Chapter 1302: The Rift Deepens

Ye Liuyun removed the Retired Emperor from the suspect list outright.

He couldn't think of any reason why the Retired Emperor would do that.

Even Emperor Xia, knowing it was the Retired Emperor, couldn't figure out a reason, let alone he could.

That evening, the Imperial Family issued an edict: Grand Minister of War Xiao Yuhong abused his authority for personal gain and was sentenced to death!

"A death sentence? That's too lenient!"

Ye Liuyun was greatly displeased upon receiving the news.

"Since you don't want to act, I'll do it myself. Consider it a reminder to keep a close eye on the person behind you, otherwise the command will become increasingly chaotic," Ye Liuyun thought to himself.

In the early hours of the next day, Qin Peng's army had already emerged outside the imperial city via the Teleportation Array. After Ye Liuyun left the city and met Qin Peng, he led his troops toward the city.

At the same time, all Teleportation Arrays across Zhongyang Dalu were shut down to prevent the dynasty from mobilizing a large force against Ye Liuyun.

When Ye Liuyun marched toward the imperial city with two hundred thousand troops, the entire Zhongyang Dalu trembled!

"What's happening? Is Ye Liuyun leading troops to attack the imperial city?"

"Could the Zhongyang Dalu be on the brink of a coup?"

Everyone was inquiring about what had occurred and how events would unfold.

The imperial city's garrison was also terrified.

Their combat strength was far inferior to the armies descending from the battlefield.

Ye Liuyun's soldiers had fought countless battles. By contrast, these troops merely held posts and kept order; they lacked real war experience.

When Emperor Xia learned the news, he was startled and exclaimed, "Nonsense! This Ye Liuyun is being far too reckless!"

He knew Ye Liuyun's anger hadn't subsided yet and thought his punishment was too lenient!

The commander of the imperial city's elite guard waited below for his decision, daring not to speak up.

"Withdraw all the garrison to the palace."

After pondering, Emperor Xia ordered the garrison to be moved into the palace.

He knew Ye Liuyun probably wouldn't attack the palace.

Although he had previously promised Xiao Yuhong that he would protect his family.

But now that Ye Liuyun had arrived with troops, if he blocked him again, the situation would explode.

Ye Liuyun, after taking a setback, just wanted to vent. If he kept being hard‑headed, Ye Liuyun wouldn't be able to back off and might launch a full‑scale battle.

At this moment, Ye Liuyun stood outside the city with his army, not entering directly, but waiting for Emperor Xia's decision.

After seeing Emperor Xia withdraw the garrison, he instructed Qin Peng to hand over that elite unit to him; he only brought that single contingent into the city.

After all, he had to consider the Imperial Family's reputation; if he truly marched two hundred thousand troops into the city, the rumor would be unsavory—people would accuse him of usurping the throne.

Ye Liuyun led that contingent straight toward Xiao Yuhong's household.

Since Xiao Yuhong's execution, his family had kept the house tightly sealed, with no one entering or leaving.

"Kill!"

Upon arriving, Ye Liuyun gave the soldiers orders.

The soldiers immediately split into two groups: one surrounded the Xiao family, the other rushed in to begin a bloodbath of Xiao Yuhong's clan.

As Grand Minister of War, Xiao Yuhong wielded considerable power and belonged to a prominent clan; this Side Courtyard alone housed at least ten thousand people.

Ye Liuyun himself did not enter, staying outside to await news.

Inside the courtyard, shouts of killing and cries of agony filled the air.

"I truly hope Emperor Xia can hear this!"

After hearing the screams, Ye Liuyun instinctively moved farther away.

He didn't want to strike all these people, but if he wasn't ruthless, he wouldn't attract Emperor Xia's attention, and the person lurking behind would continue to trouble Ye Liuyun.

Now he only hopes Emperor Xia hears the slaughter, takes it as a warning, and keeps an eye on the person behind.

In fact, Emperor Xia is currently blocking the entrance and exit of the Retired Emperor's cultivation site.

The Retired Emperor, unaware of where the information came from, tried to rush out to clash with Ye Liuyun, but Emperor Xia stopped him.

"Your actions will spark a war between Ye Liuyun and the Imperial Family!" Emperor Xia said solemnly.

"So you let him march on the imperial city and slaughter the ministers' families? What about the Imperial Family's dignity?" the Retired Emperor roared.

"Everything has a reason. If you hadn't acted covertly, how could this have happened?" Emperor Xia pointed out directly.

"So what? If the ruler orders a minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die!" the Retired Emperor said indifferently.

Emperor Xia, hearing this, even began to suspect the Retired Emperor had become senile.

He helplessly said, "We still need to see what kind of minister he is! Ye Liuyun commands massive forces as a regional governor, with influence spanning the entire Zhongyang Dalu!"

"Hmph! All that is because we gave it to him! If we hadn't given him a chance, could he have become what he is today?" the Retired Emperor said resentfully.

"Talking about the past serves no purpose," Emperor Xia said, unwilling to explain that Ye Liuyun rose through his own strength.

He firmly said, "Ye Liuyun, you must not interfere again. You will never be his opponent!"

"Ridiculous. Apart from the Underworld God, how many on Zhongyang Dalu dare claim I'm not a rival?" the Retired Emperor said disdainfully.

"Ye Liuyun is one such. Fighting him cannot be measured by sheer strength!" Emperor Xia said calmly.

"What? Does he have an even larger backing behind him?" the Retired Emperor asked.

Emperor Xia nodded: "Ye Liuyun's Guardian God Seal is the War God. Moreover, he has already taken all the resources the War God left behind! This shows the War God certainly endorses him!"

"What? He took the resources? Then why hasn't anyone reclaimed them? Is it just because he's linked to the War God? No one knows where the War God is! Why are you meddling so much?"

"Too late! He's probably already using those resources," Emperor Xia sighed, thinking the Retired Emperor was becoming greedy.

"I may not know where the War God is, but I'm certain that if Ye Liuyun gets into trouble, the War God will intervene!"

Emperor Xia pointed his finger toward the heavens, alluding to the Divine Realm.

The Retired Emperor saw this and also calmed down.

Afterwards, he asked again: 'Did the War God also leave the key to the Divine Realm for Ye Liuyun?'

'No, the key to the Divine Realm has never been inside the Secret Realm. The Secret Realm only contains some cultivation resources left by the War God. And Ye Liuyun's physical body being so strong is proof that he used those resources. At least you cannot kill him now; you can only provoke his retaliation!' Emperor Xia analyzed calmly.

After Ye Liuyun and his group left the Secret Realm last time, Emperor Xia sent people to re-enter the Secret Realm to investigate; they discovered an opening beneath the stone statue, thereby confirming that Ye Liuyun had taken the resources.

However, he did not covet Ye Liuyun's opportunity, nor did he have any thought of seizing it by force.

But he thus confirmed the relationship between Ye Liuyun and the War God.