He spoke in low tones, pulling out another letter from his chest and examining it carefully. This was Lian Yu’s handwritten decree received several days ago.

“I committed regicide and usurped the throne, but is any word of this true? Elder Brother, when you were attacked, who saved you? When Lian Xin was kidnapped by bandits, who pursued her for thousands of li? And this time in the capital, who stood in front of her?”

Lian Yu’s handwritten decree had a calm tone, without urgency or pleading, and not a single word explaining why he committed regicide and usurpation, as if in his heart this brother understood and needed no further explanation.

Lian Qin gripped the letter tightly. From the force, his knuckles turned white, as if blood would seep from the letter.

Why not mention the Murong family at all? Or Mother? Is this your magnanimity, or… do you simply disdain to explain?

But he remembered every sentence in this letter.

The first assassination happened when Lian Xin was ten years old, on their way back to their ancestral home for worship with their mother. They suddenly encountered an ambush by over ten assassins. Lian Yu was Crown Prince then but only fifteen or sixteen. Seeing Xiao An being violated, he fought desperately to save their mother from the assassins’ swords, suffering multiple sword wounds to his shoulder and back. Then he protected him and Lian Jie behind him, still fighting desperately despite blood flowing down his back. At that moment, he truly thought Sixth Brother would die in battle.

The second time, when Lian Xin was kidnapped, it was also Lian Yu who, without sleep or rest, led troops in urgent march for three days and nights to rescue Lian Xin. That time Lian Yu almost ventured alone into danger – if not for his martial skills, the outcome would have been dire.

And this time, when attempting to kill Xiao An, Lian Yu indeed stood in front of Lian Xin…

Could all of this be false? Done as an act for them to see?

Lian Qin sat down dejectedly. Two emotions warred – one was a blood-thicker-than-water brother, the other equally a blood-thicker-than-water brother.

Lian Jie’s letter spoke clearly: Lian Yu committed patricide and self-enthronement, a treasonous act. Seventh Brother’s succession was what people desired, natural and right. Moreover, Lian Jie could verify the late emperor’s intention to make the seventh son emperor – this secret edict was clear proof. Thus, Lian Yu’s regicide was beyond doubt. Such a person’s every act was hypocrisy!

But Lian Yu’s letter made sense in every sentence…

Holding both letters, both were his brothers – whom should he believe?

“Ninth Master, you should still sleep. Why suffer like this?”

“Can’t sleep. Go call several brothers over – I have something to say.” Lian Qin wearily waved his hand.

“Ninth Master, should we avoid some people?”

“No, call them all. Sit casually.”

Soon, dozens of personal guards filled Lian Qin’s tent. Lian Qin walked among them and slowly spoke, “Brothers, Ninth Master has a question for you. Speak honestly – following Sixth Emperor these years, what kind of person do you think Sixth Emperor is?”

Below fell quiet for a moment. It wasn’t that they had no thoughts, but being called in the dead of night to ask this question – what was the purpose? This wasn’t right!

Seeing everyone silent, Lian Qin smiled bitterly, “Brothers, don’t be afraid. Ninth Master just wants to hear your honest thoughts. I won’t make things difficult for anyone. Say whatever you think – I guarantee that once we leave this tent, no one will know what you said tonight.”

One personal guard looked up at Lian Qin and said, “Ninth Master, this humble one thinks His Majesty is a good person. When we were in the palace before, those eunuch supervisors bullied us rough folk – it was His Majesty who protected us.”

Immediately someone agreed, “Yes, Ninth Master. His Majesty treats us well. Every holiday there are reward silvers, and our wives and children at home all receive His Majesty’s care. He often personally inquires about our affairs. This humble one thinks His Majesty is a good emperor.”

“But His Majesty killed the late emperor.” Lian Qin said heavily.

The tent immediately became so quiet you could hear a pin drop!

After a while, someone asked tremblingly, “Ninth Master, is this… is this true?”

Lian Qin nodded, “Prime Minister Quan said so, and produced the late emperor’s secret edict saying to make Seventh Prince emperor.”

After another silence, the first guard to speak said again, “Ninth Master, though this humble one doesn’t know many characters, I’ve heard that throughout history, imperial succession struggles have been very cruel. There have been many cases of princes killing each other for the throne. But regardless, we’re just soldiers who don’t understand these great principles. This humble one only knows that His Majesty treats us well, so we should be loyal to him.”

“Also,” another person continued, “even if His Majesty really… did such a thing, there must have been reasons. He wouldn’t do it without cause.”

Lian Qin sighed inwardly. Even these personal guards who could barely read a few characters still trusted Sixth Brother so much in their hearts. What am I thinking as his brother? Could it be that deep down I actually believe in Sixth Brother? Then why do I still doubt?

“Ninth Master,” seeing Lian Qin silent for a long time, someone said quietly, “If you have any difficulties in your heart, why not tell us brothers? Though we soldiers aren’t as smart as you, many hands make light work – perhaps we can help you think of a solution.”

Lian Qin looked at everyone and finally spoke, “Seventh Prince wants me to set fire to His Majesty’s camp, coordinating from within and without, to help Prime Minister Quan and them win. Tell me… what should I do?”

Now everyone’s expressions changed! What had this become? Having Ninth Master betray His Majesty?!

Someone became indignant, “Ninth Master, we absolutely cannot do this! Even if His Majesty really did something wrong, that’s internal royal family business – what does it have to do with us soldiers! We’ve received so much kindness from His Majesty – how can we betray him like this!”

“Exactly! Ninth Master, we can’t do such a thing!”

“Ninth Master, we’ve followed His Majesty for so many years. We know clearly what kind of person he is. This humble one believes His Majesty isn’t that kind of person!”

Seeing his subordinates’ passionate reaction, Lian Qin felt mixed emotions.

These simple soldiers used the simplest logic to think about problems – receiving someone’s kindness, one should repay it abundantly, and cannot betray.

Lian Qin listened from beginning to end, then sighed long, “Brothers speak correctly. It’s Ninth Master who was confused.”

He walked to the table, tore Lian Jie’s letter to shreds, then looked up at everyone, “Pass my order – from now on, no one is permitted to leave this tent even one step! No one can go out!”

“Yes, Ninth Master!” Everyone responded in unison.

Lian Qin sat down again, looking at Lian Yu’s handwritten letter, saying softly, “Sixth Brother, I’m sorry. Ninth Brother almost did something we’d all regret.”

Outside Lian Qin’s tent, a soldier glanced at a cook emerging from inside, then pressed down his cap brim and walked into the shadows. The person you’re looking for, the one who put the letter in the food, is here, he thought faintly.

At this time, in Lian Yu’s main tent, Xiao An sat guarding to one side. Cai Beitang, Xiao Yue, Gao Chaoyi and others filed in one by one, joining Yan Da, Murong Ding and several deputy generals to discuss the war situation. Because the battle situation was critical, these court ministers were also summoned together to brainstorm.

The current scene differed from past court grandeur. Huang Zhongyue and the usually protocol-supreme Minister of Rites Zhu Qiguang had both been categorized as Quan’s faction, plus original Quan faction officials like Chao Huang and Li Zhaoting – they comprised nearly one-third of all ministers. With Wei Chenghui and Si Lanfeng defending the frontier, the remaining neutral ministers had also been rescued here but generally refrained from taking positions, and Lian Yu didn’t force them.

Gao Chaoyi had been much favored in recent years. These past two days he hadn’t participated in discussions but volunteered to work in the tent doing persuasion. Though these neutral ministers held no military power, they served in positions like Hanlin scholars, representing the realm’s scholarly literati. If they could publicly support Lian Yu, it would undoubtedly help win popular and scholarly support.

But Gao Chaoyi’s worried expression showed this mission hadn’t gone smoothly.

After he reported a few sentences, Lian Yu didn’t blame him, only replied with a half-smile, “Minister Gao needn’t reproach yourself. This matter would certainly be difficult for others to handle, unless Minister Wei were here.”

“This minister is incompetent and cannot share Your Majesty’s burdens. This minister is ashamed.” Gao Chaoyi looked embarrassed and retreated to the side.

At this time, seeing the royalist ministers gradually arrive, Lian Yu set down the military treatise he’d been studying and slowly said, “At this moment of life and death, I’m grateful for your loyalty in following me, but I also hope you’ll actively express opinions. Don’t be like in court, avoiding benefits and harms. If anyone has good strategies, when the war ends and merits are rewarded, I will certainly give rich rewards!”

The ministers exchanged glances. These rich rewards were naturally attractive, but most present ministers came from scholarly families – though well-read in poetry and books, including military treatises, they ultimately lacked practical combat experience, so most looked at each other uncertainly.

But someone still stood up – Minister of Works Cai Beitang.

“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, in this minister’s view, we can extend the original four-li outposts to seven or eight li away. Once enemy activity is discovered, we signal with beacon fires. Additionally, send scouts to enemy formations to investigate their attack plans, then formulate subsequent battle strategies.”

As soon as he finished, Minister of Justice Xiao Yue, not to be outdone, also stepped forward and memorialized, “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Prime Minister Yan, this minister believes there’s another point requiring attention – the elite soldiers positioned in the forward mountain forest strongholds have waited through one night and day, already exhausted. Should we immediately replace them with fresh troops? Otherwise, if rebel forces suddenly attack, the original soldiers may be unable to respond, turning advantage into disadvantage.”

Some ministers nodded in agreement. Lian Yu’s brow remained furrowed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Xiao An looked at Yan Da, who glanced at Murong Ding and several deputy generals, “What do the generals think of these two ministers’ suggestions?”

Murong Ding immediately smiled, “Prime Minister Yan, both ministers are indeed learned, and in composing literature we rough fellows admit inferiority. But regarding military campaigns, this isn’t armchair strategy. Minister Cai suggests sending scouts to investigate enemy plans – at what time is this? Not to mention only now receiving emergency orders to place scouts, but even if we’d placed spies earlier, could they easily approach people like Quan Feitong and Chao Huang?”

“Minister Xiao’s words, please forgive this general’s disagreement,” another deputy general Zhong Jun spoke up. “Replacing sentries at critical positions isn’t easy – it absolutely cannot be done at night. With dark conditions preventing distant vision, if during this replacement our defenses are incomplete and enemy forces suddenly attack, what then?”

“Anyone can make grand speeches, but how should this battle be fought, how to use formations, whether to defend, consider active attack, or split forces with half escorting His Majesty away while awaiting reinforcements – such considerations… neither minister mentioned.”

These deputy generals usually had conflicts with Murong Ding, but now they rarely reached consensus, unanimously facing “outsiders.” Xiao An and Yan Da found this somewhat amusing, but the humor didn’t last long before their expressions darkened, clearly feeling heavy-hearted.

Cai and Xiao’s faces alternated between red and green, looking quite ugly. Yan Da didn’t want the atmosphere to stiffen and smoothed things over, “All have insights. What does Your Majesty think?”

Just as Lian Yu was about to respond, two people hurriedly lifted the tent flap and entered. Qing Long and Xuan Wu were startled – Qing Long demanded, “What’s the matter?”

The arrivals were Hei Shi and the thin, tall attendant. Both smiled bitterly, with Hei Shi answering, “Your Majesty, Ninth Master seems to want to take Seventh Master’s personal guards along with his own people away. He’s arguing face-to-face with the soldiers guarding Seventh Master’s troops, getting quite heated.”

Lian Yu abruptly stood up. Xiao An was already furious, slamming her hand on the table with a loud bang, “Outrageous! This Lian Qin has truly rebelled.”

Seeing Lian Yu stride out quickly, Xiao An hurriedly followed, while the ministers behind also hurried to catch up.

Among Lian Yu’s entourage were five hundred Imperial Guard escorts, usually commanded by Lian Jie. When Lian Jie left hastily, he couldn’t take them. They were controlled by the army, then confined in the innermost tents, shackled and under special guard.

At this time, outside one of these tents, they indeed saw Lian Qin with clenched fists, eyes wide, veins bulging on his forehead, arguing fiercely with several soldiers responsible for guarding, looking fierce and menacing.

“Your emperor Lian Yu said I could leave or stay as I chose. How dare you stop me!”

The lead guard’s expression remained humble as he patiently explained, “Ninth Master, whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go, this humble one dare not obstruct. But those confined here are… traitors from Seventh Prince’s faction. It’s not that we refuse to release them, but these are criminals – how can we let them go?”

“Unless there’s His Majesty’s written order, please forgive our inability to comply!”

“Fine, fine, fine!” Lian Qin laughed angrily, “I’ll go get your Majesty’s imperial edict right now. My staying here only gets in his way anyway. These few soldiers of Seventh Brother – what harm could they do him! I’ll see whether he releases them or not. It would be better if he used this excuse to kill us all – my making a scene would perfectly fulfill his wishes.”

As he was about to rush forward, the fire braziers between the tents crackled loudly, their red glow reflecting Lian Yu’s somewhat hazy face on the other side.

He momentarily seemed somewhat guilty and stopped! Then he looked over coldly, speaking sarcastically, “Your Majesty arrives just in time, saving this lord some effort.”

Lian Yu pressed his lips tightly without speaking. Xiao An couldn’t contain her anger and trembled all over, “Good, very good, Lian Qin, you treasonous little beast! You want to leave, don’t you? Then get out immediately! But those confined here are traitor accomplices – you cannot take even one. If you dare say another word, see if I won’t kill you!”

Lian Qin looked at her coldly, his eyes full of hatred, “Empress Dowager, I know you want to kill me, and you dare kill me. You dare kill even husbands and lords – what wouldn’t you dare do?”

Xiao An said nothing more, a flash of killing intent in her eyes. Without her speaking, Hong Gu beside her had already drawn the sword at her waist and stepped forward quickly. Lian Qin laughed heartily, neither dodging nor fearing, looking proudly at everyone.

Just as Hong Gu reached him and thrust her sword forward, a low, hoarse voice stopped her, “Stop!”

“Let him go. Let him take these people too.”

Hong Gu dared not act rashly. Apart from Xiao An, only the current emperor could give orders here.

She turned to look – Lian Yu no longer had the composure he’d shown in the tent when facing crisis. His whole person seemed to have shed a layer of skin, appearing gaunt and haggard.

Xiao An looked at him with shock and anger, “Your Majesty, you treat him as a brother, but he doesn’t. You absolutely cannot be soft-hearted, lest you release a tiger back to the mountains and he turns to attack you!”

“Your Majesty, this Quan Feitong found someone resembling Wang Lun and forged a so-called secret edict to slander you. Now Seventh and Ninth Masters are deeply deceived and harbor treacherous thoughts. Though their feelings are somewhat understandable, for the greater good, even if not severely punishing as warning, you cannot let him leave, much less let him take people away.”

Yan Da anxiously knelt and pleaded urgently, his eyes full of worry, “Your Majesty, even if Ninth Master doesn’t join the rebels, returning to the capital to spread rumors would be terrible. The people are sometimes ignorant – if they believe it, what then?”

“Yes, Prime Minister Yan speaks correctly,” Gao Chaoyi saw the opportunity and quickly spoke up, “Your Majesty’s not killing him already shows brotherly affection. It’s Ninth Prince who lacks clarity. Confining him wouldn’t be excessive – Your Majesty must reconsider.”

Lian Qin looked over disdainfully, finally fixing his gaze on Lian Yu and spitting contemptuously, “Lian Yu, look at your fine ministers. Fine, continue this confusion of right and wrong! You originally wanted to kill me anyway. I and they have given you a perfect excuse – come on.”

Lian Yu looked at him, his eyes slowly revealing gray defeat, mixed with mockery and sorrow.

He lifted his lips in a smile. As Murong Ding and others successively knelt to advise, he finally waved his hand decisively, “These people stay. Qing Long, personally escort Ninth Master away. No one may obstruct. If anyone attempts assassination along the way, kill without question.”

Lian Qin seemed not to have expected he would spare him and was stunned. Just as Qing Long and Hei Shi went to escort Lian Qin away, Cai Beitang, Xiao Yue and others’ expressions suddenly changed.

“Fire, fire…” Someone gasped and shouted.

Lian Yu, Xiao An and others stood with their backs to the countless tents behind them. Hearing this, they turned around. In an instant, Xiao An screamed first, Yan Da’s face changed dramatically, the furrows and wrinkles on his face seeming about to fall off.

The front thousands of tents were more than half consumed by raging fire, smoke shooting straight to the sky. That fierce, brilliant firelight seemed like a vicious, violent fire dragon wanting to burn everything to ash. Soldiers ran from the flames amid chaotic, painful sounds filling the air. From the unaffected rear tents, countless soldiers poured out as if fleeing disaster.

Lian Yu quietly looked at Lian Qin, his expression suddenly becoming terrifyingly calm. Lian Qin first laughed maniacally, then seemed frightened by his calmness, staring with horrified eyes.

“I never knew my brother was so clever. What excellent misdirection and drawing the tiger from the mountain. You deliberately argued here, drawing everyone over, while secretly having your personal guards set fires in the front tents. Though the army has patrol soldiers, their numbers are limited. Most soldiers were still sleeping. Like Seventh Brother, you command five hundred Imperial Guard personal troops. These five hundred couldn’t fight battles, but secretly setting fires was more than sufficient. A single spark can start a prairie fire.”

Lian Qin didn’t respond but involuntarily stepped backward.

Xiao An said sternly, “Your Majesty, see – you treated him well, and now you’ve made a great mistake.”

“Ah Hong, kill him, kill this little beast!”

“This servant obeys!”

Lian Yu strode forward, blocking in front of Lian Qin. Hong Gu was startled and quickly withdrew her sword. Lian Yu raised his hand and gave Lian Qin a hard slap.

Lian Qin’s face was struck to one side.

“Our brotherly bond ends here. Get out!” The cold words slowly emerged from Lian Yu’s mouth. He no longer looked at him, turning to rush toward the fire. Xuan Wu, Qing Long and others hurriedly followed to protect him.

Seeing people protecting Lian Yu, the thin, tall attendant said, “You two protect His Majesty. This subordinate will help fight the fire.”

He ran into the forward sea of flames and quickly disappeared.

Murong Ding and others seemed to awaken from a dream, immediately shouting, “Ministers stay here and wait for the fire to subside. All other generals, quickly follow me to lead people in firefighting!”

Yan Da and Hong Gu supported Xiao An while retreating with the ministers to one side. Other deputy generals and Hei Shi all quickly left with Murong Ding. Lian Qin spat out blood from his mouth, staring blankly at everything before him, forgetting to leave. Suddenly he crouched down, covering his face tightly with both hands.

A brilliant firework rose in the sky, sparkling like stars before falling into the forest.

Though brief, it was enough for those carefully observing in the dark to see.

In the dense forest, several men smiled at each other.

Chao Huang drew his sword and shouted, “Pass my order – main force advance, strike directly at enemy camp! Beware of forest ambushes ahead, but there’s no dangerous high terrain there. With fire behind them, forward ambush soldiers receiving reports will surely panic and rush back to help.”

Quan Feitong continued sternly, “Have armor and shields ready to block arrows. When encountering caltrops, all vanguard soldiers throw shields to the ground for rear units to step on shields and corpses to pass. Don’t linger in battle – pass through quickly, preserve strength. Our target is Lian Yu’s main camp!”

“Yes!” The vanguard of a hundred officers and soldiers responded loudly. Dozens of cavalry spurred their horses out to relay orders.

The great army advanced magnificently. At the Murong army’s ambush points, they had indeed set traps with arrows and caltrops, but as Quan and Chao predicted, the ambush soldiers had received rear notifications. Commanders had half their forces return to fight fires, reducing combat strength. With Quan and Chao’s abundant equipment and clear tactical objectives, they broke through this route, losing only one or two thousand men. Murong casualties were also light, but soon they broke through the defense line and charged to the main camp.

Looking from mid-slope, though the fire had somewhat diminished, countless charred corpses lay inside and outside the tents, with severed limbs, blackened by smoke and ash. Further away, thousands upon thousands of soldiers fled like a tide toward the valley depths – clearly this sea of fire was beyond salvation.

Everyone was delighted. Qiu Jing praised, “Good nephew, you deserve great credit for this battle!”

“My credit? Oh, I only suggested fire attack, but the specific operations, how to misdirect and complete this feat – that was Minister Li’s strategy.” Lian Jie said softly, his smile gradually freezing, “So many people died…”

“Seventh Master, you shouldn’t have compassion. These are all your enemies.” Quan Feitong said indifferently. Chao Huang swung his great sword, already leading the army charging down the mountain, bypassing areas with heavy fire to charge left and right.

Seeing Lian Jie unmoved, Quan Feitong didn’t force him, riding down with Li Zhaoting, Qiu Jing and others…

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

Just as countless maroon armored troops charged down from the mountain valley toward the valley camp, hunting the Murong forces fleeing to the forest depths, with several battle cries, except for their approach route, three mountain faces suddenly also revealed countless soldiers in lake-blue armor, wielding fire arrows and shooting rapidly at them. Then dense as raindrops, massive rocks rolled down with whooshing sounds, roars, and battle cries suddenly turning into furious shouts and screams!

“Change formation!” Chao Huang shouted, his face covered with soldiers’ splattered blood, looking terrifying.

Soldiers obeyed, quickly changing to fish-scale formation with overlapping shields, protecting the commanders in the center while rapidly moving to retreat along their approach route. But this couldn’t stop the decline – people kept falling in large groups, shocking to see.

Through gaps, Li Zhaoting stared at nearby tent corpses and suddenly said, “They’re dummies. In the deep night, we were deceived!”

Quan Feitong now laughed angrily, coldly searching several mountain faces. Indeed, on the side mountain, a bright yellow figure stood against the wind; in the direction where Murong forces had fled, ahead of Murong Ding, Murong family banners also fluttered in the wind. Those fleeing soldiers had all turned around, wielding swords with威严目光, ready to attack at any moment!

But their gazes finally fell on another mountain side where two young men sat on horses side by side – the brothers Lian Jie and Lian Qin. While they descended to kill enemies, Lian Jie had quietly left.

The valley with hundreds of thousands of people suddenly became completely silent. Quan Feitong laughed loudly, “Good, Your Majesty, your methods are truly formidable. Even I was deceived by you.”

“False! The brotherly conflict was false, and burning the camp was false! You made it so realistic, even deceiving the Empress Dowager and all officials!”

On the mountain, the jade-crowned man was gaunt, his eyes full of bloodshot veins, but his gaze remained impossibly sharp. He replied flatly, “Facing you, if I didn’t make it realistic, how could I deceive the spies you planted in my army? I don’t know these agents’ details or who they are, so naturally I had to guard against everything. As you said, even the Empress Dowager and officials didn’t know my actual deployments. That you, Quan Feitong, were deceived is nothing to regret.”

Quan Feitong’s body swayed slightly. Li Zhaoting immediately steadied him, saying quietly, “Senior Brother, stay calm. Whether we can break out depends entirely on your command. If you’re provoked by him now, we risk panic – we must remain steady.”

“Rest assured, I’m not someone Lian Yu can easily defeat.” Quan Feitong replied softly. He then looked toward the Lian brothers, “Are you two fools? Lian Jie, he stole your throne. Lian Qin, he killed your father. Yet you still join with him against me? Do you think that secret edict is false, idiots? It’s real!”

“If something happens to me, you’ll only have death awaiting.”

On the mountain, Lian Jie spurred his horse forward, staring at him with a lifted smile, finally saying word by word, “Quan Feitong, I know. I’ve long known what my Sixth Brother has done.”

“Known long ago? When did you know?” This time it was Qiu Jing who spoke tremblingly. Before Quan Feitong could answer, he could no longer contain himself and roared, “Knowing this, you still help him? Are you mad? You coward, weakling, worthless fool!”

Lian Jie’s eyes were also bloodshot, like the Great Zhou emperor on the opposite mountain. He looked at his uncle and slowly said, “Uncle, I’m not mad. I indeed knew of this long ago. Back at Min Mountain when I stumbled upon Quan Feitong and Li Huaisu talking at the tavern… when Quan Feitong first hinted at this matter, I discussed it with Sixth Brother. That night we talked intimately all night. I pretended to probe, and he didn’t hide it or kill me. Quan Feitong calculated everything but missed one point – he didn’t think I’d be foolish enough to confess to Sixth Brother, nor that Sixth Brother, once knowing, would spare me. But we truly consider each other brothers, so at life-and-death moments, we dare confess to each other. I hate Sixth Brother extremely, but I know more clearly that with my limited abilities, I cannot steadily receive this Lian family empire. At least, before eliminating Quan Feitong, I cannot. You don’t truly support me – you more hope to consolidate your own power. For this power, you can kill innocents. Sixth Brother killed Father Emperor, which heaven and earth cannot tolerate, but he’s worthy of Great Zhou’s people and this imperial position. We agreed that in twenty years, when Great Zhou achieves great order, even if he’s still in his prime, Lian Qin and I will personally take his life to repay Father Emperor’s debt of flesh and blood. But before then, we two brothers will definitely stand behind him, together guarding our ancestors’ century-old foundation and ensuring Great Zhou’s people live in peace and prosperity.”

Last night when publishing, I encountered many places needing revision, so I didn’t publish first. After revisions, I’m updating today with both chapters together. See you tomorrow.