Chapter 2742: Having Come to This Point, There Is No Other Choice

These two sentences made Gao Huaiyuan break out in a cold sweat: "Within seven hours!"

"What the Holy Sovereign's order means, I think you already understand." Jia Lou Tian spoke concisely: "The Holy Sovereign is determined to obtain the Great Square Vessel!"

"Yes!" Gao Huaiyuan replied somewhat guiltily, because launching the general attack required an order from Lingxu City.

As for why the Lingxu Holy Sovereign must obtain the Great Square Vessel, the Gao family had long heard various conspiracy theories; the rebellion of the Yuan Kingdom decades ago was said to be related to the Great Square Vessel, which could help the gods return to the human world—if this were true, the Lingxu Holy Sovereign would not let go of this vessel, nor would he let go of Panlong.

And since the Emperor's struggle against the Heavenly Palace had already begun, the next step might very well be to declare a truce with Panlong.

He had realized just moments ago, while thinking alone, that this war was about to end.

He quickly said: "But once the order from Lingxu City arrives, I will find it hard to disobey."

This army is not his private force alone; officers and soldiers at all levels have countless Imperial Party members.

If the Emperor orders a halt and Gao Huaiyuan disobeys by launching a strong attack, the army might very well mutiny.

"Therefore, launch the general attack within seven hours. Can the news of the state upheaval be held for a few hours?" Jia Lou Tian's tone was grim: "The Holy Sovereign's command—death or nothing less."

Gao Huaiyuan should have agreed, but a simple "yes" stuck in his throat, and he could not utter a sound.

Suddenly, he found himself facing such a tremendous matter!

The Holy Sovereign's order is for him to personally trigger a heaven-shaking great change—does he dare to agree?

How dare he involve himself in the struggle between the Emperor and the gods?

Jia Lou Tian fell silent, and then Wuyou spoke to persuade him:

"With chaos in Lingxu City, the Gao family cannot remain untouched; the Emperor has not moved against the Gao family now only because you are leading troops abroad. If you do nothing and obey the imperial order to resign your post as commander-in-chief, returning to Lingxu City will mean awaiting judgment—other families' fates will not spare the Gao family; but if you conquer Panlong and help the Holy Sovereign seize the Great Square Vessel, then you will have achieved great merit, and henceforth the Gao family will exclusively enjoy the Holy Sovereign's favor, basking in endless glory in Lingxu City."

"How do you choose between these two outcomes?"

Gao Huaiyuan broke out in sweat on his forehead.

At least one thing Jia Lou Tian said was not wrong: the Gao family are devout followers of Jia Lou Tian, having long sided with the Heavenly Palace; even if he himself has some flexibility in stance, the Emperor is now frenziedly purging Heavenly Palace forces from the imperial court, advocating a swift sword to cut through tangled chaos—better to kill the innocent than let any slip through—so who has the mind or time to carefully discern?

Benevolence? Even if the Emperor still has a bit of benevolence, he will not show it at this moment!

Gao Huaiyuan and the Gao family have nothing particularly special about them; their fate is almost already decided. Unless...

"Ask yourself, Gao Huaiyuan. In this turmoil, what have you done wrong?"

Gao Huaiyuan stared blankly for a long time before shaking his head.

No matter how the upper echelons struggle, Gao Huaiyuan merely follows orders diligently, leading troops to fight in this purgatory-like Panlong wasteland, attacking fiercely and overcoming difficulties, fighting what may be the most brutal war in four hundred years of Beijia. What has he done wrong?

Perhaps some decisions were mistaken, or perhaps he failed to help Beijia avoid greater losses. But the Holy Sovereign's demand was originally "spare no expense"?

Has he done nothing wrong, only to be dragged into a bottomless abyss?

This helplessness, this impending collapse—only this makes people feel indignant and unable to find peace. But does he still now have a shred of chance to defy fate?

Wuyou then said: "After all, it's simply because you have done nothing."

This sentence was like enlightenment pouring over the head; Gao Huaiyuan felt as if a plug had been pulled from his heart, with a puff—these months of fear and anxiety finally found an outlet.

Yes, he and the Gao family have done nothing, yet they are about to suffer great entanglement; the Emperor, out of personal spite, is about to crush these blameless, meritorious subjects, and still will not allow them to save themselves?

"Advance one step and live, retreat one step and die—you have only this one chance." Wuyou stared at him and said: "Miss it, and you will stretch your neck awaiting execution."

"Even if..." Gao Huaiyuan's voice was bitter: "Even if I launch the general attack, this time I may not necessarily capture Panlong."

Don't look at Panlong's territory shrinking—its resistance capability seems instead to be growing stronger, and the recoil force Beijia suffers is also increasing. This ghost place is like a copper pea: smash it wildly and it won't flatten, boil it fiercely and it won't soften.

Beijia has launched many sieges against it; if it were said that this final attempt would surely capture it, Gao Huaiyuan has no confidence.

"Don't worry." Xiyu and Wuyou exchanged a glance: "We are here."

"Three..."

Xiyu interrupted him: "Not just three. The strength of the forces we have brought is beyond your imagination."

After that, he stated several numbers.

Gao Huaiyuan startled: "Actually, actually there is still... uh, may I ask, when the time comes, how will the various Divine Sovereigns descend?"

If it is truly so many gods descending, this final battle might indeed succeed.

But does the barrier between the two realms not exist? How can so many gods descend to the lower world?

"This great war may drag on; if the Divine Sovereigns can only descend for one or two moments..." then unless they seize the opportunity, otherwise it's no different from not descending at all.

Xiyu drew out his face: "You don't believe me?"

Gao Huaiyuan bowed: "This matter is of great importance, and as the commander-in-chief of military affairs, I cannot help but ask a few more questions—please forgive me, Divine Sovereigns!"

His life and fortune are entirely tied to this—he must ask in detail?

Wuyou spoke: "Do you know what the Yao beasts are?"

Gao Huaiyuan shook his head.

The Yao beast is one of the deepest secrets of the Heavenly Palace; these martial generals of ours have been kept in the dark, which is no surprise. Wuyou also did not elaborate much, only saying: "It is an extraordinarily strong vessel, sufficient to support us through an entire fierce battle. Moreover, with the current concentration of heavenly and earthly spiritual energy greatly increased, we can now fully support divine descent, unleashing full power!"

Full divine power! Gao Huaiyuan swallowed his saliva. This is none other than the descent of the gods?!

If such immense divine power assists us, perhaps Panlong can truly be captured in one stroke!

Wuyou then pointed at Xiyu: "No need to elaborate on other matters—you only need to know that as long as he is present, the gods can descend."

Without waiting for Gao Huaiyuan to speak, he continued:

"You have no choice left—you yourself know this clearly. So, to save us all some time, let's make preparations early."

Gao Huaiyuan exhaled a long breath, as if wanting to cast all his worries behind his head.

Jia Lou Tian Zun and all the gods are already standing here—what other choice could he have?

By now, Wuyou Shen has spoken correctly—indeed, he has no way out.

"Good." He must calm his mind before making the most important decision of his life: "Within seven hours, launch the general attack!"

"Can the Divine Sovereigns prepare properly?" This was said to several gods.

"Of course." They have been rushing day and night, and whatever preparations they needed have already been made en route.

Gao Huaiyuan immediately ordered the entire army to prepare for battle.