The Black Market

Eunuch Li was certainly amazed by the strength of Cale's soldiers. They were also doing all sorts of exercises that were unknown to him. 

'How did Duke Cale train these hundreds of experts? Furthermore, I can sense that their foundation is quite stable. That means, their strength was not forcefully increased. Impossible!' Eunuch Li could hardly maintain his indifferent facade. 

Eunuch Li shook his head and turn his glance away from the practicing soldiers. He then glanced at Wenren Wushuang's back with a suspicious look on his face. 'Did this guy intentionally show this to me?'

Wenren Wushuang who was silently laughing in his heart led Eunuch Li in the manor's guest hall. 

Eunuch Li glanced around the hall with slightly squinting eyes. 

"Eunuch Li, just give me one moment to inform Duke Cale about your arrival." Wenren Wushuang smiled as he left Eunuch Li who was still checking every inch of the guest hall.

Not long after Wenren Wushuang left, two beautiful ladies dressed in maid attire walked towards Eunuch Li with pleasant smiles on their faces. "We greet you, Eunuch Li. Do you want to have anything to eat or drink as you wait for Duke Cale's arrival?" 

Eunuch Li studied the two maids and nodded his head in approval. 'Duke Cale has good taste indeed. Aside from that, these two ladies are also Divine-Class level experts. That's quite impressive since they only work as his maids.' 

Eunuch Li smiled at the two ladies and said in a joking tone. "You don't need to bother. I will wait for Duke Cale to arrive without anything. I believe he won't let me wait for long."

After hearing his words, the two maids smiled at him and bowed before they left. 

Eunuch Li didn't have to wait for long before Cale arrived inside the guest hall with a dignified look on his face. His lips curved up to form a faint smile that showed his confident stature. His long silver hair swayed to and fro as he walked towards Eunuch Li.

Following behind Cale was Wenren Wushuang.

Eunuch Li gulped after seeing Cale and sensing his overflowing charisma and strength. He then stood up and bowed slightly. "I greet you, Duke Cale."

Cale nodded his head slightly and gestured for Eunuch Li to sit down, but the latter waited for Cale to sit down first before he did as he was told. This was a sign of respect towards someone who had a much greater strength and authority.

"What brings you here, Eunuch Li?" Cale asked with a smiling look.

"Duke Cale is indeed a straightforward person. The reason I am here is that His Majesty is requesting Duke Cale's presence in the imperial hall. His Majesty might have something important to tell Duke Cale." Eunuch Li said seriously.

Cale smiled and nodded his head as he thought to himself. 'So His Majesty is starting his plans today. But it's better this way. The earlier he starts to act, the more time we'll have to expand our forces later.'

"Oh, since that's the case. Let's go to the imperial palace right away, Eunuch Li." Cale said.

Eunuch Li nodded his head.

* * * 

An hour later, Cale arrived inside the imperial palace's throne room with Eunuch Li escorting him.

"Your Majesty, I have arrived with Duke Cale." Eunuch Li bowed towards the emperor as he announced in a loud feminine voice.

Emperor Aventus stood up from the throne and nodded his head at Eunuch Li. "Thank you, Old Li. You may take your leave for now."

Eunuch Li left the throne room after bowing respectfully at the emperor. He also gave Cale one last look as he left the throne room.

"Duke Cale, you might have already guessed the reason for your arrival here. Anyway, we will start our plans today." Emperor Aventus said with a stern look.

Cale nodded his head and said. "Your Majesty, so what do I have to do in order to get much influence inside and outside the Celestial Sword Empire?"

The emperor's stern eyes flashed for a brief moment as he turned to look at Cale. "Duke Cale, do you remember the holy lands and great sects that joined my second son's revolution several weeks ago?" 

Cale's eyebrows furrowed after hearing the emperor's words. He glanced at the emperor with a look of enlightenment.

"Your Majesty, you mean..." Of course, Cale was merely acting. He already knew the emperor's plan right from the beginning. 

Emperor Aventus nodded his head. "You're right, Duke Cale. I want you to lead an army to eliminate their forces. Those evil forces that wanted a piece of my Celestial Sword Empire's land should be rooted out of this planet!" 

The emperor was feeling a bit emotional right now. Cale didn't know if it was because of remembering the late second prince or because of the emperor's anger towards those holy lands and great sects that invaded their empire.

"I understand, Your Majesty. I will lead an army to eradicate those forces. Although my stay here wasn't long, I've already treated this place as my second home. Whoever made the empire suffer, I will make them suffer a thousand times more." Cale said in a calm voice, but surprisingly enough, even Emperor Aventus felt slightly fearful at his calmness. The emperor felt like he was facing a lush and verdant forest that was full of unknown.

Nonetheless, Emperor Aventus' expression didn't change. With the same dignified look on his face, he nodded his head at Cale's words. "With your words, I feel at ease. Duke Cale, I allow you to lead General Lexus and his Dual Sword Army to eradicate the enemies of our Celestial Sword Empire!"

Cale glanced at the emperor and nodded his head. "I'll follow your arrangements, Your Majesty."

"With Duke Cale leading the Dual Sword Army, I am at ease." The emperor smiled.

"Just wait for my victorious return, Your Majesty." Cale chuckled with a confident look on his face.

On that day, Cale led General Lexus and his Dual Sword Army. Their mission was to eradicate the holy lands and great sects that joined the second prince's revolt. 

The news sent the whole of the Celestial Sword Empire into a huge commotion.