Chapter 279

“The situation is this—what’s your take?” Chu Danqing summarized the situation for Yang Qianyuan.

After hearing it, Yang Qianyuan wasn’t just shocked—he was completely stunned.

He couldn’t fathom how you two managed it: defeating An Wang he could understand, but how could you possibly call the ten thousand troops of Ning Wang “prisoners”?

“Powerless despite good intentions,” Yang Qianyuan said with a bitter smile.

At this rate, without timely treatment, he’d live no more than half a month to a month.

“Can it be cured?” Chu Danqing asked.

Yang Qianyuan was the most human of all the emperors Chu Danqing had met; aside from his mediocrity—the greatest flaw—he was actually quite decent.

Perhaps the ordeal had finally awakened him.

“Yes, return to the capital and seek treatment from the Imperial Physicians. Though they cannot cure me, they can at least extend my life by about a year.”

“Good. I’ll have Guo Ming take you straight back to the capital.” Chu Danqing said at once: “With Guo Ming’s sword-flight speed, traveling a thousand li a day is nothing.”

“So fast?!” Yang Qianyuan’s expression startled, then he immediately said: “That’s too wasteful—sending me back that quickly. I still have half a month left. If we travel together, we can still make it.”

“Please have this Guo Ming deliver a letter to Xu Tai, Deputy Commander of the Pacify-the-Barbarians Marquis, and order him to bring troops to join Qianyuan and that Grand Coordinator Xiong to properly settle the ten thousand troops.”

Yang Qianyuan feared only one thing: if the ten thousand troops of Ning Wang weren’t handled properly, chaos would only grow worse.

So he chose the person he deemed most suitable—a figure who would create mutual checks among three parties, preventing any one from monopolizing power.

“Qianyuan is fine, but Grand Coordinator Xiong may have to return.” Chu Danqing said.

Xiong Zhigang had no time to linger for ten days or half a month—his own trial world was at war.

“Return where?” Yang Qianyuan asked, puzzled. Such a prime chance to seize power—and he’d just give it up?

“He has urgent family matters. He can help us for a day or two, but not long-term,” Chu Danqing said.

Hearing this, Yang Qianyuan thought briefly, then added: “Then we’ll need this Guo Ming to deliver two letters.”

He then named another person.

“Fine. Write first, then I’ll take you both to the capital.” Chu Danqing said, pulling out paper and ink.

Yang Qianyuan finished writing quickly and stamped it with his seal.

“I’ll first take you both back to Grand Coordinator Xiong’s side. When I return, I’ll send you to the capital.”

“It’ll take no more than a day—I’ll bring them here directly,” Guo Ming said.

“No, if only these two come, they won’t be able to hold the line—they must bring troops with them,” Yang Qianyuan hurried to say.

Two men alone wouldn’t suffice; at least some military force was needed.

“Then let me first take you back. I’ll use the Eight-Horsed Chariot to take them to the capital. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send you back first.”

“Too long—I can’t hold out,” Chu Danqing said, glancing at his Paradise Points. If he followed Yang Qianyuan’s plan, he’d go into debt.

Guo Ming instantly understood—his hour cost 380 Paradise Points.

In one day, his A-rank mission points would vanish.

“Fine. I’ll follow your plan, Brother Chu,” Guo Ming agreed.

Guo Ming was alone—he could either deliver the letter or escort Yang Qianyuan to the capital.

Chu Danqing’s funds were limited, and time was short.

Yang Qianyuan didn’t fully grasp the situation, but he could see Chu Danqing’s predicament.

He said nothing further.

He let Guo Ming carry them both back by sword-flight.

This time, speed was no issue—they quickly found the army.

The army moved slowly, especially since most soldiers were former prisoners.

Xiong Zhigang had seized control of the army but hadn’t seized Ning Wang’s supply lines, so his greatest problem now was grain.

If they went hungry, rebellion would follow.

Seeing Chu Danqing return, Xiong Zhigang explained the situation.

Chu Danqing immediately looked at Yang Qianyuan.

What could he do? He wasn’t a Lord-type or Legion-type—he had no way to produce so much rations.

As the saying goes: when cannons roar, gold flows by the ten thousand taels; once the war machine starts, even standing still burns money.

Yang Qianyuan had been pondering this on the road, and swiftly proposed a solution.

It wasn’t perfect, but it would temporarily ease the crisis.

“Grand Coordinator Xiong, how long can your homeland hold out?” Chu Danqing asked.

Xiong Zhigang’s upkeep cost only one point per hour—Chu Danqing could afford it.

So the real limit was Xiong Zhigang himself.

“At most two days,” Xiong Zhigang gave a rough estimate, since they were the attacking side.

On the way here, he’d already ordered no offensive action—only defense.

“Fine. I’ll send you back in two days.” Chu Danqing said, then pulled out the pills Guo Ming had given him and explained: “Don’t take them until you return home. Don’t take them now.”

“I understand,” Xiong Zhigang knew why he couldn’t take them yet—no notarization yet.

“Then I plan to take the Eight-Horsed Chariot and send the two of you to the capital,” Chu Danqing said at once. Since Yun Mansion and the others were now safe, he naturally intended to reclaim the Pure Yang Celestial Generals.

“Qianyuan, stay with Grand Coordinator Xiong for now. Xiong, take good care of him.”

Yang Qianyuan was too young—he could learn from Xiong Zhigang’s experience.

True, having Yang Qianyuan with them offered advantages.

But the problem was: after two days, when Xiong Zhigang left, and Yang Qianyuan left with him—who would hold the line here?

Yang Qianyuan might be young, but he had potential; with Xiong Zhigang’s help, holding out until Yang Qianyuan’s two appointees arrived wouldn’t be hard.

The path had already been paved for him—if he still failed, Chu Danqing couldn’t help him.

Meanwhile, Yang Qianyuan was briefing Xiong Zhigang on future plans and marching routes, urging them to link up quickly.

Yang Qianyuan listened nearby, occasionally jotting down key points.

After about half an hour, Yang Qianyuan finished his instructions.

“Let’s go. We must reach the capital as soon as possible,” Yang Qianyuan said, then turned to Li Wanwu: “Come with us.”

Though Yang Qianyuan had never revealed his true identity, the current situation made it as clear as a signed document.

Li Wanwu hesitated, then nodded: “Alright.”

She agreed—and now she truly ascended from the gutter to the phoenix’s nest.

“Get in. Let’s hurry,” Chu Danqing didn’t mind adding Li Wanwu.

He noticed something odd: Yang Qianyuan seemed… off.

Logically, he should’ve been a mediocre ruler, but since being rescued, his actions revealed competence far beyond what he’d assumed.

He was orderly in every aspect—even in military and political matters, he discussed and revised plans with Xiong Zhigang with surprising ease.

Yang Qianyuan and Li Wanwu boarded the chariot. Chu Danqing called to Da Bao, who climbed aboard too.

Then the dragon-horses pulled the carriage, elite soldiers led the way, Celestial Generals and Heavenly Maidens followed—and the Eight-Horsed Chariot soared into the clouds.

With Yang Qianyuan guiding, reaching the capital posed no problem.

“By the way, how did you end up being rumored as debauched and licentious?” Chu Danqing asked casually.

Yang Qianyuan looked puzzled: “Debauched and licentious? Isn’t everyone saying I’m a sage emperor of a thousand ages?”

At this, even Li Wanwu’s gaze turned strange.

“Uh…” Chu Danqing was stunned. With your record, you can’t even be called a decent ruler, let alone a “sage emperor of a thousand ages.”

Yang Qianyuan instantly realized—he’d been deceived again.

“Not just the Eight Tigers—the court ministers too…” Yang Qianyuan’s face darkened.

He’d thought the Eight Tigers were corrupt, but the truth was far more complex.

“Let me ask you one thing: can your edicts leave the capital?” Chu Danqing suddenly asked.

As Chu Danqing spoke, a flash of insight struck Yang Qianyuan’s mind.

His southern tour was ultimately instigated by the Eight Tigers, who urged him to see his great empire.

As for the Eight Tigers’ motive? Pure greed—he knew and tacitly approved.

But to the court ministers, his journey wasn’t sightseeing—it was inspection.

The farther he traveled, the more he’d slip from their control—and the true state of the An Yong realm would be revealed to him.

The consequences were obvious.

“Before the southern tour, I’d have said yes.”

“But now… I fear not,” Yang Qianyuan continued: “Two vassal kings rebelled simultaneously—both seeking my life. Someone must have been pulling strings.”

“Even Ning Wang’s reputation as a virtuous prince may have been part of their plot to replace me.”

“What do you think?” Yang Qianyuan asked Chu Danqing.

Chu Danqing immediately knew he was overthinking—An Wang’s rebellion was purely external.

To explain properly, Yang Qianyuan had already pre-judged the case.

“So only the court ministers remain. I was an adopted son—I ascended the throne because I had no power base, easy to control.”

“But when I tried to shatter the illusion of peace they wove for me, that’s when I became expendable.” Anger surfaced in Yang Qianyuan’s expression.

He had no sons. The previous An Yong Emperor had none either.

He’d thought it coincidence—but now, it clearly wasn’t.

If he had a son, crowned Crown Prince, the Donggong could build a full power base before ascending.

If he were to have an heir and be named Crown Prince, he could fully establish a loyal cadre within Donggong before ascending the throne.

At that time, the east wind will overpower the west wind.

“The An Wang’s rebellion was probably his own idea; whether any court officials aided him, I don’t know,” Chu Danqing said.

He speaks plainly what he knows; he does not speculate on what he does not know.

“If the An Wang is to rebel, it’s to kill you and use your life to evolve his Ink Shadow Heavenly Dragon—you are the material,” Chu Danqing added.

(End of chapter)