The shadow of war had already loomed over the continent.
Yet, trade remained frequent along the roads between the Balak Royal Capital and Spirit Hall City.
After two days of arduous travel, upon returning to Spirit Hall City, Ye Tian headed straight for the Pope's Hall.
Zhou Long was there assisting Elder Gui Mei in handling military affairs.
Upon learning of Ye Tian's return, he rushed over immediately, his face filled with joy: "Young Master! You're finally back."
"These past few days, Lady Dai Ya has been growing increasingly gaunt."
Ye Tian was both surprised and a little embarrassed: "Does my sister not know I was in Heaven Dou City?"
"Of course she knows—she even knows you've become the Heaven Dou Imperial Preceptor," Zhou Long replied with a bitter smile. "But Lady Dai Ya still worries about you endlessly. No one could stop her."
Realizing he had indeed neglected his sister's feelings, a look of regret flashed across Ye Tian's face.
With Gu Yuena in tow, he made his way to Dai Ya's residence.
Seeing his sister's noticeably thinner face, Ye Tian couldn't help but be moved, his expression apologetic:
"I've made you worry all this time."
Dai Ya's face lit up with delight at Ye Tian's sudden arrival.
There was no trace of blame in her eyes.
She hurried to Ye Tian's side, her golden pupils shining as she gazed at him, standing on tiptoe and stretching out her jade-like arms to embrace him:
"As long as you're back, that's all that matters."
"All these years, I haven't been by your side. I was so afraid of losing you."
Ye Tian knew she carried deep guilt toward him, her younger brother. He smiled softly to comfort her:
"It's not so easy for me to disappear."
"By the way, Sister, I have good news for you—we can take our revenge now."
Hearing this, Dai Ya released Ye Tian.
She looked at him calmly for a moment, then turned her gaze away with a light sigh:
"Our enemy is the Star Luo Emperor."
"I don't want you, Little Tian, to hold onto hatred so heavily. Your safety is what matters most."
"Listen to your sister—don't take any risks, alright?"
Dai Ya was well aware that, given her cultivation and abilities, it would be difficult to oppose the behemoth that was the Star Luo Empire.
Though Ye Tian had some strength, in Dai Ya's eyes, he still couldn't compare to the Star Luo Empire.
She didn't want Ye Tian to spend the rest of his life consumed by vengeance.
For over a decade, she had lived such a life herself.
Pain and nightmares were her constant companions.
Her entire world had been shrouded in gray.
A person shouldn't live solely for hatred.
Ye Tian seemed to understand what Dai Ya was thinking. He smiled faintly and explained:
"Pope Bibi Dong has already decided to mobilize troops against the Star Luo Empire."
"Disasters have struck the eastern provinces of the Star Luo Empire. We can start there and overthrow the Star Luo royal family."
"Even if we don't act, the collapse of the Star Luo royal family will only be delayed, not prevented."
At these words, Dai Ya's eyes froze in shock.
This made her reassess the possibility of revenge.
Avenging her family was something she had longed for even in her dreams.
"Is the news reliable?" Dai Ya couldn't help but ask.
"I'm standing right here—how could it be false?" Ye Tian countered.
"What can I do?" Dai Ya clenched her fists tightly.
"Go to the eastern provinces of the Star Luo Empire and reveal your identity to the public," Ye Tian said seriously.
"The local people, suffering from severe disasters and food shortages, are already on the brink of rebellion."
The eastern provinces had undoubtedly become a powder keg.
All it needed was a single spark to ignite.
And what Ye Tian planned to do next wasn't just to be the igniter—he also intended to pour oil onto the flames.
Dai Ya took a deep breath and nodded in agreement.
"Alright!"
A flicker of flame burned in her eyes.
It was the spark of vengeance.
For fifteen years, she had dreamed of avenging her father.
Now, the opportunity had finally arrived!
"Sister Dai Ya, you don't need to worry too much. I'll protect both you and Brother Ye Tian."
Gu Yuena stepped forward, her voice firm.
"That's very kind of you, Yuena," Dai Ya replied with a forced smile.
She had long since disregarded her own safety.
If she could avenge her parents, what did it matter if she died?
Noticing the proximity between Gu Yuena and Ye Tian, Dai Ya sensed something amiss:
"Have the two of you… gotten together?"
Gu Yuena's expression remained composed. Without any shyness, she replied gracefully:
"Yes."
"Then from now on, you'll be my sister-in-law." Dai Ya smiled warmly, narrowing her eyes at Ye Tian. "Not bad, little brother."
Ye Tian pursed his lips. "Sister, don't tease me."
Ye Tian arrived at the administrative wing of the Elder Hall and met with Gui Mei.
"How many weapons are left in Spirit Hall City's armory?"
Gui Mei gave a wry smile: "That's not something I can answer off the top of my head. Let me check."
The armory wasn't under Gui Mei's management—it had always been controlled by the Elder Hall.
After the Elder Hall's downfall, though the armory had fallen into the hands of the Pope's Hall, the officials in charge of the armory were low-ranking and not under Gui Mei's jurisdiction.
After issuing an order, a report appeared in Gui Mei's hands.
He handed it to Ye Tian: "Spirit Hall City's armory is a reserve stockpile, usually left untouched."
"There are roughly twenty thousand sets of various types of armor."
Twenty thousand sets might not seem like much for armies that often numbered in the hundreds of thousands,
but in reality, it was quite staggering.
After all, in this era, iron was still a scarce resource.
If even thirty percent of soldiers had iron armor, that was considered good.
Twenty thousand sets were equivalent to half a kingdom's military reserves.
"I want to requisition all of them." After a brief glance at the report, Ye Tian looked at Gui Mei with a smile.
"Hmm?" Gui Mei chuckled dryly. "Why the sudden interest in Spirit Hall's modest stockpile?"
War was about to break out.
Gui Mei had planned to use these weapons to train a new army for Spirit Hall.
Yet here was Ye Tian, ready to take everything in one go.
"I'm heading to the eastern provinces of the Star Luo Empire to incite an uprising. These armors will come in handy." Ye Tian recounted his earlier discussions with Bibi Dong to Gui Mei.
After listening, Gui Mei was astonished: "Such a major operation, and I didn't even know about it."
"Ye Tian, going deep behind enemy lines is far too dangerous!"
Ye Tian smiled and explained: "Traveling with Gu Yuena and the others, our speed naturally outstrips that of scouts on horseback."
"The Pope's orders for you will likely arrive tomorrow. By then, you'll know the full details of the mission. There's no harm in waiting a little longer."
"Besides, I don't think operating behind enemy lines is dangerous. The civilians in the Star Luo Empire's eastern provinces are already on the verge of revolt."
"With these twenty thousand sets of armor, that's twenty thousand soldiers."
"Enough to make the Star Luo Empire choke."
Gui Mei was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter. Pointing at Ye Tian, he said:
"Young Master Ye, you truly live up to your reputation as the 'Strategist of Ghosts and Gods'! Pulling twenty thousand soldiers out of thin air—this move is absolutely brilliant!"
"I'll arrange for the twenty thousand sets of armor to be loaded onto carriages immediately, ready for your deployment!"
(End of Chapter)