After the middle-aged man stopped moving, synchronized footsteps could be heard as hundreds of armored figures stood solemnly in the dark.

They were clearly a squad of guards.

Furthermore, their armor showed that they were from the Great Xia.

"The Minister of Rites is here with a decree from the Emperor! Open the gates!" A voice pierced through the night sky.

"Minister of Rites?! Why will the Minister of Rites come here?" A head popped out from the city walls and looked down at the squad doubtfully.

"The Emperor's Decree is here! Open the gates!"

"It really is an Emperor's Decree. Report to Xing Hou immediately!"

　　...

Even though the soldiers of the Great Xia had managed to emerge victorious in the battle at the Icy Monkey Settlement, they were still trapped.

The Stable Mountain Gate had been breached and tens of thousands have been held prisoner. Furthermore, the Crown Prince was surrounded, leaving this army to fend for themselves.

The Great Xia would be unable t