12: Four military orders

However, the three thousand Zhenbei Army soldiers raised their heads in unison, their eyes shining with light, and their voices rang out simultaneously.

"The Zhenbei Army swears to follow the Prince unto death, and we shall also follow the Little Prince unto death. Should the Little Prince issue any command, the Zhenbei Army will not refuse, even if it means ten thousand deaths!"

These words were powerful and resounding, shaking the heavens and spreading far and wide, making them clearly audible throughout the entire Fuguang City.

For a moment, many Cultivators in Fuguang City looked up, their eyes flashing and pupils contracting slightly.

Hearing these words and seeing the resolute look in the eyes of the three thousand Zhenbei Army soldiers, Shangguan Yuexi couldn't help but sigh in relief.

She swallowed the sentence, "If you are unwilling, I will return the military tally to Your Majesty!" and then said, "Shangguan Yuexi thanks everyone. However, Yuer cannot speak yet and is unaware of things, so I shall temporarily keep the military tally."

The three thousand Zhenbei Army soldiers remained silent, quietly watching Shangguan Yuexi.

They knew that since this Imperial Consort Your Highness had summoned them, she must have important matters, and it wouldn't just be about asking them one question!

Sure enough!

Shangguan Yuexi opened her crimson lips and continued, "Today, this consort, on behalf of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, issues the first military order: Command the Zhenbei Army to guard the Northern Territory, acting independently or in coordination with General of Flying Cavalry Yang Zhong, to suppress and kill all invading enemies!"

Hearing this, everyone was slightly startled, even Nangong Wenxin and the others.

They had already heard the reason why Shangguan Yuexi and the others were heading to the Imperial City. The key reason was that some villains were secretly eyeing them, intending to kill the Little Prince, Nangong Yu, and had even hired a Divine Combination Realm assassin from the Netherworld Hall.

Although the pressure from the Netherworld Hall would be reduced by going to the Imperial City, the dangers within the Imperial City also needed to be guarded against.

They had thought Shangguan Yuexi would request the Zhenbei Army to accompany them to the Imperial City to deter petty villains, but her military order was surprisingly unexpected.

But for the Zhenbei Army, military orders were absolute; no matter how strange the order, they had to obey.

Furthermore, they had guarded this land for decades, and this military order aligned perfectly with their wishes.

They only paused for a moment before cupping their fists in unison and shouting, "The Zhenbei Army obeys the command!"

Shangguan Yuexi nodded slightly, raised the military tally again, and opened her crimson lips, "Today, this consort, on behalf of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, issues the second military order: Command the Zhenbei Army that should you hear of any existence in the Imperial City that threatens the life of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, or should the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, dispatch you to the Imperial City to protect him, you may disregard the first military order and proceed to the Imperial City immediately!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone understood—so this was the true intention!

Shangguan Yuexi did not want the Northern Territory, which her husband had guarded for decades, to fall, which is why she commanded them to defend it.

But she was even more unwilling for the Little Prince, Nangong Yu, to be harmed, which is why she issued the second military order—first, to deter the petty villains in the Imperial City, and second, as a precaution!

"The Zhenbei Army obeys the command!"

Nangong Wenxin and the others naturally accepted this military order without hesitation!

Shangguan Yuexi spoke again, "Today, this consort, on behalf of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, issues the third military order: If the Zhenbei Army's military tally is not in the hands of this consort or the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, or if it is still in this consort's hands fifteen years from now, command the Zhenbei Army to seize the military tally back or recast a new military tally, and return it to the hands of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was slightly shocked. Although they had guessed Shangguan Yuexi's intent, they couldn't help but be surprised.

That was the Zhenbei Army's military tally! Now that the former Prince of Zhenbei had perished, holding the military tally allowed one to command the Zhenbei Army. Who wouldn't be tempted?

But what about Shangguan Yuexi?

She forbade others from seizing it and forbade herself from keeping it, essentially creating a layer of protection for Nangong Yu!

Nangong Wenxin and the others glanced deeply at Shangguan Yuexi, then spoke in unison, "The Zhenbei Army obeys the command!"

With three military orders already issued, everyone thought it was over, but Shangguan Yuexi made another move.

She looked down at Nangong Yu in her arms, a fierce, unusual light flashing in her eyes, and raised the military tally once more.

"Zhenbei Army, heed the command! Today, this consort, on behalf of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, issues the final military order: If the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Yu, dies an unnatural death in the future, command you all to disregard any military tally dispatch orders, investigate the truth at all costs, and slaughter every murderer connected to the Prince of Zhenbei's death!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's gaze shifted, and their eyes narrowed sharply.

This action by Shangguan Yuexi seemed to be a complete disregard for the Qingyou Empire, and for Emperor Nangong Aotian!

They looked at Shangguan Yuexi at this moment, seeing her firm gaze as she tightly held Nangong Yu.

They understood that Shangguan Yuexi was simply too afraid of losing Nangong Yu, which is why she issued such a military order to deter all petty villains.

Compared to the second military order, this one was a complete scorched-earth policy. If the opposing party didn't have enough confidence to fight the Zhenbei Army, or enough assurance of a safe retreat, they would absolutely not dare to provoke Nangong Yu easily!

Nangong Wenxin and the others exchanged glances, then cupped their fists again, "The Zhenbei Army obeys the command!"

They accepted this military order but did not stop; instead, they exchanged glances, unusual light flickering in their eyes.

Immediately after, they spoke in unison, "We shall certainly remember these Four Military Orders and strictly execute them. Should anyone fail to comply, they shall perish completely, following the Prince to the afterlife!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the sky trembled slightly, and thunder suddenly exploded in the clear firmament, as if Heaven and Earth were responding to their oath.

Shangguan Yuexi and the Zhenbei Army intentionally broadcast all their words far and wide, ensuring that everyone in Fuguang City heard them clearly!

Shangguan Yuexi knew well that there must be petty villains spying in Fuguang City. This is why, knowing the Zhenbei Army was willing to follow Nangong Yu, she deliberately transmitted the contents of the Four Military Orders.

She wanted to deter those petty villains, and also those people in the imperial court, letting them know that her son, Nangong Yu, had the Zhenbei Army swearing to follow him to the death, and they should be careful.

But what she hadn't expected was that the Zhenbei Army would be so cooperative. Her husband's painstaking efforts in nurturing them had not been in vain.

At this point, after taking their oath, the Zhenbei Army soldiers all stood up, quietly awaiting Shangguan Yuexi's command.

Shangguan Yuexi smiled with relief and said, "Three Generals, I apologize for troubling you!"

"Imperial Consort Your Highness is joking. This is the duty of our Zhenbei Army. Why speak of trouble?"

Nangong Wenxin and the three men shook their heads, their gaze still calm and unwavering.

Shangguan Yuexi nodded slightly and said, "This consort thanks all the officers and soldiers. It is getting late, so I shall take Yuer to the Imperial City now. All soldiers, take care!"

Immediately, holding Nangong Yu, she led everyone onto the Teleportation Array.

Unbeknownst to them, just as they left and the three thousand Zhenbei Army soldiers were preparing to depart, an unexpected change occurred in the Teleportation Plaza.