Judging by his hurried appearance, he must have just arrived in Inzi City. Having been by Feng Miaojun’s side for a long time, Chen Dachang had learned to analyze situations carefully and thought this was quite telling.
The Chichuan Plains were located several hundred li to the northwest of Inzi City, much closer than New Xia’s capital, Wuser City. Yet Feng Miaojun had received two messages in Wuser, then flown here, and almost three days and nights had passed since Yun Ya’s raid on the Yao royal palace.
Mo Tizhun, riding divine birds that were much faster than crane beasts, couldn’t possibly have needed so much time to return to Inzi City.
He hadn’t set out immediately. Why?
Chen Dachang could guess the reason: the Wei forces on the Chichuan Plains had launched a fierce attack, tightly engaging Mo Tizhun’s troops. Xiao Yan, also a participant in the plan, understood the importance of this battle. He was even willing to use himself as bait to draw out Mo Tizhun, showing his firm determination. When the incident occurred in Inzi City, he must have attacked the Yao army with all his might, giving the opponent no chance to breathe.
Under these circumstances, Mo Tizhun was caught in a dilemma. Abandoning the battlefield to go to Inzi City would inevitably lead to a weakened military position and wavering morale, possibly ending in defeat. Persisting in battle meant his family in Inzi City faced mortal danger.
So even someone as formidable as Mo Tizhun needed two full days to arrange military affairs before flying back to Inzi City.
Others might see his predicament, but Chen Dachang recognized that this man was truly extraordinary.
The deep affection between the Yao King and his son was undeniable. Mo Tizhun’s filial piety was world-renowned—otherwise, if he had been like Prince Xi in temperament, the Wei people wouldn’t have threatened him with the life of the old Yao King. Moreover, the enemy also held his beloved wife, children, and clan relatives. An ordinary person would have been completely distraught, desperate to fly back to Inzi City at once.
This is what they call “concern leads to confusion.”
Yet under such immense pressure, Mo Tizhun still arranged the northwestern war affairs properly before returning to the capital. This showed that even now, his mind remained extremely clear, his thinking meticulous, able to make correct decisions.
Chen Dachang recalled what the Queen had said—if this man were to ascend the throne, Yao Kingdom would surely become a great nation. Looking at the situation now, that indeed seemed to be the case.
Below, before Mo Tizhun reached Wu Family Tower, officials and commanders had already rushed out to meet him, bowing their heads.
Mo Tizhun waved his hand: “All rise. Tell me the situation in the garden.”
With that, he strode toward the Imperial Garden.
A commander immediately reported: “The entire garden has been occupied by the Wei villains. The royal guards were sent out that day, and formations and restrictions have been set up inside.”
“Then what is this about!” Mo Tizhun pointed ahead. The unusual situation at the temporary palace gate certainly couldn’t escape his notice, especially with troops entering and exiting in large numbers—it didn’t look like a defensive posture.
“General Zhao Rushan insisted on attacking. Our forces have almost reached the main palace complex…”
“Preposterous!” Mo Tizhun was first shocked, then furious. “Relay my order to cease the attack! Summon Zhao Rushan here!”
A messenger immediately mounted a horse and galloped away.
Mo Tizhun turned to ask the crowd: “Any news of my royal father?”
“The Wei villains have threatened twice to kill hostages if we don’t withdraw. But General Zhao… didn’t pay any attention, so they fell silent.”
Mo Tizhun gritted his teeth, his jaw muscles tightening.
At this moment, an attendant brought over the amount. He swung onto it and galloped directly toward the main palace complex.
The ministers and commanders followed behind him.
Seeing this, Chen Dachang also chose a squad and quietly followed. Today’s attacking Yao forces were complex, comprising four or five different groups from various regions twisted together. With everything in chaos, no one questioned his identity.
He was like a drop of water merging into the ocean, instantly swallowed by the crowd.
The invading Wei people weren’t many, but they had set up numerous formations, poison bugs, traps, and restrictions. The Yao forces’ rapid advance to their destination had cost many lives to clear the path.
Seeing the tragic scenes along the way, Mo Tizhun remained silent with a grim face.
By the time he galloped to the main palace, Zhao Rushan had received the message and hurriedly arrived. Before he could bow, Mo Tizhun had already sent him flying with a punch.
Zhao Rushan spat blood as he was struck. Just as he sat up, Mo Tizhun grabbed him by the collar and lifted him, saying through gritted teeth: “Do you want to be executed by slow slicing?”
Zhao Rushan took a couple of breaths before lowering his head: “I have sinned!” He didn’t mention his intentions at all.
Mo Tizhun stared at him fiercely for a few moments, then shoved him away.
With his intelligence, he could largely guess Zhao Rushan’s motives. But as Crown Prince, he absolutely could not sit by and watch his royal father be humiliated and killed without taking action!
With the Crown Prince’s order given, the Yao forces’ offensive had stopped. A hundred zhang ahead was the green lawn in front of the main palace complex, surrounded by troops.
Mo Tizhun took a deep breath and said: “Let’s go talk to the Wei villains first.”
He went ahead alone, with the officials following.
Ahead was the palace gate.
Mo Tizhun stood firm and called out toward the tightly closed vermilion gates: “I am Crown Prince Mo Tizhun. Where is State Preceptor Yun? Please come out and talk!”
His voice, infused with spiritual power, spread throughout the garden in the night sky.
Inside was complete silence.
Mo Tizhun’s expression remained unchanged as he repeated his call twice more.
Only then did someone inside slowly respond: “The Crown Prince is quite leisurely, arriving only now.”
This voice was not Yun Ya’s, but one particularly familiar to Mo Tizhun. It carried a faint mockery, ridiculing Mo Tizhun for disregarding his father’s life and delaying his return to Inzi City until now.
“Zuoqiu Yuan, you dare to return.” Mo Tizhun suppressed his rage. “How is my royal father?”
Zuoqiu Yuan replied coolly: “If you had come any later, he would not be well.”
Mo Tizhun secretly gritted his teeth: “I know the Wei people’s demands. I must see my father, wife, and children before I can decide!”
Confirming the hostages’ safety was a reasonable request. Therefore, after a few moments, Zuoqiu Yuan finally said: “Red Corner Tower. Don’t try any tricks.”
In the southeast part of the royal garden stood a tower six zhang tall, connected to the high wall of the enclosure. Standing there, one could overlook the beautiful scenery of the garden, and it also served as a sentry post. Its elegant form resembled a bird stretching its wings, making it one of the garden’s scenic spots.
Mo Tizhun certainly knew this place and galloped there at full speed.
Other commanders also called for their mounts and followed, while elderly officials who couldn’t ride were left behind in the dust, waiting for carriages to transport them.
By now, the eastern sky had begun to show the first light of dawn, and the towering Red Corner Tower revealed its elegant silhouette in the morning light.
The Yao Crown Prince traveled along the outer perimeter of the palace complex, taking some time on the journey.
He galloped to the wall beneath the tower, pulled his reins, and called out loudly: “Mo Tizhun is here!”
As soon as he spoke, a small door on the tower opened, and two people walked onto the corridor one after another. The place was far from the ground and protected by formations—if anyone below made the slightest suspicious movement, they would immediately retreat into the tower.