Chapter 100: Chapter 100: Who Said It’s Incurable?
"This is no place for you, boy." The Iron Armor Soldier frowned, seeing the youth before him ignore his presence.
Qin Ya gave a cool smile and produced a Bronze Token.
"This is..."
The Iron Armor Soldier’s pupils contracted and his body shuddered. He immediately gave Qin Ya a respectful bow and said, "Greetings, my lord."
Qin Ya paid him no further mind and walked straight toward the main hall.
After Qin Ya left, several other Iron Armor Soldiers came over. "Captain, why did you let him in?" one asked.
The captain watched Qin Ya’s retreating figure, his expression a mixture of confusion and gravity. "He was holding a Bronze Iron Order!"
At his words, everyone gasped.
One of them swallowed hard. "The Bronze Iron Order... that’s bestowed by His Majesty himself. Very few people in the entire Imperial Capital possess one. Where in the world could that young man have gotten that Iron Order?"
The captain snapped, "How should I know?"
............
Inside the magnificent Jinluan Hall, the atmosphere was stern and chilly.
High upon the throne sat the Emperor, his brows knitted in a frown that conveyed both majesty and power. Below, the civil and military officials were arrayed on either side, and in the very center stood a man clad in black armor, radiating a commanding presence.
"Your subject, Muu Yunlie, greets Your Majesty!"
"Beloved Minister Muu, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Muu Yunlie rose to his feet, his eyes meeting the Emperor’s. A flicker of helplessness passed between them. Nangong Wen then cast an icy gaze over the officials below and said flatly, "You were all very vocal a moment ago. Now that Beloved Minister Muu is here, why are you so quiet?"
The officials below the throne exchanged glances. A middle-aged man with refined features and a touch of white at his temples stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty," he said, "since Marshal Muu has arrived, I shall be frank."
He cleared his throat and said, "The Red Flame Army is the most critical army in the Empire’s hands. Marshal Muu is in poor health. Forgive my bluntness, but I fear even the Marshal himself does not know how much time he has left. We have grave reservations about leaving the Red Flame Army in his hands."
Muu Yunlie let out a cold laugh. "Reservations? Hmph. I have been in command of the Red Flame Army for twenty years, and in that time, I have earned countless honors for the Empire. What is there for you to worry about? It’s true that I’ve been afflicted by a rare poison, but with my level of cultivation, I am perfectly capable of suppressing it."
Just then, a middle-aged man in ornate brocade robes spoke up. "In the past, we would naturally have no concerns. But times have changed. Pirates run rampant along the Southern Border, the Wolf Race eyes our Western Territory hungrily, and numerous bandits plague the Empire’s commanderies. The three hundred thousand soldiers of the Red Flame Army are far too crucial to the Empire. With Marshal Muu suffering from a rare poison, I’m afraid he will be unable to command them personally."
At this, Nangong Wen spoke coolly, "Lingyun Marquis, you’ve just listed so many of the Empire’s woes. Are you suggesting that We are incapable of governing?"
At these words, the color drained from Lingyun Marquis’s face. He said in a panic, "Your subject would never dare imply such a thing! Everything I said is for the good of the Empire. I beg Your Majesty to understand my sincere and difficult position."
"Hmph..." Nangong Wen gave a cold snort and said no more.
"I am certain His Majesty understands Lingyun Marquis’s sincere devotion to the Empire." A general clad in armor stepped forward. "Marshal Muu," he said, "you have commanded the Red Flame Army for twenty years. You’ve worked hard. Why not take this chance to retire and focus on your recovery?"
The general then added with a smirk, "Or is it that Marshal Muu can’t bear to part with his authority?"
Muu Yunlie’s eyes grew cold. In a heavy voice, he said, "Authority?! Hmph. Everything I have ever done has been for the sake of the Empire, without a trace of selfish intent. General Xiao, your words go too far. Besides, even if I were willing to relinquish my position as Marshal of the Red Flame Army, who would you have replace me? Not just anyone can command three hundred thousand soldiers."
General Xiao laughed. "Excellent. Since Marshal Muu has put it that way, I’ll stop being modest." He turned to Nangong Wen. "Your Majesty, I, Xiao Daofeng, have also served in the military for twenty years. I believe my capabilities are no less than the Marshal’s, and I am confident I can manage the Red Flame Army."
Nangong Wen’s eyes narrowed. "So you are volunteering yourself."
"Though I may be unworthy, I am willing to try!"
"Beloved Minister Muu, what is your opinion?"
Muu Yunlie stated impassively, "This subject defers to Your Majesty’s judgment."
Nangong Wen froze, then shot a look of exasperation at Muu Yunlie, as if to say, ’You’ve really put me in a tough spot.’
General Xiao and his faction exchanged a look before kneeling in unison. "We implore Your Majesty to reconsider! For the future of the Empire..."
A flash of anger crossed Nangong Wen’s face. He took a breath and said coolly, "Beloved Minister Muu has given his all for this country for many years. If We were to strip him of his command now, it would surely dishearten the entire army. And yet, it would also be improper not to consider a successor for the Marshal of the Red Flame Army."
"This matter is too important. Allow Us a few days to think it over."
The Left Minister, Lingyun Marquis, and General Xiao heard this and knew Nangong Wen was stalling for time. The Left Minister stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this matter cannot be delayed. Marshal Muu suffers from a rare poison. If there were a cure, we would not be in such a hurry. But if there is no cure, we urge Your Majesty to make a swift decision."
"Therefore, I have taken the liberty of inviting a Fifth-Grade Alchemist here today to examine Marshal Muu. Master Chen, please come forward and greet His Majesty." It was only then that the court noticed an old man with the white hair of age but the face of a youth standing beside the Left Minister.
General Xiao and Lingyun Marquis exchanged a glance, unable to hide their mutual delight. ’Experience really does count,’ they thought. ’The old fox is truly impressive.’
Everyone knew the crux of the matter was the rare poison afflicting Muu Yunlie; everything hinged on it. If even a Fifth-Grade Alchemist declared him incurable, the issue would be settled for good.
A cold light flickered in the eyes of both Muu Yunlie and Nangong Wen. They recognized this Master Chen. He was one of the very people who had diagnosed Muu Yunlie fifteen years prior, and one of the few who knew about the rare poison in his body.
So that was how. The Left Minister’s faction must have found this Alchemist, learned of Muu Yunlie’s poison, and concocted this whole scheme.
Master Chen gave a bitter smile as he stepped forward, not quite daring to meet the eyes of Muu Yunlie or Nangong Wen. He knew he had been backed into a corner.
He had never wanted to get involved in this affair, but the Left Minister and his allies held his life, and the lives of his family, in their hands. He had no choice. He knew there was no turning back now.
"This one greets Your Majesty, and Marshal Muu."
Nangong Wen remained silent, offering only an indifferent nod. Master Chen walked over to Muu Yunlie and said, "Marshal Muu, my apologies for this."
Muu Yunlie snorted coldly. With a wry smile, Master Chen began his examination. A short while later, he sighed to himself, ’Alas, this poison... I fear no one in the entire Yunxiao Empire can cure it.’
"Well, Master Chen?" the Left Minister and the others asked with a smile.
Master Chen sighed. "Alas, this is a poison concocted by the Wizards of the Barbarian Race. It is exceptionally sinister. The daily flare-ups feel as if ten thousand ants are gnawing at bone and flesh, an agony so intense one would rather die. An ordinary Martial Artist would perish from a single attack. Only Marshal Muu’s extraordinary cultivation has allowed him to endure this long."
"This poison is incurable, and I’m afraid Marshal Muu does not have much time left."
His words threw the hall into an uproar. The Left Minister and his allies were ecstatic.
At that moment, a voice drifted into Jinluan Hall from a distance.
"Who says it’s incurable?"
