After Hong Yuanqiu returned to the Military Affairs Office hall, he took up a document, scrutinized it for a moment, and stamped it with his seal.
He had always been weighing whether to take over that Upper Armor. Whenever Masters Yu and Long asked about it, he evaded the matter without discussing it.
Now that he had decided to launch a war, he needed sufficiently powerful military strength. Support from that Celestial Mechanism Institute in Jade Capital was indispensable, so he had to make a choice on this matter.
He summoned a trusted clerical official, handed him the document, and said, "Deliver this to Master Yu."
After the clerical official left, he summoned Cong Fu, who had been waiting outside, and instructed, "Notify those below to begin preparations. Before the last ten days of the month, all troops and military equipment must be fully prepared."
Cong Fu stiffened, gave a military salute, and answered heavily, "Yes!"
Hong Yuanqiu picked up his brush again and began issuing requisition orders one after another. To ensure victory in this campaign, he intended to simultaneously conscript regional levies and hire mercenary forces.
In truth, he had been preparing for war since last year. Had Venerable Yu not suddenly been replaced midway through, he would have acted long ago.
After a long while, the clerical official returned and bowed. "Office Chief, I have had the document delivered."
Hong Yuanqiu casually handed him the documents he had signed, then seemed to recall something. "I remember that Venerable Yu's disciples are still near Tan Spring Prefecture, correct?"
"Yes."
Hong Yuanqiu said, "Then later, send someone there as well. Tell them that the Military Affairs Office needs their assistance in this campaign."
To destroy the great formation established by Upper Firmament Heaven, they had to gather enough troops