The envoy’s heart seized up the moment he saw the approaching figure, and he froze on the spot, unable to speak or dare to move a muscle.
His face was behind a mask, so Yang Zaixian failed to notice anything amiss. Yang Zaixian glanced at the two guards who were crying out in pain under the tent and listened to the footsteps echoing around him. Mustering his courage, he stood up and said with a fist in palm, "Friend, which way are you headed?"
Yang Ge glanced emotionlessly at him and then turned to look towards the envoy who was completely still: "From the Towering Pavilion?"
The envoy, trembling, brought his fists together in salute: "To report, back... back to..."
"Smack."
Yang Ge, with a backhand slap, sent the mask flying off the envoy’s face: "Did I not make myself clear, or did you fail to convey my message?"
As the envoy spun around on the spot, he didn’t dare to cover his face or pick up the mask from the ground, bowing deeply with utmost respect and clasping his hands together in salute: "This lowly one knows his fault, please, Erye, mete out punishment!"
In time, a large cohort of guards drawn by the commotion, bearing swords and spears, rushed into the general’s tent, shouting as they encircled Yang Ge.
The overlapping shouts and roars were silenced as Yang Ge, annoyed, stamped his foot, unleashing a mighty Qi Force that knocked all the intruding soldiers to the ground.
The sounds of imposing shouts and roars from just a second ago turned into cries of pain and howls of agony scattered across the ground.
"Silence!"
Yang Ge spoke softly, yet the sound erupted like thunder in the ears of all those around him.
And his gaze remained fixed on the envoy: "Give me a reason!"
The envoy, bowing deeply, was sweating profusely, his legs uncontrollably shaking as he scrounged his mind for an answer: "This humble one would not dare to deceive Erye. Previously, when Erye ordered the Tower to send a message to General Yang, it was this one who came to inform General Yang, knowing full well he is a towering and upright hero."
"This time, Erye commanded us to inform General Yang to cease hostilities and return peace to the realm. When I arrived here, I found General Yang’s forces cornered by the court, facing imminent destruction; yet in secret, they were executing a stratagem to feign weakness to lure the enemy deeper."
"Had I forcefully ordered General Yang to pledge allegiance to the court at that moment, not only would his tens of thousands of troops from the southwest meet a grim fate, but Erye, too, would be put under immense pressure at court. Blinded by foolishness, I audaciously gave General Yang an opportunity to break free, thinking that if General Yang could hold his own against the imperial army, the men of the southwest would find a fitting end, and Erye would not face too much pressure from the court..."
"My narrow-minded presumption has violated the principles of Erye, who plans for the world and its people. Please, Erye, punish me!"
Yang Ge turned his expressionless face back towards Yang Zaixian, who was still wiping sweat, and pointing at the envoy, asked: "Is what he said true?"
An intangible yet heavy oppressive force bore down on him, filling his chest with panic as though he were exposed and surrounded by wolves despite being in the midst of thousands of troops.
But faced with Yang Ge’s question, he still managed to reply while holding his fist in palm: "To report to Erye, what the envoy said is mostly true. However, it was I who repeatedly and fervently implored the envoy, begging him to grant us from the three southwestern provinces an opportunity to negotiate with the court. Out of temporary compassion, he granted me this chance."
"It is all Yang Zaixian’s fault. The envoy has been wholeheartedly loyal to Erye from the start, constantly considering your interests. Please, Erye, for the sake of the envoy’s sincere dedication, spare him this time. Whatever missteps were taken, Yang Zaixian is ready to bear them all!"
Yang Ge let out a cold snort: "The two of you have quite the fellowship!"
Envoy: "This humble one knows his guilt!"
Yang Zaixian: "This one is ashamed!"
After pondering for a moment, Yang Ge turned to the envoy: "Roll back and tell your Path Revered Elder to find you a gatekeeping job. If I hear of you causing any more trouble, you’ll bear the consequences!"
The envoy, as if granted a reprieve from execution, nodded frantically: "This humble one acknowledges his mistakes, thank you Erye for sparing my life!"
Then turning his head back to Yang Zaixian, Yang Ge said: "You wanted to take responsibility, so I’ll give you a chance to do so. No matter how things turn out with the court or with the other chieftains, you, Yang Zaixian, will stake your life in the northern border for the rest of your days. Dare to take one step out of the northern border, and you’ll bear the consequences!"
After speaking, he transformed into a streak of golden light and sped out of the general’s tent, soaring into the sky.
Stunned, Yang Zaixian gazed beyond the tent, murmuring in disbelief: "He really did just ’whoosh’ away..."
The envoy, with a bitter smile, straightened up as if he had just been pulled ashore from drowning, shivering all over and wiping away sweat, breathing heavily.
"Envoy, you’ve been dragged down by Yang..."
Yang Zaixian, with a guilty look, turned his head and clasped his hands in salute to the envoy.
The envoy shook his head with a wry smile: "Don’t blame yourself; I underestimated Erye’s resolve."
He had thought that as long as the outcome was good, even if there were some turmoil along the way, Erye wouldn’t take it too much to heart.
Little had he expected that at the top of Erye’s scales, human lives were still being weighed...
He didn’t seem like a high and mighty figure at all!
"Perhaps that is the very reason why Erye is who he is..."
Yang Zaixian also said with a bitter smile, acknowledging that there was indeed a vast difference between hearing about someone and seeing them in person. Today he truly saw what kind of man stood at the pinnacle.
Compared to Erye, Yang Zaixian’s troubles seemed so petty and paltry!
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
He didn’t belong at the high table at all!
"Brother Yang... Do not worry too much."
The envoy hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice and whispering: "What Erye meant just now wasn’t to send you to your death in the northern border, but for you to lay your foundations there and not return to the southwest anymore."
Yang Zaixian’s face grew more bitter: "I understand."