Above the Galaxy

"Our duty is to guard Dushan, to protect the Barbarian Clan from invading... but if the Princess wants to bring the Barbarians back, what can we do?"

"Over the years we've dealt a lot with the Barbarians, ostensibly coming to slay Evil Ghosts... in reality, we've been trapped in Dushan for decades, how are we any different from those Evil Ghosts?"

"I'm old now, and I don't want to think about all this. I just think, life should be enjoyed to the fullest. As long as there's meat to eat, wine to drink, what more can I want?"

The crowd remained silent, saying nothing.

If they hadn't committed some offense, who would choose to come to Dushan?

With Dushan, there is today but no tomorrow...

Now with this happening, Dushan has fallen, the only thing waiting for them might be a dead end.

Seeing the gloomy expressions of those around him, Xun Pu loudly urged

"Come, gentlemen, let us drink together."

Shen Qingping hurriedly lifted a jug of wine and brought it to Xun Pu.

He hadn't expected Xun Pu to help speak. As the head of this army and the top military leader of the Dushan battle zone, if Xun Pu could stand by his side, the pressure on Shen Qingping would be much lessened.

Other trusted aides quickly brought wine jugs to the mouths of the leading generals and staff officers.

The crowd exchanged glances.

Then, one person drank, a second drank, and more and more people joined in the drinking.

"Thank you." Shen Qingping also lifted his wine jug and said, "I toast to Mr. Xun and all my brothers."

Having said that, he drank the white liquor inside the jug in one go.

Xun Pu looked at Shen Qingping and said, "Qingping, we've eaten this meat and drunk this wine... it's just not very freely enjoyed."

"Why don't you unlock the shackles for us, let us serve ourselves wine and meat, wouldn't that be more delightful?"

"Commander, I believe in you and the brothers, but Tang Fei doesn't." Shen Qingping looked troubled, saying, "The password for the electronic shackles was set by Tang Fei... he said he'd unlock it himself for you gentlemen when he returns."

Xun Pu was stunned for a moment, then began to curse violently.

Other staff officers and generals responded immediately, their curses like a tide.

If that boy doesn't come back, do we just have to keep living like this with shackles on?

Having meals and drinking is one thing...

But what about basic needs?

Tang Fei, boy, we are at irreconcilable odds with you.

------

Golden City.

Inside the City Lord Mansion, Zhao Depu kept an eye on the situation outside.

"Report, the enemy is now three hundred li from the first defense line."

"Report, the enemy is now one hundred fifty li from the first defense line."

"Report, the enemy is now fifty li from us..."

"Report, the enemy has halted in front of the first defense line."

------

Zhao Depu's expression froze, uncertainly asking, "They've halted?"

"Yes, they've stopped."

"They haven't launched an attack?"

"They truly haven't launched an attack."

"Strange." As Zhao Depu pondered, he liked to pace around the spacious area: "Could it be they're worried they might be defeated, so they stopped at the first defense line?"

"It doesn't make sense, Barbarians are fierce and foolish, they don't know fear... Besides, there's artillery support from the Sky Wolf Army above, it's unreasonable for them to not even try, just to stop."

"What exactly happened? Could they have received an order to retreat? Or are they waiting for reinforcements? Who can provide them with reinforcements?"

"That doesn't make sense either. The Barbarians barely crossed Dushan, Qin Jianyi also got this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, how could it be easily missed?"

"Something must have happened that we still don't know about..."

------

A group of officials surrounded Zhao Depu, watching him pace around the huge war room, muttering to himself.

At this moment, the large display screen suddenly showed a cool girl with black-rimmed glasses.

She tapped away at the keyboard, then coldly said, "Alright."

Then, the screen switched to a familiar elegant face.

"Zhong Yuxue, Xiu Xue..."

"It's the Princess..."

After a brief moment of confusion, someone exclaimed out loud.

"Come, quick, someone come... "

"Our network has been hacked... our monitoring screen has been taken over..."

"Where's the security center... has everyone at the security center died?"

------

Phoenix watched the chaos in front of her, she paused for a moment before speaking in a voice like falling rain, clear and loud, "I am Zhong Yuxue, I wish to speak with City Lord Zhao Depu."

Zhao Depu hesitated a moment, then came forward and said, "I am Zhao Depu, the City Lord of Golden City."

He did not bow, nor did he know how to address Zhong Yuxue...

Though she was a Princess, everyone knew the Empire was controlled by the Shen Family now, and the Zhong Family had been expelled by the Shen Family.

He still adhered to the etiquette of ruler and minister, the people present might talk, and the Shen Family could charge him with 'rebellion', which would ruin his family.

"Lord Zhao, why do you not bow when meeting this Princess?" Phoenix asked in a low voice.

"Traitorous rebels seek to seize the city, how can I bow?" Zhao Depu replied harshly.

He felt angry inside.

Why are you coming to Golden City?

Why do you bully me, an old frail City Lord?

Don't come any closer...

"Traitorous rebels? Let me ask you, Lord Zhao, who are the traitors? Who are the rebels?"

"You know full well." Zhao Depu responded: "You are in league with the Qin Family rebels, collaborating with Barbarians, coveting our Empire's foundation... How could I allow you to succeed?"

"Who am I?"

"Zhong Yuxue."

"And who sits in Fengming Palace?"

"...Zhong Tianque."

"Has there been a change in dynasty, has the Empire changed rulers?"

"..."

Zhao Depu dared not and could not answer this question.

Though Shen Wuxiang had seized the military and political power, they had not announced it to the world.

They hadn't declared themselves as usurpers, how could Zhao Depu presume to spread their name?

"If so, my brother is the Crown Prince, and I'm the Monarch's sister. Then, the Zhong Family is still the ruler of this Empire... Lord Zhao, should you not pledge your loyalty?"

"..."