Chapter 652: Farewell
Three days later, Prince Luo of the Southern Territory sent a flying letter back to Imperial City.
After the fall of Heavenly City Jiaming City, it didn’t take long for another Heavenly City to be captured by Demons And Ghosts.
The city lay in ruins, with countless casualties, and the defending soldiers died in battle. Only a few members of the Demon Slaying Department managed to survive.
The news about the Garuda clan that Emperor Ming ordered to be suppressed was also spread out during this disaster. Even if it was not known to everyone, it was not far away, and people panicked for a while.
Twenty years ago, the horrible battle at Zhenling Pass resurfaced in people’s minds as if it were about to happen again.
In the imperial study, Emperor Ming frowned as he looked at the flying letter sent back by Prince Luo.
The contents of the letter described the events before and after the catastrophe, as told by the survivor from Heavenly City.
The Garuda Clan appeared out of nowhere in front of Heavenly City, and a strange giant black Buddha broke through the city’s protective barrier.
The enemy was formidable, and the defending forces were nowhere near enough to resist it.
Among them were top experts; one shot pierced the clouds and directly killed the head of the Demon Slaying Department. However, no one could clearly see who the shooter was.The enemy destroyed the Dragon Sealing Tower, took the Dragon Sealing Stele, and someone set up a formation to extract the Dragon Spirit from the Dragon Vein.
After all this, the Garuda Clan peeled off the hearts of many civilians. It was not until Prince Luo’s troops and the Divine Generals Wind Ghost Bai Wuyou arrived that the enemy fled away.
Bang!
Emperor Ming slammed the letter onto the desk, and Eunuch Li beside him fell silent like a cicada in winter.
At that moment, a decree from the National Teacher of the Heavenly Tower arrived: “Your Majesty, tomorrow is the day of departure.”
…
Soon after, Liu Tianlu and Lie Ying received the decree from Emperor Ming. It was time to leave, and they all knew the news that the Garuda clan had appeared in the southern region and caused disaster.
At the sparring ground of the Divine Marquis Army and the Military War Duke Army, Liu Tianlu and Lie Ying stood in the middle of the platform, overlooking the officers and soldiers with solemn expressions on their faces.
There was no need to exaggerate the power and terror of the Garuda Clan; everyone present understood it all too well. To describe this expedition to the southern region as a matter of life and death was no exaggeration.
The two generals made it clear that if a soldier was the only son in his family, had elderly mothers to care for, or wives and children to support, he could be exempted from this expedition. They wouldn’t be subject to military discipline.
With these words, the training grounds fell silent. The soldiers stood tall, their bodies straight, their eyes filled with fear yet unwavering determination.
They would rather die standing than live on their knees!
Almost simultaneously, the soldiers shouted in unison, a resounding cry of “Kill” echoing across the training grounds for a long time.
Liu Tianlu and Lie Ying were deeply moved. They then ordered the soldiers to return home, reunite with their families, and bid farewell before the expedition.
…
“Dad, go check on Mom, her eyes have been red for a while.”
“Don’t worry, girl. Your mother probably just got some dust in her eyes.” The burly man patted the girl’s head gently with his rough hand and smiled silently.
“Son, when are you and General Liu leaving?” The old father asked with a hunched body, his one leg was missing, it was a scar from fighting demons and ghosts.
“Tomorrow,” the man replied, meticulously wiping his armor. Every mark on it was a testament to his past exploits.
The old father patted his son on the shoulder, his voice choked with emotion. “Do not disgrace the Divine Marquis Army.”
“Father, rest assured. Killing one is no loss, killing two is a gain.” The man raised his long blade, its edge gleaming with a cold light.
“Tie Zhu, can’t we avoid going?” A weathered woman pleaded with red eyes and a trembling voice.
The middle-aged man didn’t answer, he just smiled and asked, “Mom, I want to drink the noodle soup you made tonight.”
The old woman’s face seemed to get more wrinkles at that moment as tears streamed down her face. “Mother will make it for you right away, make sure you eat your fill.”
The sad farewell played out in almost every soldier’s home.
“Don’t laugh at me when I’m lying drunk on the battlefield, how many people return from wars in ancient times?”
…
At the Qin Family Mansion, both Cang Zong and Cang Mu received a message from Old Master Cang Xuan.
The abnormal movement of the Heavenly Pool’s Dragon Abyss, Ancestor’s Copper Coffin, the reappearance of the Garuda Clan, how could the Dragon Clan sit idly by?
In fact, the previous night, Emperor Ming had sent a messenger from the Prison Department to inform them of the news about the Garuda Clan.
This battle was inevitable for the Dragon Clan as well.
The usually lively hall was unusually quiet today.
Everyone was eating the food on the table in silence, even the usually talkative mother-in-law remained silent.
Seeing this, Qin Feng smiled and spoke up after serving the food to his two wives, “Why is everyone so quiet? Do you not like today’s meal?”
“Little brother, are you not hungry today? You’re at a crucial stage in your cultivation, and it’s important to replenish your blood and nutrients.”
“And Jianli and Feilan, you both need to eat more. Even if it is not for you, think of the children in your bellies, they must have big appetites.”
“Alright, big brother,” Qin An scratched his head and replied.
After Qin Feng’s playful banter, the women at the dinner table managed to force out a few smiles.
Second Mother looked at Father Qin beside her and smiled as she said, “Father-in-law, you’re going on an expedition tomorrow, right? . I would like to toast you with this glass of wine and wish you a triumphant return with the Divine Marquis Army.”
Liu Tianlu raised his glass and clinked it with hers, then drank it down in one gulp.
At this moment, Cang Feilan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Father, Aunt, are you going to…”
Cang Mu interrupted with a smile, “You’re in the stage of pregnancy, don’t think about such things. Come, have some more fish soup. Your mother loved it when she was carrying you. Mmm, so fresh~”
The dinner seemed to go by quickly yet leisurely, but eventually, everyone finished eating and left the hall one by one.
Qin Feng and Qin An had just left the hall when Father Qin called out to them.
Father Qin shook his head and gave them a meaningful look, and they hesitantly followed him.
In the courtyard, Father Qin raised his right hand slightly, and Qin Feng and Qin An instinctively covered their faces with their arms.
They were just afraid of getting hit.
Father Qin rubbed his chin and raised his eyebrows. “It’s good that you’re afraid. You two stay in the Qin Mansion and don’t go anywhere. Also, if the Second Mother asks about my whereabouts, how will you respond?”
Qin Feng and Qin An looked at each other and said simultaneously, “Father found a business opportunity and went to the Northern Domain to do business. Second Mother doesn’t need to worry.”
“Mmm.” Father Qin nodded his head in satisfaction.
Seeing the worried expressions in their eyes, Father Qin comforted them by patting their heads and saying, “Don’t look so worried. Who do you think your old man is? I’m the famous Northern Ghost Head. How many existences in this world can be my equal?”
“Besides, since the National Teacher of Heavenly Tower is overseeing this expedition, I’m sure those extraordinary beings won’t cause any trouble under his watchful eye. You two just stay at home and wait for my triumphant return.”
“Of course we believe in you, Father,” they replied.
As the words fell, Qin Feng asked again, “By the way, Father, are you planning to sneak away alone on this trip to the Southern Domain, or will you go with the army?
Father Qin pondered for a moment before replying, “If nothing unexpected happens, I should accompany the Divine Marquis Army. After all, we are in-laws, and it is good to take care of each other.”
Divine Marquis Army, then I will hide in the Military War Duke Army, then dad will not find out… Qin Feng was thoughtful.
“I see.” The second brother nodded, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.