"Yes, Your Majesty..." Zhu Zhuyun slowly rose to her feet and said, "I have discovered the true strength of the Heaven Dou Empire. It might be more than just the Ten-Thousand Soul Master Legion that has appeared in the past two years!"
The Star Luo Emperor frowned and said coldly, "The Ten-Thousand Soul Master Legion is already the strongest force Xue Qinghe can control. How could there be any hidden power? Moreover, Zhuyun, you should know that the Clear Sky Sect used to support our Star Luo Empire. Before the war began, relying on our relationship, I obtained confirmed information from the Clear Sky Sect that the experts from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Clear Sky Sect would not participate in this battle!"
The Dai Family had a good relationship with the Clear Sky Sect. Ning Fengzhi had also stated that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School supported the Heaven Dou Empire, the Clear Sky Sect supported the Star Luo Empire, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family remained neutral.
In this great war, the Star Luo Emperor's greatest concern was that the Clear Sky Sect might change its stance and fully support Xue Qinghe. However, after verification, the information received was that they would cooperate with Xue Qinghe to oppose the Spirit Hall but would not participate in the conflict between the two empires.
Only then did the Star Luo Emperor feel relieved.
Now, Zhu Zhuyun claimed that Xue Qinghe still had hidden forces, which he found hard to believe.
Since Zhu Zhuyun had come, she had naturally prepared her explanation in advance. She said, "Your Majesty, you are aware that my younger sister is in the Heaven Dou Empire. We used to correspond with each other. She mentioned that even when Xue Qinghe was still the Crown Prince, there seemed to be a hidden force supporting him. This force helped him kill the Second Prince and the Third Prince and frightened the Fourth Prince into feigning madness. Later, it even involved Yang Wushuang of the Destruction Clan, who secretly pledged allegiance to the Spirit Hall. My sister told me that Xue Qinghe is not simple. However, I can no longer contact her now. I beg Your Majesty to forgive Zhuqing!"
Zhu Zhuyun first held back some information, intending to gain the Star Luo Emperor's trust with this.
"Zhuqing is still young. She will understand in time. How could I blame her? Continue," the Star Luo Emperor said calmly, assuming that Zhu Zhuyun was using this opportunity to exonerate Zhu Zhuqing. After all, as the Crown Princess, her escape from the Heaven Dou Empire had brought great shame to the royal family. In the Star Luo Emperor's view, her title would inevitably be revoked, and she would be placed under house confinement. However, with his imperial strategy, he would agree to Zhu Zhuyun's request during this critical time when capable people were needed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness. It was precisely because of Zhuqing's earlier reminder that after the war began, I cautiously led Agility Attack System Soul Masters to scout all movements of the Heaven Dou army. Finally, yesterday, I made a discovery. Five hundred li west of South Tong Pass, as I was preparing to expand the scope of my investigation, I discovered a Heaven Dou Soul Master responsible for delivering messages. After tracking him, I learned that he entered a forest. Just as I was about to approach, I felt a sense of dread. Instantly, I had a premonition that a Titled Expert must be hiding in the forest. Then, six hundred li east of the pass, I had the same feeling. Therefore, I suspect that Xue Qinghe has already hidden forces in these two locations. From the map, these two places are precisely the necessary routes for the Heaven Dou army to surround South Tong Pass!"
As soon as Zhu Zhuyun finished speaking, the Star Luo Emperor visualized the two locations on the map and immediately realized that what she said was not wrong.
"For two years, Xue Qinghe hasn't utilized any hidden forces.
If there truly are hidden Soul Masters at the Titled Douluo level, they must be planning to deal a heavy blow to the empire at a critical moment. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!"
Zhu Zhuyun spoke respectfully once more.
The Star Luo Emperor lightly tapped the dragon throne. "I understand, Zhuyun."
He was about to speak when he suddenly paused.
"Urgent military report!"
The Star Luo Emperor stood up abruptly. "The Heaven Dou army has launched an attack, dividing into three routes with the intent to penetrate our heartland and surround our South Tong Pass city!"
Zhu Zhuyun appropriately widened her eyes in response. "What is Xue Qinghe planning? Is he preparing for a decisive battle?"
The Star Luo Emperor's expression turned peculiar. Zhu Zhuyun had just reported the intelligence about the enemy's hidden forces, and now the Heaven Dou Empire was launching an attack. Moreover, the two flanking armies would certainly need to pass through those two locations.
The Emperor grew wary - this coincidence seemed too perfect.
He cast a deep glance at Zhu Zhuyun, then felt somewhat perplexed. The Zhu Family shouldn't betray the Dai Family, so was this truly just a coincidence?
"Zhu Zhuyun, receive your orders! Immediately take command of the agile assault scouts to gather detailed military intelligence. Report immediately upon any new discoveries!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After receiving the command, Zhu Zhuyun slowly withdrew from the temporary palace.
The Star Luo Emperor promptly made his way to the rear courtyard to seek his Empress.
His Empress was named Zhu Lan Yun, who happened to be the cousin-aunt of both Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Lan Yun's father and Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing's grandfather were brothers.
She was also a product of the marriage alliance between the Zhu and Dai families, currently possessing strength at the Soul Douluo level.
As for why the Star Luo Emperor brought his Empress along on military campaigns, it was naturally because of their Martial Soul Fusion Skill - Netherworld White Tiger.
With his Titled Expert strength at the ninety-fifth level combined with his Empress's Soul Douluo level power, they could contend against a Super Douluo at the ninety-sixth level.
Though this might seem like only a one-level improvement in soul dueling, the difference between ninety-fifth and ninety-sixth level was like heaven and earth.
The ninety-sixth level represented the threshold to becoming a Super Douluo, marking a qualitative improvement in strength.
This was precisely the Star Luo Emperor's confidence.
He arrived at the rear courtyard and found the Empress cultivating in her room.
Zhu Lan Yun appeared like a beautiful woman in her thirties. Her figure was no less impressive than Zhu Zhuyun or Zhu Zhuqing's, possessing the distinctive Zhu family genes - mature and voluptuous.
Yet she also carried the noble bearing of an Empress. Her large black eyes radiated gentleness. Seeing the Star Luo Emperor enter, she asked curiously, "Brother Jun, why have you returned at this time?"
The Star Luo Emperor's name was Dai Tian Jun, though after ascending the throne, most people unconsciously overlooked his name, addressing him only as "Your Majesty."
But since the two frequently performed their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, their relationship was more harmonious. When alone, their address became more casual.
Dai Tian Jun didn't hesitate, directly relaying all of Zhu Zhuyun's report.
"Brother Jun is worried about the authenticity of the information?" Their close relationship allowed Zhu Lan Yun to clearly understand what Dai Tian Jun was thinking.
Dai Tian Jun nodded.
"Brother Jun, I trust Zhuyun. Since Zhuyun suspects the enemy has hidden Titled Douluo, why don't we two infiltrate their position and launch a surprise attack?"
The gentleness in Zhu Lan Yun's eyes vanished, replaced by blooming killing intent.
The Zhu Family's status in the Star Luo Empire had been fought for and earned.
Their glory and loss were tied to the royal family. While Zhu Zhuqing might not fully comprehend this, Zhu Lan Yun, as the Empress with a good relationship with the Emperor, understood it perfectly.
They were absolutely determined to bind themselves to the Dai Family.
In other places, without a Titled Douluo, the Zhu Family would merely be a slightly stronger Soul Master family.
But in the Star Luo Empire, with the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Netherworld White Tiger, the Zhu Family would forever remain an irreplaceable powerful family.
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