Now, the Fadi Kingdom had sent troops to attack, threatening the Huoluo Kingdom into tearing down the Great Bridge.
In the past, without the Great Bridge, the Huoluo Kingdom had had to pass through the upstream Fadi Kingdom to trade with the Chechi Kingdom.
The journey there and back had not only meant a considerable detour, but also heavy exactions from the Fadi Kingdom, resulting in severe losses.
Now that it had the Great Bridge, the Huoluo Kingdom could cross directly, without passing through the Fadi Kingdom again.
But this also meant that the Fadi Kingdom could no longer extract profits from the Huoluo Kingdom.
The Fadi Kingdom had therefore sent troops to attack, threatening the Huoluo Kingdom into demolishing the Great Bridge.
Naturally, the King of the Huoluo Kingdom could not agree when he learned of this. He ordered five thousand troops dispatched to the border to defend against the Fadi Kingdom's attack.
By the time word reached Ao Tu, the two kingdoms' armies were already facing off at the border.
[Current progress: 325 days]
The Imperial Envoy came to Ao Tu with a letter written personally by the King of the Huoluo Kingdom. In it, the King adopted a humble, respectful tone, lavished praise upon him, and promised incense offerings and other tributes. All he sought was to enlist the power of Ao Tu, a deity, to bless the Huoluo Kingdom with victory in this war.
Ao Tu refused outright. "I cannot interfere at will in wars between mortals."
The Imperial Envoy pleaded, "Lord Dragon God, you personally oversaw the construction of this Great Bridge. Will you really just let it be torn down?"
Ao Tu said, "This bridge was built to allow the holy monk to cross. Its benefit to your kingdom came second. If