Chu River Star Region
Chu Changhe's expression was somewhat grave.
"Grandfather, I…" Chu Xuan had only just walked into Chu Changhe's office when she caught sight of the grave look on his face.
This expression of her grandfather's she saw seldom, but knew well.
Only a few times in her whole life had she seen it upon his face, and each time she did, it meant some most important matter was afoot — a matter that even Chu Changhe, this battle-seasoned imperial marshal, had to take seriously.
"Grandfather… has something happened?" Chu Xuan asked probingly.
In times past, her grandfather would more likely have put on a smiling face and told her there was nothing at all the matter.
It was always only after a thing was over that she came, belatedly, to know of it.
"It's all that future husband of yours — I never dreamed he'd stir up so grand a show for me. The Sacred War Duel… it's a wonder the boy could even think of it!" Chu Changhe said with a bitter laugh.
"The Sacred War Duel? I feel as though I've heard the term in some book — something to do with the Holy Radiance Empire? What has Zhao Chen gone and done now?" Chu Xuan muttered in puzzlement — then, all at once, something seemed to dawn on her, and she glared at her grandfather, cheeks flushed red: "Grandfather, what are you saying! Who said Zhao Chen is my future husband!"
"I didn't name any names just now." Chu Changhe shrugged, and looked at Chu Xuan teasingly: "It was you yourself who brought up Zhao Chen."
Chu Xuan shot her grandfather a roll of the eyes: "First tell me clearly what in the world this Sacred War Duel is about."
Chu Changhe told Chu Xuan the whole of it, point by point.
In truth, Chu Changhe himself had only learned of it not long before — for it was the Owl Dragon Legion's large-scale mobilization that had drawn his attention.
This mobilization of the Owl Dragon Legion's was no covert military action, so Chu Changhe had of course learned of it at once.
And on asking Zhao Chen about it, he'd found that the boy had, without a soul the wiser, staged this grand show!
"What? Zhao Chen has wagered our Chu River Star Region!" Chu Xuan gave a start of fright.
Were it anyone else, she'd not believe it; but where Zhao Chen was concerned, Chu Xuan believed this fellow truly capable of anything!
It was his very nature!
"I let Zhao Chen represent me fully in dealing with the Holy Radiance Empire — I never imagined he'd stage me a show like this." Chu Changhe heaved a long sigh.
Sure enough, this boy Zhao Chen couldn't be left off one's guard for a single moment; before you knew it, he'd have punched you a great hole.
"Then… this Sacred War Duel — how great is the chance of winning?" Chu Xuan asked.
Chu Changhe's expression turned grave; he called up a set of materials — the intelligence on the Sacred Angel Legion.
"The one holding this Sacred War Duel with Zhao Chen is the Holy Radiance Empire's Sacred Angel Legion — one of the 10 Sacred-Light Legions, that is, one of their 10 strongest legion fleets. As for its actual strength… taking our own Chu family legion for comparison: first, our T4 Boreas is no match for theirs, so the first round we'll likely lose. But of the third round I have full confidence. And the second round is the crucial juncture — yet it carries a large element of luck, and in the matter of ship-classes the Holy Radiance Empire is beyond doubt of deeper foundation than we." Chu Changhe analyzed.
"Which is to say… the odds of winning aren't high…" Chu Xuan knit her brows.
"In theory, that's how it stands. But when I contacted Zhao Chen earlier, the boy told me to set my mind fully at ease — that this Sacred War Duel would be won and not lost. He even swore me a soldier's oath on it," Chu Changhe said helplessly.
Hearing this, Chu Xuan thought a moment, then said with a firm gaze: "I believe Zhao Chen! Since he's promised it with his own mouth, then he has full assurance in this matter. And besides, you said it yourself just now — the Holy Radiance Empire sets great store by the Sacred War Duel. Which means: so long as Zhao Chen's Owl Dragon Legion wins, the Holy Radiance Empire won't encroach on our Starlight Empire for three years — that buys us an immense stretch of time!"
Chu Changhe nodded: "I know that too. But… it truly is a great risk. I used to think I was reckless enough in the use of troops — but set against this boy… I suddenly find I'm rather steady after all."
"Whatever the case, I believe in him!" Chu Xuan said in earnest.
"Not even through the door yet, and already so trusting of your future husband?" Chu Changhe teased with a laugh.
Chu Xuan flushed red, and said crossly: "Grandfather, if you go on talking nonsense, I… I… I won't speak to you anymore."
"Hahaha…"
This battle of the century — bound up with the fate of the Chu River Star Region, the North Wind Star Region, even the Owl Dragon Star System — had entered its final countdown.
Two days still remained to the appointed time, but the Sacred Angel Legion's interstellar warships had already reached the vicinity of the appointed coordinates.
The Owl Dragon Legion's interstellar warships had, in fact, arrived too — 3,000-odd interstellar warships on each side, like 3,000 stars answering one another across the dark.
"Report — the enemy flagship commander, Saint Cana, requests to speak with you." Lilith suddenly reported.
Zhao Chen waved a hand: "Patch her through."
The comm window opened.
On the other end, seated in her captain's chair against a bridge of pure-white paintwork, was Saint Cana, for all the world like a holy maiden.
Saint Cana looked at Zhao Chen and spoke: "Sir Zhao Chen, since both our sides' interstellar warships are already in place, why not begin the Sacred War Duel ahead of time?"
"Miss Saint Cana, there are still two days to the appointed time. Rushing won't hurry these two days along; wait a while, wait a while," Zhao Chen said with a smile.
Saint Cana said, her face unmoved: "Sir Zhao Chen, you ought to know that the outcome of some things does not change on account of time. What must be faced must be faced sooner or later. I have no wish to see needless casualties, so I hope that Sir Zhao Chen, when the time comes, will concede where he must, and lessen the losses of the interstellar soldiers on both sides. I can, when the time comes, arrange for Sir Zhao Chen a fine position within the Holy Radiance Empire; the interstellar territory you now hold can go on under your governance too. Joining us will do your interests no harm whatever."
"I too have no wish to see needless casualties — so I hope that, in the course of the Sacred War Duel, Miss Saint Cana will likewise give her own crews a little more thought," Zhao Chen said, gazing at Saint Cana with a smile — some hidden meaning, it seemed, tucked within his words.
Saint Cana let out a sigh: "Since Sir Zhao Chen persists in his delusion, then in the Sacred War Duel two days hence, I can only make you understand, clearly, what needless effort is. The Sacred Light loves not the foolish."
"I too love not the foolish," Zhao Chen said.
The comm ended.
Zhao Chen leaned back in the captain's chair.
The reason he'd not agreed to begin the Sacred War Duel early was that he was waiting — waiting for one interstellar warship!
One meant to arrive on the 7th, but now running late.
"Report, Commander — General Chitong is projected to reach us and join up in three hours!" Lilith reported a gladdening piece of news at this point.
Zhao Chen let out a long breath: "Here at last."
Three hours later.
Under the expectant gazes of the Owl Dragon Legion's high command, and the astonished gazes of the Sacred Angel Legion, an interstellar battleship drew near from afar and reached this dueling-coordinate site.
A huge hull!
A silver-white paint scheme!
And a majestic, awe-commanding hull design — for all the world like a giant dragon soaring through the sea of stars!
"What is that? A T4 interstellar battleship?" Seeing this interstellar battleship in the image, Saint Cana couldn't help rising from her captain's chair.
She fixed her eyes on the Owl Dragon crest upon that battleship's hull.
And now she understood why Zhao Chen had been waiting.
He wasn't stalling for time.
He was waiting for this interstellar battleship!