Chapter 123: I Am Unworthy to Be King

Tang Chen tore off the facial wax, and the burn scars on his face vanished instantly, revealing sharply defined features exuding a cold, stern aura. A faint smile glimmered in his eyes. “Jun Han, with this supply of provisions, we can advance and seize another city.”

The young boy smiled softly, nodding happily. “Tomorrow, we will mobilize the troops and press forward thirty miles, laying siege to the city.”

“Very well, I will issue the orders immediately.” Seeing the boy’s joy, Tang Chen’s face also brightened with a smile.

That very day, the Chu family’s army advanced en masse, like a dark cloud looming over the city.

In Yancheng, Yinu’s eyes nearly popped out in shock. He grabbed the collar of the messenger in disbelief, his eyes as wide as copper bells. “Weren’t their supplies insufficient? Why are they now launching a massive assault?”

“R-Return to the king... I do not know,” the guard replied bitterly. When Tamon was alive, even in the face of the kingdom’s fall, anger was never vented on their own people. But this new king, Yinu, had barely been on the throne a few days, yet his temper was already unbearable.

Infuriated, Yinu threw the guard to the ground. “You don’t know? I think you’re just hoping the Chu family conquers us! Useless wretch, be gone!”

The guard kowtowed repeatedly, stammering, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger... please calm your anger!”

Yinu took a long breath. Being a king for the first time, inexperienced, and facing such a formidable enemy, he felt the future dark and uncertain.

Sure enough, no sooner had the guard retreated than battle reports arrived: the regions around Yancheng and Xia’an city had fallen!

“Your Majesty, the matter of the supplies has been investigated,” an elderly minister reported. His sunken, cloudy eyes bore red veins—evidence of sleepless nights.

“Speak.”

The minister stepped forward and respectfully said, “Someone seeks to betray Your Majesty by secretly providing aid to the Chu army.”

Upon hearing this, Yinu slammed the table and rose in fury. “Who?!”

The aged minister shook his head helplessly at Yinu’s temper and spoke earnestly, “Your Majesty, as the ancients said: ‘Those who follow the right path gain many allies; those who stray lose them.’”

“Are you saying I have lost the right path?” Yinu panted heavily, his neck flushed with anger.

The minister bowed deeply, his voice filled with sorrow and urgency. “When the previous king reigned, he upheld the mandate of winning the hearts of the people...”

“Are you implying I have lost the people’s hearts?” Yinu narrowed his eyes, his mind clouded with fury over the loss of two cities.

“Your Majesty, that is exactly what I mean,” the elderly general said calmly and resolutely, neither arrogant nor humble.

Yinu was so enraged he nearly jumped up, his steps unsteady as he approached the minister with trembling hands, pointing at him furiously. “You... you are spreading lies to confuse the people! I... I sentence you to death by dismemberment!”

The old minister clasped his hands and said righteously, “If it would make Your Majesty see the truth, I would gladly die a thousand deaths!”

“Seize him!” The cold command echoed through the hall as seven or eight soldiers stormed in like grim reapers, their faces grim as they dragged the elderly minister away.

“May Your Majesty not act rashly... not act rashly...” The minister’s aged, forlorn voice faded into the distance.

Yinu slowly closed his eyes, Tamon’s image vividly before him. He murmured, “I truly am only fit to serve as a subject... Your Majesty, do you feel lonely on the road to the underworld?”

In the humble royal palace of Yancheng, a man wearing a ceremonial crown and dragon robe hung himself from an ancient tree’s southeastern branch.

Yinu’s reign lasted two years, three months, and seven days before his demise.