Lu Xingkong knelt properly and performed the grand ritual of paying respects before answering, "Your Majesty, this old subject knows nothing of the matter."
"Starry Sky Academy sends students to the Illusory Realm every year for training and exploration. This time, the losses were the greatest in a thousand years." Chu Xianda spoke in a deep voice, yet a mocking smile touched the corner of his lips. "I just received the list. Li Mu Yang, who ranked first in the Literary Examination of my Xifeng Empire, actually perished in the Illusory Realm. It truly pains me. If only we had known earlier, why wait until now? If he had come to Xifeng University in my capital to study, how could such a thing have happened?"
Lu Xingkong's heart sank violently. He calmed himself during the instant he lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. If Li Mu Yang had come to Xifeng University to study, how could such a tragedy have occurred? Such a gifted man dying so young—we truly have failed to live up to the imperial selection bestowed by Your Majesty's own hand."
"Indeed." Chu Xianda looked down at Lu Xingkong's expression. He was the emperor. When it came to military power, he had no way to completely push Lu Xingkong aside. However, the ruler was the ruler and the subject was the subject. So long as the old fellow was before him and he had not ordered him to rise, Lu Xingkong could not climb to his feet on his own.
At some point, Chu Xianda had developed a liking for this sort of prank. Perhaps it had begun when his repeated attempts to reclaim military authority had all ended in failure.
"Before this, I had held great hopes for Li Mu Yang. I