The reason Zhang Shen came out to gather the Fourth-Rank experts and important military commanders was that the retreat order was too significant, and by official rank, he was merely Yang Gong’s advisor, not someone who could make such decisions.

Yang Gong, who could make the decision, lay unconscious with an uncertain fate, while the other person with authority had been killed by Second Young Master Xu.

From Qing Province to Xun Province, through battles and bloodshed, this beautiful but seemingly frail scholar had accumulated immeasurable killing intent.

Previously, Second Young Master Xu wouldn’t have dared to kill a Second-Rank Administrative Commissioner even with ten times his current courage.

In times of chaos, lives were as worthless as grass—not just for civilians, but officials and soldiers alike.

Soon, except for those on duty, all high-ranking personnel were gathered in the Commander’s courtyard within the barracks.

Among them were several sect leaders and masters from the Martial Arts Alliance, resistance leaders like Chu Yuan Zhen, Heng Yuan, and Yang Qian Huan, court-appointed military officers like Yang Yan and Chen Ying, as well as former Qing Province garrison commanders who, though not highly skilled in cultivation, were rich in battlefield experience.

Notably, Zhou Mi, the former Qing Province Military Commander who had been the highest-ranking official after Yang Gong, had already fallen in Xun Province.

In the inner hall, the middle-aged Chief Eunuch wearing a python robe surveyed everyone after they gathered and asked gravely:

“How are Yang Gong’s injuries?”

Li Mu Bai, seated in the primary position on the left, replied coolly:

“His life is preserved, but he remains unconscious. When he’ll wake is unknown.”

The Chief Eunuch frowned and looked toward a white-robed figure standing with his back to everyone:

“Even you, Yang Qian Huan, cannot heal him?”

That white-robed figure who stood with his back to everyone tilted his chin arrogantly:

“If not for Yang, who can pluck stars from the moon, being here, Yang Gong would have died defending the city.”

The Chief Eunuch’s lips twitched, abandoning any thought of further dialogue with Yang Qian Huan. He withdrew his gaze and continued:

“What about Yao Hong?”

Everyone looked toward Xu Xin Nian.

Truthfully, Yang Yan and others who had navigated the court for years wouldn’t dare kill a Second-Rank Administrative Commissioner unless necessary.

The sect leaders of the Martial Arts Alliance would be even less likely to do such a thing—how could they, as outsiders, casually kill a provincial Administrative Commissioner of the Second Rank?

After building such goodwill with the Great Liang court, if they damaged relations or created suspicion due to a moment of anger, it would be too great a loss.

Perhaps only Xu Xin Nian had such courage and decisiveness, immediately snuffing out trouble when he saw it brewing, and even knowing others’ concerns, voluntarily stepping forward to shoulder this burden.

Though not as dazzling as his elder cousin Xu Qi An, this Palace Graduate’s ability, courage, and sense of responsibility had won unanimous recognition from Yang Yan and others.

Xu Xin Nian responded calmly:

“Administrative Commissioner Yao has fallen ill from exhaustion while pacifying the officials and gentry, and is recuperating at his residence.”

They could later give Yao Hong a chance to “die for his country.”

Xu Xin Nian wasn’t afraid of the Empress investigating after the truth came out. Aside from whether Huai Qing would even pursue the matter, even if she did, he could just push his elder brother forward—who would dare speak up then?

“Administrative Commissioner Yao has worked hard!”

The Chief Eunuch coughed and got straight to the point:

“I come bearing Her Majesty’s imperial edict, commanding you all to evacuate Yong Province tonight, preserve your strength, and withdraw to defend the capital.”

No one spoke. They communicated silently through eye contact, showing not surprise but anger and reluctance.

First, Yong Province was the last barrier—lose it, and Yun Province’s army would reach the capital.

From the Second Young Master Xu and others’ perspective, they understood that fighting a decisive battle with Yun Province’s army in the capital might give better odds of victory.

But this was a dangerous gambit—Great Liang would be left with no retreat.

Second, handing over Yong Province would strengthen Xu Ping Feng’s forces to another level, and Yun Province’s army would seize Yong Province’s resources, recruiting more troops. Would all their effort in weakening Yun Province’s army be wasted?

Finally, what about Yong Province’s civilians?

Though lives were cheap in troubled times, people still had compassion. If Yun Province’s army massacred the city, these hundred thousand civilians…

Seeing no one speak, Li Mu Bai coughed and said:

“We must respectfully decline!

“Abandoning Yong Province would only embolden Yun Province’s army and allow them to recover their strength. The Tribulation battle in the Northern Border hasn’t concluded—even if Silver Bell Xu wins as Her Majesty predicts, victory still isn’t assured.”

Don’t forget, even if Luo Yu Heng succeeds in her Tribulation, it would barely even the odds, not enable Great Liang to counter-attack Yun Province.

Zhang Shen said coolly:

“Though Her Majesty is brilliant, she’s not skilled in military matters. Misjudgments are inevitable.

“As the saying goes, ‘A general in the field may reject the sovereign’s orders.’ We have our judgment. If Her Majesty wishes to assign blame afterward, she can come to find me, Zhang Shen.”

Though Yang Yan and others were trusted by both Wei Yuan and the Empress, on this matter they supported the Great Confucian from Cloud Deer Academy.

Though Empress Huai Qing’s scholarship matched or even far surpassed ordinary talented men, she was still a woman—what did she know of warfare?

However, being the Empress’s people, they kept such thoughts to themselves.

Fu Jing Men snorted coldly:

“If you want to retreat, do it yourself. The Martial Arts Alliance isn’t retreating!”

Yang Cui Xue stroked his sword and said softly:

“My disciples died in Yong Province, I should die here too—only then would I not fail our master-disciple relationship.

“The Martial Arts Alliance doesn’t answer to the court. If you want to leave, you leave.”

The Qing Province officers were visibly moved, their blood stirring with passion.

Her Majesty’s prediction was correct, these people indeed defied orders… The Chief Eunuch recalled what Her Majesty had said before he left for Yong Province.

Her Majesty said that if the Yong Province garrison collectively defied orders, tell them that Guard Commander Wei had been resurrected.

Her Majesty truly foresaw everything! The Chief Eunuch took a deep breath and said:

“These are Guard Commander Wei’s orders!”

As he finished speaking, he found the hall suddenly silent enough to hear a pin drop, with everyone staring at him wordlessly.

Their expressions were very strange, indescribably so.

After several seconds, Yang Yan’s forehead veins bulged as he said word by word:

“Are you making fun of us?”

He swore that if this damned eunuch dared admit it, he would run him through with his spear right there in front of everyone.

The Chief Eunuch, having come from Huai Qing’s palace and seen much, wasn’t intimidated at all. He replied steadily:

“Guard Commander Wei was resurrected today, Her Majesty personally summoned his soul. If you don’t believe it, return to the capital and verify it yourselves.”

The hall erupted in chaos.

Everyone’s expressions varied—wild joy, bewilderment, shock, doubt, excitement…

Zhang Shen pondered:

“If Wei Yuan truly is resurrected, then I agree to withdraw to the capital.”

Because with Wei Yuan commanding the army, retreating to the capital wouldn’t be a desperate gamble, but rather fighting with one’s back against the wall to achieve victory.

But people still didn’t believe it.

Wei Yuan had died in battle at Jing Shan City—how could he be resurrected?

At this moment, everyone in the hall heard Yang Qian Huan say slowly:

“He’s not lying!”

All eyes immediately focused on the back of the white-robed ceremonial master’s head.

Yang Yan hurriedly sought confirmation:

“You used your Aura-Viewing technique?”

You haven’t even turned around… Second Young Master Xu and others mentally added.

Yang Qian Huan scoffed and said in a slow, deliberately maddening tone:

“No, I didn’t look. But…”

He deliberately paused to grab everyone’s attention.

Want to hit him… Yang Yan and others’ hand veins bulged as they gripped their weapons.

Regardless of others’ thoughts, Yang Qian Huan remained as steady as an old dog, continuing unhurriedly:

“But I saw Wei Yuan’s body in Song Qing’s secret chamber, and I know Xu Qi An has been trying to resurrect Wei Yuan.”

Oh, so Silver Bell Xu resurrected Wei Yuan… Everyone suddenly understood.

The lingering doubts in the minds of Yang Yan and other Golden Bells dissipated.

If Xu Qi An was the one resurrecting Wei Yuan, that was indeed much more believable than the Chief Eunuch’s explanation of “Her Majesty personally summoning his soul to resurrect Wei Yuan.”

Li Mu Bai exhaled in relief and looked around:

“So, what do you all think?”

“Let’s withdraw!” Fu Jing Men immediately said.

On the spot, everyone chose to evacuate Yong Province. Yang Yan and others were even somewhat impatient, wanting to return to the capital immediately to see Wei Yuan.

“Yang Yan, Chen Ying, Yang Qian Huan…”

The Chief Eunuch called out names one by one, all trusted by Wei Yuan and the Empress, plus one pretentious fellow, saying:

“You have different tasks, you won’t return to the capital with the army.”

Yang Yan and the others exchanged glances and asked:

“What are Guard Commander Wei’s instructions?”

The Chief Eunuch promptly took out a silk pouch and smiled:

“It’s all in here.”

While the Chief Eunuch could leave immediately, evacuating the army was a complex and tedious task, including but not limited to gathering troops, transferring military equipment and supplies, and destroying immovable crossbows and cannons on the city walls.

With Yun Province’s army just fifty li away, they couldn’t alert them with a large-scale evacuation that included civilians.

So the garrison didn’t alert the civilians, but Second Young Master Xu had Miao You Fang lead a team to bring along all the wealthy gentry and officials who had food and money.

Those unwilling to leave would be persuaded by reason.

Additionally, Li Mu Bai ordered straw men to be made and placed densely along the city walls to deceive Yun Province’s scouts.

…

Dawn, the darkest moment before sunrise.

The already assembled Yun Province army quietly approached Yong Province City under the cover of their main force.

A scout with excellent cultivation, using his powerful eyesight and a telescope, gazed at Yong Province City’s walls and saw dense ranks of figures standing in the darkness atop the walls.

“Hiss, something’s not right…”

The scout drew in a sharp breath, muttering to himself:

“How did their numbers suddenly multiply? Did they anticipate our attack?”

Normally, there wouldn’t be too many guards on the walls—just enough to maintain a watch, with most soldiers resting in the barracks below to maintain peak conditions.

Reconnaissance was the scouts’ job.

The scout turned to his companion and said:

“Go back and report that something’s wrong on the walls—there are large numbers of men on night watch. It could be a trap.”

He worried their movements had been predicted, that the garrison was fully prepared, perhaps even planning an ambush.

The scout quickly returned to report to the Yun Province army. Being cautious, the main force halted, dispatching scouts to patrol the surroundings and gather intelligence.

Time ticked by minute by minute. The east began showing the first white of dawn, the pitch-black sky turning a deep blue.

It was then that the Yun Province army discovered the truth—those standing on the walls were actually straw men.

Straw men?

In the military tent, Qi Guang Bo’s heart sank when he heard the report. He ordered:

“Send a flying cavalry to investigate.”

A rider from the Vermillion Bird Army, mounted on a flying steed, charged toward Yong Province City, circled above it for a long while, and then returned to the Yun Province army with the news:

Great Liang’s garrison had evacuated Yong Province, leaving the barracks empty.

Qi Guang Bo hesitated no longer, sending the main force to the city walls. They easily took Yong Province.

After searching and investigating, they discovered Great Liang’s garrison had taken away provisions, silver, and military supplies, destroying the large equipment.

Only the hundred thousand civilians of Yong Province remained.

…

Inside the Barbican.

Xu Ping Feng, white as snow in his robes, listened to Qi Guang Bo’s report without surprise and exhaled:

“So Wei Yuan wants to face me in a final confrontation at the capital.”

Qi Guang Bo, in full military dress, hand resting on his sword hilt, said slowly:

“As expected of Wei Yuan—such decisiveness is rare indeed.”

Rather than defending Yong Province to death, preserving elite forces and withdrawing to defend the capital was indeed the better option. But the price was enough to make a group of experienced generals and strategists hesitate.

Yet Wei Yuan’s first act after the resurrection was to recall Yong Province’s forces to the capital, strengthening its defenses.

Such details revealed the mark of a qualified commander.

Qi Guang Bo continued:

“They took the money, provisions, and military supplies, but the civilians remain, each household with some stores, and Yong Province’s jianghu forces are still here—this is good.”

Those who could live in Yong Province City were all wealthy—digging three feet deep would yield considerable wealth to supplement military expenses.

And Yong Province’s jianghu forces could be won over, used to fill gaps in combat strength.

Xu Ping Feng said:

“After a brief rest, once I’ve initially absorbed Yong Province’s energy, we’ll immediately head north. Wei Yuan thinks of using Yong Province to feed us, to buy time. How could I let him have his way.”

Qi Guang Bo took a deep breath, spirits high:

“The Imperial Advisor’s idea is to deploy troops at the capital before the Northern Border Tribulation battle ends, forcing Xu Qi An and other Transcendents to make the capital their battlefield, settling things with Great Liang once and for all.”

Xu Ping Feng nodded slightly:

“This war has gone on long enough. Should we drag it out with Great Liang for several more months? I won’t give Wei Yuan a chance to breathe. We’ll match speed with speed, seeking quick victory.”

Qi Guang Bo nodded—this aligned with his thoughts.

The situation had reached this point, with the battlefield pushed to the capital—it was time to write the final chapter in this power struggle.

“How goes the northern battle?”

That Gala Tree and White Emperor still hadn’t killed Great Liang’s Transcendents—he found it hard to believe.

Xu Ping Feng said:

“My avatar has already gone to the Northern Border.”

The avatar had no combat power—he was just worried about the Northern Border battlefield and wanted to see for himself what was happening.

As a chess player, he was used to keeping everything under control, so when the northern conflict reached a stalemate, he instinctively felt anxious and uneasy.

One thing was certain—something had gone wrong with the Tribulation battle.

Xu Ping Feng could somewhat guess the problem lay with Xu Qi An, with that “Way” of his that grew stronger through battle. But even with his wisdom, he still couldn’t understand what kind of power could support a Second-Rank warrior in such a prolonged battle with First-Rank experts.

It was unheard of.

He naturally didn’t know that in the current age, those who understood this could be counted on one hand, and they were all ancient monsters who had lived countless years.

That Immortal Tree was now living quite comfortably in the palace.

…

“Aunt Mu, don’t you know?”

Xu Ling Yue blinked, speaking in her gentle, innocent voice:

“Spring Sacrifice has passed, and my elder brother’s marriage to Princess Lin An will be in half a month. Did my mother not tell you?”

In an elegant courtyard in the palace, by a stone table, Mu Nan Zhi said angrily:

“Your mother only knows about tending flowers all day—anyone who didn’t know better would think she was the Flower God!”

Xu Ling Yue asked in confusion:

“What Flower God?”

“Nothing. I’m going to Phoenix Roost Palace to see that old woman!” Mu Nan Zhi stood up.

Xu Ling Yue was startled, looking Mu Nan Zhi up and down repeatedly. The “old woman” must refer to the Empress Dowager—just what was her status, that she dared address the Empress Dowager this way?