Shangguan Haichang stepped forward and said, "Mr. Chen, are you planning to leave us all in the city and withdraw alone?"
Chen Sansi met the skeptical gazes of the crowd and said in a deep voice, "It's to get reinforcements!"
"Get reinforcements?!"
"From Yunding Palace."
The officials murmured amongst themselves.
Dan Liangcheng had used this connection to sow discord.
But now it happened to make everyone believe that the White Robe had the ability to bring reinforcements from Yunding Palace.
Shangguan Haichang cautiously asked, "After you leave, you won't come back, will you?"
"Absolutely impossible."
Xu Wencai stepped forward and firmly said, "Even our Beiliang army is here, how could the Commander abandon us?"
"The opportunity to defeat the enemy is right in front of us.
"Your Majesty, everyone, we must not miss this chance of victory!"
The officials chattered incessantly.
Finally, Cao Huan used the excuse of feeling unwell and needing a brief rest to leave the hall, leading a few trusted ministers to discuss things privately.
"Your Excellencies, what do you think?"
"Once Chen Sansi leaves, he absolutely won't come back!"
"We all believe he can bring reinforcements, but whether those reinforcements would save us is hard to say!"
"In my opinion, this is Chen Sansi showing his true colors."
"Isn't this just 'when the snipe and the clam compete, the fisherman benefits' tactic!"
"Chen Sansi plans to use the Immortal Emperor to get rid of us, and then bring in people from Yunding Palace to reap the benefits!"
"His main forces are still in the city, aren't they?"
"What's impossible? It's only half! The other half of the Beiliang Army is spread across various states!"
"One general's success is achieved over ten thousand bones, he would do it!"
"Immortal Master Qian."
Emperor Cao Huan asked, "What is your opinion?"
Qian Qiren spoke, "In the Sky Water Continent, Yunding Palace and our Guiyuan Sect have always been at odds, with countless disputes over the centuries.
"Earlier, I heard from Senior Huang that our sect has recently been competing for resources with Yunding Palace, so it's unlikely they'd come to our aid.
"You mustn't be taken in by Chen Sansi's treachery!"
"Only if he stays in the city to live and die with us can he prove he's on our side!"
Emperor Cao Huan slightly nodded, "Your Excellencies make valid points!"
After making the decision.
They returned to the hall.
Cao Huan slowly said, "My dear brother, I do not distrust you, but once you leave, there will be no more great generals in the city. If the late emperor or Ling Kui attacks, we may have difficulty resisting."
"Your Majesty, you are mistaken."
Chen Sansi said, "Kunyang has a Second-Tier Formation. Even if only Senior Huang is left, it can hold off for some time."
Cao Huan pondered for a moment, "I still think it's too risky. How about this, you stay in Kunyang City and directly ask Yunding Palace and Qing Country to send troops for aid?"
"Why does Mr. Chen have to leave? Do the people from Yunding Palace not know the way?"
Chen Sansi earnestly said, "This is a matter of great importance, and even a day's delay is too much. I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully!"
"Consider indeed, it must be considered carefully!"
Cao Huan nodded, "Then, let me ponder for two days before responding."
Chen Sansi advised, "After tomorrow, Chang'an will use the Great Formation to seal off Kunyang, making it troublesome to leave then."
Cao Huan stood up abruptly, outwardly polite, but actually dismissive, "I will remain here and live and die with my dear brother."
Chen Sansi inhaled a deep breath of cold air, maintaining a calm demeanor, while in the corners of his eyes, he could see officials in scarlet robes whispering and cultivators of the Guiyuan Sect looking wary, the air filled with suspicion and caution.
Party struggles in the court were commonplace.
Even at the brink of life and death, they're still scheming against one another.
Such conduct is ultimately doomed to fail!
Schelps cannot be plotted with.
Shangguan Haichang said further, "Kunyang cannot be without the Beiliang King for a day, otherwise we may have no choice but to abandon the city and flee!"
It sounded like a compliment to the White Robe, but it was actually a threat.
The implication being.
If you leave without permission, we will abandon the city and escape!
Chen Sansi glanced at him indifferently, did not respond, turned around, and walked out, soon leaving the government office, into the darkness, and ascended directly through sword control, flying beyond the boundaries of Kunyang City.
"Is that person the Beiliang King?"
"Without a doubt, it's the Commander."
"Where is the Commander going?"
"Quick, report this!"
This place was separated from the battleground in Yu State only by the Fei River, but due to its extremely remote location, nestled between two mountains, it was spared from the chaos of war.
It was the spring plowing season.
The sky was just barely light, but the villagers had long since started their day's work, with the more diligent already in the fields, while the lazier ones hummed rustic songs as they headed to their plots, birds circling to accompany them, presenting a scene of peace as if it were a utopia amidst the turmoil of the world.
Until the peace was broken by the crowing of roosters.
It seemed there was some kind of fierce beast from the wilderness in the village, causing chaos wherever it went, leaving neither people nor livestock in peace.
The commotion drew closer to Chen Sansi, until a rooster, startled, flew out of the village entrance, revealing that the pursuer was not some monstrous beast, but merely a half-grown child, just a few years old.