Chapter 80: Baby’s Morning Grumpiness

Chapter 80: Baby's Morning Grumpiness

"Hah, I only respect those who are trustworthy and reliable. Your Majesty, your personal visit to the First Line of Heaven today shows that you're still a man. As for whether you can flatten this mountain, that remains to be seen!" Yuan Hui stood face-to-face with the emperor, his expression cold, as if he would strike at any moment if the emperor made a move.

Xiao Yin's gaze swept over the surrounding bandits and finally landed on Yuan Hui's face.

"I do have the ability to flatten this mountain!" Xiao Yin said calmly, then turned to look at Xiao Xi'er in Ci Xin's arms.

Baby Ruo Xi had said that she now had the power to flatten this mountain, so it must be true.

"Hahahaha, Great Wei's Emperor, just the two of you came here. Who gave you the confidence?" The one-eyed third bandit leader laughed loudly.

Ci Xin turned his head, his eyes calm.

Yet, the one-eyed bandit felt as if he were being stared at by a fierce beast, sending chills down his spine.

"Xiao Xi'er is my niece. We three came up the mountain hoping to have a good talk with you, Yuan Hui, not to engage in battle!" Xiao Yin's gaze returned to Yuan Hui as he spoke.

"Very well, let's talk!" Yuan Hui remained still, looking at Xiao Yin and said, "You inherited the imperial power of Great Wei. No matter what, you cannot escape the fact that you are a member of the Xiao family!"

"Yes, I am a member of the Xiao family!" Xiao Yin nodded.

Yuan Hui continued, "Good. Then I ask you, is this child the offspring of Shangguan Jinghong? Born to Princess Royal Xiaoyao and Shangguan Jinghong?"

Yuan Hui pointed at the swaddled baby in Ci Xin's arms, his gaze sharp.

The bandits around them had various appearances; half of their faces and exposed skin were covered in scars, making them look truly terrifying.

"Do you intend to blame the past on an innocent child?" Ci Xin asked, looking at Yuan Hui.

The second bandit leader stepped forward and said, "Imperial Tutor, you may be disloyal and unrighteous, but we are not. We must be responsible for our brothers! Many of those who died in battle couldn't even have their bones returned!"

"What does that have to do with this child?" Ci Xin asked.

"The traitor was Shangguan Jinghong. This is his child, so it naturally has something to do with him!" The second bandit leader said coldly.

"I haven't even uncovered the truth about the battle at Xiyue. How do you know?" Xiao Yin asked, then looked at Yuan Hui and smiled, "I didn't expect General Yuan to be so easily swayed by rumors. Isn't that the reason for your failure?"

"Your Majesty!" Yuan Hui was angered by the emperor's taunt and gritted his teeth, shouting.

"Clang!"

The sound of weapons clashing echoed around them.

Baby Ruo Xi, who had been sleeping soundly, was awakened by the noise. She frowned and squirmed.

'What's going on? Why are they still outside? Is the atmosphere really so tense? Are these bandits courting death?'

Most people have morning grumpiness. And Ruo Xi was no ordinary baby; her morning grumpiness was much worse than most!

"Rumble!"

Suddenly, the mountain shook violently, causing the ground beneath everyone's feet to tremble as if the entire mountain might collapse.

"What's happening?" the bandits cried out in alarm.

'Little Azure Dragon wouldn't lie, Imperial Tutor. Talk more about observing the stars. These bandits risk their lives every day; they believe in fate and superstition.'

Ruo Xi thought to herself, then clenched her tiny hand, and the mountain stopped shaking.

"Is this the earth dragon turning over?" a bandit whispered.

"Earlier, the mountain also shook, and then... we got hit by stones!"

"Could it be because they are the emperor and the Imperial Tutor?"

"Imperial Tutors usually have some mystical abilities. But I've never heard of this one!"

Xiao Yin recalled the baby's thoughts and signaled to Ci Xin with his eyes.

Time to start your performance, brother!

"General Yuan, I have something to say," Ci Xin said softly, patting the swaddled baby as he walked forward. Despite the bandits mostly being men, they admired his extraordinary appearance, even questioning their own preferences.

"Imperial Tutor, I heard you were the last disciple of Dean Bai Cangming. During your time in court, I never heard of any special abilities," Yuan Hui said loudly, clearly looking down on Ci Xin.

Such a person wasn't even considered a loyal minister from the previous dynasty. He had never contributed strategies to Great Wei. If he had, how could Great Wei have fallen into such fratricidal strife?

Seeing the previous dynasty faltering, he immediately switched sides to help Xiao Yin ascend the throne. Wasn't that the same as betraying his master for personal gain?

"If I had no abilities, how could I have survived until today? General Yuan, surely you don't doubt the current emperor's talents!" Ci Xin stared at Yuan Hui and continued, "I observed the stars and noticed signs. The emperor must come north. One, for the First Line of Heaven. If the earth dragon turns over under this mountain, all of you will die without a burial place, and the people below will be buried alive!"

"Is that possible? Can the earth dragon turn over such a large mountain?" the one-eyed third bandit leader shouted skeptically.

"So your one eye is due to your lack of foresight?" Ci Xin asked.

"..."

The hill suddenly became eerily quiet, with a cold wind blowing.

All the bandits looked at the one-eyed third leader, whose temper was now suppressed.

"The emperor came here with sincerity to negotiate peace with General Yuan. Secondly, he came to save you from suffering. Thirdly, he admires General Yuan!" Ci Xin finished, then looked at the second bandit leader and said, "However, you... must have connections with some people in the court!"

"You, you're talking nonsense!" The second bandit leader immediately pointed at Ci Xin and shouted.

"Hmm~"

Baby Ruo Xi is not happy. She won't cry, but she will make her protest known.

Her little body twists in discomfort!

"Bang!"

Xiao Yin raised his hand and struck out, sending the second-in-command bandit flying to the side.

"Looking for death!" The one-eyed third-in-command didn’t care whether this was the emperor or not. While Yuan Hui, with his deeply ingrained respect for royal authority, was slow to react, the third-in-command had already launched an attack at Xiao Yin.