Chapter 2741

The Gao clan is also an old aristocratic family of Lingxu City; because Gao Huaiyuan was appointed one of the four Grand Commanders for the campaign against Panlong, the Gao clan has been quite active in the Lingxu Wang Ting recently.

But when Gao Huaiyuan received the order to replace Fu Shanlie, the secret formula for "Qianchang" had already been leaked, and the contest between the Demon Emperor and the Heavenly Palace was just beginning to show its outlines; consequently, he paid close attention to the changes back home.

This letter was very long; he had only read the first few sentences when his face turned pale, and a heavy stone seemed to lodge in his chest.

A coup!

Beijia had enjoyed four hundred years of peaceful prosperity, yet civil war erupted during the attack on Panlong!

The very thing he had worried about most while fighting on the front lines had actually come true.

The conflict between the Emperor and the Heavenly Palace — if it didn't erupt, fine; once it did, it was this fierce. Reading the letter through, Gao Huaiyuan could not find the slightest room for compromise on either side.

As a subject, as a believer of the gods, how was he to conduct himself?

And the million-plus expeditionary army under his command — how was it to proceed from here?

Gao Huaiyuan had thought that after these months of the Pan-Bei War he was steady and calm enough, but in fact his mind was now a tangled mess, and for half a day he could not sort out a single thread.

An upheaval unseen in four hundred years — no Beijia person knew what to do.

The letter also specifically mentioned that the Emperor had begun purging the Heavenly Palace faction in the Wang Ting; many ministers were dismissed, many thrown into prison — clearly the Emperor had long held the intelligence and evidence.

Four generals refused to surrender meekly and actually conspired to rebel, intending to force the palace, even summoning a Divine Descent; but two were suppressed by the Royal Army the moment they rose, and the other two held out for over ten days before being shot dead while fleeing.

The whole of Lingxu City was in turmoil, everyone fearing for themselves.

Most importantly, the Gao clan are also devotees of the gods!

Gao Huaiyuan's replacement of Fu Shanlie was itself the result of the game between the gods and the Demon Emperor. The Emperor's man Fu Shanlie was removed, and the Heavenly Palace's man Gao Huaiyuan promptly took his place — this was seen in Lingxu City as the Demon Emperor's concession to the gods.

Now the Emperor has launched a great purge of the Heavenly Palace forces in the court; although the Gao clan is not yet on this list, who can say about the future?

Gao Huaiyuan commands the army abroad, so naturally he worries for his clan's safety.

Moreover, this million-plus army under him comes from all over Beijia, and from the several vassal demon states that are mutually campaigning against each other.

Once the news spreads, will these soldiers still be good comrades? It would be good enough if they don't hate and attack each other — how could one still hope they fight shoulder to shoulder?

Where will the war against Panlong go from here? The offensive that was about to be launched — will it still be fought?

Gao Huaiyuan buried his face in his hands, his heart in chaos.

This veteran of countless battles, faced with an unprecedented upheaval, also felt utterly at a loss.

He sat stiffly in his tent for most of a double-hour, until a knocking sound came from outside and a personal guard said softly: "Grand Commander, the Heavenly Palace's special envoy has arrived."

The family letter had just arrived, and the Heavenly Palace's envoy comes now — such a coincidence? Gao Huaiyuan started in alarm, composed himself, and strode out to greet them.

The Heavenly Palace's envoy numbered only three, all wearing cloaks. They walked through the military camp, eyes straight ahead.

After entering the tent, the leader threw back his cloak, revealing an utterly ordinary face.

Early forties, long thin face, aquiline nose, pupils very pale, making his gaze especially cold.

His voice was equally cold: "All of you, withdraw."

Gao Huaiyuan waved his hand, sending everyone else out of the tent, then asked respectfully:

"How should I address the envoy, and under which deity do you serve?"

The envoy first raised a hand and set up a barrier, then said: "I am Xiyu; I have served the Heavenly Venerate Jialou for five thousand three hundred years."

Five thousand three hundred years? Gao Huaiyuan was stunned; normal humans cannot live that long.

"You are, you…?" An immortal?

No, counting from the ancient era, the gods have only descended for three thousand years; no immortal would serve a god for so long.

So, the person before him is himself a god?

The other two also announced their names: they were the deities Wu Yao and Yunqing.

Sensing their aura so unlike ordinary people, Gao Huaiyuan was even more astonished, momentarily forgetting to salute: "You, you all descended as gods?"

These few walked all the way from outside the camp; the journey took over a quarter-hour.

A god's descent is usually for battle or to resolve a major problem, because an avatar cannot stay in a mortal shell for long, so they must act fast. But looking at these three — no, the bearing of the three gods — they strolled leisurely, not hurried in the slightest.

So what is the meaning of this elaborate Divine Descent? Just to enter the camp and see him?

Thinking of this, Gao Huaiyuan suddenly sensed danger and gathered his full True Power.

Although this is amid a million-strong army, everyone in the tent has been dismissed — could it be…?

Xiyu merely waved his hand: "Don't worry; you serve the Heavenly Venerate Jialou wholeheartedly — how could we possibly come down to deal with you?"

Gao Huaiyuan's heart eased slightly, and he bowed in salute: "The arrival of several Divine Lords — forgive me for not welcoming you from afar."

"The recent turmoil in Beijia — are you aware?"

"A letter from home has just arrived."

Xiyu asked again: "Has this camp spread the news?"

Gao Huaiyuan shook his head: "I only received the news half a double-hour ago; I have not spoken of it to anyone."

"Excellent. Then keep it secret and do not release it."

Gao Huaiyuan's thoughts raced, and he said respectfully: "May I ask, whose will is this?"

To keep a major matter like Beijia's internal turmoil secret must have a very sufficient reason.

Xiyu spoke word by word: "The will of the Saintly Venerate."

It actually comes from the highest level's holy will? Gao Huaiyuan was greatly shocked.

He is no court novice; in an instant he could associate many things.

From the coup in Yinsha State to the dispatch of troops from Baoshu State, Beijia's internal strife is essentially a struggle between the Demon Emperor and the gods. Gao Huaiyuan comes from an old aristocratic family of Lingxu City and knows thoroughly the deepest contradictions of this country. The insider relationships that ordinary people cannot see clearly are laid bare before him.

The Saintly Venerate sent these three gods rushing here — could it be only to make him stop the news from spreading in the army?

Clearly a single Divine Edict sent down directly could achieve that.

And the news of the coup had only just reached him when the three gods arrived. No matter where they rushed from, the journey would take a very long time. That is to say, before the Emperor launched the coup, the Saintly Venerate already had foresight and ordered these three gods to set out in advance, hastening to the wilderness.

This is truly a race against time.

After realizing this, Gao Huaiyuan fully sensed the urgency and determination of the Holy Venerable, which made him even more tense.

Xiyu Shen took out a pale gold triangle from his bosom and held it with both hands.

Inside this triangle were several smaller triangles nested within, forming a beautiful and orderly pattern.

As a follower of the Jia Lou Heaven, Gao Huaiyuan immediately bowed down upon seeing it.

"Heavenly Venerable!"

This is the divine pattern of the command seal of the Jia Lou Heavenly Venerable; the statue of Jia Lou Heaven in the Ten Thousand Gods Hall of Mount Xushan holds an identical object.

A solemn divine voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

"Keep secret the news of the turmoil in Beijia. Launch a general assault on Panlong within seven hours!"