Chapter 115: A Meeting of Storms and Clouds—Who Will Rise as the True King?

For some reason, Zhu Yan’s mind suddenly calmed, and with a cold sneer, he muttered to himself, “Just say it and come? Heh, could it be they’ve come to challenge me?”

“Let them in!” Zhu Yan commanded loudly, sweeping his wide sleeves as he took his seat.

Before long, Hu Yihu entered, accompanied by two elderly men who appeared frail and aged. Hu Yihu wore a stern expression, while the two elders looked serene, almost as if asleep.

Prince Yong Zhu Fei and Prince Rong Zhu Yu—Zhu Yan’s second and third uncles—held exceptionally high status in the Tianhuo Empire, figures Zhu Yan had no choice but to face seriously.

“Why have my two imperial uncles and Minister Hu all come to see me at once? Has something重大 happened? Please, have a seat. Don’t tire yourselves,” Zhu Yan said, his mood now calm, a faint smile lingering on his face.

Zhu Fei and Zhu Yu nodded slightly and sat down, while Hu Yihu remained standing, motionless.

Zhu Yan stared at Hu Yihu in surprise, smiling as he asked, “Minister Hu, why don’t you sit?”

Hu Yihu smiled faintly. “Your Majesty has asked the two old princes to sit. As for me, I dare not.”

Zhu Yan chuckled, “Minister Hu, you jest. Given your position in the Tianhuo Empire, if I made you stand, that would be my failing. I rely on your loyalty to safeguard the realm; you should understand.”

There was clearly more beneath Zhu Yan’s words. Zhu Fei and Zhu Yu both closed their eyes slightly, as if not hearing him. Hu Yihu said no more and took a seat.

From what had been relayed in the imperial study, it was clear that Zhu Yan had already been enraged earlier by the words of Ju Chunyang and the others.

Seeing Hu Yihu silent, Zhu Yan refrained from pressing further. Leaning back in his fur-covered chair, he looked at Zhu Fei and Zhu Yu with puzzlement. Why had these two usually indifferent old men come with Hu Yihu? Moreover, why had Hu Yihu deliberately chosen this moment? His immediate thought was that Hu Yihu was provoking him!

At this thought, a burning hatred welled up inside him, but he could not vent it, leaving him deeply uneasy.

“My two imperial uncles, if there is something, please speak plainly,” Zhu Yan said, still smiling politely.

“Heh, let old Hu speak. He wanted to see Your Majesty and invited us two old men along to liven things up,” Zhu Fei said casually. He was about Hu Yihu’s age, even a few years older, but not a warrior, which made him appear much frailer.

Zhu Yu nodded in agreement. This deepened Zhu Yan’s confusion; he had no idea when Zhu Fei and Zhu Yu had grown so close to Hu Yihu.

Zhu Yan nodded. “Since my two imperial uncles say so, Minister Hu, please.”

Hu Yihu stood and stepped before Zhu Yan, bluntly asking, “Your Majesty, how many truly loyal ministers do you think you have around you?”

Hu Yihu’s words struck like a needle. Zhu Yan’s face darkened instantly. He sneered coldly, “Minister Hu, that’s a strange thing to say. Though I sit on the throne, I know well that distinguishing loyalty from treachery is no easy matter. Could it be you know who is loyal and who is not? Heh, then please enlighten me.”

Zhu Yan’s anger showed involuntarily, and it was not easy to dissipate.

Zhu Fei and Zhu Yu leaned back silently, their presence merely filling the room as they had said.

Hu Yihu ignored the resentment in Zhu Yan’s tone and smiled slightly. “Your Majesty is right. Loyalty and treachery are not easily discerned. Sometimes those who seem loyal may not be, and vice versa. Your Majesty, do you think this old minister is loyal or treacherous?”

Zhu Fei and Zhu Yu slightly lifted their heads. Though their eyes remained half-closed, they were clearly drawn to Hu Yihu’s question.

Zhu Yan frowned deeply, his anger flaring. He truly did not understand what Hu Yihu was playing at—coming now, at such a critical moment, and posing such a sensitive question. What was his intention?

Previously, Zhu Yan had some suspicion toward Hu Yihu but had not classified him among the treacherous. However, since learning of Hu Mo’s deep concealment, his suspicion had grown. Now, he regarded Hu Yihu as the epitome of treachery.

“Heh, Minister Hu, you jest. The Hu family is a lineage of fierce generals and loyal ministers over three generations. How could you be treacherous? I rely on you to guard the borders, slay enemies, and protect the realm. If anyone calls you treacherous, I will personally sever their head!” Zhu Yan slammed his hand on the chair, cracking the fine wood.

His fury surged, and though the outburst brought some relief, Hu Yihu’s eyes saw through the veiled anger. He smiled quietly, watching Zhu Yan with calm composure.

As Zhu Yan’s wrath cooled somewhat, Hu Yihu shifted tone, smiling as he asked, “Then, Your Majesty, do you not care about the charge that this old minister concealed the truth? Ju Chunyang and the other two should have told you everything—and perhaps even exaggerated some details.”

“You!” Zhu Yan suddenly widened his eyes, fixing Hu Yihu with a fierce glare. He had not expected such bluntness, which was little different from openly defying him.

Zhu Fei and Zhu Yu opened their eyes simultaneously, watching the wrathful Zhu Yan. Zhu Fei said calmly, “Your Majesty, do not be angry. Old Hu has already told us much. We came here to resolve this matter.”

Zhu Yan’s expression softened slightly, though anger still simmered. He glared at Hu Yihu and growled, “Hu Yihu, if you have something to say, say it! I’m listening!”

Hu Yihu’s face remained unchanged as he replied calmly, “Your Majesty, I know you now distrust me deeply, believing the Hu family harbors ill intentions. But I want to say I have no desire to oppose you. You should know the power I hold in the Tianhuo Empire. If I truly wished to rebel, would I have waited until now? Your Majesty is wise beyond mortals; I believe you understand what I mean.”

“Hmph! Does that mean you have no intention to rebel? Hu Yihu, my late father valued you greatly, seeing you as a brother. Yet you hid the truth from me for so long. What am I to think? ThatI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.