Try putting the IP 'play.emc.gs', without the 's into the direct connect address. To join individual servers, use the IP 'smp1.empire.us' You can also do all smp numbers up to smp9.empire.us
Apparently you type "play.emc.gs" now. I wasn't playing when that happened but joining a server through "smpx.empireminecraft.com (x being the server number)" still works for me.
Here is a link with information about bungee: http://empireminecraft.com/threads/join-the-empire-with-a-single-address.33299/#post-639244 It is just play.emc.gs if that is what you are asking.
well I'm trying to join smp9.Empire.us but I have no idea where the direct IP address is that nick5013 was talking about
don't connect with that IP, use play.emc.gs as the IP. You can still use /server smp# on that IP though.
Step one: add new server: Step two: put in the IP emc.gs Step three: join the server: Step four: it will take you to one server but to press "/" then add "server smp#". Replace # with a number between 1-9.
it doesn't pop up as a new window. When you do it it should look different but still be the same screen, not a new window. You will get a message in your chat box saying "Welcome to smp#"