Chapter 428: Chaotic Times For The Lower Heavens

The last few days were very eventful for the whole Lower Heavens.

First, there was the appearance of Sword Saint, who destroyed half of the Silver Mist City.

Then there was the natural phenomenon that marked the arrival of an Emblem for this generation.

And now, the Grand Spirit Hunt was postponed for six more months.

While the main reason was not revealed yet, there were speculations that it was due to something that happened in the Silver Mist City's incident.

It had only been about a day that the news of Grand Spirit Hunt's postponement spread out when another bombshell dropped on them.

The Wu Kingdom declared war on the Xin Kingdom!

This news was so unexpected that it caught everyone off guard..

Almost everyone was curious as to what made King Wu declare war against the Xin Kingdom out of nowhere.

Slowly, rumors spread out that the Third Princess of Wu Kingdom, Wu Qingwu, died in the Silver Mist City.

Some said she was assassinated by the Xin Royal Clan, while many of them thought that it was the mysterious Sword Saint that had killed the Wu Clan Princess.

Regardless of the truth, it was now certain that the peaceful days of the Lower Heavens had abruptly come to an end. With the two most powerful clans clashing against each other, everyone here would undoubtedly be embroiled in the war and suffer the consequences.

… 

Today, the whole Xin Royal Courtroom was livid.

The Wu Kingdom's abrupt war declaration had come down like a bolt from the blue.

All the ministers were tense, mainly because their descendants were going to lead the troops in this war.

"Your Majesty, should we start the preparation?" Prime Minister Fang Yuan's words ringed in everyone's ears.

King Xin glanced at him and then closed his eyes.

After another long moment of silence, he asked, "Prime Minister, what do you think are the chances of us winning this war?"

Prime Minister Fang Yuan pursed his lips and let out a sigh, "Your Majesty, the outcome doesn't look favorable for us. Most of our troops are stationed to fight off the Spirit Beast tides in the western region. And the reserve forces are focused on 'that'."

"Hmm," King Xin gave a light nod, "Then what preparations were you about to start?"

The Prime Minister replied, "Your Majesty, I was referring to the reserve forces. We need to put our attention from 'that' to this war. We don't know when the Wu Kingdom will attack, but according to the reports we have received, there's a high chance that the first battle will commence in the Southern Province."

"Southern Province… hmmm," King Xin frowned, "What's the situation of the Spirit Beast tide? Can we decrease the troops from there?"

Prime Minister Fang nodded his head, "We have no other choice, Your Majesty. The war started too early for us. We need to wait and hold on for a few months at least before our main forces reach the frontlines."

"How much time?" 

"Your Majesty, it will take about three to four months. Even the Wu Kingdom is still preparing, so I am sure they won't be able to launch an attack in the next two months at least. That means the reserve forces will have to hold back the attack for a minimum of one month."

King Xin nodded his head, then glancing at the Minister of War, he asked, "How much time will it take to arrange the reserve forces in the frontlines?"

Minister of War, Zhou Xianping, stood up and replied with a slight bow, "Your Majesty, I will make sure that the reserve forces are ready to defend before the Wu Kingdom launches a full assault."

King Xin shook his head, "That is not enough. You need to start making arrangements for the Main forces to head towards the frontlines, and I want them ready within two months."

"This…"

Everyone in the courtroom was speechless.

It was easy for a small group to travel from one corner of the Xin Kingdom to the other within two months, but here, King Xin was asking for them to take about half a million troops stationed at the far end of the Western Province to the South-Eastern border.

"Your Majesty… this…"

"I know what you're trying to say. But let me tell you that this is not impossible. If you're thinking that the sects and clans will obstruct the path of the troops - don't worry about them." The King said.

Then glancing at the Royal Eunuch, he added, "Eunuch Kui, prepare a Royal Edict!"

A Royal Edict!

A decree issued by the ruler was above all law, order, and the citizens.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Head Eunuch Kui immediately bowed at King Xin and waited for him to dictate the decree.

Taking a deep breath, King Xin stood up from his seat and said, "I hereby command the main forces stationed against the Spirit Beast tide to head towards the South-Eastern border. Anyone who obstructs or delays their path shall be seen as an enemy of the throne and will be executed on the spot, including their whole affiliation."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Head Eunuch bowed once again and left the Royal Courtroom.

After a moment of silence, King Xin dropped another bombshell, "The person who will lead this Battle will be… Crown Prince Xin!"

"What!"

"This…"

"Hm!?"

His words shocked everyone in the room, be it Prime Minister Fang Yuan or the Crown Prince himself!

"Your Majesty, this…" The Prime Minister stood up from his seat.

"I am not finished yet." King Xin waved his hand and made him stop.

Then glancing at the Minister of War, he said, "Minister Zhou, you will be in charge of dividing the main forces into the correct ratio. Even though this war is our current priority, we must not let our guards down against the Spirit Beast tide."

"As you command, Your Majesty." The Minister of War, Zhou Xianping, cupped his fists.

King Xin nodded and then glanced at the livid Crown Prince Xin; he said, "Crown Prince, this war started because of your mistake, and now I want you to put a stop to this. You will be leading the Xin Kingdom to victory."

Cold sweat trickled down the Crown Prince's back.

'Shit, why the hell did Wu Qingwu have to die! Now the whole world is going to be in chaos!'