Blood-Sucking Empress - Chapter 71

The news that the Empress was personally leading the troops into battle spread very quickly. In less than half a day, not to mention the important officials of the Imperial court, even the people of the Imperial City heard of the news. Everyone was in high spirits and the news of the Empress’ Imperial expedition became a topic of idle conversation during leisure time. Opinions differed, but they all looked forward to the sight.

Compared with the excitement of the common people, some individuals in the palace were full of worries, such as the Emperor Dowager Luo Yu.

Luo Yu went to visit Liyou almost as soon as he received the news. The first few sentences after the meeting was, “Why did you make such a decision? Even if the battles on the frontline are tense, there is no need for you to go there!”

Even if one was careful and cautious, the danger of having the Empress lead the troops into battle was extremely huge. There was no need to take such risks in the current situation. Why should Liyou go? Luo Yu could not understand.

“Are you worried for me?” Liyou was not in a rush to explain, but her tone of asking was full of delight. In regards to Luo Yu’s undisguised concerns, she enjoyed it thoroughly. 

“Nonsense, of course I am nervous. You are the Empress of Qianhe. If you have an accident, what should the Qianhe Dynasty do? And what do you want me to do?” Luo Yu admitted this calmly. Naturally, he acknowledged that Liyou was his daughter and it was human nature for him to care about her. Who could comment on this! As for the other meanings weaved in Liyou’s words, he would choose to ignore it!

“The throne of the Qianhe Dynasty does not only need to be ruled by me. As for you, does it have to be me and  no one else?” Anyone could become the Empress of a country. At worst, you would come across an incapable ruler that destroyed a nation, nothing was impossible.

Luo Yu was stunned by the question, then he avoided Liyou’s gaze in embarrassment. Replying in a low voice, he said: “I only have you as a child, I do not wish for you to encounter any accidents.”

In all fairness, it went without saying the importance of Liyou in his heart. If Liyou asked such a question before, he would have definitely not shied away from telling her. The answer was yes, but now, he didn’t want his words and deeds to be misunderstood by Liyou again. He could not let Liyou fall to the point where she would be consigned to eternal damnation!”

“Hmph, I have already decided to personally lead the troops in battle. It is useless to converse about it. You may leave first.” Liyou was extremely dissatisfied with Luo Yu’s answer. What was this about her being an only child? She wasn’t his child at all. What kind of father could a 10,000-year-old zombie have? This parent-child relationship was simply a joke, but this man was so damn concerned about this ridiculous relationship, how could she not become angry!

This was the first time that Liyou had spoken to him using such a frigid tone and the impatience in those words was apparent. Luo Yu felt that his heart had been fiercely stabbed and while there was no blood, the pain could make people feel numb. At that moment, Luo Yu felt his mind draw to a blank and he could not process anything.

Luo Yu’s reaction was placed into Liyou’s eyes and while she did feel a slight moment of annoyance, she did not want to say another word to comfort Luo Yu. She was not a very patient person, especially when dealing with people who fundamentally disagreed with her. If Luo Yu talked to her like this every time, she really couldn’t guarantee that she could stay calm all of the time. Just like now, she was no longer calm anymore……

“Fine, I’ll leave. Since you insist on leading the troops personally and I cannot make you change your mind, but for the sake of the Qianhe Dynasty, I still hope that you can return safely!” How could Luo Yu’s pride tolerate such blasphemy! He had never been treated like this and he had never seen a fed-up expression in the eyes of those who looked at him. But at this moment, the feeling of irritation coming from the person he cared about the most, how could this be endured! After the aching pain, Luo Yu’s heart became occupied by anger and stubbornness, and his words became icy on purpose. But, he was puzzled. Why was the person in front of him that had said she liked him yesterday talking to him now with such an attitude? How could he not believe that her love was not a joke!

Luo Yu left angered and disappointed. Liyou looked at his retreating back and her face became gloomy, “Anhui, three days later, you will accompany me to the front lines!”

“Understood!” Anhui accepted these orders. His stern face possessed a clear and determined look. Other people’s affairs had nothing to do with him. As long as he could remain by the Empress’ side, it was enough! Anhui told this to himself in his heart.

……

The matter of the Empress leading troops into battle was a very important event. It stood to reason that it was absolutely impossible to prepare everything in just three days, but since Qianhe Liyou’s Imperial Edict had been issued, even the impossible will become possible!

Three days later, outside the east gates of the Imperial City. 50,000 men willing to put their lives on the line stood there, dressed in black armor, holding black straight-edged swords and black cloaks. The murderous aura emanating from their bodies was like a unstoppable black torrent of bloodthirst. Just standing quietly could make the enemy retreat with fear!

Qianhe Liyou stood in front of the suicide squadron, also wearing a full set of black armor. Although it was more gorgeous, with gold embellishments sprinkled amongst the black, it still made people feel an impassable air of gloom. Coupled with her mount, that unknown existence, by just standing quietly among the thousands of horses, it had already made the thousands of horses dare not to approach, and there was a great sense of submissive allegiance.

One person and one horse were very calm, but the procession sending them off were very excited. Li Yao, Long Xizhao and others delightedly looked at the Empress with looks of wanting to give everything to the figure carrying such an incomparable arrogance. They believed that under the leadership of such an Empress, their Qianhe Dynasty would surely usher in unprecedented splendor.

Aside from the ministers, there was also a line of very eye-catching men in the procession sending them off. Standing at the front was the Emperor Dowager Luo Yu. Dressed in silver robes, cold and noble, he was looking at Qianhe Liyou with an indescribable complex look. His heart ached and the pain was uncontrollable. But, he could not express anything and could only stand watching quietly. Watching the most important person in his life from a distance…..

Behind Luo Yu stood Luo Weiqing. Luo Weiqing and Luo Yu were twenty years apart. The two people who possessed the same bloodline looked like brothers. Luo Weiqing had Luo Yu’s coldness and dignity, but it was more gentle and mild. There was faint worry etched onto his face and Qianhe Liyou’s figure reflected in his eyes. His Empress and wife were about to leave him to go to the distant frontlines, a place full of unknowns. How could he not worry about it? But he believed that she would come back safely, most definitely!

Behind Luo Yu and Luo Weqing, there were more than a dozen men with different appearances and demeanor….The arrogant and cold Imperial Consort Qin Ning, the delicate and charming Imperial Consort Murong Xuanhe, the peaceful and indifferent Noble Consort Yun Tailing, the handsome and lively Noble Consort Li Qujun, the melancholy and pretty Noble Consort Luo Xingchen, the seductive and charming snow fox, Feng Xue, as well as the timid and pitiful prince of the Sang Kingdom, Sang Zixin. Except for the Enchanting Imperial Consort who had been banned to the Cold Palace and was barred from stepping outside of it, the concubines in the palace and several men next to the Empress that had not yet been conferred the title of concubine had all arrived. In their eyes, there was only one person. The one standing quietly among the thousands of troops. Despite that, it seemed she was alone, arrogant and domineering, bloodthirsty and fearless, no one could ignore her existence. No one could halt her footsteps. She was their Empress, but also their heaven and earth.

“Empress, please take care!” Li Yao spoke first as a high-ranked minister, and the other ministers knelt down to follow.

Luo Yu didn’t utter a single word, but his expression also showed the meaning of taking care. Luo Weiqing’s lips moved, but he onle nodded.

Liyou’s gaze swept over everyone one by one, as if she was imprinting everyone’s expressions in her heart. Everyone was waiting for her to say something, but she didn’t say a single word from the beginning to the end. Ultimately, she just pulled on the reins and took the lead position while galloping out. Anhui followed closely behind her. Anhui no longer had to follow after her as a Shadow guard, but could follow after her in an open and honest manner.

The news of Qianhe Liyou’s Imperial expedition was not a secret. Of course, the Sang Empire, as a hostile country, received the news immediately. The Commander-in-Chief of the Sang Empire’s army immediately launched a devastating attack on the Qianhe’s border gates, the Yuling Pass, after receiving such news. This ancient border city did not disappoint the hopes of the Qianhe people, still holding out to the moment when Qianhe Liyou arrives!

Day and night, under the leadership of Qianhe Liyou, more than 50,000 suicide solders rushed to the Yuling Pass at the fastest possible speed, entering the battle without a second of rest!

50,000 troops alone was not enough to determine the outcome of a war, but in terms of military strength, these 50,000 suicide solders were determine the final result of the war. They were the Empress’ Imperial guards, the most elite troops of the Qianhe Dynasty. If it wasn’t for Qianhe Liyou’s order, such an army would have never appeared in such a place!

And Qianhe Liyou only had one reason. No matter which army it was, only in true battle could they become sovereigns. A mere verbal statement could not be taken as proof, she wanted to see real strength!

The suicide soldiers did not disapoint their Empress. They became the main fighting force of the war as soon as they entered the battle. Not only did they replace the original defenders as the main force, but they also caught the attacking Sang Empire’s troops by surprise. Finally, when nearly 20,000 corpses were left behind, the Sang Empire announced their retreat. All of the Yuling Pass shouted and cheered, excitedly welcoming the Empress’ arrival!

Jiang Hanyang, the Commander of Yuling Pass knelt down in front of Qianhe Liyou with a face that seemed to have gone through many vicissitudes. Since Jiang Hanyang had returned to the capital to report on the situation, she had been in charge of this place by herself. Holding on these past few days had made her extremely exhausted. She sorrowfully lamented to Qianhe Liyou: “Your Majesty, this minister has guarded the Yuling Pass, but the Pass has suffered severe damage. You really should not take such a risk yourself, this, this is all the minister’s fault.”

Liyou observed the woman in front of her, her face etched with bitter vicissitudes and wearing bedraggled armor. It was obvious that she had experienced hard battles. Not to mention that Liyou didn’t think this person was at fault at all, even if she did, Liyou could not respond. A Commander who stood on the front line without fear of life or death should not be punished, even if she was wrong. After the war, rewards and punishments were to naturally be recorded down.

“You have worked hard. Quickly rise and tell zhen the situation here. I was quite curious when I heard the report that the enemy’s military advisor was very mysterious.” According to intelligence gathered, the military advisor of the other party was an extremely enigmatic individual. Their entire body was shrouded in a black cloak and their identity was unknown. She only knew that the person was appointed by the Empress of the Sang Empire and that all military operations were led by this mysterious individual, which had piqued her curiosity. This is one of the reasons why she came here. If it was possible, she would like to meet them.