Because of their incompetence, ineptitude, and selfishness, Azure Wind Province, one of the empire's most important military provinces, fell instantly. Millions of the Wanli Cult members and citizens of the empire were plunged into misery, constantly facing the threat of slaughter and ravages by the invaders. Meanwhile, the very culprits lived a life of luxury and debauchery, surrounded by jewels and fine clothes.
What's even more despicable is that these parasites not only show no remorse or desire to repent, but they also become even more wicked. As soon as they get a chance to catch their breath, they start playing power games, distorting the truth, and only thinking about seizing power and profit, excluding dissidents, and framing virtuous officials. Their hearts are despicable and their words are contemptible. They are truly the greatest sinners of the empire, and their crimes are unforgivable!
Sun Fei almost couldn't resist punching these fat, burly men in front of him into dust, but after thinking it over, he refrained from doing so for the time being. Instead, he beckoned to his personal guard, Torres, who had been standing behind him, and without even covering his eyes, slowly said, "Pass on my order: have Constantine quickly assemble the army. Also, order all wealthy households, nobles, various factions, upper-class individuals, and citizens of the royal city to go to the Barracks training ground to watch. In the name of the Empire-Protecting Martial Saint of the Empire, I will announce new military and political appointments."
Torres didn't ask any more questions, nodded, and turned to leave.
"Sir Sherwood has said a lot. Now we must unify the decrees and clarify responsibilities," Sun Fei said with a slight smile, glancing at the delighted nobles around him. "I think tonight's banquet will end here. You gentlemen have worked hard, so please go and prepare yourselves. You have important matters to attend to at the drill ground later!"
Everyone was overjoyed and stood up one by one, flattering Sun Fei for his brilliant decision before scurrying away from the banquet hall.
However, the quick-witted Rennes Knight didn't rush to leave. Instead, he stood nervously beside Sun Fei, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his face pale, and he dared not breathe, remain motionless, or utter a word.
"Huh? Why aren't you getting ready yet?" Sun Fei slowly stood up and Earth Inquiry without turning his head.
"My lord, spare my life!" Knight knelt on the ground with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly, his face drained of all color.
"What did you say? When did I say I was going to kill you?" Sun Fei turned around and looked at the young nobleman with interest.
Rennes Knight was so frightened that he didn't dare to raise his head or offer any explanation; he just kept kowtowing.
He was quick-witted and good at reading people, unlike Sherwood and others who had been in high positions for a long time and were practically local tyrants in Azure Wind Province. They had long lost this most basic survival skill because they made decisions on their own. Moreover, more importantly, he knew a little about Sun Fei's deeds.
As a young person, it's normal to admire the strong. Rennes Knight had once dreamed of becoming a strongman himself, idolizing Sun Fei. He also knew a bit about the new Guardian Martial Saint the empire, and naturally knew what kind of person the Martial Saint was—he hated corrupt and power-hungry nobles the most. In a fit of rage, he had beheaded countless prominent nobles in Twin Flag City, even putting the empire's eldest prince in an embarrassing position. All the rules were simply meant to be broken in front of this young Martial Saint.
This time, Sherwood and his ilk lost their vigilance, resorting to power plays and taking advantage of the Martial Saint's youth and ignorance, trying to fool the officials in the capital with the same tricks they used to use. This was playing with fire and courting death.
Seeing Knight's expression, Sun Fei wasn't in a hurry to leave. He sat back down and said with a half-smile, "Alright, you're smart. Since you asked me to spare your life, tell me, what they said earlier, is it true?"
Upon hearing this, Knight quickly scrambled forward a few steps and said respectfully, "That's a despicable slander. Sherwood and his men have been scheming to gain control of the Byzantium Kingdom's new army. Only by regaining control of the army can they protect themselves on the Southern Frontier frontier. They can also use other means to get the imperial court to pardon many of their men. However, they lack skilled advisors and don't understand your intentions, so they've been plotting in secret these past few days..."
"Haha, I really didn't expect this to go so smoothly." Walking out of the banquet hall, Sherwood felt much more at ease on his way back.
The tax official Berezov beside him chuckled smugly, "The whole empire is talking about how wise and powerful the great Martial Saint is. But seeing him today, it's clear he's not as famous as he sounds. No wonder, he's just a kid not even twenty years old, a country bumpkin. He probably spends all his time practicing martial arts, like an idiot. No matter how much fame he has, he was easily manipulated by us with just a few words, haha!"
Vincent, the former commander of the Azure Wind City Legion, shook his head and laughed, "In the end, he's just a warrior. So what? As long as we plan properly, he'll still be completely outmaneuvered by us!"
As they spoke, the group burst into laughter, each one looking quite pleased with themselves.
These people were originally a bunch of good-for-nothings accustomed to scheming and infighting; otherwise, they wouldn't have made such a foolish decision, so easily burying the heavily fortified Azure Wind City and more than 40,000 elite troops of the Empire. They were completely unaware of the danger they were in, and were smug as they returned to their temporary camp, changed into their newest official uniforms, and then, under the protection of their attendants, eagerly rushed to the royal city's training ground.
When Sun Fei at the training ground, it was already packed with people, bonfires were blazing, and heads were thronging everywhere. Everyone was craning their necks, hoping to catch a glimpse of the empire's legendary Martial Saint.
The army that Constantine had painstakingly organized these past few days, including land forces and sailors, plus the original Kingdom of Byzantium, numbered about 20,000. If the militia temporarily organized according to Sun Fei's suggestion were included, it was basically equivalent to a regular corps.
When the bugler loudly announced the arrival of the Imperial Martial Saint, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the square. The crowd surged, screams and applause blended together, and the atmosphere was as fiery as a volcanic eruption. The air was filled with irresistible enthusiasm, almost as if it were about to overturn the entire royal city.
This is the prestige of the Empire-Protecting Martial Saint of the Empire!
This is the influence of the empire's only remaining spiritual pillar!
Sun Fei walked slowly through the crowd with a smile on his face, bathed in the cheers of the crowd, like a god walking among mortals, yet possessing a sense of warmth and authenticity that even gods could not possess. For many citizens of the empire, countless prayers during the disaster had not brought them the mercy of the gods. It was the appearance of the Martial Saint King of Chambord of the empire that changed their tragic fate!
In their hearts, Sun Fei had long been deified.
Behind Sun Fei, the still-shaken Sherwood Rennes Knight followed closely, much more relaxed than before. Meanwhile, those who had just looked down on Sun Fei not long ago were now intimidated by his overwhelming aura, their faces turning slightly pale and fear involuntarily appearing.
Sun Fei ascended the command platform at the drill ground, but said nothing. He simply handed a crystal stone, shimmering with a silvery halo, to King of Byzantium Constantine was waiting there.
This is a piece of Diwei Crystal.
Soon, a mage infused it with Magic Power, and beams of light were projected from the crystal, forming a giant crystal screen in the pitch-black night. The images and sounds recorded within were clearly displayed before the eyes of nearly 100,000 imperial soldiers and civilians in the training ground.
In an instant, Sherwood and his group, who were dressed in fine clothes at the very front of the crowd, turned pale and began to tremble.
Third update.
Thank you for your support, brothers and sisters. I'll be returning to Handan on the 15th, and once I get back, I'll be able to update regularly.