Chapter 228: Planning
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Tina had taken the lead, leading the rebel army’s vanguard to meet the mermaid army. She had contemplated a potential forceful attack later on, but she hadn’t anticipated the gradual opening of the city gate.
As they watched the city gate inch open, everyone’s hearts were in their throats. Only when the mermaids surged out did Zhou Ye finally feel a profound sense of relief.
The east gate stood closest to Planet Golden Rice, accompanied by a sizable transport aircraft stationed nearby. It served as a crucial transit point, making it Zhou Ye’s chosen rendezvous location from the start.
Originally, Zhou Ye had anticipated another bloody battle, but the guards had grown accustomed to indolence over the course of a hundred years and lacked any real combat experience. Faced with over a thousand individuals and the rebel army’s aerial forces, they were already paralyzed with fear, incapable of mounting any resistance.
Zhou Ye swiftly guided the multitude of mermen into the aircraft. Before the royal troops could arrive, the aircraft had already taken off.
In the palace, rage consumed the king upon hearing that the mermaids had been seized.
“Imbeciles! You’re all useless!”
As the king paced back and forth, not a single minister dared to approach him. They knew all too well that this matter would not be easily resolved.
The empire’s ability to contend with interstellar realms for many years rested largely on the mermaid army. However, mermaids constituted a minority, and the sudden departure of over a thousand of them dealt an undeniable blow to the empire.
“Keep a close eye on all remaining merfolk and the families of those who departed. Capture a few representatives and subject them to interrogation.
There must be spies among them!”
Several ministers swiftly departed upon receiving the king’s orders. However, they encountered resistance from the merfolk as soon as they initiated their efforts.
Many mermaids who had consumed the antidote chose not to leave.
Additionally, some mermaids had discovered the transformative properties of Liao Ning’s ancient delicacies. By consuming the Golden Toad, they gradually freed themselves from the clutches of the loyalty potion. The mermaids’ resistance on Planet Empire grew increasingly fierce.
Within a single day, the guards had already suffered several dozen casualties. Some of the mermaids held captive by the nobles had also begun to rebel, resulting in injuries sustained by a few Earls.
Listening to the reports of the past few days, the king was plagued by an intense headache. This situation could no longer be resolved through mere suppression.
“Father, your afternoon tea is prepared.” Loya entered the room, holding an exquisite pudding and a cup of fruit tea.
“What are you doing here? You bring nothing but misfortune!” The king knocked the food out of her hands, his eyes filled with disdain.
He had relied on this woman to manipulate the commoners, but now he found himself losing the mermaid army.
Loya stooped down to pick up the fallen cup, her head bowed to conceal the malice in her eyes.
When she looked up, her eyes were brimming with tears. “Father, I have been useless and unable to share your burdens. But I never expected Liao Ning to assist the rebel army.”
“Liao Ning?” The king furrowed his brow. “The ancient food live-streamer from the rebel army?”
Loya nodded, feigning the wiping of tears. “She mentioned during a live-stream that her ancient delicacies have detoxifying properties. It’s possible she developed the antidote for the loyalty potion. Now that she’s supporting the rebel army, it puts us at a significant disadvantage.”
“Clearly, you are utterly useless! If only you were more like Liao Ning, I wouldn’t have lost the mermaid army.”
As the king spoke, he hurled the fountain pen in his hand, striking Loya’s forehead and causing blood to immediately flow.
Clutching her bleeding forehead, Loya spoke plaintively, “Liao Ning and I were sworn enemies in the past. She has always been proactive, seeking no personal gain. Perhaps she had prior knowledge and joined the rebel army. Otherwise, how could she have journeyed thousands of miles to Planet Golden Rice? She is
an enemy of the empire. Without Liao Ning, the rebel army would never possess such formidable capabilities.”
“What are you insinuating?” The king narrowed his eyes, fixing them on Loya.
Observing the king’s intrigue, Loya hastened towards him and discreetly shared her plan, whispering into his ear.
Upon hearing her proposal, the king appeared somewhat skeptical. “Are you certain about this?”
Loya smiled with unwavering confidence. “Father, I have spent many years in the Interstellar Alliance, which has instilled me with confidence. Once Liao Ning is under my control, the rebel army will lose their leverage. The mermaid army will undoubtedly return..”
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