Mountain Patrol Military Officer-Chapter 1071 - 699: I Will Not Return to the Capital!

Outside the study, snowflakes danced and blanketed the ground. Inside, the crackling charcoal fire drove away the cold. Two bronze candleholders stood on either side of the table, with the wick casting a dim yellow glow that stretched the shadows long.

There were no scrolls or ink on the table, but instead, a sand table depicted the mountains, ravines, passes, and forts, with several bamboo flags marking two different colors.

Behind the sand table, seated in a large chair, was Helian Mountain, the Daqian National Master, armored and upright upon it. The scales of his armor shimmered coldly under the dim light, his gray-white hair tangled into a topknot. His face was furrowed like an elderly man close to the end of his days, yet his posture was like a lean tiger crouching, back straight, exuding an aura that made one gasp for breath.

In front of the table, the court messenger lifted his hood briskly, shaking off the wind and snow revealed inside was the face of a middle-aged man with stern eyes and short beard.

The man bowed, clasped his fists upward, forehead slightly lowered, and spoke in a low but firm voice that broke the quiet of the study, carrying an indisputable tone: "Lord Helian, Your Majesty urgently summons you back to the capital!"

As the voice fell, the candlelight in the study pressed down, casting the shadows of the two on the wall, one standing sternly with clasped fists, the other sitting like a tiger, silent death enveloped in the dim light.

Behind the table, Helian Mountain leaned forward, revealing half of his face hidden by the candlelight.

The dim light illuminated his face but could not brighten the shadows in the furrows. Helian Mountain’s eyes half-closed, bloodshot against the murky whites, contained sharp starlight—an aura of bloodshed that threatened even in stillness.

"Back to the capital?" he began, voice carrying a depth, "Has His Majesty mentioned for what purpose?"

The man below did not look up, voice muffled, "Currently, King Liang is causing chaos, and the people’s hearts are unstable. His Majesty wishes for you, sir, to return and take charge of the situation, keenly worried about the elder’s safety."

"Raise your head when you speak!" Helian Mountain spoke with a heavy tone.

Across, the messenger raised his head.

"Repeat what you just said!" Helian Mountain’s eyes were intimidating under the candlelight.

"King Liang is causing chaos, Your Majesty wants you to return to take charge..."

Before the messenger could finish, Helian Mountain raised his hand, stopping her, his eyes muddy and bloodshot bore down on her,

"Lü Tianji, you can’t lie in front of me."

Helian Mountain called out the visitor’s name, she being a Vice Commander of the Forbidden Army, part of the Emperor’s Guard.

"I want the truth; why did His Majesty summon me back now?"

Lü Tianji felt exposed under the piercing gaze, lowered her head, unable to meet the eyes of this veteran of three reigns, remaining silent.

Helian Mountain frowned, rose from his seat, speaking as he walked down:

"Seems there’s something inconvenient to say, silencing Commander Lü."

Lü Tianji loosened her clasped fists, speaking softly,

"Lord Helian, please do not make it difficult for me. His Majesty’s decree was like this."

"I dare not speculate His Majesty’s mind."

"But recently, rumors have arisen at court, causing His Majesty to lose sleep and appetite, fluctuating in mood. The Lord State Preceptor is urged to return and stabilize the unrest in court."

Helian Mountain stopped his pace at these words, his gaze fixed on the Vice Commander of the Forbidden Army,

"Speak, what are the rumors at court?"

Lü Tianji straightened up at the words, raised her head, yet still dared not look into the eyes of this veteran minister,

"Currently, King Liang has led the troops inside the border. The court sent generals, but they failed to defeat the enemy, resulting in heavy losses, arousing His Majesty’s anger. Ministers are shifting blame, causing turmoil at court, even rumors of Daqian’s potential collapse reach the halls, unsettling the hearts."

"At this critical moment, unexpectedly from Shu comes news that Lord State Preceptor cedes power to General Chen, letting him take control over all Shu troops, heightening court’s anxiety and arguments ensue."

"Most ministers at court believe that Chen Xuntian harbors rebellious intent, likely to become another King Liang, especially with the takeover, the Capital Officials initially sent to assist are secretly detained, their fate unknown, missing."

"In such a situation, rumors at court suggest that Lord State Preceptor is abetting despots, releasing tigers back to the mountains, potentially wrecking social order, committing great misdeeds."

"Hence, His Majesty’s decree urgently recalls the lord to quench the turmoil."

Vice Commander Lü Tianji gravely explained some of the current court situations.

Upon hearing, Helian Mountain’s furrows deepened, eyes flickering coldly,

"At this point, these guys still can’t control their mouths."

"I’m afraid these useless wine sacks have surely planned plenty of defamation about me, like plotting rebellion? Hmph, surely many have slandered me before His Majesty!"

Lü Tianji shifted expression subtly, indeed many advisors lodged complaints against this pillar of Daqian, yet quickly concealed her reaction, adjusting her hand, expression unnatural,

"Lord Helian being a veteran of three reigns, aiding His Majesty, loyalty beyond doubt, none would question your devotion to His Majesty, to Daqian."

"Please, Lord Helian, do not overthink!" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Helian Mountain’s pupils reflected the flickering flame, intense in darkness, yet ultimately sighed,