Chapter 223:

Are the dignitaries in the court ashamed? His words resonated in the Hall of Supreme Harmony like a bell, creating faint visible ripples in the air. His voice, at this moment, overshadowed all the accusations and angry looks of the courtiers. Although this elderly member of the Qiao family appeared aged, his posture was as straight as a pine tree, showing no signs of frailty, only a sharp and determined presence like a rainbow. The civil and military officials of the court showed a slight change in expression. Because Qiao Shui was not alone. From the tales recounted by Captain Hai earlier, they knew that members of the Qiao family had several generations who died on the battlefield of the lone city. Next to him, Captain Hai is the leader of the remaining white-headed soldiers, representing the old soldiers who are guarding the lonely city. Just now, Captain Hai was considering compromise, thinking they could take advantage of the situation in the name of the greater good, but if someone like Qiao Mu confronts directly at the Golden Palace without any manners, even throwing out inhuman bodies… few courtiers would dare to stand up against him at this moment. The officials and generals at the court were all pale, some even feeling weak, unconsciously stepping back half a step from his imposing presence. In the silence, Qiao Mu finally realized what was happening. "Why do I keep acting rashly again?" He wondered in his mind. Sёarᴄh the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His ability to live and never die allowed him to act recklessly, following his heart’s desires without considering the consequences or being diplomatic. This was his usual way of acting, so when he saw Captain Hai standing in front of the Golden Palace in a weak and old posture, he didn’t think much and just stood up directly. As long as he didn’t die recklessly, he would keep on being reckless. Now he realized that the courtiers around him were looking at him strangely, he finally understood that the consequences of his embarrassing actions in the Golden Palace might be serious. The courtiers in the Golden Palace were the most powerful group in the country’s officialdom, even though Great Yan now had Nine Immortal Gates above its head, it was still the same. However, he had changed from before. He would not die, he could still come back to life. But death had become a long, endless nightmare for him. The last nightmare of death lasted for five years. Five years was an extremely long time for a dream, an isolation, simply not the kind of days a person should live through. But for Qiao Mu’s past experiences, it was very short. Previous high-quality deaths would often bring decades of physical aging, which meant enduring a long nightmare lasting for decades. After breaking the second lock on the Long Life Lock, the multiplier for the year of death has reached five times, which means the shortest dream starts from five to ten years… "Scars forget pain, nightmares unconsciously rush in again after waking up…" Qiao Mu muttered in his heart, but his eyes inadvertently glanced at Captain Hai beside him. Since Qiao Mu spoke up, he became the focus of the entire palace, and the courtiers and officials didn’t pay much attention to Captain Hai. Captain Hai’s reaction was first astonishment, then realization, and finally concern showed in his eyes. It was clear that Captain Hai was not calm inside; the palms hanging at the sides of his body trembled slightly—Qiao Mu had indeed played the mouthpiece for Captain Hai, speaking the words he could not say from his heart. Although Qiao Shui didn’t have a deep relationship with this person, he understood that Qiao family members adhere to the family rules for generations. From Captain Hai’s perspective, Qiao Shui was not just speaking for him, but also speaking for the unnamed soldiers who died in the lonely city over the past forty years, and for the generations of Qiao family members who had passed away. While his emotions were in turmoil, he also felt worried. He may not understand the ins and outs of the royal court, but he knows that these courtiers are the most powerful group in the Great Yan Imperial Court. When Qiao Shui scolded them in front of the palace, things could not end well. What’s more, he wasn’t just criticizing these courtiers. If there’s anyone feeling guilty or not guilty in their heart, it’s the current emperor seated on the throne. It was only then that the courtiers started to react. "Bold." "How dare you speak so recklessly in the palace?" "Disgraceful in front of the palace… Minister Hai, did you bring some vulgar commoner into the palace?" "Today it’s inhumane remains in secret, what will be next? Bringing weapons openly another day?" The courtiers started to become noisy, filled with righteous indignation. They naturally didn’t answer any guilty or not guilty questions from Qiao Shui, but just criticized Qiao Shui for his behavior in front of the palace. Qiao Mu wasn’t angry as he listened, but he felt a little bit cold inside. This time, he spoke not to seek fame for himself, not to seek death. Having just emerged from a five-year isolation, he didn’t want to go back to dreaming for another ten or twenty years. "Am I about to die again?" Qiao Mu frowned, and after coming to his senses this time, he started seriously considering his path in life. You can’t just leave the palace with Captain Hai, right? Or perhaps… capture the thief before catching the king? Qiao Mu’s gaze swept over the noisy crowd of courtiers, unabashedly looking up to see Emperor Yonghe sitting high on the dragon throne. Emperor Yonghe was very quiet, seeming a bit unusual. The officials were arguing noisily, but Emperor Yonghe remained silent. He seemed a bit absent-minded, not paying attention to the angry complaints of the officials, and his gaze fell on the Human Emperor Sword hanging in front of the hall. The Human Emperor Sword was the sword worn by the founder of the dynasty, and it had manifested great power in the Xuantian Sect Taoist temple in Nan Province. It had become a symbol of the nation, and Emperor Yonghe always carried it to court. Since the awakening of the Human Emperor Sword, a faint golden light would always radiate from its blade, symbolizing the country’s fortune. At that moment, the Human Emperor Sword hanging in front of the hall started to show unusual movements. Buzz… Although no one was holding the sword, it was trembling slightly. The golden light flowing on it shimmered like ripples on water, as if a candle flickering in the wind. The golden light flickered uncertainly, showing signs of dimming. Emperor Yonghe’s eyes widened slightly. He usually dealt with state affairs but didn’t notice any changes in the Human Emperor Sword… If there was any change, it was that since King Qin’s reign, the glow of the Human Emperor Sword seemed to have dimmed slightly. His heart suddenly felt a little empty. As the current ruler of the Human Emperor Sword, he knew that since he paid his respects to the gods in Nan Province, the situation in the Great Yan Imperial Court had improved. The hidden opportunity of the Nine Immortal Gates was the awakening of the Human Emperor Sword. Holding the Human Emperor Sword, he was the ruler of Jiu Province that the Nine Immortal Gates needed to pay more attention to. The Human Emperor Sword is a crucial weapon for the country and cannot be lost. Suddenly, he remembered the past when he and Hai Wuya discussed the events of the Inhuman War forty years ago in the court, and talked about Emperor Yonghe’s "great plan"… "If people’s hearts are lost, when they truly want to advance, perhaps there will be nothing they can do." The Human Emperor Sword is not only a potential factor to deter the Immortal Gate but also a symbol of the dynasty’s fortune. In the current Great Yan Imperial Court, the direction of people’s hearts is closely linked to the fortune of the country and is closely connected to the Human Emperor Sword at his waist. If the people’s hearts are lost and the country’s fortune declines, then perhaps this Human Emperor Sword will lose its brilliance, won’t it? And what caused the unusual activity of the Human Emperor Sword today is… Emperor Yonghe looked down and saw Qiao Mu and Captain Hai in front of the palace, along with the inhuman corpse wearing the robe of the Great Dao Sect. Captain Hai represents the veteran soldiers of the isolated city. Qiao Shui represents several generations of the Qiao family members, and is a key figure in the veterans’ journey out of the Hundred-mile Desert. Which one has caused the Human Emperor Sword to react? Emperor Yonghe narrowed his eyes, suddenly recalling the time in Nan Province when there was a Qiao family member named Qiao Zhong… that was the day when the Human Emperor Sword awakened and manifested its power. Let’s not discuss this matter for now. After enduring in the desert for forty years, fighting alongside the three hundred veteran soldiers… such deeds would have been recorded in history books in the past. The threat posed by the Great Dao Sect is very real. Emperor Yonghe saw this as another dilemma. "If the Great Yan Imperial Court loses the support of the people, deviates from righteousness, the country’s fortune will naturally decline…" Emperor Yonghe suddenly stood up, and with a clear sound of a sword being drawn, he unsheathed the Human Emperor Sword and held it in his hand. The ministers’ clamor and anger abruptly ceased, staring in astonishment as Emperor Yonghe drew his sword. "I, feel ashamed in my heart!" Emperor Yonghe said deeply. The ministers were slightly taken aback. Qiao Mu was also quite surprised, but he hid his emotions in his eyes and didn’t show them. "For several generations, the Qiao family’s sons sacrificed their lives in the desert to save a lonely city, they are truly courageous." Emperor Yonghe praised. "No matter the intentions in their hearts, no matter the era, those who sacrifice themselves for others are noble individuals, this is beyond doubt… I only regret that the Immortal Gate has played so many tricks, setting up such a large array, deceiving me for forty years, and deceiving the entire Great Yan for forty years!" At this point, Emperor Yonghe’s eyes darkened, consumed by deep self-blame. Qiao Shuangsen and other brave fighters, although falsely claiming to be Great Yan soldiers, were actually bringing honor to our Great Yan. They went to battlefields and died as Great Yan soldiers… I feel guilty about it." The courtiers were stunned and speechless for a moment. Emperor Yonghe’s acting skills were not particularly outstanding, his words were a bit exaggerated, but the courtiers were clever enough to notice the change in Emperor Yonghe’s attitude compared to usual. Despite not knowing the exact reason, as loyal subjects, they naturally wouldn’t disobey. "Your Majesty is wise, not dwelling on the martial artist Qiao Shui’s breach of etiquette before you, speaking frankly about feeling guilty openly…" "The Emperor displays humility, making us feel ashamed…" "…." Qiao Mu’s eyes widened slightly, realizing what it means to lead by example with this generation of courtiers. Emperor Yonghe’s words directly influenced the courtiers’ opinions, broadening his horizons. He cleared his throat and said seriously: "The King doesn’t owe anything to the Qiao family member, there is no need to feel guilty." The court ministers looked slightly surprised. The old man named Qiao Shui, who had just acted like a stubborn and rough martial artist, turned out to be a wise and perceptive person. Could it be that he was moved by Emperor Yonghe’s actions? Qiao Mu continued speaking: "Even though the Qiao family member has passed away, they are not the first nor the last ones to die." "The Qiao family member was just trying to carry on the flame that has not been extinguished in the isolated city for forty years." "The true heroes are the one hundred thousand soldiers who defended the city for forty years, sacrificing their lives in the vast desert for the nation and the people." "What the King owes is not just the Qiao family member, but the citizens trapped in the isolated city for forty years, and the one hundred thousand brave souls who stood strong and didn’t surrender." Qiao Mu paused, gazing directly at the embarrassed Emperor Yonghe, speaking firmly: "One hundred thousand brave soldiers didn’t let down Great Yan, but Great Yan let down the soldiers who defended the lonely city!" "Three hundred loyal soldiers never forget about Great Yan, Your Majesty, why have you forgotten the soldiers fighting at the frontline?!" These words were powerful, like sharp swords, pointing straight to the heart. Captain Hai trembled uncontrollably all over. His already clouded old eyes grew slightly warm, almost shedding tears in front of the palace. These words revealed the hardships and loneliness of their old soldiers trapped in the heart of the desert for years. Given a choice, who would want to endure forty years in such a desolate place until their hair turned white. Stranded in the desert for forty years, Great Yan was not just a ruling country over Jiu Province, but a distant spiritual symbol for these old soldiers. They didn’t let Great Yan down, this isolated army represented the last will of resistance of the Great Yan Imperial Court forty years ago! As time passed, when they left the desert, they found that the Nine Immortal Gates had now become important guests of the Great Yan. The sadness in their hearts was too much to put into words. In the past, Earth Sword Immortal kept asking them whether sacrificing was meaningful, or it moved themselves? Captain Hai already had an answer in his heart, but now it seemed that there were not many people in the court who held the answer. The court officials who were just full of anger and passion a moment ago suddenly fell silent, looking around only to see the other officials with complicated and inexplicable expressions. Can this be said… They had thought that the old man named Qiao Shui was stubborn and prideful, so being treated with such respect by Emperor Yonghe made them feel unworthy… Who knew that after scolding all the officials in the court, he unexpectedly turned his anger towards Emperor Yonghe? Do you usually respond to jokes like this? Emperor Yonghe wants to play the role of a prodigal emperor today, can’t you just go along with what he says, why do you have to stir things up, afraid that his temper is too good? If we continue with his words, which means harmony between the ruler and his subjects, and the prodigal son returning, it might be a good story of harmony between the ruler and his subjects if it were to spread, and could even be recorded in history by the historians. The courtiers were too scared to look up at Emperor Yonghe’s face, they just kept their heads down. But Emperor Yonghe’s face was a mixture of green and white, feeling like there were countless invisible eyes watching him. The white-headed soldier didn’t let down the Great Yan, being the Emperor of this Great Yan, he felt ashamed in front of these old soldiers! In recent years as the Emperor of Great Yan, although he had bowed to immortals before, that was with immortals, which was a different matter altogether. As an Emperor, has he ever been accused like this in front of others? Thinking back, perhaps only back in Nan Province’s Heyang City, there was a Qiao Pifu who didn’t know his identity talking about court affairs… hmm? Why is it someone surnamed Qiao again? But that was different from today. That day was just a secret visit incognito, besides the Flying Fish Guard around him, no one knew he was Emperor Yonghe. But today, this place is the Golden Palace, today he is Emperor Yonghe, in front of this group of ministers…