Xuanqing Guard

June 19th, at noon, the Emperor summoned the Minister of War, Yang Yansi, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Xu Hong.

At 1:00 p.m., Xu Hong was arrested by Golden Sword Cultivators and immediately escorted from the hunting grounds back to the Imperial City. It seemed they were about to hand him over to the Black Banner Battalion from Fengri City, which was conducting searches on the Xu Family. However, there was no sign of Yang Yansi, the Minister of War.

It wasn’t until early 3:00 p.m. that Yang Yansi finally emerged from the Emperor’s grand tent, expressionless. The more observant could see a trace of pale color on his face and worry tightly knotted in his brow.

Many people breathed a collective sigh of relief, though others grumbled inwardly in frustration.

It appeared Yang Yansi had not been implicated; the affair seemed to have ended with Xu Hong. For the military, this was the best amidst misfortune—so long as the leading figures remained, things wouldn’t collapse. The civil servants, of course, lamented: had Yang Yansi suffered the same downfall as Xu Hong, wouldn’t the military be at their mercy, easily molded as they pleased?

Afterward, the Emperor ordered camp to be broken, officially announcing the end of the "hunt," a scheme personally orchestrated by the Emperor.

Yet no one noticed that two unfamiliar cultivators had joined the pale, impassive Yang Yansi’s side. These two had previously served King of Everlasting Victory, Yang Xiusheng, but were now dressed in Feather Guard attire of the Ministry of War.

Inside the Emperor’s carriage in the Central Army, Yang Xiusheng had just finished his breathing regulation. When he apprehended Xu Hong and Yang Yansi in the grand tent earlier, it hadn’t taken much effort. Xu Hong was insignificant—a mere thought was enough to pin him to the ground. Yang Yansi, though quick to react, was still too slow, and caught off guard by the ambush, stood no chance of resisting.

This is the vast difference between Profound Sea First Layer and Profound Sea Third Layer.

However, when Yang Xiusheng used the Vessel-Cutting Hand technique on Yang Yansi afterward, the process consumed a great deal of his strength. It’s difficult to seal another’s meridians, especially the meridians of those with higher Cultivation; the stronger the meridians, the harder they are to sever. It was the first time Yang Xiusheng had used this technique on a Profound Sea Realm Cultivator, and the expenditure was far greater than he’d expected.

Still, the outcome was favorable. Yang Yansi’s True Qi had been cut off, and he was fed Elixirs of Lethargy and Muddy Consciousness. Now, he was no more than an ordinary person with slightly greater bodily functions. Moreover, Yang Xiusheng had sent his two guards to follow Yang Yansi; any sign of abnormality and they could apprehend him instantly.

"Soon, I’ll return to the palace with you. Find me a residence close to yours; I’ll be stationed in the palace for a while. If you need anything, come to me directly." Yang Xiusheng finished his breathing, and though his energy hadn’t fully recovered, his fatigue was mostly eased. He saw the Emperor’s situation was dire and was uneasy about leaving for Fenghong Manor.

The Emperor sat cross-legged on the soft couch, eyes closed in meditation. There was no medicinal bath in the carriage to soothe his pain, only the family’s inherited breathing method for calming the mind. He used it often—it worked, but only to a limited degree.

Hearing Yang Xiusheng’s statement, the Emperor felt warmth in his heart and smiled: "Uncle, don’t you dislike living in the Imperial Palace?"

"I do dislike it—it’s not a good place, reminds me of things past. Yet your circumstances are difficult now; though I can’t help much, ensuring your safety is no issue. Besides, when those brats at home cause trouble, with me there, at least they’ll retain some sense."

"Are you afraid I’ll be killed by my own children?"

Yang Xiusheng didn’t answer, but his attitude made it clear he agreed.

The Emperor shook his head without further explanation. Yet Yang Xiusheng’s presence in the palace would indeed elevate its security to a new level and deter any who harbored reckless intentions.

"Then Uncle, stay in Fuan Palace. I reside there most days too."

"That’s fine."

...

The Emperor’s return to the palace was grand and well-known across the city. But this news wasn’t sensational; the real shock was the arrest of Xu Hong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War.

In the morning, many had seen Xu Mansion sealed, with family members detained. By afternoon, Xu Hong himself was shackled with a Board Lock and sent to the prison of the Jingxi Governor.

The Ministry of War has changed hands!

By evening, Minister of War Yang Yansi personally issued a notice to all armies of the Dynasty. Xu Hong was stripped of all positions and titles; Wen Mingju was relieved of his post as Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and was appointed Vice Minister on the left. The vacancy for Vice Minister on the right was temporarily filled by another.

This notice stirred the military as much as the news of Xu Hong’s imprisonment.

What does this mean? Someone like Wen Mingju—a traitor—can really become Vice Minister on the left?! And who is this new Vice Minister on the right? No one had even heard of him before!

Everyone knew Wen Mingju belonged to the Emperor; that much was clear throughout the military. Xu Hong was finished, though the reason wasn’t yet clear. Wen Mingju replacing him as Vice Minister on the left was acceptable, but who was the new Vice Minister on the right?

This question concerned many—not just the military, but the civil servants who likewise paid close attention to this abrupt reshuffle in the Ministry of War.

Left Minister Ye Lansheng had just returned home; hardly had he entered when chiefs from various departments came seeking counsel. As the chief among civil servants, everyone wanted his view.

The first question raised was about the new Vice Minister on the right. None present had ever heard of him.

"Who else could it be? Your Majesty’s man."

"So does this mean, aside from Yang Yansi, the Ministry of War is now directly controlled by His Majesty?"

Ye Lansheng nodded: "That’s about right. Xu Hong’s downfall—he was Yang Yansi’s chief confidant—do you think His Majesty has no reservations about Yang Yansi? Now Wen Mingju ascends, and a new Vice Minister on the right assists him. The intention to sideline Yang Yansi couldn’t be clearer."

"So the Ministry of War is thoroughly finished, then?"

"Finished? Hmph, not necessarily. The Ministry isn’t a front-line command, just coordination. The Emperor may be sidelining Yang Yansi, but he hasn’t removed him—this leaves face for the Front Armies and shows he isn’t intent on total purge. In the end, the armies are loyal not to Yang Yansi but to His Majesty the Emperor. When the new Ministry issues orders, do you think they’ll dare disobey?"

"Lord Ye, so if we persuade His Majesty, does that mean we can quell the aggression on the southern front?"

Ye Lansheng’s brows furrowed slightly. Presently, the civil servants weren’t concerned about Yang Yansi being sidelined, but cared about the Ministry’s stance. If Yang Yansi has now lost his former leverage, does that mean the chance to alter the southern situation rests with the civil servants?

"Not necessarily. Over the years, His Majesty’s thinking has often been unconventional—I can’t predict him. But with these changes, it’s certain the Ministry’s authority will soften, and we do have one less obstacle."