"I am aware. I shall receive the envoy from the Great Qian Dynasty here in the Divine Martial Hall—three days from now."
Chu Yuan's voice was calm, yet resolute.
[System Notification: Host has selected Option Two. Reward: 100 Destiny Points.]
[Current Destiny Points: 1,400.]
"Is it appropriate to delay the meeting for three days?" Li Yun's brows drew together, his tone edged with concern. "The envoy from Great Qian has already waited outside the hall. Further delay may offend them. Given the tense situation at the southern border, I advise Your Majesty to receive them immediately."
"I concur," said the Grand General, followed swiftly by the Prime Minister. "Any sign of disrespect may be used as a pretext for aggression."
Had this been the former emperor, he would have yielded to their will—allowing the court factions to dictate his actions.
But Chu Yuan stood firm.
"There is nothing inappropriate about it," he said coldly. "The envoy comes not to discuss peace, but to demand cession of land and payment of reparations. Their intentions are clear. Let me be equally clear: not a single inch of our territory will be surrendered. No compensation shall be paid."
His gaze swept across the officials. "If the Grand General and Prime Minister disagree, you are free to negotiate with the envoy yourselves—after stepping down from your positions. I won't stop you."
He waved his hand.
"Eunuch Wei, announce the court dismissed."
"By imperial command—court is dismissed!" Eunuch Wei's voice echoed through the hall.
As Chu Yuan turned to leave, Li Yun watched his retreating figure, his expression dark.
"His Majesty seems quite different today," he muttered. "He didn't bend at all."
"Every word of his sounded deliberate," the Grand General murmured, a shadow crossing his face. "Do you think he knows we've already colluded with the Great Qian Dynasty?"
"Hmph, even if he suspects something, what of it?" Shangguan Yun sneered. "He's only a fifteen-year-old boy. Without the Divine Martial troops, what power does he truly have? We still hold control of the court. If it weren't for the few loyalists left, we would've already replaced him."
Li Yun added coldly, "This is simply the end of Great Wu. Resistance is futile. The four-nation alliance is inevitable. Great Qian has promised our families will be untouched, so long as we assist from within."
"If he just plays along, we may let him live out his days in peace. But if he defies us…" Li Yun's gaze turned cold. "Then the dynasty falls, and we support another."
"Regimes change. Yet our families remain."
---
After court, Chu Yuan did not take the royal carriage. Instead, he walked through the Imperial Garden alone. Around him bloomed thousands of exotic flowers, their fragrance lingering in the air.
"In the face of war, even the most vibrant flowers wither," he murmured, eyes distant.
"A poetic mood, Your Majesty?"
A mocking voice rang out behind him.
Chu Yuan turned, his gaze landing on a young man clad in golden armor—his expression filled with scorn and irreverence.
"Shangguan Yun," Chu Yuan said flatly. "The Imperial Garden is not a place you may enter without permission."
"Your servant is a colonel of the Forbidden Army, acting on the Grand General's orders to protect Your Majesty from harm," Shangguan Yun replied without kneeling. "Wherever Your Majesty goes, I must follow."
"Even to the Imperial Residence?"
"Protecting the Emperor is my duty."
[Choice One: Ignore Shangguan Yun and allow him to continue following. Reward: 100 Destiny Points.]
[Choice Two: Issue an imperial decree ordering him to step down. Reward: 100 Destiny Points.]
"Step down."
Chu Yuan's tone was sharp and absolute.
[System Notification: Host has selected Option Two. Reward: 100 Destiny Points.]
[Current Destiny Points: 1,500.]
"His Majesty has spoken!" Eunuch Wei barked. "General Shangguan, withdraw at once, lest you incur the Emperor's wrath."
"The Grand General's command takes precedence. Unless I am dead, I cannot withdraw." Shangguan Yun stood firm. "I ask Your Majesty's understanding."
[Narrative Decision:
—Choice One: Persuade Shangguan Yun with eloquence, teaching him that loyalty lies with the Emperor, not the Grand General. Reward: 100 Destiny Points. Unlocks Achievement: Eloquent Persuasion (equip to enhance influence and rhetoric).
—Choice Two: Execute Shangguan Yun to uphold imperial authority. Reward: 100 Destiny Points. Unlocks Achievement: Emperor's Majesty (equip to increase intimidation by 10%).]
Chu Yuan shook his head slightly.
"Shangguan Yun, you've forgotten what it means to serve an emperor."
He stepped forward, drawing the Human Emperor Sword.
"I am the Emperor of Great Wu. If I decree your death, then you shall die."
The blade shimmered with imperial might as Chu Yuan activated the Great Thunder Technique. A thunderous aura surged forth, overwhelming the defiant colonel.
Thud!
Shangguan Yun collapsed to his knees, his face contorted in terror.
"Your cultivation level—!"
"I grant you death."
With one swing of the sword, Shangguan Yun's head flew from his shoulders, blood spraying across the garden's pristine petals.
His lifeless eyes remained frozen in disbelief, fear, and rage.
[System Notification: Host has executed Shangguan Yun. Reward: 100 Destiny Points. Achievement unlocked: Emperor's Majesty.]
[Current Destiny Points: 1,600.]
Chu Yuan stood calmly, unmoved.
He had inherited eighteen years of memory and instinct. The rules of this world were clear—only strength commanded respect. An emperor without power was nothing more than a puppet.
"Eunuch Wei, take care of the body. Deliver Shangguan Yun's head to the Grand General and inform him personally—it was I who had him executed."
Without waiting for a reply, Chu Yuan turned toward the Divine Martial Hall.
He still had a random draw left from when the Destiny Choice System was activated.
And now—he intended to use it.