All the ministers were gathered inside the Imperial Palace. Under their watchful eyes, Kan Yong could not help feeling guilty. He stammered for a long while, unable to find anything to say, and could only look toward Sahami.
Sahami was furious and anxious. This fool was mud that could never be plastered onto a wall. At the crucial moment, all he could do was stare with those bear-like eyes. Where had all his usual swagger gone?
Chancellor Hu Bilü cleared his throat and said gravely, "Your Majesty, Qin Prefecture has fallen. Its defending commander, Han Zhan, cannot escape responsibility... Rumor in the army has it that Han Zhan neglected his duties and refused battle, allowing the opportunity to slip away and bringing misfortune upon the Eldest Prince... This old minister believes we must severely punish the Han Household and restore discipline to the army..."
Kan Riletu sat on the dragon throne, his withered fingers tracing the mottled cracks in its armrest. Since his ancestor had united the tribes of the Western Regions and founded the Western Liang Kingdom, this throne had been passed down for over a thousand years.
Now the palace exuded an air of decay in the drizzle, much like the Adam's apple that tottered on his age-spotted neck.
The old emperor's mind wandered. His fingers rapidly turned his prayer beads, yet waves of dread rose within him. What had happened... Why had the ritual artifact gifted by the Great Shaman suddenly lost its connection to him?
"Report-the Chen army's vanguard has passed Sunset Glow Pass!"
The messenger's voice trembled with tears as he stumbled inside, smashing a glazed screen and knocking over a purple-gold incense burner. Blue smoke slithered through the hall like a snake before dispersing.
Veins bulged on the back of the old emperor's hand