Chapter 134: Internal Conflict

Chapter 134: Internal Conflict

Setting out northward, the soldiers were brimming with morale.

Yuan Hui told them that the young princess had prayed for their victory, assuring them of success.

Drawing from the experience of capturing Beiling’s border town, everyone started to brainstorm and share ideas. Yuan Hui, being a highly experienced combat leader, took the lead. Consequently, within five days, another city on the route to the capital of Beiling fell.

"Haiyue City has been taken!" Chaos erupted in the Beiling palace.

The court officials arrived early in the morning and gathered in small groups.

"Minister Chen, why is your attire incorrect? Did you forget to take off your undergarments?"

"Oh, I had a terrible nightmare this morning... Everything was lost, we were captured and enslaved. I woke up in a panic and quickly dressed to come here."

"Minister Liu, why are you scratching your boots? Do you have a foot ailment?"

"I didn’t wear my socks; my feet are ice-cold."

"What are we to do? There are two more cities, less than two hundred miles away. If we can’t defend them, what will become of us?"

The Beiling ministers were in disarray, anxiously glancing at the throne where the emperor had yet to appear.

"The emperor did not attend court yesterday. Given the current situation, will he still not show up today?"

"At this rate, disaster will surely strike Beiling!"

Everyone was anxious and worried.

Yet, despite the rising sun, the emperor had still not appeared.

"Chief Lu, where is His Majesty the Emperor?" the Prime Minister stepped forward and asked.

"In response to the Prime Minister, His Majesty caught a cold a few days ago. We expected him to attend court today, but his condition has worsened. Please wait a bit longer, esteemed ministers, until the Imperial Tutor arrives." The eunuch had no choice but to bow low, trying to make himself appear as small as possible.

Otherwise, these ministers' anger might completely overwhelm him.

"Hmph, the Imperial Tutor? The sun is high; where is he now? So slow."

"Given the national crisis, is the Imperial Tutor too worried to sleep, thus waking up late?"

"Ha, with Beiling in such a state, he still has the nerve to sleep? Going without sleep for three days and nights wouldn’t be a problem."

A cold, ghostly voice drifted into everyone’s ears.

The entire Diligent Government Hall was instantly silenced.

Black robes fluttered, bringing in a stream of cold air. A cool, faint fragrance wafted into their noses, causing the Prime Minister, the Minister of War, and others to frown slightly.

"Imperial Tutor, it is said that Haiyue City has been taken." The Minister of War stepped forward.

"Yes, I've heard. You are from the Ministry of War. Why are you still here with such an important matter at hand? Or is it that you, the Minister of War, only know how to theorize on paper but understand nothing else?" Night White lifted his gaze, fingers gently twisting.

The Minister of War raised his hand to his neck, his other hand channeling energy, which he slammed down onto the floor with great force.

"Boom!"

The tiles in the center of the hall instantly crumbled into pieces, raising a cloud of dust.

The surrounding ministers silently moved back.

"Imperial Tutor, this is going too far!" the Prime Minister stepped forward, standing in front of the Minister of War. He said coldly, "At this time, we should be united against external threats, not engaging in internal conflict!"

"Well spoken, Prime Minister. You are the Prime Minister of this country; have you thought about how to save this country? Is Beiling the property of the Imperial Tutor and the Emperor alone, and not of all of us?" Ye Bai finished speaking and swept his gaze over the crowd, his expression cold.

"However, we have not seen any actions from you, Imperial Tutor!" the Prime Minister replied coldly.

"Prime Minister Yu, do you really believe that I, the Imperial Tutor, would not dare to kill you?" As he spoke, a black aura emerged from his hand and surged towards the Prime Minister.

"Imperial Tutor!"

Many people rushed forward from all sides, immediately kneeling on the ground to plead, "Please spare the Prime Minister. This is not the time for internal strife. The Prime Minister is honest and upright; please show mercy, Imperial Tutor!"

"No need to beg him. Being the Prime Minister, whether I continue in the role or not, it's all the same. I resign and will return to my hometown!" The Prime Minister said, reaching up to remove his hat.

"Boom, boom!"

With two loud thuds, the Prime Minister's body was sent flying by the force, landing on a nearby carpet.

Ye Bai stood at the top of the steps, looking down at the Prime Minister who was vomiting blood on the ground. He said slowly, "Indeed, these are extraordinary times, and we shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves. However, I must tell you all that even if I were to kill every single one of you, I can still remain in this palace, waiting for the Emperor of Great Wei to come, waiting for that demon child to arrive!"

"Imperial Tutor, the key point is that child, but she is merely a two or three-month-old infant. What can she possibly do?" someone asked.

"She's not as you imagine. That child's power is beyond your understanding. I, the Imperial Tutor, must confront her," Ye Bai finished speaking and looked towards the Prime Minister, "I won't kill you. I'll let you keep your official hat for now. Beiling still needs you. Prime Minister, you wouldn't want to see the people of Beiling's capital become slaves to the Great Wei, would you?"

The Prime Minister got up from the ground, clutching his chest, and took a deep breath. "If not for the people of Beiling, this old minister would have left the court long ago."

With that, the Prime Minister turned and limped away.

The other courtiers fell silent, standing quietly, waiting for the Imperial Tutor's orders.

"Don't worry, just focus on your own lives. This Beiling empire won't fall and let Xiao Yin run rampant!" Ye Bai finished speaking, stood up, and slowly walked out.

The entire court sighed and moved aside, cautiously and silently.

As he passed by the Minister of War, Ye Bai looked down at the floor and sneered, "Minister of War, your abilities are impressive. Why don't you join me in defending Haitian City?"

Haitian City, located eighty miles from the capital, would likely fall soon, followed by the capital of Beiling.

The Minister of War, supported by others, remained silent.

Ye Bai chuckled softly and left, swinging his sleeves.

The entire court sighed. They gathered around the Minister of War.

"Minister Chen, we cannot casually leave!"

"If Haitian City falls, should we retreat north?"

"Yes, if we leave the capital, perhaps the Emperor of Great Wei won't chase after us. They have expended a great deal during their journey!"

The Minister of War shook his head. "If our capital falls, do you think any of us will have a good life left?"