Ch. 831..840
Chapter 831
Meanwhile, at the Cansington Military Region…
In an open area, a helicopter was at the ready.
On the ground beneath the helicopter…
“James, congratulations on regaining your former position! Now you’re off to the Southern Plains to resume your command of the Black Dragon Army. If the news gets out, the people of Sol will seethe with excitement.” The Blithe King laughed as he patted James’ broad shoulders.
James, however, had a look of resignation on his face.
Regaining a former position may have appeared to be a good thing, but the higher the rank, the greater the burden. Furthermore, once he was in command of the Black Dragon Army, he would have to lead them into the Capital, obtain the Blade of Justice and kill the Emperor.
What would happen after the Emperor’s death was still unknown.
“I’m hoping nothing major happens after this,” he said apprehensively.
“What could possibly happen?” The Blithe King chuckled. “In any case, if something goes wrong, someone higher up will take care of it. You don’t need to be concerned.”
“You’ll be returning to the Southern Plains with me,” James said to the Elite Eight.
“Yes.”
The Elite Eight responded in unison.
Then, he turned to Blake and said, “You’ll resume your command of the Dark Castle.”
Blake rubbed his hands together and asked, “Ja… Dragon King, what about the thing you promised me?”
James knew exactly what Blake was requesting.
“Don’t fret. I’ll resume my research after I finish off the Emperor. Then, when I’m thoroughly done with it, I’ll pass it on to you.”
James had just received the second volume of the medical book and had not yet thoroughly studied it. Besides, he could not possibly give Blake the complete version of the book. He needed to read through it, improve it, and give him a simplified version.
Blake could not do anything about James’ repeated evasions. He could only blame it on his poor upbringing and his numerous crimes in the past.
“Then I’ll wait for your return,” he said.
James did not say anything else before boarding the helicopter. The Elite Eight followed suit.
Slowly, the helicopter took off.
James closed his eyes and rested.
The Elite Eight were beaming with delight. Compared to the Dark Castle, they much preferred being in the Southern Plains.
“We’re finally returning.”
“I hope the world will be at peace after this. Then we’ll be able to relax.”
“James will regain his command over the Black Dragon Army. We’ll then lead the troops to the Capital, get the Blade of Justice, and kill the Emperor. After his death, the position of General of the Red Flame army will be vacant. Who do you think will fill it?”
“Certainly not you.”
“Of course, I know that. I’m simply curious.”
They gathered around and gossiped. Meanwhile, James had a lot on his mind.
Gloom had revealed a great deal of information. In the Capital, the bigwigs were playing a game of chess. The Emperor was merely a pawn. Someone else was responsible for his actions.
Besides that, he believed someone behind the King too.
At that moment, he had a premonition. The Emperor’s death would serve as a catalyst, and the Capital would be in utter chaos after his death. The bigwigs who had been hiding would then emerge from the shadows one by one.
Dance Dragon noticed his anxiety while sitting next to him. “James, what are you thinking about?” he asked quietly.
James paused his rumination and shook his head gently. “No, it’s nothing,” he said. “That’s right. I have a plan.”
Everyone turned to look at him when they heard that.
Chapter 832
“What’s the plan?” May asked.
“After everything that has happened, I feel like a pawn that is constantly being controlled,” James explained. “It’s not a good feeling. I feel like I could die at any time. I don’t think should return to the Southern Plains anymore.”
“Hm?”
They furrowed their brows.
He continued, “You’re all capable and strong. Your mastery of martial arts has reached the pinnacle of External Martial Arts, and you’re only a few steps away from cultivating True Energy and becoming grandmasters. I’ll impart the Internal Cultivation Method to you later on.”
Everyone rejoiced upon hearing his words.
They had already heard about the Internal Cultivation Method from Blake.
The Elite Eight was very powerful indeed, but in comparison to the Grandmasters of the Internal Cultivation Method, they were far too weak. The disparity was comparable to that of a child versus an adult.
“I’m not sure which of the bigwigs in the Capital caused this change or what they’re scheming, but I need to give myself a way out. After you’ve separated from the Black Dragon Army and left the Southern Plains, establish a new force.”
They listened intently to his instructions.
During their time together, they went to hell and back with James. Besides that, they were also grateful to him for supporting them and recognizing their capabilities.
Without James, they would all still be assassins in the underworld.
“I want you to leave the Black Dragon Army and set up the Dragon Palace. Establish own force. Then, if something goes wrong, we can get through it unharmed and have something to fall back on.”
James had deliberated on this.
If one was careless while mingling with the bigwigs, they could easily lose their life. That still applied to him, despite the fact that he had cultivated True Energy and become a grandmaster.
Thanks to Gloom’s information, he knew there were a lot of grandmasters in Sol. He simply had not been inside the borders before to meet them and was unqualified to interact with people like them.
“How exactly should we carry out the plan?” inquired one of them.
“To begin, cultivate True Energy as quickly as possible and become a grandmaster. Then, amass some wealth and strengthen the Dragon Palace. Except for Sol, every country around the world is in disarray. Some are even constantly at war throughout the year. Making money in war is a simple task. As long as you’re not harming the innocents, you’re free to do whatever you want.”
Everyone had a few ideas on their mind after listening to him.
James looked around at the eight people in front of him, sweeping his gaze over each of them.
He had been observing them for some time now. They were all extremely powerful. However, when it came to leadership abilities, Wave Dragon stood out the most. He was also the oldest of the group.
Even though he was somewhat lecherous, boastful, and liked to exaggerate, he always made decisions with the best interests of the group in mind.
“Leadership is necessary for a team. Since you’re unlikely to back down from each other when a disagreement arises, there might be serious consequences when it happens. That’s why you’ll need a person in charge. Wave Dragon, you’ll be the temporary deputy leader of Dragon Palace. Consult with him when there is a disagreement. Any final decisions will be made by him. Is there any objection?”
“No.”
“But, Dragon King, you’re thinking too highly of me. I’m just an old fart. I wouldn’t be able to handle this. You should pick someone else.”
“It’s already been decided. I believe you have what it takes.” James looked determined. “You should all work hard. I expect each of you to be able to cultivate True Energy. I hope that in the shortest amount of time, Dragon Palace will become a formidable force.”
“James, what about the Dark Castle?” asked May.
In a low voice, he said, “Blake is far too astute and mysterious. I’m having a hard time figuring him out. Besides, he has a unique status as a descendant of the Gu Sect. Let’s continue to observe him before making any decisions. For the time being, we’ll keep the Dragon Palace a secret from him.”
“Okay.”
He emphasized the critical points that they must keep in mind.
As a means of escape for himself, he chose to establish Dragon Palace. The executives of the Dragon Palace would be The Elite Eight, a former group of well-known powerful assassins.
The discussion went on for more than an hour before everything was resolved.
After about an hour, the helicopter descended on the military region of the Southern Plains.
In the military region, thousands upon thousands of soldiers gathered.
They kept their gaze fixed on the descending helicopter in front of them. There was a passionate intensity in their expression.
Chapter 833
“Hail to the Dragon King! Hail to the Dragon King! Hail to the Dragon King…”
A chorus of cheers reverberated throughout the area as soon as James stepped off the
helicopter. The voices came in waves, each one louder than the last.
He looked straight ahead at the tens of thousands of soldiers in front of him, raised his hand, and gave a single downward wave.
The cheers ceased abruptly.
Then, a few generals dressed in military uniforms approached him.
“Hail to the Dragon King,” Henry spoke first, a brilliant smile on his suntanned face. “We’ve
been looking forward to this day for so long. The long–awaited Dragon King has finally returned.”
“You brat. When did you learn to be such a glib talker?” James clenched his fist and gently tapped Henry on the chest.
“Hehe.” Henry laughed mischievously.
“Let’s go.”
James turned around and left.
The Elite Eight was close behind, followed by the other generals.
James prepared transportation for The Elite Eight to leave the borders of Sol first. They were going to set up the Dragon Palace and establish their own force.
He did not create a new force to compete for power or dominance. He was simply hoping that there would be something to rely on in the future.
At the office in the military region…
“Why did The Elite Eight leave as soon as they arrived, Dragon King?” inquired Henry.
James glanced at the others in the conference room and did not give a response. “I received a secret order to return to the Southern Plains and reclaim command over the Black Dragon Army,” he said.
“Dragon King, what is our next plan?” inquired Levi.
James shook his head. “There isn’t one. For now, do whatever you want, but don’t spread the word of my return just yet. Oh, that’s right, how’s the management for the hundred and forty cities in the Southern Plains?”
“The cities have been renamed Dragonville. During this time, the Black Dragon Army cleared it out. We’ve dismantled every illegal organization. Some private militia were disbanded completely. In addition, we’ve rescued some illegal workers in the mining areas,” answered Henry.
He gave a brief report on their accomplishments.
“Hmm.” James nodded with satisfaction.
Although Henry was a bit of a boor, he did quite well this time.
“The meeting is over.”
James stood up and walked away.
In Southern Plains City, at the Black Dragon Palace…
James was resting on a sofa and Henry was sitting across from him. There were some snacks and hard liquor on the table.
“James, did you come back here with a mission?” inquired Henry.
“Mmhmm.” James nodded. “Inform Ronn to prepare a thousand Black Dragon Army soldiers and have them on standby. We’ll be leaving tonight.”
“Leaving? For where?” Henry was dumbfounded, wondering why James did not say anything at the meeting earlier if there was indeed a mission.
James‘ expression was a little glum. “We’re going to the Capital, get the Blade of Justice, and then kill the Emperor.”
“F*ck me…” Henry stood up in shock, a stunned look on his face. “We’re going to the Capital, get the Blade of Justice, and then kill the Emperor? As in the leader of the Five Commanders and the General of the Red Flame army, the Emperor?”
“Yes.” James gave a slow nod. “The mission is strictly confidential. Except for us, no one else should know, including Ronn. Choose a thousand soldiers from the Black Dragon Army that returned from Cansington to accompany us.”
“Understood.”
Henry was aware of the gravity of the situation.
The mission must be kept secret. If it was revealed and leaked to the Emperor, they would be in big trouble.
He sat down once more and asked, “James, did something happen in Cansington?”
James shook his head gently. “It wasn’t anything serious. We can talk about it later.”
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a series of knocks outside the door.
Henry stood up to open it.
Soon after, he walked into the room with a woman next to him.
Chapter 834
The woman appeared to be in her twenties. She was dressed in a military uniform and had a bob haircut. She radiated bravery and heroism.
“James,” she walked up to him and addressed him sweetly.
James was sitting on the sofa. He took a look at her, then at Henry, and laughed. “Not bad. Your efforts have paid off. So, when are you getting married?”
Henry’s face flushed. “We’re not…”
At that moment, he was pinched. He quickly corrected himself, “Soon. It’ll happen soon.”
“James, how’s it going with you and Thea?” Whitney asked as she sat down with a bright smile on her face.
James shook his head slightly. He was not interested in talking about his own matters.
Henry sat down and gave Whitney a gentle shove. She understood and did not ask any further questions.
“Come, drink with me.” James raised his wine glass.
Henry followed suit and clinked his glass against James’.
“Mr. Caden, today is the anniversary of General Kimberly’s death. Let’s go pay our respects,” Henry said abruptly.
Upon hearing that, James nodded and said, “Sure, let’s go.”
The three of them left.
Henry was driving a typical multi-purpose vehicle. They left Southern Plains City and headed for a cemetery.
It was the Southern Plains Cemetery.
Soldiers from the Black Dragon Army who were killed in action were buried here. They were all people who had made significant contributions to the country.
In the cemetery, there was a grave. Several words were engraved across the headstone: “In memory of Travis Kimberly.”
Travis Kimberly was a one-star Southern Plains general. A year ago, he led a squad on a mission, but they were ambushed by enemy troops. When the brigade arrived, there were only cold bodies on the ground.
Someone was paying their respects at the grave. It was a woman about twenty years old who wore a white down jacket.
It was the beginning of fall and the weather was colder in the Southern Plains. On that day, it was drizzling.
The woman stood in front of the grave, staring blankly at the headstone.
James, Henry, and Whitney had just arrived when they noticed the person standing in front of it.
“What? Is someone paying their respects?” James asked, his brow furrowed. “But I didn’t hear Travis say anything about having a family.”
Henry thought it over and said, “I believe he mentioned having a daughter once while we were drinking. However, he was always guarding the borders and rarely at home. So his wife remarried and took their daughter with her.”
James gave a nod and walked over.
As he got closer, he was taken aback by the person standing in front of the grave. “It’s you?”
Delilah looked over when she heard his voice. She, too, was taken aback when she saw James and the others. Soon after, her face brightened and she exclaimed, “James? Black Dragon, why are you here?”
James pointed to the grave and said, “It’s the anniversary of Travis’ death. We’ve come to pay our respects.”
He had a realization while talking and looked at Delilah, surprised. He could not stop himself from asking, “You… You’re Travis’ daughter, right?”
“Yeah.” She gave a slight nod.
James had not anticipated such a coincidence.
Travis’ daughter turned out to be a celebrity.
Delilah looked at the grave with a hint of sorrow. “I never met my father when I was younger. I’ve only heard some stories about him from my mother. She claimed he was ignorant and incompetent, and that he loved to gamble. She told me that debt collectors were always knocking on their door. She was tired of it, so they got divorced. I was only two years old when it happened.”
James did not know much about Travis either.
She continued, “It wasn’t until a year ago that I learned my father was a general, but he had already died in battle.”
James simply nodded.
The generals of the Southern Plains kept their identities hidden. They could not tell their family, and they could not tell others about their family. The reason for this was that while. guarding the borders, it was easy to make enemies. If the existence of their families were discovered, it would be a disaster.
“He wasn’t a gambler. He was a hero,” James said softly, looking at the headstone.
Chapter 835
“I shouldn’t have blamed him.”
Delilah looked at the grave with sorrow upon her face and spoke softly, “I always thought he was a good-for-nothing. I didn’t dare mention him in front of others because I was afraid of being laughed at, but… I didn’t expect him to be a hero.”
Tears started to gather at the corner of her eyes while she talked.
When she realized James was the Black Dragon at the Cansington medical conference, she was overcome with emotion.
The Black Dragon was her father’s superior. That was why she put her own safety aside to work as James’ assistant, despite knowing she could have died.
She had planned to ask James about her father after the conference.
However, James had already left before the medical conference was over.
“Can you… Can you tell me more about him?”
“Sure.” He nodded.
In front of the grave, he spoke about Travis and some of his deeds.
“I remember once when I was drinking with him, he said he had a daughter,” Henry recalled. He said he felt terrible to have failed her. He was completely drunk at the time and bawling his eyes out. I’d never seen General Kimberly cry like that before.”
While listening to the stories, Delilah started to cry.
James gave her a gentle pat on her shoulder and comforted her. “My condolences. Still, you should be proud to have a father like him.”
Delilah wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes and looked at the three of them. Thank you. Thank you for telling me these stories,” she said.
“The wind is picking up and it’s raining. We should go,” said James.
“Okay.”
After leaving some coins on the headstone, they retraced their steps.
Delilah was also staying in Southern Plains City.
“What are you planning to do next?” inquired James.
“I’ll probably stay for a few more days, then return to the Capital,” Delilah said.
“If there’s anything you need help with, just ask,” James said. “I’ll gladly assist as long as it’s within my power.”
“Thank you, but we’ll say our goodbyes here,” said Delilah with a slight wave of her hand.
“Sure.” James nodded, turned, and got into the car.
Henry drove them back to Southern Plains City.
After they returned, James did not leave the Black Dragon Palace and remained there. Henry stayed as well.
Soon, evening arrived.
“Mr. Caden, the men are on standby and awaiting your orders. When do we leave?”
James looked at the time. It was just after five in the evening. “We’re not in a hurry. When it gets dark, we’ll leave,” he said.
“Understood.”
Meanwhile, in the military region…
Ronn was on standby with a thousand Black Dragon Army soldiers. They were all dressed in black military uniforms and fully armed.
Levi walked over and saw Ronn. He approached him and asked, “What’s the matter? Is there a mission?”
Ronn stood straight, gave a military salute, and said, “I’m not certain, General Grant. I’m simply following orders to be on standby.”
“Hmm.”
Levi asked no further questions and turned to leave.
After walking for a while, he turned around again and stared at the thousand-soldier Black Dragon Army in the distance with a puzzled look.
“Is there a mission? What kind of mission is it?”
Levi was perplexed.
He was a one-star general, yet there was a mission that he was unaware of.
Levi went back to his office and sat in his chair. After contemplating for a while, he took out his phone and called a number.
“Sir, James has returned. He received a secret order from the King to retake command of the Black Dragon Army. Moreover, he gathered a thousand Black Dragon Army soldiers, seemingly for a mission, but I have no idea what the mission is about.”
“Understood.”
A hoarse voice can be heard on the other end of the call.
Meanwhile, in the Capital…
At the Emperor’s Mansion…
The Emperor was sitting on a sofa. He put down his phone and turned to face the people across him, saying, “Just received the update that James has returned to the Southern Plains. He’s reclaiming the command of the Black Dragon Army.”
The people across him were Reign Maverick and Professor
Chapter 836
Both of them frowned upon hearing that.
“The King issued a secret order for James to return to the Southern Plains and reclaim command of the Black Dragon Army. Something is fishy. I’ll ask around to find out what the King is trying to achieve. You should be careful,” said Reign with a solemn expression.
Then, he stood up and left.
Professor C was smoking a cigarette and glanced at the Emperor. “I believe that chaos is on its way. The King is almost certainly coming after you. You should come up with a plan to save yourself as soon as possible.”
“That’s impossible.” The Emperor shook his head and said, “I’m the leader of the Five
Commanders and General of the Red Flame Army. He wouldn’t come after me. Besides, there’s no reason for him to do so.”
“James’ return to the Southern Plains served as a warning. In any case, you should be careful.” After saying that, Professor C stood up and left the house.
The Emperor looked dejected. He extended his hand and pressed it against his chest. “I didn’t expect you to get out of this, James,” he cursed angrily.
He was nearly killed by James’ Crucifier. If Professor C had not intervened in time to save him, he would have already lost his life.
On top of that, James ruined the intricate plan he had been working on for many years.
The reminder from Reign and Professor C woke him up.
James had returned to the Southern Plains and resumed his role as Dragon King. This was detrimental to him. Perhaps the King was indeed planning to harm him.
He took out his phone and dialed a number. “Continue to keep a close eye on James. Inform me at the first sign of trouble.”
“Okay,” replied the voice on the phone.
The Emperor tossed his phone aside after finishing the call. With a painful expression on his face, he grabbed his chest and leaned back on the sofa. Even after a long period of thought, he could not stop worrying.
He took out his phone once more and dialed Bobby’s number.
“Mr. Johnston, is there something going on?”
“Bobby, can’t I just call you for a chat? I’ve prepared some fine liquor at the Emperor’s Mansion. Come over tonight for a drink.”
Bobby Caden was a descendant of the Caden family’s main bloodline. He held a position of power within the family. Moreover, the Cadens were the head of the Ancient Four.
The Emperor had no idea what was going on. He needed to get some information from Bobby.
Meanwhile, at the Southern Plains…
James had been waiting at the Black Dragon Palace until the night fell.
That was when he stood up and left.
At the military region…
Ronn had been waiting with a thousand Black Dragon Army soldiers for quite some time.
At that moment, two people approached him. They were James and Henry.
Not far from the thousand-strong Black Dragon Army, helicopters were at the ready.
James walked over and gave his command. “Set out.”
“Left turn! Double time, march!” shouted Ronn immediately.
In an instant, a thousand Black Dragon Army soldiers began to jog and quickly boarded the helicopters.
The helicopters lifted off slowly and then vanished into the night sky.
Levi had been keeping a close watch over James and the thousand-strong Black Dragon Army. As soon as he saw the helicopters take off, he made a phone call.
“Sir, James led a thousand-strong Black Dragon Army out of the Southern Plains military region. I have no information on their destination.”
“Understood.”
On the helicopter…
James was resting with his eyes closed.
“Dragon King, after the Emperor’s death, the Red Flame Army will be without a commander. Who do you think will take over as the head of the Five Commanders?” asked Henry.
It was a matter of interest to him as well.
“I have no idea,” Jason said, shaking his head slightly. “I’m hoping we can kill the Emperor smoothly without any mishaps tonight.”
James had a bad feeling about this. It felt like something was going to happen.
Still, he could not quite put his finger on it.
“I hope I’m just overthinking things.”
James took a deep breath and put his thoughts aside.
Chapter 837
At the Capital, in the Emperor’s Mansion…
It was a luxurious living room. On the table was a dizzying array of delicacies. Expensive drinks and alcohol were also available.
The Emperor was sitting on the sofa. With a brilliant smile on his face, he raised a wine glass. Here’s to you, Bobby.”
Sitting across the Emperor was a man just a little over twenty. He was dressed in an all-white suit and had a fair complexion and a dashing appearance. His presence was impressive. Bobby held up a wine glass and took a gentle sip. “I’m sure you have a request for me, Mr. Johnston. Whatever it is, just tell me,” he said nonchalantly.
The Emperor set his glass down and pointed to the delicacies on the table. “First, let’s eat,” he said with a smile.
Bobby still did not touch his plate.
As a member of the Caden family, he was aware of the current situation in the Capital. The main players in the game of political chess were supported by various sects. Only the Ancient Four could choose to stay above the fray.
One could even argue that some of the Ancient Four got involved as well.
“I don’t feel like eating, Mr. Johnston. Like I said, whatever it is, just tell me.”
The Emperor’s face became solemn. He lit a cigarette that he had taken from the table. As he inhaled deeply from the cigarette, smoke filled the air.
“To be honest, Bobby, the King is after me. I couldn’t get in touch with Mr. Lee and I have no knowledge of his stance on this matter. The Cadens have always been close to Mr. Lee. So, can you help me figure out whether it’s his or the King’s intention to assassinate me?”
The Emperor invited Bobby to dinner because he wanted to know what was going on behind the scenes.
Mr. Lee was a very powerful man. Thirty years ago, the King was able to advance to the throne because Mr. Lee was assisting him in the dark.
The man behind the King was indeed Mr. Lee.
The Emperor knew Mr. Lee and had met him a few times, but they were not close. Besides, the man behind him was at odds with Mr. Lee.
However, the Emperor believed that his actions were well-hidden from the King and Mr. Gabriel.
Bobby had to do a double take at the Emperor. He tapped his finger on the table and said nonchalantly, “Mr. Johnston, I’m afraid I can’t help you. I believe you’re aware of Mr. Lee’s status. I’m from the Caden family’s younger generation, so I’m not qualified to ask him for information.”
“Bobby, please help me out.”
“Right, Mr. Johnston. Aren’t you doing Mr. Gabriel’s bidding? Why are you seeking information from your opponent, Mr. Lee, instead of approaching him when there’s trouble now?”
The Emperor turned pale in a split second when he heard him.
He thought he had kept it hidden all these years, since he never left any loose ends, no matter what. The Emperor had remained neutral, never stating his affiliation with any group.
He did not expect even a youngster like Bobby would realize he was doing someone’s bidding. “Bobby, who did you hear this from?”
“Mr. Gabriel may have said something to grandfather while visiting the Cadens. That’s how I learned a little about it. I could be wrong, but Mr. Gabriel isn’t pleased with you. He’s going to abandon you. It all comes down to whether the Johnstons are willing to protect you. You will live if they decide to protect you, but you will certainly die if they abandon you,” Bobby answered indifferently.
When he finished talking, he stood up.
“I’ll be heading off now. I’m hoping there’ll be another opportunity to eat here at the Emperor’s Mansion, but I’m not so sure.”
After saying those words, Bobby left.
The Emperor, on the other hand, had a grave look on his face.
The King wanted to kill him. Or perhaps, Mr. Lee wanted to kill him. That much was certain. He could not be sure about Mr. Gabriel’s position yet.
As for the Johnston family?
He was descended from the Johnston family of the Ancient Four, but only through the collateral line. It would not be incorrect to describe him as an illegitimate child. His father had no standing among the Johnstons. Needless to say, the same was true for him. The Johnston family would never show up for him.
The only person who could save him was Mr. Gabriel.
He did not hesitate and stood up immediately. “Get the car,” he ordered.
In the Capital, at a courtyard house…
It was an ancient courtyard house. Many phoenix trees were planted around the courtyard. Fall had arrived, and the fallen leaves were piling up on the ground.
Theodore appeared in the courtyard. He walked over and saw a girl about seventeen or eighteen years old with a broom. She was sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground.
“Ms. June, is Mr. Gabriel present?”
He approached her with his head bowed and inquired. He appeared lowly and humble.
At that moment, his demeanor was far from that of the head of the Five Commanders.
The girl came to a brief pause and looked at the Emperor before pointing to the house in front of them and said, “Go on.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter 838
The Emperor quickly expressed his gratitude and walked over.
At the entrance, he gently knocked on the door and humbly called out, “Mr. Gabriel.”
“Mmh.” From inside the house, a soft response could be heard. “Come in.”
The Emperor pushed open the door and walked in.
In the house, there was a fireplace with burning firewood. On the side, sweet potatoes were being baked.
In front of the fireplace sat a man who appeared to be in his fifties. He was wearing a black jacket and toasting his hands by the fire.
The Emperor walked over and stood by his side. “Mr. Gabriel,” he said, his face solemn.
Mr. Gabriel did not look at the Emperor. “You were far too careless. You should be punished for your mistakes,” he said in a soft voice.
“All of this was James‘ fault, Mr. Gabriel. There wouldn’t be so much trouble if it weren’t for him…”
Mr. Gabriel gently waved him away and said, “Someone else will take over your work. You may leave for now.”
“Mr. Gabriel, James has reclaimed his former position and returned to the Southern Plains. Moreover, he is leading a thousand–strong Black Dragon Army, possibly to the Capital, and most likely to kill me. It was a secret order from the King, Mr. Gabriel. If the King is after me, isn’t he declaring war on you?”
“Leave,” Mr. Gabriel spoke softly.
His face was serene. Nothing could be deduced from his expression as to what he was thinking.
“Okay.”
The Emperor did not dare to say anything else.
This was Mr. Gabriel after all, a well–respected and powerful man. In his merely a small fry. eyes, the Emperor is
Based on Mr. Gabriel’s demeanor, he was certain that he had been abandoned. The King intended to assassinate him. Mr. Gabriel would not protect him.
His expression changed the moment he turned to leave. His face was gloomy, and there was a tinge of coldness in his eyes.
He had spent many years working for Mr. Gabriel. Even if he had no accomplishments, he should have been recognized for his hard work, but in the end, this was how he was treated in return.
The moment he turned around, he pulled out a gun.
“I’ll kill you even if I die.”
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
Mr. Gabriel still sat unscathed.
He put up his hand. Between two of his fingers was a bullet, and he tossed it aside casually.
Ding!
The bullet hit the ground with a clear sound.
The Emperor looked pale.
He knew Mr. Gabriel was tough, but he still wanted to take a chance and use him as a scapegoat. Nonetheless, he had failed.
Mr. Gabriel said nothing, stood up, and exited through the back door.
The Emperor looked as pale as death as he left the room.
Outside, the young girl was still sweeping the courtyard.
When she saw the Emperor walk out, she shook her head slightly and sighed.
The Emperor left the courtyard house and returned to the Emperor’s Mansion.
The King gave James a secret order to assassinate him, but he was not going to lie down and die.
In the Emperor’s Mansion…
He sat on the sofa with a solemn face and took out his phone. He dialed a phone number and gave orders. “Send out the entire army. Surround the Peace Mansion. Assassinate the King.”
His expression darkened.
There was only one option in the current situation. That was to assassinate the King and install a new one. It would throw off the conspirators in the dark. As long as it was enough to cause a big stir, he would have a chance to survive.
Chapter 839
The Emperor. Full name: Theodore Johnston.
He was from the Johnstons of the Ancient Four.
His father was extremely low in the family hierarchy. As a result, he had a low standing as well. However, he met an honorable man. With Mr. Gabriel’s assistance, he successfully assumed control of the Red Flame Army as the Commander and became head of the Five Commanders in Sol.
Many years ago, he had pondered what would happen to him in the end. Thus, he had covertly trained and gathered a few trusted aides.
He was the Commander of the Red Flame Army. They would obey only his orders.
Ten minutes had passed since he gave his command. A few generals arrived at his mansion. “Commander, did something happen?”
“Commander, why do you want to assassinate the King? He’s the King after all. There will be anarchy if we kill him.”
“That’s right, Commander. Please reconsider.”
These visitors were his trusted aides. All of them were trained and promoted by the Emperor over the years. They acted upon whatever he said, but this was not a typical situation. This was rebellion.
The Emperor sat on the sofa. He did not want to go down this road, but he would die if he did not.
He had no other choice.
There were people behind every official, and he was fully aware of that. They were all under the control of someone else.
He could only survive by stirring up some trouble. Otherwise, he would definitely perish.
“Send the troops.”
“Understood.”
The generals said nothing else.
At night, the Red Flame Army set off. They sealed off the city. The large city was on lockdown, with military vehicles filling the streets. There were even helicopters in the sky. All of this drew the citizens’ attention.
“Is something happening?”
“The Red Flame Army was dispatched. Maybe it’s a drill?”
Many people were making speculations in the dark.
At the King’s residence, in the living room…
The King was sitting on a sofa.
A man in his sixties sat opposite him. He was dressed in a brown overcoat and had his hair slicked back. He had a ruddy complexion and appeared to be in good shape.
The King was playing chess with him.
A man in a black overcoat stood nearby. He was Gloom. The King was playing as Black. He pondered for a while, before placing a chess piece and said, “The Red Flame Army was dispatched. Looks like the Emperor is attempting to cause a commotion.”
The old man across from him was holding a white piece. He gave a faint smile. “It was to be expected. Mr. Gabriel has forsaken him. He needs to stir things up to draw more attention if he wants to survive. In fact, he wishes to attract the attention of the Great Four in the hope that they will come to his aid.”
He was an important person…
As well as the man behind the King.
Mr. Lee set down a chess piece and continued, “This time, I’m afraid that even the Ancient Four won’t be able to stay out of it.”
The King laughed. “That was a wise move, Mr. Lee. James is one of the Cadens. Even though his grandfather was exiled from the family, the Cadens’ blood still runs through his veins. He became an executive and attacked a member of the Johnston family, indirectly dragging the Ancient Four into this.”
“It’s time to clean up,” Mr. Lee said nonchalantly. “The Ancient Four have always stayed out of the fray while secretly making money by unfair means. They’ve amassed a substantial amount of wealth. Although they aren’t officials, their every word and action has an effect on the real officials. This is detrimental to the development and construction of the country.”
There was a hint of gravity on the King’s face. He asked, “Be that as it may, the situation is ambiguous. We can’t foresee how many people will be caught up in this further down the road. Isn’t this internal strife an opportunity for the enemies?”
Mr. Lee raised his hand and waved it slightly, interrupting the King.
“Without addressing the root cause of our internal conflicts, there won’t be development and growth. These families, authorities, and manipulators behind the scenes have been affecting the country for hundreds and thousands of years. This is the only way to achieve peace and prosperity. I just hope the price we have to pay in the end isn’t too high.”
At that moment, Gloom chimed in, “The Red Flame Army has sealed off the city. Citizens are in a state of anxiety and speculating about what happened. Meanwhile, the Red Flame Army is approaching. This location is expected to be surrounded within ten minutes.”
“Where is James?” asked the King.
“He’s on his way,” Gloom responded. “He is expected to arrive in half an hour. This time, he only brought a thousand Black Dragon Army soldiers with him. I fear they will be at a disadvantage if they clash with the Red Flame Army.”
Chapter 840
Mr. Lee nodded and said, “It’s a good thing he’s coming. After all, this is a revolution, and there will be sacrifices.”
Gloom did not say anything else. Neither did the King, who fixed his gaze on the chessboard.
Minutes and seconds passed.
Outside…
A large number of military vehicles were approaching. Some of the fully armed Red Flame Army soldiers got out of their cars and surrounded the palace.
There were guards at the palace. They were members of the King’s Forbidden Army as well as his bodyguards.
As soon as the Red Flame Army soldiers approached, a man walked over and said coldly, What is this? Do you have no idea what this place is? Nobody should approach here with a gun. What department are you from?”
Still, the Red Flame Army general did not speak.
The Red Flame Army had surrounded the location but took no further action. They were waiting they were waiting for the Emperor’s order.
A man in a Red Flame robe emerged from a car in the distance. On the robe, a ball of flame was depicted. It was bright, vibrant, and full of life.
It was the Emperor.
He stepped out of the car and walked over.
“What exactly are you doing, Emperor?” the captain of the Forbidden Army inquired coldly.
The Emperor fixed him with a cold stare and pulled out a gun. Without saying anything, he fired a shot.
In an instant, the captain was lying on the ground in a pool of blood.
The rest of the Forbidden Army immediately leveled their guns.
“Kill anyone who dares to move,” the Emperor said indifferently.
Thousands upon thousands of Red Flame Army soldiers promptly raised their weapons.
The Forbidden Army was fearful.
The Emperor walked inside.
Inside the palace’s living room…
“The Emperor has arrived, and his army has surrounded the palace. The captain of the Forbidden Army is dead,” said Gloom.
“That brat… How ruthless.” The King frowned involuntarily.
He had assumed the Emperor was only making a scene to draw the Ancient Four’s attention.
He did not expect him to kill anyone, let alone the captain of the Forbidden Army.
“Handle it on your own. I’m going to leave.”
Mr. Lee tossed aside the chess piece he was holding. It tumbled onto the chessboard, upsetting the remaining pieces. In an instant, a fine game of chess was ruined.
He had not been gone for long when footfalls were heard.
The Emperor, dressed in his Red Flame robe, entered with a group of Red Flame Army soldiers.
He glanced at the jumbled chessboard, then at the King sitting on the sofa. Then, he walked right over to Mr. Lee’s former seat and sat down.
The King looked at him and asked nonchalantly, “Emperor, what do you mean by this? Are you planning a revolt by leading an army here late at night?”
The corners of the Emperor’s mouth curled up, and a vicious grin crept across his face.
“You’re the one who forced me to make this decision. Killing you will change everything. Let’s see if the person behind you will still be safe after this.”
The Emperor abruptly drew his gun, and the Red Flame soldiers behind him raised their weapons.
“Heh…”
The King smirked.
He looked at the Emperor and the ten Red Flame Army soldiers he had brought inside. “You are a Johnston family member who served as Commander of the Red Flame Army for many years. Do you believe you can just barge in and kill me with only a few soldiers? If I could die so easily, I wouldn’t have lasted thirty years in my position.”
“You’re right.” The Emperor put away his gun. “I know you have fighters on your side, and I also know you’re capable and strong on your own. However, my men have already planted explosives in the palace. It’s now brimming with them. As soon as I give the order, everything around us will be leveled to the ground.”
“So, King, and you too, Gloom… Are you so impressive that you’ll be able to get out of this?”
The Emperor dared to storm in as he had already prepared himself to be sacrificed. If he could not live much longer, then he would drag the King into the grave with him.