Chapter 2681: Hearing Thunderclaps in Silence

Du Shan immediately replied, "Yes."

Wan Qi Liang didn't need to be mentioned; for many years he had been a loyal and fierce general under the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, never wavering. As for Sikong Yi, he was the sea clan leader personally subdued by the Nine Abysses Great Emperor thirteen years ago; in the army, this clan is called the Green-Skinned Water Ghosts. When they come ashore, their fish tails turn into legs, but their build is much shorter and stockier than that of the Merpeople, their swimming speed in water is not as fast as the Merpeople's, and their spellcraft is not as refined, yet their strength is astonishing.

Most countries have no navy, but Cang Yan is different. Its maritime trade spans the human world, so naturally it must match that with an equivalent protective force. Otherwise, great sea monsters and ruthless bandits would roam the oceans, and fleets would often suffer losses.

Du Shan knew that the Emperor summoned these two because the war he planned would be fought on both land and water, and there would certainly be much land combat against the Bo Lang Kingdom. Bo Lang Kingdom also has land warriors, not all of them are water tribes, but this is not its strong suit.

Bo Lang Kingdom's fourth deployment against Wu Song Kingdom, they felt ten out of ten sure—indeed, the facts were basically so—who would have thought there were still forces in the world daring to stick a leg in sideways?

Thus, Cang Yan's move this time must succeed; failure is not allowed.

This is merely the prelude to the Nine Abysses Great Emperor declaring war on the Heavenly Demons; we must strike a thunderous opening blow.

Thus Du Shan asked for instructions: "When shall we notify Wu Song Kingdom?"

"No rush; wait until Bo Lang Kingdom's great army presses the border, then speak." He Lingchuan already had a plan in mind: "Small and medium-sized kingdoms are always vacillating, leaning toward the powerful; do not give advance notice, lest military secrets leak."

"Yes." Du Shan took his leave.

Passing through the Imperial Garden, he strode forward, but his foot failed to lift, tripping on a stone on the ground, and he stumbled.

He had walked this garden hundreds, even thousands of times; it was more familiar than the road home.

Du Shan simply stopped and took a deep breath.

Today's wind seemed especially biting, but the cold air drawn into his lungs could not suppress the fire in his heart.

In Cang Yan, he had restrained his temperament, sitting and watching the winds and clouds shift outside for over a decade; now at last he had awaited the Emperor's change of attitude.

As the Minister of Cang Yan, observing all six directions, how could he not know the outside world's criticisms of Cang Yan?

The Nine Abysses Great Emperor unified Shanjin, ending a thousand years of division; indeed, he has achieved peerless feats.

But then what?

Since its founding, Cang Yan has shouted the slogan of resisting the Heavenly Demons, but in these past ten or more years, has there been any actual action made public?

The Nine Abysses Great Emperor himself has indeed performed astonishing deeds, but what of Cang Yan the state? It actually shut its doors, focusing solely on self-governance, turning a deaf ear and blind eye to the chaos of the hundred kingdoms; even when Between Between Between Beijia, under the Heavenly Demons' instigation, tormented the world, it remained deaf and blind, yet claimed to be self-contained and self-reliant, not involving itself in foreign affairs!

To the world's eyes, in resisting the Heavenly Demons, Cang Yan even falls short of Mu State. While they roll up their sleeves and get to work, Cang Yan actually still does business cheerfully with Between Between Between Beijia!

While other countries suffer in fire and water, Cang Yan instead reaps ten thousand gold a day, growing rich and oily.

Hey, hehe, speaking of saying one thing and doing another—even if Cang Yan is already a mighty state of the present age, how many kingdoms would truly respect and fear it?

Of course, the court ministers of Cang Yan are well aware of the outside world's gossip and slander; occasionally it is mentioned in court, but all are brushed aside by the Nine Abysses Great Emperor in a single sentence.

Du Shan also understands that behind rumors and gossip often lies someone fanning the flames; the Heavenly Palace and Between Between Between Beijia are not to be taken lightly. In truth, the maneuverings between great powers are multidimensional, but people simply do not know.

Yet, the people of Cang Yan have indeed been holding their breath for a long, long time, from senior ministers to the army.

That is the indignation of being looked down upon, and also the restlessness awaiting a mission.

Now, the Emperor has finally made his decision.

Du Shan's heart surged with excitement, for the Nine Abysses Great Emperor, if he does not act, then does not; but once he acts, it must be with thunderous force.

Cang Yan this great ship is about to turn 180 degrees, to challenge the most terrifying enemy in heaven and earth, to wade through the most terrifying thunder zone in this world.

No one understands better than he the burden Cang Yan is about to bear, and the karmic consequences the Emperor will have to endure.

Another great upheaval moving millions of beings begins from this very moment, from this very instant, starting on such an ordinary, unremarkable day, and Du Shan is the sole witness.

This is called, hearing thunderclaps in silence.

Du Shan wiped the corner of his eyes, then raised his head and exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.

Ah, an age of great contention—Cang Yan at last is about to throw itself into the fray!

……

In the Imperial Study, He Lingchuan pondered for a moment, then summoned the Hao Yuan Golden Mirror, reaching out to tap the red gem on its frame.

Not long after, a figure appeared on the mirror's surface:

"Emperor!"

This is Pak Chi Hai, whom He Lingchuan connected to via the Pan Long Secret Realm.

Pak Chi Hai is now the Night-Wanderer God of Pan Long Ancient City; He Lingchuan is the master of the secret realm, thus also his master, and therefore his attitude is unusually respectful.

He Lingchuan rested his chin on his hand: "Please find the Earth Mother for me."

Not long after, the little stone-person's face filled the mirror:

"What do you want?"

"Where have you been?" Using the Great Square Vessel to bridge and communicate through the Pan Long Secret Realm is the most effortless and economical method.

The Great Square Vessel also had no choice but to tacitly allow him to take advantage of it this way.

"I've reached the midpoint of the Endless Sea." The Earth Mother yawned, speaking lazily, "You suddenly seek me—could it be you have business again?"

The Soul-Capturing Mirror chuckled: "This Earth Mother—if you call her a stone-headed blockhead, she sometimes really isn't stupid."

He Lingchuan also felt a bit embarrassed, rubbed his nose before saying: "I'd like to ask you for a favor, to take a detour along the way."

"Which way's detour?"

"Help me transport a troop, to Wu Song Bay."

"Wu Song Bay?" The Earth Mother pondered the location of Wu Song Bay, then thought over the troop transport route, and immediately exclaimed, "Wu Song Bay is a bay seven thousand li south of Between Between Between Beijia! I still have to first return to Ju Lu Port to receive the troops, then make a special trip there! Hey hey, how is this a detour?"

"Your legwork is swift..."

The Earth Mother displeased said: "When we signed the contract back then, we agreed you would not conscript me more than three times a year. This year, I have already run three trips for you!"

"I know, I know." He Lingchuan soothed it: "But this time it is truly a sudden situation; some opportunities, if not seized firmly, will vanish in a flash."

"I'm tired." The Earth Mother really wanted to refuse: "I need to take a vacation and rest."

It ought to have been heading to its holiday destination, to relax deeply for half a month.

After years of busyness, it is already utterly exhausted.

"In past years I have always followed the agreement, never making such a request. But the Heavenly Demons' descent is imminent, and sudden mishaps are many." He Lingchuan spoke softly, his voice tinged with deep helplessness: "Besides you, who can transport an army a thousand li in a day, there is no second. Can you not endure one more hardship? I will pay double wages."

The Soul-Capturing Mirror hummed: "It is a standard heart of iron and stone; what if it says 'no'? Back then, the contract should not have been made so loose."

The blood demon sneered: "You don't know shit. The Earth Mother is one of the prerequisites for the success of this thousand-mile surprise attack. The Emperor being able to devise this plan means he's certain the Earth Mother will agree. You, this broken mirror, understand nothing about having a heart of iron and stone, or the ways of the world."