The Heaven Dou Empire's imperial palace, the conference chamber!
At that moment, Xue Ye, emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, was discussing the details of peace negotiations and a three-way ceasefire with a minister from the Star Luo Empire.
As for why Xu Nian'an wasn't there—
As the Heaven Dou Empire stood behind the Great Ming Kingdom, all that was needed was for the two great empires to agree on the details. Afterward, they could simply inform Xu Nian'an.
A kingdom had no say whatsoever in the presence of an empire.
For example, the entire Great Ming Kingdom now—including the territories seized from the Star Luo Empire—belonged to the Great Ming Kingdom.
But in reality, it was under the Heaven Dou Empire's banner, part of its sphere of influence.
If the Star Luo Empire wanted a ceasefire, it only needed to negotiate with the Heaven Dou Empire, which stood behind the Great Ming Kingdom.
In truth, the Star Luo Empire believed the Great Ming Kingdom had dared to reclaim the Star Shine Duchy and occupy the Galloping Wolf Kingdom right under its nose only because the Heaven Dou Empire had given the signal.
After all, how could a mere kingdom dare to challenge an empire?
What they didn't know was that Xu Nian'an had come this time to settle this troublesome matter.
He no longer needed the Heaven Dou Empire's protection. He intended to stand on his own and proclaim himself emperor.
Clatter—
Just then, a white-robed imperial physician came running in a panic.
He barged into the conference chamber.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! The Second Prince, the Second Prince... is gone!"
When Xue Ye saw the physician barge into the conference chamber, his brows furrowed.
But when he heard the physician's words, his pupils contracted sharply.
His second son, frail and sickly since childhood, had been afflicted with a strange illness for a month. In the end, he hadn't made it. He was... dead!
Hearing the news, the minister from the Star Luo Empire also looked stricken, managing only a bitter smile.
It seemed the three-way ceasefire and the signing of a nonaggression pact would be delayed again.
Thud, thud, thud!
Before Xue Ye could even grieve, another flurry of hurried footsteps sounded.
"F-Father, Third Brother attended the Tiandou Hunting Festival and was assassinated in the Hunting Forest... He... he's dead!"
The one who rushed in was none other than Xue Qinghe, his eyes bloodshot, his face deathly pale, his whole body trembling.
"W-What? Chuan is...!"
At Xue Qinghe's words, Xue Ye staggered and collapsed into his seat.
"My... son!"
"Who... who did this? How dare they...!"
Xue Qinghe lowered his head in silence, a flicker of delight slowly appearing deep in his eyes.
"Report!"
Just then, another person burst in.
"The Second Prince and the Great Ming King were attacked by the remnants of the Galloping Wolf Kingdom! The Great Ming King was enraged and has issued the Nation Annihilation Decree!"
Whoosh—
Hearing this, the minister from the Star Luo Empire could no longer sit still. His expression changed drastically.
"No! He can't do this!"
"The Galloping Wolf Kingdom's main forces have already been wiped out, its capital captured, and it has formally surrendered."
"We're willing to accept heavy compensation and a division of territory, but we absolutely will not allow them to turn their weapons on helpless civilians."
"This violates international conventions! It goes against human decency! It's immoral!"
Thud, thud!
Just then, another set of clear footsteps rang out.
Along with them came a series of furious rebukes.
"International conventions, human decency, morality... Heh."
"Those beasts are remnants of the enemy, and they wanted to kill me. What, I'm still supposed to kindly protect them?"
"Tell me, just because of this so-called morality, human decency, and international convention, do they get to shit right on top of my head?"
"Tell me!"
Xu Nian'an's voice thundered through the hall, his fury echoing off the walls.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
In an instant, everyone turned to look at the small figure in the doorway.
He wasn't tall, but the aura he carried was astonishing. Blood covered him from head to toe, soaking through his black Python Robe and bringing out every intricate pattern in stark relief. It made him look all the more imposing.
"C-Cousin!"
Xue Qinghe feigned surprise.
Hearing Xue Qinghe, Xue Ye came back to his senses.
This must be his distant nephew, the Great Ming King, whom he'd never met before.
"Great Ming King, you... what do you mean by this?"
What did he mean?
At that, Xu Nian'an laughed in fury.
"I traveled a hundred miles to attend your banquet, and now you're telling me my life was in danger, that I nearly got assassinated. And you're asking what I mean by coming here?"
"Shouldn't you be giving me a reasonable explanation?"
Xu Nian'an hadn't expected to be attacked by the Galloping Wolf Kingdom's remnants.
His anger wasn't something the people of the Galloping Wolf Kingdom could bear alone. The Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire were both responsible, too.
If they were going to make things miserable for him, then no one was going to have a damn good time.
An... explanation?
Xue Ye stood there, stunned.
His own son had been assassinated. It was bad enough that he was the one left to suffer—but now he had to explain himself to someone else, too?
Xue Ye's mind was in a complete haze.
In a single day, he'd lost two sons. It was a devastating blow to a father.
A white-haired father burying his black-haired sons—and not just one, but two.
But he was not only a father. He was also the emperor of an empire.
At last, Xue Ye's lips trembled as he ground the words out through clenched teeth.
"Fine. I'll give you an explanation."
Xu Nian'an remained where he was, unmoving.
"I'm furious right now. So I want an explanation, right now!"
Bang!
The next moment, Xue Ye finally snapped. He roared and slammed his palm down on the table.
"What exactly do you want? Didn't I say I'd resolve this?"
Xue Ye's voice rang through the hall, just a little hoarse.
At his words, Xu Nian'an's eyes narrowed at once.
He knew this wasn't a good time, but after facing a threat to his life, fury filled his mind. All he wanted was to let it out.
"The Great Ming Kingdom will declare independence and become the continent's third empire!"
Whoosh!
As soon as Xu Nian'an's voice fell, everyone's eyes widened. They stared at him in disbelief.
"Impossible. Stop making trouble."
"Give me some time. I'll give you an answer you'll be satisfied with."
At Xu Nian'an's words, Xue Ye's heart lurched. He quickly forced himself to calm down.
The Great Ming Kingdom declaring independence would directly threaten the Heaven Dou Empire's core interests.
The Star Luo Empire's minister narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting.
If the Great Ming Kingdom and the Heaven Dou Empire split, the Star Luo Empire would be the ultimate beneficiary.
Without the Heaven Dou Empire's support, the Star Luo Empire could easily crush the Great Ming Kingdom.
And without the Great Ming Kingdom as its blade, the Star Luo Empire would still have the advantage in national strength over the Heaven Dou Empire.