Guanhuang, capital of the Samfeng Province in the Xingyuu Empire. The Samfeng Province was the northeastern-most province in the empire, sharing its borders with the Maelstrom Gulf. With key strategic locations like the Yunyun Stronghold, a large army was permanently stationed here. And time would reveal how wise it was, as the Alzar Kingdom would make countless attempts at landing in the province, since it was the shortest naval route between the two civilizations. For example, when General Illion launched his northern offense and rescued Elizabeth, and right now, with the Alzar Kingdom's renewed offense. As the army took root here in the Samfeng Province and the years passed, a settlement was naturally formed.
First were the soldiers, then the commanders, logistical staff, spymasters, and messengers. Followed by the government officials, craftsmen, physicians, labourers, and stablemen. After being stationed here for so long, relationships were gradually made, and children were born. Once that happened, came the need for farmers, smithers, builders, teachers, and architects. In time, this tiny military settlement spawned into the medium-sized city it was now, boasting a population of three hundred thousand people! It became the provincial capital of the Samfeng Province! Nevertheless, from afar, one would recognize its iconic militaristic history from its scarred walls, tall watchtowers, and heavy defenses.
Because of this strict militaristic oversight, it was a site of heated contention between the Imperial Council and the Li Family. The army and soldiers stationed here were primarily from the Imperial Tai Feng Army and acted under the direct orders of the Imperial Council, and therefore the Imperial Family. On the other hand, the Samfeng Province, and much of the northern provinces of the Xingyuu Empire fell under the Li Family's jurisdiction. Of course, this was not an official designation by the empire, but rather it was a consequence of the overwhelming political, economic, military, and cultural influence that the Li Family held. Like a kitten walking into the lion's lair, there was nothing the imperial army could do, except lay low!
Princess Xiuying overlooked the city from the high balcony. She gripped the wooden railing tightly and grimaced, her mood exceptionally poor. From here, everything looked fine, but she could sense the brewing storm underneath, swirling to sweep everyone away! Because, aside from the Li Family and the Imperial Council, the Alzar Kingdom was close by, watching like a hawk from the sidelines, ready to dive down at the earliest opportunity! The three great powers were converging here in the Samfeng Province! Anyone could tell this place would turn into a battlefield soon. The girl could not help but sigh with helplessness and futility. An Imperial Princess could only amount to this much in the end, forced to watch…
Meanwhile, Princess Ming was seated patiently in a chair, mulling over a few important documents. She scowled, realizing the Prime Minister's intentions. It was clear that the Prime Minister had little interest in repelling the Alzar Kingdom! From the reports, due to some mysterious assistance and Admiral Kang Bao-Zhi's fleet, the Alzar vanguard fleet suffered heavy casualties… It should be logical then to follow-up and thoroughly annihilate the fleet, leaving no survivors! However, they did not do that. They let the Alzar Kingdom set up an advance base, somewhere north of the Yunyun Stronghold, and showed no movement henceforth.
As much as Princess Ming disliked it, she had to admit it was a strong move. The Alzar Kingdom was based in the Samfeng Province, which was the territory of the Li Family… The Imperial Council could tout it was a big victory against the Alzar Kingdom, while forcing the Li Family to act. The family's forces were limited and stretched thin already. They barely managed to stabilize the situation after losing their five central strongholds at the start of the civil war, but this could put them over the edge. In this battle, the Li Family was the biggest loser! On the point of no return, there was only one path to salvation but… Ming frowned. That path… was not a good one either.
Two figures shuttled through the window at high speeds, landing in the room. It was none other than the Imperial Princesses' two Protectors, Sentinel Chang and Tai! Chang quietly arrived in front of Ming's desk, knelt reverentially, and waited to be called upon. On the other side, Tai groaned loudly and popped his joints, while reaching for a drink. His uncouth behavior and appearance were enough to tick Xiuying off. She was having a moment of reflection when he barged in, ruining her mood even further. The princess stormed over and snatched the drink out of Tai's hands before dumping it out the window.
"Ah!" Tai cried. "What are you doing?"
"Hmph. That's what I should be asking you! There's a door here! Can't you two be normal and go use that instead of jumping through the window? What are you, a monkey?" Princess and Protector glared at one another furiously and were about to face off. It looked nothing like a relationship between master and servant!
"Xiuying and Tai, stop it," Ming commanded, lowering her brush and paper. The two snorted and did as she said. While Chang was embarrassed over his partner's actions, Ming addressed him, "What do you have to report?"
"Yes, Your Highness. From what we could see, there are several hundred guards covering the perimeter. In addition to those, there are around thirty to forty people from the Loon Family, most of them are Perception Realms."
"That many Perception Realms?" Xiuying was dumbfounded.
The Loon Family was one of the subordinate families underneath the Li Family. If the Li Family was the heart and mind, then they were the arms and legs. They were responsible for carrying out the main family's will! And among the twenty-four subordinate families, the Loon Family stood out as one of the core pillars central to the Li Family's power. Much like the Alzar Kingdom's Hawken Household, they had perfected a training regime that could consistently train Perception Realms. For example, the late Loon siblings: the Lightning Flicker, Juan Loon, and the Thunder Crash, Jingyi Loon. Thirty Perception Realms was an extremely powerful force! Once again, she had to revaluate her opinion of how strong the Li Family really was. They were worthy of contending in this war!
"And we spotted a few familiar figures too. The Humming Swordsmen, the Blind Snake, the Spider Seven…" Although they might not be as formidable as Juan or Jingyi Loon, they were still extremely famous and powerful experts under the Loon Family! They stood head and shoulders above the normal Perception Realm. Almost walking legends, together, their potential was truly unimaginable!
"I half-expected this, but…" Ming messaged her temples. "I should have realized that this would happen."
"What do you mean?"
"I mentioned this before, but we're the keys to the civil war. The Li Family needs us for their legitimacy to the throne whereas the Imperial Council is trying to kill us because of that. Combined with our ambiguous relationship with the Alzar Kingdom's heir apparent and the Li Family is going to place us under extremely strict security. They're going to do anything to both protect and prevent us from acting out."
"But we came all the way here!"
"That wasn't our decision to make," she shook her head. "That was our uncle's."
As if on cue, someone knocked on the door and announced their arrival. Xiuying, Ming, Chang, and Tai tidied up and made themselves presentable before letting them in. Five people then entered. The first person was someone that everyone knew: their uncle and current patriarch of the Li Family, Imperian Qiang Li! The four others were slightly unfamiliar faces though. They were Wei Loon, Jinhai Loon, Liqin Loon, and Mingyu Loon. Wei was an energetic spunky young man with bright eyes and a positive attitude. Jinhai was a tall and silent man with an intimidating appearance. Liqin was a beautiful young woman with a gentle disposition. Mingyu was a gloomy young woman with a droopy face and bedraggled hair. Although their appearance and demeanor were questionable, they were all Perception Realms!
"Wait outside," Imperian Qiang instructed. The four heeded his instructions and stepped out, closing the doors behind them.
"The Four Dragons of the Loon Family!" Xiuying cried with surprise.
"Yes… After Juan and Jingyi passed, these four are now my personal guards."
There was a hint of sadness in his voice. He knew the Loon siblings for a long time and their sacrifices affected him greatly. For him, they were less of Protectors and more of close friends! It was made especially worse after Juan revealed her feelings for him in her final moments. He was engaged to Chan Shui, Tai Shui's older sister and Lord Daiyuu's daughter, so he could never reciprocate, but… it stung, nonetheless.
He shook these thoughts out and said what he wanted to say. "I brought you two here to Guanhuang because I also have business here, but… this is as far as I can permit your actions. Aunt Hong-Lan, the rest of the elders, and I agree on one thing. We cannot endanger you two by contacting the Alzar Kingdom. That is where we draw the line."