Chapter 357, Enemy at the Gates

Translator: Silavin

 

“To defend Ancient Mountain Pass, we can’t just passively defend – we must defeat them and force their retreat!”

 

Carefree Prince Xia Zelei spoke firmly as he gazed at the dark mass of enemy troops in the distance.

 

Facing a million-strong army, he chose not to hunker down but to actively attack!

 

“Prince, I will fight alongside you to repel the enemy!” Li Yuanba declared, pounding his chest. His eyes blazed with fighting spirit. He was eager to leap into battle.

 

“You…” Xia Zelei was grateful to have this powerful warrior by his side. If he were with the enemy, Li Yuanba would have been a real headache to deal with.

 

One man had not only held Ancient Mountain Pass but repelled two Mid Stage Martial Kings!

 

Such an achievement was enough to make him famous.

 

Now, they just awaited for the cavalry to arrive.

 

Xia Zelei had great confidence in this cavalry unit.

 

Ancient Mountain Pass entered a brief period of peace, but everyone knew what kind of storm lurked beneath this tranquility.

 

…

 

Twilight City.

 

Early morning, when just a hint of blue appeared in the sky.

 

*Boom! Boom! Boom!…* Suddenly, the ground began trembling, startling the nearly-dozing guards on the city walls.

 

“What’s happening?”  One guard rubbed his eyes and stood up.

 

*Swish!* Suddenly, an arrow flashed past, drawing a trail of blood. That guard had limply collapsed.

 

His companion beside him witnessed this scene.

 

“Enemy attack!…”

 

The warning bell at the city gate suddenly rang out, awakening all of Twilight City.

 

“We have troops stationed at all borders with no reports of defeat – where did these enemies come from!?”

 

The Emperor demanded in confusion upon hearing the report.

 

Though Ancient Mountain Pass was under heavy assault, the armies at other major border passes had not moved and had actually strengthened their defenses. By rights, any military action should have been reported from the front lines first. How could enemy Forces suddenly appear at their gates?!

 

“It’s… it’s Grand Marshal Li…” The messenger prostrated himself, softly speaking.

 

“Grand Marshal Li?” The Emperor paused while adjusting his robes, then his pupils suddenly contracted. “Li Zhengping?!”

 

After news of battle at Ancient Mountain Pass had arrived, the Li Family had vanished without a trace. Now, with the Carefree Prince leading troops to the front lines, Li Zhengping suddenly appeared.

 

An ominous feeling welled up in the Emperor’s heart.

 

As the Grand Marshal, Li Zhengping must have thoroughly infiltrated the military over all these years.

 

“Treasonous rebels!” The Emperor clenched his fist, his eyes flashing coldly. “Quickly summon all Earls and above to discuss the matter!”

 

When he arrived at the great hall, all Nobles of Earl rank and above were already waiting inside.

 

Their faces showed fear, unease, agitation… These privileged Nobles, most who merely inherited their titles, had never faced such a situation.

 

Especially those Nobles who had previously supported Seventh Princess Xia Zilin – they were particularly anxious now.

 

Li Zhengping’s army was at their gates. They knew his true purpose all too well.

 

“What’s the situation? What does that traitor Li Zhengping… What does he intend to do? Rebel!?” The Emperor struck his dragon throne, his voice like thunder. All Nobles in the hall prostrated themselves before him.

 

They feared Li Zhengping and his army, but they feared the Royal Family even more.

 

“Your Majesty, Grand Marshal Li has sent a message to his Majesty. He demands the arrest of the witch Xia Zilin, who has bewitched the masses, and to purge those close to her…”

 

Someone in the hall replied.

 

“Witch?!” The Emperor’s eyes bulged. “That traitor dares call my Daughter a witch!?”

 

“Li Zhengping!” These final words practically squeezed through his teeth.

 

But inwardly, he felt bitter. He had few people he could use in this city. Because most Nobles actually sided with the Li Family.

 

After all, they had the Second Prince!

 

If the Second Prince could ascend as heir to the throne, the Li Family would gain merit without any fault.

 

“Despicable!” The Emperor inwardly raged.

 

It seemed Li Zhengping had incited the two Grand Empires’ allied Forces to attack Ancient Mountain Pass just to draw away the Carefree Prince. His true target was Twilight City!

 

[Such deep scheming!].

 

Neither he nor the Carefree Prince had anticipated this.

 

“Your Majesty, this subject believes we should hand over the wit… the Seventh Princess to preserve national peace.”

 

Someone in the hall proposed.

 

“I concur…”

 

“I concur…”

 

“I concur…”

 

Suddenly voices of agreement came from all directions.

 

Clearly, this had been arranged by the Li Family beforehand.

 

Rebellion – perhaps the Li Family lacked that courage.

 

After all, the Royal Family’s authority was deeply ingrained in the people’s hearts. Moreover, several old monsters still remained in the Royal Family. No one knew if they were dead or alive.

 

Though armies were at the gates, as long as Li Zhengping was not actually rebelling, those Royal Family old monsters would not intervene.

 

After all, in those old monsters’ view, this was merely the younger generation competing for the throne.

 

As for the one sitting on the throne, as long as a direct Royal Family descendant took it, they saw no difference – the Second Prince or Xia Zilin made no difference to them.

 

Seeing this scene, the Emperor’s grip on his dragon throne tightened.

 

“Bunch of fools!” He suddenly shouted in rage, making those Nobles tremble.

 

“You presume to decide the life and death of my Daughter!?” His gloomy voice rang out as the Nobles bowed their heads even lower.

 

Though silent, their attitudes remained unchanged.

 

This filled the Emperor with rage, but even more, with helplessness.

 

He lacked the intimidating presence of Carefree Prince, Xia Zelei. If Xia Zelei sat in this position now, would these people dare act this way!?

 

He smiled bitterly.

 

The Emperor angrily swept his sleeves and departed.

 

Meanwhile, the city’s armies began mustering, but the Nobles who were willing to provide troops were few. Overall, less than twenty percent of the Nobles were willing.

 

It was a worrying situation!

 

“You know the situation outside, don’t you?” The Emperor summoned the Seventh Princess. Looking at his breathtakingly beautiful Daughter, sorrow flickered in his eyes.

 

She really looked just like her Mother, as if carved from the same mold.

 

Though he had defied popular opinion to marry her Mother into the palace, that kind and beautiful woman had been driven to death by his Consorts.

 

Though he was the Emperor, what could he say?

 

Which of those Royal Consorts did not have a Major Force backing them?

 

It was not that he did not want to dote on his Daughter – he simply could not. As ruler of the Grand Empire, he could only secretly send resources to her. Otherwise, even with Xia Zilin’s talent, how could she have achieved such a cultivation at such a young age!?

 

Actually, he was delighted when Xia Zilin gained the Carefree Prince’s support. He had even begun preparing for her ascension to the throne. Who knew the Li Family would pull the rug from under them, bringing armies to their gates!

 

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