“Your Majesty, I thank you for the gracious reward.”
Amidst the envious gazes of the court officials, Xu Shu bowed respectfully to accept the Emperor’s decree, then slowly retreated.
The rest.
Could be left to Your Majesty.
And Qin Zheng.
After granting Xu Shu his reward, his gaze, deep as an abyss, fell once again upon the military officers.
It landed upon Meng Tian, who had remained silent throughout.
“He’s here.”
Fu Ling, who had been watching Qin Zheng’s gaze, narrowed his eyes and turned slightly.
He also looked towards Meng Tian, who stood among the military officers.
Even he, felt a sense of awe emanating from Meng Tian.
“Meng Tian.”
At that moment.
Qin Zheng’s voice echoed through the hall, and upon hearing it, the many civil and military officials.
All once again, wore puzzled expressions.
Who was this Meng Tian?
Why had two individuals, both unknown to them, appeared in court today?
“This subordinate is present.”
Amidst the confusion of the court officials.
Meng Tian, who stood among the military officers, stepped forward, bowing respectfully as he stood beneath the dais, his aura subdued.
“Hm?”
“What level of cultivation does this person have?”
“I cannot even discern his true strength?”
After witnessing Meng Tian clad in black armor, many officials furrowed their brows slightly.
Because they.
Couldn’t tell what Meng Tian’s current cultivation level was, only feeling that he was incredibly strong.
Strong to a terrifying degree.
“Hiss...”
At the same time, many officials, both civil and military.
Upon seeing the Grand Marshal also appear clueless about Meng Tian's cultivation level.
Instinctively gasped in shock.
They murmured in disbelief, “Could he be a Quasi-Emperor?”
Besides a Quasi-Emperor.
They couldn’t imagine that even at the peak of Saint King, the Grand Marshal wouldn't be able to discern his strength.
After all.
The Grand Marshal was a Saint King at the eighth level.
Amidst the awe of the many officials, Qin Zheng looked at Meng Tian, who stood beneath the dais, his aura subdued, and said in a deep voice, “If you, leading your Golden Fire Cavalry, were to pacify the Heavenly Firmament Holy Land, could you achieve it within three days?”
As for why they chose the Heavenly Firmament Holy Land.
It was a decision made after Qin Zheng, Xu Shu, and Meng Tian had discussed it.
Compared to other transcendent forces.
The Heavenly Firmament Holy Land’s foundation was the shallowest among the three great empires and two great holy lands.
To establish dominance.
It was undoubtedly the most suitable target.
“Your Majesty.”
Upon Qin Zheng’s inquiry, Meng Tian pondered for a moment.
Then, he respectfully replied, “If the airship can reach the Heavenly Firmament Holy Land within a day, this subordinate can wipe out the Heavenly Firmament Holy Land within a day, and raise the might of our Great Qin to the heavens.”
“Hiss...”
As soon as Meng Tian spoke.
A chorus of gasps once again echoed through the court.
Everyone.
Including Fu Ling, was staring at Meng Tian in shock, disbelief etched on their faces, their voices trembling as they murmured, “He truly is a Quasi-Emperor?”
“Good!”
After receiving Meng Tian’s reply.
Qin Zheng didn't harbor any doubt.
A glimmer of brilliance flashed in his eyes, and he immediately declared, “Today, I hereby appoint you as the Great General of the Nation, ranked second-grade, and granted a second-grade salary.”
“From this day forward.”
“Lead the Golden Fire Cavalry and wipe out the Heavenly Firmament Holy Land, raise the might of our Great Qin to the heavens.”
Qin Zheng’s appointment sent another shockwave through the court officials.
While filled with awe.
Their hearts also swelled with excitement.
Especially the military officers, who gazed eagerly at Qin Zheng and Meng Tian.
They hoped this battle.
Would bring them along.
“This subordinate accepts the order.”
To their disappointment, until Meng Tian respectfully accepted the decree, the Emperor showed no signs of sending them out.
However.
While Qin Zheng didn't intend to have these court officials participate in this battle of reckoning.
His gaze shifted.
Landing upon Fu Ling, who looked stunned, and said in a deep voice, “Grand Marshal.”
“This old man is present.”
Upon hearing this, Fu Ling instantly regained his composure and stepped forward.
“For this battle.”
As he stepped forward.
Qin Zheng said slowly, “You shall accompany Meng Tian, I want to see the Heavenly Firmament Holy Land wiped from existence after this battle.”
At this point.
A hint of coldness had crept into Qin Zheng’s tone.
“This old man.”
Fu Ling’s expression turned serious at this moment.
He dared not be careless in the slightest.
He quickly bowed respectfully and accepted the order, “This old man will not disappoint Your Majesty, I will leave no traces behind.”
With Qin Zheng’s nod.
Fu Ling slowly retreated and approached Meng Tian, bowing formally and saying, “General Meng, this old man will follow your orders in this battle, anything you command, I will die without regret.”
“Grand Marshal, there’s no need for such formalities.”
Seeing this, Meng Tian also bowed respectfully towards Fu Ling.
A hint of admiration flickered in his gaze as he looked at Fu Ling.
Although he was not at all worried.
That Fu Ling would use his position as the Grand Marshal to meddle in this battle.
But Fu Ling's declaration had earned him a bit more respect.
Seeing this.
Those officials who had previously spoken out against the Emperor's decision, all chuckled wryly amidst their shock.
Especially the Minister of Finance.
At this moment, he looked towards Xu Shu with a wry smile and said, “You had these cards up your sleeve, Minister Xu, why didn't you mention them earlier.”
“Alas!”
“Now this old man is a short-sighted fool.”
He spoke, and his gaze once again fell upon Meng Tian, who stood among the military officers.
His eyes were filled with awe once again.
This was a Quasi-Emperor, after all.
Even during the height of the Great Qin Empire, they hadn't produced many Quasi-Emperors, how could he not be shocked?
“I wonder.”
“Where did Your Majesty recruit these two individuals from?”
Although he didn't know where these two individuals came from.
But the Minister of Finance was certain of their loyalty to the Great Qin, to the Emperor.
It surpassed everyone present.
Perhaps.
Even more so.
This could be seen from Xu Shu, Minister Xu, directly offering a flying vessel comparable to a semi-divine artifact.
That much was clear.
“However.”
“What kind of elite force is this Golden Fire Cavalry, how does it compare to the Impregnable Camp?”
“Alright, since Your Majesty trusts General Meng so much.”
“This Golden Fire Cavalry must be an unparalleled, invincible force.”
Thinking about this, the Minister of Finance shook his head.
He stopped thinking further.
He knew how domineering the current Emperor was, once a decision was made, no one could stop it.
“Issue my decree.”
At that moment, Qin Zheng’s voice echoed once again from the court, “Appoint Gao Shun as the Divine Martial General.”
“Ranked second-grade.”
“Granted a second-grade salary.”
With Qin Zheng’s appointment of Gao Shun.
The Great Qin’s court meeting for the day ended.
For a moment.
The court officials, both civil and military, dispersed, the shock they felt lingering.
However, there were some officials among them.
A glimmer of a different kind of color flashed in their eyes, they didn't walk with their colleagues, they just lowered their heads and left.
“Keep an eye on them.”
Xu Shu, who witnessed this scene.
A chill flickered in his eyes, and he commanded towards the empty void.
“Understood.”
As his voice fell.
A slightly hoarse voice of agreement echoed from the void.
Then.
A slight spatial fluctuation flashed, instantly disappearing without a trace.