The stirrings in the south.
Threw the north into a panic.
When the emperor received the news.
He was both shocked and furious.
He stared at Song Wuya, who knelt trembling on the floor.
His face was so dark it could have dripped water.
"Rebellion!"
"They dare defy heaven itself!"
The emperor's roars echoed through the vast, empty hall.
At the sound, the eunuchs and palace maids attending within dropped to their knees, trembling all over.
Song Wuya swallowed.
"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. Please calm your anger. Your imperial health must come first."
The emperor drew a deep breath.
He forcibly suppressed his rage.
He leaned back on the Dragon Throne.
A long while passed.
Then the emperor slowly spoke. "Go. Summon that old fox Wen Zhong to the palace."
"As you command."
Song Wuya rose.
He respectfully backed out of the palace.
Then he became a streak of light.
And flew toward the Chancellor's Residence.
Before long.
Steady footsteps sounded outside the hall.
Wen Zhong, prime minister of Great Zhou, stepped over the high threshold in his official robes.
His expression was unchanged, as still as an ancient well.
Upon seeing the emperor, Wen Zhong bowed slightly in greeting.
"Your old servant Wen Zhong pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Dispense with the formalities."
The emperor raised a hand, the gloom still lingering in his eyes.
"You must already know about the movements in the south, Prime Minister Wen?"
Wen Zhong straightened and nodded.
The emperor sneered and suddenly slammed his hand onto the Dragon Throne's armrest.
"Li Xinge, that treasonous wretch! That scheming villain! That rebel! That vile scoundrel!"
"My Princess Royal has been sweeping through the Northern Border like a blade splitting bamboo. The World-Cleansing Evil Cult is on the verge of destruction."
"For him