Seizing the Initiative

Mo Chu was very old. He had once served as chancellor in the Northern Court, assisting the Old Khan King in ruling the entire grassland and earning his deep trust. After several years in seclusion, he had been appointed City Governor of Jade City.

On the surface, it looked like a demotion. But Mo Chu had received a clear assurance from the Old Khan King: something major was about to happen in the Western Regions.

Sure enough, Northern Court cavalry poured into the Western Regions and swallowed up Shule Kingdom. Mo Chu naturally became the commander of that army.

The Old Khan King's death had struck him out of the blue. What he had never expected was that a dozen young officers would take him hostage and force him to relinquish command in such a humiliating manner.

Mo Chu knew Prince Dudun; he could say he had watched him grow up. He had seen the prince's youthful arrogance and witnessed his gradual maturity. Mo Chu had often thought that if Prince Dudun had shown him even a little respect, handing over military authority would not have been difficult. After all, this was a Northern Court tradition: when the throne was left without a clear leader, the Khan King's descendant nearest at hand could temporarily command the army.

Then, without the slightest warning, he was released. Dudun personally offered a sincere apology. Had Mo Chu not been so experienced, he might almost have believed the prince had repented.

There were still generals in the army loyal to him. After asking around, Mo Chu was astonished to discover that the person who had rescued him was probably a woman sent by the Dragon King—the drill instructor of Xiangji Kingdom's female soldiers, and the daughter of the Unrivaled King.

Mo Chu would not