As Qi Jiguang bombarded Xinping County, ten thousand miles away in the Azure Firmament Dynasty, the Qilin Legion led by Qin Qiong officially entered the dynasty's territory!
"Report!"
...
In a city on the western coast of the Azure Firmament Dynasty, Qin Qiong, Yu Chi Gong, and Cheng Yao Jin studied documents about the Azure Firmament Dynasty. Li Bai, abandoning his usual wine-filled demeanor, looked at the documents with a solemn expression.
"Report!"
A soldier advanced rapidly, stopping abruptly before the hall. He knelt on one knee and reported in a steady voice, "Reporting to the general, fifty li to the east, thirty thousand troops have been sighted, moving at extreme speed towards our garrisoned city."
"Oh!"
Qin Qiong set down the document he was holding and looked up. The Azure Firmament Dynasty's Great General, Qing Mu, had already led troops into Da Yun. Currently, the Azure Firmament Dynasty's apparent strength was only its aging Human Emperor. The army marching out now would undoubtedly approach the Azure Firmament Dynasty's true foundation step by step.
"Are there any general banners?"
Qin Qiong asked solemnly. Besides Qing Mu, the Azure Firmament Dynasty had four other Marquises at the first level of the Heaven Melting Realm.
"Reporting to the general, there are three general banners. Two are 'Qing!' and one is 'Hua!'"
"General Qin Qiong, do you have a strategy?" Li Bai put down his document, tilted his head back, and took a swig of fine wine. After swallowing, he seemed to have gained a soul, his spirit soaring.
"Heh heh, I don't yet know who the three main commanders of the enemy army are, but this general is confident we can devour this army in one fell swoop."
"The six great legions of the Great Han have all made their names known far and wide. It's time for my Qilin Legion!"
"Notify the entire army!"
"The army will march out, take the initiative, and capture this army!"
...
Thirty li outside the Qilin Legion's garrisoned city, the terrain was flat. An army was advancing. The southwestern region was nearing late autumn, with yellowed leaves everywhere. The sunlight cast a particularly healing glow.
However, this warm atmosphere was instantly shattered by the army. Powerful surges of vital energy enveloped the land, and wisps of primal energy turned blood-red, stretching for several li.
This army was the elite force of the Azure Firmament Dynasty, led by the Azure Firmament Human Emperor. The army, stretching for several li, was surrounded by black dragons. Each soldier of the Azure Firmament Dynasty was equipped with a sabre, their arms thick and a head taller than ordinary men.
At the front of the army, two cultivators at the first level of the Heaven Melting Realm sat astride two demonic beasts. Behind each of them stood a banner, one inscribed with "Qing!" and the other with "Hua!".
Between them, a golden war chariot rumbled, pulled by two spiritual venerable behemoths, projecting an imposing and majestic aura. Su Dan Novel Network.
"Feng'er, how much longer until we reach the Great Han's Qilin Legion's garrison?" A deep, ancient voice emanated from the war chariot, its pressure suppressing the two at the first level of the Heaven Melting Realm.
The man carrying the banner inscribed with "Qing!" turned slightly. "Father, about thirty li!"
"Feng'er, this time I am leading the army out on a mere skirmish. You didn't need to accompany me. You should remain by the Second Prince's side and keep him close. That is what our bloodline should be doing!"
The ancient voice carried a hint of disappointment. The current Human Emperor was old and frail. In three to four years, there would be a power reshuffling in the Azure Firmament Dynasty. This concerned his branch of the imperial family, an edge bloodline, and their authority in court.
During power transitions, let alone his edge bloodline of the imperial family, even many of the current princes would be swept away.
"Father, your son truly dislikes court struggles. The battlefield is more suited for me." Qing Feng shook his head. He was skilled in martial arts and had entered the Heaven Melting Realm at a young age. He was also favored by the current Human Emperor, who enfeffed him as one of the four great Marquises of the Azure Firmament Dynasty.
"Elder Ming, Qing Feng is right. The battlefield is where Qing Feng should be. As for the overt and covert struggles, leave them to others!"
Hua Tai, holding his black long saber, looked at the conflicted Qing Feng and couldn't help but speak in his defense. He was a few years older than Qing Feng and was also one of the four great Marquises of the Azure Firmament Dynasty.
"Hmph, you will all understand my intentions sooner or later. You all only know how to lead troops into battle. If it weren't for my loss of power in court, why would I have pushed you to the forefront!"
Qing Ming was enraged. The Azure Firmament Dynasty was on the verge of a power transition, yet his son was not adept at political maneuvering. It was precisely this trait that led the Azure Firmament Human Emperor to enfeoff him as a Marquis. The current Human Emperor was highly suspicious and held a strong grudge.
As soon as he ascended the throne, he had purged the imperial bloodline. If Qing Ming hadn't reached the Heaven Melting Realm at that time, he would have been torn to pieces. Even imperial bloodlines who had reached the Heaven Melting Realm had their powers stripped and were confined to the Imperial Clan Court, almost like house arrest. They were only released from the Imperial Clan Court when the Human Emperor needed them to serve him. The reason for all this was that the current Human Emperor had two powerful cultivators at the fourth level of the Heaven Melting Realm by his side, which made them willingly serve him.
"Father, the current Human Emperor is in good health. If I am often seen around him, it may not be a good thing. On the contrary, by staying away from the political whirlpool, perhaps I can last until the end!"
Qing Feng frowned, his voice suppressed.
"What, are you blaming your father!"
"Feng'er, I dare not!"
Qing Feng immediately lowered his head, daring not to speak.
"Forget it, forget it. The southwestern region is also in troubled times. The Great Han is rising unstoppably. Whether our Azure Firmament can survive is another matter," Qing Ming closed his eyes, his voice filled with sorrow.
A dynasty declaring war on four imperial dynasties simultaneously. This ambition surpassed that of the previous Saint Yuan Human Emperor, Ying Zhong.
"Elder Ming exaggerates. The Great Han's foundation is not insignificant, but the Qilin Legion has no record of achievement, nor does it have Li Bai's supreme sword cultivation or Zhang Liao's overwhelming iron might. It is merely a small Qilin Legion. With Elder Ming presiding, will it not be a simple matter to defeat them?"
"Perhaps, by leveraging the prestige of this battle, Qing Feng will advance further in political power and gain the Emperor's favor."
Hua Tai said with a smile. The atmosphere among the three lacked the solemnity of war, and they did not take the Qilin Legion led by Qin Qiong seriously.
"Hmph, your flattery skills have improved. Let's advance quickly and sweep away these rabble. Remember, during this encirclement, not a single soldier shall be spared. Those who dare to offend our Azure Firmament will be killed without mercy!"
A cold killing intent quickly enveloped them.
"Father, rest assured!"
Qing Feng glanced at Hua Tai and smiled. Hua Tai, as one of the four great Marquises, was the only Marquis Qing Feng confided in and trusted.
With the command issued, the army sped forward. Little did they know that the Qilin Legion, tens of li away, was advancing with great momentum, making no effort to conceal their marching route and battle intent, hurtling towards this location!
ps: A map of the Eastern Desolation's southwestern region is attached below, please check it!