Yujing, imperial city, Golden Chimes Hall.
Emperor Qian sat high upon the throne, watching the civil and military officials argue heatedly over whether to accept Pudu Mountain's surrender.
The ministers had split into two camps, each with their own reasoning and interests behind them. Neither side would yield, and the Golden Chimes Hall was livelier than a marketplace.
Suddenly, a cry brimming with wild joy rang in from outside the hall. "Great victory! Great victory! General of the Northern Expedition Marquis Jiang has led the army to crush the Rakshasa Race's forces, beheading more than two hundred thousand enemies, including five Rakshasa Kings!!!"
The Golden Chimes Hall fell silent in an instant. Emperor Qian rose excitedly to his feet, staring toward the entrance as though he wished the messenger would rush before him at once.
The civil and military officials also turned toward the entrance, waiting for the messenger to enter the hall.
The shout of victory drew nearer and nearer. After the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, the messenger finally rushed into the Golden Chimes Hall, dropped to one knee before Emperor Qian, and presented the dispatch.
Emperor Qian eagerly opened the dispatch and read it. A moment later, he could not help throwing back his head in laughter.
At that moment, a minister stepped forward and raised a question. "Your Majesty, General of the Northern Expedition Marquis Jiang has commanded the northern border for less than two months. Such a tremendous victory has suddenly been reported. I fear there may be falsehood and exaggeration in it!"
This minister had been deeply influenced by the Buddhist sect and had secretly received Pudu Mountain's support. He was precisely one of the ministers advocating that the court accept Pudu Mountain's surrender.
Once an influential minister voiced