MMORPG: War God, You are Invincible Again-Chapter 1363 - 339: The Traitor Within the Family

"Transmit my decree, instructing Guangzi Province’s Governor, Lord Nie, to spare no cost to defend Photon City. If Photon City falls, Nie Shangyao need not return to face me!"

The pressure placed on Guangzi Province was entirely due to its status as the most powerful province in Da Qin, bar none.

Back when the Tianlang Martial God invaded Rongtian, only the Eastern War Zone was spared massacre, thanks to Qin Hong’s presence and the lingering prestige left by Lu Hong. Although Qin Hong, when establishing Da Qin and dividing territories into provinces and counties, intended for the population of the Eastern War Zone to migrate elsewhere, ultimately, only a few left. Most chose to remain obstinately on their own plots of land. Consequently, within Da Qin, the place with the most family clans was Guangzi Province, where a single province housed a hundred sizable families.

Compared to Da Qin’s Xi Tian Province, its military strength and capabilities far outstripped them by at least a tenfold.

Thus, even if Guangzi Province faced an attack from Yanyang Domain, relying on its inherent strengths, it wasn’t entirely indefensible. After all, Yanyang Domain wasn’t a major threat, mostly consisting of weaklings. Should Nie Shangyao of Guangzi Province command wisely, seizing the opportune moment, it might even outmaneuver Yanyang.

This operation against Mingze Domain is led personally by Lu Hong, appointed by Qin Hong to the rank of Grand Marshal, overseeing all affairs of the Qin Long Guards and Upper Martial Guard.

Though together the Qin Long Guards and Upper Martial Guard barely number over 200,000, their combat abilities—tsk, tsk...

They’re a formidable army, truly a strong force.

It’s hardly an exaggeration to say they are one soldier against a hundred.

In the battlefield under the Nine Domains Heavens, a single world could scarcely sustain a strong force, maintaining numbers between three thousand to thirty thousand, which was already difficult. The high standards for a strong army demanded massive resources for training.

Compared to the Nine Domains, nurturing a strong force on the Dark Continent required at least a thousand times fewer resources, since the primary cultivation resources needn’t be provided by the Dark Continent.

The spiritual energy here was so abundant that any average person from the Nine Domains coming to the Dark Continent, after a few deep breaths, could instantly break through to become a First Transformation master.

Spiritual energy is the greatest resource for spiritual cultivation, and the Dark Continent never lacks in this regard.

Thus, the primary expenditure for Qin Long and Upper Martial Guards was in weapon forging and battle array training.

"In our expedition to Mingze Domain, our main strategy should be speed, catching Mingze Domain utterly off guard!" Lu Hong paced as the two Commanders galloped on their horses.

Yet Lu Hong effortlessly maintained their pace.

He issued orders calmly: "Once we enter the Primordial Forest bordering Da Qin and Mingze Domain, we must swiftly pass through. Therefore, prior to entering the Primordial Forest, ensure thorough preparations. Time is scarce, and we cannot confront Mingze Domain in the forest. It would disrupt our army’s formation and charge. We must traverse the forest as quickly as possible."

"Grand Marshal, what if they ambush us in the Primordial Forest?" the current Commander of Qin Long Guards voiced his concern.

Upon hearing this, Lu Hong shrugged: "You ask me, whom do I ask? Nobody can be certain about such things. Hence, our scouts must be dispatched more extensively before entering the forest, avoiding being ensnared by Mingze Domain."

"No point in overthinking for now. We’ll deal with it when we arrive." The Commander of Upper Martial Guard kept his head down and rushed forward. Departing from the Imperial Capital for the Mingze border would require at least fifteen days of daily march to arrive.

As internal military preparations were underway in Da Qin, the harem’s inner courtyard witnessed Tian Shengji hastily writing a secret letter, handed to a maid, instructing, "Deliver this letter immediately to Dong Cui Inn at Changtian Square. Hand it to the innkeeper. Remember, the letter must reach the recipient. If anyone tries to snatch it en route, you must destroy it, ensuring it falls into no other hands!"

The maid, a lifelong companion of Tian Shengji, understood the gravity of the situation upon seeing Tian Shengji’s urgency and nodded, "I will attend to it!"

Around an hour after dispatching the maid, the Second Family master of the Sky Family barged into the inner courtyard.

"Daughter, what foolishness are you up to again!" The Second Family master glared at Tian Shengji.

At this, Tian Shengji shook her head: "Father, please refrain from intervening in this matter."

"Nonsense! I’m your father. If anything happens to you, can I escape responsibility? Are you sending messages to the First Branch of the Sky Family again? I told you before, your maids and attendants are under the watch of the Hidden Guards. I didn’t expect you’d sacrifice Xiao Cui this time! She’s been with you since childhood, like a sister!" The Second Family master reprimanded Tian Shengji in frustration.

Tian Shengji’s expression grew grim, but she regained her composure, saying calmly, "I am the Empress of Da Qin. Lord National Guardian may be my father, but he has no authority to meddle in my actions." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

When Tian Shengji invoked her status to pressure him, the Second Family master was infuriated: "You’ll be the downfall of us all!"

"Why? Is Da Qin not good? Has Qin Hong not treated you well? Why betray him?!" Over the years, it’s been Tian Shengji aiding the First Branch of the Sky Family in Mingze Domain, not the Second Family master, this old fat man. She’s Qin Hong’s wife and now Da Qin’s Empress, Tian Shengji.

The Second Family master had long been aware but could only aid in her concealment.

However, Tian Shengji’s conduct became increasingly reckless. Most egregious was when she memorized Qin Hong’s compiled Spiritual Cultivation Manual and secretly passed it to the First Branch in Mingze Domain.

Such actions amounted to treason.

Afterward, the Second Family master sternly rebuked his daughter, and Tian Shengji calmed down for a period. Yet this time, her actions were even more outrageous.

It’s obvious that Tian Shengji is conveying crucial intelligence regarding Da Qin’s surprise attack on Mingze Domain. If Mingze Domain were forewarned, Da Qin’s war against Yan Yangmingze would face radical upheaval.

"I don’t comprehend, as Da Qin’s Empress, how does this benefit Da Qin? Or you, for that matter?" The Second Family master continued his heartfelt persuasion, baffled.

Tian Shengji appeared melancholic, shaking her head: "Father, there are matters, secrets that can entrap one for life, inescapable."

Upon hearing this, the Second Family master abruptly grasped that his daughter was likely blackmailed by the First Branch.

Instinctively, the Second Family master turned pale.

Before he spoke, guards knocked on the palace doors, calling out, "Empress, Deputy Commander of the Hidden Guard, Yu Zequan, seeks audience!"

The Hidden Guard never visits without reason. It seemed Xiao Cui had been apprehended.

Tian Shengji’s heart raced, but she maintained composure, instructing, "Summon him!"

Swiftly, Deputy Commander Yu Zequan entered, kneeling a hundred meters before Tian Shengji: "Minister, Deputy Commander of the Hidden Guard, Yu Zequan, pays respects to the Empress!"

Tian Shengji furrowed her brow, displeased: "Why does Lord Yu neglect his duties to visit my harem? Is there treacherous rebellion within my court?!"

At this, Yu Zequan smiled faintly: "I dare not, but some matters require investigation in the harem. Thus, I seek the Empress’s permission."

"What matters?" Tian Shengji raised a brow.

"I was patrolling the streets when I spotted your servant maid Xiao Cui. Upon questioning, her demeanor was flustered, evading answers. This arose my suspicion, so I feigned departure but discreetly followed her. Under surveillance, I saw Xiao Cui enter a place named Cuidong Inn. After her departure, I led men to investigate and discovered many experts hidden within, confronting us directly."