"Fang Yuan was not blindly confident, and this western campaign was not a decision made out of arrogance, as he had arranged for contingencies.
Checking the time, the secret move from the Western Continent should be arriving soon.
As Fang Yuan had expected, not long after the flying ship left the Indian-Chu Sea, a figure wrapped in a gray-brown cloak appeared suddenly from the clouds.
The figure moved stealthily, but could not escape the detection of the ship's master-level experts.
"Who goes there!" Gao Shang's figure flashed and blocked the way in front of the ship, his gaze sharp like a knife.
A clear female voice came from under the cloak: "I wish to see the Emperor of the Xia Kingdom."
Gao Shang's brows furrowed, and just as he was about to interrogate, a calm voice from within the cabin interrupted: "Let her in."
Gao Shang immediately stepped aside, and the cloaked figure lightly glided over the deck, removing her hood as she entered the cabin. A pair of snow-white beast ears slightly trembled.
It was none other than Lili from the Dragon Anvil.
The 'secret move' that Fang Yuan had mentioned referred to her.
Originally, the Dragon Anvil Kingdom had sent Xirwei to establish an alliance with the Xia Kingdom. Later, under Fang Yuan's request, they brought a precious Taoist body method as a token.
This Taoist body method laid the foundation for the alliance between the two countries.
Now, it was time for their ally from the Dragon Anvil to play a role. Although Fang Yuan's side had always been asking for help without giving any substantial aid to the Dragon Anvil.
Looking at the weary Lili before him, Fang Yuan asked with curiosity: "Why didn't your lord Xirwei come?"
"She is negotiating with the masters of other nations and has her hands full," Lili said, bowing slightly. "The king specifically sent me to assist you."
"Alright, then tell me, what arrangements have the people of the Western Continent made to welcome me?" Fang Yuan asked with a smile.
As soon as he spoke, Gao Shang and the others standing by immediately understood, realizing that the emperor had already laid traps in advance!
Lili began to explain: "Since the news of your western campaign reached the Western Continent, the Iron Spine Kingdom took the lead in calling an alliance meeting, and all the top Western powers attended."
"During the meeting, the various forces reached a consensus and decided to unite against you, setting up an elaborate trap in the Western Sea before your arrival..."
Lili laid out the plans of the Western nations in detail. Although some details were still unclear, the overall arrangement was evident.
This information left Gao Shang and Mo Tianxing visibly shocked. However, they quickly exchanged looks and mutual suspicion appeared in their minds. "Your Majesty, could this information be false...?"
As soon as those words were spoken, Lili's beast ears suddenly stood up, and a flash of displeasure appeared in her eyes. Her whole body seemed to bristle with emotion.
"For your Xia Kingdom, my Dragon Anvil is willing to bear the name of traitors, and I even risked my life to bring you this information, yet you still question its authenticity?"
By the end of her words, her sharp canine teeth were barely visible, clearly showing she was truly upset.
Lili's anger was not unreasonable. Since the alliance between the two countries, the Dragon Anvil had always offered their full support as Fang Yuan had requested, while the Xia Kingdom had never given any tangible rewards in return.
Now even the intelligence she risked her life to deliver was being doubted; it was a grievance hard to swallow.
Even facing the emperor of the Xia Kingdom, Lili boldly vented her displeasure.
"Do not be agitated." Fang Yuan's voice softened slightly as he chuckled. "I believe your intelligence is true."
Since Lili entered the cabin, her name tag had remained green, which indicated she was indeed on the side of the Xia Kingdom.
Hearing Fang Yuan's words, Lili slightly turned her face away, but her ears, which had been upright, softened a bit.
Tsk, quite proud.
Fang Yuan continued: "But I am curious, why does the Dragon Anvil risk the entire Western Continent's wrath to help me?"
Fang Yuan had sent Dragon Anvil to gather intelligence, partly to pave the way for his western campaign and partly to test their loyalty to the alliance—a win-win situation.
However, what surprised him was how openly and clearly this seemingly unfamiliar nation stood on the side of the Xia Kingdom.
"This is the decision of our king," Lili answered seriously.
"Firstly, since we are allies, we must stand together and fight to the death."
"Secondly... it's because of our country's situation."
She sighed. "Although Dragon Anvil is a large nation in the Western Continent, we have always been treated as inferior."
"Oh?" Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because... we are the descendants of demons and humans," Lili explained with a bitter smile, pointing to her beast ears.
"I'm sure you've noticed, whether it's Xirwei's tail or my ears, we have traits of demons..."
"People like us are born to live in subjugation, called mongrels, constantly despised and oppressed by other humans in the Western Continent."
"Now that you're marching west, why should we continue living alongside those bastards?"
"I see..." Fang Yuan nodded, a glimmer of realization flashing in his eyes.
The people of Dragon Anvil were mostly mixed-blood, likely connected to the demons that descended from the heavenly gate when Ruan Tianhe opened it years ago.
These mixed-bloods had suffered discrimination in the Western Continent, so it made sense why they stood so firmly by his side—after all, the enemy of my enemy is my natural ally.
"By the way, Your Majesty, if you truly unify the Western Continent, will Dragon Anvil... have a good future too?"
At this moment, Lili softly asked, her eyes shimmering with faint hope.
When Dragon Anvil first formed an alliance with the Xia Kingdom, they were simply seeking a partner to survive in this harsh world.
Who would have thought that this Eastern ally would sweep across the eight regions in just a few months, becoming the first to annex the entire Eastern Continent!
Now the positions of the two nations were worlds apart, and regardless of whether Fang Yuan's western campaign succeeded, Dragon Anvil's future seemed uncertain like a candle flickering in the wind.
"Lili..."
Hearing Lili's question, Fang Yuan's voice was low and gentle, yet carried an undeniable force.
"The survival of Dragon Anvil depends on your own choice."
He leaned forward slightly, and the shadow cast over him seemed like an invisible pressure.
"Surrender, or... die."
"However, I can promise you that as long as you remain loyal to me, no one in this world will dare to discriminate against you."