Balak Kingdom, palace council chamber.
Prince Xue Ye sat in the seat of honor. Before him, the long table was covered with maps and rosters of names.
For eleven days, he had sent proclamations across the land in the name of "the royal line's legitimacy," and nobles from every corner had answered his call.
Now, the allied army had grown far beyond expectations.
"Your Highness," said Gu Zheng, chief adviser, holding a long scroll of names as he read them out one by one,
"Grand Duke of Glory of the Northern Border, twelve thousand troops, including three thousand Horned Scale Horse heavy cavalry.
The Marquis of Southern Suppression in the south, eight thousand troops.
The Earl of Pacifying the Distance, the Marquis of Pacifying the West, the Duke of Leveling the West, and thirty-four other noble houses, a total of one hundred and fifty thousand troops.
"Additionally, Marshal Haierge of the Heaven Dou Empire left a large army behind to guard the border, but has gathered one hundred and fifty thousand elite troops from the Northern Border Legion, who are now marching south through the night."
Xue Ye's eyes glinted. "How many troops in all?"
"About one hundred and fifty thousand private soldiers from the noble houses, plus Marshal Haierge's one hundred and fifty thousand regular troops, and thirty thousand soldiers from the Balak Kingdom, for a total of three hundred and thirty thousand."
Gu Zheng paused. "Small lords, knightly orders, and mercenary companies from the surrounding regions have also been joining us one after another. Our total has now exceeded 450,000."
"450,000." Xue Ye drew a deep breath, a confident smile curling his lips.
"That woman has no more than twenty thousand Heavenly Strategy Army soldiers and a few thousand city guards.
"Four hundred and fifty thousand against twenty thousand. We could drown Heaven Dou City in spit alone, with one mouthful from each man."
"Your Highness, you mustn't underestimate her," Gu Zheng said. "According to our scouts, she is extremely powerful. It's said she defeated several Soul Douluo worshippers by herself."
Xue Ye snorted. "No matter how powerful she is, can she stop an army of four hundred and fifty thousand? A Soul Douluo? Marshal Haierge himself is an eighty-third-rank Soul Douluo. And the allied army has dozens of Soul Emperors and Soul Saints. We can bury her under sheer numbers."
"Your Highness speaks wisely." Gu Zheng cupped his hands.
Xue Ye turned to look at Kundera, the King of Balak, seated on his left—his uncle.
"Uncle, this campaign is only possible thanks to Balak's wholehearted support. Once I reclaim the throne, I will reward you handsomely."
Kundera raised his wine cup, his smile gentle. "Your Highness, you're too kind. Balak has enjoyed the royal family's favor for generations. Now that the royal family is in danger, it is only right that we give our all."
The two clinked cups, each harboring his own thoughts.
Kundera set his cup down and gazed out the window.
Thoughts unknown even to Xue Ye churned in his heart:
If he could seize this chance to break free of the Heaven Dou Empire's control once and for all, and make the Balak Kingdom truly independent—
and if the opportunity arose, he might even claim that throne himself.
He turned away from the window, a respectful smile still on his face.
At the very least, he was guaranteed credit for helping the new emperor rise to power.
Once Xue Ye took the throne, Balak's autonomy would only grow.
No matter how he looked at it, this was a deal that couldn't go wrong.
"Uncle," Xue Ye said, interrupting his thoughts, "when will Marshal Haierge's army of one hundred and fifty thousand arrive?"
Kundera came back to himself and replied solemnly:
"Marshal Haierge set out from the Northern Border three days ago and has been marching day and night. He is expected to reach Balak City and join our forces within seven days.
"When he does, our combined army of four hundred and fifty thousand will march straight on Heaven Dou City."
"Excellent!" Xue Ye rose and walked to the enormous map on the wall.
His finger traced a path north from Balak City, then jabbed hard at Heaven Dou City.
"Send out the order. We'll hold the oath-taking ceremony on the parade ground in three days. As soon as it's over, we march north!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Heaven Dou City, the West Market, a street-side loft.
Ning Fengzhi, the young head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, stood by the window with a confidential report that had just arrived from the south in his hand.
"The allied army has gathered 450,000 troops and will march north soon." Ning Fengzhi set down the report, brows slightly furrowed.
"Young master, what should we do?" the steward asked quietly.
Ning Fengzhi did not answer at once. His gaze settled on the distant imperial palace.
What was the empress, who had sat on the throne for just eleven days, thinking at this moment?
Was she panicking, or was everything going according to plan?
"There's no rush," he said slowly. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect never gambles with its life. Let's wait until they fight and see who has the upper hand."
"But what if the allied army breaches the city..."
"Then we'll send our congratulations and welcome the new emperor."
Ning Fengzhi turned around, a shrewd smile—the sort particular to a merchant—curling his lips.
"Business is business. Betting on both sides can't go wrong."
"And the empress...?"
"Keep an eye on her, but don't make any rash moves." Ning Fengzhi turned back to the window.
"If she dared to sit on that throne, she must have a few trump cards in hand. I want to see whether she can turn the tables."
Spirit Hall, Pope Palace.
Qian Xunji sat in the seat of honor, holding a confidential report from a southern branch hall.
There was no surprise on his face, no anxiety—only faint derision.
"An allied army of 450,000 against a Heavenly Strategy Army of twenty thousand."
He set down the report and looked at the red-robed cardinal beside him. "Who do you think will win?"
The cardinal pondered for a moment. "The disparity in numbers is enormous. Unless something unexpected happens, the allied army is sure to win."
"Something unexpected?" Qian Xunji sneered. "That woman is unexpected in herself.
"A woman who appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by several Soul Masters of unknown origins, took over Heaven Dou Imperial City in eleven days and brought out all sorts of things no one had ever heard of.
"Do you think she has no backup plan?"
"Your Holiness, you mean...?"
"I mean we wait." Qian Xunji rose and walked to the window.
"Let them fight. When two tigers battle, Spirit Hall wins no matter which one comes out on top.
"The victor will inevitably be badly weakened. Then Spirit Hall will step in to mediate, and the Heaven Dou Empire will become our vassal from that day on."
He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"Also, keep a close eye on the Star Luo Empire. I doubt they'll sit idle either."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Star Luo Empire, the capital, Star Luo City, imperial palace hall.
The Star Luo Emperor sat high upon his throne, a vast map of the Heaven Dou Empire spread out before him.
He stared at Heaven Dou City, greed gleaming in his eyes.
"An allied army of 450,000 attacking Heaven Dou City..." he murmured. "A chance that comes once in a thousand years."
"Your Majesty," a court official said, stepping forward and cupping his hands,
"Spirit Hall once decreed that the two great empires must not launch wars against each other.
"If the Star Luo Empire takes advantage of Heaven Dou's internal strife to send in troops, I fear Spirit Hall will not stand by and watch."
The Star Luo Emperor snorted and abruptly rose to his feet.
"Launch a war? Who said I was going to launch a war?"
He descended the steps, his voice rising.
"That woman calls herself an empress. The laws and institutions she's promulgated are nothing but demagoguery!
"Abolishing fiefs, ending hereditary titles, reclaiming military power, unifying the law—
"She intends to dig up the roots of every noble in the land!
"If the Star Luo Empire stands by and lets this crooked influence spread through Heaven Dou, sooner or later it will reach our borders!"
His gaze swept across the officials in the hall, his tone turning icy.
"This isn't taking advantage of a fire. It's upholding the righteous way and defending the empire's traditions!
"As one of the two great empires on the continent, the Star Luo Empire has a duty and an obligation to stop this calamity!"
The officials exchanged glances. None dared to argue further.
The Star Luo Emperor nodded in satisfaction and turned toward the ranks of military officers.
"Where is General Huwei?"
A middle-aged general, broad-shouldered and radiating strength, strode forward and dropped to one knee.
His name was Hu Lie, an eighty-second-rank Soul Douluo whose Martial Soul was the Iron Spine Mad Tiger. He was a pillar of the Star Luo Empire's military.
"At your service!"
"I appoint you Grand Marshal of the Western Expedition. Take command of one hundred and fifty thousand troops and set out for the Heaven Dou border at once." The Star Luo Emperor's gaze was sharp.
"Once civil war breaks out in Heaven Dou City, bring your army to the border.
"Take as much territory as you can.
"If the opportunity arises, march straight on Heaven Dou City!"
Hu Lie cupped his fists. "I obey!"
"Also," the Star Luo Emperor continued,
"secretly contact Prince Xue Ye. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
"Tell him the Star Luo Empire is willing to form an alliance with him and slay the demon empress together."
"Yes!"
After the officials withdrew, the Star Luo Emperor sank back onto his throne and tapped the armrest with his fingers, his eyes full of satisfaction.
The Heaven Dou Empire was in chaos. The Star Luo Empire's chance had come.
Outside Balak City, the parade ground.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The sky was clear, and autumn winds snapped through the air. The parade ground was packed with 450,000 troops drawn up in orderly ranks, stretching farther than the eye could see.
Spears and halberds stood like a forest, armor gleamed black as ink, and murderous intent soared into the sky.
Prince Xue Ye stood on the reviewing platform in silver-white armor, a sword at his waist and a cloak snapping behind him in the wind.
On either side of him stood Marshal Haierge, King Kundera of Balak, and the leading commanders of dozens of noble houses.
Grand Duke of Glory, Marquis of Southern Suppression, Marquis of Pacifying the West, Duke of Leveling the West, Earl of Pacifying the Distance... Banners of every size fluttered in the wind.
"Beat the drums!"
Gu Zheng shouted.
Boom, boom, boom—
A hundred war drums sounded at once, their thunder shaking the skies. The 450,000 soldiers shouted as one, their cries surging like a tide until the earth trembled.
Xue Ye drew a deep breath and raised his sword to the sky.
"Soldiers!"
His voice, amplified with Soul Power, carried clearly to every soldier.
"Heaven Dou City has been usurped by a demon woman!
"She's called Yan Lingji, a woman of unknown origins who forced the late emperor to abdicate, slaughtered loyal subjects, and abolished a thousand years of fiefs, hereditary titles, and laws in Heaven Dou!"
His voice rose higher and higher, rage blazing in his eyes.
"She wants to hand our lands to peasants, strip commoners of the noble ranks that are rightfully ours,
"and burn to ashes the foundations passed down by our ancestors!
"Tell me—do you accept this?!"
"Never!"
The roar of 450,000 people crashed like thunder, making the trees around the parade ground tremble.
"Never! Never! Never!"
Xue Ye swung his sword toward Heaven Dou City.
"Today, we swear our oath here—to purge the emperor's court, slay the demon empress, and restore Heaven Dou to its former glory!"
Marshal Haierge was the first to draw his sword. "Purge the emperor's court! Slay the demon empress!"
Kundera followed right after. "Purge the emperor's court! Slay the demon empress!"
The leading commanders of dozens of noble houses shouted as one.
The 450,000 soldiers roared together, their voices shaking the sky.
"Purge the emperor's court!"
"Slay the demon empress!"
"Purge the emperor's court!"
"Slay the demon empress!"
The shouts surged higher with every wave, while a dense haze of murderous intent hung over the parade ground.
Xue Ye sheathed his sword and turned to Haierge and Kundera.
"March out! Our destination—Heaven Dou City!"
Haierge cupped his fists. "I obey!"
Kundera gave a slight nod, an unusual glint flashing through his eyes.
The 450,000-strong army began moving north like a black dragon.
Banners blotted out the sky, dust filled the air, and the sound of hooves, footsteps, and wagon wheels merged into one dull rumble.
Xue Ye rode on horseback and glanced back at Balak City's ramparts, a confident smile on his lips.
Heaven Dou City, wait for me.
I will ascend the throne and become emperor!
Before you continue