Chapter 76: If You Dare to Invade, I Will Definitely Make You Retreat in Defeat
As Yingxing, the head Priest of Chang, spoke, his words were immediately met with the unanimous approval of the monks.
“Brother Yingxing is absolutely right. The arrogance and transgression of the Dragon Species must be punished!”
“How many troops does the Unified Empire plan to deploy?”
“At least one Dragon Princess will be dispatched. Ercas likely won’t take action.”
“The fleet movements aren’t significant; the Unified Empire’s border main force remains in place. It seems this time, Aseran’s Royal Guard will be the main force.”
“Only one Dragon Princess? Are those Dragon Species so confident they can challenge the Holy Church with just that?”
“Even so, our defensive strength is insufficient. Chang was never built as a military fortress from its inception.”
After their initial fury subsided, the Saintly monks began to worry. Despite their absolute trust in the strength of the Pillar of the Holy, the power of the Dragon Species as challengers was not to be underestimated; they were not just any insignificant foes.
Seeing their concern, Yingxing spoke loudly to reassure them:
“I will send a request for reinforcements to the Golden Holy Domain and dispatch the Holy Army from nearby city-states to assist in the defense. Additionally… the original plan for Chang was to house a Knight Family. It seems that will need to be expedited.”
“A Knight Family?”
As the High Master spoke, the Saintly monks were stunned. Many had not heard this news.
Yingxing nodded. “That’s correct. The Starlight Dwelling family, who have established a long-term cooperative relationship with our Pillar of the Holy, will be stationing themselves in Chang soon.”
Upon hearing this, everyone visibly relaxed, and some even began to joke.
“With the addition of a Knight Family, defending Chang won’t be difficult.”
“I heard their family has a patriarch who is a Hero Tier?”
“That’s right, a Hero capable of summoning Knight Mechs. That one person alone is worth more than an army of thousands.”
“If the Dragon Species dare to invade, we will surely make them retreat in defeat!”
“…”
Yingxing surveyed the surroundings and finally declared:
“In any case, this battle is perhaps the first time the Pillar of the Holy has been formally attacked. Chang is isolated in the north, so far from the Holy Domain. Even with reinforcements, they will be extremely limited.”
“Everyone, there is no need to be afraid, nor should you be complacent. In the meantime, prepare for war. The population of Chang can be evacuated to some extent, and the outer areas should be fortified…”
“The propaganda department must also do its job, to avoid causing panic and anxiety among the populace. The Pillar of the Holy is invincible; victory will surely be ours!”
“……….”
The meeting of the Saintly monks was highly efficient. Yingxing, with a very steady demeanor, issued several orders in a short time, mobilizing the entire city-state.
He then announced the meeting’s adjournment. Yonglan, who had been listening the entire time, left with a thoughtful expression.
As he reached the edge of the small grove, Zhenxian, in her heeled shoes, hurried over, grabbed Yonglan’s arm, and eagerly asked.
“How was it? How was it? What was said in the meeting?”
Yonglan waved his hand. “I know you’re anxious, but don’t be. I saw that everyone else wasn’t in too much of a hurry.”
He then briefly recounted the meeting’s content to Zhenxian. The gray-haired older sister finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Phew, since the Holy Army and a Knight Family are coming to defend, there shouldn’t be any major problems. It’s just that Chang will be in turmoil again.”
“Why does it have to be Chang… Well, I can understand. Who else is closest to the Unified Empire?”
Zhenxian chuckled self-deprecatingly. The war in Chang was by no means good news for her. If they won, it would be fine, and not much would change. But if they lost, it would be terrible.
After all, even though the Holy Descendant and Hram had been enemies for thousands of years, the existence of the Atoner Faction Demonkin proved that Hram still had a way to live under the rule of the Holy Descendant.
But the Dragon Species wouldn’t bother with any atonement. They would truly conquer openly. Hram Demonkin? Were the dregs left by those Fiends even worthy of human rights?
Even if not executed, they would be exiled to the frontier to passionately confront the Fiends.
Choosing the lesser of two evils, Zhenxian naturally hoped Chang could hold.
Seeing this, Yonglan said to the gray-haired older sister:
“Are you that confident Chang can hold? I think it’s rather uncertain.”
The gray-haired Hram was taken aback. “What?”
“Because that Dragon Princess seems very strong,”
Yonglan greatly admired Aseran’s spirit, that absolutely confident, proud, and wild demeanor, which he greatly appreciated. A strong person should be like that!
“The Dragon Princess is certainly strong!”
Zhenxian frowned slightly and said, “But that Princess is too young. She’s merely the orphan of the Sword of Blazing Sun. And the Starlight Dwelling who will be stationed in Chang this time is an old, established Knight Family. Their leader, Ham, already entered the Hero Tier long ago!”
“In the Fiend battlefield, Lord Ham is renowned. Even before the Sword of Blazing Sun fell, the strongest Dragonborn Knight was no match for Lord Ham.”
No one on the Boundless Land could question the strength of a Royal Knight. They inherited from the Primal King, the purest Steel, the warrior among warriors.
“Is that so? Then let’s assume it’s like that. Won’t the duel between the two be very exciting? It’ll definitely be worth the ticket price!”
Yonglan stretched and let out a bloodthirsty spectator’s cry.
Since Chang had entered a state of war readiness, many of the original activities were forcibly suspended. Yonglan felt bored and spent the rest of the day at the forge.
……………….
That evening, in the Thousand City, after the trio met up, Yonglan’s first sight was of the Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden with her head bowed.
Enesyin bit her lip, looking as though she had something to say but hesitated.
“Yonglan, I…”
Yonglan: “I saw the declaration of war. I know what happened.”
“!!”
Enesyin’s deep purple eyes suddenly widened, then calmed down.
“I’m sorry, I tried to persuade her afterwards, but it was no use…”
It was clear that the Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden had no say in front of her twin sister.
Yonglan smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t blame you at all. Rather… I find it quite interesting. I’m already looking forward to it.”
He was someone who thrived on chaos, it seemed.
Jiali, hearing them speak of things she didn’t understand, frowned slightly and said displeasantly.
“What are you two talking about?”
Yonglan explained the whole story to Jiali. The silver-purple haired beautiful girl immediately looked at Enesyin and chuckled.
“Ha, you’re actually the Dragon Princess’s sister? No wonder, I felt a sense of familiarity from the first moment I saw you.”
Enesyin took a deep breath and said, “I will also join the expeditionary force with my sister. The expeditionary force will pass through and deter disobedient regions, so their speed will be a bit slower. They should arrive in about two months.”
The Platinum-haired Dragon Maiden met Yonglan’s gaze with utmost determination. “I will take responsibility.”
“This matter started because of me, and it must end because of me.”
