Chapter 418: Chapter 263 He is Already a Grandmaster_2

Upon hearing Zhao Wenhan’s remark, the Sum Emperor chuckled coldly, “No reward, isn’t that inappropriate? If nothing is awarded, wouldn’t that chill North Prince’s heart?”

Zhao Wenhan then clasped his hands and continued, “It all depends on Your Majesty’s decision.”

As soon as the words fell, Zhao Wenhan returned to his original position.

Zhao Wenhan was merely facilitating conversation for the Sum Emperor; he could tell that the Sum Emperor had no intention of rewarding the North Prince. To say nothing of a reward, the Sum Emperor probably wished deep down that the North Prince would drop dead.

With the North Country suddenly possessing such strong military power, by the time they finished suppressing the rebellion in the South, it was likely that the court would have to start weakening the power of the vassals again. The North Prince still expected a reward? A reward of poisoned wine might be more fitting.

At that moment, the Sum Emperor’s gaze fell upon Lin Gaoyuan, “Lin, what do you think I should reward the North Prince with?”

When Lin Gaoyuan heard the Sum Emperor inquire of him, he slowly stepped out from the line, then bowed and said with his hands clasped, “Your Majesty, my thoughts align with those of Prime Minister Zhao.”

Although Lin Gaoyuan was on Lu Chen’s side, now was not a good time to speak up for Lu Chen. Anyone with clear eyes could see the big change in the Sum Emperor’s attitude toward Lu Chen.

The court officials no longer simply viewed the North Prince as the Sum Emperor’s pawn.

North Country’s development had obviously escaped the Sum Emperor’s control. Being a traditional emperor, he would never allow those from the Universal Academy to come to Great Sum and stir up trouble.

Perhaps the North Prince might have been the Sum Emperor’s pawn in the past, but certainly not now.

The Sum Emperor glanced over the people on the court floor and then asked, “Does anyone else have different thoughts?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the court hall became quiet again, not a single person speaking. The Sum Emperor then said, “It seems this is what you all think.”

“Since none of you want me to reward the North Prince, then I won’t reward him.”

“However, considering the North Prince’s great merits, even if there is no physical reward, a verbal commendation is still needed. Zhao, I will trouble you to take a trip to North Country for me to convey a few words on my behalf.”

Hearing this, Zhao Wenhan’s heart skipped a beat. He really didn’t want to go to North Country, which was no different from a dangerous place. It was clear to everyone that North Country could revolt at any moment. If he happened to arrive just as North Country started its uprising, wouldn’t he end up without even a body to be found?

However, since this was the Sum Emperor’s will, Zhao Wenhan dared not disobey. He had no choice but to respond, “Your servant, acknowledges the decree.”

The Sum Emperor continued, “Aside from the matter of the South’s warfare, do any of my beloved officials have other matters? If not, we will conclude today’s early court, for I am weary.”

No minister in the great hall spoke up, as it was evident that the Sum Emperor was in a very foul mood, and no one dared to stir the pot at this time.

Seeing that no minister spoke up, the Sum Emperor got up from the Dragon Throne and flicked his sleeve, “If there are no matters, then let it be.”

After the words were uttered, the Sum Emperor departed.

All the ministers immediately paid their respects, saying, “We respectfully send off Your Majesty!”

Once the Sum Emperor left the Xuanzheng Hall and returned to his study, his expression turned sour. But this time, he didn’t lash out at his surroundings with his Gang Qi. Instead, he spoke to the shadow behind the bookshelf, “Have those two old men from Four Directions Mountain and Fixed Wind Mountain agreed?”

Someone from within the shadow of the bookshelf responded, “Your Majesty, they are still hesitating.”

The Sum Emperor said in a cold voice, “A bunch of cowardly rats.”

For the Sum Emperor at this moment, it didn’t matter how North Country developed, but Zhuge Zhongguang absolutely must not break through to the Heavenly Human Realm.

No matter how North Country developed, it was only a mundane power, but should a Celestial of Heavenly Human Realm appear in North Country, then it would be beyond what Great Sum could handle.

The Heavenly Human Realm was the highest realm of martial arts known to people. Before the discovery of Immortals, the Heavenly Human Realm was almost synonymous with being an Immortal. Other countries or dynasties didn’t have Immortals; if an Immortal emerged in North Country, how could it still be seen just as a mundane power?

The disciples from the Mysterious Moon Palace did as they pleased in all the major dynasties, but there were few powers that dared to target the Mysterious Moon Palace. The reason was that the Mysterious Moon Palace had a Celestial, who had slain many Grandmasters. This made the major dynasties remain in fear of the Mysterious Moon Palace.

Only those hard-headed powers dared to target the Mysterious Moon Palace, such as the Chu Family from the South. The Chu Family once sought to provoke a Mysterious Moon Palace disciple over a Divine Artifact, and had it not been for Chu Yue being the Goddess of the Mysterious Moon Palace, the world might no longer remember the Chu Family.

At that point, the Sum Emperor continued to inquire, “What about Peach Blossom Valley?”

The shadow behind the bookshelf replied, “The Valley Master of Peach Blossom Valley agreed. If Your Majesty wishes to make a move against Zhuge Zhongguang, she can contact her anytime.”

Relieved to hear this, the Sum Emperor loosened up. It was okay as long as someone had agreed.

Zhuge Zhongguang was not an ordinary Grandmaster, and killing him would certainly not be easy. The Sum Emperor had to enlist the help of several Grandmasters before he could be at ease.

Thinking about this, a sharp gleam flashed in the Sum Emperor’s eyes. He asked in a somber voice, “How goes the investigation into the matter I asked you to look into?”

“Your Majesty, I still haven’t found any evidence of Consort Yue being involved with any other man. I have already investigated everyone in the palace, and my subordinates have also been to the Chu Family residence. Currently, we just haven’t investigated the Mysterious Moon Palace. If Your Majesty suspects Consort Yue of being involved with another man, then it’s most likely that the man is from the Mysterious Moon Palace.”