Chapter 940

When he first returned, Zhebie felt that both sides of his hand were equally flesh.

Aside from pledging loyalty to Ögedei, he had never verbally condemned Chagatai, Tuo Lei, Jochi, or others.

This was why Mu Huali was granted a princely title, while Zhebie received no title at all.

Just as Zhebie was stunned and at a loss for words, Mu Huali spoke to rescue him, saying,

"Grand Tutor, these are merely speculations at this point.

Perhaps the Great Ming's Qinglong Society mission was granted simply because Great Ming is itself subordinate to the Qinglong Society!"

This argument held some merit.

But once the seed of suspicion is sown, it is hard to eradicate.

"I don't care what interests Chagatai traded to obtain this false king of Tang.

In any case, this boy has certainly betrayed the Great Yuan—it is a profound disgrace to our Great Yuan.

King Lu, Zhebie, will you aid me in going to Tang to capture this traitor?"

Whether for public duty or personal grievance, going to capture Chagatai was now fully justified.

Ögedei did not conceal his intent—he stated it outright.

Upon hearing this, Mu Huali and Zhebie hesitated.

"What? Are you two still hesitating?"

Ögedei, seeing their hesitation, demanded sharply,

"Chagatai's current actions are tantamount to treason for personal gain.

Had our late Khan been alive, he would have personally executed him.

Why then are you two still so hesitant?"

This speech was not without merit.

If Chagatai had truly betrayed the Great Yuan's core interests, even Temujin alive would have ordered his execution.

But didn't Chagatai do this very thing because you, Ögedei, forced him to?

Zhebie's heart burned with resentment—he nearly blurted this out.

Fortunately, Mu Huali sensed the danger and quickly restrained him, then bowed before Ögedei in fearful deference, saying,

"I am willing to go!"

"Good!"

Ögedei was overjoyed, immediately nodded, and prepared to issue the imperial decree.

Suddenly, someone outside reported,

"Great Khan! Masters Huanxi and Naomo have returned and request an audience!"

These were the two monks—Huanxi and Naomo—who had been stripped of their physical bodies by Ximen Wudi and had only now returned.

Upon hearing that these two national protectors had returned and came at once to pay homage to him,

Ögedei forgot about issuing the decree and called out,

"Bring them in at once!"

No sooner had he spoken than two large monks entered.

They both raised their palms in unison and bowed to Ögedei,

"We pay homage to the Great Khan, may the Great Khan live ten thousand years!"

This was nearly an acknowledgment of Ögedei's legitimacy as Great Khan.

"Rise, both masters, please."

Ögedei, delighted by their recognition, waived their formal bows and said,

"Your return, both masters, is truly a blessing to our Great Yuan!

Adu, bring two thousand-year-old spiritual herbs immediately, so the two masters may fully restore their Earth Yuan Qi."

"Thank you, Great Khan!"

The two immediately bowed again.

Thousand-year-old spiritual herbs—even the Great Yuan, one of the Three Imperial Dynasties, was not wealthy in them.

This showed Ögedei's generosity.

"I just heard outside that the Great Khan plans to send someone to capture Chagatai?"

Monk Naomo excelled in spiritual force; even the Gu Jinzhi outside the imperial study could not block his hearing.

Every word spoken in the imperial study had already reached him.

"Indeed!"

Ögedei nodded, assuming Monk Naomo wished to plead for Chagatai, and immediately said,

"Chagatai is a prince of the Great Yuan, yet for personal gain, he betrayed our core interests.

He willingly went to Tang to become a false king—this is utterly hateful.

This act disrespects our late Khan above and the people of the Great Yuan below—it is no different from beasts.

After consulting Grand Tutor, King Lu, and General Zhebie, I have decided to send someone to capture him."

This speech dragged Yelu Chu and the other two into it.

Yelu Chu and the others dared not refuse—they were about to nod in agreement.

But Monk Naomo burst into laughter and said,

"Great Khan, you speak truly! My brother and I have just returned and have rendered no service—how could we dare accept these herbs?

We came today precisely to request a mission from the Great Khan.

Since Chagatai has so utterly deviated from the Dao and acted like a vile son—"

My brother and I willingly take the place of the King of Lu to go to Great Tang and capture this boy.

"Master, are you serious?"

Ögedei was overjoyed.

Though he did not know how loyal Monk Naomo and Monk Huanxi truly were to him.

But Mu Huali and General Zhebie certainly felt some sympathy for Chagatai.

Sending them to capture Chagatai, Ögedei did not believe they would succeed.

Yet Monk Naomo and Monk Huanxi were not court officials—they were the most loyal national protectors of the Golden Clan.

Their dispatching gave Ögedei considerable peace of mind.

"This is best. I am in your debt, Masters."

Ögedei was deeply pleased by the two monks' tact, and even spoke with rare courtesy.

When the two monks return, it will be the perfect moment to demonstrate their loyalty.

After Ögedei expressed his approval, they left at once, elated.

Mu Huali felt a pang of sorrow, sighing inwardly.

Chagatai, it is not that I will not save you!

It is simply that you have brought death upon yourself!

After settling the matter of Chagatai, Ögedei discussed other affairs with his most trusted ministers.

Such as the disappearance of Tuo Lei and the progress of Jochi's promotion to the Thirteen Wings.

Both matters were being overseen by Yelu Chu.

Upon hearing the Khan's inquiry, he immediately reported.

Yet neither Tuo Lei's disappearance nor Jochi's promotion could yield progress in a short time.

Thus, sensing Ögedei's growing impatience, Yelu Chu suddenly had an idea and said,

"Great Khan! I will hasten to implement these two matters.

But there is another matter I believe we might attempt to manipulate."

"Oh? What matter?"

What Ögedei cared about most was suppressing his brothers and securing his newly acquired Khanate.

As for other matters, he truly had little interest at present.

Yelu Chu replied,

"Great Khan! Previously, General Chilaowen disguised himself as some old man and infiltrated the Wu Lin of Great Ming."