The Peacemaker

Chapter 29: The Peacemaker!

Above Great Ming Square, specks of golden vapor slowly converged in the sky.

Before long, a golden dragon scale, a razor-sharp dragon claw, majestic whiskers, imposing dragon horns, and a massive draconic body slowly took shape!

"The two emperors and eight kings—how do they compare to Us?"

BOOM!

ROAR!!!!!

In the next instant, a pillar of light shot directly toward Xu Nian'an in the center of the square.

CRACK!

With a crisp sound of shattering, something within Xu Nian'an's body seemed to break open.

His soul power surged wildly.

[Level 20!]

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Upon hearing Xu Nian'an's words, the Great Ming army across the entire square sprang into motion.

The bright sun-and-moon banners snapped and fluttered in the gale.

The next moment, a deafening response echoed through the air!

"Your talent matches the two emperors, your achievements surpass the eight kings!"

"Your talent matches the two emperors, your achievements surpass the eight kings!"

"Your talent matches the two emperors, your achievements surpass the eight kings!"

The thunderous response lingered for a long time.

Whenever Xu Nian'an required a reply, the roar of the Great Ming army was the best answer.

The "two emperors" Xu Nian'an referred to were Emperor Dai Haochen of the Star Luo Empire and Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire.

At the dawn of the warring states, the two great empires had secretly amassed their strength. After generations of effort, they began to plunder and occupy territories. It had to be said that Dai Haochen and Xue Ye were ambitious rulers who had expanded the borders of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires to unprecedented sizes.

However, these were the results of the accumulated strength of countless generations.

And what about Xu Nian'an?

He started with a group of eunuchs, barely managed to ascend the throne, and didn't even have a system starter pack.

With rebellions and hostile political factions everywhere, he had two hundred thousand elite troops at his gates less than a day after his coronation, not to mention the traitors within.

Yet, Xu Nian'an had single-handedly expanded the territory of the Great Ming Empire to nearly a thousand miles.

From north to south, it was like a straight line piercing deep into the heart of Star Luo.

"Gulp... What... what on earth is that!"

"Is... is that a dragon soul beast? Why... why isn't it harming him?"

"Could he truly be the Son of Heaven?"

"To be able to say such things, to take a tiny, dying kingdom and single-handedly hold up a collapsing house, developing it into an empire and blocking the Heaven Dou invasion—it must be said, this emperor, who appears so young yet possesses such formidable strength, is a rare and ambitious ruler on this continent!"

The envoys from the two great empires stared with wide eyes, their gazes filled with nothing but fear.

The Heaven Dou Empire's delegation, in particular, felt their instincts screaming in warning.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the main quest: The Empire's First Battle, slaughtering 500,000 enemies. Rewards...]

[Reward: 500,000-year soul ring (adaptive), a Soul Master Legion of fifty Soul Saints, and the national treasure Level 9 soul device: Little Girl! (Peacemaker)]

As the system notifications rang out in his mind, Xu Nian'an's eyes brightened.

A Soul Master Legion of fifty Soul Saints.

It was easy to understand: a legion of soul masters composed of fifty Soul Saints.

But what was this "little girl"...?

[National Treasure Level 9 Soul Device: Little Girl: Her home was invaded, her homeland destroyed, her father and brother died in battle one after another. She shed tears of sorrow, igniting the fire of hope!]

(Peacemaker: Damage range covers one city, carries curse damage.)

Peacemaker?

You call this a Peacemaker???

Isn't this more like a "Nuclear-maker"?

Even in Xu Nian'an's past life, this would absolutely be a top-tier weapon of mass destruction.

For such a weapon to fall into the hands of a madman—this was simply... too cool!

[Ding! Main quest triggered: Lead the army in person, defend the territory, defeat the invaders, and let your fame spread across the continent!]

Finally, it had come to this.

Swish~!

Xu Nian'an slowly raised his head, a flash of determination crossing his eyes.

Having dealt the Heaven Dou Empire a painful blow, they certainly lacked the military strength to obstruct him any further.

Now, it was the Star Luo Empire's turn.

Eight hundred thousand—this number was by no means small, but most were surely just there to make up the count.

For instance, militia; when civilians picked up blades and spears to stand on the front lines, they were counted as soldiers, yet their combat effectiveness was... negligible.

In truth, at a time like this, defending the country and fighting in wars was a duty for everyone. Some empires provided pay, but for others, people had to provide their own weapons and armor, let alone money.

"We, today, solemnly declare!"

"War upon the Heaven Dou Empire!"

"War upon the Star Luo Empire!"

"War upon the Hadrian Kingdom!"

"War upon the Gilikris Kingdom!"

Xu Nian'an named five or six countries in one breath, declaring war on them all at once.

Most were vassal states of the Star Luo Empire.

Even if he didn't declare war now, he would have to fight them eventually, so he might as well fight them all in one go.

One might ask where Xu Nian'an found the confidence.

After all, he was currently taking on two empires at once.

The answer was simple: it was given by the Peacemaker.

If he ever found himself unable to win, he would drop one, and he believed the entire world would fall silent, with countless people trembling in fear.

Because no one knew if Xu Nian'an had a second one, and no one dared to test it.

Moreover, when facing the Star Luo Empire, Xu Nian'an was not necessarily destined to lose even without using the Peacemaker.

Xu Nian'an's voice was deafening, echoing across the Great Ming Square for a long time, causing the envoys of the two great empires to tremble in their souls.

"How could he dare!"

"How could he dare?"

"A madman, he is nothing but a madman!"

Xu Nian'an ignored them and turned to leave.

"Make preparations; this time, We shall lead the campaign in person!"

Thud~!

"Your Majesty, you must not!"

Inside the Ming Emperor Hall, upon hearing this news, everyone instantly fell to their knees.

Xu Nian'an looked at Xu Yi, who stood at the front.

"Give Us a reason."

Hearing Xu Nian'an's words, Xu Yi did not hesitate in the slightest.

"The front lines are too dangerous. Great Ming still requires Your Majesty's leadership; Your Majesty must not come to any harm."

"The Son of Heaven guards the gates of the nation; a gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall, Your Majesty!"

"For this battle against Star Luo, this subject is willing to go!"

Xu Nian'an waved his hand.

"You, I have more important matters for you to attend to."

"I grant you one hundred thousand Dragon Guards to garrison the northern border of Great Ming for one month."

"Xu Yi!"

Xu Yi's face first showed worry and reluctance, but finally, he yielded to the imperial decree.

"This subject is here!"

"Garrison the northern border of Great Ming for one month. If the border is breached or invaded within that month, then you are a sinner of Great Ming!"

"But if it is breached after one month, on the thirty-second day, then you are a hero of Great Ming."

"When We return, We shall bestow rewards upon you!"

Night!

In the Great Ming Imperial Palace.

A blood-red beam of light shot straight into the sky, instantly dyeing half the sky over Ming City crimson.

Hum~! Hum~! Hum~!!!

In front of Xu Nian'an, a dragon-patterned longsword spun incessantly as a blood-red soul ring slowly descended upon his body.

Looking closely, this blood-red soul ring bore three distinct life patterns.

Swish, swish, swish~

"Grand Elder."

As several figures emerged from the darkness and approached the imperial palace at high speed, just as they were about to enter the Ming Emperor Hall to investigate the situation, a tall figure stood before them.

"His Majesty is currently in cultivation. Get lost!!!"

July, 2625 of the Douluo Calendar.

On the very day the Star Luo Empire announced war against the Great Ming, they dispatched troops to begin an assault on the Galloping Wolf territory.

Following the instructions Xu Nian'an had left before his arrival, the garrison at Galloping Wolf abandoned some of their territory.

Seeing initial success, the Star Luo Empire grew greedy. They split their 800,000 troops into two prongs to attack Xingyao City.

They attempted to cut off the Great Ming's supply lines directly from Xingyao City, which sat next to the Star Luo Province, hoping to reclaim all southern territories and secure victory.

Unfortunately, under Xu Nian'an's previous orders, Xu Yi and the people there had fortified the city for a long time. The city walls were sturdy, and the people of Xingyao City resisted to the death. The Star Luo Empire could not break through despite prolonged attacks and achieved no significant results.

July 3rd.

Xu Nian'an arrived on the battlefield with 300,000 Great Snow Dragon Cavalry, 100,000 elite troops, 50,000 Dragon Guards, the Holy Spirit Sect, and the Soul Master Legion.

With the force of a thunderbolt, they immediately reclaimed all territory within Galloping Wolf and launched a direct assault on the Star Luo Province.

The 800,000-strong Star Luo army retreated to defend.

They established the Tiger Roar Defense Line in the Tiger Roar Forest, not far from Xingyao City.

"You say you won't fight, so you don't? You say you'll retreat, so you do?"

On the other side of the Tiger Roar Defense Line, fifty rounds of fixed-station soul cannons were prepared.

"I'm sorry, but the times have changed!"

"Fire!!!"