Hearing Yu Yuanzhen's proposal, Dai Mubai showed a troubled expression.
As the Star Luo Crown Prince, Dai Mubai was no political novice.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was both a steadfast ally and an object of vigilance for the Star Luo Empire.
The imperial family didn't want to see sects growing too powerful.
However, they were now facing the great enemy that was Spirit Hall.
Whether to delegate power was truly worth repeated consideration.
Expanding the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's authority would require exceptional courage.
Seeing Dai Mubai's hesitation, Yu Yuanzhen knew there was opportunity.
The clouds of war had already gathered overhead.
He had to seize this chance.
Yu Yuanzhen extended one finger: "The armor and weapon expenses needed by soldiers will all be provided by my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family!"
After speaking, Yu Yuanzhen raised his wine cup with a light smile: "I've long heard that His Highness's second sister is virtuous and dignified. My worthless grandson Yu Tianheng is still unmarried..."
"Haha, in my opinion, these two are truly a match made in heaven!" Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily.
But in reality, he had never seen Yu Tianheng.
At this moment, political marriage was indeed needed to strengthen mutual trust.
Only this way could they work together wholeheartedly to face their powerful enemy.
"Second Sister..."
Dai Mubai looked even more hesitant. He very much wanted to say that his family's sister should have freedom in marriage.
He opened his mouth, but Dai Mubai ultimately couldn't speak.
He and Zhu Zhuqing were also a political marriage, weren't they?
Looking at it now, their feelings were quite good.
And Dai Mubai knew his father well.
In his father's eyes, there was only the Star Luo Empire.
Now with the empire in turmoil, Yu Yuanzhen's proposed marriage alliance strategy held great significance for the Star Luo Empire's security.
As the crown prince, he truly had no qualification to refuse Yu Yuanzhen.
"Regarding the expansion and marriage matters, I should quickly send word to inform my father," Dai Mubai smiled bitterly.
For the current plan, he could only sacrifice his second sister's marital happiness.
"Excellent!" Yu Yuanzhen was overjoyed, raising his cup high: "To His Highness the Crown Prince!"
That evening.
Hell Cat Duke Zhu Lingmao led two hundred personal guards and arrived at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
"Duke Zhu's presence brings great honor to our humble sect!" Yu Yuanzhen beamed as he welcomed him.
"Father." Zhu Zhuqing, dressed in a black leather outfit, stood gracefully and spoke.
Zhu Lingmao smiled warmly as he looked at his daughter and prospective son-in-law, then straightened his expression and nodded toward Yu Yuanzhen.
"Sect Master, I won't speak in circles. I presume the urgent report has already reached your hands."
"In how many months can the recruitment work be completed?"
"One month!" Yu Yuanzhen replied confidently.
Now that war was imminent, there was no need to hide anything.
As one of the upper three sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's control over the surrounding regions had long surpassed that of the Star Luo Empire.
As long as he issued a sect master's decree, the nearby populace would rapidly assemble.
"Good." Zhu Lingmao was very satisfied with Yu Yuanzhen's answer, and didn't probe into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's covert control over the surrounding areas.
Actually, Zhu Lingmao's heart was clear as a mirror - any family with a bit of power would inevitably extend their influence into local authority.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was a colossal force qualified to be an ally of the Star Luo Empire.
How could they be like little white rabbits, only knowing how to stay in place and nibble carrots?
"Duke Sir."
At this time, Dai Mubai walked over and bowed to Zhu Lingmao.
"What should you call me?" Zhu Lingmao feigned displeasure.
"Father-in-law," Dai Mubai also realized, laughing as he pointed to someone beside him:
"This is my good friend, Tang San."
"He has created a new type of weapon and wants sole command of a legion, with the legion's soldiers personally selected by him."
Looking at the blue-haired youth beside Dai Mubai, Zhu Lingmao praised:
"Mubai, this must be the first among the Seven Devils you often mention, Tang San, right?"
"Truly a young hero."
"Duke praises me too highly," Tang San was humble and courteous.
Zhu Lingmao seemed to remember something: "What relationship do you have with the Clear Sky Sect?"
The Clear Sky Sect's acting sect master Tang Wan stepped forward from the crowd to explain:
"He is an honorary elder of our Clear Sky Sect and the current sect master of Tang Sect."
"Tang Sect? Is it a hidden sect? How come I've never heard of it?" Zhu Lingmao pondered thoughtfully.
"It's not," Tang San smiled lightly: "It's a sect I established myself, not a traditional spirit master sect, but more like a forging sect."
"I see, truly young and accomplished," Zhu Lingmao gave perfunctory praise, but wasn't really interested.
As a noble, Zhu Lingmao had always been lukewarm toward sect forces.
In nearly the past hundred years, due to Spirit Hall's strong rise, the old-established sect forces had all been declining.
Zhu Lingmao didn't think a sect created on a young man's whim could have much development.
However, Zhu Lingmao could see that behind Tang San stood the Clear Sky Sect.
With the formerly world's number one tool spirit sect as backing, Tang San's future achievements might not be low.
"As the commander of the Southern Expedition Army, I have the authority to appoint generals myself."
Zhu Lingmao clasped his hands behind his back, smiling:
"Since you come from the Clear Sky Sect, let's call it the Clear Sky Legion. How about that?"
"I feel Tang Sect Legion would be more appropriate," Tang San corrected.
To be honest, he didn't really like the identity of 'coming from Clear Sky Sect.'
Zhu Lingmao felt that arguing over names was purely a waste of time.
He immediately raised his hand: "Fine, from today you are the general of Tang Sect Legion."
"Thank you Duke for your promotion!" Tang San courteously bowed.
"Father-in-law, among our Seven Devils, Tang San isn't the only talent," Dai Mubai said with a smile.
Since the Seven Devils had risked their lives to come to the Star Luo Empire to help him, he couldn't shortchange them in terms of positions.
Actually, there was a deeper meaning to this.
That was to restrain the various sects' voice in the Southern Expedition Army.
"It seems Mubai has made quite a few friends these years!" Zhu Lingmao approved.
So Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong and others were also arranged into positions.
Ma Hongjun was appointed as a deputy general, placed under Dai Mubai as a vanguard officer.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong were responsible for logistics and healing for the spirit master legions.
Zhu Zhuqing was arranged to the command tent as a secretary.
Zhu Zhuqing opposed this decision.
"Father, I don't want to stay by your side."
But how could Zhu Lingmao bear to let his precious daughter charge into battle?
"Absolutely not! You're too willful and definitely cannot command troops."
But he knew such a casual reason couldn't really constrain Zhu Zhuqing, so he continued:
"Your spirit is suited for stealth and intelligence gathering."
"Staying by my side to handle the army's intelligence work is most appropriate."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing stopped objecting.
"We haven't arranged a position for Xiao Wu yet?"
Ning Rongrong looked around and pulled over Xiao Wu, who didn't look well, asking:
"Xiao Wu, what position would you like to take?"
"Do you even need to ask!" Ma Hongjun laughed: "Of course she'll follow Xiao San!"
"Rongrong, I'll go with you to the spirit master legion," Xiao Wu said with a pale expression.
(End of Chapter)