"The Emperor, realizing that the lives of his citizens would not be enough to quell their fury, ordered the treasury opened. Everything remotely linked to Ice Essence, Ice Qi, or Frost Energy was gathered and sent south." Elyon stated.
He paused for a moment and then added, "But even that was not enough. The Imperial Treasury could not meet the Drakes' demands. So the Emperor ordered the various ministries to take loans and make requisitions from the major merchant clans and noble houses. He said it was to prepare for an ancestor's breakthrough. That was the excuse."
Daoist Chu's brows furrowed. "An ancestor's breakthrough? That must have caused confusion. No one would believe the Imperial Court lacked resources for such an event."
"Indeed," Elyon replied. "Many were suspicious, but fear of the court kept them silent. Still, word spread quickly through the merchant networks. People guessed that something massive was being hidden.
