Today's third update: Chapter 3155! 3/4!
Erh's tightly reasoned, step-by-step rebuttal flowed like spilled mercury, leaving the Eight Wise Kings utterly speechless and blocking every attempt he made to shift the blame.
Though countless doubts and suspicions still lingered deep in his heart, faced with ironclad facts and Erh's unassailable questions, he could produce no substantial evidence to support his accusations.
If he continued arguing over who had been right or wrong in the process, it would only further highlight Erh's "consideration for the greater good" and expose himself as a loser who could not accept defeat and slandered his own son.
"Fine... fine! I admit it!" The Eight Wise Kings seemed to have all his strength drained away as he conceded hoarsely.
"This failure was indeed caused by my refusal to believe you, along with my arrogance and underestimation of the enemy. But now, how did you manage to win over all these uncles of yours in such a short time, getting them to support you and jointly nominate you as Acting Tortoise Lord?"
He changed his angle, attempting to work backward from the outcome to find the cause. He stared sharply at Erh. "Do you dare say that what you did today was not the long-planned ambition of a wolf-hearted traitor?!"
That was indeed a crucial question.
Erh, a Crown Prince born of a concubine, had never been valued within the Black Tortoise Race. All of the Eight Wise Kings' political resources and favor had been poured into his deceased legitimate son, Si.
What right did he have to rapidly gain the full support of eight princes, including Xuan Shiba, who had only just awakened and seen his strength skyrocket, when the clan was in turmoil?
Who would believe there had been no long-term secret maneuvering and