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In the camp, the night was deep and the wind cold, yet strange drumming echoed within the tent. Shadows flickered in the firelight, twisting in rhythm with the beats. Li Jue sat upright inside the tent, surrounded by several oddly dressed witches who were beating drums and chanting incantations, their voices haunting like wailing spirits, sending chills down one's spine.
"General!" Jia Xu hurried into the tent. Upon seeing the scene, his brow furrowed deeply as he whispered, "Such sorcery cannot aid our military efforts. Not only is it useless, but it may also invite resentment!"
Li Jue waved his hand dismissively, sneering, "Jia Xu, matters of my army are not for you to meddle in! This summoning technique has helped me turn misfortune into fortune multiple times. If you do not understand it, keep your mouth shut!"
Jia Xu lowered his voice, urgency creeping into his tone. "General, with internal strife and external threats looming, if you continue to indulge in such dark arts, it will be hard to unite people's hearts. I urge you to reconsider."
Li Jue shot him a sidelong glance, his tone cold. "Jia Xu, do not forget that the lives and deaths of this army are in my hands! If you are dissatisfied, feel free to seek another path!"
Hearing this, Jia Xu's expression darkened. He bowed deeply and stepped back. One hand rested on the hilt of his dagger at his waist, a flicker of suppressed anger flashing in his eyes.
***
In the palace, Minister Yang Qi rushed into the inner hall and knelt before Emperor Xian Di, speaking in a low tone. "Your Majesty, Li Jue's actions are reckless; he is overly trusting of Black Magic and may bring disaster upon the state. However, I observe that while Jia Xu is close to him, he may not be truly loyal. Your Majesty might consider testing him; perhaps he can provide a chance for our Han Dynasty."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xian's eyes brightened as he was about to speak when an inner servant reported: "Jia Xu requests an audience."
Yang Qi was startled and quickly urged in a hushed voice, "Your Majesty, do not miss this opportunity."
Emperor Xian took a deep breath, waved away those present, composed himself, and ordered Jia Xu to enter.
As Jia Xu entered the hall with his usual demeanor, he bowed deeply. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Xian looked at him with tears welling in his eyes and spoke with a trembling voice. "Jia Xu, I am now imprisoned here, living each day as if on the edge of an abyss. I ask you this: do you still remember the Han Dynasty?"
Jia Xu lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before slowly replying, "Your Majesty, why do you say such things? Though I follow Li Jue, I have not forgotten your grace."
Suddenly rising to his feet, Emperor Xian grasped Jia Xu's hand tightly, tears streaming down his face as he implored softly. "If that is so, I earnestly request you to save the Han Dynasty from peril and rescue me from this prison! If you are willing to assist me, I would face any death without hesitation!"
A complex expression flickered in Jia Xu's eyes as he knelt on the ground and said softly, "Your Majesty, that is my wish as well. This matter must not involve Zhang Yang; I have my own plans. Please remain calm and wait for good news."
Emperor Xian was immediately overwhelmed with tears, bending down to help Jia Xu up, his voice filled with gratitude. "I appreciate your loyalty. If I can restore the Han Dynasty in the future, I will never forget today's kindness!"
Jia Xu looked at Emperor Xian, nodded slightly, and then turned to leave, his figure disappearing into the dim palace path. Emperor Xian gazed after him for a long time, his eyes filled with both hope and deep helplessness and fear.
Han Xian Di sat in the inner hall, lost in thought when he suddenly heard a eunuch report, "General Li Jue requests an audience."
Emperor Xian's heart tightened as he lifted his gaze toward the palace door. He saw Li Jue striding in, clad in armor, with a Pei Jian at his waist that glinted coldly in the candlelight. His eyes were sharp, and his tone was somber. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Xian forced himself to remain calm, but his face was still pale, and his hands trembled slightly as he supported himself on the table. "General Li visits at this late hour; what is the matter?"
Li Jue did not answer but stepped forward, placing his hand on the Pei Jian with a hint of coldness in his voice. "That traitor Guo Si is audacious enough to imprison officials and intends to abduct Your Majesty. If it weren't for me being here, your carriage would have already been seized!"
Emperor Xian managed to squeeze out a smile and clasped his hands together. "Thanks to General's loyal protection, I am greatly reassured."
Seeing this, Li Jue's gaze softened slightly as he bowed his head in respect. "Since Your Majesty understands my intentions, do not listen to slander." With that, he turned and strode out of the hall, the sound of his footsteps echoing like a hammer striking Emperor Xian's heart.
After Li Jue left, the Minister Huangfu Li entered to pay his respects. Upon seeing him, Emperor Xian's eyes brightened with a glimmer of hope. "Lord Huangfu, you are known for your eloquence and are also a fellow townsman of Li Jue. I wish to entrust you with mediating this matter; are you willing to give it a try?"
Huangfu Li bowed deeply and replied firmly, "Your Majesty need not worry; I will do my utmost to resolve this chaotic situation."
Huangfu Li received the imperial edict and headed toward Guo Si's camp. On the dusty road, he pondered over his words with a deep sense of gravity in his heart.
Inside Guo Si's camp, soldiers stood guard with an oppressive atmosphere. As Huangfu Li entered the tent, he saw Guo Si sitting behind a desk, frowning deeply with a stern expression.
"Lord Huangfu, what brings you here?" Guo Si asked coldly, his tone filled with suspicion.
Huangfu Li smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting. "General Guo, His Majesty has commanded me to mediate. General Li Jue has imprisoned the Emperor under the pretense of protecting him, while you have also detained officials over this matter. When will this mutual strife come to an end?"
Guo Si snorted coldly and slammed his hand on the table. "That scoundrel Li Jue is hoarding troops and using the Emperor to command the lords; he deserves to be punished by all! I, Guo Si, am merely clearing the court of treachery. What wrong have I committed?"
Huangfu Li responded with calm dignity, "General, if Li Jue truly harbors treasonous intentions, your conflict with him will not only harm him but also the Emperor's peace of mind, shake the court, and leave the common people homeless. If you could take a step back, perhaps you would earn the admiration of the world. Why persist in this stubbornness?"
Guo Si narrowed his eyes, staring at Huangfu Li for a moment before coldly saying, "If Li Jue sends the Emperor out, I will release those officials. Otherwise, if he does not allow it, how can I set them free?" He then waved his hand dismissively. "No need for further words; just relay my message."
As Huangfu Li exited the tent, his expression remained calm, but he knew that this storm was far from over.
He rode swiftly to Li Jue's camp. Upon entering the tent, he saw Li Jue seated at the head, clad in armor with a sword at his waist, exuding an imposing presence. The surrounding generals stood on either side, their eyes warily fixed on him.
Li Jue spoke coldly, "Lord Huangfu arrives at this late hour for what purpose?"
Huangfu Li bowed deeply, his tone respectful yet firm. "General Li, His Majesty is concerned about your ongoing conflict with General Guo and fears that it may burden the common people. He has sent me to mediate. General Guo has agreed that if you release the Emperor, he will return all detained officials. What do you think of this proposal?"
Upon hearing this, Li Jue sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. "What is Guo Si? Just a bandit; what right does he have to stand on equal footing with me? I quelled Lü Bu and assisted in governance for four years; my merits are well-known throughout the land. Who does not know my name? Now he dares to kidnap officials and fantasizes about challenging me—what foolishness!"
He pointed outside with pride in his voice. "Look at my troops—well-equipped and full of morale! They are nothing compared to Guo Si's rabble. If I wish to eliminate him, I could do so at any time."
Huangfu Li remained silent for a moment before meeting Li Jue's gaze directly. His tone was calm yet resonant: "General, I must remind you that even the strongest can make mistakes. Do you remember those who thought themselves invincible, like Dong Zhuo? Once he was arrogant and powerful but ultimately fell to those closest to him."
Li Jue's expression shifted slightly as he tapped his fingers on the table, seeming hesitant. Seizing the moment, Huangfu Li pressed on earnestly: "General, you already hold great power and enjoy the court's favor; your descendants occupy high positions. But now you hold the Emperor hostage—how is that different from Guo Si imprisoning officials? If word spreads about whose crime is greater among the people, have you considered how that would reflect upon you?"
As soon as Huangfu Li finished speaking, Li Jue's face darkened instantly. He slammed his hand on the table like thunder. "Huangfu Li! Did the Emperor send you here to insult me? How dare you speak such words!"
In a flash, he drew his sword from his waist; its cold gleam flashed as he glared fiercely. "I'll take your head first and see who dares speak nonsense before me!"
The people inside the tent were left speechless, and the atmosphere became tense to the extreme. Yang Feng quickly stepped forward and knelt, urging, "General, Guo Si has not yet been eliminated. If you kill the angel now, it will only give him a reason to act. If he uses this as an excuse to raise an army, the lords will surely rally against you, and the consequences would be unimaginable!"
Jia Xu also stepped forward, his tone calm yet firm. "General, this matter requires careful consideration. The death of the angel will surely enrage the court. Rather than adding chaos, it would be better to let him go for now and temporarily alleviate the immediate danger."
Li Jue's gaze was sharp, his sword raised high as if ready to strike at any moment, but in the end, he did not act. He forcefully sheathed his sword and gritted his teeth, growling, "This dog official is lucky! Someone, throw him out!"
Jia Xu cupped his fist towards Li Jue and immediately signaled the soldiers to take Huangfu Li out of the tent.
***
Outside the tent, Huangfu Li was pushed into the center of the camp, his face filled with anger and resentment. He looked up to the sky and shouted furiously, "Li Jue, you treacherous minister! Not only do you refuse to obey the edict, but you also plot rebellion and seek to usurp the throne for yourself!"
The attendant Hu Miao hurriedly stepped forward and whispered urgently, "Lord Huangfu, do not speak such words! Here, Li Jue has troops in abundance; your accusations will only lead you to your own doom!"
Huangfu Li glared at Hu Miao and scolded sharply, "Hu Jingtai, as a minister of the court, how can you support a rebel like Li Jue? A ruler's humiliation is a minister's death! If I am killed by him today, it will be my mission as Huangfu Li!"
He continued to curse loudly, his voice passionate enough to shake the entire camp. The soldiers around him were stunned into silence, none daring to move.
News of this situation quickly reached the palace. Upon learning of it, Han Xian Di showed signs of panic and immediately issued an order: "Quickly command Huangfu Li to return to Xiliang and do not let him confront Li Jue any longer!"
Huangfu Li received the edict; though unwilling, he ultimately obeyed and left the camp. As he turned away, he still shouted angrily, "Li Jue, you treacherous scoundrel harming the court; retribution will surely come!" His figure gradually faded into the wind and sand while the soldiers in the camp still dared not lift their heads to look at his departing silhouette.
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