The Guan Residence's rear courtyard.
Inside a small courtyard that was always sealed off.
A man dressed in white leisurely sipped wine from his cup.
"Wine beneath the Blood Moon, with funeral music for entertainment. A different sort of flavor."
With his back to the courtyard entrance, the man took out a cup and set it on the table.
"Marshal."
Guan Ming hurried into the courtyard with several sons of the Guan Family.
Though everyone wore mourning clothes, little grief showed on their faces.
"How are the arrangements coming along?"
"The Pope and the Marquis have entered the Dragon Kingdom."
"The situation in Dian Prefecture is critical."
"Chun Prefecture swept through three hundred thousand Koreans with overwhelming force. The outcome should be settled within a week."
Guan Ming answered calmly.
His tone was slightly stiff.
"The enemy's offensive is fierce."
White Garment thoughtfully raised his wine cup, then pondered for a moment. "If this drags on, the civilians will suffer."
"Marshal, will the Pope and the Marquis really come?"
"The old man laid such an elaborate trap to lure them in. They can't possibly stay away," White Garment said with a confident smile.
Of the Coalition Forces' several armies, the Koreans had met with crushing defeat.
If Mianbang still failed to take Dian Prefecture, what would the other alien races think?
The first push rode on high spirits; the second faltered, and the third ran out of steam.
Dragging things out would hurt the Coalition Forces too.
They were desperate to push into the Dragon Kingdom's heartland,
first, to bolster morale.
Second, to reassure the other alien races.
The only reason fighting had yet to break out in Yue Prefecture was that the Federation and the Alliance feared the Old Man's command abilities.
Now the Old Man had passed away.