Just as the old patriarch forced me to my death, I achieved the unity of Dao and fruition.

"The entire Liu clan has been exterminated!"

The monk finished speaking.

The vast central command tent fell into an eerie silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Lu Cheng'an held his wine cup, not speaking immediately, but the smile in his eyes faded slightly.

The generals of the Yellow Heaven Army and the cultivators of the Immortal Sect on both sides had different expressions.

Some were shocked by the speed at which Beishuo had changed hands, while others looked at Gu Cangyue and his son with a hint of amusement in their eyes.

Just now, these two were saying that with Lady Liu in charge, Beishuo would not be in chaos.

Before they could finish speaking, they were told that the Liu family was gone, and the entire Liu clan was gone.

Gu Changming sat there, his smile completely frozen.

He opened his mouth, seemingly unable to understand the meaning of those words at all.

"What...did you say?"

The cultivator who was gathering information lowered his head and repeated what he had just said.

"The new Xuan King Gu Changjin personally killed the Crown Princess Liu, and then ordered the extermination of the Liu clan."

"Now all seven prefectures of Beishuo have pledged allegiance to the new Xuan King."

"impossible!"

Gu Changming suddenly stood up, causing the table in front of him to shake.

"The Liu family possesses a temporary imperial edict left by the King, as well as the support of the royal treasury, personal guards, and most of the former officials!"

"Who does Gu Changjin think he is?"

"He's nothing but a good-for-nothing who only knows how to loaf around and wait to die. How could he possibly kill the Liu family, and how could he possibly control the seven prefectures of Beishuo in just a few days?!"

The monk did not respond.

None of the generals or monks in the tent echoed this sentiment.

Everyone just watched Gu Changming silently.

His gaze held scrutiny, mockery, and pity.

The facts are already clear.

The more Gu Changming denied it, the more ridiculous he seemed.

"It's fake! This must be fake!"

Gu Changming's eyes quickly became bloodshot, and his breathing became increasingly rapid.

Although his cultivation had reached the first rank of martial arts master, at this moment, the pain of losing his wife, the loss of control in Bei Shuo, and the shame and anger of losing face in front of everyone in the tent all surged into his heart at the same time, causing his blood and qi to suddenly surge in reverse.

"puff!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

Gu Changming staggered and crashed heavily into the table behind him.

"May it burn forever!"

Gu Cangyue's expression changed, and he quickly helped his son up.

Immediately, he slammed his hand on the table.

boom!

The sturdy wooden table immediately cracked with several fissures.

"The traitor!"

Gu Cangyue's hair and beard bristled with rage, and his eyes surged with murderous intent.

"I never realized this rebellious son was so cunning!"

"To murder one's elder sister-in-law, exterminate one's in-laws, and seize the throne while one's father and brothers are away—this is utterly heartless and worse than a beast!"

After venting his anger for a moment, he seemed to suddenly remember where he was, and quickly suppressed his anger, turned around and bowed to Lu Cheng'an at the head of the table.

"My lord, my family is unfortunate, and I apologize for making you laugh at me."

"Originally, according to my plan, that rebellious son was to stay in Beishuo to inherit the throne, to secure the Heavenly Fortune of Cangtian with the title of Xuan King, and to bear the surveillance of Tianjing and the court on our behalf."

"Then, the Liu family will take control of the palace and its surroundings, and appease the former officials of the seven prefectures. When the time is right, they can continue to supply the lord with provisions and weapons."

"Who could have imagined that that rebellious son had already attained celestial status and would commit such a heinous act?!"

As Gu Cangyue spoke, a hint of shame appeared on his face.

"It was my misjudgment that caused Beishuo to spiral out of control and ruined your grand plan, my lord!"

"We beg your lord to punish us!"

Lu Cheng'an finally put down his wine cup.

But there was no hint of blame on his face. Instead, he quickly stepped down from the main seat and personally helped Gu Cangyue up.

"Why does the Mysterious King say this?"

"In the Battle of Chensha Plain, without the daring assistance of Prince Xuan and the Crown Prince, how could our army have possibly defeated the 300,000-strong rebellion army of Dayin in one fell swoop?"

"No one expected the unexpected turn of events in Beishuo."

How can this be your fault?

After speaking, he looked at Gu Changming, who was already breathing erratically, with concern on his face.

"Someone, bring me the best heart-protecting pills."

"The Crown Prince has been deeply disturbed by the terrible news and must not be angered again."

"Prince Xuan, please take the Crown Prince to rest first. We can discuss the matter of Beishuo after the Crown Prince's injuries have stabilized."

Gu Cangyue's lips moved, and a hint of gratitude appeared in his eyes.

"Your subordinate is incompetent, yet your lord remains so magnanimous..."

"I will forever remember your great kindness, my lord!"

Lu Cheng'an patted his arm.

"Once you join our army, you are all comrades-in-arms."

"We're family, no need for such formalities."

Soon, Gu Cangyue helped Gu Changming leave the central command tent.

Lu Cheng'an reassured the generals in the tent for a few more words before waving them away.

A moment later, he was the only one left in the huge tent.

At that moment, the screen behind the tent swayed gently, and a graceful figure emerged from the shadows.

The woman's name was Ji Wantang.

Her eyes and brows were charming, her black hair flowed like a waterfall, and a moon-white long dress outlined her graceful figure.

The moon-white token hanging at his waist did not belong to the Huangting Dao Palace, which had been supporting Lu Cheng'an.

Ji Wantang walked behind Lu Cheng'an, stretched out her slender hand, and gently massaged his shoulders.

"This Xuan King and his son are not honest."

"He claims to be acting for the sake of the people, but in reality, he leaves his own son in Beishuo to attract the court's attention, preparing to make him suffer the wrath of Cangtian Tianlu and Tianjing."

"They faked their deaths to escape and went to Lu Lang's place."

"Now that their schemes have failed, their wives have been killed, and Beishuo has been seized, they are instead cursing others for being heartless and treacherous."

Ji Wantang chuckled softly.

"That's really interesting."

After listening, Lu Cheng'an could only shake his head helplessly.

In chaotic times, who wouldn't want to leave themselves a way out?

"Although Gu Cangyue and his son concealed some things, they did indeed help me win the battle of Chensha Plain."

"They've already joined my ranks. If I keep dwelling on the past, who will dare to join me in the future?"

"You."

Ji Wantang leaned down, her tone carrying a hint of intimacy.

"It's because you think too highly of people."

"I'm open and honest with everyone, and I'm not afraid of being bitten in the back one day."

"Lu Lang, you should be more wary of them in the future. You can't always expect to win their hearts with sincerity."

Lu Cheng'an raised his hand and took her hand, smiling gently:

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Ji Wantang was finally satisfied.

After exchanging a few more words with him, a faint light suddenly flashed from the moon-white token at her waist.

Ji Wantang glanced at it, then bid farewell to Lu Cheng'an and turned to leave the tent.

Lu Cheng'an did not ask what message was coming from the token.

It did not stop her from reporting what happened in the tent that day back to the immortal sect behind her.

Huangting Daogong was his earliest supporter, but he would not be the only one.

He never imagined that he and Huang Tian would tie their entire future to a celestial sect.

A beautiful woman is both a source of affection and a bond.

Different immortal sects, different aristocratic families, and different military forces can only be truly used by him if they check and balance each other.

As for the kindness and concern shown earlier, it wasn't entirely false.

Since Gu Cangyue and his son were willing to serve him, he was naturally willing to give them a way out.

Being tolerant doesn't mean being unable to judge others.

If one can be kind and benevolent throughout one's life, making all followers feel that they have encountered a wise ruler, then what difference does it make whether this kindness is genuine or not?

The gentle smile on Lu Cheng'an's face gradually faded.

He walked back to the map and his gaze fell on the location of Beishuo Prefecture.

Despite such devastating news and before the imperial decree from Tianjing was issued, he swiftly and decisively seized control of Beishuo.

More importantly, where did the seven grass and wood armies mentioned in the intelligence, which can condense the military souls of terrestrial immortals, come from?

The "waste" that Gu Cangyue and his son spoke of was clearly not that simple.

Lu Cheng'an extended a finger and gently touched the Northern Shuo Royal City.

"Gu family's second son... he's quite interesting."