37: Yu'er is scared!

Nangong Aotian looked at the high-spirited soldiers and nodded with satisfaction.

He raised his hand and pressed it down, commanding silence, and the training grounds instantly quieted.

"Today, I appoint General Protector Ming Tianan as the commander-in-chief and General of Agile Cavalry Yang Zhong as the deputy commander, to immediately launch the Northern Expedition. For the Prince of Zhenbei, for the fallen soldiers and civilians of the Northern Territory, and for the glory of the Empire, we shall surely achieve victory!"

"I await your triumphant return and will personally celebrate your achievements!"

As his words fell, the generals on the training grounds exchanged glances and all knelt on one knee.

Their voices echoed throughout the training grounds, "We shall not fail Your Majesty's high expectations! We will launch the Northern Expedition against Beichuan, avenge the Prince of Zhenbei, and avenge the fallen soldiers and civilians of the Northern Territory!"

Upon hearing their words, all the soldiers once again shouted in unison: "Avenge! Avenge! Avenge!"

Seeing this scene, Nangong Aotian felt relieved and sternly ordered, "Ming Tianan, lead the army and set off for the Northern Expedition!"

"This subordinate obeys!"

Ming Tianan responded, flew up, and stood in mid-air. He waved the military flag in his hand, and all two hundred thousand soldiers leaped onto the four warships floating above the training grounds!

"Set off, Northern Expedition!"

Seeing all the soldiers board the warships, Ming Tianan bowed slightly to Nangong Aotian, then boarded a warship and issued the command.

Watching them leave, Nangong Aotian spoke coldly, "Third Imperial Uncle, I'll trouble you to lead 30worship to provide covert support."

Hearing his words, a middle-aged man walked out from behind him, his face filled with worry, "Aotian, if I take 30worship, the Qingyou Empire will only have tenworship left. Are you sure it will be alright?"

And this person was precisely Prince Duan of the Qingyou Empire, and Nangong Aotian's Third Uncle!

Nangong Aotian shook his head, "Adding the ten Spirit Venerable Realm powerhouses of the imperial family, it should be enough to guard the Imperial City."

Hearing this, Prince Duan sighed slightly, "Alas, I'm just afraid that the Dongyan Empire and the other three nations will take advantage of the situation. Your Northern Expedition this time..."

But before he could finish, Nangong Aotian interrupted, "Third Imperial Uncle, you should understand that the Beichuan Empire openly tore up the agreement and ambushed Aochen, which was a test of our bottom line. If we don't launch this Northern Expedition, I'm afraid next time they will drive straight in."

Hearing this, Prince Duan shook his head and smiled bitterly, "You're right, we can only gamble that the other three great Empires won't stab us in the back and take the opportunity to sneak attack, otherwise the Qingyou Empire's centuries-old foundation will be destroyed in an instant!"

Nangong Aotian shook his head slightly and smiled bitterly, "Third Imperial Uncle, it's not about gambling. Our Qingyou Empire is now surrounded by enemies on all sides; this day will come sooner or later!"

With that, he bowed slightly, "I'll trouble Third Imperial Uncle to go north and escort the Qingyou Empire's soldiers for a while!"

"Alright, let me be crazy with you then!" Prince Duan smiled helplessly, then turned and disappeared.

Nangong Aotian's expression was solemn as he led his people away from the training grounds and returned to the Imperial Palace... The shouts of a hundred thousand soldiers naturally attracted the attention of countless people, including the imperial spies lurking in Qingyou Imperial City.

Messages were sent out, causing neighboring countries to be surprised.

They hadn't expected that, under such circumstances of being surrounded on all sides, the Qingyou Empire would actually dare to initiate a national war!

For a time, some were joyous, believing they had an opportunity to divide the spoils.

Others were suspicious, seemingly disbelieving that Nangong Aotian would still dare to launch a Northern Expedition national war without any backup plans.

But in unison, all parties were watching, waiting for their turn to reap the benefits of others' struggles!

In contrast, the high-ranking officials of the Beichuan Empire were different!

At this moment, upon receiving the news that the Qingyou Empire had launched its Northern Expedition, everyone in the imperial court had grim expressions!

"My lords, now that the Qingyou Empire has proactively launched a Northern Expedition national war, how should we respond?"

Emperor Tuoba Yelü's face was heavy as he looked at the officials in the court and asked.

Upon hearing this, the officials remained silent.

To be honest, they were truly in a difficult position now. They had thought that the death of a Prince of Zhenbei was a minor matter, and the Qingyou Empire wouldn't make a big fuss.

Afterward, they could gradually encroach upon the Northern Territory, but they never expected the Qingyou Empire to be so resolute, directly initiating a Northern Expedition national war.

The Qingyou Empire was surrounded on all sides, but wasn't the Beichuan Empire also in a similar predicament?

The Qingyou Empire had the Xilan Empire as a somewhat ally, perhaps only surrounded on three sides, but his Beichuan Empire, apart from the Qingyou Empire, only had two neighboring countries, both of which were hostile. They were equally matched!

Now that the Qingyou Empire had launched a Northern Expedition national war, should they fight or retreat?

Fighting would result in mutual destruction, allowing others to reap the benefits, while retreating would mean losing territory and becoming a laughingstock. They were truly in a difficult position.

Seeing the officials remain silent, Tuoba Yelü couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment, "Everyone, prepare the army for battle first. This matter will be discussed later!"

...In Shouxian Palace, Qingyou Imperial City.

Nangong Yu naturally heard the shouts of battle echoing throughout Qingyou Imperial City, and his heart trembled slightly.

War, after all, had come!

He looked at his mother, Shangguan Yuexi, but saw that her expression was unusual, lost in thought.

"Mother, Yuer is scared!"

Nangong Yu threw himself into Shangguan Yuexi's arms, hugging her tightly, his small body trembling slightly, "Mother, don't leave Yuer, Yuer is scared!"

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi quickly put down the remaining spiritual rice porridge and hugged Nangong Yu tightly.

She gently stroked Nangong Yu's back and softly comforted him, "Yuer, don't be scared. Mother won't leave you. Mother will always be by your side to protect you."

"Really?"

Nangong Yu's trembling voice came out, as if he had received Shangguan Yuexi's comfort, and his small body relaxed slightly.

"Really!"

Shangguan Yuexi nodded heavily, her voice firm, and a hint of apology flashed in her eyes.

She looked into the distance and thought to herself: My Lord, please forgive Yuexi for not being able to personally avenge you. Yuexi cannot abandon Yuer; Yuexi wants to protect Yuer and let him live a peaceful life!

Upon Shangguan Yuexi's confirmation, Nangong Yu's trembling young body finally relaxed a little more.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yuexi gently pulled Nangong Yu away and smiled, "Yuer, be good, finish your porridge, and Mother will take you back to rest, okay?"

"Okay!"

Nangong Yu's eyes flickered with a few tears, and he nodded gently, but his small hand still nervously clutched Shangguan Yuexi's skirt.

Seeing this, a hint of heartache flashed in Shangguan Yuexi's eyes, and her decision became even firmer.