Eternal Saber

Chapter 634: Chapter 55: Execution After Autumn

Chen Tang remained silent.

No wonder Tie Falei said the fate of Qian Country is exhausted, the grand edifice is on the verge of collapse, everyone wants change, even he voluntarily departed from Yuwen Mao, looking to start his own venture.

It seems Beiqian has reached its end and could fall apart at any moment.

Murong Haitang said softly, "The banner raised in the Barbarian Land calls for avenging the clan members and demands Lord Li to pay with his life."

"I heard His Holiness’s first reaction upon hearing this was to angrily rebuke Lord Li for being reckless and causing trouble. He even issued a decree for Lord Li to take his own life to satisfy the Barbarian Race’s demands."

Chen Tang shook his head,

The Little Emperor is too naive; sacrificing Li Yan and ceding a state won’t satisfy the Barbarian Race’s ambitions. It will only make them think Qian Country is weak internally despite its outward strength.

Chen Tang suddenly asked, "What’s the reaction of the Profound Celestial Sect?"

Changsun Ming replied, "The Profound Celestial Sect has not expressed any stance; they are unusually quiet."

Murong Haitang suddenly said, "I heard from Grandpa that the Profound Celestial Sect might have already made a deal with the Barbarian Land. Ceding territory for peace might be the Profound Celestial Sect’s idea; the Little Emperor is merely following orders."

Murong Haitang’s grandfather is Daqian’s First War God, Murong Daoye, who is also Changsun Ming’s master.

"Why is this?"

Li Shuhu asked, "What benefit does the Profound Celestial Sect get from this?"

Chen Tang said, "The Profound Celestial Sect has long been in contact with the Barbarian Land. It was evident when that Barbarian Race’s genius youth set up a challenge in the capital, aiming to suppress Brother’s prestige."

"Preaching in the Barbarian Land might be one of the benefits. Of course, the Profound Celestial Sect might also have other considerations, which are unknown."

Mountain Guest and Sword Sect both mentioned this matter before. For the Profound Celestial Sect, who becomes Emperor is not important; promoting their doctrine is the foremost priority.

Li Shuhu suddenly thought of something, his expression changed.

Without support from Daqian, relying solely on Liangzhou, it’s utterly impossible to fend off the Mad Lion Army from the Barbarian Land!

Moreover, the Barbarian Race dispatched two Grandmaster experts this time.

And Liangzhou City lacks even a single Grandmaster!

"Isn’t there anyone amongst the civil and military officials to stand up?"

Li Shuhu was anxiously worried and couldn’t help asking Murong Haitang, "Grand General Murong is Daqian’s First War God, and a Grandmaster of Transformation Realm; what does he say?"

Murong Haitang slightly lowered her head and said, "There are remnants of the previous dynasty resurfacing in Yan State. It is said that Emperor Wu’s son is still alive; Grandpa is busy dealing with this and cannot spare the time."

Though she said so, Murong Haitang felt a bit guilty.

Indeed, there are indications of remnants of the previous dynasty in Yan State, but it doesn’t require the intervention of a Grandmaster of Transformation Realm.

To be precise, there are people gathering in the mountains in various states of Qian Country, with banditry on the rise, yet none pose a significant threat and are not worth worrying about.

Changsun Ming remained silent.

Murong Daoye is his master, and he is also a direct line of the Changsun Clan, knowing more of the inside story.

According to the information from the Changsun Family, the remnants of the previous dynasty in Yan State might be related to his master.

His master probably nurtures bandits for self-importance, scheming something big.

Members of the Changsun family have long reached a consensus; Qian Country’s great trend is gone, chaos is immanent.

Though they don’t have ambitions to contend for the Divine Land, they wish to preserve the family’s vitality in this turbulent time, so naturally won’t disclose this matter.

Changsun Ming contemplated, "Later, among the advocates for peace, some even said that those advocating war with the Barbarian Race have ulterior motives, are part of the rebel’s party, wanting Daqian and the Barbarian Land to be both severely damaged, so as to fish in troubled waters and reap the benefits as the fisher."

"With such heart-condemning statements, who dares to stand out?"

Chen Tang said, "Heigou stood out, didn’t he?"

Changsun Ming nodded, "I heard from my father afterward, the entire imperial court was silent except for Heigou who stood up."

"He, who was probably extremely disappointed with the Little Emperor and the ministers, suddenly pointed at the entire imperial court and loudly rebuked, fiercely criticizing the Little Emperor as a tyrant betraying the people, disregarding the populace of Liangzhou, cowardly and gutless, foolish and incompetent, dishonoring the late Emperor..."

Li Shuhu trembled all over, rising in reverence.

Unexpectedly, amidst the imperial court and royal family, there is such a courageous hero!

To rebuke the Emperor in court, he might not have this boldness.

Chen Tang remained silently smiling.

He seemed able to imagine Yuan Qingmo’s mindset then.

He did not continue to reason with the Little Emperor or argue about the stakes with the imperial ministers.

In those two years, he had argued too much.

He didn’t want to reason any longer; it was truly exhausting.

He just wanted to curse.

After two years of patience, he finally erupted.

Changsun Ming said, "The Little Emperor was already ruthless and brutal. After being publicly scolded by Heigou, he became furiously angry and immediately ordered Heigou imprisoned, intending to execute him after autumn with the punishment of slow slicing to serve as a warning to others."

Chen Tang pondered silently.

It is now early spring; there is almost half a year until fall.

There is plenty of time.

"Besides the crimes of deceiving the sovereign and the utmost disrespect, they also accused Heigou of treason and other groundless charges."

"The Qilin Bureau was thus dissolved; some people were implicated, some drifted into the Jianghu, while some distanced themselves from Heigou to protect themselves, and others came forward to accuse Heigou of treason, haha..."

Changsun Ming’s smile contained bitterness and irony.

Chen Tang recalled Yuan Qingshan’s initial enthusiasm when he established the Qilin Bureau.

Within three or four years, the Qilin Bureau had ceased to exist.

Changsun Ming said, "In such circumstances, anyone who stands up to plead for Heigou will be imprisoned, suffering the penalty of implication."

"Later, the Little Emperor decreed to send a diplomatic envoy, inviting all nations to pay tribute, demonstrating Daqian’s prestige and magnanimity, to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together. Eldest Princess Qingmu received the news and sent me a token, asking me to come to Wusun Country to invite Elder Feng to come forth."

"She said, only Elder Feng has a chance to save Heigou’s life."

Chen Tang nodded, "That’s right."

The fat old man excels at stealing people.

Moreover, he’s snuck into the capital twice to steal someone before; he knows his way around.

Changsun Ming chuckled bitterly, "But unexpectedly, as soon as I entered Wusun Royal City, I learned of the internal turmoil in Wusun, with both the Great Kunmi and Elder Feng captured and imprisoned in the Celestial Prison."

"Helpless, I can only gather information here and try to figure out how to rescue Elder Feng. Today, I just obtained the palace’s layout map, contacted some old troops of the Great Kunmi, preparing to act tonight."

Murong Haitang said, "Brother Chen, advise him; now the whole city is on alert, and the royal palace is heavily guarded. It’s too dangerous to go to the palace now."

Chen Tang smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Miss Murong, I’ll accompany him tonight."

Murong Haitang: "???"

First you tell me not to worry, then what do you mean by that statement?

If you accompany him, should I feel reassured?

Murong Haitang frowned and said, "I worry this might be a trap."

"Haitang, don’t forget, Chen Tang is the top of the three rankings of the Nanxia Sword Pavilion and has even slashed the top of the Earth Ranking!"

Changsun Ming chuckled, "With him, tonight’s mission will definitely succeed."

"But to my knowledge, there are even Innate Experts within the Wusun Royal Palace, and that Prime Minister Qin is one."

Murong Haitang still felt uneasy.

"Whatever, we’re not going to fight but to save someone."

Changsun Ming said, "Act according to circumstances; if the situation seems unfavorable, we’ll retreat, reconsider and plan anew."