Chapter 376: Chapter 376 - 368: The Deal

A faint ambiguous laugh came from the red tent, "Oh, you all gathered here today to present a joint petition for a decree to go to war from my hand?"

All the ministers knelt down, "We humbly ask Your Majesty to grant us permission!"

But a sudden short mocking laugh came from above,

"I will not agree to this matter."

What!

What?!

The ministers were stunned and looked up at the top, but alas, the esteemed emperor was hidden behind the red gauze curtain, invisible.

They could not discern the expression of the current emperor, nor guess what the esteemed emperor was thinking.

This young esteemed emperor, renowned for his strategic ingenuity, this time did not even give a verbal explanation, simply rejecting their joint memorial.

Why on earth is this?

It’s too strange?!

A tall and burly middle-aged man led the guards and stormed into the court hall.

He was dressed in opulence, with a handgun hung at his waist, acting with extreme arrogance and domineering, paying no heed as if even the emperor on the high throne was beneath him.

The ministers all knelt down to pay their respects,

"Greetings Regent King!"

The newly arrived official also knelt, but was baffled, turning his head and whispering quietly to the old official beside him, "This... this person is too arrogant! He doesn’t surrender his weapon upon seeing His Majesty the Emperor, nor does he bow! Why must we still kneel before him?"

The old official wished he could cover his lips, reprimanding him in a low voice, "Shut up quickly, what do you know! This is Regent King Yuan Ke!"

"If you say the wrong thing, and lose your head, don’t blame me for not warning you!"

Upon hearing these words, the new official’s face turned pale, instantly realizing.

So, this is the rumored Regent King Yuan Ke!

This one is the veteran of two reigns, who supported the young emperor in ascending the throne after the palace coup, and has been holding power for years due to the emperor’s illness, deservedly being the regent!

The Emperor, who ascended when young, became increasingly frail, neglecting state affairs for years, virtually like a puppet emperor.

Of course, the ministers dared only think this in their hearts, none had the courage to utter it.

Those ministers who spoke earlier looked at Yuan Ke in difficulty, "His Majesty refused to dispatch troops northwards, it’s best if you personally persuade His Majesty, Regent King!"

Yuan Ke sneered coldly, looking up at the high throne, his sharp gaze seemingly wanting to pierce through the red gauze and see the person hidden within.

He turned to sweep over the ministers present, his aura fierce and arrogant, speaking loudly, "For years His Majesty neglected state affairs, fearing he is not much aware of current situations among nations, dispatching troops now would be the most correct decision for our Empire, I wish to personally lead the army northwards!"

"Insolence!"

An abrupt stern reprimand came from behind the curtain, "This empire was established by my Nine-tailed Fox Clan, a land entrusted to me by our ancestors, Regent King today, you wish to openly defy my decision!"

The atmosphere in the court hall suddenly froze, tense with gunpowder smoke.

Regent King Yuan Ke’s face also turned extremely unsightly.

He had held power in the court for years, nearly half of the ministers present were his men.

The Emperor stayed deep in the palace, having not accomplished much for years, simply a puppet and failed emperor.

Yuan Ke did not expect the Emperor today to dare openly use the ancestors of the Royal Family to pressure him!

Yuan Ke gritted his teeth, bowed his head, and said, "I do not dare!"

A dark gleam flickered in his sharp, deep eyes, his fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white.

Yet at this moment, Yuan Ke also did not dare openly defy, after all, the nominal Emperor of the Yiyuan Empire was still a member of the Ji family, and the people only recognized the Nine-tailed Royal Family, now was not the time to break all ties.

"Just that I don’t understand, why does His Majesty not dispatch troops northward? Missing this opportunity, it would be difficult to attack again later!" Regent King Yuan Ke concealed his resentment and dark thoughts, posing as if he cared for the people, expressing his difficulty.

"I have other plans, this matter will not be discussed further." The one on the high throne spoke calmly, "If anyone dares to privately dispatch troops, they will be executed immediately!"

His voice contained a few traces of illness, yet it was dignified and cold, the underlying dangerous aura making the ministers present shudder, none daring to harbor defiant thoughts!

"Cough... let’s adjourn for today, dismiss the court."

The Emperor seemed a bit fatigued, ordering the court to be dismissed.

The ministers all left.

Regent King Yuan Ke narrowed his somber eyes, staring at the figure behind the curtain being escorted from the back of the stage by an attendant, smirking coldly as he waved his sleeve to leave.

...

Meanwhile.

The situation in the Night Glow Empire grew increasingly tense, urgently compelling.

The military of the Imperial City was not a match for both the Independent Warlords and the rebel army pressing in.

Fortunately, they had Xiao Jin and Xue Yinzhou here, preventing a complete rout, but over time, defeat was inevitable.

In the midst of the most urgent and critical battle, suddenly someone reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty! An envoy from the Yiyuan Empire seeks an audience!"

Shen Tang frowned in surprise, what’s the Yiyuan Empire intending by sending an envoy at this moment?

"... Let the envoy come in."

"Yes."

Soon, a Beastman dressed in a concealing gray robe entered the tent, his clothes styled very differently from the Night Glow Empire, the collar and hem embroidered with intricate and obscure patterns.

The moment Shen Tang saw these patterns, her pupils trembled slightly, clenching her hands but not showing it.

She spoke mildly, "I wonder what your nation intends by sending an envoy?"

"I have come on behalf of our Emperor with a secret order, wanting to discuss something with His Majesty the Night Glow Emperor." The envoy spoke respectfully, "Our Emperor knows your nation is facing turmoil and lacks military strength, willing to send troops in aid, to foster goodwill between our two nations."

Shen Tang furrowed her brows deeper, why would the Yiyuan Empire send troops to assist them?

Are they here with aid, or seeking a share of the spoils?

As far as she knew, the Yiyuan Empire had historically eyed the Night Glow Empire’s hard-to-devour territory covetously.

If not for the Forgotten Sea in between, they would have long come to annex this piece of fat meat.

Amid the Night Glow Empire’s chaos, the Yiyuan Empire’s offer of aid was likely false, seeking annexation was true!

She distrusted the crocodile’s kindness.

Shen Tang asked, "There’s no such thing as a free lunch, surely your nation’s military aid comes with other requirements?"

The envoy smiled mysteriously, "Naturally, there is a condition!"

Shen Tang sneered, fully expecting this, speaking lightly, "What condition does your nation have?"

The envoy saw her displeased expression and quickly explained, "Don’t overthink, His Majesty Night Glow, our Emperor said this assistance isn’t national, rather... wants to personally ask you for a favor."

Shen Tang was surprised, "What favor? Tell me about it."

"Well, as for what exactly, His Majesty didn’t tell me, he simply asked you to owe a favor."

The envoy explained with difficulty, "As long as you agree, our nation will immediately dispatch troops to aid, as for that favor, it shall be requested at a later date."