Section 8

"Why don't you step in and check on Lord Ye?"

"This..."

Hong Siyang hesitated; he knew Li Chengping was putting him in a difficult position.

If he didn't act, it would be tantamount to admitting Ye Wan's incompetence.

If he did act and ended up like Ye Wan, it would be a massive humiliation.

"What, is Chief Manager Hong unwilling?"

Seeing Hong Siyang remaining still, Li Chengping raised an eyebrow and asked.

"This servant wouldn't dare. I only wish to remind Your Highness to be merciful whenever possible."

Hong Siyang took a deep breath and spoke.

"Chief Manager Hong, be careful..."

Ye Wan was about to warn Hong Siyang when he suddenly felt a surge of powerful True Qi enter his body, violently dispersing the pressure that had been suppressing him.

It was indeed Hong Siyang who had secretly intervened!

"Fourth Prince! You have insulted me so! There must be an explanation for today's events! Come with me before Your Majesty to seek justice!"

Ye Wan's face flushed red as the True Qi within him circulated frantically, and he charged toward Li Chengping.

He wanted this useless prince to lose all face in front of Emperor Qing!

Cao Zhengchun wanted to step forward to block him but was stopped by Hong Siyang.

"Your opponent is me."

Hong Siyang said coldly.

"This matter is not for you to interfere in."

"You..."

Cao Zhengchun's expression darkened; he hadn't expected Hong Siyang to disregard his status like this. A flash of killing intent flickered across his eyes.

"Hmph!"

Seeing Cao Zhengchun blocked, Ye Wan sneered inwardly, as if he could already see Li Chengping wailing under his hand.

However, just as his attack was about to hit Li Chengping, a sudden change occurred.

*Bang!*

A muffled thud sounded, and Ye Wan's figure collapsed to his knees once more.

His legs were twisted at a bizarre angle, and blood poured continuously from the wounds.

"Ah!"

Ye Wan let out a shrill, agonizing scream, his voice filled with pain and despair.

"This... how is this possible?"

His eyes widened as he looked at his crippled legs, his heart filled with terror and resentment.

He never imagined he would suffer such a complete defeat.

"Lord Ye, this Prince said long ago that you simply enjoy crawling on the ground."

Li Chengping chuckled, walked up to Ye Wan, and looked down at him.

"Since that's the case, this Prince will grant your wish."

He raised his foot and stomped heavily on Ye Wan.

"Cao Zhengchun, take it easy. Have some fun with Chief Manager Hong."

He commanded.

"This servant obeys!"

Cao Zhengchun responded, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

"Chief Manager Hong, pardon my offense."

He spoke to Hong Siyang and then took the initiative to strike him with a palm.

Hong Siyang's expression was grave; he knew he had met a worthy opponent this time.

The Internal Energy between the two surged, causing the surrounding air to erupt in a series of sonic booms.

Sand and stones flew as dust filled the air.

*Boom!*

With a loud explosion, the two figures suddenly separated.

Cao Zhengchun retreated three steps, each step leaving a deep footprint in the ground.

Hong Siyang retreated five steps, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.

"You... you are actually a Ninth-Rank Expert?"

Hong Siyang wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

He never expected that Cao Zhengchun, whom he had always looked down upon, would possess such profound Internal Energy.

"Chief Manager Hong, can we speak properly now?"

Cao Zhengchun said coldly, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

"You..."

Hong Siyang wanted to say more, but Li Chengping interrupted him.

"Enough, stop fighting."

Li Chengping said indifferently.

"This Prince has important matters to attend to and no time to waste here with you."

He walked up to Hong Siyang and looked down at him.

"Chief Manager Hong, I will ask you one last time: will you move aside?"

Hong Siyang's face was grim; he knew he had hit a brick wall this time.

"After you, Your Highness."

Hong Siyang gritted his teeth and finally chose to yield.

"That's more like it."

Li Chengping nodded with satisfaction.

"Cao Zhengchun, let's go."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The two of them bypassed Hong Siyang and walked toward the inner palace.

Leaving Hong Siyang alone, standing there with an ashen face.

...

Inside the Palace, the Imperial Study.

Emperor Qing sat upon the Dragon Throne, his brow deeply furrowed, seemingly troubled by something.

"Your Majesty, Northern Qi has been making frequent moves lately; I fear they are going to cause trouble again."

Lin Ruofu spoke, his tone carrying a hint of worry.

"Hmph, those barbarians of Northern Qi are nothing more than buffoons. What is there to fear?"

A minister said disdainfully.

"Be that as it may, we cannot afford to be careless. If they truly send troops to invade..."

"Enough!"

Emperor Qing's majestic voice rang out, interrupting the group's argument.

"What I want is a solution, not your incessant bickering."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The ministers hurriedly bowed in assent.

"Your Majesty, Northern Qi is currently in internal turmoil. Rather than waiting for them to deploy troops, why don't we strike first?"

Lin Ruofu spoke once more.

"I believe we can dispatch an envoy to Northern Qi to scout their situation and, while we're at it, win over the hearts of the Northern Qi people."

"Oh?"

Emperor Qing looked at Lin Ruofu and asked.

"Who does Chancellor Lin think would be suitable for this?"

"This..."

Lin Ruofu hesitated before saying.

"I believe this matter is of great importance. We must send someone capable, courageous, and decisive."

"Oh? Does Chancellor Lin have a candidate in mind?"

Emperor Qing pressed.

Lin Ruofu lowered his head in silence, seemingly deep in thought.

At that moment, a eunuch came running in hurriedly.

"Your Majesty! A guard from the Imperial Forest Army reports that Ye An and the Fourth Prince have clashed outside the palace gates. Ye An has been severely injured, and even Chief Manager Hong could not stop the Fourth Prince!"

"What?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court erupted into an uproar.

Everyone looked at the eunuch in shock, thinking they had misheard.