Chapter 648

"Wait, I need a moment! I need a moment!"

Yao Xing plopped back down into his chair.

He sat down too hard, and the chair groaned under him.

After calming down a little, Yao Xing asked: "Four Sovereign-level experts attacked you… how did you come back alive?"

"I knocked them all down—until they dared not move!"

"You didn't die?"

"No!" Su Yang added, "But I killed most of their pet beasts!"

"How many?"

"Most of them!"

"Uh!"

Yao Xing felt his brain couldn't process it.

Su Yang seemed to be saying he alone knocked down four Sovereign-level experts, over twenty Star Radiance-level masters, and killed most of their pet beasts…

Yao Xing bowed his head, both hands buried in his short hair.

"Tell us the full details."

After Su Yang recounted the entire sequence of events to Yao Xing.

Yao Xing didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

What was this?

A bloodbath sparked by an argument?

And yet!

How could Su Yang's strength have ballooned so absurdly?

He glanced at Su Yang, then at Liu Mengyun, and slumped helplessly back into his chair.

Yao Xing felt Su Yang hadn't done anything terribly wrong—after all, when someone insults you, any young man with a spark of pride would retaliate.

The little page hadn't done anything terribly wrong either.

Being rude? A little scolding was enough—what was the big crime?

As for Colonel Qin, strictly speaking, he hadn't done anything terribly wrong either!

Liu Mengyun had struck someone in public at Shengjingcheng's gate, which did violate Shengjingcheng's laws.

Colonel Qin had every right to detain Liu Mengyun!

But it was precisely this chain of small issues that ultimately exploded into a massive disaster!

"Go back first—I'll report to General Qin and consult with them. The trouble might be serious!" Yao Xing thought for a moment, lowering his voice. "Don't return to Wucheng for now. Wait for my orders. Understood?"

Su Yang asked quietly: "Will the problem be that serious?"

"It depends on what the higher-ups decide—I can't say for sure." Yao Xing rubbed his face, looking at the young man he'd always admired, and whispered, "Just prepare to flee. That's the worst-case scenario. Understood?"

"What about my family…"

"No major issue—they'll still care about their reputation. They're not bandits; everything will follow protocol." Yao Xing whispered, "To be blunt, even if we can't save you, protecting your family won't be a problem."

"Thank you, Commander Yao!"

"Sigh!" Yao Xing let out a heavy breath. "I'm leaving now."

Yao Xing rose and hurried to the Wucheng military headquarters, where he met Qin Pengcheng.

Upon learning of the chaos Su Yang had caused in Shengjingcheng, even Qin Pengcheng didn't know what to say.

Yao Xing asked: "Do you know that little page, General?"

"No. I haven't returned to Shengjing in over two years—and why would I know a little girl?"

"Then what do we do?"

If this were a matter confined to the southwest, Yao Xing could handle it.

But since it involved the General Military Headquarters, he lacked the power.

Of the entire Southwest Military Headquarters, only Qin Pengcheng had the authority to help Su Yang.

"First, gather the high-ranking officials. We must notify them of this matter!"

"Understood."

An hour later, the ten remaining high-ranking officials of the Southwest Military Headquarters assembled.

Yao Xing briefly recounted the cause and course of events.

"Given Su Xiaojiao's character, I believe him—he wouldn't lie. Besides, intelligence from Shengjingcheng should arrive soon!"

One official sighed: "How could Su Xiaojiao's strength have risen so rapidly?"

Qin Pengcheng said solemnly: "This emergency meeting isn't about that!"

Another official asked: "So, General, are we discussing how to punish Su Yang?"

"No!" Qin Pengcheng shook his head. "Based on the origins of this incident, we cannot punish Su Xiaojiao—at least not our Southwest Military Headquarters. Don't forget how many merits he's earned for us, how much honor he's brought to our branch in the Western Military, and don't forget how he got those scars on his face!"

The ten high-ranking officials fell silent.

Qin Pengcheng asked again: "Do you think we should punish him?"

"No."

"We absolutely cannot punish Su Xiaojiao—it would demoralize everyone else!"

"Su Xiaojiao is too famous; punishing him would crush morale!"

"Many young recruits today idolize Su Yang—if we punish him…"

"Su Yang did cause trouble—I abstain."

"…"

Qin Qin Pengcheng saw the reactions of the others and gave a slight nod.

At least the opinions of the High-ranking military officials in the Southwest Military Region were fairly consistent.

Even if three people had abstained, he could accept it.

Abstaining is better than opposing!

"Alright, our stance is not to handle Lieutenant Su!" Qin Qin Pengcheng nodded. "Next item: do we wait for the General Military Headquarters' handling of the matter and follow their decision, or do we try to protect Lieutenant Su?"

The assembly of high-ranking officials lowered their heads and fell silent.

"Speak freely," Qin Qin Pengcheng whispered. "This meeting has no minutes—we're speaking purely from the perspective of the Southwest Military Region! If you have opinions, say them!"

The high-ranking officials lifted their heads, and finally one colonel was ready to speak.

"Let's try our best to protect Lieutenant Su!"

Many high-ranking officials looked at the old colonel.

Qin Qin Pengcheng nodded: "Colonel Zhang, continue."

"Whether he's imprisoned or executed, it's too great a loss—he's so young!" Colonel Zhang whispered. "With him in the Southwest Military Region, I feel much more at ease. At least after I'm gone, I'll still believe the Southwest Military Region can maintain stability."

Qin Qin Pengcheng couldn't help smiling: "Colonel Zhang, you're thinking a bit too far ahead!"

"Not too far," Colonel Zhang said helplessly. "I might be gone any day—I have to worry about my unworthy descendants, don't I? They're weak; they can only rely on the Southwest Military Region to get by. I've lost all ambition now. I only hope more worthy young successors emerge, so I can see some hope—or rather… a way forward."