Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1849 - 1842: Return to True Understanding

Chapter 1849: Chapter 1842: Return to True Understanding

It seemed Jiuyun Zheng’s killing intent was detected, and an official beside him quickly tried to pacify him, saying, "Duke of Northern Province, calm your anger. In my view, although General Jiuyun has faults, his merits surpass them and he deserves to be ennobled."

"Absolutely not," Anxiang Liang rudely interrupted, almost like his mind had short-circuited, "Even if General Jiuyun has both merits and faults, they just cancel each other out, so we won’t pursue his treasonous intentions. The Wen Family has harmed two heirs of the Jiuyun Clan; with you here, why not join us in dealing with the Wen scoundrels?"

"You want me to join you guys in stirring up trouble for the Wen Family?" Jiuyun Zheng asked coldly.

"Indeed," Anxiang Liang bowed and said, "Opposing the Wen Family is the greatest loyalty to His Majesty."

"Today I am merely attending court to see His Majesty, which is the greatest devotion to him. I do not wish to associate with vermin; I bid farewell now. As for my son, guilty as he is, I dare not claim credit. I pray His Majesty will pardon his sins and allow me to bury him in the ancestral tomb."

Having said this, he ignored other reactions, turned abruptly, and strode away, treating everyone in the court as if they were mere trifles.

The grand hall fell silent, with everyone quietly watching him leave. It wasn’t until Jiuyun Zheng disappeared at the door that the hall began to stir.

Xiamu Yu displayed a face of exasperation, pointing at Anxiang Liang and saying, "Manor Lord, you’re confused! The Duke of Northern Province holds the elite cavalry and wields the new army’s might; it would’ve been best to proceed slowly. Yet Manor Lord consistently provokes him. If he rebels in the future, what then can Manor Lord do?"

Anxiang Liang was startled by his words but stubbornly replied, "The Duke of Northern Province is a Wu Family elder, and both his sons were harmed by the Wen Family. How could he rebel against me?"

"Foolish," Xiamu Yu couldn’t help but reprimand, "Regardless of reasons, the Wu Family’s foundation is not firm now; it should unite supporters from all sides. The Duke of Northern Province merely seeks ennoblement; just grant it, why publicly reject it in the hall?"

"This..."

Upon hearing this, Anxiang Liang appeared somewhat anxious.

"Ah," Xiamu Yu shook his head helplessly and quickly turned, bowing to Bailong An, "I beseech His Majesty to issue a decree, ennobling General Jiuyun, and bestow generous gifts to comfort the Duke of Northern Province’s discontent."

"Just, just as everyone says..."

Bailong An appeared directionless, taking whatever was said at face value.

But Jiuyun Zheng had no intention of staying in Shengyuan Qilan any longer. The day after meeting the Emperor, he left the Capital City with his followers to return to Jingjiang Prefecture in Northern Province.

The group passed through Central Street, where the market was bustling, prompting Jiuyun Zheng to order scouts to investigate.

Soon, the scouts reported that the marketplace was undergoing a slow slicing punishment, and the person being punished was Yungui, who had returned with them to the Capital City.

Hearing this, Jiuyun Zheng immediately ordered the cavalry to disperse the crowd, create a path, and rode swiftly to the execution platform.

The executioner and the guarding soldiers had never witnessed such an imposing scene and were too terrified to stop Jiuyun Zheng and his men.

Jiuyun Zheng arrived before Yungui, expressing no emotion as he gazed upon the blood-drenched Yungui, causing his brow to furrow.

Detecting someone’s presence, the pain-stricken, unconscious Yungui gradually opened his eyes. Upon seeing Jiuyun Zheng, he forced a smile and said, "Apologies for presenting such an embarrassing sight to the Manor Lord today; being shackled, I cannot offer you a proper salute."

Jiuyun Zheng frowned and asked coldly, "Is today’s situation truly what the Manor Lord wishes to see? Obviously fighting for the nation, yet ending up like this."

"The court harbors traitors, and righteous men will eliminate them. Being a commoner and offered this official position, I partake in the imperial salary, manage state affairs, and dare not utter rebellion lightly," Yungui weakly said, squinting his eyes.

"Does such a court truly deserve your loyalty?"

"Haha," Yungui chuckled and continued, "Though the court is flawed, I cannot change it. To me, being loyal to the court is my utmost effort, even if it leads to my conviction and punishment."

Listening to his words, Jiuyun Zheng felt a pang of sorrow, sighed, and bowed his head, not wanting to look directly at him: "If you have the heart, I will rescue you. When we return to Northern Province, you will still command the new army as before."

"Thank you, Manor Lord, for your appreciation. If I had met the Manor Lord earlier, perhaps a great story could have been achieved. But now, I am a court minister, and cannot serve two masters." Yungui was already too weak to open his eyes.

Upon hearing his response, Jiuyun Zheng felt an inexplicable rage from the depths of his heart, glanced sharply at the executioner and soldiers, and said coldly, "Arrested yesterday, publicly executed today—so this is the Wu Family’s conduct?"

"Replying to the Manor Lord, this follows orders from above; we dare not dissent..." The executioner knelt on the ground, trembling as he spoke.

"Orders from above—merely an excuse to shirk responsibility!"

Jiuyun Zheng snorted coldly, once more gazing at Yungui, persistently questioning, "I’ll ask one more time, do you really not wish to leave with me?"

"Thank you for the Manor Lord’s kind offer; if the Manor Lord returns to the province, I beg the Manor Lord to burn incense for my brother on my behalf." Yungui’s stance remained firm.

"Foolish!"

Jiuyun Zheng’s voice quivered slightly; he immediately turned his horse, leaving with the accompanying cavalry close behind. The guarding soldiers and executioner breathed a sigh of relief as they watched them leave.

But having walked barely ten meters, Jiuyun Zheng suddenly halted, then extended his hand, saying, "Bow and arrow!"

"Manor Lord!"

Those beside him respectfully presented the bow and arrows with both hands. Jiuyun Zheng nocked an arrow and drew the string; suddenly turning, he shot straight at Yungui on the execution platform.

The arrow flew without suspense, piercing Yungui’s heart directly, the arrow shaft emerging from his back.

Everyone was shocked by this sudden occurrence, stunned into immobility.

After a brief moment of surprise, Yungui suddenly understood Jiuyun Zheng’s intention; spitting blood, he raised his head, smiling despite the pain, and said, "Thank you... Manor Lord for granting my wish..."

"Manor, Manor Lord, this..."

The executioner anxiously paced back and forth.

"If there are objections, let them come to Northern Province to find me, Jiuyun Zheng, if they dare."

Jiuyun Zheng spoke arrogantly, then turned his horse and left immediately, leaving everyone bewildered.

At this moment, Jiuyun Zheng seemed to somewhat understand Jiuyun Shuang’s thoughts.

Indeed, the Wu Family is just a group of degenerates.

If the Wen Family’s rule can be described as unsatisfactory, then the Wu Family’s rule can only be described as disastrous.

It was at this moment that Jiuyun Zheng seemed to realize the historical responsibility he should bear at this pivotal juncture.

Is it true that, with the wrong stance, everything done is wrong?

Haha, the Wu Family, what a joke!

On the other side, as Luo’er and others successively departed the Capital City, Feng finally couldn’t remain still. Thus, he approached Bailong An to formally bid farewell.

Faced with Bailong An’s desperate pleas, Feng appeared indifferent, pointing at him and saying, "The grace you granted me is merely being born to me. I was raised by the sage and educated by Luo’er and everyone. They are my real family, not you. Now I’ve secured the throne for you, allowing you to sit securely upon it; hence, our ties are severed. I am no longer your daughter, and you should never think of being my father again."

"Is there really just such pure interest entangling us?" Bailong An asked, puzzled.

"Isn’t that it," upon hearing this, Feng instantly flew into a rage, pointing at him and saying through gritted teeth, "You used me to seize power from my brother and harmed so many people. Though you are powerless, your hands are stained with blood..."

"I was just like you once, never considering human lives, but Luo’er taught me that each person is unique. They are nodes in society, possessing the right to live. Weapons should not be drawn unless absolutely necessary..."

"But what about you, what have you done? You’ve used usurped power to wantonly harm others, constant killing, leaving the Capital City full of vengeful spirits—this is your enterprise?"

"I can’t believe I became the daughter of a murderer, even aiding their atrocities. Luo’er isn’t my biological brother, yet he repeatedly urged me to do good. You, clearly my biological father, turned me into an executioner, staining my hands with innocent blood. Comparing the two, who truly stands as my family?"

"I don’t want this, but there was no choice. If you feel I have wronged you, then I will simply give up the throne to you, how about that?" Bailong An pleaded desperately.