest joke of all!
"Burn it! Burn that filthy flag!"
Countless soldiers drew their spare weapons and hacked furiously at the military banner embroidered with the White Tiger emblem, then set it alight.
They let the glory of the past turn to ugly ash in the flames.
The entire military camp descended into chaos and unrest on a scale never seen before!
"Protect the marshal's tent!"
"Anyone who rebels is to be killed without mercy!"
Just then, a unit equipped to the utmost degree charged out of the marshal's residence!
They were Dai Hao's most trusted guards, the elite of the White Tiger Legion, and the beneficiaries of his rule!
They knew full well that if Dai Hao fell, they would meet a grim fate as well!
"Splurt!"
Cold blades plunged without mercy into the chests of men who had once been their comrades.
The bloody suppression began!
A brutal internal conflict erupted in the camp that had once been impregnable.
Yet, even in this hell on earth, as both sides fought with bloodshot eyes and rivers of blood flowed—
Buzz!
The golden Sky Screen lit up once more in the heavens!
An indescribable pressure descended from above, making everyone's movements falter.
The chaos in the camp came to a temporary halt.
Everyone instinctively looked up at the sky in unison.
[Next, we will reveal Dai Hao's final reason] [Colluding with the enemy, betraying his country, and plotting rebellion!]
Colluding—with—the—enemy—betraying—the—country—
In that moment, the soldiers' fury turned into bone-chilling cold and boundless disbelief.
If the revelations before this had only destroyed the soldiers' faith—
Then these eight characters had shattered the pride of every Star Luo citizen!
When Dai Hao saw those words, the color drained from his face, which had been trying to maintain a forced calm.
He couldn't stay here any longer!
His whole body trembled violently, and he no longer cared about maintaining a commander's dignity.
He turned and stumbled toward the secret passage behind his tent, trying to flee!
But how could the Sky Screen's judgment give him the chance to escape?
The scene showed a forest at night.
Dai Hao had taken off his imposing armor and was dressed in black, meeting with a mysterious figure likewise concealed beneath a black cloak.
When the mysterious figure removed the cloak to reveal a military uniform beneath it, the entire Sun Moon Empire erupted in shocked cries!
"That's... a Sun Moon military uniform!"
"Is that person from our Sun Moon Empire?"
Inside the Sun Moon Imperial Palace, the old emperor and his ministers looked bewildered.
They were just as baffled.
["Duke, we've worked together for many years, and you've always done a fine job. The tensions you stirred up at the border this time have once again helped the White Tiger Legion under your command expand by fifty thousand, haven't they?"]
Dai Hao gave a cold snort, a smug look on his face.
["Of course. As long as there's war, I, Dai Hao, will be an indispensable shield for the empire."] ["That man on the throne will have no choice but to keep relying on me, giving me military power and resources!"]
The man opposite him wore a sycophantic smile.
["Building up your forces to secure your own power—quite the clever scheme. Here's your payment this time; it should be enough for you to win over the troops. As for the rest, send it where it's supposed to go, as usual."]
He handed over a Soul Tool.
Dai Hao took it, greed flashing in his eyes. Then, with a trace of impatience, he said:
["How much longer do I have to wait? That man's patience is almost gone! When will you fulfill your promise?"]
The man opposite him smiled meaningfully.
["Soon—once our Sun Moon Empire has finished reorganizing the Soul Master Legion, it'll be time for you to ascend the Star Luo throne."] ["Then we'll help you overthrow the current imperial family."] ["And all you'll have to do is become the most obedient dog in the Sun Moon Empire."]
In the scene, Dai Hao's expression stiffened. His smugness turned to fury, then at last he fell silent.
The balance between the two men shifted in that instant.
["As long as you help me ascend the Star Luo throne, I'm willing to cede all three western provinces to the Sun Moon Empire! I'll also offer you thirty percent of the imperial treasury as thanks!"]
The scene ended there.
But the information it contained exploded like dynamite in the minds of everyone in both eras!
[Douluo II Period]
Star Luo Imperial Palace.
On the dragon throne, Xu Jiawei, who had been silent until now, sprang to his feet!
A terrifying imperial aura erupted from him!
"Traitor!!"
He pointed at Dai Hao's face on the Sky Screen, his usually refined features twisted with fury.
"Issuing my decree! Dai Hao has colluded with the enemy and betrayed his country. His crimes are unforgivable!"
"Effective immediately, strip him of every title and rank!"
"His family, relatives, and students—anyone connected to this case—are to be executed, every last one of them!"
"Exterminate—his—entire—clan!!"
"Show no mercy!!!"
Inside the East Palace of the Sun Moon Empire.
Watching the Sky Screen, Crown Prince Xu Tianran wore a smile of almost sickening delight.
"Dai Hao, Dai Hao... In the end, you were still a spent pawn."
"But to wreak such havoc on the military of the entire Star Luo Empire before you were discarded—that was..."
"making the best possible use of you."
He lightly tapped the armrest of his wheelchair, a cold gleam of absolute control shining in his eyes.
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