Chapter 439: The Leaker

Lei En put away the secret letter and called Xika Liusi to make some arrangements.

Then he woke the three dragons that had just fallen asleep—Bo Erqi, Yi Geng and Jialadelosi—and teleported them all to Weizelan; he and his teacher had a brief interview in the high tower, and through Fu Kong Cheng's teleportation array he was whisked through the night to the Empire's northeastern Sunset City.

Yi Geng transformed into a wind roc, carrying Lei En and the other two dragons out of the Empire's borders.

A short while after dawn the next day, Haitoke arrived.

Facing the sea breeze, the wind roc landed on a manor within the city.

Lei En's All‑Things Voice heard hundreds of heartbeats; these people were all extraordinary beings, several times more than when he left last time.

"Title: Duke, my lord."

Wa Luogen, looking like a wealthy merchant, stepped out, his pale plump face showing surprise, "My lord, you actually rushed to Haitoke overnight, how hard you've worked."

Lei En waved his hand and asked, "Where is Ai Mi Li Si?"

"Her Highness is still resting; I have already sent someone to inform her," Wa Luogen replied respectfully, "Title: Duke, and all honored guests, please come in."

Lei En followed him into the villa, feeling a bit uneasy.

The secret letter from yesterday had been sent by Ai Mi Li Si; it concerned the grand plan of restoring the nation, so it was bound to be discussed all night with her subordinates, and talking until daybreak was normal. She is now a Legendary Mid-stage Dragon Vein Sorcerer, capable of going half a month without rest, yet she slept until sunrise without getting up.

In his impression, Ai Mi Li Si was not a sleepy person, yet she could rest peacefully at such a critical moment.

Out of caution, Lei En used his Soul Eye to observe Wa Luogen, but found nothing abnormal.

Walking into the reception hall, several people were already seated.

Legendary swordsman A Si Tan, Demon sorcerer Ding Laji, the humanoid frost sea dragon Xin Dala, were all present here except Ai Mi Li Si.

"Title: Duke, my lord."

Everyone rose and paid their respects.

They were familiar with Yi Geng and Jialadelosi, but did not know Bo Erqi; seeing him clad in the radiant armor of a Sun Knight, their eyes could not hide their curiosity.

Lei En introduced, "This is Bo Erqi; he is of your same kind."

When he mentioned 'same kind' and glanced at Xin Dala and Yi Geng, everyone present felt a sudden surge of spirit, all thinking that, oh, another dragon!

Wa Luogen quickly bowed and said, "Welcome, Lord Bo Erqi."

Bo Erqi snorted through his nostrils, his face full of arrogance, showing no intent to respond; instead he glanced at the beautiful Xin Dala, seeming somewhat interested.

But Xin Dala was even more haughty, her face cold.

"Lei En!"

Ai Mi Li Si's voice came from behind, delighted, "You arrived so quickly? I thought we'd have to wait another two days."

Lei En turned his head; Ai Mi Li Si walked in from the doorway.

Having not seen each other for three months, she was still as beautiful as ever, her silver‑gold hair coiled atop her head, revealing a slender neck and petite ears; her delicate figure wore a loose robe, her eyes bright, her aura slightly changed, adding a touch of feminine grace.

Lei En sized her up, smiled, "It's not that I'm impatient; the Wizards of Weizelan have been on standby for months, delaying many matters, we can't postpone any longer."

He was speaking the truth; the thirty elite Wizards the teacher decided to dispatch had been waiting inside Fu Kong Cheng, never leaving. They had all received assignments, but didn't know they were to join Kangjiatuo's war, so inevitably some grew restless.

Every few days a Wizard would inquire about the situation, and the councilors could only soothe them.

"Apologies for keeping the Wizards waiting," Ai Mi Li Si's face grew serious as she sat down, "There has been a development on the Kangjiatuo side."

"What situation?" Lei En asked.

The secret letter only said to have him arrive at Haitoke as soon as possible for an important matter to discuss, without being very clear.

A few people exchanged glances, and Ai Mi Li Si replied, "The civil war has stopped."

Her expression was not pleasant; Wa Luogen, Ding Laji and others also looked gloomy, this exceeded their expectations.

Wa Luogen explained in detail, "Title: Duke, King Ma Er Ke, because his queen was disloyal and incestuous, fell out with Duke Dan Si; the six great families of Kangjiatuo split into two camps, the civil war raged for over three months with heavy casualties. Ma Er Ke's army barely held the upper hand, and a few days ago entered the decisive stage with a high chance of victory, yet both sides suddenly halted."

"Ma Er Ke issued an order revoking the queen's title; for the welfare of Kangjiatuo's people, he decided not to take up arms again, nor to pursue Duke Dan Si's rebellion."

"Now the armies on both sides have each withdrawn to their respective duchy lands."

"I placed a spy beside Ma Er Ke who reported that Ma Er Ke and Duke Dan Si privately reached an agreement, accepting a large compensation from Duke Dan Si, including millions of gold dragons and a Bo Ju Ling Di."

Lei En frowned.

From the intelligence Wa Luogen gathered, King Ma Er Ke's temper was extremely fierce; having been cuckolded, he would certainly not settle peacefully.

Not to mention a king, the vast majority of men could not endure such a humiliating disgrace.

Millions of gold dragons and a Bo Ju Ling Di are insufficient to make Ma Er Ke change his mind, unless a greater benefit drives him.

Ma Er Ke is already king, as the ruler of Kangjiatuo; only two things could make him abandon revenge: a threat to his life, or a threat to his throne!

This king is a Legendary High-rank warrior of the 19th‑level Giant Deer bloodline, standing at the pinnacle of Legendary High-rank; only a Holy Soul‑level strongman could threaten his life, and Kangjiatuo has no such powerful figure.

So, it's because of the throne!

And the enemy capable of threatening King Ma Er Ke's rule is naturally Ai Mi Li Si and her restoration army.

"Ma Er Ke knows of our existence?"

Lei En immediately grasped the whole chain of events, "Who leaked the secret?"

After fleeing Kangjiatuo, Ai Mi Li Si lived under Wa Luogen's protection with a concealed identity, until she ascended to Legendary status; then she revealed the Princess of Zhuogeng Fortress to a handful of people, using the family treasure as backing, secretly building her own power.

Among her subordinates, only a handful knew her background.

King Ma Er Ke, during the usurpation war, slaughtered members of the Zhuogeng Fortress family and was unaware that a legitimate princess had escaped, knowing nothing of Ai Mi Li Si's existence.

Now it seems Ma Er Ke already knows, surely someone leaked the information to him.

Ai Mi Li Si shook her head lightly, saying gravely, "We are still investigating."

"What a pity."

Lei En said regretfully.

Ai Mi Li Si, Wa Luogen and the others also wore grim faces.

In the earlier plan, waiting until Ma Er Ke and Duke Dan Si were both crippled by the civil war, with their forces greatly weakened, was the optimal time to intervene, allowing them to reap the fisherman's profit.

Although the war had raged for months and casualties on both sides were significant, it had not sapped their vital energy, and King Ma Er Ke had prepared defenses; if both sides united against the outside, Ai Mi Li Si's chance of successful restoration would become much harder.

After a moment of silence, Ai Mi Li Si said, "Lei En, we have decided to start the plan as soon as possible, taking advantage of their army not having recovered, and Ma Erke not having time to set up, mobilizing the entire kingdom's forces for defense, and advancing into Kangjiatuo."

Her demeanor was resolute, and she was not discouraged by the failure of the ambush plan.

"The fleet for crossing the sea is ready, the personnel and equipment and provisions are all loaded onto the ships," Ai Mi Li Si said, looking at Lei En. "As long as your brigade and Weizelan's Wizards have no issues, we will set out tomorrow."

Lei En nodded, "Alright."

He had already met with the teacher before coming, and everything was decided by himself.

The Extreme Brigade and the Gunwing Knights were also awaiting this day; last night they had already instructed Xi Ka Liu Si, and upon receiving his message, immediately sent people from Mo Du to rendezvous.

Ai Mi Li Si's face showed delight, then a hint of heaviness.

She has spent her whole life striving for the restoration of the kingdom, and one could even say she was born bearing the burden of reviving the glory of the Zhuo Gengbao family; now, finally set to execute the plan she has plotted for years, she cannot help but feel nervous, unable to imagine how a failure would end.

Lei En noticed Ai Mi Li Si's emotions, smiled, and said, "Before we begin, there is one more crucial task to do."

Everyone looked on attentively.

Ai Mi Li Si asked instinctively, "What task?"

"Find the leaker," Lei En said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. If that spy were allowed to linger nearby, after landing in Kangjiatuo the army's movements could be seized by Ma Erke, putting us at a disadvantage.

While in the reception hall, he had been continuously attuned to the sounds of all things, hearing some suspicious remarks.

Lei En rose and walked to the window, pointing to a direction and asking, "Who lives over there?"

"They are the mercenaries His Highness has recruited over the years," Wa Luogen replied.

Lei En thought, as expected, confirming his suspicion.

Ai Mi Li Si's Extraordinary Mercenaries number close to five hundred, usually scattered around the Empire's periphery and the Old Continent; over the past months they have been gradually recalled, residing in Wa Luogen's manor.

Among these mercenaries, there are likely people loyal to Ma Erke.

They may not know Ai Mi Li Si's true identity, but as long as they report to Ma Erke, anyone capable of sitting on the Kangjiatuo throne would not be a fool; they have their own intelligence network, and by combining information from all sides, they are not far from uncovering the truth.

"Take me to see those mercenaries," Lei En said, turning back. "Ding Laji, bring me with you; the others stay behind."

Too many people appearing before the mercenaries would only alert them.

"Alright."

The short Ding Laji guessed Lei En's intention; he was familiar with the mercenaries, often mingling with them, making him suitable to lead Lei En inside. "Lord, please follow me."

A tall figure and a short one stepped out of the reception hall.

Ai Mi Li Si and Wa Luogen were discussing the army's landing operation plan, but in less than half an hour, Lei En and Ding Laji returned. Behind them followed a middle‑aged mercenary dressed as a ranger, his eyes filled with darkness, his face twisted, already controlled by Ding Jila's Demon.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Lei En sat down and said, "He is the leaker."

(End of Chapter)