Chapter 8: As Insignificant as a Blade of Grass
Fang Chen closed his eyes and made his way over to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
It was as if he was unable to feel the stares of the soldiers from the Wolf Army in front of him.
“He’s really blind,” one of the soldiers in the Wolf Army whispered.
What a pity, the soldiers of the Wolf Army lamented. The formerly valiant and youthful Divine General had turned into a blind, crippled man.
While they couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, his pitiful state caused their respect and reverence toward Marshall Xiao Lang to reach new heights.
So what if Fang Chen became a Divine General at a young age? Wasn’t he still defeated by Marshall Xiao Lang of Qingsong? Marshall Lang was undefeatable and invincible!
By the time Fang Chen had arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the emperor, Goddess Xiao, and the many officials had already gathered, awaiting him.
The empress, who was originally expressionless, couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow when she caught sight of the slightly frail figure. She opened her mouth to speak but struggled to find the right words.
“He looks no different from the portrait, but his fierce spirit is no longer there…” Goddess Xiao observed Fang Chen, and a light smile appeared on her face. "There's nothing particularly special about him, but I must say, he does look a bit better than some of the men I had."
Hearing her comment, anger flashed through the empress's eyes.
The officials looked at Goddess Xiao in anger, as well. After all, regardless of their differences with Fang Chen, comparing the Divine General to her boy-toys was an insult to Grand Xia.
“Your Majesty, why don’t you go ahead and tell him. If he wishes to marry into my Xiao family, he will have to undergo some tests. I don’t want to bring back a useless blind man,” Goddess Xiao said, a faint smile hanging on her haughty face.
The Grand Xia Emperor looked at Fang Chen and spoke slowly, “Fang Chen.”
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” Fang Chen stopped and cupped his fist.
"Fang Chen, how dare you! Why aren't you kneeling in front of His Majesty?!" You Longchang roared.
Everyone could tell that he was venting on behalf of his foster father, Eunuch You.
Closing his eyes, Fang Chen slowly twisted his neck to stare in the direction of You Longchang. "Are you the Deputy General of the West Tiger Battalion, You Longchang?”
You Longchang was shocked. Was Fang Chan really blind?
He didn’t seem blind at all! Moreover, he hadn’t interacted with Fang Cheng for the past five years, yet Fang Chen could recognize him by his voice.
“That’s me," You Longchang said in a deep voice.
“Did you forget that His Majesty has excused me from kneeling in his presence?” Fang Chen smiled lightly in response.
You Longchang was slightly taken aback, and he spoke without thinking, "That was before you lost the war. But after you were defeated—” Suddenly, he cut himself short.
He remembered that the emperor had not revoked Fang Chen’s privileges. Not even after his defeat. They all assumed he had lost his privileges and authority, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
"Seems like you've remembered." Fang Chen laughed before turning toward the emperor again. “Your Majesty, I rushed to the imperial palace after receiving your decree. May I know where Marshall Xiao Lang’s daughter is?”
The emperor’s eyes drifted toward Goddess Xiao. “Lady Xiao is right here, beside me. She has made it clear that you need to pass some tests before you can… before you can marry into the Xiao family."
As soon as the words left his mouth, ugly expressions rose on the faces of the officials. It was already a great humiliation for Grand Xia to allow Fang Chen to marry into the Xiao family. And now, this Goddess Xiao had to go and make it even worse.
“Test? What kind of test?” Fang Chen smiled with indifference.
“Lady Xiao, what do you think?” The emperor looked at Goddess Xiao.
“It’s very simple. Divine General Fang, if you are able to guess what my Wolf Army will do in a bit, I’ll take it as you passing,” Goddess Xiao spoke slowly before glancing at the commander of the Wolf Army.
He immediately gave the order, and the silver wolves charged about the imperial palace, grabbing some guards, palace maids, and eunuchs.
The guards, palace maids, and eunuchs were thrown in front of Fang Chen.
Their faces were bewildered. They didn’t understand why they were suddenly involved.
The emperor couldn't help but quiver in anger as he watched the Wolf Army make their move in the palace.
“Preposterous! How dare you act so recklessly within the palace? How dare you raise your hands in front of His Majesty?!” An old minister, who had a head full of white hair, took a step forward and fixed his gaze on Goddess Xiao.
This old man was Li Guozhu, the prime minister.
“This is just for the test. His Majesty wouldn’t mind, would he?” Goddess Xiao smiled lightly.
“Haha…” The emperor laughed in response. "What kind of test requires those guards? Next time, you can just let me know what you plan to do. You don’t have to ask your subordinates to take action. That could easily lead to a misunderstanding.”
He then gestured for Li Guozhu to step back.
Li Guozhu frowned but remained silent.
“It's very simple…” Goddess Xiao looked at Fang Chen. “Divine General Fang, in front of you, there are guards, palace maids, and eunuchs, four of each. Which ones do you think my subordinate will kill? As long as you guess correctly, you will have passed the test.”
An uproar ensued.
Someone among the officials couldn’t endure it any more and yelled, "Do you treat the lives of the people of our Grand Xia as a joke?!”
By the time he spoke, the leader of the Wolf Army had already drawn his bow and was slowly aiming it at Fang Chen. The next moment, he redirected it to the people at Fang Chen’s feet.
“Your people’s lives are as insignificant as blades of grass. As long as Qingsong wills it, we can trample on them as we wish. Don’t ruin today’s affairs because of a few insignificant lives. Your Majesty, don’t you agree with me?” Goddess Xiao said calmly.
“Your Majesty, if the people of Qingsong are allowed to kill in the palace, how can we ever recover our reputation when this spreads?” the empress finally spoke up.
Thinking for a moment, the Grand Xia Emperor ignored the empress and turned to Fang Chen. “Fang Chen, do as Lady Xiao suggests.”
The expressions of the officials changed, and looks of horror appeared on the faces of the guards, palace maids and eunuchs. They never expected that they would be brutally slaughtered by the people of Qingsong in the imperial palace!
Clap, Clap, Clap.
Fang Chen applauded. "I finally understand why Marshall Xiao Lang let me live.”
Goddess Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly. She recalled her father’s parting words.
Fang Chen had endured insults and humiliations for the past five years in Grand Xia. If he came to learn his new place, he would contribute to Qingsong’s advancement to an eighth-rank empire, even without his martial abilities. That was the reason her father had spared his life.
His choice during the test would decide his future. Should he insist on wholeheartedly serving Grand Xia, then he would be killed on the spot. Otherwise, Goddess Xiao would bring him back to Qingsong without any further humiliation. After all, that would mean that he had seen through Marshall Xiao Lang’s intentions.
“Divine General Fang, it’s your turn to make a choice. Will it be the guards or the palace maids? Or will you choose those eunuchs?” Goddess Xiao smiled coldly.
Solemn expressions hung on the faces of the officials.
Li Guozhu stared at Fang Chen, then at the Grand Xia Emperor, before letting out a soft sigh.
Even if they saw through the intentions of Qingsong, what could they do? Grand Xia no longer had the capability to resist.
Qingsong was forcing Fang Chen to kill the subjects of Grand Xia, and in turn, lose the status of Divine General that he had in their eyes!
“If I have to choose, then, I guess I choose another option. None of them will die,” Fang Chen answered calmly.
The emperor's expression changed slightly, and Li Guozhu and the rest revealed a hint of astonishment.
Logically speaking, Fang Chen understood what was at stake. He should have made a choice. A choice that would have ensured peace and prosperity for Grand Xia for five more years!
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