Chapter 1031: First Volume, Chapter 1031: The Hero

First Volume, Chapter 1031: The Hero's Waning Years

The next moment, Wu Fangxu's voice echoed through the Grand Hall.

"Your servant bears guilt worthy of ten thousand deaths, but I beg Your Majesty to prioritize the greater good."

Upon hearing this, the Northern Di King let out a cold snort: "Greater good? What greater good remains?"

"My Da Di's Ten Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains have already fallen largely into enemy hands; even this Wang Du has been seized by interlopers. Our mighty Da Di now leaves only me, trapped alone in this isolated city—how unfortunate, how tragic!"

"Now that all this has come to pass, you tell me to consider the greater good? Then tell me—what exactly is this so-called greater good?"

"Are you urging me to surrender quickly, so you may advance in rank and title without obstruction?"

Faced with the Northern Di King's sharp words, Wu Fangxu felt utterly humiliated, yet for his own sake and for the Da Di Subjects, he must strongly dissuade him.

Wu Fangxu knelt on the ground, forehead pressed to the floor, as humble as ever.

"Your Majesty's stubborn defense of the Palace adds nothing but further casualties."

"Wang Du is now encircled like an Iron Barrel—no needle can pierce it, no water can be poured in; none from outside can enter, none from within can escape."

"Though the Palace is sturdy, surrendering the city is merely a matter of time."

"Qin Feng sent me to plead with Your Majesty precisely because he cannot wait much longer—he hopes Your Majesty will assess the situation and end this prolonged consumption."

"This act benefits not only Your Majesty, but also the countless lives of Da Di."

Seeing the Northern Di King's unyielding resolve, Wu Fangxu abandoned all hope of persuasion. He suddenly rose to his feet, staring directly at the Northern Di King.

"Do you truly believe that dying in this isolated city is righteousness, while opening the gates to surrender is cowardice?"

"On the contrary! If Your Majesty can let go and voluntarily surrender and Shan Rang, that is true righteousness! This act will preserve the Jing Imperial Clan's bloodline and free Da Di's hundreds of millions from the suffering of war."

"The people of Wang Du are watching now—even though Qin Feng's army has already entered the city, they dare not leave their homes, because they still hold you in their hearts."

"As long as Your Majesty does not open the Palace Gate, the people of Wang Du will never know peace."

"I have already said it: Qin Feng will never wait until Your Majesty's strength is spent. If you insist on holding out, within two months he will launch a full assault on the Palace."

"When that time comes, the entire Jing Imperial Clan will be slaughtered, every Imperial Guard inside will die, and the people of Wang Du will be dragged into the flames of war."

Hearing Wu Fangxu's impassioned plea, the Northern Di King fell silent.

He did not care for his own life, yet he could not ignore the Jing Imperial Clan or the lives of his people.

In truth, the Northern Di King had considered these matters countless times before—but he could never cross the barrier within his heart.

Even now, faced with Wu Fangxu's rebuke, he still could not break free of his inner torment.

This silence now was merely the sorrow a monarch must endure.

When he raised his head again, his eyes had returned to their former coldness. He slowly sat back upon the Dragon Throne, his will drained: "Wu Aiqing, do you think I do not understand what you say?"

"But Qin Feng has always been ruthless. Even if he swears a deadly oath, he cannot be trusted."

Wu Fangxu sighed inwardly: Not just Qin Feng—all rulers, indeed all people, fail to align words with deeds; what they think and what they do are always worlds apart.

Qin Feng would never truly trust the Northern Di King. Any descendant of the Northern Di King who posed a threat would be eliminated by any means necessary.

Even if Qin Feng verbally promised not to harm them, his methods would ensure they died in ways that seemed perfectly justified.

After all, Qin Feng would never allow anyone to threaten Jing Qianying's position.

Wu Fangxu was certain: only those who might challenge Jing Qianying would face Qin Feng's deadly hand; others had no reason to be harmed.

"Your Majesty, is your personal honor worth more than everyone else's?"

"Is your so-called sense of honor worth trading the lives of all your people?"

Facing Wu Fangxu's questions, the Northern Di King gave no answer. He merely stared blankly beyond the Door.

Wu Fangxu could be certain that only those who might challenge Jing Qianying would face Qin Feng's deadly strike; as for everyone else, there was simply no reason to harm them.

Wu Fangxu's cry echoed through the empty Grand Hall, receiving no reply.

Clearly, the Northern Di King knew what he must do—but unable to overcome his inner barrier, he could not take that step. Since he was caught between advance and retreat, he chose to shut his ears.

Avoidance is also a form of facing…

Realizing he could no longer persuade the Northern Di King, Wu Fangxu let out a long sigh, fell silent, rose, and bowed deeply to the Northern Di King—a final farewell to their former lord and subject.

He turned away coldly and strode out of the Grand Hall.

After stepping through the Door, his pace slowed involuntarily. As Wu Fangxu had expected, soon Li Yu caught up.

"Wu Daren, please wait."

Wu Fangxu did not stop or turn, walking slowly on purpose until Li Yu caught up beside him. When they walked shoulder to shoulder, Wu Fangxu sighed deeply.

"Li Daren, you saw it yourself—Your Majesty is now broken, only hiding from reality. If he had chosen a glorious death, you could have followed him to die with honor—it would have been understandable."

"But if you stay here merely to die with him, is that not pitiful?"

"Death may be heavier than Taishan, or lighter than a feather."

If before, Li Yu had hesitated, unable to bring himself to betray the Northern Di King, now that he had witnessed the Northern Di King's collapse and retreat, Li Yu had no reason left to hold on.

Moreover, Qin Feng had made promises: even if Qin Feng later secretly eliminated him, Li Yu did not care—after all, Qin Feng needed only to kill him, not his children. One man's life, traded for the survival of his clan, was not an unwise bargain.

With these thoughts settled, Li Yu no longer hesitated: "Wu Daren, go tell Qin Feng—I am willing to cooperate with him to seize the Palace."

Hearing this, Wu Fangxu finally stopped. He looked at Li Yu, drew a deep breath, and bowed solemnly.

"No wonder you are Li Daren—you know when to take up and when to let go. Your word is enough."

Seeing Wu Fangxu bow, Li Yu quickly stopped him, smiling bitterly: "No need. If I'm not mistaken, you must have vouched for me before Qin Feng—otherwise he would never have spared me so easily."

Realizing this, Li Yu no longer hesitated: "Commandant Wu, go tell Qin Feng that I am willing to cooperate with him to seize the imperial palace."

Hearing this, Wu Fangxu finally stopped walking. He looked at Li Yu, took a deep breath, and bowed solemnly.

"No wonder you're Commander Li—you can let go when you must. Your word is enough."

Seeing Wu Fangxu about to bow, Li Yu quickly stopped him and smiled bitterly: "No need. If I'm not mistaken, it was you who defended me before Qin Feng—otherwise, he wouldn't have let me off so easily."