"Um...... Disciple... Disciple's knowledge is shallow; how could I possibly have any suggestions..." Ye Jingyu was utterly dumbfounded...

"The told you to speak, so just speak. Why the nonsense..." Qin Xiao, standing beside him, hissed softly...

"Uh..." Seeing his own Master interject, Ye Jingyu knew he couldn't brush this off today...

"Since both the and Master think so highly of this disciple, I shall speak out of turn then. However, if what I say is foolish, I hope everyone will forgive me..." After issuing a preemptive disclaimer to the assembly, Ye Jingyu cleared his throat and began to speak...

"The has already stated that we cannot surrender. Surrender leads only to death; everyone understands this truth. What remains is to fight—a fight to the death. Since it is a fight to the death, why should we be polite to the Imperial Court? We should immediately recruit soldiers and horses and spread word everywhere about the Court's incompetence, perhaps by claiming the Emperor is debauched and the CnB unjust, even slaughtering the entire Tang Clan—over ten thousand souls—for the sake of one woman..." Ye Jingyu wasn't sure what else to say, merely reciting images of tyrannical rulers he'd read about in old novels...

"You call that an idea? Anyone who isn't a complete fool knows Luo Xiaofeng couldn't possibly do such a thing. Why would anyone believe it?" Before Ye Jingyu could finish, Qin Yuting next to him snorted coldly, her eyes brimming with disdain...

Many of the other younger disciples also wore looks of scorn. In the end, they were all consumed by jealousy that Ye Jingyu had become Qin Xiao's final disciple...

However, Qin Xuan, Qin Xiao, Qin Zhan (Second Elder), and Qin Yan (Third Elder) displayed expressions of deep thought, turning their gazes towards Ye Jingyu, as if questioning his intentions...

"They say a large chest means no brain, but I see yours is small, and this mind of yours seems small too?" Ye Jingyu seized the opportunity to strike back at Qin Yuting, declaring it loudly on the spot, his shifty eyes deliberately sweeping across her bosom...

"You..."

"Silence!" Qin Yan, who had maintained a blank expression until now, suddenly roared at his daughter, startling Qin Yuting so much that her body trembled and the curse she was about to utter was swallowed down immediately...

"Junior Martial Nephew Ye, please continue," Qin Yan then turned and said gently to Ye Jingyu...

Ye Jingyu glanced at Qin Yuting's ashen, furious face, a cold smirk touching his lips, then smiled back at Qin Yan and continued, "We know the inside story, which is why we know Luo Xiaofeng is not that kind of person. But what about those who don't know the inside story? Over a thousand masters of the Tang Clan, all slaughtered—that's over a thousand lives! What will outsiders think? Luo Xiaofeng is indeed a talent who understands the importance of swift force, but this is also his fatal weakness. To catch the Tang Clan off guard, he didn't even bother manufacturing a pretext before annihilating them. How would ordinary citizens think? How would the common folk see this? Such a massive sect wiped out so easily—does that not suggest even less security for regular people like themselves..."

"You mean... build momentum?" Qin Xuan's eyes suddenly brightened...

"Yes, build momentum. The bigger, the better. We must build momentum not only in Ninglang Commandery () (all novels read on .1.(1.m.literature.net) but also in Shu Commandery (), Yun Commandery (), and Ba Commandery (), making the entire Shu Yun Kingdom aware of Luo Xiaofeng's CnB. Only then will we have a chance to replace him," Ye Jingyu stated casually...

But as soon as his words landed, looks of extreme astonishment spread across everyone's faces. Replace him...

Weren't his words tantamount to treason?

Although what the White Cloud Manor () was doing was practically treason anyway, in their hearts, they still considered themselves martial artists only. Though they habitually looked down on the Imperial Court, deep down, they still viewed it as the legitimate authority. Their actions were merely about preserving their own power. To replace the ruler—no one, not a single person, had ever considered that path...

Now, Ye Jingyu had stated it so casually, how could they not be shocked...

The look of shock slowly vanished from Qin Xuan's face, replaced by realization. Why hadn't he ever thought of it himself? Could he become the State Ruler?

", are kings and nobles born to their stations? If Luo Xiaofeng can become a monarch, and you, , possess great wisdom, profound righteousness, and supreme martial skill, why can you not?" Seeing the surprise on Qin Xuan's face slowly morph into hesitation, Ye Jingyu, having already burned his bridges, spoke again...

Are kings and nobles born to their stations?

At these words, Qin Xuan's eyes lit up. Yes, over a hundred years ago, the Luo family, starting as a martial arts household, unified the Shu Yun Kingdom. They weren't born as royalty either. If they could do it, why couldn't he? If the fight was to the death anyway, why not make it spectacular? Even if they ultimately failed, at least their names would be recorded throughout history, wouldn't they?

Seeing the burning intensity in Qin Xuan's gaze, the great elders in the hall also adopted thoughtful expressions. This was a matter concerning the very survival of the White Cloud Manor; they dared not be careless...

Incited by Ye Jingyu's words, the desires buried deep within Qin Xuan's heart were magnified infinitely. He had initially only intended to secure their current territory in Ninglang Commandery, but now he was contemplating how to possess the entire Shu Yun Kingdom...

Even if the Shu Yun Kingdom was merely a vassal state of the Tianyuan Empire (), it was still the seat of a monarch, infinitely nobler than his current position as the White Cloud Manor's .

Solely because of a casual remark from Ye Jingyu, the previously united leadership of the White Cloud Manor descended into chaos. A fight was certain, but the Fourth and Fifth Elders argued for merely repelling the Imperial Army. Once the Court's forces were severely wounded, surely the Court would not press the fight to the death, as sending the nation's elite to crush a mere martial arts faction (BngPi) would be a net loss...

However, the war-loving Second Elder Qin Zhan, Sixth Elder Qin Ke, and Seventh Elder Qin Yu advocated fighting to the bitter end, promoting Qin Xuan's ascension to the throne...

If that happened, the White Cloud Manor would be renamed the White Cloud Kingdom, and they would be the founding heroes, securing eternal fame...

Only the First Elder Qin Xiao and Third Elder Qin Yan offered no opinions. Qin Xiao's face was clouded with worry, while Qin Yan’s remained perpetually unchanged...

What transpired next was beyond the knowledge of Ye Jingyu and the others. Everyone except the Seven Elders and the was dismissed from the main hall. Ye Jingyu gave Qin Yuting no chance to cause further trouble, quickly leaving the scene and focusing instead on planning his departure from the White Cloud Manor...