Chapter 1035

First Volume_Chapter 1035 North Di Imperial Palace Incident

All people are selfish and have weaknesses, even loyal ministers like Zhou Pu.

If it were only himself, even if his body were shattered, he would not flinch.

But if the entire clan perished with him, that would be unfilial and unjust.

On one side was loyalty to His Majesty and the soldier's sacred duty; on the other, the preservation of his entire clan—Zhou Pu found himself trapped in an impossible dilemma.

But this inner turmoil did not last long; Zhou Pu took a deep breath and made up his mind.

"Even if it means Nine Clans Extermination!"

"At this national crisis, we should meet death with courage."

"Even if we know it is meaningless, we must share the nation's calamity—our Zhou family will never beg for life."

Hearing this, Li Yu raised an eyebrow: "Did you alone decide the fate of the entire Zhou clan? Or did you seek consent from everyone before making this grand speech?"

Zhou Pu snapped coldly: "That's sophistry!"

But Li Yu offered a sly, knowing smile: "General Zhou, only you and I are here—no need to put on a show of loyalty and righteousness. Who are you performing for?"

"If you were truly that loyal, you would have killed me the moment I suggested surrender."

"Or are you still hesitating? I am merely a minister of His Majesty, while you are the commander holding military power—who holds greater authority here in the palace? Do you even need to ask?"

"You know better than anyone how torn you are."

"Death may be heavier than Taishan or lighter than a feather. As you yourself said, if death has meaning, even shattering your body is no matter—but the problem is, your death will bring no benefit to what comes next, only harm."

"Everyone will die because of your stubbornness; your so-called courageous sacrifice is merely an excuse to take other lives."

"Heh heh—hear this: your wife, does she have the resolve to die for the nation? Your children, do they wish to give their lives for righteousness?"

At this, Li Yu turned and glanced toward the Hou Gong.

"Even the Imperial Clan Descendants do not wish to die."

Zhou Pu's hard-won resolve flickered again—he had sensed the palace's gloomy atmosphere long before Qin Feng entered the city.

Even his own Imperial Guard troops bore the posture of those awaiting death.

As Li Yu said, the so-called bloody struggle was meaningless.

But what good did knowing this do? Zhou Pu could never cross the threshold in his heart—he would rather die than become a traitor.

Li Yu understood Zhou Pu's torment, yet the cruel reality could not be ignored.

"Do I wish to betray Great Di? To betray His Majesty? But this capital need not lose a single life—yet because of our so-called courageous sacrifice, it will be reduced to a sea of blood and ashes."

"From the Imperial Clan inside to the common folk outside, all will be dragged into this war—and a war we are certain to lose."

"I can only choose to endure humiliation and live, rather than die meaninglessly."

Faced with Li Yu's earnest persuasion, Zhou Pu's resolve finally began to waver.

Looking at the prosperous Wang Du, if it were truly reduced to ruins by this Siege Warfare, even in Yin, Zhou Pu could never atone for such a colossal sin.

Li Yu did not press further; he spoke solemnly: "General Zhou, do not rush to answer me. Go home and think carefully."

"Next, you may come with your men to kill me—or stand with me to preserve the entire Wang Du through Ren Yu Fu Zhong."

Just as Li Yu turned to leave, Zhou Pu's voice rang out.

"No need…"

"Lord Li, you are right: dying bravely while the nation falls, living in humiliation while the nation survives—we cannot destroy Great Di for the sake of our righteousness."

"If Qin Feng truly spares blood, I will surrender!"

Hearing this, Li Yu finally exhaled—he turned and bowed deeply to Zhou Pu.

"General Zhou, on behalf of the people of Wang Du and the Imperial Clan Descendants, I thank you for your Ren Yu Fu Zhong!"

Zhou Pu finally understood: Li Yu's actions were meant to protect the Imperial Clan Descendants.

A wave of guilt washed over Zhou Pu; he immediately returned the bow.

"The Commander of the Imperial Guard… will be hard to persuade. To open the gates in surrender, we must…"

Zhou Pu did not finish, but his meaning was unmistakable: the only option left was to kill the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

Li Yu fully understood how unyielding the Commander of the Imperial Guard was—that was why he had never dared approach him.

The two agreed to act at Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour, then parted ways.

After returning to the Barracks, Zhou Pu immediately gathered twenty confidants and repeated Li Yu's words to them exactly.

Zhou Pu had feared resistance—but the opposite occurred; his confidants wholeheartedly supported his decision.

"General, we deeply admire your resolve."

"True loyalty and righteousness are not about fighting to the death, but about preserving as much strength for the nation as possible."

"Exactly—dying gloriously while leaving only rubble behind makes you no hero, but a criminal."

Zhou Pu knew well that his confidants were merely finding a reasonable excuse to comfort themselves.

If given a choice, who would not wish to be the honored loyal minister?

But since he now had his confidants' support, Zhou Pu's heart settled—he no longer hesitated, and ordered them to prepare, to act after Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour.

Two confidants went to contact all Imperial Guard soldiers loyal to Zhou Pu and assemble at the Commander's Barracks.

At the same time, Zhou Pu led the remaining eighteen men, claiming to report Beidi War Intelligence, and entered the Commander's Barracks without hindrance.

When the Commander of the Imperial Guard, who had been burning candles through the night, saw Zhou Pu's confidants fully armed and eyes blazing with malice, he understood at once.

He turned instantly to grab his saber, preparing for a final, desperate fight.

Zhou Pu's heart ached—but he had no choice. He waved his hand, and his confidants surged forward, cutting down the Commander of the Imperial Guard in a frenzy of blades.

Zhou Pu could not bear to watch—he turned away from the Barracks and shouted to the Commander's subordinates: "The Commander is dead! Listen well—all of you are now under my command. Anyone who resists will be executed on the spot."

"We are not the Rebel Party—we acted out of necessity to preserve the Imperial Clan Descendants."

"Qin Feng has promised: if we open the gates and surrender, he will spare all bloodshed."

The Commander's Confidants, who had originally planned to rush forward and tear Zhou Pu into a thousand pieces, hesitated at these words, and at that moment, Zhou Pu's pre-assembled forces also charged forward.

Seeing this, the Commander's Confidants lost all will to resist.