Chapter 868

The Emperor sneered at his silence: "Look, once the masks are torn off, nothing is unspeakable. Now that I am fallen so low, you need not hide anything from me—speak plainly: whose scheme is this?"

Yun Yan and the others kneeling remained silent.

Only Pan Yun stood before him, sheathing her sword, answering for the bewildered crowd: "It is human nature."

"What?" The Emperor turned to her.

"It is human nature driven by self-interest, avoidance of harm, and the concealment of guilt," Pan Yun said. "Aside from those who consistently urged the Emperor not to lead the army in person and to return to the capital, all officials pursued advantage and avoided risk, allowing the foolish Wang Zhen and you—completely lacking military talent—to command the army. One misstep led to endless errors."

Pan Yun was not Yun Yan, nor was she one of the officials; she could not bear to let poison fester and would not hold her tongue like others.

Since the man was near death, she had no qualms letting him know the truth—whether he believed it or not was his own affair.

Pan Yun: "The officials' tolerance let you and Wang Zhen lead the army deep into peril. The officials bear blame, but you and Wang Zhen are guilty! As Emperor, you obstinately insisted on your own path, yet you could not use a single one of the capable ministers and generals under you—you bear the greatest guilt!"

"Yang Jun delayed critical opportunities, incompetent and arrogant, causing grave errors; Yang Hong wasted troops trying to cover up his crime, squandering the last chance to fight for the nation."

Pan Yun leaned close to the Emperor, whispering in his ear: "You thought Yang Hong halted because of you? In truth, it was because of his son. Who has time to question what Yang Jun did when the Emperor is a captive? A true national general would strike even before the hostage's status is confirmed—even if he cannot rescue the hostage, he must render the hostage useless forever. That is what a loyal and righteous general should do."

The Emperor trembled with rage at this truth, and Pan Yun whispered softly in his ear: "Civil and military officials owe loyalty to the nation as a whole—perhaps to the Zhu clan, but never to any single individual."

The Zhu clan has many members.

One Emperor is gone? Install another.

Could the imperial house afford to be short of people?

Zhu Qizhen stared at Pan Yun, lips trembling—so this was how the officials truly felt?

This was the truth?

His heart churned with resentment and defiance: "I am the sovereign of all under heaven—I…"

"So the Duke of Ying died, Li Zhen, Fan Zhong, Shen Rong, Chen Ying, and tens of thousands of soldiers—all died protecting you," Pan Yun said. "Now, I and they are willing to die protecting you too."

A strange light flashed in Pan Yun's eyes as she whispered to him: "So, Your Majesty, will you risk it with us? Fail, and die for all under heaven."

The Emperor fell silent for a long time.

Pan Yun understood. Yun Yan and the other eleven understood too.

The great tent fell still.

In the silence, a soft laugh arose.

All turned toward the sound.

The Grand Lama had regained some strength; he leaned against the table leg, smiling at them: "A ruler who does not act like a ruler, ministers who do not act like ministers—your Great Ming is truly strange."

Pan Yun: "What business is this of yours?"

The Grand Lama pointed at the Emperor: "He is a man of childlike heart. Though fearful of death, his conclusion is not wrong—if he leaves with you, the Oirat army will spare no effort to kill you."

He chuckled softly: "Ten thousand troops lie outside. Even if the person enshrined in the palace came, he could not escape their slaughter."

"If you flee alone, you still have a sliver of hope. You are insignificant—Yishi will not commit much force against you. But the Emperor of Great Ming is different. If you cannot take him alive, killing him is acceptable."

The Emperor finally came to his senses, nodding frantically at them: "Go now…"

He no longer asked them to find a way to rescue him.

Pan Yun's face was icy. She stepped forward, seized the Grand Lama, pressed her sword to his throat, tore open the tent, and walked out. The ten thousand troops stirred as one—seeing the Emperor was not among them, they slowly retreated under their commander's orders.

Yun Yan looked back, unwilling.

The Emperor stood before the torn tent—visible to the Oirat army, yet able to see Pan Yun and the others retreating.

Both sides knew this was likely their final sight of each other.

Not taking the Emperor, Yishi indeed chose to let them go, avoiding direct confrontation.

The group returned to the city in disarray.

No sooner had they entered than Pan Yun spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed, utterly drained.

Seeing Miao Zhen and the others were startled, rushing forward to catch her: "What's wrong? What happened?"

Seeing Miao He felt her pulse, face turning pale: "Little Master's Upper Dantian has no Qi left at all."

Seeing Pan Yun's face rapidly turn ashen, Yun Yan realized she had been holding on by sheer willpower, using the Grand Lama as a hostage to escape the Oirat camp—no wonder she left the Emperor behind instead of knocking him out and taking him.

Kuang Ye and the others asked anxiously: "Where is the Emperor? Did you see him?"

Yun Yan's eyes were red: "We saw him. Yishi seemed to have anticipated our arrival—he set an ambush in the tent and summoned a group of Lamas to aid him. Master Pan fought a great Lama and was gravely wounded. We too…"

Kuang Ye pressed: "Is the Emperor safe? Why didn't you bring him out?"

Yun Yan: "The Oirat army surrounded the tent. We could not take the Emperor."

Kuang Ye scanned the ten of them—each bore wounds, three barely stood, supported by others—and knew they had given their all.

Yet his heart still ached unbearably.

He opened his mouth, waved for them to be taken away for treatment, then followed Pan Yun.

Pan Yun was carried into a room.

Seeing Miao He paced frantically: "What do we do? We can't treat Little Master's internal injuries!"

Kuang Ye also panicked: "What herbs are needed? Name them—I'll send men to find them."

The only one who can save the Emperor must be preserved!

Kuang Ye sent men to search for herbs and for physicians.

After the military doctors and city physicians all examined Pan Yun, Kuang Ye and the others learned her Upper Dantian had suffered a heavy blow, her meridians severely damaged—she would likely be unable to move for a long time.

Kuang Ye stamped his foot, looking at the others.

Cao Nai mused: "Pan Yun is this powerful—wouldn't her master be even stronger? Why not send for help from Long Hushan? Perhaps they can rescue the Emperor."

"No!" Chen Huai whispered: "They have rules—they never interfere in court affairs. We cannot summon those who have withdrawn from the world; even those we could summon are likely weaker than Pan Yun."

"All ministers under heaven are the Emperor's ministers—didn't Pan Yun serve the state?"

"Pan Yun is different," Chen Huai said. "First, she is young and of common origin; her father and brother serve in court, so she naturally loyally serves the state. Second, she is a woman. In short, we cannot summon the recluses. Better to spend time luring Yishi in and finding a way to rescue the Emperor."