To Reveal Loyalty by Slicing Open the Heart and Liver, and Repay Grace with Fresh Blood!

"Military report from Zhao Cheng: Handan has been recovered!"

The face of the Chief of the Gentlemen of the Palace was a mask of disbelief, a mixture of shock and incredulity, his hands trembling as he held the scroll.

This voice, like a thunderclap, resonated throughout the great hall, instantly silencing all the accusations against Zhao Cheng and leaving only an endless, heavy stillness in its wake.

All the ministers turned back in astonishment to look at the report in the official's hands, their minds seemingly stalled; their eyes were wide, as if they had yet to process the news.

Lord Changping was struck as if by lightning, standing frozen in the middle of the hall, staring blankly at the Chief of the Gentlemen of the Palace for a long moment.

"Chief of the Gentlemen of the Palace, whose military report did you say this was?"

The official pointed to the noble seal of Zhao Cheng on the report. "The military report of Supreme General Zhao Cheng!"

"Handan! Handan has been recovered!"

Lord Changping shuddered again, stepping forward to take the report into his own hands; the seal of Zhao Cheng was blindingly conspicuous.

The two characters for Handan struck him like a bolt from the blue, catching him completely off guard.

How could this be!?

Was Zhao Cheng not in Yingchuan Commandery, serving as a commandant and spending his days drinking and making merry?

How could he suddenly appear in Handan and seize the city?

This... when did he mobilize his troops? Why did I know nothing of this?

After a brief, stunned silence, an uproar erupted throughout the hall.

"Handan recovered!?"

"When did General Zhao Cheng mobilize his troops? Isn't he the commandant in Yingchuan Commandery?"

"The Chancellor just said he was drinking and playing every day, that