As the Huang Tian Kuang Bing Tuan began their assault from the outermost layer, they used countless treasures to entice the lower classes to revolt against the elite. Within ten days, they swept through like a violent storm, and now their forces were at the city gates, with countless troops pressing the border.
Ma Sui, situated in the desert, guarded seven oases, with He Yan being the largest and most resource-rich. The seven oases of Ma Sui were nearby, with visible and hidden waterways crisscrossing between them. There were forty-three ethnic groups, with the Yu clan as the ruling class and the Dai clan at the bottom. The total population exceeded 500,000, with a stark divide between rich and poor, and a thriving slave trade. The Ma Sui nobility was insatiably greedy, focusing on extravagance rather than strengthening their defenses. Now they found themselves overwhelmed by slaves and the poor—truly a case of reaping what they had sown.
In the hall, the assembled officials furrowed their brows, their gazes scattered, each looking as if they might faint at any moment. King Ge’er Jinqin appeared particularly dejected, lost in his thoughts.
Was a siege by slaves truly so alarming? Was a rebellion by the poor so frightening?
Yet, gazing beyond the city walls, one could still sense the inescapable stench of blood and violence. The river ran red, and no one dared drink from it. Flowers bloomed in abundance, yet no one dared pick them. The masses outside the walls seemed bewitched by some sorcery. Those who joined the Ruo Wen were completely transformed, killing indiscriminately. According to scouts, the Ruo Wen’s troops were stationed in the outermost layer, executing anyone who retreated. Each day, under the scorching sun, corpses piled up, ignored by all. The citizens within the walls kept their doors shut day and night, leaving the streets desolate and lifeless.
“Your Majesty! Forgive my bluntness, but I believe Tian Du will not send reinforcements,” said one of the generals, who seemed to have a clear grasp of the situation. “Ma Sui is already on the brink of collapse. Even if we somehow survive this crisis, we’ll be severely weakened and unable to quell internal strife. Our alliance with Tian Du has become worthless!”
“Your Majesty!” another official spoke up. “Ma Sui’s current predicament is ultimately the result of our internal divisions. The Left Grand Counselor’s pro-Yun faction advocated for good relations with Yun Pei, while the Right Grand Counselor’s pro-Tian faction pushed for cooperation with Tian Du. Both had their reasons. Yun Pei, Ma Sui, Gu He, and Mi Zan are neighbors, while Tian Du is far to the north. Yun Pei is resource-rich and powerful; an alliance with them could bring many benefits to Ma Sui. However, Yun Pei’s growing strength is also cause for concern, as they may one day occupy other nations’ oases. Thus, agreeing to Tian Du’s alliance policy could create a balance against Yun Pei and maintain the status quo. You sent Princess Yu Qiang to Yun Pei in a marriage alliance, feigning friendship, while secretly allying with Tian Du…”
He paused, glancing at Ge’er Jinqin’s expression. It seemed he had touched upon a sensitive topic, and the atmosphere grew even more tense.
Ge’er Jinqin slowly closed his eyes, perhaps realizing the naivety of his decisions. A hint of self-mockery played at the corners of his mouth.
“Are you saying that Yun Pei has long known our true intentions and won’t send aid? That Gu He is too weak to risk intervening without certainty of success? And that we have lost all value as allies to Tian Du, becoming nothing more than prey for Ruo Wen’s Yellow Peril?”
Indeed, no one could help them now. Ruo Wen’s poison had seeped too deep. Even if reinforcements came, they could still destroy He Yan’s government before facing resistance. After all, He Yan was at the center.
With a sigh, Ge’er Jinqin said painfully, “Let us surrender! Send a message to Ruo Wen stating that the He Yan Palace is willing to submit. We’ll welcome the Huang Tian Kuang Bing Tuan into the city on one condition: spare the lives of our 1,700 royal clan members and leave us the noble tombs behind He Yan Mountain as our final refuge. We will never step beyond the boundaries of the tombs again and will not interfere in matters of state.”
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” The generals fell to their knees in unison, crying out, “We may be simple warriors, unversed in the intricacies of politics, but we know the shame of surrendering on the battlefield! You are the king of a nation, yet you would abandon your country to save yourself? How can this inspire loyalty from your subjects or admiration from your people?”
Hearing this, Ge’er Jinqin flew into a rage, slamming his hand on the armrest of his throne. “Silence! What choice do we have now? Without the Yu clan, there is no Ma Sui! Without a king, how can there be a country? If I perish, why should the country exist, why should the people remain? Once Ruo Wen enters our borders, who will still look up to us? By preserving the royal bloodline, we may yet plan for the future!”
His words were impassioned, his face flushed. It was clear he had been suppressing these feelings for a long time, and now they erupted. The assembled officials and generals watched their king’s near-hysterical state in silence.
Finally, the Right Grand Counselor spoke, his voice weak and colorless, “Let us surrender. At least we can save many lives. Where there’s life, there’s hope. We can use this reprieve to plan for the future.”
With these words, no one else raised any objections.
Under a cloudless sky, the endless blue stretched from night to day. Yet no one rejoiced in tilling the fields. This was He Yan, the capital of Ma Sui, and now the only place in the nation that had not fallen. As the sun’s rays pierced the palace of He Yan, a heart-wrenching creak was heard.
Crack—!
The main gates of the palace opened, slowly revealing the ancient royal court to the world.
It seemed as if it had taken a thousand years to open those doors.
Everyone prostrated themselves, fallen leaves scattered on the floor tiles. At the forefront, holding a brocade tray, was none other than King Ge’er Jinqin of Ma Sui.
Outside the gates, the great banners of the Huang Tian Kuang Bing Tuan fluttered. The soldiers, with bloodthirsty gazes, exuded an intense aura of agitation and violence. Even their breath seemed to carry a heavy sense of brutality. They looked at the kneeling king and his officials with disdain and mockery.
Directly in front of the gates stood Ruo Wen, the leader of the Yellow Peril, his shadow alone nearly blocking the path. A mocking smile played on his lips as he leaped down from his horse. His black figure, with each step forward, shook thousands of fearful hearts like a demon god crossing realms. The crosswinds stirred up beads of sweat on everyone’s forehead, which glittered in the sunlight like scattered diamonds—a fantastical sight.
Yet this was no peaceful era of prosperity, but a desperate situation with no escape from impending disaster.
Ruo Wen walked to Ge’er Jinqin’s side, one hand still gripping a thick black horsewhip. With his other hand, he casually picked up the jade seal and the red jade ring that symbolized the king’s status from the brocade tray. He smiled, “Fei Wen,” he called to the red-clad dancing girl behind him, tossing her the ring. Fei Wen caught it happily and put it on her thumb. “Thank you for the gift, Chief!” she said, turning to give a triumphant look to the blue-clad dancing girl on her right. The blue-clad girl’s eyes flashed with discontent.
Ruo Wen paid no more attention to the kneeling crowd before him. He entered the great hall and sat on the king’s throne without hesitation. In an instant, the palace seemed to recognize its new master, gleaming with golden light. Man Hu, Luo Ying, Lang Tou, Cheng Xiang, and others followed him in, lining up on either side as if they were back in their northern desert camp.
“Tell them to get lost!” Ruo Wen reclined on the spacious throne, his expression extremely sinister.
Hearing this, Man Hu turned and walked to the palace entrance, shouting, “Get lost, all of you! What are you still kneeling there for?”
Ge’er Jinqin, his head covered in cold sweat, slowly lowered the tray in his hands and mustered the courage to ask, “Please… please accept this royal jade seal!”
Man Hu let out a vicious laugh, terrifying the kneeling crowd in the courtyard.