The Phoenix Arises

Chapter 39.3: The Death of Duanmu Shuang

“Has any battle taken place?”

The soldier lowered his gaze and said, “Not yet, they’ve just set camp a few hundred miles outside of East Mount City.”

“There isn’t any clear signs of a battle ensuing, but every day, there would be an army that would march down to Three Brooks City.” The other soldier added.

Hearing the replies from the two soldiers, Zhuge Weiming started pacing back and forth anxiously.

“Why did these two kingdoms suddenly amass outside the cities but did not attack? What are their intentions?”

A white-haired old man held a jade tablet with both hands and stepped forward respectfully.

“This old minister thinks that this must be related to the fact that our kingdom has sent troops to attack Vermillion Bird Empire.”

Zhuge Weiming raised his brows in query and asked, “Oh? Why do you think so?”

“As everyone knows, the Vermillion Bird Empire and Azure Dragon are connected in marriage. When the Azure Dragon Crown Prince married the Emperor of the Vermillion Bird Empire, it had caused a huge commotion within the four kingdoms. Although there were no further exchange between the two kingdoms, the Azure Dragon Emperor is very protective. The soldiers have amassed outside the city but yet did not attack the city, their intention should be wanting us to retreat.”

Zhuge Weiming nodded his head.

“There is some reason behind your words, but what about the White Tiger Kingdom? They should have nothing to do with the Vermillion Bird Empire.”

“This…” The white-haired old man frowned and shook his head. “The old minister does not know.”

Another minister stepped forward.

“This minister believes that the most important thing right now would be to have our army retreat from the Vermillion Bird Empire as soon as possible. This would solve our situation at hand.”

Zhuge Weiming: “…..”

How did things turn out like this? If it wasn’t for Vermillion Bird Empire’s Duke Jing promising him that she would cede ten cities to him after she took over the throne, why would he rush to send an army over?

Sigh, many go out for wool and come home shorn.

“Convey my orders, Great General Lian is to immediately retreat and return to the capital with speed. There must be no mistakes.”

“Yes.”

……

The next day, Phoenix First finally arrived at the capital with Peng Xin.

A few days later, Duanmu Xue issued a decree.

Duke Jing collaborated with the enemy and committed treason. She was executed and not allowed to enter the imperial mausoleum after death. All of her family were exiled to the borders and were not permitted to return to the capital. Left Minister Qin, Qin Zhen left her official position and was handed over to the Capital Law Enforcement Division for investigation.

Bonded Hearts Palace. 

Duanmu Xue walked around Scarlet for a few times, her face beaming with excitement.

“Little Xi, is the Vermillion Bird Kingdom’s Divine Beast Protector really your contracted beast?”

“Mn.”

Duanmu Xi’s lips curled up and nodded.

The people of the Vermillion Bird Empire were all believers of the Vermillion Bird, even the Lady Emperor.

Huangfu Che looked at Duanmu Xue’s sparkling eyes and smiled helplessly as he turned to speak with Duanmu Xi.

“Little Xi, where have you been in these three years? When your Mother find you went to the Phoenix Song Palace a few times, why couldn’t she find you?”

Duanmu Xi was stunned.

She had been in the Raging Flames Pagoda for three years?