Chapter 1178: Empire's Legacy Formation

Ultimately, it couldn't remain neutral and chose Mu.

“You are not the first to be forced to make a choice, nor will you be the last.” He Lingchuan knew well that as the conflict between Beijia and Mu intensified, the living space for these idle demons and wild monsters would inevitably shrink.

They would be forced to choose sides. Choosing incorrectly would mean death.

He Lingchuan subconsciously thought of the spider demon sisters. Even powerful, peace-loving great demons like them were forced into the maelstrom of conflict; what choice did ordinary people have? The torrent of fate swept up all beings, whether they wanted it or not. If you couldn't swim, you would sink to the bottom.

The group had been walking for over an hour. Dong Rui's bat had returned twice, bringing back news that the Yao army was heading directly towards them, having already entered the territory of Jingshan. The pursuit was relentless, and their direction was accurate.

Just then, another unexpected turn occurred.

Horses grazed on the long slope, and smoke curled from chimneys in the valley. Even though Axun was filled with gloom, his lips still curved slightly at the sight of this familiar scene.

After trekking for over fifty days, he was finally home. His wife, by his reckoning, should be five months pregnant, her belly noticeably showing.

However, as he rushed into Chigu, he increasingly felt something was wrong: why were more than half of his clansmen missing? He saw only women and children. And there were fewer horses! He hadn't seen many herds of horses on his entire journey back!

An ominous premonition rose in Axun's heart. He, along with a few personal guards, spurred their horses and galloped back to his home.

Mengmeng happened to be coming out of the inner room. He rushed in frantically, nearly colliding with his wife.

His wife, startled, grabbed the stick by the door for self-defense—it was usually for fending off wolves. Seeing that the unexpected visitor was her husband, she finally relaxed, but she didn't put the stick down. "What are you doing! You're about to be a father, yet you're still so impetuous."

Axun had intended to embrace his wife, but stopped himself at the last moment, looking down at her belly. It was indeed protruding. He dared not touch it. "Is it… is it alright?" he asked, scratching his head with a silly grin. "Are you alright?"

"What could be wrong?" Mengmeng said, pressing her belly. "You're late. Did you get the item?"

Axun's face fell, and he shook his head. He had gone to Baimao Mountain in Julu Kingdom to retrieve the Bright Lantern, but someone had beaten him to it. Throughout his journey back, his heart had sunk, and he had thought a great deal.

His father was controlled by the Evil Armor. There was no telling how many absurd and terrible things he would do. Axun absolutely could not stand idly by, nor could he allow his father to drag the entire clan into the abyss.

"Then what do we do?"

"Where is Father?" Axun countered, asking his wife. "Why are so many of our clansmen missing?"

Mengmeng's face darkened. "The Chieftain led the troops to conquer Zini."

"What!" Axun exclaimed, shocked. "When did this happen!"

"They set off yesterday after the oath-taking ceremony. According to the schedule, they should reach Jingshan tomorrow."

Axun's mind was in turmoil. "Father is half-mad. Are the clansmen just going along with his recklessness?"

Mengmeng recalled yesterday's scene with lingering fear. "He… he was struck with an axe by the Chieftain on the neck, and blood sprayed three feet away. The clan healer did his best, but he couldn't... couldn't save him."

"Second... Second Uncle?" Axun was dumbfounded. "Father killed Second Uncle?" The Chieftain killed his own younger brother!

Second Uncle had never committed any serious wrong or evil, though he did harbor some thoughts about the position of Chieftain... Of course, who wouldn't?

Two months had passed, and his father had become even crazier. Had he already lost all sense of kinship?

"Did everyone else just stand by and watch?"

"Second Uncle's sons, your two cousins, rushed forward to resist, but the Chieftain killed them with a single axe blow each. The Chieftain was so powerful; they were no match for him at all. After that, no one... no one dared to object," Mengmeng said, biting her lip. "Everyone was uneasy, but what could they do? Some people refused to go and quietly left. The Chieftain discovered them and killed three of them on the spot!"

Axun clenched his fists and strode out.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I'm going to stop Father; I can't let him lead the entire clan to their doom!"

Just as he spoke, someone nearby called his name. Axun turned and saw the Clan Elder. "You're finally back," the Elder beckoned to him. "Come here."

Axun ordered his personal guards to wait outside, and he followed the Elder into the tent. There was no one else inside. The Elder even set up a barrier himself before grasping his staff and sitting down. "If only you had returned a day earlier, your father killed your Second Uncle and led all the clan warriors over the mountains to attack Zini."

"This must not happen," Axun said gravely. "I will ride the fastest horse and go stop Father!"

"How will you stop him?" the Elder asked. "Did you get the Bright Lantern?"

"No," Axun's face darkened. "Aside from the Bright Lantern, have you found any other alternative methods?"

He didn't hold much hope, and an idea had already formed in his heart during his return journey from Julu Kingdom to Chigu. If all else failed, that would be the only way.

To his surprise, the Elder said, "The last page of the Heavenly Master's Notes records an incomplete formation. It's drawn with great precision, but the description is vague and doesn't explain its purpose. For the past few months, I've been secretly investigating, spending almost every last penny of my savings, just to find a clue: in fact, the Keshan Imperial Lodge was originally built to seal the Roshen Armor! It only became an imperial residence in later generations of the empire."

The Elder's words immediately made Axun's eyes light up. "Over a thousand years ago, the founding emperor of the Glimmergold Empire personally sealed the Roshen Armor in Jingshan, creating the Heavenly Dipper Array specifically for this purpose. The designer of this array was the Glimmergold Empire's Imperial Preceptor, whose descendants later became Heavenly Masters and developed this array into a hereditary sealing art."

He took out a tattered yellow booklet. "Guess who wrote these Heavenly Master's Notes?"

"The Imperial Preceptor of the Glimmergold Empire!" Axun exclaimed, overjoyed. "Elder, are you sure this sealing art can be used?"

The Elder smiled wryly. "As I said, this sealing art is incomplete."

"You're kidding me?!" Axun was nearly driven to despair. "Does that sealing art work or not!"

"Sealing ordinary demons and ghosts won't be a problem, but for powerful entities, it might not be strong enough..."

Axun's mood swung from elation to deep disappointment, and he couldn't help but curse.

"But the Heavenly Dipper Array on Jingshan is still there," the Elder said, his white brows furrowing, having been interrupted. He couldn't be blamed for not explaining everything at once this time. "I went to inspect it a few days ago and made some repairs according to the sealing art. Perhaps the remnant array of the Glimmergold Empire can help you deal with the Roshen Armor."

Axun wasn't the only one tirelessly working on this matter. The Elder continued, "When the Chieftain set off, I was regretting that all our efforts would be in vain, but then you returned at this crucial moment! Good, good, Heaven does not abandon our clan! If you ride at full speed, you might be able to intercept them at Keling!"

With that, the Elder took out a piece of parchment. "The fastest horses have been prepared for you, and the sealing art is written on this parchment. Study it carefully on your way, and make sure you memorize how to use it."

"Yes!" Axun replied, taking it and striding out.

Outside, there were indeed several sleek, perfectly conditioned horses. Leading them was a magnificent black-and-white dappled steed, its saddle and bridle already fitted, with dried provisions and waterskins hanging from its back.

His wife stood by the horse, her face filled with anxiety. Departures from Chigu were always sudden, but this time she had an ominous premonition.

Axun knew what she was worried about. He gently embraced her and said, "Don't worry, I'll be back soon!"

"Trying to trick me again?" Mengmeng said, displeased, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Will my child ever truly meet his father?"

"Yes, of course!" Axun lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers. "I will definitely bring our clansmen back safely. Our child will grow up in a place free from hunger, war, and prejudice!"

Mengmeng nodded, suppressing her sobs as she hugged him tightly. "Careful, careful not to bump the baby," Axun coaxed her. "Did you know, I saw so many wonderful things on this long journey? The people of Julu Kingdom make many delicious small pastries, each one exquisite and bite-sized; you'll surely love them. And there are harbors and large ships, shell ornaments brought by ocean merchants... I heard that the other side of the sea is even better than Julu Kingdom. When I return, I'll take you and our child to visit. How does that sound?"

He spoke very rapidly. Mengmeng responded with a "Good," but held onto his clothes, reluctant to let go.

Time was precious. Axun had little time to comfort his wife. Though he had a thousand words in his heart, he could only gently kiss her forehead, whisper, "Wait for me," and leap onto his horse, heading towards Jingshan. His personal guards followed close behind.

He galloped for ten zhang before looking back, seeing his wife and the Elder waving at him—one with a slightly bulging belly, the other with white hair. In the Glimmergold Plain, without the protection of strong men, how could such women, children, and the elderly defend themselves? Other clansmen also gathered, their faces filled with anticipation. They hoped he would successfully defeat the Roshen Armor and bring their warriors back safely.

Even as a ruin, the imperial lodge occupied half the area of Keshan. From the mountainside to the peak, broken pillars and crumbling walls of buildings were scattered. One could imagine that in the empire's glorious past, palaces and grand houses stood here, row upon row, at varying heights, filled with beautiful women, laughter, and joyous sounds—a rare sight of earthly splendor in the Glimmergold Plain.

Only the lingering glow of the setting sun now bore witness to the empire's former might. Nature had reclaimed its territory; the Keshan Imperial Lodge was covered by wild grass and creeping vines, a haven for snakes and rodents.

However, at this moment, it welcomed several hundred uninvited guests. Passing through the ruins of Keshan was the most convenient route to Zini. Descending from here meant the Ying people had completed half their journey of conquest. The Chieftain believed that if they could swiftly capture Zini's two key towns, this difficult battle would be halfway won.

The newly promoted Left Guard Commander cautiously approached. "Chieftain, we've marched urgently for six hours, and it's been uphill the whole way. Can we perhaps rest for a short while now? It would be better to attack after we descend."

He was originally a loud, boisterous man, but the Chieftain had frightened him into speaking in a soft whisper.

The Chieftain, who had been staring absently at a dilapidated pagoda in the ruins, heard him and said, "You want to rest after only six hours? Have my Ying warriors become so delicate?"