At Cloudrealm Sky Harbor, shrouded in swirling mist, countless warships patrolled back and forth.
On a high pavilion paved with black tiles, Marshal Silver and General Ward played a strategy game. War banners snapped in the wind, and Skyward Legionnaires stood guard all around, motionless as statues.
General Nate, clutching a bamboo slip, strode quickly up the steps and knelt beside the game board.
"General Nate, reporting to the Marshal."
"Rise."
General Nate rose and respectfully presented the bamboo slip: "Marshal, the latest battle report from Blossom Mountain has arrived."
Marshal Silver picked up a game piece and asked casually, "What does it say?"
"General Lee appears to have been captured."
"General Lee has been captured?"
Marshal Silver's game piece froze in midair, suspended for a long moment. General Ward's eyes widened as he stared at General Nate, and only when Nate nodded gravely did he believe he had heard correctly.
After a brief moment of shock, Marshal Silver quickly reached out, snatched up the bamboo slip, and spread it across the chessboard—scattering the pieces in a single motion.
General Nate, standing nearby, explained carefully, "We actually received this news yesterday, but because it’s so serious, we had to verify it again and again. Afterwards, for reasons unknown, Blossom Mountain began searching outward, forcing our scouts to withdraw. That’s why the matter was only confirmed now, and only now reported to the Marshal."
"General Lee has been captured." Pressing down on the bamboo slip, Marshal Silver’s eyes narrowed to slits. With a flick, he rolled up the slip and handed it across the chessboard to General Ward.
General Ward took the bamboo slip, hurriedly spread it out on the chessboard and studied it in detail. After a long moment, he clicked his tongue in disbelief and asked, "General Lee was forced to attack because Nathan Young lost his battle and refused to return to the fleet. As commander, he had no choice but to go out himself. Earlier, we suspected Nathan might have been in contact with Monkey. With things turning out so strangely, could it be—"
"Impossible. Nathan Young would never go that far." Marshal Silver replied, firm and decisive.
"Then what about General Lee? Don’t forget, Nathan is backed by South Heaven Gate—by General Lee himself. Maybe this whole thing is really a show, with General Lee and Monkey in league from the start."
"No. Even if General Lee had ties to Monkey, he could never control Nathan Young’s actions. Everyone in Heaven knows Nathan and his father don’t get along." Marshal Silver spoke offhandedly.
"Maybe that’s all been a façade?" General Ward pressed.
Marshal Silver did not answer.
But seeing his attitude, both General Ward and General Nate understood the Marshal’s stance: “That kind of speculation is baseless.” They wisely held their tongues.
There are some things that Marshal Silver truly cannot explain.
Back at South Heaven Gate, if Nezha hadn’t intervened in time, Marshal Silver would never have broken through the siege and escaped safely. Silver never mentioned this to anyone, so his subordinates remain unaware, but he knows it well in his heart.
At the time, the best outcome for Heaven was exactly what happened—it was the only way to avoid civil war.
Letting Silver go was a secret order from the Jade Emperor. If Nezha hadn’t wanted to accept that secret command—since there was no formal edict—he could have simply told Li Jing, or made a small mistake in the process. In that case, Silver would never have escaped, and Nezha would have avoided all the hostility that followed.
But Nezha accepted the order, and even risked clashing swords with the Four Heavenly Kings at South Heaven Gate to ensure Silver’s safe departure.
What does that say? It means that, at heart, Nezha is loyal.
Marshal Silver has never trusted Li Jing, the old politician. But Nezha...
Silver believes Nezha has contact with that demon monkey, but as for colluding with the monkey or even betraying his own father—Silver could never believe that.
Besides, what benefit would Nezha or Li Jing gain from conspiring with the demon monkey?
Despite all the clues pointing to Nezha, Silver prefers to believe Nezha was deceived. After all, Nezha isn’t as cunning as his father. Being born from a lotus root, he may have seen much, but his heart is still childlike—making it easy for someone to take advantage.
Turning a black game piece over and over in his hand, Silver finally looked up and said, “Arrange a meeting with Nezha for me.”
Tian Nei hesitated slightly, then cupped his hands and replied, "Yes, sir!"
...
The Heavenly River Fleet had no direct means of contacting Nezha. The only way was through official channels.
Using the dedicated Jade Tablet link between the Heavenly River Fleet and South Heaven Gate, Silver’s request quickly reached the South Heaven Gate fleet. But it didn’t go directly to Nezha—it landed in the hands of King Virūḍhaka.
When his subordinates reported this to King Virūḍhaka, he was in the war hall discussing matters with King Northmore. At the mention of ‘Marshal Silver,’ both kings were startled. When they heard Silver wanted to meet with Nezha, they were even more shocked.
Now, with Li Jing’s capture kept secret, King Virūḍhaka and King Northmore were already jumpy—and Marshal Silver was one of the people they feared most.
Why request a meeting with Nezha at such a time? What could it mean?
"You may withdraw," King Virūḍhaka said gravely.
Once the guards had left, King Northmore asked in a low voice, "What do you think?"
"He comes with ill intent," King Virūḍhaka sighed. "It seems Silver long ago placed spies in Eastrealm, and now he must already know of Li Jing’s capture. Do you remember it was the Third Prince who helped him escape at South Heaven Gate?"
"I remember," King Northmore nodded. "Do you think he’s just trying to repay a favor?"
King Virūḍhaka slowly shook his head. "You underestimate Marshal Silver. Favors don’t bind him, and besides, the Third Prince acted under the Jade Emperor’s secret order—what favor is there? I think Silver intends to negotiate first, then use force if needed."
At this, both kings could only sigh in frustration.
It’s only been one day and someone’s already come knocking. If news of Li Jing’s capture breaks, it’ll be a disaster for the South Heaven Gate leadership.
If anyone investigates, even the previous Peach-for-Broadgaze deal will be exposed.
Concealing such a major war report—no one will escape responsibility.
After a long silence, King Northmore asked quietly, "Should we report Li Jing’s capture first? If Silver gets word to the Jade Emperor before we do, we’ll have no way out."
"No," King Virūḍhaka shook his head, sighing. "Do you really think we still have a way out? The whole Heavenly Court knows we took one hundred Peaches of Immortality from the Queen Mother. With Li Jing captured, there’ll be a reckoning. If we stir things up now, everything will come out. Reporting this will only make it worse…"
King Virūḍhaka didn’t finish, but his meaning was clear enough.
South Heaven Gate has no way out now.
Originally, Li Jing agreed to give Blossom Mountain one hundred Peaches of Immortality because he could keep things under control. If they took Blossom Mountain in one swift strike, maybe they’d even get some peaches back.
Now, without Li Jing, who among them can speak in the Hall of Divine Majesty? The entire South Heaven Gate is nothing but a flock of lambs waiting for the slaughter.
After a long silence, King Virūḍhaka said, “No matter what, Silver must know something. We can’t refuse this meeting. Let the Third Prince meet Silver—and we’d better go too, just in case.”