Because of this speech, the Alliance quickly fell into chaos.

This speech facing all Alliance civilians destroyed management’s lies, shook Alliance civilians’ trust in management, triggering a series of protests and demands for management to publish all war materials, current reserves, personnel appointment processes and future plans. Management’s credibility dropped to its lowest point in history. The reception department received massive civilian complaints daily, various calls for increased supplies, solving difficulties, balancing treatment and thoroughly investigating management corruption flew in like snowflakes. The management building was surrounded daily, with all departments overwhelmed.

The bigshots held three consecutive days of meetings, smashing over a dozen cups during meetings, with some getting injured.

At this time, Tie Ci didn’t know she had achieved such great success, after all she didn’t know who the opposition was, much less that it was being broadcast live.

She simply analyzed from their recent encounters that the opposition was obviously also a class society. The equality and freedom her teacher spoke of hadn’t been fully realized. Their soldiers still had distinctly hierarchical equipment and treatment, with even nutritional fluid flavors differing between ranks—this was mentioned in letters from the capital.

Their rate of changing commanders was also too fast, likely indicating friction and strife among their leadership.

They treasured resources. In many of their decisions, you could see they were very careful to preserve existing weapons and personnel. From the numbers in their so-called large assembly, their warriors must also be extremely scarce and precious.

Since this was so, they had now suffered unbearable losses, and such results would inevitably require someone among their upper ranks to take responsibility.

When responsibility needed to be taken, it would inevitably trigger blame-shifting, strife, and friction.

Thousands of years of bloody political struggle and internal strife history told every emperor this was the inevitable result driven by human nature.

As long as the enemy wasn’t at peace, they had opportunities.

Tie Ci’s purpose was simple: make them uneasy, crush their arrogance, make them understand that powerful weapons were their only support, but this sole support wasn’t enough for them to take Da Qian.

Also to let her own people know that weapons couldn’t decide everything.

To inspire courage and no longer fear.

This move, if nothing else, must have provoked certain people. The very night Tie Ci issued her declaration, the command center went mad, firing several long-range artillery shells at the endless forest.

Due to lack of high-tech support like orbital, electromagnetic, and global positioning systems, many more destructive long-range weapons couldn’t be used, but this round of shells was already enough for Yannan to suffer. That night became bright as day, streaks of orange light of unknown origin crossed the sky like meteors, successively exploding above Yannan’s mountain forests into countless swirling enormous whirlpools. In the whirlpool centers, mountain peaks collapsed, giant trees turned to ash, countless panicked fleeing animals became powder.

Yannan forest lost a huge section from then on, unable to fully recover for decades to come.

Those long-range giant cannons had extremely wide strike ranges, determined to destroy Tie Ci, who hadn’t yet escaped far, under artillery fire.

Fortunately, before issuing her declaration, Tie Ci had prepared early, sending all accompanying troops far away, keeping only the strongest by her side, all wearing captured muscle clothing. The most crucial reason they could escape disaster was that nano-module programming robot. A quarter-hour before the shells were about to arrive, it suddenly began heating up, deforming, becoming a pool of silver liquid, trying to escape through tent gaps.

Its built-in programming allowed it to sense attacks from certain extreme weapons in advance based on subtle factors and activate self-preservation programs to transform and flee. Unfortunately, it hadn’t succeeded last time, and this time still didn’t succeed.

Pingzong caught it, and Tie Ci discovered its strange behavior.

Tie Ci reacted quickly, immediately ordering everyone to put on muscle clothing and dive into the river.

When orange light beams stretched from sky’s edge from thin to thick, falling to earth and spreading as ever-expanding whirlpools, countless lives vanishing in such light, mountain forests igniting in raging fires, Tie Ci and others were submerged underwater, watching through the distorted water surface that silent destruction.

Fortunately, though these shells were powerful and fast, they mainly concentrated on ground strikes. The great fire couldn’t reach underwater, fallen giant trees were held up by water flow. Everyone stared dumbfounded through the water surface, never imagining such shells existed in the world.

If not for Tie Ci’s quick reaction, everyone would be ash by now.

When people emerged from the water, surroundings had completely changed. Scattered flames and charred animal corpses remained everywhere, original roads couldn’t be found. The group trekked through scorched ruined mountain forests all night, encountering a group of soldiers carrying strange-looking guns—they had come searching for Tie Ci.

Fortunately, after several close combats, everyone had gained some battle experience against these people. After fighting, that group finally retreated, and then Tie Ci’s group met Yannan troops coming to assist.

Only then did people understand why the Emperor refused to stay in her well-fortified capital, preferring to flee the capital alone.

If this thing hit the capital, Da Qian would be finished.

This added another measure of respect for the Emperor in their hearts.

After brief rest, they continued north. Obviously after so many fruitless efforts and the provocation of Tie Ci’s last declaration, whether to adjust policy or due to internal disputes, the opposition remained quiet as chickens for a long time, until Tie Ci was about to reach Yong Ping did the distantly following drone swarm change from a few scattered ones to a dense black mass.

Di Yiwei led a great army to welcome her, but Tie Ci didn’t stop at Yong Ping—she feared such a shell falling among Yong Ping’s great army would finish Da Qian’s northern defense line.

Though Tie Ci refused Yong Ping army’s escort, Yong Ping troops still arrayed before Bie Mountain to welcome her, offering their highest tribute to His Majesty the Emperor.

Yong Ping army stretched a dark line across the horizon, craning their necks in anticipation. Finally, when the morning sun first rose, they awaited their Emperor.

A group of riders galloped from the horizon’s edge, racing like lightning with superb horsemanship, trailing over ten sharp straight lines behind their horses.

People were about to cheer when they saw this group, for some reason, bouncing up and down on their horses while galloping.

This wasn’t all—sometimes horses would suddenly crash to the ground while running. The dismounted riders reacted extremely quickly, immediately leaping onto companions’ horses, with each rider separately leading a spare horse.

Moreover, this group didn’t ride properly, serpentining across the earth, weaving back and forth. Remarkably, their spare horses also followed the serpentine run, truly amazing to behold.

Soldiers stared dumbfounded, wondering what kind of horsemanship this was. Was such showing off necessary?

Watching them gallop while fine horses kept dying, the horse group well-trained, not panicking when seeing horses fall. Riders lightly pulled reins, leaping over. When their horses died, they mounted spares; when spares died, they switched to neighbors’ horses… Dust rolling, figures dancing gracefully, like performing large-scale acrobatics.

Soldiers gaped until this group approached, then discovered a large swarm of locust-like shadows in the sky approaching. Countless colored lights shot down from the sky. The riders seemed to have eyes in their backs, cleverly dodging those lights, but with dense colored light, horses inevitably got hit, so they ran while horses died, horses died while they ran.

Soldiers’ expressions gradually grew serious.

This was obviously… fleeing all the way!

These sky monsters—were they the otherworldly visitors that had spread throughout Da Qian recently?

So powerful!

Those being hunted…

Before finishing the thought, the lead rider shouted: “Scatter!”

Di Yiwei: “Scatter, shoot!”

The archery battalion had prepared early, bowstrings vibrating in unison, humming and thundering, clusters of fire arrows shooting skyward.

Forcibly driving that bold approaching drone swarm from the area above the riders’ heads.

Infantry battalions parted like tide, clearing wide roads for riders to gallop through. Soldiers lined both sides, watching with admiring eyes as the riders flew past.

“The one in front on the red horse in red and white should be Princess Pingzong, the late Emperor’s adopted daughter and currently the Imperial Family’s only consecrated guardian. It’s said she accompanied His Majesty all the way from the capital, traveling thousands of li. During the Chongming incident, she also stayed with His Majesty in Chongming Palace, single-handedly stopping dozens of top masters…”

“This tall, pale-faced one should be Marshal Xiao, formerly Three Borders General-in-Chief, now Grand Governor of military affairs for both Yannan and Nanyue armies. He’s renowned alongside our Commander, called the Southern and Northern Marshals. These two are also His Majesty’s most trusted generals. Though born to the Xiao clan, he severed ties with his family early, and His Majesty never suspected him due to his birth. Truly a wise ruler and good general, a worldly tale of beauty.”

“That plump one—isn’t that Commander Xiahou? He came too? Though I wonder if he came to protect His Majesty or chase our Commander? Last time he visited relatives, he kept stuffing flowers into our Commander’s tent for three days straight. Result was our Commander sneezing whenever she smelled pollen, hahaha…”

“That elder should be Medical Madman Jingxu, supposedly Dean Rong’s teacher, a legendary figure now staying by His Majesty’s side for protection.”

“See that frog on the horse’s head? That’s also a legendary frog called Tiger, supposedly a spirit creature from Yannan’s most mysterious Ba clan. The Ba clan is skilled with poisons, also conquered personally by His Majesty when she went to Yannan.”

“That one baring his arms in deep winter with extensive tattoos should be Xirong’s Buqing, a top archer left by the Xirong King at His Majesty’s side. His Flying Arrow Battalion has always been the main force against those sky monsters. He was originally the Xirong King’s confidant, yet the Xirong King left his confidant at His Majesty’s side. Such loyal vassals are truly exceptional.”

“Speaking of exceptional, there’s one more who’s truly exceptional. See that youth? Yannan King You Weixing! He personally came to protect His Majesty too! Five years ago in Yannan’s succession war, His Majesty personally dealt with You Jun who controlled Yannan and the ambitious You Weixuan, leaving the throne to You Weixing. It’s said You Weixing and His Majesty shared friendship at Yue Li Academy. When he was bullied, only His Majesty protected him. Isn’t this another fine tale?”

“Speaking of it all, all fine tales. All legends.” Suddenly someone sighed. “Isn’t this because our Majesty herself is legendary?”

At these words, all fell silent.

All looking toward the road’s end, the last rider.

A magnificent black horse, its rider in black robes with matching cloak. The robe’s style was simple and practical, material ordinary and durable, yet wearing it, robes flew gracefully with heroic bearing.

Her face was lean, eyes bright, seeming to hold flowing starlight.

She galloped forth, jade brush at her waist gleaming alongside cloak hem, dust unable to dim her radiance.

Soldiers who had been whispering instinctively fell silent in unison.

Countless fervent admiring gazes converged.

The Emperor’s declaration to otherworldly visitors atop Qingyang Mountain peaks had spread worldwide, stirring countless to boiling blood, smashing cups in wild song.

Today they witnessed how His Majesty and this group of princes and generals led from the front, willingly taking strange risks, dealing with pursuit all the way from the capital to Yong Ping.

Di Yiwei’s voice carried from afar: “Raise spears!”

“Clank.” All spear points toward heaven, a uniformly bright sea.

“Salute!”

“Clank” again, spear points thirty degrees forward, flashing lightning-like white light toward the Emperor’s approaching direction.

This was Da Qian military’s highest courtesy, rules established after countless battles during the founding Emperor’s time, representing “sworn to follow unto death, never changing for life.” But not all Emperors touring borders necessarily received this treatment, nor was it treatment only high officials could get. Completely decided by garrison generals and soldiers themselves, only offered to those sincerely beloved and held most sacred in their hearts.

Especially Di Yiwei, seemingly lazy with aloof temperament—in twenty years of garrison life, this was her first time.

White light like sea, black-robed woman riding like wind. She smiled in the crowd’s center, not delivering stirring speeches, not displaying legendary powerful talents and martial prowess, just clasping fists on horseback like ordinary people treating encountered colleagues and friends, smile warm, manner easy-going.

She clasped fists, sweeping past the crowd, leaving behind a distant remark: “Danger behind, don’t gather in groups, let the children disperse!”

A group of burly soldiers, many older than her, looked at each other.

Somewhat amusing, somewhat warm, somewhat surging, finally becoming a moved sigh.

Di Yiwei laughed, spurring her horse to chase out, also waving at those behind like herding ducks: “Performance over, all scram!”

Everyone knew that against those monsters, more people meant more disadvantage. Large armies served little purpose at this time.

Following behind her, Tian Wu cheerfully raised his fan-like hand, touching his head.

Earlier he’d specially squeezed to the front—His Majesty saw him.

His Majesty was still that person who looked very warm.

Just a bit too thin.

Di Yiwei galloped wildly, catching up to Tie Ci, whipping her horse’s rump: “Running so fast for what? Dogs chasing you?”

Immediately realizing her slip of tongue, wanting to bite herself.

Indeed, Tie Ci turned back with a smiling glance.

Fortunately, though the Emperor was mischievous, she generally left people room, not continuing the joke, instead smiling: “Rushing to handle serious business…”

Di Yiwei caught up two steps, couldn’t help saying: “You’ve really decided? Really going to…”

Tie Ci said: “Didn’t you say he’d already reached the border?”

“Yes, at Pojing City.” Di Yiwei said. “I thought he’d secretly cross the border. Waited ages for him not to come, yet kept sending his people into our territory. What, treating me like a dead person?”

“Didn’t you still let people in?”

“Wasn’t it because I knew he sent people to protect you?” Di Yiwei took a puff of her pipe, breathing out clouds: “Never expected such a person to actually honor promises so much. This is really called… what… fearing to hurt the mouse while trying to throw something at the rat?”

Tie Ci glared at her: “Read more books when you have nothing to do!”

Di Yiwei waved her pipe to acknowledge the decree.

By now they’d left the military formation. Ahead at the plain’s end, Pojing City’s outline was faintly visible.

The group stopped on the plain, with Tian Wu leading everyone to underground cave dwellings prepared beforehand for rest.

Choosing underground residences was to avoid drone surveillance. Over these months, Yong Ping and surrounding areas had been preparing. This cave dwelling had a tunnel connecting to Pojing City.

Pojing City had stopped functioning beforehand, most residents relocated, only a few unwilling to leave remaining.

December in Yong Ping was already very cold, sky overcast threatening snow. Tie Ci entered the cellar, ordering other followers to rest quickly.

Half an hour later, Tie Ci emerged from her resting chamber, having changed outfit and face.

She looked like an ordinary beautiful girl, wearing local people’s common sapphire blue homespun cross-collar narrow-sleeve jacket, black and white cotton pleated skirt, light blue cloth sash around waist—the attire of ordinary modest young ladies in the Yong Ping area.

Behind her, Pingzong had changed from her signature red and white brocade dress to pink cotton jacket and skirt, pouting with some dissatisfaction, tugging at her jacket hem.

As for Di Yiwei, she dressed extremely old-fashioned in indigo homespun robe, hunched back, plus that pipe—at first glance ten years older.

So much so that when Xiahou Chun secretly opened his door and saw her, he didn’t recognize her.

Di Yiwei hunched past him, tapping his head with her pipe bowl, muttering: “Young fellow, looking for whom?”

Xiahou Chun: “…”

Ahead was a passage to Pojing City. A door opened along the corridor, Mu Si and Zhao San walked out with complex expressions, looking at Tie Ci.

They hadn’t gone to the capital, following Murong Yi’s orders to lead people following behind Tie Ci, escorting her all the way.

Behind Tie Ci actually trailed more than one escort team. The capital had sent elite troops under Xiahou Chun’s personal command, Haiyou also sent guard troops under Qi You’s command, plus Mu Si’s team.

But everyone was strictly ordered not to follow closely. She kept only the strongest, most experienced in dealing with otherworldly visitors by her side. If others approached, they’d only throw their lives away needlessly.

These teams all served as support, medical care, and spare horse units following behind. Mu Si and Zhao San followed all the way, witnessing firsthand how arduous this journey was. The enemy didn’t launch major attacks again, only following closely like ghosts. People needed rest, but those flying machines in the sky didn’t. They normally followed distantly, but seized opportunities to approach and attack. Tie Ci’s team could only rest in shifts, traveling day and night.

Mu Si and Zhao San also saw how Tie Ci dealt with the opposition’s endless emerging monsters all the way, accumulating more and more experience, saw how she commanded popular support throughout Da Qian, with masses willing to die for her—commoners had tried using hoes to smash down those flying monsters for her, commoners willing to substitute their bodies when electric light shot down. To avoid such incidents, she didn’t fear hardship, taking mountain paths more often, crossing mountains and rivers. In poor mountains and bad waters, there were still traveling merchants, mountain hunters, distant traders constantly providing various hidden routes and favorable traps, helping her travel quickly and safely while occasionally digging pits for the opposition.

This journey’s experiences were recorded by specialized recorders from both Da Qian and Da Feng, following while immediately having story books and songs spread worldwide. People of both Da Qian and Da Feng knew Da Qian and its Emperor faced extremely terrifying enemies, while Da Qian’s Emperor did everything possible to protect her people.

However, Da Feng people initially watched from the sidelines, always feeling the opposition coveted Da Qian’s prosperity, wanting to occupy Da Qian. This was good for Da Feng. The Grand Marshal even memorialized His Majesty to seize the opportunity and send troops, perhaps even picking up scraps.

Then the Grand Marshal was imprisoned.

The Emperor imprisoned important ministers without explanation. It’s said that day the Emperor laughed wildly in the palace, saying something like “I’ve taken such pains for these years, who knew there’d be this twist? Since it’s so, then it’s easy to handle.”

Of course, no one understood these words.

At the time, civilian discussion about sending troops to occupy Da Qian was heated. Da Feng’s environment was harsh, people fierce and warlike, always favoring military action.

Until hearing the Emperor in court directly rebuked ministers: “You short-sighted fools with vulgar knowledge actually think those otherworldly monsters only covet Da Qian?”

“Neighboring countries are interdependent as lips and teeth. If Da Qian perishes instantly, how can Da Feng remain safe alone?”

People half-believed this, but soon an incident in Da Feng’s Ru Zhou changed many minds.

That night, Da Feng’s famous general Wang Yan, a distinguished military officer under the late Emperor, had his residence suddenly attacked. Witnesses saw a black-clothed person single-handedly enter Wang’s residence, burning, killing, and plundering, finally summoning a silver light that split Wang Yan in half on the spot.

Wang Yan was a hundred-battle general with famous horizontal training hard skills. His residence maintained countless masters. Though long retired, he had countless disciples and acted arrogantly. Both his personal and residence strength were formidable. He once boasted that even if great armies attacked his residence, he could hold for three days without breaking.

Yet that day, in broad daylight, one person openly kicked down his residence’s ironwood gate supposedly unbreakable by cannon fire, moving like lightning and ghost, instantly killing all his household guards.

Many commoners witnessed that person being taller and stronger than ordinary people, muscles knotted throughout, with strength, speed, and stamina unlike humans—like a tireless giant leopard, instantly leaving corpses everywhere.

More importantly, when dealing with the strongest Wang Yan, the opponent didn’t even act personally.

Just beckoning once, a strange silver light appeared from nowhere, instantly killing the old general wearing protective armor and possessing horizontal training skills.

Such power and brutality created enormous shock.

When that monster left, he laughed strangely: “Da Qian will soon be in our grasp, next will be your turn!”

Everyone watched that person disappear ghostlike in public, no one able to match that terrifying speed.

News spread like wind, causing panic, immediately extinguishing talk of sending troops.

But some said Da Qian’s Emperor deliberately diverted disaster eastward—otherwise why flee specifically north? She deliberately led monsters toward Da Feng!

The Emperor smiled and shrugged: “So what if it’s deliberate? They’re still on their own territory now—can our Da Feng control that? I say, the more it’s like this, the more we should maintain good relations with Da Qian, so they won’t be unscrupulous with us.”

Ministers thought about it and had to admit the Emperor’s twisted logic had some merit, but whether this proposal came from public spirit or private desire could only be asked of the Emperor himself.

So in panic, ministers suggested the Emperor contact Da Qian’s Emperor, inquiring about good methods for dealing with monsters, or simply allying with Da Qian against enemies.

That day the Emperor was greatly pleased, saying this plan was excellent, but asking for important military intelligence—how could they ask empty-handed? Even visiting neighbors required bringing eggs.

Ministers fell silent briefly, suggesting they could send state gifts.

His Majesty said this egg was too light—he couldn’t give it.

Ministers looked at each other, wondering what he wanted to send. Da Feng itself?

Looking at your eager expression, what are you excited about?

Some immediately subtly reminded him of his coronation oath.

Others remained silent—this silent majority was most.

After all, after several years of torment by this perverse Emperor, many ministers couldn’t bear it, yet were reluctant to resign because though the Emperor was demanding in other ways, salaries were generous and increased yearly.

This situation led to everyone’s contradiction and pain, nearly split personalities.

Sometimes even thinking: let it be destroyed, let Da Feng merge with Da Qian. They’d heard Da Qian’s Empress was benevolent and kind, always able to control their own monster. If the two countries merged, perhaps their good days would come.

Recently hearing about Da Qian Emperor’s solitary flight made them think even more—an emperor so protective of subjects, willing to risk herself, would surely treat surrendering ministers well?

As long as they remained ministers regardless of who was emperor, better to choose a decent one.

Due to these secret thoughts, ministers recently attacking Da Qian and clamoring for annexation were becoming fewer.

Originally incompatible things that would never happen were gradually developing in strange directions under certain people’s deliberate actions.

After all, regarding dynastic change, vested interest groups were the most fiercely opposed—commoners only cared about decent living.

Seeing the hall’s strange silence, the Emperor’s smile was mocking: “What are you thinking? I just thought, Pojing City houses citizens of both sides, with solid walls and strong garrison, easy to defend and hard to attack. If Da Qian’s side gets pressed too hard, we can agree to let Da Qian people take refuge in Pojing City and surroundings. This would benefit mutual coexistence and prosperity, forever bound in friendship.”

Somehow, ministers all felt when His Majesty spoke of “forever bound in friendship,” his gaze burned with special meaning.

So they breathed relief, agreeing one after another.

The Emperor further proposed personally inspecting Pojing City, preparing Da Feng for otherworldly visitors. What could ministers say? Just the matter of delivering a basket of eggs while throwing in an emperor.

When news reached Mu Si and Zhao San, Mu Si was removing his muscle clothing, wiping blood spatters from his body.

That’s right—the “otherworldly visitor” who slaughtered Wang Yan was his friendly performance.