Heaven Dou City, imperial palace.
Xue Ye sat upon the throne, with the Empress beside him. Below, two princes stood on either side.
Xue Luochuan, Xue Haizang, and Xue Qinghe were locked in confrontation. Xue Beng stood off to the side, making himself as inconspicuous as possible, while the civil and military officials stood nearby.
"Summon the Spirit Hall envoy," the eunuch said in a shrill voice.
Before long, Salas, the bishop of Heaven Dou City, entered the imperial palace with four red-robed bishops behind him.
"Salas greets Your Majesty of Heaven Dou." Salas remained standing as he spoke, not even bothering to go through the motions of a bow.
Faced with the Spirit Hall envoy's rude conduct, the officials throughout the court dared to be angry but not to speak.
Xue Ye forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart and calmly asked, "May I ask what important matter Bishop Salas has come to my Heaven Dou Empire for as an envoy?"
Salas said, "Beyond the sea lies a nest of Sea Soul Masters. They refuse to submit to civilization, disrespect the Angel God, worship the savage and evil Sea God, freely blockade the seas, and harass the coastal borders. Their crimes are unforgivable. They are a great cancer entrenched upon the sea. Before long, His Holiness Qian Xunyi, the Pope of Spirit Hall, will launch a Holy War against Sea God Island, conquer Sea God Island, and eradicate this maritime menace once and for all."
Xue Ye's heart stirred, and he nearly cried out in excitement deep inside. A Holy War against those Sea Soul Masters overseas? Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Fight! You had better fight to the bitter end and both come away crippled!
"Since His Holiness the Pope intends to launch a Holy War against Sea God Island,