CHAPTER 642: CHAPTER 99: DIVINE REALM

Four Symbols Chess Middle Heaven?

Is there such a place name on the Eastern Continent?

Yue Jinghua pondered in her heart. Looking again at Jiuhua Hall, as Long Ao uttered these words, everyone’s expressions changed. There were those surprised, those cautious, and even some ecstatic.

But without exception, when Long Ao mentioned the term Four Symbols Chess Middle Heaven, a look of fear filled their eyes.

Such expressions were akin to people mentioning the Divine Court or Assassin Alliance, those mysterious and powerful major organizations.

However, Yue Jinghua had never heard any information about Four Symbols Chess Middle Heaven.

"Tsk, this old guy is actually starting to break through to the Immortal Realm," Little Jinuo spat disdainfully.

Seeing the bewildered look on Yue Jinghua’s face, he was about to explain, but Old Jinuo gave him a sidelong glance and gestured with his lips, meaning that he would explain it to Yue Jinghua later.

Their seemingly affectionate actions were all observed by Cheng Ying. Beneath her Purple Gauze, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, but it was unclear what kind of cunning plan she was devising.

Princess Long Xue then asked Yue Jinghua about some matters regarding Shang Kingdom, confirming that within the Shang Kingdom, the military was weak and the defenses frail, relying solely on the support of a Dark Heavenly Master, Qin Gang. After confirming this, she allowed Yue Jinghua to step aside.

"In such a case, it is impossible to ask the old general to return now. But with the military situation in both the north and south being so urgent, if no reinforcements are sent soon, it is inevitable that calamity will befall these places," Princess Long Xue showed a troubled expression as her fingertips traced over the Imperial Army’s strategic map.

Within Jiuhua Hall, there was a moment of silence, as no one could suggest any good solutions.

"This young lady takes the liberty to suggest a strategy, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to voice it," Cheng Ying, who had been assisting Long Teng the 72nd in taking Elixir Pills, spoke up at the right moment.

After receiving the silent consent of the Emperor, Cheng Ying continued: "Although the Dragon Rider Team only consists of a few hundred men, there are thirty newly promoted Imperial Dragon Knights, and in the Imperial City, among the various noble families, there are exceptional children of officials. These families also possess precious ships and flying creatures. If we can gather these people together and have them led by an experienced commander to one of these critical locations, we can solve the urgent crisis at hand."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall also found the idea to be feasible.

In the Imperial City, the various scions of nobility only knew how to cause trouble and had no outlet for their abundant energy. These individuals were also from influential families that could not be disciplined too harshly, but if these people could be united into a military force, and thereby cultivating those privileged official and wealthy second generations in the Imperial City, it would be a perfect solution.

"Father Emperor, I think Alchemist Cheng’s idea is very good. Why not let Young General Long assume the role of commander for this batch of newly promoted dragon knights and the children of the ministers of the Imperial City? He can lead them to pacify the rebellion," Princess Long Xue, after a bit of thought, also found the plan excellent.

In this way, only half of the Dragon Knights would need to be dispatched, with the other half remaining in the Imperial City to defend the Imperial Palace.

"But with the south and north both experiencing calamity, where exactly should we dispatch Young General Long and the others to?" Princess Long Xue held the military reports from both regions, both of grave importance.

"Your Highness, in the view of your old servant, the turmoil in the Shang Kingdom is more urgent. Although the Shang Kingdom is small and seems insignificant, it borders Dragon Battle to the north and the Rui Song Federation to the south. If during this upheaval the Ruison Federation reacts faster than our Empire and occupies the Shang Kingdom first, then the Empire will lose a natural barrier. Your old servant believes we should dispatch experienced members of the Dragon Rider Team to the Shang Kingdom immediately. Although the situation at Fandi Port is also urgent, as Fandi lies next to the sea and does not have formidable neighboring countries, the crisis there can afford a slight delay compared to the unrest in Shang Kingdom," Old Jinuo from the Pengbo Family highlighted the crucial relationship between the two regions.

After listening to this, Princess Long Xue consulted with Long Teng the 72nd, and after some discussion, made an immediate decision. Three days later, the Dragon Rider Team led by Little Jinuo and Zhan BeiAo, set out swiftly for the Shang Kingdom.

"Reporting to the Princess, Young Master Yue of the Duke Mansion has recently returned to the Imperial City. For the past few years, he resided in the capital of the Shang Kingdom, Poluo City. In your servant’s opinion, it would be best for her to accompany us to the Shang Kingdom," Little Jinuo suggested bringing Yue Jinghua along to the Shang Kingdom.

Upon hearing this, Yue Jinghua felt a slight shock in her heart. In truth, even she did not understand what was going on with the reappearance of Fa Xiaoyi in the Shang Kingdom after being missing for over a year. From what the others had said earlier, Fa Xiaoyi returned as if possessed by a War God—forming Array deployments and proving unstoppable, which was a far cry from the previous cold and narrow-minded Prince Fa.

"This humble official believes," Zhan BeiAo glanced at Yue Jinghua, "that Lord Jin Nuo’s words are impractical. To my knowledge, Yue Jinghua had a close relationship with Fa Xiaoyi when she was in the Shang Kingdom. If she goes there, I’m afraid she might not be of help but rather add to the chaos." Zhan BeiAo seemed to see through Yue Jinghua; including her in his own troops would be like planting a ticking bomb.

"Then let Young Master Yue join our side. Young Master Yue’s elder brother, Yue Minzhi, is one of the new Knights of the Dragon Rider Team. You brothers are close—as thick as thieves. Together in battle, your partnership would not only be commendable but also make for a great story," Long Jiuzun said with a cold smirk, his intentions well calculated.

On the journey to Fandi Port, while the road was long and arduous, if the two young men from the Yue Residence ended up in his hands, Long Jiuzun silently vowed to ensure they would not return.

Unwittingly, Yue Jinghua became a pawn to be kicked around, yet unable to object. After all was said and done, the real instigator behind this was none other than Alchemist Cheng, who, hidden behind Long Teng the 72nd, presented an image of deceptive innocence.

When seeing Yue Jinghua cast a deadly glare her way, Cheng Ying pursed her lips and smiled, "Tomorrow, my father will leave his retreat, and His Majesty’s new elixir will be completed. Since the trip to Fandi Port requires the attendance of all children of the officials from the Imperial City, and as Cheng’er has her own expertise, why not join and contribute a modest effort for the Empire?"

With that, the issues of suppressing the rebellions in the south and the north came to a close.

Without knowing how, Yue Jinghua had suddenly entered the palace, faced the Emperor, and was conscripted, becoming one of the new recruits of the Empire to set off for Fandi Port.

After everyone had left the Jiuhua Hall, Jinuo accompanied Yue Jinghua to the Inner City’s Linglong Stables to select a Dark Beast mount previously awarded to her by Princess Long Xue.

Seeing that nobody was around and seizing the moment when the palace eunuchs in the lead were not paying attention, Yue Jinghua pulled Little Jinuo aside: "What is Four Symbols Chess Middle Heaven? Why did everyone’s expression change when Long Ao mentioned Four Symbols Chess Middle Heaven?"

"To think you’re from the Imperial City and yet you’re unaware of what Four Symbols Chess Middle Heaven is. Have you ever heard of the Immortal Realm?" Little Jinuo scorned, but then reconsidered, realizing that Yue Jinghua had been downtrodden in the Shang Kingdom for years. Considering that a place as marginal as the Shang Kingdom had a Dark Heavenly who could easily be called the National Guardian General, one could easily deduce how poor the cultivation of Dark Practitioners there must be.

"Tell me, how many levels of cultivation do Dark Practitioners have?" Little Jinuo looked at her as if disappointed with her ignorance.

"Dark Human, Dark Jade, Dark Earth, Dark Heavenly, and then the Dan Realm," Yue Jinghua replied, reflecting on all the Dark Practitioners she had encountered—among them, it seemed that Long Ao was the most powerful so far.

"And what is below the Dan Realm? Never mind, let me just tell you directly. Below the Dan Realm is the Immortal Realm, the Body Seizing Realm, and the Nihility Realm. Starting from the Immortal Realm, they are also known as the Demigod Realm, the God Realm, and the Super God Realm," Little Jinuo spoke with a face full of yearning as he got to this point.