Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 857: The ‘Greater Picture’
Previously on Family Management Game In Immortal Continent...
Imperial Preceptor's Manor.
Crown Prince Fei Heng and Min Youguo were deep in conversation about the Western Border situation.
A subordinate's report came in, causing their faces to shift dramatically in an instant.
"Li Tianyue has started a rebellion, and Dongfang Liancheng is calling up forces to crush it?"
Crown Prince Fei Heng's face darkened with anger.
He balled up the letter tightly in his fist.
"Has the disorder in the Eastern Border forces grown this severe?
Who would have thought that from the moment I took on the role of Crown Prince, the deep-seated corruption had already festered to this level.
Li Tianyue turning traitor? That can't be right.
I suspect Dongfang Liancheng plans to use her as a scapegoat to rally the troops' spirits."
"Alas." Min Youguo let out a heavy sigh.
"The Old General has no other option; he needs to focus on the bigger scheme.
All the soldiers in the Eastern Border come from different groups.
Li Tianyue leads the seasoned fighters; it was only a matter of time before they got seen as outsiders and targeted for elimination.
If she had any sense, Li Tianyue would've pulled back from the Eastern Border ages ago and stepped down as a commander.
I really can't fathom how events spiraled to this mess today."
Fei Heng's brows knitted together tightly.
Min Youguo gave a soft chuckle.
"Handling this issue isn't that hard. The Old General isn't a fool.
He'll capture Li Tianyue, downplay the problem, and ship her off back to the Li Clan.
The Eastern Border stays under control as the Eastern Border."
Yet all of a sudden, shock gripped the pair.
An Emberwing Guard rushed in with news—it was Ah Hei, Min Youguo's trusted aide.
"To the Crown Prince and Imperial Preceptor: Strange activity stirs in Azure Cloud Prefecture.
The Dark Division from the Hall of Heavenly Principles has disappeared completely.
Li Yaozu has come out of isolation and is making his way to the Forgotten Immortal Lands.
That man Li Yaozu serves as the Li Clan's blade of execution, while the Dark Division consists of innate assassins.
I'm afraid... they won't stand for this result."
"On top of that, there's the Liu Clan in Azure Cloud Prefecture.
Patriarch Liu Wuhuan stays sharp on current events.
Once he learned his mother faced shame in the Eastern Border, he started gathering forces.
Three thousand troops have already marched toward the Eastern Border earlier than planned."
"Regarding Li Xinnian, he's heard the reports too, yet he remains inactive."
At these words, Min Youguo's complexion soured darkly.
He clenched his jaw and slammed his fist on the desk. "Damn fools! The entire bunch is a pack of stubborn troublemakers!"
Fei Heng massaged his temples in frustration.
"Send out the command: If this gets botched unfairly, this Crown Prince will pin the blame squarely on Dongfang Liancheng!"
"Understood, Your Highness!"
Ah Hei paused briefly before adding,
"Your Highness, the Ministry of Works seeks your presence. They urge you to deal with the Eastern Border affair most cautiously."
"Eh?" Fei Heng blinked in surprise.
"What's the Ministry of Works got to do with any of this?"
"It's the Silver Moon Li Clan. Patriarch Li Xinjue is raging.
He's teamed up with many noble houses and immortal families tied to resource extraction to file a collective appeal with the Ministry of Works.
They declare that unless Li Tianyue's case is resolved fairly, they'll stockpile all the materials needed for the Ministry's forging work on their own."
...
"You think your 'greater picture' excuses tormenting my aunt? Fine then, my Li Clan will show you a 'greater picture'!"
"Need troops? Hahaha! Starting today, beg them for your troops!
Azure Cloud Prefecture's territories will no longer send a single soldier to fight under your flag!"
"Crave provisions? Plead with them for provisions!
Henceforth, zero medicinal pills, artifacts, or talismans paid for by my Li Clan's levies will reach your hands!"
"Desire command over the forces? I'll grant you that command.
But hear this: you'll never lead these battle-hardened troops under my aunt again.
Your followers are just a motley crew, full of dark schemes.
They battle not to defend the homeland at their backs; they're simply a gang of despicable opportunists lost to avarice!"
Wave after wave of urgent dispatches hammered Dongfang Liancheng like thunderbolts.
Li Kuangren's fierce declaration stabbed into the elder's chest like a dagger, drawing blood.
He gazed out at the field of battle.
His former comrade, Li Tianyue, carried the same bold and fierce aura from long ago.
Every one of the two hundred thousand in her ranks stood as brave fighters without fear.
Even encircled by a million foes, none backed away; their battle roars echoed low and mighty.
As for him, this veteran commander, he'd long been tainted by the tangled colors of the Eastern Border's "greater picture"—how could he tell true justice from injustice in the midst of it?
His disorganized horde kept falling back, yielding territory bit by bit to Li Tianyue's officers.
"Hu! Hu! Hu!"
The rhythmic call of troops assembling formations.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
"Woooo—"
The thunder of drums and wail of horns faded into the distance from his hearing.
His men lacked any bravery; only panicked deserters were left.
---
Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ [https://ko-fi.com/darktea] ⬅️
Get Early Access to 80 Chapters: Search for "Dark Tea" on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!