The Imperial Palace of The Tolling Lands

"Advice? What advice did Liu Tián Qǔ give?" The Emperor Immediately asked.

"To answer Your Majesty, Liu Tián Qǔ's advice was that this mountain must be secured by the imperial family immediately. None of the smugglers can be allowed to escape the net. After capturing them, not all of them should be to death. Some should be put to work on the mountain as they already know the best mining spots on the mountain." Wang Fèn Yǒng answered the Emperor.

"Cunning indeed," The Emperor muttered under his breath. Before asking, "Did your Commander report back on whatever it was the Shadow Warrior found alarming?"

"Yes Your Majesty, on my way here, the commander of my shadow guards already informed me that we had found seven different teams of smugglers and a few lone smugglers. Following the smugglers from the mountain, we have located four warehouses full of melded ore in the city already. The commander of my shadow guards believes there to be more. So Liu Tián Qǔ is absolutely correct. Not one smuggler can be allowed to escape. We must catch all of them in our net. From what I understand, some of these smugglers have been operating a long time in Veiled mountain. However, how much melded ore have The Tolling Lands have been able to secure. Not one bit, so where is all the ore that has been taken from the mountain? Where is it being smuggled to?" The atmosphere in the kings' studio changed completely.

The emperor exploded from the stool in a fury. "Are you telling me that right under the Imperial seat. Priceless melded ore is being smuggled into the Imperial City in such vast quantities, and no one knows of this? Oh, yes, I see. I see it very clearly, indeed."

"Something bigger is going on here." Wǔ Gāng Huā said. Wǔ Gāng Huā and the Grand Prince looked at each other in foreboding. They watched as the Emperor, hands clasped behind his back, began to pace back and forth naked rage printed on his face. The last time they saw the Emperor this angry, the Imperial City ran rivers of blood.

"Exactly, and the only way we will get to the bottom of this matter is through the smugglers. I understood how big this matter was the moment Liu Tián Qǔ asked to speak to me in private indicating to have my servants stand clear of my chambers as we talked. I also understood why he said that the Imperial Family must be the ones in control of the mountain until we can get a clearer understanding of exactly what's going on."

"So that's why you asked His Majesty to do the same? The Grand Prince said.

"This matter is too big and for some strange reason as I talked to Liu Tián Qǔ. I just got the feeling that many people will be implicated in this matter. So until we can fully understand, control, and contain the situation. It's better if we leave no room for error."

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"Wang Fèn Yǒng how long do you need to close the net." The emperor said in a soft calm, eerie voice. His face was now completely emotionless devoid of all expression. However, everyone room who heard that soft, calm voice felt the hairs on the back of their necks rise. They all heard the deadly bloody storm that was building in that soft, calm voice.

"I am waiting to hear from my Shadow Guard Commander. I told him to report here as soon as he has news."

The Emperor halted from his pacing upon hearing Wang Fèn Yǒng's response. He was now once again standing in front of the massive wooden flat standing board where the map of the five countries surrounding the Tolling Lands was pinned. Hands clasped behind his back. He stood in what could be described as a military parade rest. The thick blood lust emanating from him was forecast of the preparation of the tolls of death.

"Cùn Yīn," he called quietly in that calm, eerie voice.

Following the sound of his call, a Shadow Warrior appeared in the room. "Your Majesty," the shadow warrior answered bowing before the Emperor.

"Check on it," the emperor commanded softly.

"He is already here, Your Majesty. He is waiting to be summoned." The shadow warrior replied.

"Have any of the maid or eunuchs that have been told to stand clear of the entrance left the courtyard during this time?"

"No, Your Majesty"

"Anyone who tries to sneak away, have them followed to see where they are going. However, before they could report to whomever, they have snuck away to report to kill them. Send in the Commander," the Emperor commanded

"Yes," the shadow warrior said bowing before disappearing from the room.

Several seconds later, the Commander of Wang Fèn Yǒng's Shadow Warriors appeared. "Your Majesty," he said, greeting the Emperor.

After he greeted everyone, the emperor said in that eerie soft, calm voice, "Report."

Upon hearing that voice, the Commander's heart skipped a beat. He instantly knew a blood storm was brewing in the Imperial city of The Tolling Lands.

"In response to Your Majesty, as of now all ready divisions of the Shadow Warriors have become active. An additional three divisions of reserved Shadow Warriors have been called in as well.

Wǔ Gāng Huā stood as still as a mountain. She was lost deep in contemplation. However, the Grand Prince exclaimed in shock, "An additional three divisions? That's over forty thousand Shadow Warrior called out of reserve!?"

"Yes, Grand Prince this is turning into a massive operation. Much bigger than everyone anticipated and I think it has to do with the unexpected sale of the mountain. There is too much activity, and we could not control the situation alone and have to call for reserves. The Heir of Wang Royal Manor private army, The Dark Blood Warriors, are on stand by. The Grand Prince's Wang Royal Manor Commander had caught wind of our activity. He is assisting us as well and has put the Wang Royal Manor Warriors on stand by."

"What is this? What is going on here? Why are my Wang Royal Manor Warriors on stand by and I know nothing of it?" The Grand Prince asked in deep anger with rage bubbling up in his belly.

"Your Grace as of twenty minutes ago we were able to uncover eleven warehouses full of melded ore. Both inside and outside of the Imperial city under the control of smugglers and outside forces."