The man had a square face, a high nose, and eyes like iron. He was Lu Xuanzhen, Right Vice Minister of War, a principal third rank Immortal Official with nascent soul late stage cultivation.
Lu Xuanzhen did not come from a top-tier Spirit Transformation aristocratic clan, but he had cultivated his position in the Ministry of War for years and had deep ties to the Iron Household and the Northern Border military. In his early years, he had even accompanied Tie Hengjiang on the northern campaign against the Golden Tent Khanate, earning solid military merits.
As he stepped out of line, quite a few officials exchanged glances.
At last, the main event of the day had arrived.
Holding his Jade Hu Tablet, Lu Xuanzhen bowed and spoke in a steady voice:
"Your Majesty, the three fronts of the Southern Borderlands, Southern Yue, and the Outer Sea are interconnected. Gouwu Sea lies between the Southeastern Circuit, Lingnan Circuit, Southern Yue Kingdom, and the Primordial Spirit demons of the Outer Sea. It is a maritime wedge shielding the southeastern half of our Great Jin. Should disorder erupt there, Southern Yue could use the sea routes to raid the Southeastern Circuit, while the demons of the Outer Sea could seize the opportunity to invade. Even the fighting in the Southwestern Circuit would be affected."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Now the Demon Lotus Sect commands the overall situation in Gouwu Sea, and the islands have only just been pacified. Demon Lotus Sect Leader Qing Chen single-handedly subdued the sects, slew the Three-Headed Black-Tailed Snake, repelled the demonic unrest from the Outer Sea, and subdued the former titans of the Golden Scale Alliance. After years of fragmentation, Gouwu Sea finally has a chance at unification."
The eyes of quite a few people in the