Unknown location, Upper Heavens.
A group of black-robed men was sitting on a round table, but one of them was in a red robe.
Each of them had a number marked on their shoulders.
The one in the red robe has the least number, indicating his higher authority.
The number was 8.
While the others were 16, 24, 32 and so on, till 96.
Total of twelve individuals on the table. And they were currently in an argument.
"Let's attack right now!" One of them called out loud, "Why should we wait for them?"
"No. We have already discussed this, and it's not a good idea." Another person retorted, "You're new to this group; you don't understand the situation."
"I am new!?" The person earlier felt offended, "I have been here for fifteen goddamn years!"
"That's still not enough."
"How is that not enough?"
Just then, someone besides the red-robed man waved his hand and gestured the two to shut up.
"Number 32, Number 56. This meeting is not here for your arguments. But yeah, what number 56 said is right. 32, you're still inexperienced."
"Why is everyone still saying this, 16?" Number 32 frowned, "I have done the highest number of missions than anyone else in this room."
The one sitting beside the red-robed man was number 16. He was clearly the second-in-command.
He replied, "32, it's not the missions that matter. Let me be direct here. Do you know who was number 32 before you joined this group fifteen years ago?"
"It was you," Number 16 shrugged, "But you got promoted."
"And why was I promoted? Where's my predecessor?" Number 16 frowned.
Number 32 shook his head, "I never asked anyone, so I don't know."
"That's why you're still a rookie in everyone's eyes here," Number 16 replied, "The last Number 16 was killed by the enemy. And I replaced him. But because we lacked one person, we recruited you. And it was a coincidence that you ranked fourth and got my position, the number 32."
"Oh?" Number 32 frowned, "But that still doesn't help me understand why I am still inexperienced."
"If you survive the next mission, you will be acknowledged by everyone." Someone else replied.
Everyone on the table turned towards the source of the voice.
It was the red-robed person, the Number 8.
"Young Lord, what do you mean?" Number 32 asked, "What's the next mission?"
"You will know soon," Number 8 replied, "For now, just know that the next mission enemy will be the strongest and most ruthless enemy you have ever encountered. That's why I hope you survive; in fact, I hope everyone on this table comes back alive."
"Everyone?" Number 32's voice expressed his shock, "Everyone is taking part in this mission? Even you, young Lord? Who is this enemy? I don't think anyone in the Upper Heavens could make all of us feel threatened unless they are from the other eight teams. I hope we're not fighting our own men."
"No, we're not. And yes, you said it right. No one in the Upper Heavens can make all of us act together unless they are from our palace. But I didn't say the enemy is from the Upper Heavens."
"Not from the Upper Heavens?" Everyone on the table looked at each other. Some were confused, but most of them were shocked.
Even Number 16, who was sitting beside the Young Lord, frowned.
"Young Lord, the enemy is from the 'that' place!?" Number 32 almost jumped in shock.
"No," YOung Lord shook his head, "We're not at the level to get a mission from 'that' place. The enemy is from the Middle Heavens."
"Middle Heavens?" Number 32 was confused, "Is it Emperor Ye? I don't think there's anyone else who can make us all act together."
"Hmph!" Number 16 snorted, "32, that's why everyone still calls you a rookie. The person we're targeting this time is from the Middle Heavens. No, he's not Emperor Ye, and no, he's not the person who killed the last Number 16 - even though both of these people are different."
"What? Then who?" Number 32 asked in confusion.
"It's their subordinate. We have received intel that the Great Ye Corps is assembling once again. Our target is their Commander - Thunder Monarch Liu Lei."
"Oh? I have heard of him, but I was very young at that time," Number 32 scratched his chin, "Is he really that strong?"
"He's strong," The Young Lord nodded his head, "We might be the subordinates of the most powerful person, but that doesn't mean we can look down on the strength of others. And everyone in this room has once exchanged some moves with the Thunder Monarch, except you, of course."
"How is he so powerful when he's from the Middle Heavens?" Number 32 frowned.
The Young Lord smiled, "He's not from the Middle Heavens. He was once the Young Master of Liu Clan."
"Liu Clan?" Number 32 pursed his lips, "Are you talking about 'the Liu Clan'?"
"Yes," Young Lord smiled.
"But… isn't that…." Number 32 glanced awkwardly at others.
"Yes." The Young Lord smiled, "We both are from the same clan, and Thunder Monarch Liu Lie is my Uncle."
"Why… did he become a subordinate of Emperor Ye then?" Number 32 frowned.
The Young Lord shrugged, "We don't know."
Number 32 asked, "What is his cultivation realm?"
"We don't know. But fifteen years ago, he was at your level."
"At my level?" Number 32 frowned, "Isn't that… too low? I mean, I am not one of the top guys around here."
"Yes," The Young Lord nodded his head, "But that was fifteen years ago for him, and it's current for you."
Number 32 frowned, "How powerful could he have gotten by now? I don't think we should be afraid of him. Middle Heavens doesn't have as good an environment as this place."
The Young Lord nodded, "Indeed. But don't forget that it's the same place Emperor Ye came from, and there's only one person in the whole Upper Heavens who can suppress Emperor Ye."
Number 32 pursed his lips, "Isn't it because of the Emblem Of Chaos? I have read a small report on Emperor Ye; it did mention the Emblem Of Chaos."
"It's not the Emblems or Tokens that created him. Every generation gets those Tokens and Emblems. Why do you think there's only one Emperor Ye? And don't forget that he didn't even become the Heavenly Emperor."
"Why?" Number 32 asked.
"You will know if you ever get the chance to wear a red robe." The Young Lord smiled, "The past isn't much complicated, but it's above your pay grade."
Turning his head towards the other, the Young Lord paused for a moment before continuing, "Let's focus on the main agenda. The Great Ye Corps is coming to the Upper Heavens. Our mission is to know the reason behind their arrival and also make this place their grave."
"How many people are coming?" Number 72 asked.
"Current status says forty-one people are coming. But we still don't know the exact number."
"Forty-one?" Number 72 was surprised, "Isn't that a lot? We might need back up."
The Young Lord shook his head, "We won't have any backup."
"Hm? Why Young Lord?"
"We're the backup."
"We… are the backup?"
"Yes."
"Then… who's in the frontlines?"
"It's the top three," Young Lord replied, "The three most powerful teams will take the front lines. We will provide the backup."
"Woah!"
Everyone else at the table was surprised.
"This is the first time I will be going as back up," Number 32 replied with a raised eyebrow."
"Let's hope it's not the last," The Young Lord replied, "We may be the backup, but let me tell you one thing beforehand - we will be taking part in the battle."
"How?" Number 40 asked.
"Simple, the top three won't be enough. The enemy is beyond whatever you are assuming. I am pretty sure you guys understand this face very well."
Everyone on the table nodded their heads.
"Is there anyone other than the Thunder Monarch we need to worry about?" Number 32 asked.
"Yes," The Young Lord replied, "No one among the enemy is cannon fodder. From what my big brother had told me, the least powerful of them can sit on this table."
"Oh…" Number 32 pursed his lips, "So, what's the plan?"
Young Lord frowned, "Current information says they will arrive here within the next seven days. We need to know their objective; that's why we will be first observing them."
"Our team won't be taking part in the observation, but in the second phase. The second phase is the ambush. The top three teams will ambush them, and we will be the backup."
"Why don't we go ambush first and interrogate them?" Number 32 frowned.
Young Lord shook his head, "You underestimate their loyalty. They are more loyal than Sleeper Cells."
"Really?" Number 32 was surprised.
Number 16 suddenly laughed at him, "Did you really not study about the Great Ye Corps?"
Number 32 shrugged, "They didn't feel much of a threat to me. I am more focused on the 'that' place."
Young Lord let out a sigh, "You should never underestimate your enemy. I am half your age, but I know this."
Number 32 shrugged, "Being too cautious can also backfire. Sometimes, we just need to be confident in our own abilities."
Young Lord smiled but didn't say anything. He turned towards the group and said, "We will leave in three days and prepare for the ambush. Our target is anyone who comes from the Middle Heavens. Even if it's Emperor Ye himself."