The butler, Old Pang, reached out and pulled a silk thread behind Grand Tutor Jun Zhantian's armchair, and a piercing bell rang across the Jun family estate; then, he followed silently in the old man's wake, his face a mask of cold resolution.
He had already guessed what Jun Zhantian was about to do, but he would not stop him. Not only would he not stop him, he was determined to follow! Without complaint, without regret!
Downstairs, a wheelchair waited silently. Jun Wuyi sat bolt upright, his sword-like brows furrowed into a murderous glare that reached the heavens. When he saw his father descend, not a flicker of emotion crossed Jun Wuyi's face. Their eyes met, and then each turned away, neither speaking a word.
At this moment, there was no need for any further words.
Dozens of shadowy figures rushed in from all directions, standing silently in three neat rows within the courtyard. Their eyes were placid as they watched Jun Zhantian, knowing that whatever he intended to do, these men would follow him until... they reached the Yellow Springs together!
Amidst the deep shadows, countless more people gathered around like specters, waiting silently for the command. The hidden strength of the Jun family was unleashed completely, without reservation, at this very moment...
Old Master Jun stepped forward and spoke a few low words. Suddenly, the figures in the shadow receded like a tidal wave, vanishing instantly, as if a storm of blood and gore had scattered into the vastness. Even the howling wind in the air seemed to grow thick at that moment...
Standing silently for a moment, facing the crisp night air, Jun Zhantian took a deep breath, only to feel an overwhelming scent of blood choking his lungs! Mounting his horse, Jun Zhantian’s face was like cold iron; his crimson cloak billowed against the night sky, merging with the color of fresh blood.
The remaining group followed in silence, each mounting their horses and falling in behind him. Jun Wuyi slapped the armrests of his wheelchair, launched himself into the air, and landed steadily on a horse's back. He shook the reins and followed. The sound of hooves gradually faded until it was no longer heard.
Moments later, the military headquarters was ablaze with light. Jun Zhantian sat rigidly in his uniform upon the main hall. Outside, forty great drums began to beat, low and earth-shaking...
As the drums resonated, more and more men in full battle dress, helms shining and armor gleaming, arrived at a gallop! They dismounted beneath the mobilization platform and stood as straight and unwavering as spears!
The numbers swelled. Each man was silent, but in their gaze toward Jun Zhantian, seated high upon the general’s throne, there was only overwhelming fervor!
The Old Marshal! It had been so long... since the Rallying Drums had sounded! Those years of endless battle, of raging fires on every front... how they were missed!
The drums ceased!
Beneath the mobilization platform, the assembled generals stood with solemn faces. On either side, dozens of great banners snapped and roared in the night wind, their sound a low moan, like a thousand voices weeping at once!
Jun Zhantian rose from his seat and walked onto the platform. His sharp eyes swept over the assembly, and he demanded, "Is anyone absent?!"
"We are all present! Awaiting the Old Marshal's command!" Hundreds of voices roared in unison, perfectly matched.
"Good! Tonight, your old master will execute a deed that will shake the heavens and the earth!" An unmistakable killing intent flared in Jun Zhantian's keen eyes:
"All generals, hear my command!"
"We are here!"
"Shen Zhou Nan!"
"Present!"
"You will command your contingent to hold the West Gate! No one leaves the city without my explicit order! If you find any disturbance, move to suppress it immediately!" Jun Zhantian laid particular, heavy emphasis on the word "anyone."
"Yes, sir!"
"Jun Nian Feng!"
"Present!"
"You are responsible for the East Gate!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Zhan Ji Tian!"
"Present!"
"The North Gate!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Chan Lin Yu!..."
"...Present!"
"The South Gate!..."
"The rest will follow me..."
A string of orders was issued. Each man stepped forward, received his token, and turned to leave. Not a single one dared to ask why. These were all Jun Zhantian's old subordinates, the core pillar of the Jun family's military faction. They knew only to execute Jun Zhantian's commands, never questioning the justification!
Even unto death!
Especially Shen Zhou Nan, Zhan Ji Tian, Chan Lin Yu, and Jun Nian Feng—they were the Old Master's four most capable Marshals! They were four untamable, iron-blooded war fanatics; they would execute Jun Zhantian's orders absolutely, whether right or wrong! They formed the current backbone of the Jun military group!
As each general took their orders and departed, the look in Jun Zhantian's eyes grew colder.
Moxie, watch me avenge you! Tonight, all who opposed you, all who are suspected, will be buried with you.
Just as the war drums began to sound—
Deep in the night, within the Imperial Palace, His Majesty Yang Huaiyu of the Tianxiang Kingdom jolted awake and roared, "What is that sound?" The Emperor, a man who had once led armies in person and was now in the prime of his life, felt an inexplicable, tremendous sense of crisis! It was as if... something world-shattering was unfolding.
Outside the sleeping chambers, a smooth, effeminate voice reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it sounds like... the sound of war drums, Sire."
"War drums?" The Emperor frowned, then suddenly started, "War drums? The Rallying Drums!!" His face went ashen. He vaulted off the bed, hastily grabbing a cloak and throwing it over his nightclothes, and strode out. He listened intently for a moment, his expression growing grave.
Jun Zhantian!
The Emperor recognized it instantly. These were Jun Zhantian's war drums! In the capital, no other sound could possess such majestic ferocity! Only Jun Zhantian's drums could project such power, enough to rock the entirety of Tianxiang City!
"What in the world is happening today? Something I am unaware of!" the Emperor asked slowly, his face grim. At this moment, he could do anything except rush. Only by first understanding the situation could he grasp why Jun Zhantian would sound the Rallying Drums at such an hour, and thus devise a targeted countermeasure.
"This servant knows not." Upon questioning, the six eunuchs attending him knelt simultaneously, none offering an answer.
"Investigate!"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant recalls that an hour ago, Princess Lingmeng sought an audience with Your Majesty. I do not know the reason," a middle-aged eunuch cautiously stepped forward from behind the Emperor, replying smoothly.
"Lingmeng? What business could she have? Lingmeng is always so dutiful; she would never disturb me at such an hour unless it was critical! Why was her request not relayed to me?... Who dares to be so audacious as to interfere with this matter!" The Emperor immediately sensed the underlying strangeness.
"..." The eunuch stammered, unable to speak, his eyes darting toward the sleeping chambers.
"Summon Lingmeng immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Consort Meng! Step out here for Us!" The Emperor roared, and a beautiful woman draped in sheer gauze drifted forward and knelt on the ground.
"I ask you, what was Lingmeng's business with me? Why did you deny her access?" The Emperor's gaze was like ice, devoid of any warmth.
"The Princess... she said she was attacked, but I... I saw no injuries on her, and her demeanor was as usual. I thought it was just a child's tantrum, and besides, Your Majesty was already asleep, so I... I dared not disturb you," Consort Meng replied fearfully.
"My daughter was attacked, and you barred her from seeing me, her father; and you call it a child's tantrum? Heh heh heh... You truly are this Emperor's favorite consort." The Emperor's tone was gentle, seemingly taking the matter lightly, but the Consort Meng kneeling on the floor began to tremble violently. She knew that when the Emperor spoke in that particular manner, someone's head was certain to roll!
The Emperor leaned close to her ear and whispered softly, "I reckon you wouldn't have the gall to do this alone, but what the eldest son promised you is certainly not going to happen. And I will not allow it either!" Consort Meng's eyes flew wide with terror, and her body collapsed onto the ground.
"Take Consort Meng away, confine her to the Cold Palace to await judgment! No one is permitted to approach her!" The Emperor’s decree was calm, yet it sealed the fate of the former high-ranking Consort Meng.
"Father Emperor!" Princess Lingmeng hurried in, her hair slightly disheveled.
"Do not rush. Tell Father exactly what happened today. Come, tell your father, tell me in detail," the Emperor said, smiling benevolently at his daughter, as if nothing had transpired moments before, skillfully hiding the deep coldness in his eyes.