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When the Hall of Political Affairs quieted down, Lu Chen's gaze swept over the entire hall once more, and then he began to speak. "Today's Great Court Assembly is mainly to discuss how to deal with the invaders from the Misty World, as well as the issue of how Great Sum should confront the Misty World crisis in the future."

Upon hearing Lu Chen's words, the ministers in the hall looked at one another as if they didn't understand what Lu Chen was talking about.

Many ministers were completely unaware of the Misty World, some hadn't even heard the term "Misty World." They only knew of a mist-enshrouded area to the west.

Lu Chen continued, "Perhaps most of My loveable subjects do not know what the Misty World is?"

At this point, Lu Chen said to the Jinyiwei Guard beside him, "Explain to the loveable subjects the situation of the Misty World."

Hearing this command, the Jinyiwei Guard immediately replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"At the far western edge of this continent, there is a place shrouded in fog. Within that fog lies another world. Due to the existence of prohibitions, it is difficult for the people of the Misty World to enter ours."

"Now that the prohibitions of the Misty World are about to dissipate, the cultivators from the Misty World will also be able to enter the world we inhabit."

"Currently, the enemy of the Misty World has sent some invaders to our world, and they have now occupied the land once held by the Black Dragon Country, even propping up an emperor to overthrow Great Sum entirely."

After the words of the Jinyiwei Guard, the entire Hall of Political Affairs instantly became a tumult.

Originally, most officials believed that after exterminating the Great Qian Dynasty, Great Sum would welcome a thousand years of peace because their Emperor was a Celestial at such a young age and could easily live for a thousand years.

With Emperor Lu Chen, maintaining the stability of Great Sum for a thousand years without external enemies was not too difficult a task; but now, foreign enemies had appeared.

It had been less than a year since Great Qian was vanquished when the foreign enemy arrived.

At this moment, Lu Chen swept a glance over the agitated officials in the hall, undisturbed by their reaction.

It was only natural for them to react this way when facing a formidable foe, just as they were about to welcome peace.

Lu Chen then began to speak, "The enemies of the Misty World are extremely powerful. For them, being a Celestial is merely the start of cultivation. Every power in the Misty World has hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of Celestials."

These words caused the officials in the hall to inhale sharply. Their world had only a few Celestials, but the Misty World had powers with thousands, even tens of thousands of Celestials. How could they possibly stand against the forces of the Misty World?

Could it be that Great Sum was on the brink of ruin?

The atmosphere in the entire hall became incredibly heavy, no one spoke any further, and all listened quietly to what Lu Chen would say next.

Lu Chen then spoke indifferently, "Although the enemies of the Misty World are incredibly powerful, we are not without hope. We already possess weapons capable of contending with Celestials."

This statement did not invigorate the officials in the hall. They of course knew Lu Chen had weapons to confront Celestials. It was none other than the Slayer Spear.

But only Emperor Lu Chen possessed such a weapon. As the Emperor, he surely couldn't be expected to constantly go to the front lines of battle.

What was most important was that Lu Chen was just one man. Even if Lu Chen's weapon could confront the Celestials from the Misty World, he could not confront everyone.

Seeing the officials appearing quite pessimistic, Lu Chen did not mention the matter of the rune weapons. Now was not the time, and there was no need to divulge it just yet.

At this point, Lu Chen continued, "Since the enemies of the Misty World have already invaded, our focus for the upcoming work must shift towards how to resist the invaders, and our main efforts will also need to be adjusted accordingly."

At this moment, an official stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I don't know if you plan to tell the common people about the enemy invasion from the Misty World?"

Hearing this question, the ministers' gazes all fell upon Lu Chen, waiting for his response.

This question was of great importance. If the news were to be told to the common people now, it might cause panic among them, leading to the world falling into disorder ahead of time.

Moreover, this could also give the enemies that had always been lurking in the shadows an opportunity. They would surely find a way to make contact with the forces in the Misty World and then connive with those forces to the detriment of Great Xia.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen then said, "I do not plan to disclose this news to the common people for now."

"Although the enemies from the Misty World are strong, they are not invincible as long as we are properly prepared. I already have a plan to confront them. My beloved ministers need not worry too much. You only need to attend to your own responsibilities."

"All right, let us move on to discussing changes in work priorities."

...

After the Great Court Assembly ended, Lu Chen felt as if his body had been hollowed out; he always found presiding over the Great Court Assembly to be exhausting. Indeed, it was easier to delegate the work to others.

But there was no choice; rights and duties were reciprocal. As the Emperor now, he enjoyed the privileges of an Emperor and thus must fulfill an Emperor's obligations. Right now, Lu Chen only wished that Crown Prince Lu Changfeng would grow up quickly, so he could help share the burden.
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Once the Great Court Assembly concluded, Lu Chen made his way directly to Wu Junwan's sleeping quarters.

Since returning to Yan County, Lu Chen had not once visited Wu Junwan, which seemed like he was neglecting her. It wasn't that he truly neglected Junwan; he just felt somewhat guilty.

Wu Ming's rebellion was somewhat related to him. Ever since the incident with the Wu Family, he had been informed by the Brocade Guard that Junwan appeared to be in low spirits.

Junwan's belly was now significantly larger, and it looked like she wouldn't be long before giving birth. Perhaps influenced by the pregnancy, her mood had been rather downcast these days.

Upon learning of Lu Chen's return, instead of feeling happy, Junwan had become even more dejected.

Previously, Li Qingrou used to badmouth Lu Chen to Junwan every day, trying to drive a wedge between Lu Chen and Junwan, so she could then take Junwan away. But seeing Junwan grow more depressed by the day, Li Qingrou stopped speaking ill of Lu Chen.

Not only did she refrain from speaking ill of him, but she would also frequently comfort Junwan, praising how good Lu Chen was.

Even though she harbored some resentment towards Lu Chen in her heart, for Junwan's sake, Li Qingrou could only speak well of him.

At this very moment, the room was filled with the fragrant vapor of incense. Junwan lay on the soft couch, turning her head to look at the door with an expression of utter despondence.

Seeing Junwan like this, Li Qingrou cursed Lu Chen in her heart over and over again. Didn't he realize what he had done? Instead of comforting Junwan upon his return, he went to other concubines' quarters first.

Li Qingrou was sitting by the couch, holding Junwan's jade hand and said, "Junwan, don't be sad. Lu Chen has probably been very busy lately. Maybe he will come to you tonight."

Junwan did not speak, her gaze still fixed on the door.

Seeing Junwan in this state, Li Qingrou sighed. How could that scoundrel still not have arrived? If he didn't come, she would go to the Imperial Study Room herself and drag him over!

Just as Li Qingrou was thinking this, the door to Junwan's sleeping quarters slowly opened and a familiar voice came through.

"Why do I hear someone mentioning me?"