"Order the Heavenly Fleet to hold position at Cloudrealm Sky Harbor, await reinforcements, and do not engage!"
"Summon all generals before the throne, and immediately proceed to capture Monkey!"
"Order the garrison at South Heaven Gate: defend the gate to the death, do not let the tiger return to the mountain!"
"Order the Four Dragon Kings: do not send rain to Blossom Mountain."
"Order the Ten Judges of the Underworld: from this day forth, any demon soul from Blossom Mountain entering the Underworld is to be consigned directly to the Eighteenth Hell—no mistakes allowed!"
"Order General Erlang of River Pass: immediately lead the army to launch a fierce attack on Blossom Mountain’s heartland!"
...
Dozens of imperial edicts were swiftly issued in the form of jade slips, and the Heavenly Court—the colossal force that had ruled the Three Realms for tens of thousands of years—was instantly jolted into full activation.
Nathan Young stared blankly at the stack of dispatches. "Your Majesty... you're not going to save the Heavenly Fleet? That's half a million soldiers!"
"This is a 'seize the bandit king first' strategy."
"Is that so?" Nathan snorted. "Do you really think Blossom Mountain will surrender just because Monkey is caught?"
General Lee did not answer.
"Those hardened demons—do you really think they'd surrender just because one of them is captured? That's far too naive."
General Lee's face was steely. "That’s none of your concern. The edict says to defend South Heaven Gate to the death—so that’s what we’ll do."
From the end of the corridor, General Trent strode over, striking his fist against his breastplate. "General, all troops are in position."
General Lee gave Nathan a cool glance, took a deep breath, and turned to lead General Trent toward the grand hall.
"Issue orders to all units: rotate the barrier formations every quarter hour."
"Every quarter hour... isn’t that a bit too fast?"
"Monkey found the first array eye—there’s no guarantee he won’t find a second. The Emperor has already committed to 'seize the bandit king first.' Cloudrealm Sky Harbor is lost, and if Monkey escapes again, Heaven will have no way to recover!"
"Yes, sir!"