"The borders are not secured!" Exclaimed a low, extremely shocked voice. A muted clamor rippled of the room. Dense auras exploded throughout the room so powerful as though it would rip apart the very atmosphere. These auras were the harbinger of slaughter, annihilation, and obliteration. Auras of intense blood lust, thick heavy killing intent, murder, wrath, rage, fury, butchery, war, carnage, there was also a strange aura that stood out. An aura that froze the very air but at the same time felt as though it would rip apart the very fabrics of space. It was the aura emanating from the Elder. The thick auras seemed to smother the very air of the room. However, there was not a single sound. Because of the Emperors' earlier command, everyone struggled to contain themselves, even the Emperor himself.
After the Emperor received the messages from Wang Fèn Yǒng, the Emperor carefully read the messages. As he read the messages, bloodlust grew heavier in the air. After reading the messages, he passed them to Elder Wang. For a moment, the Emperor closed his eyes and sat as still. He was as still as an unmovable mountain at the head of the table in his seat. It was clear to see that he was visibly struggling to contain his emotions. In the time it took for the elder to read through the messages. Some of the aura of bloodlust in the room receded, and the Emperor got himself under control.
The first words he uttered were, "Before the end of the night and before any move is made, I want the Imperial City sealed. It is to remain sealed until I say otherwise. I want the Gòu Archers Stationed on the walls of the City and throughout the city. Twenty Thousand Imperial Guards, Twenty Thousand Shā Qì Warriors, Twenty Thousand Immortal Warriors, and Twenty thousand Wang Royal Manor guards will seal the City," The Emperor commanded.
"The Tolling Torches on the walls of the city and throughout the city are to be lit and remain lit until I say otherwise. Any messenger birds flying in or out of the city and throughout the city is to be shot down. All messages retrieved must be given into the care of Elder Wang. Imperial Grandfather please oversee a team of Imperial Clerks as they review all the messages retrieved." The Emperor commanded in a heavy but calm voice.
Elder Wang gave a small bow from his seat and said, "It will be as you wish.
"I will announce the agenda of the closing of this net. The main agenda I myself will handle. That is taking care of the Duke of Rong that borders Josper. As well as purging the garrisons on the borders of Josper and Leandore. Next on the agenda is to secure every known piece of ore melded that came from Veiled Mountain. Not one piece must escape our grasp. The final agenda is the extermination of every person involved in this matter and all nine generations of their family. Do not waste time on killing who needs to be killed. Behead them and move on. There are too many people who must be eliminated to waste time on a few." A soundless ripple passed through the room as everyone understood just how furious the Emperor was.
In the Tolling Lands, Nine Familial Exterminations was not common. However, no one in the room felt that this was undeserved. Not only were high officials involved. They colluded with an enemy country. Hid vital resources the country desperately needed. They also put the borders of the country at risk. Death. What they deserved was death. In this matter, everyone in the room was united.
While making eye contact with each person sitting at the table, the emperor said in a soft grim voice. "No one is to use this period of time to address family feuds or grudges. Our country is facing a major threat right now, and our borders stand unsecured. This is where our attention must be focused. Anyone found to be taking advantage of this time to solve family feuds, or grudges will be immediately granted dead with all nine generations of his family. I will not tolerate dissension amongst us at this time. Is that understood?"
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Rustles of everyone rising to their feet to bow sounded throughout the room as everyone answered, "Yes, Your Majesty." Everyone was shocked by the heavy punishment the emperor imposed for anyone found violating his command. Even though they were shocked, everyone understood that unity at a time like now was imperative.
As everyone took their seats, the emperor continued, "Young General Wang, you are in charge of Prince Jing of Jasper. Don't bother bringing him back. Let him leave his life wherever you find him. Failure is not an option. He is not allowed to escape. Take your Dark Blood Warriors with you, Ten Thousand of my Shā Qì Warriors, and Ten Thousand Gòu Archers. All the smugglers that you run into must also leave their lives were you find them. Secure the wagons that you come across along the way. Have them bought back by a team of warriors. There must be something special about the wagon that the prince is escorting. He did not ride ahead and leave it. Make sure you secure it and have it bought back by a team of your warriors as well. Have it taken to the Wang Royal Manor and held there. You are to continue on to the Leandore borders sending back whatever wagons you run into. Behead the Commander of the Leandore garrison. Secure the Leandore garrison and wait for me there." The Emperor commanded.
"Yes, Your majesty," Wang Fèn Yǒng said, rising from his seat and bowing deeply.
"Grand Prince according to the report from the Shadows. Three roads are being used to escape with these wagons. Each group of wagons has a Shadow and Shadows are guarding the roads. That will make things easier for you. Consult with the Shadows. Locate each wagon and bring them back. The smugglers that you run into must leave their lives wherever you find them. Not one is to escape your grasp. You have over 50,000 Wang Manor Warriors standing by all ready to go. That is more than enough to get this task done."
The Grand Prince rose from his seat and bowed while saying, "I will obey your command, Your Majesty,"
"First Lady of Wang Royal Manor, those nine wagons taken by unknown groups must be brought back. You are a very clever person, so I will leave the handling of them to you. Take your Twenty Thousand Qǔ Army with you. If you need more warriors, you may take Ten Thousand of my personal Shā Qì Army." A shudder ran down almost everyone's spine. Everyone started thinking. 'The Emperor is bringing out the Shā Qì Warriors!' The Shā Qì Warriors were Warriors of a different breed. The Shā Qì Army was created when Elder Wang was emperor. They were one of the Emperor's personal Armies. They were also used as assassins. They are silent violently ferocious, deadly men that live to do only one thing, and that is to harvest souls.
"As you command Your Majesty," The First Lady of Wang Royal Manor said, rising from her seat and bowing deeply.
"Commander in your investigation were any of the local smugglers under suspicion of collaborating with outside forces?" The emperor asked the Shadow Commander.
"We have no hard evidence to prove it Your Majesty, but we suspect the large scale smugglers of occasionally collaborating with outside forces. However, for the most part, they avoided each other." The Shadow Commander answered.
"All large scale smugglers are to be annihilated along with nine generations of their families. All small scale smugglers and lone smugglers are to be imprisoned. We will have use of them later." The emperor decreed before continuing to issue orders."
T/N: Tolling Torches- Tall massive Ancient torches that were built around the walls and throughout the Imperial City, Border Garrisons, and many other parts of the Tolling Lands. It is unknown what powers these torches, many believe its the sentinel spirit of the Tolling Lands that powers these torches once they are lit. These torches are lit only during wartime or on Imperial command. They light up the night as clear as day. The torches were mostly used to light up the walls of the Imperial City or Garrison to keep the enemy from sneaking upon the city or Garrison.