437: The court discussed matters and launched an expedition to the south

The next day.

News spread throughout Great Zhou that five cities had been sacrificed by the Yao Race, and tens of millions of citizens had died.

The heroes were furious!

Whether they were wandering Jianghu Cultivators, evil people who usually committed many wrongdoings, or ordinary citizens, they all hated the Yao Race to the bone and wished they could immediately go to the Yao Race.

Capital.

Imperial Palace, Golden Luan Hall.

The Empress sat on the throne with a serious expression.

It seemed she had rushed back in such a hurry that she hadn't even worn her veil.

Some ministers, seeing her true face for the first time, immediately held their breath, as if entranced.

However, they quickly suppressed this reaction.

Because they could see that the Empress's face was terrifyingly gloomy at this moment, like a volcano about to erupt at any time.

Also attending this court session were the leaders of various forces.

Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Su Xiaobai, Ghost Gate Demon Sect Second Hall Master Li Luo, Xuan Yue Dao Sect Sect Master Bing Ling, Celestial Mystery Pavilion Lord Ji Xuan.

It was evident how serious the matter to be discussed was.

Chief Sun stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, your old subject heard that the five most prosperous main cities in the Southern Continent were sacrificed by Rolling Pig Yao King. Is this true?"

"Yes," the Empress replied.

The air in the hall immediately quieted down, then erupted into a roar of anger.

"Beasts, these beasts!"

"Our Human Race has always valued harmony and has never actively invaded the territory of other races, but now, they actually lay hands on these defenseless citizens!"

"Your Majesty, this matter absolutely requires an explanation from the Yao Race!"

Chief Sun's face was flushed with anger, and his chest heaved violently.

Other ministers echoed his sentiments.

The Empress raised her hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet, her golden pupils radiating authority without anger.

"I know your indignation, so I have summoned the leaders of the major forces here to discuss the South Campaign against the Yao Race."

"Wh-what? South Campaign?" Chief Sun paused for a moment. He had thought the Empress would at most seek an explanation from the Yao Race and then negotiate for some compensation.

But he had never imagined that the Empress would directly raise an army for the South Campaign!

"...Your Majesty, forgive my words, but the overall national strength of the Yao Race surpasses ours. A South Campaign may not be a good choice."

Chief Sun spoke earnestly.

He was a minister during the time of the previous emperor. At that time, the Yao Race was at its zenith, and people's fear of the Yao Race was ingrained in their bones.

Even after Moye Chen led the army to defeat the Yao Race, this fear had not truly diminished, because the Yao Race's strongest Yao Emperor was still alive.

But as soon as he finished speaking, a minister immediately stood up to object.

"Hmph! I, on the other hand, think Your Majesty's words are very true. Our Human Race has always been law-abiding, yet we are constantly bullied. Now the Yao Race has even massacred tens of millions of our Human Race's citizens. It's time for them to pay their blood debt!"

"Exactly! Always being timid, what kind of conduct is that! If it's a South Campaign, your subject is willing to go with the army, even if it means death!"

Several ministers stood out, their faces resolute.

However, there were also some ministers who held the same opinion as Chief Sun.

They criticized, "You are too reckless. If the South Campaign fails and our national strength declines, it is very likely that we will face retaliation from the Yao Race!"

"At that time, hundreds of millions of citizens will be displaced. Can you bear this responsibility?!"

Both sides argued, neither yielding.

"Silence!"

The Empress coldly shouted, her voice shaking the entire hall.

The ministers immediately dared not speak further and quieted down.

"I am not here to discuss with you whether or not to attack the Yao Race, but to discuss with you how to deal with the Yao Race, do you understand?" The Empress looked down at the crowd below.

Her attitude was already very clear; no one could change the decision to launch the South Campaign against the Yao Race.

Chief Sun hesitated to speak, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

If it had been during the time of the previous tripartite power, his words might have had some effect, but ever since the Prince Party fell, the Empress had already taken sole control of power, and no one dared to defy her.

"I intend to appoint Commander Su as the Grand Marshal for this South Campaign. Do any of you have objections?" the Empress asked again.

The ministers were overjoyed upon hearing this.

"If it's Lord Su, then nothing could be better!"

"Only Lord Su is worthy of this position!"

This time, everyone's opinions were surprisingly consistent. There was no way around it; Su Xiaobai's military achievements were too brilliant.

The youngest Second Realm Cultivator, who single-handedly killed five Great Yao Kings, including even the Peak Peerless Great Peng of the Second Realm, even the former Moye Chen had not achieved such a feat.

They could not think of anyone more suitable than him.

"We respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree," Su Xiaobai bowed.

The Empress nodded slightly and looked at Li Luo, Bing Ling, and Ji Xuan.

"The three of you are rare powerhouses of our Great Zhou. I hope the three of you can assist Marshal Su in eradicating the Yao Race. What are your thoughts?"

The three exchanged glances, then bowed, "We will certainly do our utmost."

In fact, among them, Li Luo was Su Xiaobai's subordinate, and Bing Ling was Su Xiaobai's Revered Master; their attitudes were self-evident.

The most important was Ji Xuan's thoughts.

Although this Celestial Mystery Pavilion Lord was only in the First Realm, he could peer into the heavens' secrets. His role in war was even greater than that of an ordinary Second Realm powerhouse.

Moreover, Su Xiaobai had always felt that he was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

However, Ji Xuan showed no intention of backing down and readily agreed.

"Good!" The Empress stood up, waved her jade hand, "Pass down my decree: effective immediately, conscript the entire nation! But remember, adhere to the principle of voluntary enlistment."

"Appoint Su Xiaobai as the Grand Marshal of the Armies, Pavilion Lord Ji Xuan as the Strategist, and Sect Master Bing Ling and Hall Revered Master Li Luo as General of Thousand Frost and General of Shadow respectively."

"Ten days from now, raise the army for the South Campaign!!"

"We respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree!" The ministers bowed deeply.

...

Soon, the news of conscription spread throughout Great Zhou and caused a fervent reaction.

According to the Empress and others' estimations, it would be quite good if they could recruit one million soldiers capable of going to war in the end.

But the actual number of people who came to sign up was tens of millions!

And among them, the number of Cultivators was not small.

Some Jianghu recluses who had previously lived in seclusion, as well as Disciples from various large and small Sects, and even some immortal cultivation families, successively joined the South Campaign army.

In just five days, the number of Cultivators reached three million!

This was an extremely terrifying number. Even when Moye Chen led his army to fight the Southern Demon back then, there were only one million Cultivators.

In a true battle against the Yao Race, ordinary people could play a very minor role. The key was still the confrontation between Cultivators and the various demons.

Su Xiaobai stood on the city wall, hands behind his back, gazing south.

His eyes were deep and distant, lost in thought.

A few soldiers waited respectfully in the distance.

At this moment, Ji Xuan, dressed in a Daoist robe, came to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Do you know the danger of this battle?" he suddenly asked.

"...I know," Su Xiaobai's eyes were calm, "But what does it matter? Some things must be done by someone."

Ji Xuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "A few days ago, I peered into the heavens' secrets and concluded that if we don't reach Demon Emperor City within half a year, Great Zhou will perish."

Su Xiaobai's pupils suddenly constricted. He turned and stared intently at him, "The Yao Emperor will fully awaken in half a year?"

"Mm," Ji Xuan nodded slightly, a bitter smile on his face, "This is also why I unhesitatingly supported you in attacking the Yao Race. We have no retreat."

"...What if we do reach Demon Emperor City?" Su Xiaobai asked.

"Alas! The starlight is dim, and treacherous clouds surge, with only a sliver of light," Ji Xuan's face showed a heavy expression.

"Even if we reach Demon Emperor City, there's only a sliver of hope?" Su Xiaobai frowned deeply, but soon, his eyes once again shone with determined resolve.

"Even if there's only a sliver of hope, I will turn it into reality!"

Ji Xuan smiled slightly, his gaze filled with admiration.

"Su Xiaobai, get out here!"

Just as the two were talking, a female voice came from not far away.