Inside the command tent of the West City Camp, when Commandery Lieutenant Tang Ao's personal guard reported every detail of what had happened at the camp gate—especially that First Army Commander Che Ben had already knelt and accepted the Imperial Decree, pledging his allegiance—Tang Ao and Supervisor Ma were both left dumbfounded.
They had never imagined that their carefully crafted plan, backed by absolute strength, would be dismantled by Ye Zhen in mere moments.
In a rage, Commandery Lieutenant Tang Ao lunged forward, seized the personal guard by the collar, and roared, "Speak! How did that Ye make traitor Che Ben submit?"
"R-Reporting to my lord, Lord Ye brought out... the Imperial Decree and displayed the seal. When Commander Che refused to kneel, Lord Ye accused him... of colluding with the Devil Race in rebellion. He said he would send an urgent memorial to Luoyi and request that Luoyi dispatch an army to suppress the rebellion..."
After the personal guard stammered out his report, Commandery Lieutenant Tang Ao froze. So did Supervisor Ma of the Western Patrol Envoy Department.
"An open scheme..." After a long moment of stunned silence, Supervisor Ma spat out those two words in utter disbelief.
Commandery Lieutenant Tang Ao's expression had become exceedingly grave. "That's right, an open scheme! This is an open and righteous scheme, one carried out in broad daylight. Before such a scheme, all our conspiracies and tricks... have nowhere to hide.
Like snow beneath a blazing sun, they will vanish in an instant! Unless..."
"Unless what?" Supervisor Ma hurriedly asked.
"Unless we truly rebel. Otherwise, before this open scheme, we... can only submit!" As he spoke, Commandery Lieutenant Tang Ao's gaze toward Supervisor Ma suddenly changed.
Supervisor Ma's neck shrank back. Instinctively sensing danger, he hastily cupped his hands. "Since that is