Chapter 2842: Accepting Orders

The battle at the border had to have been earth-shattering.

To think that the natives of this world were so strong that the Manchus defeated the renowned Marshal Yuan.

Doesn’t that mean Great Ming is doomed? Who else in the imperial court is a match for the Manchus?

Those participating in the Order Ceremony were shocked beyond words. They knew how powerful Captain Augustus was better than anyone else. His reputation was forged from many years of slaying Annihilation worshipers.

Such a powerful expert had actually died in a dungeon that they thought was a walk in the park!

Did the Deity of Annihilation descend upon this trial?

Zu An shook his head. If a universal deity had descended, their tremendous power was bound to suffuse the world. There was no way the participants would have been oblivious to it.

While he was trying to figure out the situation, an imperial edict suddenly appeared in the sky. First Elder Oberon had to be flustered, as he was summoning everyone participating in the Order Ceremony to enter the capital and discuss the matter.

There were too many doubts in Zu An’s mind. He quickly settled matters here before returning to the capital via the imperial edict.

Meanwhile, Li Zicheng and his eighteen cavalrymen were galloping through the Shangluo Mountain with looks of despair.

That Hong Chengchou is too powerful, both in terms of individual strength and military prowess. He even crushed Gao Yingxiang! There’s no chance of turning the tables here.

His subordinates were also thinking of leaving the rebel group, but they knew that even if they returned to their hometowns, the officials would capture them and sentence them to death by slow slicing. They would have to live out their lives in the shadows.

Li Zicheng stood on the edge of the cliff with a cold heart as he listened to his subordinates’ gloomy chatter. He knew that none of his subordinates’ hearts were with him anymore.

Just then, a cloaked figure stood before him. “Do you wish to make a comeback?”

Li Zicheng flinched.

Where did this fellow appear from?

“Who are you?”

“It doesn’t matter who I am. I can grant you the power you desire to exact vengeance,” the cloaked figure said with a compelling voice.

Li Zicheng’s breathing hastened. “Yes, I want power.”

The cloaked figure asked, “Aren’t you going to ask about the price?”

“There’s no need for that. I have already lost everything. I want the power to avenge Gao Yingxiang and overthrow this goddamned Ming dynasty!”

“Good. I chose the right person. I shall grant you the power of reproduction. The number of subordinates under your command will snowball to the point where you have more than enough manpower...”

A bizarre light shone on Li Zicheng. His eyes began to gleam brightly. He turned to his subordinates and declared, “Brothers, let’s fight back! We shall get back what we have lost!”

...

There was a huge uproar in the imperial library. Everyone was fervently discussing the situation. It had dawned upon them that there was something amiss with this Order Ceremony.

Zu An and Isabella stood by the corner. “Bella, do you still have no leads on Chuyan?”

Something had to have happened to Chu Chuyan if she hadn’t reached the capital after so long. Zu An had also been using his connections to look for Chu Chuyan, but to no avail.

“I recently received a tip-off. Someone spotted a beautiful woman resembling big sister Chu overseas,” Isabella replied.

“Overseas?” Zu An widened his eyes. This world had become massive after they transmigrated here. It would make sense for Chu Chuyan to struggle to reach the capital if she was overseas.

“Big sister Chu was spotted on the Zheng clan’s land. The Zheng clan is antagonistic to the imperial court. That could be the reason big sister Chu hasn’t been able to make her way here,” Isabella explained.

Just then, the First Elder quelled the ruckus in the imperial library and began speaking. “The situation at the borders continues to worsen. It’s fortunate Hermes has been guarding Shanhai Pass, and Naraka has been keeping things in our border cities stable. Thanks to their efforts, we have been able to keep the Manchus at bay. What do you think we should do next?”

The crowd in the imperial library exchanged looks. The atmosphere felt heavy. Even the powerful Augustus had died in battle. The others didn’t think they would fare any better than him.

“Second Brother and Sixth Brother should be able to keep things at the borders stable.” Fifth Elder Lilith couldn’t maintain a nonchalant attitude anymore, so she participated in the meeting as well.

“We can’t maintain the status quo. The goal of our Order Ceremony is to restore order to Great Ming. We have to quell the invaders,” First Elder Oberon said with a darkened expression. “Neither Hermes nor Naraka are adept at warfare. They can guard key locations, but invading the enemy is beyond their means. Who do you think can deal with the Manchus at the border?”

Fourth Elder Mastema suddenly said, “I think Zu An can do it.”

The others turned to Zu An.

Isabella’s heart clenched. She hurriedly interjected, “Fourth Elder, big brother Zu is young. I don’t think it would be wise to entrust such a heavy responsibility to him. There are more competent elders here.”

She knew how dangerous the borders were. Naturally, she didn’t want the man she loved to face such danger.

The other members of the Order faction voiced their agreement.

“Why should we entrust this responsibility to an outsider when the other elders are here?”

“I trust the Second Elder and Sixth Elder more. I don’t think an outsider should be our representative here.”

...

Zu An also spoke up. “I also don’t think it’s appropriate. I don’t think I would be able to accomplish what Captain Augustus has failed at, and I don’t wish to get too involved in the Order Ceremony. I am a Memory envoy, after all.”

I have no ties with the Fourth Elder. Why did he help me in the Fortune Palace? Does he recognize my talent and wish to earn my goodwill, or does he have an ulterior motive?

“You have already proved yourself by subduing the rebels in the northwest. I reckon no one present here is more adept than you in warfare. There’s no one more qualified to deal with the Manchus than you,” Fourth Elder Mastema declared. “You aren’t just a Memory envoy. You’re also our Conglomerate’s future son-in-law. You aren’t an outsider here.”

“Fourth Uncle~” Isabella protested coyly, though his words stirred something in her heart.

She knew that many present didn’t approve of her marriage with Zu An, which was why they gave him the cold shoulder previously. While it seemed as if she was living the high life as the Acadias’ first miss, the role came with heavy responsibilities. Unlike normal people, she couldn’t act on her whims and preferences.

It would be ideal if the Universal Conglomerate recognized her relationship with Zu An. That said, the borders were still too dangerous. She couldn’t bear the thought of putting Zu An in danger.

She was about to reject the offer on Zu An’s behalf when First Elder Oberon suddenly interjected, “Very well. I shall assign him as the Jiliao Military Governor[1] to suppress the invaders.”

The others in the Order faction were horrified, but before they could protest, First Elder Oberon waved his hand and declared, “Say no more. There’s no one more suited than him for this role.”

Oberon turned to Zu An and said, “The imperial court will give its all to support your campaign. As long as you subdue the Manchus, not only will we recognize your relationship with Isabella, we’ll even grant you a place on the Round Table Council.”

Shocked gasps echoed in the imperial library.

Joining the Round Table Council would grant one untold influence and wealth. It was a position that countless coveted but to no avail.

Some even considered offering to lead the campaign at the borders, but on second thought, even the invincible Augustus had died on the battlefield. Heading there would be nothing more than an act of suicide for most. As tempting as it was to be the Round Table Council’s Eighth Elder, the odds were too severely stacked against them. It wasn't worth risking certain death for.

That thought calmed the hearts of many. Some even clamored for Zu An to take on the role.

Pressure was building for Zu An to accept the role, but he remained unmoved. He was aware of the dangers involved.

He was about to turn down the offer when Oberon suddenly remarked, “Isabella chose you. I hope you don’t prove that her judgment was wrong.”

Zu An turned to Isabella.

The latter shot him a look and told him telepathically, “Big brother Zu, you mustn’t go. Don’t worry about me...”

Zu An suddenly laughed.

Since fate has planned these events for me, I have to confront them for a shot at survival. Besides, I shouldn’t be letting my lover down.

“Fine, I’ll go.”

1. Jiliao refers to the Jizhou and Liaodong area. In short, Zu An has been given high command over military affairs in that region. ☜