"Exactly as I wished!"
The Dragon Emperor was overjoyed. With the Zhao family's involvement, quelling the Nine Heavens Dynasty would be no problem.
Steward Li stood by, also smiling. The Li family head had only agreed because he was coerced by the imperial family.
After leaving the palace, the Li family head turned to Steward Li, "Did the Li family truly do this?"
"Absolutely!"
Steward Li chuckled, "The imperial family's intelligence network is vast; there will be no mistakes!"
The Li family head clasped his fists and left the imperial palace. He had never doubted the imperial family's methods. If his guess was correct, this matter was indeed closely related to the Li family.
Filled with immense anger, the Li family head returned to his estate and summoned many of the Li family's disciples.
"Patriarch, has something major happened?"
A clansman asked. Since their return from the palace, the Li family head had been in such a state, causing them great worry.
"The assassination attempt on the驸马 was carried out by someone from the Li family!"
Old Master Li said coldly, "Who was behind this? Come forward and confess!"
The hall fell silent, the situation even more unbelievable, even coming from Old Master Li's mouth.
"Do I need to say it again?"
Old Master Li's face was ashen. Having suffered so much humiliation in the imperial palace, how could he accept this?
"Grandfather, it was me!"
Li Guang stepped forward, his eyes filled with helplessness. He never imagined that the imperial family would uncover this matter.
"Foolish, utterly foolish!"
Old Master Li shook his head, "Assassinating the 驸马, do you know how grave such a crime is?"
"Among the three great families, the Li family has always been the weaker one. If we can use this opportunity to pull down the Zhao family, we can solidify the Li family's foundation!" Li Guang clasped his fists, "My actions were all for the survival of the Li family!"
"Now that the truth is out, do you know that our Li family faces imminent disaster!" the Li family head said with a cold expression.
The Li family members were shocked and somewhat fearful. If the imperial family were to mete out punishment, they would undoubtedly be implicated, leading to endless trouble.
"One person's actions, one person bears the responsibility!"
Li Guang stated directly, "I will go to face the Dragon Emperor now. If he spares the Li family, I will atone with my death!"
"You are worthless before the imperial family!"
The Li family head waved his hand and then looked at an elder, "Gather the Li family's many experts. I will personally lead the campaign to the border!"
The Li family members were slightly surprised. It was likely that the imperial family had used this as a threat, compelling the old master to go to the border.
"If the Li family leads the army, it will harm the Li family's interests!"
An elder spoke, his voice filled with righteous indignation.
"If the Li family does not go to war, our fortunes may be nearing their end!"
Old Master Li's expression was indifferent, filled with great unwillingness, yet he was helpless.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so insistent, the Li family wouldn't be in this situation!" Li Guang said, filled with self-reproach.
Suddenly, within the imperial city, alarm bells rang out. Everyone looked towards the imperial palace, wondering what had happened.
Lu Fan and Linglong were in the imperial garden. Hearing the sound of the bells, they both looked towards the main hall.
"Why is there that sound? Has something happened?"
Lu Fan asked, looking surprised, unaware of what had occurred.
"The alarm bells are ringing incessantly; there must be a war!" Linglong's expression was serious. She donned her armor and rushed towards the main hall.
Throughout the imperial city, many citizens stirred, unaware of what had transpired. However, these alarm bells had not rung for many years, and their current ringing surely signaled disaster.
On the training grounds, many ministers stood. Old Master Li, clad in armor, stood among them, exuding a powerful aura. Countless Li family experts were also present.
"The Nine Heavens Dynasty has invaded our dynasty and violated our territory. What should you do?"
The Dragon Emperor sat on his throne, his icy voice echoing across the training grounds.
"War!"
"War!"
"War!"
Waves of shouts erupted, continuous and carrying immense power.
Linglong also arrived, looking heroic and extraordinary.
With overwhelming battle intent, the Dragon Emperor emerged from the hall and stepped onto the training grounds. He bowed to the many generals, "The White Dragon Dynasty relies on you!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will not fail in our mission!"
The many generals shouted, their words filled with conviction.
The Dragon Emperor was quite pleased. He then looked at the Li family head, "This time, you will personally lead the army. Ensure the safety of the Princess and the 驸马!"
"This old minister would rather die than let a single hair on the heads of the 驸马 and Princess be harmed!" the Li family head quickly clasped his fists.
Lu Fan stood by, bewildered. He hadn't said he was going to the border, so why had the Dragon Emperor roped him in?
"Don't worry, although the Nine Heavens Dynasty has many experts, I will protect you!"
Linglong comforted him, "After all, I have years of experience on the battlefield!"
"I think it's best not to,"
Lu Fan shook his head. "However, I didn't say I was going to the border. Why is my name on the list?"
"I go to every war!"
Linglong explained, "If I go, you must go too. You are the current 驸马!"
Lu Fan wore a bitter smile. Being a 驸马 was truly not easy. Not only was he almost assassinated, but now he had to go to the battlefield.
"What, you don't want to?"
Linglong frowned and asked Lu Fan.
"Of course not. How could I not want to accompany the Princess on this expedition!" Lu Fan quickly shook his head.
Not long after, the army was fully prepared and ready to depart for the border.
The forces mobilized were all experts. Ordinary generals could fly and leap through the air, while the truly powerful could even destroy heaven and earth.
As time passed, figures took to the sky, leaving the imperial city and heading for the border battlefield.
Not only the Li family but also the Zhao and Lin families dispatched many experts.
If these families stood by idly when the dynasty was in peril, how could they expect to establish themselves in the White Dragon Dynasty in the future?
"Sir, do we really have to go to the battlefield?"
Inside the inn, Lu Fan was packing his belongings. Duan Tianya asked repeatedly.
"The situation is urgent, and I have no choice!"
Lu Fan gave a wry smile. He hadn't wanted to go, but his name had been called. If he stayed, it would surely cause trouble.
At that point, forget about stealing the Spirit Gathering Bottle; whether he could even enter the imperial palace was a question.
"Princess, why hasn't the 驸马 arrived yet? Could he have run off?"
Xiao Qing asked doubtfully, feeling curious. Lu Fan had been gone for so long without reappearing, making her suspicious.
"He wouldn't. He's not that kind of person!"
Linglong shook her head, her gaze earnest. She seemed to understand Lu Fan quite well.
"After these few days of getting along, the Princess seems to have gained a lot of confidence in the 驸马!" Xiao Qing smiled, teasingly.
Linglong shot her a glare, "You little girl, you're getting bolder and bolder. You even dare to mock me!"
Just as they were joking, Lu Fan arrived, with Duan Tianya by his side.
"You're finally here. Let's go!" Linglong smiled lightly, "Once we reach the battlefield, everything will be according to my arrangements!"