Chapter 1261

"Your Majesty, I have recently investigated that the Kingdom of Chilperic is being targeted by the Kingdom of Taji and the Kingdom of Lei Dun's plan regarding Imperial Prince Li Chun—I am merely a Shangcheng shop owner."

"The eldest prince of the Kingdom of Chilperic, His Highness Pero Qiqia, is currently at Boulder Fortress City seeking a way to end the war. The specific hostilities can be traced back to three months ago."

"Bastards! How could it take so long… Are all the merchant guilds trading with the Kingdom of Chilperic idiots?" Seated upon the throne, Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second flew into a violent rage, so furious that he even flung the wine cup resting on the sideboard to the floor.

The minister delivering the memorial report immediately prostrated himself in terror.

"Please calm yourself, Your Majesty. It is entirely the fault of the people of the Kingdom of Taji and the Kingdom of Lei Dun—they were simply too cunning. They completely blockaded the Kingdom of Chilperic, then disguised themselves as merchant guilds of Chilperic to trade with our nation's merchant guilds for seventeen 【days/months】, which is why it was never discovered."

"Now, General Shenwei Wu at Boulder Fortress City has already taken down the heads of the implicated merchant guilds and the relevant personnel, and is currently interrogating them."

"Useless! A bunch of useless wretches! What's the point of saying this now!" How could Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second not know what the Kingdom of Taji and the Kingdom of Lei Dun were plotting?

Destroy the Kingdom of Chilperic, then open up the Heaven-Obstructing Canyon within Chilperic's borders, and the million-strong army of the western kingdoms could march unimpeded straight to his Tianwu's gateway, Boulder Fortress. Hopefully it was not too late!

"Summon Lei Yi to see me at once! Also, have Xuan Wuji assemble the Eternal Night Legion and stand by outside the fortress city immediately!"

General Lei Yi commands the Thunder Shadow Legion, one of the empire's four great legions, and also the fastest cavalry legion! The entire legion is equipped with Thunder Beasts as mounts—a species of tiger-like magical beast with extreme speed, possessing a hard dark-purple hide. The empire maintains a large Thunder Beast taming base in the north to supply the Thunder Shadow Legion's demand for Thunder Beasts.

"By the Emperor's urgent summons, in less than half an hour, Lei Yi, clad in a majestic tiger-shaped dark-purple battle armor, had already rushed to the court."

"Your subject Lei Yi pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Cut the small talk. I want you to immediately lead the Thunder Shadow Legion to the Kingdom of Chilperic, coordinate with the Eternal Night Legion, and repel the joint forces of the Kingdom of Taji and the Kingdom of Lei Dun!"

"Your subject obeys!"

Lei Yi accepted the decree and departed at once.

"Today… let us end here, everyone." Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second rose in anger and left. Such an important matter, and it was only reported now—three months had already passed. Heaven only knew how much longer the Kingdom of Chilperic could hold out. Hopefully it was not too late!

"Damn it!"

If the Kingdom of Chilperic were destroyed, then his Tianwu, in order to guard against the invasion of the western kingdoms, would have to establish an outpost at the Heaven-Obstructing Canyon. As long as the Heaven-Obstructing Fortress still stood, his Tianwu would not fear a joint invasion of the western kingdoms at all.

Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second had just returned to his study when the voice of the Third Imperial Prince, Li Chun, came from outside the room.

"Father, your son Chun requests an audience."

"What is it, Chun? Come in."

Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second quickly composed his mood, forcing a faint smile onto his face. He did not wish to show too much stern displeasure before his child.

From outside the room quickly walked in a youth who bore some resemblance to Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second!

Dressed in the attire of an imperial prince, he was tall and handsome, his gaze bright and spirited. A head of black hair was braided into a whip and stood upright behind him. The whole person held his head high and chest out, looking exceptionally full of vigor.

"Your child pays respects to Father."

"Rise, Chun. What is it?"

"Father, I wish to go out and gain experience!"

Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second's body stiffened, his face showing some surprise.

"I know that since Eldest Brother fell ill, you have never allowed any of our younger children to go to the battlefield again, fearing we might be in danger. But I feel a man's ambition lies in the four corners of the world, and he should go to the battlefield to slay enemies and earn merit. This time, under the leadership of General Xuan and General Lei, I can perfectly go to gain experience. Please, Father, grant my request." The Third Imperial Prince Li Chun once again half-knelt, requesting the order with resolve.

"Sigh, Chun, get up now. This matter… let us discuss it later."

In his heart, Emperor Tianwu the Twenty-Second truly did not want his Chun to go. Ever since the Crown Prince was harmed by the western kingdoms ten years ago and remained unconscious to this day, this had become a sore spot in his heart.

He did not wish to see any more of his children come to harm.

"If Father does not agree, I will not rise. A man's ambition lies in the four corners of the world, and he should build his career and establish his merit!"

"Sigh, do you know how dangerous beyond the fortress is? Do you know how covetously the western kingdoms eye our Tianwu? Think of your elder brother… he remains unconscious to this day. Do you wish to follow in his footsteps?"

"I am not afraid, Father! Eldest Brother is glorious! It is just that the western kingdoms are indeed too despicable, but I feel this time may be an opportunity!" Li Chun had been speaking neither obsequiously nor overbearingly, but suddenly his tone shifted, and his eyes narrowed cunningly.