137: plot

Great Qian Dynasty Imperial Capital, Golden Throne Hall.

Upon the Dragon Throne, the young New Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty had a face of ashen green. His chest heaved violently as he suddenly slammed an urgent military report onto the mirror-polished gold-brick floor, producing a piercing sound.

"Scoundrels! How dare the Tuoba Barbarians insult Us like this!"

The roar echoed through the empty hall. The high-ranking ministers standing below the steps were as silent as cicadas in winter.

"The Northern Barbarians have actually unified under the support of the Demonic Path giant, the Heavenly Demon Sect! The grudge of capturing Our Imperial Brother last time has yet to be avenged. That King Tuoba actually dared to write to Us, arrogantly claiming he would 'shepherd the people on behalf of Heaven.' His Great Army is already stationed at the Northern Border's pass, watching like a tiger eyeing its prey! Do they intend to destroy My Great Qian?!" The New Emperor's voice trembled with rage as his sharp gaze swept below. "Pass Our decree! Order every great noble clan and every Sect to provide one Martial Emperor and three Martial Kings from each family in the Imperial Capital, according to their rank. They must also raise military funds and immediately rush to the Northern Border to resist the Barbarians! Those who defy this order shall be dealt with as traitors!"

An old minister with white hair and beard stepped forward tremblingly; he was the current Prime Minister. He bowed and advised, "Your Majesty, please appease Your anger! Please appease Your anger! In recent years, our Great Qian has faced many troubles. Externally, Barbarians and Pirates repeatedly invade our borders; internally, the remnants of the Former Dynasty are restless. This is truly a time when national strength is exhausted. The stability of various regions relies heavily on these noble clans and major Sects dispatching experts to maintain order and suppress local unrest. If we forcibly conscript their top combat power to the Northern Border now, I fear the local regions will be left empty. If the Pirates or the Former Dynasty's forces take the opportunity to cause chaos, we will be beset by troubles from both within and without. The consequences would be unimaginable! Your Majesty, this matter requires careful consideration and a gradual approach. We must never push too hard, lest internal strife arises..."

Hearing this, the New Emperor's expression shifted uncertainly. How could he not know that what the Prime Minister said was the truth? These deeply entrenched powers had long since become too big to fail; in some aspects, the Imperial Power even needed to defer to them. He slumped back into the Dragon Throne powerlessly and waved his hand, his voice filled with exhaustion and helplessness. "Fine... we shall discuss this later. However, the Northern Border defense line must not be lost! Order the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to exert all efforts to raise funds and prioritize the Northern Border's military needs!"

Because of the immense pressure brought by the Northern Barbarians, the Imperial Court was simply unable to transfer elite troops from the Northern Border south to suppress the Pirates. This invisibly added another heavy shadow to the crisis on the southeast coast... Meanwhile, in West Lake City, at the Vice City Lord's Manor, in a secret underground chamber.

The dim oil lamp flickered, reflecting three faces with different expressions, as well as a blurry figure hidden in the deeper shadows.

In the primary seat sat a middle-aged man dressed in dark purple brocade robes, with a refined face that carried a hint of sinister coldness. His aura was deep; though he deliberately restrained it, the pressure he occasionally leaked was that of an Early Stage Martial Emperor! He was the Vice City Lord of West Lake City, Situ Ming. His true identity was the grandson of a guard commander from the former Great Yu Dynasty. The blood of the Former Dynasty's survivors flowed within him, and he harbored a bone-deep hatred for the current Great Qian Dynasty.

To his lower left was the new Pirate leader, Zuoi, whose ferocious aura was palpable.

To the right was a burly man with a face full of flesh and a murderous glint in his eyes. He was Li Kui, the leader of the Cao Gang who controlled the West Lake City docks and many illicit businesses. Covered in Evil Qi, he was clearly a man who lived by the blade.

In the shadows beside Situ Ming stood a figure completely shrouded in black robes, emitting an eerie and cold aura; it was the Yin Demon Sect Special Envoy.

"City Lord Situ, Leader Li," Zuoi spoke first, his voice raspy. "The grudge for my brother Sasaki must be avenged! That Qin Feng of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and the Four Seas Merchant Guild must all die! We must take West Lake City!"

Li Kui interjected in a booming voice, with the bluntness of a Jianghu ruffian: "That's right! City Lord Situ, give us a straight answer. When do we strike? My brothers in the Cao Gang have been ready for a long time! Once the city gates open, I guarantee the city will be thrown into a mess!"

Situ Ming lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally landing on the Yin Demon Sect Special Envoy in the shadows. His tone carried an unquestionable decisiveness: "The time is near. The West Lake Festival in a few days will be a god-given opportunity. At that time, I will be in charge of the City Lord's Manor defenses, and I can make them exist in name only."

He looked at Zuoi: "Leader Zuoi, your fleet must arrive outside the city on time. On my command, launch a heavy assault on the East and South water gates."

He then looked at Li Kui: "Leader Li, on the day of the festival, you must have men set fires in multiple locations within the city to create large-scale panic. Lead your elites to coordinate with Leader Zuoi's people from both inside and out to seize the docks and various key thoroughfares."

Finally, he gave a slight nod to the Special Envoy in the shadows: "Lord Special Envoy, at that time, we will also need your Sect's two leaders, the 'Purple Robe Bandit' and the 'Green Turban Bandit,' to lead their units in support outside the city. They are to intercept and kill any government officials or reinforcements trying to flee, and pin down the external strongholds of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and other forces."

The Yin Demon Sect Special Envoy let out a low laugh that sounded like metal scraping: "Rest assured, City Lord Situ. Purple Robe and Green Turban are already in position. Once West Lake City is taken, using this as a catalyst, the dormant forces everywhere will surely respond. The great cause of restoring Great Yu will have taken its most critical step!"

A flash of fanaticism crossed Situ Ming's eyes before he regained his composure. He said solemnly: "In that case, we shall proceed according to the agreement! After West Lake City is breached, one-third of the city's wealth goes to Leader Zuoi and his brave warriors; one-third goes to the Yin Demon Sect as thanks for your full support; and the remaining third goes to me, Situ Ming, to be used for recruiting troops and maintaining the overall situation!"

He looked around at everyone, his voice carrying both enticement and pressure: "Everyone, success or failure depends on this one move! For your respective ambitions and futures, I hope we all work together with one heart!"

"For wealth and revenge!" Zuoi licked his lips.

"For the Cao Gang to dominate West Lake!" Li Kui grinned, revealing forest-white teeth.

"For the Sacred Sect's great cause!" the Special Envoy in the shadows responded coldly.

"For... Great Yu!" Situ Ming muttered to himself as he raised his teacup.

In this dark room, four powers formed a fragile Alliance bound by conspiracy and interest, targeting the prosperous West Lake City. A storm of blood and slaughter that would sweep through the entire city had already begun.