Chapter 1675: An Appeal

Upon seeing this, Zhang Jie, Xiao Jianren, and the others on the city wall cried out in alarm. They knew that despite Lord Eleven's formidable cultivation, he could not withstand a direct assault from an army.

This was a widely accepted truth among cultivators: while they possessed astonishing powers, facing a disciplined army usually meant a desperate retreat, unless one had reached an exceptionally high cultivation realm. Armies, after all, employed various military formations capable of dispersing a cultivator's attacks and amplifying the collective might of their soldiers. Moreover, armies were well-equipped with heavy weaponry enhanced by magical arrays: armor-piercing arrows, siege crossbows, runic cannons, and more. These weapons could blast through city walls fortified with formations, let alone the flesh and blood of a person. On top of that, armies also included groups of master cultivators whose coordinated attacks were often more than a lone cultivator could withstand.

The volley of arrows now hurtling towards Zu An consisted of armor-piercing arrows, specifically designed to pierce cultivators' protective qi. The sheer density of the formation left no room to dodge. From their distant vantage point on the city wall, those watching were powerless to intervene. Would another Gold Token Embroidered Uniform agent perish here?

Zu An, observing the hurtling arrow rain, did not attempt to dodge. Instead, his expression remained remarkably calm. The next second, a terrifying aura descended from the heavens. Clouds on the horizon began to coalesce, and the fiercely incoming arrow rain appeared to freeze in time, all suspended motionless in mid-air.

At this sight, everyone was struck with profound awe, their gaze fixed on the swirling cloud energy in the sky, as if a realization had dawned upon them. The faces of those from the Prince of Yan's lineage paled, while the Yi Commandery officials on the city wall erupted in joyous shouts: "It's His Majesty! The Emperor has arrived!" They suddenly recalled that Gold Token Embroidered Uniform agents possessed the ability to summon the Emperor. No wonder Lord Eleven had remained so utterly calm.

Just then, the cloud energy in the sky churned, gradually forming a colossal head that was unmistakably the likeness of Zhao Hao.

"Long live His Imperial Majesty!" Zhang Jie, on the city wall, led the kneeling, his expression alight with excitement. What a dramatic turn of events! Zhao Huang's face also changed. He quickly dismounted and knelt. With his lead, the entire army of the Prince of Yan followed suit, kneeling and shouting "Long live His Imperial Majesty!" The sound was deafening.

Above Purple Mountain, in the Pure Yang Temple, Wang Wuxie, who had been in meditative cultivation, abruptly opened his eyes. He drew the swirling purple mist surrounding him back into his body, his expression grave. "When will I be able to reach such a realm?" he mused.

At Worry-Free Temple, Master Jian Huang, who had been instructing his unruly disciple, likewise sensed something and looked towards Yi Commandery. "The Emperor has appeared far too often lately," he murmured. "This is a sign that the world is on the verge of change."

Above Yi City, Zhao Hao, in his colossal spectral form, felt the same way, glaring angrily at Zu An. "What is it now?"

Rage Value from Zhao Hao: 888,888,888...

He had every right to be furious. Other Embroidered Uniform envoys used his power with utmost trepidation, perhaps not even daring to summon him once in their entire lives. Yet this brat had summoned him three times in mere days. Was he playing him for a fool? Crucially, his 'Five Declines of Heaven and Man' period was fast approaching, and he had spent years in secluded cultivation within the imperial forbidden grounds. Being constantly roused like a sleeping man, it would be odd if he didn't feel irritable.

Zu An respectfully bowed, then pointed towards the Prince of Yan's camp opposite him. "The Prince of Yan's heir has launched a rebellion, and Yi City is in grave peril," he stated. "Your subordinate has exhausted all other options and can only implore Your Majesty for aid."

In truth, with his own capabilities, he was not entirely without recourse in this situation. However, with so many people present on the battlefield, revealing too many of his trump cards could easily lead discerning individuals to identify him as Zu An. And even if he risked life and limb, he would gain nothing from it. Given this, why should he expend his effort on official matters? After all, with Zhao Hao as a powerful weapon, it would be a waste not to use him. Moreover, these deliberate and frequent summons of Zhao Hao were also a calculated move, hoping to weaken his divine soul and observe his attacks several times to devise future countermeasures. Although he had fought with him in the secret realm years ago, that was merely a wisp of his separated soul, whose combat style differed significantly from his true form.

He cast a sidelong glance at the arrow rain still suspended in the air, his expression growing subtly more solemn.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao's gaze swept across the entire scene, quickly assessing the situation. "Zhao Huang, you audacious fool!" he boomed. No sooner had he spoken than, without any visible action, the dense mass of armor-piercing arrows in the air instantly disintegrated into dust. Witnessing this, everyone present gasped in astonishment.

Zhao Huang, trembling like a leaf, knelt on the ground and bowed. "Your Majesty, please discern the truth," he stammered. "Your humble servant was driven to this out of desperation, solely for my father's safety. I knew he was being framed by treacherous individuals and only wished to prevent them from harming him." In Yi Commandery, Zhao Huang was practically second only to the Emperor, with almost everyone looking up to him daily. Yet, before Zhao Hao — even though they were nominally cousins — he found himself utterly devoid of pride.

"This is your justification for rebellion?" Zhao Hao's spectral form asked coldly, staring down at him.

Zhao Huang felt a cold dread envelop him, his entire body nearly collapsing onto the ground. For a moment, he was speechless.

At this point, Sun Xun, standing nearby, interjected: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Prince of Yan has remained fiercely loyal to you for years. He has defended Yi Commandery, quelled rebels numerous times, and received countless commendations from the imperial court. Yet, he has inexplicably been implicated in charges of rebellion. If this news spreads, it will surely dishearten the soldiers in commanderies across the realm."

Zhao Hao frowned slightly. The empire was currently far from peaceful, plagued by powerful demon foes externally, demonic cult rebels internally, various local strongmen, and even remnants of the previous dynasty. To ensure the stability of his reign, he had generously enfeoffed imperial family members. Many regions were now jointly guarded by these vassal kings, a strategy designed to secure the Zhao dynasty's foundation. While the death of one Prince of Yan was not inherently significant, if it were to destabilize the loyalty of the imperial clan, that would indeed pose a considerable problem.

Having made up his mind, he outwardly remained impassive. "I have already dispatched individuals to thoroughly investigate this case," he stated. "Whether the Prince of Yan is innocent or not will soon be revealed."

Spurred by Sun Xun's intervention, Zhao Huang gradually regained his composure. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Forgive my frankness, but Grand Protector Zhang has always been at odds with my father, and this so-called evidence of rebellion was entirely concocted by Lord Eleven. If this case is left to the two of them, my father will be found guilty even if he is innocent. Your humble subject knew he was being framed by them, and once the charge of rebellion was solidified, my father would surely die. It was in my desperation that I acted so rashly. I implore Your Majesty for clemency."

"Are you implying that I employ the wrong people?" Zhao Hao stated coldly.

"Your humble servant would not dare!" Zhao Huang hastily kowtowed, begging for clemency.

Only then did Zhao Hao speak. "I have my own judgment regarding the Prince of Yan's case. Do you truly believe that a few individuals can fabricate charges and deceive me?"

"Your Majesty is wise and divine; naturally, no one can deceive you," Zhao Huang replied, exhaling a sigh of relief. From the Emperor's tone, it seemed this ordeal might have taken a turn for the better.

At this point, Zhao Hao continued, "Given your desperate desire to save your father, today's actions are understandable to a degree. However, while you may be spared death, punishment is unavoidable. Zhao Huang, you are to be fined three years' salary and stripped of your military position. All other implicated officers shall be demoted by three ranks."

Zhang Jie on the city wall immediately showed a look of disappointment. Although the punishment was not insignificant, it seemed almost negligible compared to the rebellion they had instigated today. However, he dared not offer any further counsel at that moment, discerning that the Emperor intended to handle the matter discreetly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Huang and the others prostrated themselves in gratitude.

Only then did Zhao Hao turn his attention to Zu An. "Regarding the Gold Token Seven case," he commanded, "you have three days to ascertain its connection, if any, to the Prince of Yan. Fail, and you will bring me your head!"

Rage Value from Zhao Hao: 444,444,444...

This rascal! He had been dispatched to investigate the Gold Token Seven case and eliminate any security risks for the Fengshan ceremony. Instead, he neglected his primary duty and nearly provoked a vassal king into open rebellion.

Zhang Jie's expression on the city wall changed. As a seasoned official, he naturally deciphered the Emperor's underlying message. Three days was hardly enough time for a thorough investigation; it was clearly an implicit directive to swiftly close the case and appease the Prince of Yan's lineage.

Zu An, however, seemed to have anticipated this, replying calmly, "Understood!"

Zhao Hao could even tolerate an act of rebellion. It appeared something more pressing had recently captivated his attention, compelling him to set this matter aside.