The Black Market Chapter 178 - Three Red Signal Flares

Inside his mansion, the third prince was playing chess with a man wearing black fitting clothes. 

"Checkmate!" The third prince muttered with a bright smile.

The man wearing black clothes shrugged his shoulders. "Your highness, you've become a great chess player..."

"Chess? You're right. And the Celestial Sword Empire is the biggest chest board that I'm going to play with. In fact, I have been playing with it for so many years. And the victor will be known in a matter of a few days." The third prince stood up and glanced at the towering imperial palace at the distance. There was a faint smile on his handsome face.

The person in black clothes nodded and replied. "I am certain that the victor would be you, your highness."

The third prince turned around and glanced at the person in black clothes. He flashed a warm smile and said. "Victory was mine in the first place, but an unknown factor reduced my chance of winning."

"Your highness, are you talking about Duke Cale?"

The third prince nodded his head calmly. "Indeed, it is Duke Cale. But wouldn't it be fun if it's like this? A game of chess would be more fun and exhilarating if you could defeat a strong opponent." 

The third prince then returned his glance towards the distant imperial palace. 'Besides, my beloved old man Aventus Doomblade should have regained his strength already. Don't disappoint me, imperial father.' He thought to himself with an expectant gaze.

"Blood One, gather the Blood Shadow Army. I want them prepared before the sky turns dark." The third prince said with an eerily calm face.

The person in black clothes called Blood One felt his heart jump. 'So is it finally time for his highness' final move?'

"I will get this done, your highness!"

Just a few minutes before the sky would turn dark, the Celestial Sword Empire's capital city, Sword City was still bustling with activity.

The citizens were happily chatting amongst each other about the recent events that had happened in the empire. And the hawkers were also selling their wares at the last minute in order to get more money for their families.

Everything was supposed to be peaceful, when suddenly...

Three bright red lights shone above the sky like beautiful fireworks. But instead of looking at the beautiful scene with smiles, everyone in the Celestial Sword Empire was enveloped by a feeling of unrest.

Inside the imperial palace's throne room. 

"Your majesty, I have a piece of grave news for you! I request entry."

Emperor Aventus who was deep in his thoughts glanced at the entrance with a frowning expression. "Allow him to go inside."

When the entrance was opened, a guard with a disheveled look came inside with a worried countenance.

He kneeled down and spoke in a serious voice. "Your majesty... Something bad has happened to the neighboring Blue Cloud City. They fired... They fired three red signal flares!"

There are a total of three signal flares meant to be fired whenever something threatening has come up to a certain city. 

First, the yellow signal flare means a minor threat has arrived. Second, the blue signal flare means that a threat that could severely damage a city has arrived. Lastly, the red signal flare which means that a threat that could destroy a whole city has arrived.

Firing signal flares was not a simple matter. Anyone could be sentenced to severe punishments if they ever fired an incorrect signal.

With the Blue Cloud City firing the red signal flare, they might have seen a threat that could possibly destroy their whole city. But the problem was, they fired three red signal flares!

It has never happened before in the history of their Celestial Sword Empire. So the scene brought a feeling of anxiety to all the citizens. What could have happened to the neighboring Blue Cloud City?

After hearing the guard's report, Emperor Aventus nodded his head calmly. "Inform all the citizens to remain in their homes. As for the guards, tell all of them to remain vigilant!"

The guard replied in a loud voice. "As you say, your majesty!"

"Leave." Emperor Aventus said.

"It seems like you have made your move, Amro. You finally decided to reveal your real face towards everyone..." 

"Ling Tian!" The emperor called out.

Grand General Ling Tian who was standing stoically below the throne glanced at the emperor before he kneeled down. "Your subordinate is here, your majesty."

"Ling Tian, inform all the generals to prepare their armies. Also, send a message to all the n.o.bles in the capital city to prepare themselves. And make sure that the dukes are informed about this grave matter." Emperor Aventus said sternly.

"Your subordinate understands." Grand General Ling Tian replied.

"Leave with haste!" Emperor Aventus waved his right hand.

"Yes, your majesty!"

When Grand General Ling Tian left the throne room, the emperor stood up and clenched his fists tightly.

The emperor muttered with a cold voice. "I have regained my full strength after all those days recuperation. Amro, are you strong enough to defeat your old man now?"

The throne room became much colder as the emperor revealed his full strength. His majestic figure was covered by a dense amount of elemental essence that made the imperial guards a bit suffocated.

This was the true strength of their emperor! An expert who was infinitely close to breaking through towards the Earth Enlightenment Realm! 

Meanwhile, inside Cale's manor.

A messenger from the imperial palace arrived. "I'm a messenger from the imperial palace, I request entry from Duke Cale."

"You're from the imperial palace? Come inside. Our duke had specifically told us that if someone from the imperial palace comes, he must be allowed to go inside immediately." Cale's guard said warmly. 

The messenger from the imperial palace was taken aback. 'Looks like Duke Cale already expected this to happen. I wonder what could have happened to Blue Cloud City.'

The guard brought the imperial palace's messenger to the guest hall to wait for Cale. "Brother, wait for me here. I will go to inform our duke about your arrival."

"No need. I am already here." Cale suddenly arrived inside the guest hall which surprised the two men.

They hurriedly glanced at Cale and bowed their heads.

"Greetings, Duke Cale." They greeted respectfully.

Cale nodded his head and gestured for the guard to leave before turning his head towards the imperial messenger. "Based on your expression, something urgent must have happened. Speak."

The imperial messenger was surprised, but he still replied. "Duke Cale, you've guessed right. Blue Cloud City fired three red signal flares just recently and Grand General Ling Tian sent me here to inform you this."

"Oh, it seems like that man finally decided to make his move." Cale muttered solemnly.

"Duke Cale, pardon my bluntness. But do you know something about what had happened to Blue Cloud City?" 

Cale swept his glance at him causing the imperial messenger to feel his heart tightening.

"You'll know soon. And you don't need to worry. The emperor already knows what happened to Blue Cloud City." Cale said, causing the imperial messenger to feel more curious.