Allied Forces Swear Oath, Clear the Ruler's Sides, Execute the Demon Emperor!

Kingdom of Barak, palace council chamber.

Prince Xue Ye sat in the main seat, the long table before him covered in maps and rosters.

For eleven days, he had issued a manifesto to the world in the name of "Imperial Orthodoxy," and nobles from all four directions had responded one after another.

Now, the scale of the coalition army had far exceeded expectations.

"Your Highness," chief advisor Gu Zheng said, holding a long list and reading it out one by one, "The Grand Duke of Glory from the northern border has dispatched 12,000 troops, including 3,000 Horned Scale Horse heavy cavalry.

The Marquis of Southern Suppression from the southern frontier has dispatched 8,000 troops.

The Earl of Pacifying the Distance, the Marquis of Pacifying the West, the Duke of Leveling the West, and thirty-seven other noble families have dispatched a total of 150,000 troops.

Furthermore, Lord Haierge, Marshal of the Heaven Dou Empire, has left a garrison to guard the borders, but has already mobilized 150,000 elites from the northern legions and is marching south under the cover of night."

A sharp light flickered in Xue Ye's eyes: "What is the total troop strength?"

"The private armies of the various nobles total about 150,000, plus Marshal Haierge's 150,000 regular troops, as well as the 3,000 troops of the Kingdom of Barak, totaling 330,000."

Gu Zheng paused, "There are also surrounding minor lords, knight orders, and mercenary groups arriving one after another to join, and the total has already exceeded 450,000."

"450,000." Xue Ye took a deep breath, a smile of certain victory curling the corners of his mouth, "That woman has no more than 20,000 Heavenly Strategy Army soldiers in her hands, plus a few thousand city guards.

450,000 against 20,000—even if everyone just spat once, they could drown Heaven Dou City."

"Your Highness must not be careless." Gu Zheng said, "According to reports from scouts, her personal strength is extremely high; it is said she defeated several Soul Douluo retainers single-handedly."

Xue Ye snorted coldly: "No matter how strong she is, can she withstand an army of 450,000? A Soul Douluo? Marshal Haierge himself is an eighty-third-level Soul Douluo, and there are dozens of Soul Emperors and Soul Saints in the coalition; we can bury her just by piling bodies."

"Your Highness is right." Gu Zheng bowed.

Xue Ye turned to look at the King of Barak, Kundera, who was sitting on his left—his cousin.

"Cousin, this uprising relies entirely on the full support of Barak. Once I reclaim the throne, there will surely be a great reward."

Kundera raised his wine glass, his smile gentle: "Your Highness is too kind. Barak has enjoyed the grace of the Imperial House for generations; now that the Imperial House is in trouble, it is only right to give our all."

The two clinked glasses, each harboring their own thoughts.

Kundera set down his glass, his gaze cast out the window.

In his heart surged thoughts that even Xue Ye did not know:

If he could take this opportunity to completely shake off the shackles of the Heaven Dou Empire and make the Kingdom of Barak truly independent, or even, if the opportunity arose, he might be able to seize that position himself.

He withdrew his gaze, a respectful smile still hanging on his face.

At the very least, the merit of supporting the new emperor was guaranteed.

Once Xue Ye sat on the throne, Barak's autonomy would only be greater than it was now.

This deal was a win no matter how he calculated it.

"Cousin," Xue Ye's voice interrupted his thoughts, "When will Marshal Haierge's 150,000 troops arrive?"

Kundera came back to his senses and said solemnly:

"Marshal Haierge set out from the northern border three days ago, marching day and night; he is expected to arrive at the gates of Balak City within seven days to join forces with us.

At that time, the 450,000-strong army will unite and march straight for Heaven Dou City."

"Good!" Xue Ye stood up and walked to the giant map on the wall, his finger tracing a path from Balak City all the way north, stabbing heavily at the location of Heaven Dou City, "Pass the order down: we will hold the oath-taking ceremony at the drill ground in three days. Once the ceremony is complete, we march north immediately!"

"As you command!"

Heaven Dou City, West Market, a pavilion facing the street.

Ning Fengzhi, the young master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, stood before the window, holding a secret report just sent from the south.

"The coalition has assembled 450,000 troops and will march north in a few days." Ning Fengzhi put down the report, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Young Master, what should we do?" the steward asked in a low voice.

Ning Fengzhi did not answer immediately, his gaze falling toward the direction of the distant palace.

What was the empress, who had sat on that throne for only eleven days, thinking right now?

Was she panicked, or was she confident in her victory?

"No rush." He spoke slowly, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect never gambles with its life. Let them fight first and see who gains the upper hand."

"But what if the coalition breaks the city..."

"Then we shall offer our congratulations and welcome the new emperor."

Ning Fengzhi turned around, a shrewd smile unique to a merchant curling his lips, "Business, after all—betting on both sides is never wrong."

"And what about the Empress..."

"Send men to watch her, but do not act rashly." Ning Fengzhi looked back out the window.

"If she dares to sit on that throne, she must have some trump cards up her sleeve. I want to see if she can truly turn the tables."

Martial Soul Hall, Pope Palace.

Qian Xunji sat upright in the main seat, a secret report from the southern branch held in his hand.

There was no surprise on his face, no anxiety, only a faint mockery.

"450,000 coalition troops against a Heavenly Strategy Army of 20,000."

He set the report down and looked at the cardinal beside him. "Who do you think will win?"

The cardinal pondered for a moment. "The disparity in strength is vast. Barring any accidents, the coalition will surely win."

"Accidents?" Qian Xunji sneered. "That woman herself is an accident.

A woman who appeared out of thin air, bringing with her several soul masters of unknown origin, she took down Heaven Dou Imperial City in eleven days and produced so many things never heard of before.

Do you really think she has no contingency plans?"

"Does Your Holiness mean..."

"I mean, wait." Qian Xunji stood up and walked to the window.

"Let them fight. When two tigers clash, no matter who wins, Martial Soul Hall is the victor.

The winning side will inevitably be severely weakened. When that time comes, Martial Soul Hall will step in to mediate, and the Heaven Dou Empire will become a vassal of my Martial Soul Hall from then on."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Also, send men to keep a close watch on the Star Luo Empire. I fear they won't be sitting idle either."

"Yes."

Star Luo Empire, imperial capital Star Luo City, palace hall.

Star Luo Emperor sat high upon his throne, a massive map of the Heaven Dou Empire spread out before him.

He stared at the location of Heaven Dou City, his eyes filled with greed.

"450,000 coalition troops attacking Heaven Dou City..." he muttered. "A once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity."

"Your Majesty," a civil official stepped out and bowed.

"Martial Soul Hall has a regulation that the two great empires must not start a war without cause.

If our Star Luo Empire sends troops while Heaven Dou is in internal chaos, I fear Martial Soul Hall will not sit idly by."

Star Luo Emperor snorted coldly and stood up abruptly.

"Start a war without cause? Who said I was starting a war without cause?"

He walked down the steps, his voice rising a notch.

"That woman calls herself Empress, and the decrees and systems she has issued are nothing but demagoguery!

Abolishing fiefs, abolishing hereditary titles, seizing military power, unifying the laws—

she is trying to dig up the roots of the nobility of the world!

If our Star Luo Empire stands by and lets such perverse trends spread in Heaven Dou, it will eventually reach our own country!"

His gaze swept across the officials in the hall, his tone turning icy.

"This is not taking advantage of a crisis; this is upholding the righteous path and protecting imperial tradition!

As one of the two great empires on the continent, our Star Luo Empire has the responsibility and the obligation to stop this chaos!"

The officials in the hall looked at each other, none daring to refute him further.

Star Luo Emperor nodded with satisfaction and turned to the line of military generals.

"Where is General Huwei?"

A burly middle-aged general with a thick aura stepped out with long strides and knelt on one knee.

This man was named Hu Lie, an eighty-second-level Soul Douluo with the Iron Spine Mad Tiger martial soul; he was a pillar of the Star Luo Empire's military.

"This general is here!"

"This Lonely One appoints you as the Grand Marshal of the Western Expedition. Lead 150,000 troops and set out for the Heaven Dou border this very day." Star Luo Emperor's gaze was sharp.

"Once the civil war in Heaven Dou City breaks out, you are to press your forces against the border.

Occupy as much territory as you can.

If the opportunity arises, take Heaven Dou City directly!"

Hu Lie cupped his fists. "This general accepts the order!"

"Additionally," Star Luo Emperor added, "Send someone to contact Prince Xue Ye in secret—the enemy of an enemy is a friend.

Tell him that the Star Luo Empire is willing to form an alliance with him to jointly execute the Demon Emperor."

"Yes!"

As the ministers withdrew from the hall, the Star Luo Emperor sat back down on his throne, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest, his eyes filled with triumph.

The Heaven Dou Empire was in chaos, and the opportunity for the Star Luo Empire had arrived.

Outside Balak City, at the drill grounds.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the sky was clear and the autumn wind blew fiercely. A sea of black covered the drill grounds as 450,000 troops stood in neat formation, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Spears and halberds stood like a forest, armor shone like ink, and a murderous aura soared into the sky.

On the command platform, Prince Xue Ye wore a suit of silver-white armor with a long sword hanging at his waist, his cloak snapping in the wind.

Standing to his left and right were Marshal Haierge, King Kundera of Balak, and the commanding generals of dozens of noble houses.

The Grand Duke of Glory, the Marquis of Southern Suppression, the Marquis of Pacifying the West, the Duke of Leveling the West, the Earl of Pacifying the Distance... dozens of banners, large and small, fluttered in the wind.

"Beat the drums!"

Gu Zheng shouted.

Boom, boom, boom, boom—

A hundred war drums sounded in unison, their thunderous roar shaking the heavens. 450,000 soldiers shouted in unison, a wave of sound so powerful that the very earth trembled.

Xue Ye took a deep breath and drew his sword, pointing it toward the sky.

"Soldiers!"

His voice, amplified by soul power, reached the ears of every soldier clearly.

"Heaven Dou City has been usurped by a demoness!

Her name is Yan Lingji, a woman of unknown origin who forced the late Emperor to abdicate, slaughtered the loyal and virtuous, and abolished our Heaven Dou's thousand-year-old fiefs, hereditary titles, and laws!"

His voice grew louder, his eyes burning with rage.

"She wants to distribute our land to the mud-legged peasants, abolish our noble titles for the commoners, and burn the foundation our ancestors passed down to us to the ground!

Tell me—do you agree?!"

"We do not agree—!"

The roar of 450,000 men exploded like a thunderclap, shaking the trees surrounding the drill grounds.

"We do not agree! We do not agree! We do not agree!"

Xue Ye turned his blade, pointing it in the direction of Heaven Dou City.

"Today, we take our oath here—to purge the court of evil, execute the Demon Emperor, and restore the bright and clear heavens of our Heaven Dou!"

Marshal Haierge was the first to draw his sword: "Purge the court of evil! Execute the Demon Emperor!"

Kundera followed closely behind: "Purge the court of evil! Execute the Demon Emperor!"

The commanding generals of the dozens of noble houses shouted in unison.

450,000 soldiers roared together, their voices shaking the heavens.

"Purge the court of evil—!"

"Execute the Demon Emperor—!"

"Purge the court of evil—!"

"Execute the Demon Emperor—!"

The shouts rose in wave after wave, and a thick, murderous aura shrouded the drill grounds.

Xue Ye sheathed his sword and turned to look at Haierge and Kundera.

"The army marches out. Target—Heaven Dou City!"

Haierge cupped his hands: "This general obeys!"

Kundera nodded slightly, a strange glint flashing through his eyes.

The 450,000-strong army moved slowly northward like a massive black dragon.

Banners blotted out the sky, dust filled the air, and the sound of hooves, footsteps, and wheels merged into a dull, rhythmic roar.

Xue Ye rode his warhorse, glancing back at the ramparts of Balak City, a look of absolute certainty curling the corners of his mouth.

Heaven Dou City, wait for me.

I shall ascend the throne and become Emperor!