Chapter 59: The Emperor's Decision

  "Unexpectedly, his power has developed to such an extent. Ling Feng, are you sure this list is correct?"

  George IX stared at the roster in his hand, his face ashen.

  "Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated each person on this list. The fact is that they are all under his control now. And..."

  Ling Feng hesitated at this point.

  "Go on," George sighed, "is there anything worse than this?"

  "Your Majesty, the list only includes high-ranking officials from the Second and Fourth Legions, the City Guard, and various key departments in the Imperial Capital. As for the others, I am still conducting a thorough investigation and will have results soon." Ling Feng finished speaking, his forehead already showing slight signs of sweat. As the head of the Empire's intelligence department, he had an unshirkable responsibility.

  "You don't have to be nervous, this matter is not your fault. I've always trusted him, who would dare to move against him? Unexpectedly, the two legions of the empire are almost his private army." George said with a bitter smile.

  If it hadn't been for this time when Shi Yan was stabbed, if Shi Yan hadn't told him what someone else had said, George would never have harbored any suspicions.

  "My younger brother, he's had a really tough time all these years! Same mother, how did it come to this?" A deep sadness flashed across George's eyes.

  "Your Majesty, I have also found out that this time the beastmen's sudden attack on City of Frost was actually orchestrated by the Empire of Asman from behind."

  "I've already thought of that. You may withdraw now. Do not act rashly without my orders." George waved his hand and stood up, leaving the study room and returning to the bedroom.

  "Imperial son, you can't forget the past, so bury it deep in your heart. You are the future heir of the empire, and you must have a heart for the world. Xiaoxiao's revenge can only be avenged when you have enough powerful strength."

  When George came in, Queen Mei Xue was opening the seal of Shi Yan. Since returning to the Imperial Capital from Fengyu Plains, every time Shi Yan thought of that scene in the Demon Beast Forest, he would be disheartened.

  "Father, you're back." Seeing George come in, Shiyan hastily went forward to greet him.

  "George, what's wrong with you? You look terrible." Mei Xue asked anxiously as she saw George's unusual expression.

  "Mei Xue, the matter of Shi Yan being stabbed is indeed likely to be related to him." George said in a low voice. Afterwards, he informed the two of them about the situation with Ling Feng's investigation.

  "I never thought that after all these years, you would treat him like this and he would still have second thoughts. George, let me make one thing clear: if anyone dares to harm my child, I will take their head!" Mei Xue's anger flared up after hearing George's words.

  "You'd better not get angry, this matter still needs to be carefully considered. Many things, even if they are obvious, without sufficient evidence, I can do nothing about it. I hope the mastermind behind the assassination of Shiyan is not him." George still held a glimmer of hope in his heart.

  Shi Yan listened to his father's words and fell silent. Compared to the bloody struggle in the imperial court, the sacrifice of the fairy girl seemed even more great and selfless.

  "I must avenge you." Shi Yan secretly vowed in his heart.

  "Mother, Father is right, currently the empire has internal worries and external troubles, a single misstep can lead to chaos, we absolutely cannot be rash."

  "My child, what ideas do you have? Tell me and let me hear." George looked at Shiyan with affection, feeling quite delighted in his heart. He had only this one son, and fortunately, the child was excellent, a talent for governing the country.

  "Probe, within the scope of what he can tolerate, and subtly weaken his power. There is also someone that Father must use, a rare talent." Shi Yan said slowly, this was the method that Liu Yun had taught him, to boil a frog in warm water.

  "Are you talking about Liú Yún? Haha, the Cai family is indeed a family of heroes! The Black Eagle Mercenary Group, War Eagle... it seems that a new general will rise to power! If not for you, who would have thought that War Eagle would be him?" George's face finally showed a smile.

  "Black Eagle Mercenaries of the Battle of Frost City? Is that the Storm Eagle?" The Empress asked in astonishment.

  "Yes, Mother. I once saw the private guard of Flowing Clouds on the Wind Language Plains - the Black Eagles. Their martial skills and combat style are exactly the same as those of the mercenary group that appeared in the Battle of Cold City. Most importantly, there is a six-system mage among the Black Eagles, Caslow, who had been missing for decades."

  George also laughed and said, "Mei Xue, I've been too busy these days and didn't have time to tell you about this. Liu Yun, the surprises he brings are really too many, even making me start to regret agreeing to Yan Tian's divorce in the first place."

  "A few days ago, Na'er's child returned from Hancheng and spoke highly of the War Eagle. I've never seen her praise anyone before. Unfortunately, she and Liuyun have divorced. This child has always been proud and arrogant, it's time for her to suffer a bit, or else who would dare marry her in the future? And that Kasulo, he was once very famous, but because he practiced full-system magic, he couldn't enter the realm of magic masters, and later lost to his love rival, becoming a laughing stock in the mainland's magical community, and disappeared in obscurity. Who would have thought that today, he has become a six-system magic master!" This unexpected news also delighted the Empress.

  "Father, the Black Eagles are now a trump card in our hands. If Liú Yún joins the military, perhaps we can create even more Black Eagles." Shi Yan spoke to George again.

  "Hmm. Mei Xue, let's not tell Na Er about this for now, just in case. The two of them have already caused a big stir in the city. Shi Yan, don't rush to get him into the military either, that kid is clever and has already taken your side."

  George recalled the military parade mentioned by Shiyan, and smiled, "For those in power, they must use people well and also know how to control them. The empire is now plagued by internal and external troubles, how can I afford to waste these talents? I will let him dig his own grave, don't worry."

  "Which army is Father planning to let him join?" Shiyan nodded and asked again.

  "The Fifth Legion's special corps." George's face hung with the trademark smile of an old fox.

  The Huoyun Empire has a total of about 15 million troops, with five regular army corps, each with three armies under its jurisdiction. Each army is divided into three divisions, with a strength of 30,000 people per division. The remaining 1.5 million are city defense troops and the Imperial Guard.

  But George was preparing to let Liú Yún take office in this group, which is extremely famous in the Imperial Army. If it weren't for its strong combat effectiveness, it could be called trash.

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  "Father, this is outrageous! How can you expect me to swallow this?" Hughes shouted angrily in the living room.

  After running naked outside the imperial city, he was almost dead. After returning to the mansion, he heard that his father was in the living room with Guan, so he ran over and told Slod about Liuyun's situation.

  With a loud "slap", Sloane's heavy hand landed on Hewes' face, cutting off his bellowing.

  "You good-for-nothing! What were you thinking, provoking him for no reason? He's a notorious scoundrel from the Imperial City, a man everyone spits at. You're lowering your own value by messing with him!" Slod roared.

  Hux feels so wronged in his heart that it can make snow fly in June.

  "Dad, I didn't provoke him! He was the one who hit me first!" He completely forgot that it was he himself who had asked Liú Yún to hit him.

  "Shut up! You were the one who caused trouble for him in the first place, I know you did it to gain favor with the princess. Now look at you, getting beaten up and running around naked outside the imperial city, losing all face!"

  Sloane's recent mood has also been extremely bad. After the assassination of the prince failed, it was a big blow to him and Joseph, because this matter may have caused George to suspect, so both chose to keep a low profile. At this critical moment, his own son made trouble again.

  "Father, is this just going to be dropped like that?" Hughes asked with a scowl, rubbing his swollen face.

  "Your sword master's strength can't even handle his own subordinates?" Slod asked.

  "Kid... although I fought with them for half a day, they were too numerous and powerful, I really couldn't cope."

  Hues still couldn't swallow his pride and didn't dare say that he hadn't even seen the person clearly, so he was slapped until he was dizzy. His little pitiful vanity also indirectly helped Liu Yun, making Sloth not have too much suspicion towards Liu Yun.

  "You stay at home and behave yourself for the next few days! I'll have Yan Tian, that old man, give an explanation about this matter when I go to court tomorrow. I'd like to see how he, as the Minister of Military Affairs, will deal with the son of a city guard officer who was beaten up."

  Sloane stormed off, leaving behind a bare-handed Hughes who had returned and was slapped again.

  "Liú yún, you bastard, I'm going to kill you!"

  A cold glint flashed in Hughes' eyes, as if he had seen Flowing Cloud lying in a pool of blood.

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  More wonderful hints: Liuyun is about to enter the imperial military world, but will face even greater challenges and troubles. The assassination of Yantian has triggered a disturbance in the Huoyun Empire and the arrival of powerful enemies. In the midst of being surrounded on all sides, Princess Naya finally shows off her extraordinary talent, becoming a brilliant general on the continent.