Chapter 143: Heartless and Ruthless
Wen Yu was no ordinary figure. As an SSS-class Mythic Profession, her combat level reached 60, but her actual strength rivaled that of a 70-level powerhouse.
She had slain numerous Void Lords and was a symbol of unyielding strength on the battlefield.
In the Eastern Army, her authority was absolute. Those who disobeyed her orders faced swift and severe military justice.
But in the Imperial Capital, none of that mattered.
Here, power wasn’t just about strength. It was about politics, intrigue, and control.
The bureaucrats of the Ministry of Supervision and the military strategists were far weaker than Wen Yu, but she couldn’t threaten them or use force against them.
Her unparalleled battlefield prowess was utterly irrelevant in this pit of snakes and wolves.
In the Capital, schemes and lies were the rules of the game.
The Costs of Return
Lu Ji, her teacher and the Empire’s Regent, sighed as he looked at his pupil.
“I’ve suppressed as much as I could,” he said, handing her a pile of documents.
Wen Yu’s eyes widened as she read them. Her fists clenched in anger.
The documents outlined multiple investigations into the Eastern Army’s officers, claiming alleged misconduct.
Furthermore, there were personnel adjustment proposals from the Cardinal Council, attempting to place individuals loyal to the Qin family into key positions within the Eastern Army’s chain of command.
Lu Ji continued with a bitter smile.
“And this is only the surface. Many more accusations could have been made.
For instance, the recent Void invasion along the Eastern Army’s front lines… Three regiments were severely crippled because you weren’t there to oversee command.”
Wen Yu’s heart sank.
She had already received reports that someone had planted Void Beacons within the Eastern Army’s defensive zones, deliberately provoking the Void.
The chaos that followed allowed their enemies to strike at the Army’s credibility.
“Thank you, teacher,” Wen Yu said, her voice tinged with guilt.
She knew how much pressure Lu Ji had taken on her behalf.
Lu Ji waved a hand dismissively.
“No need to dwell on it too much. After all, I’m still the Regent of this Empire.
As long as I’m here, they can’t touch you.”
His tone was steady, but the weight of the situation was clear.
Even as the Regent, Lu Ji had to fight tooth and nail to keep the Empire from falling into chaos.
“However…” Lu Ji’s tone grew grim.
“You need to watch the Eastern Army closely.
The Qin family and the military won’t let this go. That Void invasion was only the beginning.
The military has been eyeing your position as Commander for years. If they see an opportunity to remove you, they’ll pounce without hesitation.”
The Trial as a Trap
“The upcoming Void Hunting Trial—you’re hosting it.
If anything goes wrong, no matter who’s at fault, you’ll bear the responsibility.”
Wen Yu’s heart skipped a beat.
The Void Hunting Trial was the Empire’s premier event for young talents, a gathering of the best and brightest.
If something catastrophic were to happen—if dozens of future leaders died—she couldn’t imagine the fallout.
“Would they really dare…?” she whispered in disbelief.
“Would they risk the lives of so many just to target me?”
Lu Ji’s expression turned cold, his voice filled with derision.
“Of course they would. For the sake of their own gains, they’d set the entire Empire on fire if it benefited them.
Don’t underestimate their depravity, Wen Yu.”
Wen Yu’s mind was in turmoil.
She had only wanted to teach Qin Xian a lesson and restore her brother’s dignity.
But now it seemed the trial was nothing more than a massive trap, a stage for a web of conspiracies far beyond her initial reckoning.
The Fall of Yulean
Just as Wen Yu was grappling with her doubts, news reached the Capital that shook the world.
The Kingdom of Yulean, which had stood for over 300 years, had been wiped off the map.
Three powerhouse combatants under the Qin family, each level 70+, invaded Gray Moon City, the former capital of the fallen Wuyue Kingdom.
With overwhelming force, they declared the restoration of the Wuyue Kingdom, installing the Wuyue lineage as its ruling family.
Yulean’s leaders fiercely resisted.
But within two hours, the Kingdom’s entire leadership—including several 60-level powerhouses—was annihilated.
The battle left half of Gray Moon City in ruins, its population decimated.
The message was clear: no one could stand against the Qin family.
The fall of Yulean sent ripples through the Imperial Court, but no one dared raise objections.
The focus of the Capital remained fixed on the upcoming Void Hunting Trial, a far more immediate concern.
Everyone knew Wen Yu had taken charge of the trial.
Everyone also knew of the simmering feud between Wen Yu and Qin Xian.
The trial would be their battlefield, and it was only a matter of time before sparks flew.
As tensions rose, whispers spread among the elite:
“This trial could reshape the Empire itself.”