Whether it was Song Mo or Zhou Jin, both were somewhat flustered.

After all, they were about to face the Canglan Army. Who wouldn’t be nervous? Even those unruly Barbarian Tribes now had to tuck their tails between their legs when facing Canglan Country, not daring to provoke them in the slightest.

Zhou Jin paced anxiously back and forth. Back then, he indeed had arranged for someone to assassinate Yu Chen, who was then still the Ninth Princess, just to disrupt the peace between Nan Qi and Bei Qi. Even knowing that, even if successful, the impact wouldn’t be too great, since the Emperor of Nan Qi was willing to send the Ninth Princess to Bei Qi. However, fostering some more resentment between the two countries was good too; they wouldn’t genuinely unite, which was beneficial to the East. After all, it was just an assassination attempt on a Ninth Princess, whether she lived or died didn’t affect him much.

Who would have thought there would be subsequent developments, and the other side would use this as an excuse to strike him, quite reasonably.

He glanced at Song Mo, who was still somewhat stunned; it made even more sense for Canglan Country to attack them, though he didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. "King Qi, it seems we must quickly draft a letter and join forces with King Chen to resist."

Now, how could they dare attack King Chen any longer?

The eastern terrain is not bad; if the three sides unite, it won’t be easy for Canglan Country to conquer the East.

"That’s the only way." Song Mo’s face was gloomy. The nightmare Yu Chen left him years ago seemed to reappear, and for a moment, he wanted to flee.

Over the years, he also continuously arranged for people to create trouble for Yu Chen, just trying to buy time to seize the East sooner. Only by occupying the East could he use the terrain to defend and have time to train and strengthen his army. After finally emerging from the chaos of multiple powers to become one of the three major forces, everything seemed smooth, with a bit of luck. It seemed it wouldn’t be long before a victor emerged, and he thought fate decreed he could revive Qi. But now, the Canglan Army had arrived.

He knew a bit about Yu Chen. This attack from the other party was definitely not reckless and must have been planned; he just didn’t know how the other party arranged things. Even without a plan, faced with such a powerful Canglan Army, how could they resist?

"Father, what should we do? Can the three forces in the East really resist Yu Chen if united?" Cui Zhao asked. Since receiving the news until now, he still couldn’t believe the Canglan Army came just like that. Just yesterday, he was imagining becoming a founding minister of the Later Qi, basking in glory, bringing honor to the family name. Even if the history books recorded the fall of Nan Qi at that time, with such a halo, his reputation wouldn’t be so tarnished.

Cui Yu was somewhat silent, a silence that made the entire Cui Family uneasy.

After arriving in the East, it wasn’t long before they reunited with the Eldest Prince. To develop the influence to this scale, the Cui Family certainly contributed greatly, with Cui Yu contributing the most. There’s no denying he had some abilities.

If the East could be defended, even if it was sustained, preventing Canglan Country from penetrating, then the Cui Family had made the right choice. Otherwise, not following the Eldest Prince at the time, and being exiled, who knows what would have happened to them.

If they couldn’t hold it, everything would be lost. This time it wasn’t as simple as exile. Based on the news from the Canglan Army, Yu Chen clearly intended to eliminate all potential threats.

"Boss, arrange to send a few children away," Cui Yu said. Canglan Country came fiercely, definitely not for nothing; they really intended to fight, unlike the last clash with Nan Qi.

Cui Zhao’s face turned pale; does this mean they probably couldn’t hold it?

Cui Yu looked at him that way, actually discontent in his heart. Truth be told, he had been discontent with Cui Zhao, his son, for a long time because the other party had ruined much of the Cui Family’s reputation.

Far away in the Capital City, Song Jing was now imprisoned with those rebellious nobles.

A few afternoons ago, they were discussing transporting supplies. Who knew that suddenly soldiers rushed in, capturing them all? Things happened so abruptly, just like when Bei Qi and Nan Qi were destroyed, no family had time to react.

Now Song Jing only hopes her elder brother can hold firm. If he holds firm, it would also make Yu Chen uncomfortable.

Her eyes were both frantic and persistent, filled with a strong sense of unwillingness.

"Fortunately, the young master saw the situation early, otherwise..." In a small courtyard, Yun Sheng sighed.

Song Lian shook his head. "Actually, many people might not be unaware, just unwilling to accept it." Having been a Prince or Princess, right beneath the Emperor, how could they be willing to accept it?

The Canglan Empress was unstoppable; now those people should thoroughly understand.

King Chen received an urgent message, but had no intention of withdrawing his troops, even signifying a continuation of fighting.

Cui Chen, upon hearing, was somewhat puzzled, then speculated whether King Chen intended to use this method to submit to the Canglan Empress?

King Chen smiled without speaking, always maintaining that leisurely and calm demeanor, as if there was nothing difficult.

Returning to his room, King Chen was somewhat excited, taking his wife’s hand: "This day has finally come; my lady, soon we don’t have to worry for those people outside anymore."

Once everything settles down, he could go look at other places.

"Thanks to my lady’s suggestion back then, I made the correct decision."

"Canglan Country employs people without asking about gender; at that time my lady could also show her talents to the world."

Xun Rou smiled gently. Compared to Chen Fanhui’s excitement, she appeared much calmer: "That’s just because my husband was willing to listen, otherwise I couldn’t do anything." As for being an official in Canglan Country, she was indeed interested.

This battle came quickly; Canglan Country apparently also wanted to resolve it swiftly.

King Zhou and King Qi didn’t foresee that King Chen not only didn’t help them but also allied with Canglan Country to flank them from both sides. They didn’t even realize when many around them weren’t their own, betraying them at critical moments. They were utterly defeated.

Seeing themselves surrounded by the Canglan Army, Zhou Jin wanted to survive, and in a moment of desperation, thought of a plan. While Song Mo wasn’t paying attention, he chopped off his head, claiming he wanted to present it to the Canglan Empress as a gesture of loyalty.

Song Li on the side was completely caught off guard, even splattered with warm blood all over his face. When he came to his senses, he saw Song Mo’s headless body falling to the ground.

King Chen, upon seeing this, was momentarily stunned, then thought surely Zhou Jin was indeed ruthless.

But was it any use?

His Majesty wasn’t interested in Song Mo’s head.

Since occupying the territory, King Zhou committed countless atrocities, originally being a tyrant. What good deeds could be expected from him? In this battle, the other side was doomed.

"I’m not resigned, why can King Chen submit and pledge allegiance, but I can’t?" Zhou Jin shouted, glaring.

"King Zhou, haven’t you realized?" Cui Yu wiped the blood off his face. "King Chen was always the Canglan Empress’s pawn. Those around us who defected at crucial times, opening the gates at night, were all arranged by the Canglan Empress."