"Quick! Quick! Quick! Summon the Loyal Earl to an audience!" The three rapid-fire demands utterly betrayed Luo Xiaofeng's state of mind. Against the overwhelming and unstoppable assault led by Xuanyuan Xiaozhan, where even his most trusted generals, including the favored Xiao Geng, were utterly helpless, Ye Jingyu had become Luo Xiaofeng's last desperate hope.

Hearing Luo Xiaofeng’s urgent words, Eunuch Yan, tasked with conveying the decree, rushed out in a flurry, soon returning with Ye Jingyu, clad in a robe of deep, inky black brocade...

"Your subject, Ye Jingyu, pays respects to Your Majesty!" Ye Jingyu glanced briefly over the assembled crowd in the great hall, offered slight nods toward Luo Ruofeng and Zhuge Yi, and then cupped his hands in salute to Luo Xiaofeng.

Several years had passed, yet Ye Jingyu remained the only person permitted to address the Emperor without kneeling—a testament to the depth of favor he enjoyed.

Initially, Luo Xiaofeng was merely a sovereign, wary of the power base behind Ye Jingyu. Even after ascending the throne, knowing Ye Jingyu was the disciple of that formidable madman, he dared not issue any real commands.

The entire court was long accustomed to this scene. Though tinged with jealousy, dissatisfaction, and envy, no one dared speak out, especially at this critical juncture; even Crown Prince Luo Haitian offered no visible reaction.

"Rise, my esteemed subject. Guards, prepare a seat for him!" Were it not for the constraints of his station, Luo Xiaofeng would likely have stepped forward personally to assist Ye Jingyu up.

The moment the word "seat" was uttered, the assembly gasped again. Just how deeply favored was this Ye Jingyu? The assembled Crown Prince, Princes, and Marquises stood without places, yet this mere Earl was granted the privilege of sitting? This was especially grating for those unaware of the formidable figure, Dugu Ba-Chen, standing behind Ye Jingyu.

Still, no one dared to speak up then about protocol being violated, unless they were actively inviting a fight with Luo Xiaofeng himself...

"I thank Your Majesty for the gracious offer, but given the urgency of the moment, let us dispense with formalities. Let us discuss methods to repel the enemy instead!" Ye Jingyu cut straight to the point, wasting no words.

The crowd stared, astonished. This man dared refuse the Emperor’s goodwill? His audacity was excessive! Yet, these words struck Luo Xiaofeng with a wave of satisfaction. See? he thought, this is what a loyal subject is—one whose every thought is for the nation and the court, someone who even pushes aside a personal seat offered by the Emperor.

"Does my esteemed subject know the details of the current predicament?" Luo Xiaofeng was not one for affected courtesy and asked directly.

"Your Majesty, I have just returned to the city. Seeing the thirty legions surrounding the capital, I had no time to have intelligence reports delivered before rushing to the Imperial Palace. I am not fully appraised of the situation," Ye Jingyu replied calmly.

"Xuanyuan Xiaozhan leads thirty legions south. Ten thousand of them are the Storm Warriors, the most formidable troops of the Tianyuan Empire, personally trained by Xuanyuan Xiaozhan himself—their combat prowess is unparalleled. Meanwhile, Yun Jing can muster only eighty thousand Imperial Guards and sixty thousand City Defense Forces. If others were leading the enemy, I have plenty of generals who could shatter them. But Xuanyuan Xiaozhan’s progress has been relentless, and his thirty legions advance with unyielding momentum. In contrast, our army’s morale is low. Defending Yun Jing will be difficult. The armies of the Western Chu Empire are currently bogged down and cannot advance east for the time being. The fastest relief forces from other regions will not arrive for another three days at least," Luo Xiaofeng stated plainly.

"Your Majesty, since our morale is low, allow this humble servant to boost the spirit of the warriors. I humbly request to lead troops out to battle!" Ye Jingyu declared, his voice ringing high, his face alight with confidence.

Everyone froze. They had expected Ye Jingyu to present some brilliant strategy. After all that, he simply volunteered to fight? Did he not know the terror of Xuanyuan Xiaozhan? Did he not understand that war was no parlor game? Under these circumstances, merely holding the city was an achievement; to sally forth and meet the enemy—wasn't this suicide?

"Good. How many men do you require? I grant it!" To everyone's surprise, Luo Xiaofeng agreed instantly.

The pronouncement silenced the entire hall. How could the Emperor trust Ye Jingyu so deeply?

"Your Majesty, this must not be done!" At this moment, the Minister of War, Hai Li, stepped forward. He was the one who had ousted the previous Minister of War. As a member of the Hai family, he naturally sided with the Crown Prince and had long been displeased with Ye Jingyu’s favored treatment. Hearing Ye Jingyu propose such an absurd demand and having it immediately approved by the Emperor, he could no longer remain silent.

"Must not? Very well. I shall entrust you with all one hundred and forty thousand soldiers. Can you drive back the thirty legions outside the city for me?" Luo Xiaofeng thumped the long table, his voice booming.

The Minister of War instantly trembled, his legs giving way, causing him to collapse onto the floor, repeatedly knocking his head in supplication. He dared not utter another word. To challenge Xuanyuan Xiaozhan, the foremost War God under Heaven—he wouldn't dare face him head-on!

Seeing the Emperor’s rising fury, the others dared not voice further objections.

"Esteemed subject Ye, tell me precisely how many troops you need!" Luo Xiaofeng ignored the prostrating Minister of War and turned back to Ye Jingyu.

Ye Jingyu glanced at the groveling Hai Li, a faint sneer touching the corner of his mouth. How did such a blockhead manage to become Minister of War?

"Your subject does not require..." To everyone's shock, Ye Jingyu shook his head.

"Hmm?" Everyone blinked, staring at Ye Jingyu in confusion.

"Has Your Majesty forgotten the ten thousand warriors under my command? Now is the time to alleviate Your Majesty's burdens," Ye Jingyu said calmly. A wave of dread swept over the assembly—it was the Seventh Order of the Cloud Guard...

Seeing that Ye Jingyu was not asking for reinforcements but instead offered to use the ten thousand men he had only recently assembled, a flicker of emotion stirred within Luo Xiaofeng. He was deeply moved that, at this critical juncture, Ye Jingyu displayed not a shred of self-interest.

He knew the true nature of the Seventh Order of the Cloud Guard; it was the martial power Ye Jingyu had painstakingly accumulated, his primary leverage for protecting the Third Prince later or aiding him in seizing power. To offer it up now to break the siege—this was genuine loyalty.

Luo Ruofeng, however, showed a look of surprise; he clearly had not anticipated Ye Jingyu making such a decision.

The Seventh Order of the Cloud Guard was composed of the true elite of the Iron Army—his greatest asset. Now, that asset was to be pitted against the mightiest, Xuanyuan Xiaozhan. Even if victory were achieved, what would he have left to contend with his elder brother?

Despite his doubts, Luo Ruofeng still held deep faith in Ye Jingyu's judgment.

"Good. Esteemed subject Ye is indeed a loyal subject of our Southern Cloud. Regardless of the outcome, I shall record this as your foremost merit!" Luo Xiaofeng stated solemnly.

"If I fail, this subject shall present my head for judgment!" Ye Jingyu directly sealed his own retreat, his tone equally grave.

(Over six thousand characters, three chapters~)