Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 237: Trial
What?!
Everyone on Yuan Zhao’s and the Emperor’s side was stunned, never expecting Beichen Yuqing to say such a thing.
For Yuan Zhao, he had considered the possibility of defeat, the chance that Anyang would turn hostile, and even the scenario where Anyang might detain the Emperor. He had contingency plans for all these possibilities.
But he had never imagined that Anyang would act so decisively—going so far as to drive the new Emperor back to Wuyang City and back to the imperial palace.
What kind of consequences would such an action bring?
Once the new Emperor was sent back to Wuyang City, he would undoubtedly be confined within the palace, possibly for life, never able to leave. Meanwhile, with the Second Prince out of the picture, Luliang County would likely be swallowed whole by Anyang, leaving no place for the Yuan family or the Dongyuan Prefecture. All of Yuan Zhao’s plans would be reduced to nothing.
Moreover, by forcing the Emperor back to the palace, Anyang would maintain an image of righteousness, remaining blameless in both name and morality while reaping all the benefits.
Yuan Zhao quickly saw through the entire situation. “Anyang truly has a brilliant strategist!”
But he wasn’t ready to concede just yet. “Beichen Yuqing, you are nothing more than a minister of ministers. What right do you have to dictate to His Majesty? Why do you not step forward and pay your respects?”
Beichen Yuqing sneered. “If you had never infringed upon Anyang, of course, I would step forward and pay my respects. But since you have invaded Anyang, we are now enemies! Besides, the victor is king, and the defeated are mere captives. Right now, you need to bind your hands and follow me to Anyang to meet the Wise King.”
“Wise King?” Yuan Zhao’s eyes narrowed, keenly catching onto the term.
Beichen Yuqing stood tall and declared, “With regional divisions and suffering among the people, in order to save the people and preserve the Great Xia Kingdom, Lord Li has declared himself a king, taking the title of Wise King.”
Yuan Zhao stepped forward, his voice firm and unwavering. “Who granted Li Xian the right to call himself king? Did he submit a petition to His Majesty?”
Beichen Yuqing chuckled. “Three princes, three emperors—who should we submit a petition to? In extraordinary times, extraordinary actions are necessary. In these troubled times, we can only cut through the chaos with swift action. If this is considered overstepping, then when Great Xia is unified again (which is no longer a possibility), the Wise King will naturally present himself for punishment.”
“For now, however, for the sake of the Great Xia Kingdom and the people, we must ask His Majesty to return to the imperial capital and take charge of the central government.”
“What if I refuse?!” The Emperor finally spoke up. If he remained silent any longer, he would be nothing more than a puppet.
Beichen Yuqing waved his hand, and behind him, over a dozen Golden Core cultivators roared in unison:
“For the Great Xia Kingdom and the survival of the people, we implore His Majesty to return to Wuyang City and take charge of the central government!”
The newly crowned Emperor Xia Shu’s face turned ashen. Yuan Zhao’s face was deathly pale. Yue Qingfeng’s expression was grave.
The officials surrounding the Emperor each had different expressions, but all understood the reality: returning to Wuyang City meant becoming a caged bird, one that could be executed at any time. Anyang’s words sounded noble, but in truth, they were sending the Emperor back to a prison—one so secure that even Anyang wouldn’t have to bear responsibility if something happened to him in the future.
In the silence, a straightforward official stepped forward, furiously pointing at Beichen Yuqing. “Beichen Yuqing, do you not understand the situation? If His Majesty returns to Wuyang City now, he will be nothing but a prisoner, completely useless to the country!”
Beichen Yuqing coldly glanced at the official. “Since he has ascended the throne, he must not retreat, nor be cowardly. If he wants to be respected and be a true emperor, he must set an example by returning to Wuyang City.”
“As for you—”
Beichen Yuqing turned his gaze to the outspoken official. “As for you, I suspect you are a traitor. Were you the one who orchestrated this attack on Dingshan City? Men, take this official away and interrogate him thoroughly.”
The official was dumbfounded, never expecting that the seemingly refined Beichen Yuqing would be so unreasonable. Seeing two Golden Core cultivators approaching, he finally panicked. “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! This whole operation was entirely orchestrated by Yuan Zhao!”
Beichen Yuqing “furiously” shouted, “You lie! Yuan Zhao and the Wise King have been childhood friends. Yuan Zhao would never come up with such a plan. The fact that you’re trying to frame him makes you even more suspicious! Take him away!”
“Wait!” The Emperor spoke again. “He is my official. What right do you have to take him away?”
“Because we won!” Beichen Yuqing’s voice dripped with mockery as he waved his hand, signaling the two Golden Core cultivators to drag the official away.
The official glared at everyone around him, but Beichen Yuqing’s side was filled with fierce warriors, while the Emperor’s side was full of people who, though furious, dared not speak out.
The two Golden Core cultivators swiftly restrained the official, sealing his spiritual energy before detaining him. Beichen Yuqing then turned to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, let us depart. A nation cannot be without its ruler, and given the current turbulent situation, we cannot afford delays. We must set off immediately.”
Setting Off… What a Perfect Choice of Words.
Tens of thousands of Anyang’s soldiers were watching intently, their eyes filled with hostility. The newly enthroned Xia Shu endured his raging anger. Looking around, he saw soldiers either groveling on the ground, wagging their tails in submission, or lying dead. At last, he had no choice but to accept reality.
Xia Shu looked up at the sky for a long, long time before finally sighing. His voice carried a mix of anger, despair, helplessness, bitterness, and regret. Slowly, he turned around.
Yuan Zhao glanced at Bei Chen Yuqing and said softly, “What a remarkable Anyang.”
Bei Chen Yuqing remained composed and indifferent. “My young master said that Young Master Yuan is welcome to visit anytime.”
“I will.” Yuan Zhao finally turned his head and left.
The group returning to Wuyang City was pitifully small—only a handful of attendants and officials. Many officials had chosen to stay behind and surrender to Anyang. It was clear that after this battle, even those who still held a glimmer of hope for the Great Xia Kingdom had completely understood—there was no hope left for the empire.
When he had first set out from Luliang County, Xia Shu, then still the crown prince, commanded an army of 100,000 elite soldiers. By the time he reached Wuyang City, he had become an emperor, accompanied by 300,000 civilians—including officials and merchants—who still clung to their last shred of hope for the Great Xia Kingdom.
But now, the newly enthroned Xia Shu had truly become a solitary figure. Only a few people remained by his side. There was no longer an army of 100,000, nor a following of 300,000 civilians. In fact, his entire entourage numbered less than a thousand.
A single battle to capture Dingshan City had shattered the last hopes of everyone—there was no future for the Great Xia Kingdom. Just look at the current situation: three princes, three emperors, fragmented warlord states each scheming for their own interests, forming fleeting alliances within while inviting foreign invaders from outside.
The common people of this land had long since forgotten what “Great Xia” even meant.
From now on, this land had only two possible fates—either it would be conquered or even carved up by surrounding nations, or a true ruler would rise to unify the land and establish a new empire.
Many saw hope in Anyang, which was why they chose to stay.
Bei Chen Yuqing sent men to “escort” the emperor’s group out of Anyang, heading straight for Wuyang City, the imperial capital. Meanwhile, he himself turned back toward the battlefield, toward the merchants and officials who had chosen to remain.
These merchants and officials watched Bei Chen Yuqing cautiously, not daring to breathe too loudly, afraid that even a single word might bring disaster upon them.
Bei Chen Yuqing remained silent, simply directing the soldiers to “clean up” the battlefield. The so-called cleanup meant completely eliminating those who had neither surrendered nor ceased resisting. Even those who had surrendered were tied up.
Additionally, the blood-stained battlefield needed to be dealt with. After separating their fallen comrades’ bodies, the rest were buried on the spot. Using magic, they overturned the earth, burying all traces of war beneath the ground.
After half a day of intense work, the task was finally complete. Only then did Bei Chen Yuqing turn to the captured merchants and officials. “Let’s go, gentlemen. We’re heading to Anyang (City Lord’s Mansion).”
Some of the newly surrendered officials immediately sensed something was off. “Why are we going to Anyang?”
“To face trial.” Bei Chen Yuqing coldly uttered two words.
“We didn’t participate in the war! We even surrendered voluntarily! Why are we being put on trial?” Many officials panicked. According to past conventions, surrendered officials might not be given high positions, but they were usually treated with respect.
Bei Chen Yuqing waved his hand, signaling the guards to step forward and detain all the officials and merchants. He then stepped onto a flying vessel, leaving behind just one remark:
“Anyang is governed by the rule of law. Everything must go through legal procedures. Whether you are guilty or not—it is for the law to decide.”
The surrendered officials and merchants exchanged glances, eventually sighing helplessly as they boarded the flying vessel. There was no turning back now.
A select few officials were flown directly to Anyang, while the vast number of captives were transported by train in waves, all heading toward Anyang.