National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: And He, Will Be the Center of This Storm

Lu Yinxing’s sharp gaze swept over the minister still standing in place. Her voice was as cold as ice. ”What? I’ve already appointed you as an envoy, yet you linger here, hesitating. Do you think my decree wasn’t clear enough?”

The minister flinched at Lu Yinxing’s gaze and quickly answered in a trembling voice, ”Your Majesty, I... I was just being muddle-headed. Please, Your Majesty, forgive me.”

His words were filled with fear and unease, a clear sign he had realized how rash and ignorant his earlier comments had been.

Countless thoughts churned in the minister’s mind.

He recalled the terrifying power Chu He had displayed during the live stream and his merciless methods of slaughter.

Even Gu Shuling, who had crossed paths with Chu He before,

had been unable to escape death at his hands when a crucial matter was at stake.

This ruthlessness and decisiveness filled the minister’s heart with an indescribable fear.

Lu Yinxing’s expression darkened further. ”You are indeed muddle-headed,” she said coldly, ”and exceptionally so.

If it weren’t for the fact that you’re an old minister who served my late father, I would not let you off so easily today.

However, considering your advanced age and your service to my father, I will give you one chance.

Go home and submit your resignation. Otherwise, I will repeat what you just said to Chu He, word for word.

And whatever he chooses to do then, the Royal Family of the Great Xia Empire will support him without hesitation.”

Hearing Lu Yinxing’s words, the minister’s face turned white as a sheet. He swayed on his feet, nearly collapsing.

He knew full well that his words today had angered the Queen and put him in an irredeemable position.

He looked up at the colleagues with whom he had once joked and chatted,

only to find them all watching coldly from the sidelines. Not a single one was willing to step forward and plead on his behalf.

Despair and helplessness surged in the minister’s heart. He knew his career as an official was over.

He heaved a long sigh and said in a low voice, ”Her Majesty is absolutely right. I have indeed grown old and muddle-headed.

Remaining here will only hold back Her Majesty and the entire Empire.

I will return home at once to write my resignation and retire.

Perhaps this truly is the best outcome for me.”

After he finished speaking, the minister seemed to age ten years in an instant. His slightly corpulent frame swayed as he walked, step by step, out of the palace.

His heart was filled with regret and resentment, but things having come to this, he could only accept reality.

’I really was muddle-headed this time.

If I’d known it would come to this, why did I have to say anything?’

”Her Majesty the Queen, as you instructed, all information on the Ruan Family has been sent to Chu He.”

The secretary was cautious and deferential.

Lu Yinxing gave a slight nod. ”Where is Chu He now?”

”Chu He is on his way to the border.”

The secretary replied, ”He received a call from the Ruan Family.

They had originally planned to kidnap his family and take them to the border, but they clearly didn’t expect the security measures to be so tight. It’s clear that Your Majesty holds him in exceptionally high regard.

However, the Ruan Family doesn’t seem to care about that. They said that since the situation has already escalated, they hope Chu He will attend a banquet they’ve prepared, where everything can finally be settled.

Otherwise, they can’t guarantee there won’t be a second or third similar attempt.”

Lu Yinxing’s brow furrowed at his words. She knew this ”banquet” was nothing but a trap.

She then asked, ”Did you tell Chu He what I said before—that no matter what he decides to do, the Royal Family of the Great Xia Empire will support him with all our strength?”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

The secretary replied, ”I relayed your words to him exactly, but he said he would face this alone.”

Lu Yinxing sighed softly. She knew Chu He was resolute. With a wave of her hand, she said, ”In that case, we will wait and see how things unfold.

Also, for the warriors who sacrificed their lives protecting Chu He’s manor, ensure their families receive a substantial compensation to honor their spirits.”

...

「Meanwhile, the imperial palace of the Great Jing Empire was in an uproar.」

Ji Shengyue’s face was twisted into a terrifying, ferocious snarl.

The storm of public opinion within the Empire was growing more intense by the day. Their attempts to control it at the source were futile.

The crowds of protesters on the streets grew larger and larger; it was impossible to throw them all in prison.

And Xiao Cangqing’s continued absence only made matters worse.

”Impossible! How can this be possible!”

Ji Shengyue roared, ”Impossible! This is impossible! How could the Black Pearl incident, an event that could have nearly destroyed a powerful empire, be resolved by Chu He all by himself?”

She couldn’t believe it. This disaster was supposed to plunge the entire Great Xia Empire into chaos,

yet Chu He’s appearance, like a bolt of lightning, had instantly shattered all the gloom.

Her heart was filled with fear and anxiety.

If this sentiment were allowed to spread, the future of the Great Jing Empire would be in grave danger.

What worried her even more was Xiao Cangqing’s safety.

Scene after scene from the live stream replayed in her mind. The sight of Chu He personally killing Gu Shuling had left her stunned.

Xiao Cangqing’s plan had been to use Gu Shuling to distract Chu He, but they had never imagined that Chu He’s power was so immense.

Now, the truth was laid bare before her eyes. Ji Shengyue’s judgment had been proven wrong.

It wasn’t just the people within the Great Jing Empire who were gossiping about her; forums across the entire world were mocking the empress of Great Jing with scathing remarks.

”Your Majesty, we’ve just received an urgent report from our spies in the Great Xia Empire.”

A staff member hurried into the hall, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a low, respectful voice.

Ji Shengyue’s face was livid. She snatched the cup at her side and furiously hurled it at the staff member’s head.

The cup arced through the air and slammed into the corner of the staff member’s forehead with a sickening thud.

Blood immediately gushed from the wound, staining half of the staff member’s face red.

Yet he didn’t cry out in pain. His body swayed for a moment, but he remained kneeling on one knee with his head bowed.

”Speak,” Ji Shengyue snarled, her voice filled with rage and resentment. ”Are you here to tell me that the Black Pearl incident was effortlessly resolved by that bastard Chu He?”

The staff member took a deep breath, trying his best to keep his voice steady. ”Your Majesty, our latest intelligence indicates that the Ruan Family, who guards the border of the Great Xia Empire, suddenly launched a suicide attack on Chu He’s manor.

Although the Queen of the Great Xia Empire, Lu Yinxing, had arranged for experts to intercept them, the attack still caused considerable chaos and peril.

Now, Chu He is on his way to the border of the Great Xia Empire. We surmise he is most likely going to retaliate against the Ruan Family.

According to the analysis from our spies in the Great Xia Empire, Great Xia will likely fall into a period of chaos next, which could even lead to massive casualties.”

Despite the blood still flowing down his forehead and blurring his vision,

the staff member finished delivering his report without missing a single detail.

After hearing his report, a cold smile crept onto Ji Shengyue’s face. ”I see. This is truly timely news.”

She settled back into her chair, her eyes glinting with a complex light. ”Mobilize all the forces of the Great Jing Empire immediately. I want Xiao Cangqing’s current status confirmed.

Whether he’s alive or dead, you must find out where he is.

Also, send people to investigate the members of that Time Girl Group everyone is gossiping about.

They say the girls made a deal with Evil Spirits, that they even merged with them.

I need to confirm if these rumors are true. And then bring those girls to me at once!”

The thought of the so-called ”concrete evidence” that had plunged her into this abyss of public opinion sent a fresh wave of rage through Ji Shengyue.

’She would never forgive those who betrayed and slandered her!’

...

「Chu He stood on the border of the Great Xia Empire, a desolate landscape stretching out before him.」

A wild wind whipped up sand and dust, obscuring the sky.

He looked up to see a massive city standing tall and solemn amidst the swirling sand.

Its high, sturdy walls were covered in the marks of time.

Scattered around the city were endless fields and villages.

The villages, though simple, were filled with life and vitality.

The villagers toiled on this land, struggling to survive.

Chu He took a deep breath, feeling the very essence of this land.

A storm was about to break out here, and he would be at its very center.

*[Things have been busy these last few days. I’ll start releasing more Chapters once I’m done, and I’ll work hard to make the plot more exciting!]*