The Waveblade Banner snapped in the wind.
Cloudwatch Harbor floated above the clouds, brilliantly lit, its lanterns echoing the distant stars scattered across the night sky.
Warships moored in perfect formation stretched as far as the eye could see. Silver-armored guards marched ceaselessly, their weapons polished to a mirror shine, glinting coldly in the moonlight.
Compared to the chaos of the South Heaven Gate army, Cloudwatch Harbor was the picture of order.
All supplies were prepared; the army stood ready to march at a moment's notice.
In the grand hall, the Heavenly Generals waited anxiously.
General Skyler paced back and forth, sighing in frustration. General Trent sat quietly to the side, unsheathing his sword and polishing its blade, cold light glinting in his eyes.
Clusters of Celestial Army officers gathered in low voices, casting anxious glances at Marshal Percy Silver’s empty seat suspended above.
Reports of victory from South Heaven Gate arrived in waves, but the order to march from Marshal Percy Silver was slow to come. Restlessness grew among the generals.
For centuries, when had the Heavenly Fleet’s glory ever been overshadowed?
In the elegant back chamber, dim candlelight flickered to life.
Marshal Percy Silver stood at his desk, practicing calligraphy again and again. Each stroke was as fierce as a tiger descending the mountain, as fluid as a dragon playing in water.
Yet his expression remained calm and indifferent.
He finished copying a full scroll of military strategy when a faint knock sounded behind him.
"Marshal, a fast report has arrived. It requires your personal attention."
His brush paused, ink slowly blooming across the bamboo slip.
General Ward bowed respectfully, retrieved the letter through the door, then slit open the envelope with a small knife.
He glanced quickly over the letter and reported, "Marshal, it is a private letter from the Peng Demon King."
Marshal Percy Silver’s lips curled faintly. He set his brush in the wash, stirring it gently, and asked in a soft voice, "What does it say?"
"The Peng Demon King asks the Marshal to show mercy; he is willing to act as an inside agent to help the Marshal conquer Western Ox Continent. The letter is also signed by the Lion Camel King."