Chapter 53: Expedition
Inside the Golden Throne Hall, the atmosphere was as solemn as lead. Emperor Nangong Yu, seated on the dragon throne, wore a sullen expression, clutching tightly in his hand a dusty, 800-mile-long urgent military report.
All the civil and military officials of His Highness, including Prince Yong Nangong Ye and Marquis Zhenguo Dongfang Liezheng, held their breath and concentrated, and the air seemed to freeze.
"Fuying Country..."
Nangong Yu's voice was low and suppressed, carrying the rage of thunder.
"They tore up the trade treaty, brazenly allowed their troops to cross the border, and attacked our important border town, Rock Fort! They burned, killed, looted, and slaughtered our border residents! Their actions are appalling! Their intentions are clear as day!"
“Wow—”
The court erupted in fury, denouncing Fu Ying's betrayal and ulterior motives.
Dongfang Yuning, sitting on his exclusive luxurious stool, was dressed in a scarlet county dynasty uniform. His originally calm face instantly became covered with a layer of frost when he heard the three words "Fuying Kingdom".
She clenched her hands in her sleeves so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms.
【system! 】
She roared silently from the depths of her consciousness, her anger almost bursting through her head.
[I knew it! I knew none of these bastards were good! A dog will always eat shit! They've been treacherous and ungrateful since their great-great ...
Look! Retribution has arrived! My points! Why did my points suddenly increase so much?! Is it because of these bastards?!]
System 118's electronic voice carried a strange excitement:
[Ding—an emergency event triggers a hidden mission for the sake of family and country! The Fuying Nation has betrayed its allies and brazenly invaded, seriously threatening the host's country and its interests!
System Judgment: This is a major crisis and opportunity! Points Reward: A one-time surge of 500,000,000 points! Host's current points: 989,875,230 points!
Dongfang Yuning: [!!! 900 million points?! I'm rich!]
The rage was instantly diluted by the huge surprise, but was soon replaced by an even stronger fighting spirit:
[Exchange! Exchange for me! What high-end weapons! Rocket launchers! Gatling guns! Tanks! Exchange them for me!]
I'm going to go to the front lines myself and blow that damn emperor's lair into a firework! Make Fuying Country disappear from the map! Not a scrap of it will be left!]
System 118:
[…Host, calm down! Please maintain your character! This system strictly adheres to the 'Plane Technology Balance Regulations'. Hot weapons (such as rocket launchers, Gatling guns, tanks) are absolutely prohibited! The exchange list has been locked!]
It paused, and the electronic sound suddenly took on a hint of temptation.
[However... given the current critical situation and the host's sufficient points, this system can provide a... ultimate formula... enough to change the very nature of war, to blind all armies of this era, and to make all nations tremble in fear!]
Dongfang Yuning's eyes lit up instantly:
[What's the recipe?! Tell me!]
System 118: [Earthshaking Thunder—Optimal Black Powder Ratio and Simple Granulation, Fuze Production Process! Includes a Basic Blasting Application Guide (City Defense Edition)! Redemption Points Required: 9,950,000!
Friendly reminder: While this item isn't a modern firearm, its impact on this plane is undeniably explosive! Once successfully deployed, it could render Rock Fort impregnable and strike fear into the hearts of the Fuying army! Want to exchange it?]
Dongfang Yuning had almost no hesitation:
[Change! Must change! Immediately! Right now!]
She had already seen the spectacular sight of the Fuying army being blown to pieces.
What's wrong with being backward? Only backward people need dimensionality reduction attacks! Let them taste the power of technology! Tremble, Fuying dwarfs!
Just as Dongfang Yuning's heart was filled with passion, he bargained with the system (one-sidedly) and spent 9 million points to exchange for the Earth-shaking Thunder formula -
In the Golden Palace, an extremely strange pantomime was being performed, a mixture of suppressed laughter and excitement.
Emperor Nangong Yu sat on the dragon throne, trying to maintain his imperial majesty and anger, but the muscles at the corners of his eyes twitched slightly uncontrollably. His mind was frantically scrolling through the screen:
[Oh my! My sister-in-law! My living ancestor! My gift of wealth... no, the gift of Thunder Bodhisattva! You want to destroy Fu Ying?!
Good! Excellent! Brother-in-law will help you! I'll definitely help you accomplish this! No need for your "Gatling" or "tank" (I don't understand them, but they sound really impressive). Brother-in-law will mobilize the entire nation to crush Fuying!
Guaranteed to completely extinguish, leaving no trace! That earth-shaking thunder! Just sounds exciting! Quick! Write down the formula! My Ministry of Works and the Chief of Construction are starving!]
Standing at the head of the generals is the Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng, who stands tall and straight like a pine tree, with a resolute and stern face, looking like a loyal minister who is ready to sacrifice his life for the country at any time.
However, the knuckles of his clenched fists turned white, not because of anger, but because... he was holding back his laughter! And that indescribable excitement!
[Little sister! My dear sister! What kind of magical treasures are you thinking of?! 'Gatling gun'? 'Tank'? I don't know what it is, but it sounds a hundred times more ferocious than our Mo Dao!]
It's a shame I can't change it... But that Earthshaking Thunder! What a great name! So powerful! Just hearing it makes me feel better! Quick! I'll head to the border and capture a few Fuying generals for you to test out their power!]
Meanwhile, Nangong Ye, standing beside Dongfang Yuning, wore a dark-colored dragon robe that made his face look like a jade, his temperament cool and detached. He seemed to be listening intently to the emperor's instructions, but in reality, his entire mind was focused on his fiancée's turbulent emotions.
When he heard that she wanted to exchange for Earthshaking Thunder, a terrifying glint instantly flashed in his deep eyes! It was the excitement of seeing the dawn of victory and the enemy's doom approaching!
He suppressed the cheers that were about to burst out, but his Adam's apple rolled uncontrollably and his hands in his sleeves trembled slightly with excitement.
[Ning'er... my Ning'er... you always bring miracles! Earth-shaking thunder... Great! With this magical item, there's no need to worry about the Fuying River being broken! The soldiers at the border are saved!]
At the same time, a trace of worry flashed through his heart:
[This item is extremely powerful, so be extremely careful when making and using it! I must protect her every step of the way!]
"His Majesty!"
Nangong Ye and Dongfang Liezheng took a step forward almost at the same time, their voices resounding, their fighting spirit soaring to the sky.
"I, your humble servant, request a fight! I am willing to lead our elite troops to rescue Panshi Fort, drive out Fuying, and enhance our nation's prestige!"
"good!"
Nangong Yu slammed the dragon table and was about to approve the request.
"Wait a moment!"
A clear female voice suddenly rang out, carrying an unquestionable momentum.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Fuxing Princess Dongfang Yuning also standing out. Her face was tense and her eyes were sharp as knives:
"Your Majesty! I want to go too!"
The entire court: "!!!"
How could the princess, a princess of great wealth, go to such a dangerous place in person?
Nangong Yu's eyelids twitched, and he thought:
[Ancestor! What are you doing? The front lines are full of swords and merciless weapons! If you make a mistake, what will happen to your 'Earth-Shaking Thunder' formula?! Will Ye-kun fight me to the death?!]
Before the emperor could speak, Dongfang Yuning had already started talking, with high-sounding reasons and full of momentum:
"First, the Fuying Kingdom has betrayed its trust and brazenly tore up the trade agreement, severely violating the rules of commerce! As the owner of the 'Fuxing Chamber of Commerce,' I must personally travel to the border and terminate all commercial cooperation with the Fuying Kingdom! From today on, Fuxing milk tea, Fuxing soap, Fuxing glass mirrors... not a single grain of rice, not a single drop of water from the Fuxing Chamber of Commerce, will ever again flow into Fuying! No matter how much gold they offer, I will not sell them!"
She paused, raised her chin, and said loudly,
"Let them also have a taste of what 'sanctions' are like!"
[Host, the commercial sanctions are well-reasoned and logical. But please be careful.]
System 118 timely comments.
The court officials were stunned. Commercial sanctions? The term was new, but the meaning was clear: cut off supply! Starve them to death! It would be a relief!
Dongfang Yuning continued, with a hint of barely perceptible excitement in her voice (thinking of her 'earth-shaking thunder'):
"Secondly, I also have several properties on the border that need to be inspected, and this is a perfect opportunity to handle them all at once. Thirdly..."
She glanced at Nangong Ye and Dongfang Liezheng with absolute trust.
"With His Royal Highness Prince Yong and my brother, two peerless generals, by my side, I am safe! Moreover, perhaps... I can even bring a little surprise to the soldiers defending the city."
The entire court, including the emperor, was furiously thinking:
[Surprise?! It's 'Earthshaking Thunder', right?! Absolutely! How can that be called a 'small' surprise?! My God, you're so modest!]
[Hurry up and agree to her request! Let her go! Bring the recipe with her! Rock Castle is saved!]
[The princess is mighty! Bring your secret weapon and blow him up!]
Nangong Yu looked at Dongfang Yuning's attitude of "I'll take care of it", then looked at Nangong Ye and Dongfang Liezheng beside her with firm eyes, who were obviously determined to protect her with all their strength, and thought about the "Earth-shaking Thunder" formula that was enough to change the situation of the battle... What else could he say?
"Permission granted!"
His Majesty the Emperor waved his hand and gave a decisive order.
"I order Prince Yong, Nangong Ye, to be the Grand General of the Western Expedition, and Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng, to be the Deputy Commander-in-Chief. They are to immediately assemble 50,000 elite troops and rush to the aid of Rock Fort! Princess Fuxing, Dongfang Yuning, will accompany the army and inspect border commerce! Prince Yong!"
Nangong Yu looked at Nangong Ye with burning eyes and said in a serious tone,
"Princess Fuxing is a blessing to our dynasty and a national treasure! I order you to protect her closely! Never leave her side! If anything goes wrong... you will be held accountable!"
The last sentence was almost uttered through gritted teeth, the subtext being: The recipe is still there! If the recipe is gone... don't come back!
Nangong Ye knelt on one knee, his voice steady and powerful, with great determination:
"Your Majesty, I obey your command! I will protect the princess with my own life!"
He looked up, his eyes meeting Dongfang Yuning's in mid-air. No words were needed; everything was self-explanatory—your safety is more important than my life. I'll protect your "surprise."
Dongfang Liezheng also clasped his fists and accepted the order, looking at his sister with eyes full of pride and determination.
[Host, your request to join the army has been approved. Please note: The battlefield environment is complex. Please obey the instructions of the Prince and the Marquis and do not act without authorization. The formula and preparation of 'Earth-Shaking Thunder' must be kept strictly confidential. It is recommended that you research it after arriving at a safe location.]
System 118 calm reminder.
Dongfang Yuning:
[I know, I know! Stop nagging! System, hurry up! Import the detailed recipe information into my head! I'll study it carefully on the way! Hey, Fuying's little dwarfs, wait for this 'blinding' gift from me!]
The villain in her heart is already rubbing his hands and can't wait.
The bell rang to signal the end of court. Nangong Ye and Dongfang Liezheng immediately began mobilizing their troops, preparing to march. Dongfang Yuning, on the other hand, walked briskly outside, her face brimming with excitement at the prospect of "showcasing her talents." She was oblivious to the fact that behind her, Emperor Nangong Yu, her eldest brother Dongfang Liezheng, and several prominent officials who were sitting close by and had particularly sharp ears were all watching her leave with a complex mixture of intense anticipation, immense curiosity, and desperately trying to suppress laughter.
That look seemed to say: Princess/sister/little ancestor, your "little" surprise... just how "surprise" is it? We... wait and see!
(And silently prayed that I would have the opportunity to witness the spectacular scene of the Fuying army being "blinded"!)
Banners fluttered, armor clanged. On the official road leading to Rock Fort in the western border, a massive army, filled with murderous intent yet tinged with a strange sense of anticipation, marched westward.
At the core of the team, in an extremely sturdy prince's carriage reinforced with fine iron, Nangong Ye sat upright with his eyes closed, but in fact all his senses were focused on the person next to him.
Dongfang Liezheng rode a tall horse, guarding the carriage, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.
Inside the carriage, Dongfang Yuning was closing his eyes, seemingly resting, but in fact, deep in his consciousness, he was enthusiastically discussing with System 118 the details of the "Earth-Shaking Thunder" formula that was enough to make the entire era "tremble". On the corner of his mouth hung an excited and dangerous smile, as if something big was about to happen.
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