Chapter Seventy-Three: Council Before the Throne

"My affairs are none of your concern," Ye Xin said, his face showing signs of weariness. "How long have I managed to hold on?"

"Almost a month now," Xie En replied.

"If I truly become a warrior today, wouldn't it seem too abrupt?" Ye Xin asked.

"Well..." Xie En tilted his head and pondered for a long while. "How should I put it? Most people should be able to accept it. At first, everyone was skeptical, but you played your part so well. Each day when you left the academy, your energy and spirit improved a little. Boss, what did you say back then... Oh right, you were creating a psychological guidance process. I overheard Wen Rong and the others chatting the other day—they believe you have great potential. It's as if you've guided them unconsciously. And... Xiaoling has played no small part."

"It's easy to deceive these youngsters," Ye Xin said. "What worries me are those outside."

"Boss, sometimes you overestimate others' intelligence," Xie En laughed. "What about those outside? The first place they'd investigate would be Yuanqi Hall. These days I've been buying things for real money, spending nearly two hundred thousand altogether. How could they not believe? Besides, how many people in this world possess a Yuan Spirit physique? Could they find another test subject?"

"But you should be careful these days. Someone might start getting interested in your background," Ye Xin said.

"Boss, you needn't worry about me," Xie En replied. "Have I ever suffered a loss these past years? The last time was when I encountered cultivators—I was powerless, forced to submit. But Nine Cauldrons City is nothing. Even if they send their greatest warriors, I can still escape."

"Still, be cautious," Ye Xin advised. "You'll appear quite feeble for a while. It'll take a few days for your Yuan veins to recover. Think up a reason to explain it."

"Heh, boss, I've already got a plan," Xie En answered with a mischievous grin.

Ye Xin prepared to cultivate. He moved to the side, sat on a meditation cushion, and slowly closed his eyes.

The next morning, the students of the Fifth Battalion arrived at the academy one after another. The first to enter was Li Chonglou, who had distinguished himself in the last flag contest. Upon entering the Hanwu Hall, he habitually greeted Xie En, but his expression froze in surprise. Xie En sat cross-legged behind Ye Xin, his hands resting on Ye Xin's shoulders, his face pale, brows furrowed with exhaustion.

What was happening here? Li Chonglou was puzzled. When his gaze fell on Ye Xin, he was shocked.

Ye Xin's breathing subtly began to emit Yuan Force fluctuations, a glow shone between his brows—the unmistakable sign of Yuan Force circulation!

Other students arrived and saw this scene; like Li Chonglou, they were immediately stunned.

Wen Rong and her group were aware of the Ye family's secret and had never mentioned the Yuan Spirit physique to others. Sun Meifang and Deng Duojie, meanwhile, had dismissed the news about Ye Xin's dual Yang and Yin veins, convinced he was a hopeless case. What was there to care about in a useless person?

In truth, they weren't wrong. The so-called Yuan Spirit physique was indeed useless: the barrier between Yin and Yang could not be broken, and cultivation was impossible for life. But if a miracle occurred, that uselessness would transform into priceless treasure.

A real treasure!

Years ago, the founder of the Law-bearing Empire, Li Shichuan, had also been branded useless, struck by heavenly lightning, and survived by sheer luck. Disaster turned to fortune; Yin and Yang fused, and he went on to establish a vast legacy.

Thus, when Wen Rong, Shao Xue, and others arrived and witnessed the scene, their expressions were filled with shock; the blow to their hearts was far stronger than for the other students.

"Heavens... Instructor Xie has really done it..." Shen Miao said with difficulty.

"Xiaoling, your brother is simply a monster!" Shao Xue gasped.

"I never imagined Ye Xin's character could be so tenacious," Wen Rong murmured.

These days, Ye Ling often spoke of how Ye Xin, upon returning home, would wail in pain, unable to walk, needing servants to care for him, even needing help to eat. Slowly, this painted a picture in their minds of Ye Xin, willing to endure anything for cultivation. Though they were deeply shocked by what they saw, there was a logic to it—they could accept it.

"Xiaoling, it's been so many days. You should let go of your anger," Shao Xue said. "After all, he is your brother."

Ye Ling did not answer. Clearly, Ye Xin's ability to condense Yuan Force had shaken her deeply. Her eyes were red, yet despite Shao Xue’s comfort, she remained silent, as if unresolved feelings lingered in her heart.

Ye Xin's ability to condense Yuan Force would surely become news. More instructors would likely hold him up as an example. When the Fifth Battalion’s students left Hanwu Hall and spread the word, an uproar would surely follow.

Meanwhile, in the palace of Nine Cauldrons City, the imperial council was drawing to a close.

This session was chiefly to discuss military matters. Wei Juan's army had surrounded Lingtai, but Xiao Mozhi's resistance was fierce. Wei Juan could not breach Lingtai yet, so he hoped for reinforcements from Nine Cauldrons City.

As expected in council, the gathering was meant for collective wisdom. Most ministers were excited by Wei Juan's successive victories, though discordant voices arose. For instance, Wen Hongren insisted that Xiao Mozhi could not have been forced into such dire straits. The war had lasted half a year; compiling the reports, casualties among soldiers exceeded thirteen hundred, not counting those lightly wounded who could still fight. Over twenty thousand had left the front due to injuries, and nearly three thousand Yuan stones had been consumed.

Wen Hongren, having served as military supervisor, could glean from the numbers that neither side had truly engaged in all-out battle or decisive combat. Xiao Mozhi’s withdrawal seemed suspicious.

Others refuted Wen Hongren, arguing that large-scale rebellion in the Great Summoning Kingdom had forced part of the demon army to suppress it, weakening Xiao Mozhi’s forces. Moreover, in recent years, King Jiang had supported Zhuang Buxiu, so Xiao Mozhi received fewer resources and was thus pressed by Wei Juan—such reasoning was also sound.

Many factors determine victory in war: combat prowess and resources are both crucial. When two warriors duel to the death, if neither wins when their Yuan Force is depleted, whoever recovers first gains the advantage.

It is the same for armies. After a major battle, all formations are activated, generating artificial Yuan Fields so soldiers can quickly regain strength. At that time, Yuan stone consumption is staggering. Whoever has the most resources holds the initiative.

The council continued until noon without producing a conclusion. Large-scale reinforcements were impossible. The city defense troops were under Han Sanmei's command; at most, he agreed to send one or two battalions to support Wei Juan. As for the palace guards, Tie Xinsheng would not move them under any circumstances.

In the end, Tie Xinsheng shifted the subject. "Zhen Tang, I hear that Guan Hai's child uses you for practice at the academy, enduring hardship to strengthen himself?"

Zong Zhentang stared at his nose, his nose at his heart, pretending not to hear.

The words Xie En used to encourage Ye Xin had long spread: He is Zong Zhentang of the Zong family, the enemy who forced you to destroy the Ye family's treasured heirloom! Go, attack him! Crush him! Shatter him!

"Guan Hai's child has finally learned to strive. That is a good thing," Tie Xinsheng smiled. "Back then, Guan Hai worried greatly for this child. If only he could see it himself, he would surely be pleased..."

No one spoke. None understood Tie Xinsheng’s intentions, so all waited for him to give a hint before they responded.

"Actually, you went too far in this matter," Tie Xinsheng sighed. "Why trouble a child? The Wolf Lord's Manual is the Ye family's ancestral treasure. Not even you, nor I when I asked Guan Hai to borrow it, were granted permission."

"Your Majesty, I did not consider so much at the time," Zong Zhentang replied coolly. "I merely admired the Wolf Commander and grew curious about the manual."

"Heh... It seems the Zong family and the Ye family are simply fated not to intersect," Tie Xinsheng said. "Guan Hai's child is a fugitive from the Heavenly Sin Battalion and should have been imprisoned. The reason I turned a blind eye—partly out of sorrow for Guan Hai's death, and partly out of pity for the child."

The ministers exchanged glances, their eyes tinged with suspicion.

"But at least the child now knows to work hard. If we could find him a good family’s daughter as a wife, help him settle down, temper his nature, perhaps he could be of use in the future," Tie Xinsheng said. "I wonder who among you has a suitable daughter? I would gladly act as matchmaker."

Silence reigned. To arrange a marriage for Ye Xin? What a joke! Whether they opposed the Ye family or pitied it, none would throw their own child into such a situation. Even after Ye Xin’s month of effort, their impression of him could not be changed.

Tie Xinsheng picked up a memorial, as if waiting for someone to come forward, though in truth he was hiding his own emotions.

Life is a process of growth, and Tie Xinsheng was no exception. His lowered gaze toward the memorial flickered with both disdain and pleasure.

Twenty years ago, Tie Xinsheng was young. Due to certain special circumstances, his rise was fraught with anxiety. He went to great lengths to court the noble families of Nine Cauldrons City, almost to the point of groveling. He feared becoming another Tie Hongshou. When these families united, they could decide who ruled—they had proved it before his very eyes.

But over these twenty years, he quietly observed and realized he had greatly overestimated their power.