Chapter 172: Fortified Spirit

Imperial Court session.

The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Ever since news arrived of the Great Zhou’s assault on Luo’an Prefecture, the imperial court had been in session for a full day without adjournment.

Every face bore a grim expression.

"I was curious where the barbarians derived their confidence to attack my Dahuang Prefecture, only to discover they’re colluding with Great Zhou! Excellent, truly excellent!"

Gu Xuanji’s laughter was laced with fury.

His voice reverberated through the main hall, like a volcano on the verge of eruption, weighing heavily on everyone’s minds.

Then, his gaze landed on Dongfang Zhao.

"The Demon Suppression Division had no prior knowledge of the barbarians colluding with Great Zhou, and now several cities in Luo’an Prefecture have been breached, with over a hundred thousand soldiers killed in battle. How does the Demon Suppression Division explain this?"

The sudden accusation startled the civil and military officials, their gazes shifting to Dongfang Zhao with newfound interest.

To them, the Demon Suppression Division was like a sharp blade hanging over their heads, ready to fall at any moment.

The Heavenly Inspection Guard’s intelligence network was especially pervasive.

Over the years, many ministers had fallen from grace due to the Heavenly Inspection Guard’s reports, leading to the Demon Suppression Division confiscating their property and exterminating their families.

While the Demon Suppression Division also had the duty of protecting Great Qin, and the rampant evil had been kept in check only by their suppression,

it didn’t stop them from wanting to see the Demon Suppression Division brought down a peg.

After all, the Demon Suppression Division’s influence had become excessive. Many ministers were afraid to cross them. If one faction could be suppressed, it would give others room to breathe.

Faced with the accusation, Dongfang Zhao was prepared.

He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and replied with a calm complexion, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Demon Suppression Division has been investigating the forces behind the barbarians, but their exchanges were secretive, preventing us from detecting them sooner. However, we dispatched agents to infiltrate Great Zhou some time ago.

If Great Zhou hadn’t launched their attack prematurely, the Heavenly Inspection Guard would have sent back news within days.

Moreover, the one-month deadline originally given by Your Majesty has not yet expired—"

He ceased speaking there.

Grand Tutor Wen Qiu stepped forward, cupping his hands. "Your Majesty, the Imperial Court has allocated considerable resources to the Demon Suppression Division over the years, yet whether it’s the barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture or Great Zhou’s invasion of Luo’an Prefecture, the Demon Suppression Division was unaware of either, resulting in significant losses for our armies.

In the opinion of this official, the Demon Suppression Division’s responsibility cannot be shirked."

"Indeed."

Fu Yan also nodded, his expression indifferent.

"The Demon Suppression Division enjoys the Imperial Court’s resources and should naturally bear the corresponding responsibilities. Guardian Dongfang, the Demon Suppression Division is indeed at fault in this matter."

Their words set the tone.

Immediately, many civil officials began to speak out, criticizing the Demon Suppression Division.

Dongfang Zhao lowered his eyes, offering no defense.

After a long time, Gu Xuanji waved his hand, signaling them to shut up, then looked at Dongfang Zhao.

"Guardian Dongfang, do you have anything else to say?"

"The Demon Suppression Division does bear some responsibility in this matter. I beg Your Majesty’s pardon!"

"Although the Demon Suppression Division has contributed much to Great Qin over the years, the nation has its laws. The Demon Suppression Division was at fault in this matter, and I cannot refrain from punishment. From today onward, the Demon Suppression Division’s resources will be reduced by half for the next three years.

Do you have any objections to this?"

"This subject has no objections!"

Dongfang Zhao bowed and accepted the decree.

A fifty percent reduction in resources seemed like a light punishment, but in reality, it was a significant blow to the Demon Suppression Division.

However, in the eyes of others, Gu Xuanji’s punishment was insignificant.

At most, it was just a reduction in resources, without harming the Demon Suppression Division in any substantial way.

Seeing that Dongfang Zhao had retreated back into the ranks, Gu Xuanji said, "Great Zhou is attacking Luo’an Prefecture. Currently, the defense of Luo’an Prefecture relies primarily on the Flying Phoenix Army. Although the Flying Phoenix Army is strong, it is still insufficient to face the full might of Great Zhou alone.

Therefore, I believe we should immediately provide full support to Luo’an Prefecture, and must not let Great Zhou drive straight in."

Turning to the head of the military generals, he said in a deep voice, "Yan Jing!"

"This subject is here!"

A tall and burly, one-eyed middle-aged man stepped forward, his hoarse voice like metal grinding against metal.

"I order you to lead eight hundred thousand soldiers of the Azure Dragon Army, and another one million two hundred thousand troops, to immediately proceed to Luo’an Prefecture for support, without delay!"

"This subject obeys!"

Yan Jing bowed and accepted the order.

Eight hundred thousand soldiers of the Azure Dragon Army!

One million two hundred thousand troops!

In one go, the Imperial Court was sending two million troops to support Luo’an Prefecture. When supporting Dahuang Prefecture, they had only dispatched a few hundred thousand of the Fire Scale Army.

This showed how much more seriously Gu Xuanji regarded Great Zhou than the barbarians.

"Furthermore!"

Gu Xuanji looked at Dongfang Zhao.

"Great Zhou’s attack on Luo’an Prefecture was well-prepared. Great Zhou has many experts, and two million troops alone may not be enough to resist their advance. Therefore, I hope the Demon Suppression Division will also dispatch some experts to accompany the army.

How many experts does the Demon Suppression Division currently have available in the capital?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Demon Suppression Division currently has only this subject and Zhou Yuanzheng as Town Guardians. In addition, there are only about thirteen Earth Rank and above Demon Slaying Envoys who are not currently on missions."

Dongfang Zhao replied truthfully.

Thirteen Earth Rank and above Demon Slaying Envoys represented thirteen Grandmasters.

Gu Xuanji nodded slightly.

"What about the Seclusion Pavilion? How much power can they currently mobilize?"

Seclusion Pavilion—

Dongfang Zhao hesitated for a moment. "The Seclusion Pavilion does not have much power to use now. Perhaps only the Martial Pavilion has a dozen or so Grandmasters remaining there. If the Imperial Court needs it, they can be sent to accompany the army.

However, the Demon Subjugation Pavilion and the Demon Sealing Pavilion do not have many personnel to spare, and the Demon Prison and Demon Sealing Tower also need to be maintained at all times."

"Mm."

Gu Xuanji nodded.

He understood what Dongfang Zhao was saying.

"As for the Internal Affairs Pavilion, forget it. The Internal Affairs Pavilion does not need to be used. Let them stay there in peace."

Shaking his head, Gu Xuanji immediately gave the order.

"Dongfang Zhao, listen to the decree!"

"This subject is here!"

"The Demon Suppression Division is to immediately dispatch thirty Grandmasters to accompany the army, and also send a Town Guardian to accompany them. You must ensure the safe arrival of the two million troops in Luo’an Prefecture, and assist the army in resisting Great Zhou’s attack, without fail!"

"Yes!"

Dongfang Zhao dared not disobey.

The civil and military officials were all inwardly shaken.

Thirty Grandmasters.

The capital Demon Suppression Division alone could produce that number, and this was not even their full strength.

According to Dongfang Zhao, many members of the capital Demon Suppression Division were out on missions.

And this, did not even include the Demon Suppression Division branches in other prefectures.

For a moment, they were all shocked by the power of the Demon Suppression Division.

Then, Gu Xuanji added, "Great Zhou is now allied with the barbarians. We must also pay attention to Great Yue and Great Liang. If they also get involved, it will be adding fuel to the fire."

Great Liang!

Great Yue!

Those were two other powerful nations.

Although they might not be comparable to Great Qin and Great Zhou, they should not be underestimated.

After a pause, Fu Yan said in a deep voice, "Great Yue’s national strength has declined considerably in recent years. The damage caused by the evil wreak havoc a hundred years ago has not yet been recovered. It is unlikely that they will get involved.

Cooperating with Great Zhou would be like seeking a tiger for its skin."

"On the contrary—"

"Great Liang has been low-key recently, but their national strength has accumulated considerably, posing a considerable threat to Great Qin. However, Great Liang has always been arrogant and may not want to associate with the barbarians. This official believes it would be better to send an envoy to Great Liang.

At that time, we can also win over a strong ally for Great Qin.

After all, if Great Qin is destroyed, Great Liang will likely also find it difficult to sleep and eat."

When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold!

The reason why several countries could stand tall now was because of hundreds of years of adaptation, gradually forming a delicate balance.

If any country was destroyed, this delicate balance would be broken.

At that point, no one could say for sure that they would be the last ones laughing.

Gu Xuanji pondered slightly.

"That person in Great Liang may not be willing to cooperate with Great Qin, but we can still try. Prime Minister, who do you think would be a good choice to send to Great Liang?"

"Great Liang values integrity. Any Grand Confucian scholar from the Imperial Academy can take on this important task."

Fu Yan cupped his hands and replied.

Those who could become Grand Confucian scholars all had their own integrity and arrogance.

After all, without integrity and arrogance, it would be impossible to nurture a righteous aura.

Hearing this, Gu Xuanji nodded slightly.

The Grand Confucian scholars of the Imperial Academy were indeed suitable candidates to send to Great Qin.

Then, he looked at an old man among the civil officials.

"Does Libationer Yang have any objections?"

"This subject has no objections!" Yang Yu, who had been silent and acting like an invisible man, cupped his hands and replied.

"Good, then have the Imperial Academy send a Grand Confucian scholar to Great Liang to persuade them and win over an ally for Great Qin."

After speaking, Gu Xuanji paused, then continued.

"Also, send another person to Great Yue to assess the situation."

While persuading one was persuasive, it was better to simply send people to both.

Although Great Yue’s national strength was currently weak, if they could provide assistance, it could still alleviate a lot of pressure on Great Qin.

"This subject obeys!"

The night passed without incident.

Shen Changqing had been in his room ever since returning from the Martial Pavilion, cultivating the Hundred Battle True Intent.

After finishing his cultivation in the secret room, his condition had been at its peak.

In order to not waste a single second, Shen Changqing had directly entered a state of cultivation after returning to his room.

When the first light of dawn broke, a familiar stabbing pain came, and he immediately withdrew from his cultivation state.

Afterward, Shen Changqing looked at the time recorded by the sundial in the room and had a general idea in his mind.

It was worth mentioning that sundials were this world’s method of recording the passage of time.

When he first arrived, he didn’t know how to use them.

But now, Shen Changqing was very familiar with sundials.

"Today’s cultivation lasted about two quarters of an hour longer than usual. It seems that I have gained something in the Hundred Battle True Intent, which has also strengthened my spiritual power!"

End of Chapter