Volume 3, Chapter 0.5 – Prologue (Part 2)

The Kingdom of Qingyun, One of the only five human nations remaining on Yao Xing.

Located in the northeastern part of the Westivian Covenant, it was a major ally of the Covenant.

Though its territory couldn’t compare to the Westivian Covenant, its population was 1.5 times that of the Covenant. Combined with its location in a harsh, cold region, the influence of the severe environment meant that those who grew up in Qingyun generally possessed combat abilities superior to those from the Covenant.

Among those at the pinnacle of human society’s combat strength—Divine Departure Realm experts—Qingyun boasted a full nine individuals, nearly twice as many as the Westivian Covenant.

Additionally, Although the nation bordered the territory of the Celestial Blight Ulutiel, Qingyun had never engaged in battle with the Vassals of Sky over the past century. At most, they dispatched expeditionary forces to help other nations combat Corrupted Beasts.

Thus, Qingyun had been developing in a relatively peaceful state.

In terms of comprehensive national strength, it was officially the most powerful among the five nations today.

And in such a Kingdom of Qingyun, a major event had occurred in recent days.

The old emperor had died from illness, and a new emperor had ascended to the throne.

At this moment, Under the moonlight, outside the Qingxiao Pavilion in the imperial capital of Qingyun.

As the current commander-in-chief of Qingyun’s five armies, Xuanyuan Cheng urgently jumped off the transport aircraft and, under the watchful eyes of numerous imperial guard experts, quickly ascended the stairs and entered the Qingxiao Pavilion—this important place where the emperor conducted official business.

Though inwardly puzzled about why the new emperor would summon him so late at night, As a subject, Xuanyuan Cheng still rushed here immediately.

Upon entering this magnificent palace, the elderly commander, over seventy years of age, immediately knelt on one knee and spoke respectfully.

“Your Majesty, you have summoned me so urgently. May I ask what matter requires my attention?”

Standing before Xuanyuan Cheng was a brown-haired man in a white-gold robe with an imposing demeanor—the new ruler of Qingyun, Mu Yelan.

Faced with the old minister’s greeting, this refined and elegant emperor, who had been so cultured during the coronation ceremony a few days ago, now acted completely out of character. In extreme anger, he threw a large stack of documents and photographs in front of Xuanyuan Cheng.

“Explain to me! What is the meaning of this!”

?!!

With these words, terrifying spiritual power symbolizing the early stage of Divine Departure Realm surged toward Xuanyuan Cheng like a tidal wave, causing the old minister to tremble instantly as he cast an uneasy glance at the documents and photographs the emperor had thrown.

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Without needing to look carefully, after seeing the file names and photographs, Xuanyuan Cheng understood immediately.

Indeed, The former emperor’s death had been too sudden, and these matters had not been disclosed to the new emperor…

But before Xuanyuan Cheng could explain, Mu Yelan’s furious voice exploded like thunder in his ears.

“Every year! Every single year! You actually arranged for a full fifty thousand innocent civilians! Fifty thousand! Fifty thousand innocent citizens to be sent as living sacrifices to the Vassals of Sky? Have you all gone mad?”

After seeing the secret scrolls, After realizing that his childhood sweetheart’s disappearance was due to being sent as a sacrifice to the Malevolent God, unprecedented rage burned fiercely in Mu Yelan’s heart.

“Why would you do such a thing?!”

“We had no choice!”

Xuanyuan Cheng fearfully knocked his head hard against the ground.

“It was the former emperor’s order… No, not just that, it was your great-grandfather’s order! We were merely carrying it out. Besides, if we didn’t provide sacrifices to the Vassals of Sky, Ulutiel would wage war against our Kingdom of Qingyun, resulting in even more devastating casualties.”

“So you just captured innocent civilians and sent them to the Corrupted Beasts?!”

Pointing at Xuanyuan Cheng’s head, Mu Yelan said coldly.

“The army’s duty is to protect the country and defend the people! Not to capture innocent people and force them to their deaths!”

“No, not all of them were innocent. There were criminals and foreigners…”

“But that’s only a small portion! Last year, ninety percent were civilians!”

“But if sacrificing just fifty thousand people can ensure the country’s peace for a year, it’s worth it…”

“Silence!”

Mu Yelan said viciously.

At this rebuke, Xuanyuan Cheng lowered his head again, prostrating himself on the ground, trembling and not daring to speak further.

Meanwhile, Mu Yelan returned to his seat, exhaling several deep breaths.

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After venting a certain amount of anger, the new emperor of Qingyun gradually calmed down.

In a sense, He also understood why his great-grandfather had signed such a contract with the Vassals of Sky. In that era, Qingyun was still very fragile. If they had gone to war with the Vassals of Sky, there would have been only one outcome—national destruction and racial extinction.

Even with the support of other nations, had they resisted the Vassals of Sky’s attack, the people of Qingyun would have suffered devastating casualties.

For Qingyun at that time, for his great-grandfather, signing the sacrifice treaty with Ulutiel could be said to have been an unavoidable measure.

They had no choice.

Regarding this, Mu Yelan didn’t feel angry, just a sense of sorrow.

But if the past was unavoidable? What about now?

Now that Qingyun had fully matured, it was no longer the country that had been continuously ravaged by the Trinity of Malevolence—Sky, Earth, and Sea. Was there still a need to be so cowardly?

Thinking of this, Mu Yelan’s expression gradually darkened, an unprecedented resolve appearing on the new emperor’s face.

“This year’s sacrifice hasn’t begun yet, right?”

“Huh?”

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Cheng was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded.

“Correct, it hasn’t started yet. Currently, we’ve only gathered a little over twenty thousand people, the number isn’t yet…”

“Release them.”

“What? Your Majesty, what did you say?”

“I said, release them!”

“Eh?”

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Cheng immediately showed a horrified expression, hastily shaking his head.

“No, no, that’s impossible! Your Majesty! Not making the sacrifice means breaking the contract! It means going to war with the Vassals of Sky!”

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“Xuanyuan Cheng, have you been kneeling so long that you can’t stand up anymore?”

“What?”

“If it means war, then let there be war.”

Mu Yelan said with absolute certainty.

“It’s time to settle the centuries-old grudge with the Celestial Blight.”

“Your Majesty, are you serious? You really want to fight the Vassals of Sky?”

“Why, what is there to fear?”

Looking at Xuanyuan Cheng trembling and anxious, Mu Yelan asked with disdain:

“We are no longer the fragile country we once were. There’s no need to fear the Malevolent Gods anymore. No need to sacrifice innocent people to maintain national security. The security of our nation should be protected by our own strength.”

“Now, our military’s quantity and quality surpass the Westivian Covenant, and we have more top-tier experts than the Covenant. With our army now armed with fifteen Rashiel, we are definitely much stronger than the Covenant forces were before.”

“The Covenant managed to destroy the Terran Malevolence! Why can’t we eliminate the Celestial Blight!”

“The Celestial Blight is terrifying, true.”

“But don’t forget, the Celestial Blight, like the Terran Malevolence, was severely injured in the great battle eight years ago. Gaia Lobir, with her strong healing abilities, hasn’t fully recovered yet, let alone Ulutiel.”

“Now is the moment when the Vassals of Sky are at their weakest.”

“If we miss this opportunity and wait for the Celestial Blight to recover, the price we’ll need to pay for victory will be even greater.”

Watching the emperor’s resolute expression, beads of cold sweat dripped one after another from Xuanyuan Cheng’s forehead.

Even now, Xuanyuan Cheng seemed unable to believe that the emperor would make such a mad decision.

Trembling, Xuanyuan Cheng spoke again, seemingly trying to dissuade the emperor.

“Your Majesty! This absolutely cannot be done! You don’t know how terrifying and cruel the Vassals of Sky are! If war breaks out, our country will definitely face catastrophic casualties!”

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After hearing such cowardly words from Xuanyuan Cheng, cold light once again flashed in Mu Yelan’s eyes.

“Enough, Xuanyuan Cheng. If you continue to speak like this, don’t blame me for being harsh with you.”

As these words were uttered, terrifying spiritual pressure pierced through Xuanyuan Cheng’s body like a sharp sword, making the old general tremble too much to speak any further.

“But you needn’t worry. Since we’re going to move against the Celestial Blight, I naturally will make adequate preparations. I’ve already contacted the Westivian Covenant and the Maretide Kingdom for military support. Of course, besides this…”

Speaking thus, Mu Yelan slightly turned his head, casting his gaze toward the silhouette standing near the door not far away.

“Our action this time will also receive the full support of Paradise Manor.”

“Pa-Paradise Manor??”

Xuanyuan Cheng frowned, thoughtfully turning to look at the woman with heterochromatic eyes in the distance.

Yesterday, His Majesty didn’t have such crazy ideas? After meeting with the Emissary of Paradise Manor today…

Not only did he learn about the sacrifice arrangement, but he now planned to oppose the Vassals of Sky??

“Our national strength already exceeds the Westivian Covenant, and with so much powerful support added, there’s no reason to fear the Vassals of Sky. Xuanyuan Cheng, what you need to do is mobilize the troops quickly and prepare for war. Understood?”

Mu Yelan narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze shooting toward Xuanyuan Cheng like an arrow, his words filled with undeniable authority.

At this point, Knowing that the emperor’s mind was made up, Xuanyuan Cheng could only withdraw his gaze from the Emissary of Paradise Manor and reluctantly bow respectfully.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Seeing that the stubborn old Xuanyuan Cheng had finally nodded in agreement, Mu Yelan also sighed with relief and slowly walked out of the Qingxiao Pavilion, casting his gaze toward the distant northwest.

He Was not a coward like the former emperor.

As royalty, he would protect his citizens… not offer them as sacrifices to the Malevolent Gods.

The Vassals of Sky? …… “Blood debts must be repaid in blood!”