Move Together, If It’s War Then Let It Be War

William Wang Jinling was right: with Prince Nolan absent, Southlyn and the other kingdoms grow restless. Though Prince Nolan alone can't intimidate all three realms, his presence in the Capital keeps them in check—none dare act recklessly while he sits in command.

While Prince Nolan and Serena Phoenixfield fought Ghost Soldiers and braved the imperial mausoleum, Victor Phoenixfield led his forces against Southlyn's army, once again showing Southlyn the unmatched command ability of the Phoenixfield Clan.

This time, Southlyn didn't send troops directly against Eastlyn, but used the excuse of 'helping Tyre City restore autonomy' to station forces in Tyre, join with Tyre's old factions, and demand Eastlyn withdraw its troops from the city.

Once territory is taken, how could anyone give it up? Not even William Wang Jinling, let alone Victor Phoenixfield, would agree to that.

So what if Southlyn's army is twice our number? The men of the Phoenixfield Clan have never feared anyone on the battlefield. If they want war, we'll fight!

One hundred thousand troops faced Victor Phoenixfield's fifty thousand for four days and five nights, yet they still failed to take Tyre City. When news reached the Southlyn King, he was nearly driven mad with rage.

This battle was meant to be won by surprise—forcing Eastlyn's troops out and seizing Tyre City while their forces were thin. But now, five days have passed, Eastlyn's reinforcements should be arriving, and even if Southlyn sends more troops, they've already lost the advantage.

"You fools! What did you promise before the campaign? Why are you all silent now?" The Southlyn King vented his fury on the nobles, since the general leading the troops was their own recommendation.

Of course, the king agreed because the man was highly capable—one of Southlyn's top generals, and a veteran who'd even fought Phoenixfield Zhan. Yet, unexpectedly...

He wasn't a match for Phoenixfield Zhan back then, and he's still no match for the Phoenixfield Clan now. The Phoenixfield Clan truly is Southlyn's natural nemesis—whenever they face a Phoenixfield general, Southlyn can't win. It was true in the past, and it's true now.

No one in court dared speak; the atmosphere in the great hall was stifling, and everyone barely breathed. After a long silence, an elderly minister finally stepped forward, trembling: 'Your Majesty, we cannot afford to lose this battle. Since our general has proven incompetent, I beg you to replace him at the front. Young Lord Damien is a master of war—I recommend Prince Damien to lead the army.'

Prince Damien of Southlyn—the sinner of Southlyn, or rather, of all Four Kingdoms and Nine Cities—was currently under heavy guard, locked away in the imperial city.

A man like him should have no chance of release, but once the topic was broached, the other nobles and ministers immediately echoed: 'I second the motion.'

Whether the king agrees or not doesn't matter; the point is to stir things up and push a candidate who will give the king a headache, buying the ministers a little more time.

"I also believe this is feasible. Prince Damien is a master of war, rarely matched in the Four Kingdoms. I implore Your Majesty to let him lead the army and redeem himself through merit." Regardless of any private gains, recommending Prince Damien now also serves their own interests.

Never mind the young crown prince the Southlyn King is promoting—if they lose this battle, their prestige in both the army and court will plummet, and only the Wang Clan woman and the crown prince will gain power.

Across Southlyn, half the ministers proposed that the king release Prince Damien and put him back in command.

The Southlyn King exploded with rage, cursing the ministers on the spot for not caring about Prince Nathan's life or death.

Remember, Prince Damien could only return to Southlyn because Prince Nathan offered himself as a hostage in Eastlyn. If they release Prince Damien now, it's as good as giving Eastlyn an excuse to kill Prince Nathan in retaliation.

Of course, the ministers had countless 'righteous' reasons, insisting that Prince Nathan's sacrifice for Southlyn was only right. But the king gave them no chance—after his furious outburst, he stormed out, leaving the ministers staring at each other in confusion.

"Even if things haven't gone exactly as we hoped, judging by the current situation, it's only a matter of time before my cousin is released." Secretly escorted by a mysterious patron, Wendy Summers slipped back into Southlyn. The fact that someone brought up Prince Damien in court was clearly Wendy's—or rather, the Su Clan's—doing.

A starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Though the Su Clan suffered for Prince Damien's affair—their assets seized, men executed, women sold to government brothels—a small number managed to escape.

Those survivors stayed hidden outside the city, plotting a comeback. Once Wendy arrived, she quickly gathered their strength; with the mysterious patron's help, the Su Clan reconnected with long-planted chess pieces from years past.

Meanwhile, the Su women in the brothels spared no effort for the clan, using their beauty and youth to fight for the Su Clan's rise.

Wendy's operations in Southlyn weren't entirely smooth, but she faced few real obstacles. Connecting with Prince Damien was only a matter of time.

The first to hear of Southlyn's turmoil and the Su Clan's stirring wasn't William Wang Jinling, but Prince Nathan—currently serving as a hostage in Eastlyn.

Though far from Southlyn, that didn't mean he lacked connections there. Prince Nathan learned of Southlyn's court movements immediately, and from a web of reports, deduced that Wendy Summers was probably active in Southlyn.

Knowing William Wang Jinling was furious about Wendy's earlier escape, Prince Nathan didn't hide the news—he had Yana Zhan deliver it to William right away.

William Wang Jinling smiled faintly and told Yana, "He's a clever man—he'll protect you for life." It wasn't about love; Prince Nathan was simply good at judging the situation and letting go when needed.

"I know he will." Yana Zhan smiled softly, unconsciously revealing a girlish side, no longer weighed down by sorrow or grief. Clearly, her time in Eastlyn had been kind to her.

After Yana Zhan left, William Wang Jinling wandered outside to the courtyard, gazing in the direction of Jixia Academy in a daze. After a long while, he murmured, "Master, you can rest easy now—Yana is doing well."

With Wendy Summers now in Southlyn, William Wang Jinling unceremoniously tossed the investigation to Felix Fuller. Naturally, William had no intention of helping Southlyn clean up its own mess—what he wanted was: "Find out who's backing Wendy Summers."

Though it was Eastlyn's ministers who helped Wendy escape, a lone woman couldn't have slipped back into Southlyn so smoothly. Someone was helping her behind the scenes. William didn't care about Wendy herself, but he did care about her mysterious patron.

That person was far too well hidden.

"I'm swamped," Felix Fuller gritted out, bloodshot eyes and stubbly chin proving he wasn't lying. But...

William Wang Jinling had never been the sympathetic type. Felix didn't rush to accept, and William lazily replied, "The Grand Empress Dowager is sick with longing for the late emperor. As heir to the Divine Temple Fuller line, surely you can help ease her suffering."

William was threatening Felix in a roundabout way: if Felix refused to investigate Wendy Summers, William would expose his Divine Temple lineage and saddle him with Lady Min, the Grand Empress Dowager, to handle.

As the Wang Clan heir, it was only natural that William knew Felix's true identity. Felix wasn't surprised; he didn't fear exposure, but he dreaded dealing with Lady Min...

"You win!"

No surprise—against William Wang Jinling, all Felix could do was compromise.