The Crown Prince's Inner Circle

The doctrines of yin and yang held extraordinary mysteries, and the Yin-Yang School's fearsome reputation had once shaken the world.

No one knew what hidden resources the Yin-Yang School had left behind, but even someone as formidable as Grand Commandant Zhou had failed. The officials who had once clamored to seize Zou Bugui for questioning fell silent.

At a time like this, whoever spoke up would have to do the actual work, and whoever did the actual work would run into trouble.

Emperor Jing sat in the hall of Weiyang Palace, looking at the officials who had once been filled with righteous indignation but now said nothing and dared not pursue the truth behind "Xiong State's attack on Han." Again and again, he suppressed the urge to curse them as good-for-nothings.

They had picked the softest persimmon to squeeze, choosing the easiest target in their search for the truth behind the matter.

Yet even Grand Commandant Zhou had capsized on that soft persimmon.

The realm belonged to the Great Han Dynasty, but the remnants of various sects' resources endured. Some were not inferior to the imperial court's, and the ancient treasures left behind by certain schools could even surpass those of the court.

Some old relics were enough to make even Emperor Jing wary.

He frowned and studied the many officials below him.

Wherever his gaze fell, some officials quickly lowered their heads, afraid to meet his eyes.

Emperor Jing was strong.

He was strong enough to truly hold his place as ruler of the Great Han Dynasty, and strong enough to make those in every direction wary of him.

But no one knew just how strong Emperor Jing was.

To date, Emperor Jing had no publicly known victories to his name.

Yet no emperor, vassal king, lord of a