What Ye Tian said was naturally not polite words deliberately spoken to boost morale.
But rather a genuine feeling that the scales of war were tipping toward the Heavenly Strategy Army.
The Star Luo Empire's military deployment appeared formidable.
In reality, the forces they could rely on weren't many.
The empire's main forces had all been tied down by Spirit Hall.
The entire imperial capital's deployed standing forces, at most, numbered less than fifty thousand.
Puffing up one's face couldn't make one truly fat.
Fifty thousand regular soldiers distributed across walls stretching for several li would have their combat power sharply reduced.
Moreover... the Star Luo Empire's enemies didn't only come from outside.
"Let the army rest well tonight. Tomorrow we'll attack from here."
Calmly glancing at the tall walls, Ye Tian said casually, as if leveling the walls would be as easy as flowing downstream.
"Is that Ye Tian ahead?"
At this moment.
A resonant voice came from atop the city walls.
Ye Tian looked up, immediately catching sight of Dai Mubai's conspicuous white and gold-trimmed robe and golden side-swept bangs.
Doubt arose in his heart.
At a time like this, why would Dai Mubai seek him out? Could it be for negotiations?
Negotiations were naturally impossible.
Ye Tian was curious what Dai Mubai would say.
So he stepped forward and responded loudly, "Indeed. Crown Prince, I trust you've been well."
His voice wasn't enhanced by spirit power.
However, Spirit Masters' hearing was extraordinary.
Moreover, there must be Titled Douluo bodyguards beside Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai laughed heartily three times. "It seems I truly underestimated you. Your strength is now sufficient to rival the entire Star Luo Empire."
Not long after these words fell, Dai Mubai's voice changed tone, becoming extremely sharp:
"Since you've chosen to be the Star Luo Empire's enemy, then be prepared to pay an adequate price."
"My Star Luo has stood for a thousand years, weathering countless storms."
"Today's rain may be heavy, but it will only make the great tree grow stronger."
Ye Tian smiled toward the city, saying leisurely, "Perhaps what comes today is a flood."
He turned and waved his hand.
Ye Tian was too lazy to continue talking with Dai Mubai.
"Today we need to rest. We'll battle tomorrow."
At these words, the officers beside Dai Mubai were simply infuriated.
"Utterly arrogant!"
"Infuriating!"
"This is completely insulting us!"
More indignant ones even stepped forward. "This subordinate requests permission to personally lead twenty thousand—no, ten thousand elite troops out of the city. I will surely capture Ye Tian's head!"
"This subordinate only needs eight thousand!"
"This subordinate only needs one thousand cavalry!!"
Several officers, battle intent soaring, all requested to go into battle.
Dai Mubai coldly glanced at the officers beside him:
"Do you truly think those outside are ordinary troops?"
Though he hadn't witnessed the Heavenly Strategy Army's true strength, Dai Mubai had heard of it.
The Heavenly Strategy Army's individual soldier quality could rival Spirit Masters!
Having ten thousand troops meant the equivalent of ten thousand Spirit Masters!
This combat power was something even the Star Luo Royal Cavalry couldn't match.
Moreover, Ye Tian's earlier behavior was far too confident.
He had even voluntarily revealed the time of attack.
This made Dai Mubai even more uncertain.
In war, truth and falsehood, fake and real intertwine.
What exactly did Ye Tian want to do?
After being reprimanded by Dai Mubai, the officers weren't discouraged.
After all, they had absolutely no contact with the Heavenly Strategy Army.
The so-called ignorant are fearless.
In the officers' hearts, they were actually somewhat unconvinced.
No matter how formidable the Heavenly Strategy Army was, so what?
They were only ten thousand men.
While Star Luo City had a full seventy thousand elite troops!
These elite forces' combat power was no different from the border troops who fought regularly!
Even if each person spat once, it would be enough to drown the Heavenly Strategy Army.
"Crown Prince, the Heavenly Strategy Army has come from afar and is now setting up camp."
"It's not far from nightfall."
"Why don't we select a group of death-defying warriors to attack the enemy camp at night? We can surely throw the enemy army into chaos and make them collapse without attack."
Dai Mubai made a disdainful sound through his nose and flicked his sleeves:
"How do the elites in your hands compare to the Black Eagle Legion?"
"The Black Eagle Legion fell into Ye Tian's hands. Even now, we can't contact them. Don't you want to follow in their footsteps?"
At these words.
All the officers fell silent.
That's right.
Even the elite Black Eagle Legion had foundered in Ye Tian's hands.
This Ye Tian was definitely not as simple as he appeared on the surface.
"Thank you for the Crown Prince's lesson. We acknowledge our error." Wei Liang, the leading officer, bowed apologetically.
Dai Mubai lightly pressed down his hand, frowning. "Order people to strengthen patrols. Don't be ambushed without knowing it!"
"Yes!" The officers all nodded.
Descending from the walls.
Dai Mubai headed straight for the imperial palace.
On the spacious roads, no pedestrians could be seen anymore.
The once-prosperous marketplace was now in complete disarray, littered with garbage.
Seeing the surrounding scene, inexplicably, Dai Mubai's mood grew several degrees more oppressive.
Suddenly.
His footsteps stopped.
He saw a group of well-armed golden-armored soldiers surrounding a tall estate.
Only one army in Star Luo City wore golden armor—the Imperial Guard.
At this moment, heart-rending screams came from within the estate.
Isn't this the Holy Leopard Count's residence?
Dai Mubai's heart skipped a beat.
A kindly face suddenly rose in Dai Mubai's mind.
He remembered that in his youth, the Holy Leopard Count had served as his spirit skill instructor for a time.
"What are you all doing!" Dai Mubai stepped forward and demanded loudly.
The golden-armored soldiers, seeing Dai Mubai, all froze.
Then they all saluted.
"We pay respects to the Crown Prince."
"What are you doing! Why are you surrounding the Holy Leopard Count's residence!" Dai Mubai came to the main gate, demanding loudly. By now he could already see pools of blood inside the gate.
The soldiers stammered, looking at each other, none daring to answer.
At this moment, a bearded mid-level officer hurried over and performed a perfunctory bow to Dai Mubai.
"Reporting to Crown Prince, we are following His Majesty's decree to execute the Holy Leopard Count's nine generations of kin."
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's form staggered, nearly falling.
"Impossible, impossible!"
Shouting twice, Dai Mubai didn't stop for a moment, running toward the palace as if flying.
"Father, what exactly did the Holy Leopard Count do wrong?"
"With a great enemy before us, even if the Holy Leopard Count is guilty, can't it be delayed?"
"Moreover, there was no investigation process at all!"
Arriving at the palace, Dai Mubai ignored the palace attendants' attempts to stop him, loudly questioning toward the Star Luo Emperor's bedchamber.
The next moment.
The Star Luo Emperor appeared before Dai Mubai, sporting dark circles under his eyes, silent for a while before saying:
"The crime of treason—can that be delayed?"
Dai Mubai was stunned.
He had never imagined that nobles within Star Luo City would stand in opposition to the imperial family at such a time.
Moreover, this person was actually his former teacher!
(End of Chapter)