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[Episode 49]

The Humans got hold of the most fertile lands in Zhong Prefecture

due to a stroke of luck.

In the 8,000 star years of Novoland from the sun to Guxuan Star

our history is but a drop in the ocean.

As for the other five tribes

they all reside in cold and barren lands.

They have never once stopped coveting the lands of Zhong Prefecture.

If the Humans continue to corrupt

why would the oath between the Muyuns and Murus still matter?

The battles in Zhong Prefecture and the ambitions of arch princes

are all foolish and ridiculous to an extreme!

Why don't they know that they should observe carefully?

Look up high and far.

There are six tribes in Novoland.

That is a godsend!

We could use the great wisdom of the Humans to rule all six tribes

use the magical powers of the Charmers to bring six tribes together

let the Soarers make use of the powers of stars

let the Wise use the power of stars to build powerful battle chariots

let the Giants drive the chariots with the guidance of the Oceanides

and do land reclamation.

Wouldn't the territory of Novoland be expanded boundlessly?

We'll seek power from the sky and land from the sea.

The six tribes can expand Novoland and enjoy the outcome together.

Doesn't this achieve more than just a power struggle within the Humans?

Since you wish to make use of the people

why would you have me kill them?

How did the Muru family get their breed of Galloping Wind war horses?

They kill the weak but keep the strong.

Only then can a tribe grow in strength.

In a serene pond, all fishes swim quietly.

How can you tell which is stronger?

Only by instilling fear in them to force them into action

can we differentiate the weak from the strong.

What would you have me do?

I'd like you to... become the emperor.

Your Highness.

Did you have a nightmare?

What did you say?

Your Highness had such a long conversation with Muyun De in private.

Muyun De is a calculative man.

They must have made some sort of a deal between them.

We did not make any deal.

Your Highness, I only asked if you just had a nightmare.

You were thinking to yourself.

About what I must've spoken about with Muyun De.

Now, you're thinking...

Muyun Sheng really is abnormal.

You're frightened!

You're wondering how I found out what you were thinking just now.

Don't swear!

All right, head back and get some rest.

Yes.

People are actually that frightened of having their inner thoughts found out.

What about me?

Back then, when I could read your mind...

were you frightened?

Pan Xi?

Pan Xi?

This is a letter sent from our scout at the Suoda Clan.

Without any salt, we could be in a perilous situation.

Suoda Meng still refuses to take a stand?

As long as we have goldlings

he will continue to sell us salt.

It's snowing now.

He'll keep raising the price.

We don't have to worry about goldlings.

If we run short on them, we'll ask Wan Prefecture for more.

As long as the Muru Cavalry is still in Han Prefecture

they will give us as many goldlings as we want.

Are you displeased with your Iron Wielder?

The Iron Wielder is the king of the world.

Not just the king of Han Prefecture.

Once you're clear about the direction you'll take

you don't have to please anyone.

Zi Yan said that I don't treat you well.

You treat me very well, Iron Wielder.

I only realized after I got a wife...

that I have a good life.

Zi Yan keeps telling me to marry Tie Duo to you.

We're still fighting a war.

We won't talk about this.

She wants me to ask you... when you'll marry Tie Duo.

Give me a date.

Tie Duo is a good woman.

You can't just keep her waiting forever.

We have five clans in the alliance now.

7,000 warriors.

There are as many great men as stars in the sky.

She doesn't have to wait for me.

You still have her on your mind?

That Jin Zhu Hai.

If you wish to remain brothers with me

don't bring that name up again.

Isn't the one you truly love now that female general from East Continent?

Tea.

I've received a confidential report.

Suoda Meng is negotiating a deal with the royal court of East Continent.

If the royal court agrees to his terms

the three major clans, the Suoda, Longge, and Kusu clans

can never join our alliance.

Moreover, Suoda Meng will also cut off our salt supply.

The people of East Continent...

They won't agree to Suoda Meng's terms.

By doing this, Suoda Meng is only bringing humiliation upon himself.

Instead, we can just wait until their negotiation falls apart...

Then use this chance to win over those three clans.

Suoda Meng has always been very proficient in his trade.

He likes to withdraw from conflict.

If East Continent would support us, why not him?

Besides, they never truly wanted us to take over Han Prefecture.

They are just making use of us.

There must be some other reason for supporting us.

Your Majesty.

There's snow damage in Han Prefecture.

The three clans that have yet to join the rebels, Suoda, Longge, and Kusu

have sent a joint urgent report asking to waive tribute this year

and requested 30,000,000 goldlings for disaster relief.

Goodness, that's a huge amount of goldlings.

It's as much as three years worth of the Duan Empire's annual tax revenue.

If it were during peaceful times, it'd be fine, but we're at war.

Where am I to gather these funds?

I didn't agree to give it to them.

Your Majesty!

They said that if we don't agree to this, they will also join the rebels!

I read that.

These barbarians of Han Prefecture...

They are also good at extortion and blackmailing?

Longge and Kusu are big tribes in Han Prefecture.

They have more than 10,000 people.

The Suoda Clan has always traded with Zhong Prefecture.

They're extremely wealthy.

If they were to join the rebels as well

the rebels wouldn't need to worry about their rations anymore.

If they really rebel against us

then... how long will it take us to end the war in Han Prefecture?

The military expenses...

Your Majesty.

I've already conveyed your decree to collect more taxes.

However...

The arch princes refuse to pay?

No... it's not like that.

Arch Prince Jing said that their tribute was snatched away

by bandits in Yue Prefecture on the way.

They are now gathering funds again.

They blame themselves for not training their soldiers well.

They are now making them train hard to scare off the bandits.

Scare off the bandits?

What about Arch Prince Qing?

Arch Prince Qing... He said that he's very old now.

He's now constructing his own mausoleum.

The men of Lan Prefecture have been recruited to build his future grave.

He can't afford to pay any goldlings now.

Please appease your anger, Your Majesty!

He's already too old?

He's even younger than I am!

These brothers of mine...

Such good brothers they are.

Please calm down, Your Majesty.

Fortunately, Arch Prince Ye is offering his full support!

Your Majesty, what should we do about those three major clans?

Please make a decree.

Negotiate!

Send someone to negotiate.

Your Majesty, envoys have just been killed.

I'm afraid no officials would dare to go there now!

I'll go, then.

Your Majesty.

I think that you should choose one of the princes as the envoy.

Then those in Han Prefecture can't complain about our sincerity.

Who do you think is the most suitable one?

Why isn't anyone answering?

This is such a dangerous task.

They will offend whoever they recommend.

Who would dare to answer?

Am I right?

Is this what you were thinking?

I don't understand what Crown Prince means by that.

"How would he know what I was thinking?"

"He really is one of the Charmers."

Sheng... what do you mean?

I've been listening to their thoughts.

What I just said was Master Xue's exact thoughts.

Your Majesty!

I've been wronged! I'm innocent!

Your Highness.

How interesting!

It turns out that everyone's words and thoughts are so different.

Your Majesty, Crown Prince is creating such a disturbance.

How are we to discuss state affairs in the royal court?

If all of you tell nothing but lies

what's the meaning in discussing state affairs?

Father.

Let me show you what human minds truly are like.

I'll pick you.

You seem the most likely to be a good person.

I'll die in the royal court, voicing earnest and loyal advice.

It's the utmost honor of the Gusong family.

I, Gusong Zhi...

I only speak out of loyalty and patriotism.

I tell no lies.

You've said too much of empty rhetoric.

Bare your heart to His Majesty.

What is it that you wish to say the most but can't?

Master Gusong!

Speak your mind.

We never thought that His Majesty would really stab Consort Yin Rong.

What did you just say?

I said that you...

You stabbed Consort Yin Rong.

Your Majesty, don't you understand?

How could there be a destined emperor?

The Duan Empire was only founded upon the oath that

the Muru family gave up the throne to the Muyun family.

Emperor and subjects, the hierarchy and seniority...

Who truly gets to rule?

Who gets manipulated?

This isn't some destined fate.

It's just about making compromises and sounding each other out.

Consort Yin Rong was one of the Charmers!

How could we not know that she was pure-minded

and never interfered with worldly affairs?

You were all here kneeling in the main hall!

You forced me to get rid of the Charmer who jeopardized our nation!

Otherwise, I wouldn't be a good emperor!

My people would be disappointed in me!

We were just figuring you out by using Consort Yin Rong!

That's because Consort Yin Rong matters the most to you.

Who knew that he'd really obey us when we were making things up?

The emperor and his subjects...

We are meant to keep each other in check.

We should rely upon each other!

At the same time, we vie against each other.

We just wanted to see how far you would compromise.

Who knew?

He really went ahead and did it!

Killing Pan Xi...

We played the same tactics on him again!

Crown Prince, you couldn't tell?

What a pity!

Your Majesty, you're a good emperor!

In order to secure his own throne

he would abandon his beloved woman, as well as Crown Prince's!

He did what others couldn't.

We respect Your Majesty.

- We respect Your Majesty! - We respect Your Majesty!

Why are they laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

- Father! - Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Stop laughing!

Why are you laughing?

Father!

Stop laughing!

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

Stop laughing!

Stop laughing!

Stop laughing!

Stop laughing!

Do you find that funny?

Father?

Are you that happy?

I...

I made you all so happy...

- Father! - Your Highness!

You can get some rest now!

You won't have to attend the royal court anymore!

Exactly!

In the past, whoever you might be

it was never a concern of mine.

Yet today...

I'll remember each and every one of your faces.

Every one of you.

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

We didn't do it!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Father.

Before you came along

Jin Ning Quarters used to be the residence of crown princes.

You got to live here as a child

because of my immense guilt for your mother, Yin Rong.

Today, after hearing what the officials truly had to say...

Apart from my guilt, there's now an infinite regret.

I shouldn't have made them tell the truth.

I never expected the truth...

to be more hurtful.

Sheng, don't say another word.

The more you say, the more foolish I appear to be.

Yin Rong...

I was wrong.

Your Majesty, don't listen to the nonsense uttered by the officials.

The empress said

"Your Majesty, don't listen to the nonsense uttered by the officials."

Your Majesty has never stabbed Yin Rong.

Am I not right here, alive and well?

Your Majesty should believe in what you see before your eyes.

Whatever happened in the past...

That's illusion.

From this day forth

His Majesty shall no longer attend the royal court!

In regards to all state affairs

the officials may discuss among themselves!

By the emperor himself!

Your Highness was right to remind us.

Muru Shuo is still alive!

Their family's heritage, the Royal Sky Sword...

Have you all forgotten what it is for?

Gentlemen, enjoy your meal.

I'll take my leave.

Take care, Your Highness.

That Royal Sky Sword...

That Royal Sky Sword was bestowed to Muru Tian Tong by the founding emperor!

Serve more wine to the officials.

Wine is a good thing.

It makes people bold.

Yes.

That sword can kill emperors and officials alike!

Since the Duan Empire has us as officials

there's no need for the Muru family to exist!

But we'll still need to rely on the Muru family

for the war in Han Prefecture!

The war in Han Prefecture?

Muru Shuo must be defeated!

Mentor.

My father has fallen out with the officials once and for all.

He's alone in the palace without any reinforcement.

It's too perilous.

I'm really worried.

I know.

But what can you do even if you return to the palace now?

Indeed.

So much for the superiority of the sovereign.

The prestige of the royal clan.

Thinking about it...

It's no more than a game between one man and a group of people.

Once the rules are broken...

Once they fall out with one another...

this game turns into a fist fight.

How can one man... defeat them all?

He still has me.

But he'll have to wait until I've pacified Han Prefecture.

I need to return to the royal court in full victory.

If I were to head back with the army right now

it would be deemed a deliberate move.

It'd be likely to cause an upheaval.

If so, the last bit of superficial politeness would also disappear.

If there's war in both Han and Zhong prefectures

we can't cope with both.

It will only be more dangerous.

Mentor, you've taken everything into consideration.

I shall await your victorious return.

What is it? Are you all right?

Great General!

Great General!

The rations that Prince Han brought us sank to the bottom of Tian Tuo Strait!

Every soldier is now only given a third of their usual ration.

However, they are still training just as hard every day.

Our men aren't as fit as they were.

Some often pass out in hunger!

Father!

Should this continue, our Muru Cavalry...

Rations for 20,000 people...

How could we gather enough in such a short time?

Now, the heavy snowfall has sealed off all routes.

Mentor--

Let me think this through.

Han Shan.

Kneel.

Whatever the circumstances, we can't forfeit our etiquette.

Bow to His Majesty!

I'll kneel when the rations get here.

His Majesty stopped handling state affairs in a fit of rage.

He has landed the Muru family in a predicament.

His Majesty is too willful.

Father.

Father!

Father, in a matter of 10 days our army will run out of rations.

Every one of the Muru cavalrymen joined when he turned 14 years old.

They were raised as elite soldiers.

Father, will you have us starve to death in North Continent?

Father!

Young Master, the Royal Sky Sword is in here.

Apart from Great General Muru, no one else is allowed in!

Step aside!

Father.

Who let you in?

I know what Father has in mind.

I believe that Father has received the news by now.

It's said that the rations sank into Tian Tuo Strait because of some storm.

It was actually those treacherous officials who held our rations.

The rations never were shipped out of Quan Ming Harbor!

Father, you're here praying to the Royal Sky Sword

because you're considering withdrawing from Han Prefecture?

If we withdraw now, we'll make it in time to cross the sea in 10 days!

We can fight our way back to Tian Qi City!

Use the Royal Sky Sword to kill those treacherous officials!

Then we'll explain it to His Majesty.

We won't be burdened by the time we attack Han Prefecture again!

We can surely take down Han Prefecture in one feat!

Withdraw our army?

Yes, withdraw our army.

This is the best way.

It's a strategy.

Muru Han Shan...

You're the first born son of the Muru family.

As the first born son of the Muru family

how dare you even mention withdrawing our army

before the Royal Sky Sword?

Great General, this punishment is too severe.

Young Master still has to lead the army--

He has to bear in mind that all strategies affect our honor.

The surname Muru is responsible for peace in this world.

We mustn't resort to despicable strategies.

Furthermore, he is to become

the Great Duan Empire's next Great General Muru.

Great General, I request a fight!

Please allow me to take a swift horse.

Within three days, I shall slaughter the people of Han Prefecture

and make their main forces show themselves!

So as to have our army take them on in a battle!

Permitted!

But it won't be just you.

I'll also send out 10 other cavalrymen with you.

The people of North Continent...

They once challenged us with the heads of Gusong Tuo and our men!

Today...

I'll make them pay a fold for what they did!

I hope that you won't disappoint me again!

Yes!

As a child, I heard the story

that our ancestor shared the world with Muyun Xiong Jiang.

Back then, the Muru family were such heroes.

Our ancestor, Tian Tong, held a sword and advised Emperor Muyun righteously.

"I don't want your sovereign and lands!"

"So long as you don't forget..."

"how much blood of Muru men was shed in the sovereignty you call the world."

My great-grandfather, Muru Ming Guang!

He abolished the fatuous Emperor Min upon the grand hall with the Royal Sky Sword!

My father...

Yet he has always acted so cautiously.

He's wrong in doing so.

The current Duan Empire...

If the Muru family continues to tolerate such humiliation

we will only be at the mercy of others!

Han Shan...

Should I one day become the Great General of the Duan Empire

I refuse to compromise like my father did!

The Royal Sky Sword shall be restored to its former glory!

It will again supervise emperors and monitor all officials!

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