Page 1169

Hmm...

As soon as the Heavenly Emperor spoke, the Four Heavenly Kings fell silent.

Despite their earlier uproar, none of them were willing to descend to the mortal realm. Regardless of potential risks, besieging Vermilion Bird City was a demanding task under scrutiny from above; there could be no deception or sloth.

The troops under the Four Heavenly Kings were elite units loyal only to them.

According to future plans, Heaven’s Court would inevitably be temporarily abandoned.

Should a Heavenly Demon invasion overwhelm them, the troops would be their assets in future ventures beyond heaven—shedding them would be out of the question.

"You want to sit back and watch at this hour?" The Heavenly Emperor sneered, "Don’t forget, if your stationed troops can’t take the foothold below, you’re willing to use them to slog through against those Heavenly Demons here?"

The Four Heavenly Kings flushed red upon hearing this.

The Heavenly Emperor glanced at these sly old foxes and sighed internally.

It was a flaw of his faction; having emerged as a Civil Officer, he had significantly exerted himself to court military confidants back then.

These years, he engaged in nepotism, constantly allocating resources to these old fellows—though he kept them loyal, once other forces ceased to balance them, they started wielding power.

"Your Majesty... looking at the current situation below, it shouldn’t require our assistance just yet.

" The Northern Heavenly King chuckled, "That Chen Qing with a few thousand Four Holy Guards may have strategies, but can’t affect the Divine General; the Divine General is the foremost military commander of Heaven’s Court; Your Majesty shouldn’t underestimate his prowess. "

"Precisely!" The Eastern Dhrtarastra Heavenly King nodded, "The Divine General’s command surpasses ours, Your Majesty needn’t worry—he will deliver a commendable victory."

The Heavenly Emperor laughed in frustration; these old fellows knew they weren’t a match for the Three-Eyed Divine General?

By achievements, you’re not even fit to carry his shoes; how do you consider yourselves his equals? Where’s your sense?

Old Liu saw through their calculations; if the Three-Eyed Divine General is disrupted by Chen Qing, ideally a swift capture of Vermilion Bird City would augment his fame and unwavering acclaim in Heaven’s Court.

Conversely, if the battle proves tough, draining troops grievously—even with his renown intact, diminished forces make future suppression feasible, ensuring limited influence.

Looking at the shameless semblance of those old scoundrels, the Heavenly Emperor sighed and finally waved his hand, "The four of you, go to the Star Platform and monitor below; if support becomes necessary, depart with troops immediately—no excuses!"

"Yes!" The four instantly saluted eagerly, while their subordinate Divine Generals grinned, looking smug.

Many of the subordinate Divine Generals secretly sighed.

It seemed the Heavenly Emperor reprimanded them, yet truly, it was a compromise... No, perhaps an intent as well.

Ultimately, the Three-Eyed Divine General wasn’t an original loyalist of the Heavenly Emperor. Regardless of achievements, there remained caution. The Heavenly Emperor acted accordingly, and didn’t want the Divine General’s forces to grow excessively.

From this realization, various subordinate Divine Generals felt lackluster; even prodigious contributors like the Three-Eyed Divine General couldn’t break through the network—what hope did they hold?

Benefits may never come their way; when crises arise, sacrifices as rear guards surely fall to them!

It seems efforts must be made to advise the Divine General, urging him to consider his own future...

----------------------------------------

"Continue the attack?"

The Divine General was taken aback upon hearing the ultimate intentions relayed by the Divine Official.

Old Liu took such a reckless gamble this time?

Annoyance surged through him momentarily.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty has dispatched Ziwei Star Lord for immediate support; the Four Heavenly Kings are ready at the Star Platform, prepared to assist."

"Prepared at any time..." Upon hearing this, the Three-Eyed Divine General felt no joy, but rather forced a bitter smile.

If they genuinely intended to help, the Four Heavenly Kings should render direct support; yet stationed at the Star Platform, what did this imply?

They intended to seize Vermilion Bird City without genuine reinforcements but awaited the depletion of his forces.

Years past, Old Liu’s nepotism remained unchanged.

Also, Central Federation’s then style prevailed—connections prioritized over capability. Without proper relations, soaring ability meant oppression.

Back then, the Victorious Fighting Buddha was pressured in Heaven’s Court, prevented from even gaining a Superior Divine General position—otherwise, how could Old Liu seize this advantage?

Old Liu’s rise related significantly to the outstanding performance shown during those campaigns with Victorious Fighting Buddha.

Even now, was he deemed a risk?

Despite official parity with the Four Heavenly Kings, in Old Liu’s eyes, his status was alarmingly lower!

"Lord...." Subordinate Deputy Generals furrowed brows, amongst them some discerning the higher-up intentions.

"Being an order, it must be executed." The Three-Eyed Divine General exhaled.

"But..." The Deputy Generals showed dissatisfaction, truly discontented.

"In battle, we shouldn’t calculate gain and loss. Failure to seize Vermilion Bird City, future days will worsen; notify below, an hour from now, launch a full-scale assault!"

The Divine General sighed, reluctantly issuing the order.

Following instinct, he honestly wouldn’t proceed; Chen Qing’s sudden disappearance made him uneasy—however few troops they had, something might broach serious harm.

Yet, the higher-ups ignored this, even hoping for his decline.

Since so, let them have their wish.

Old Liu, after this affair, the favor I owed is nearly repaid. After this experience...

----------------------------------

"Lord indeed predicted accurately; they’re making their move!"

In a certain site within Vermilion Bird City, White Tiger watched Three-Eyed Divine General’s army launch the offensive, bearing a complicated expression.

In this scenario, the Three-Eyed Divine General shouldn’t advance so precariously—ideally, another formidable force should back him for assured success; at present, risks are genuine!

"Years have passed, Old Liu stays unchanged!" Chen Qing shook his head, laughing, "Don’t fault the Three-Eyed Divine General; he’s like you, both being marginalized—just, natives are at the bottom-most level, while they’re slightly above."

White Tiger slightly nodded, aware of this; in Heaven’s Court, all knew the Heavenly Emperor sided with the Four Heavenly Kings—the tremendous accomplishments of Three-Eyed Divine General nevertheless lacked effect; currently, clearly, the Four Heavenly Kings preferred eroding his force—to wield greater sway in upcoming chaos.

Who knows what the Heavenly Emperor thinks, trusting those four elders utterly?

If held in check by the Three-Eyed Divine General, they wouldn’t dare be so presumptuous, right?

"However, sir..." White Tiger looked at Chen Qing with uncertainty, "You predicted correctly, but merely relying on these soldiers at your back—how can you pose any threat to the Divine General?"

This puzzled her greatly; even if Chen Qing evaluated everything precisely, his forces appeared inadequate to contend with Heaven’s Court’s top Divine General.