Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Three days later, the rebel general Zhou Ke, who had been subjected to brutal torture in prison, was escorted to the execution grounds to be beheaded.

During the transport, the remnants of his rebel faction intercepted the prison carriage.

The government soldiers pursued them to no avail.

The New Emperor was furious and issued a nationwide warrant, offering a massive bounty and ordering the rebel general’s capture at any cost.

Later, word reached us that Zhou Ke, driven into a corner, had taken the risk of fleeing to the Wei State.

On the day Zhou Ke fled to the Wei State, Che’er summoned the High Shaman once again.

They spoke in private for six hours.

When the High Shaman emerged, there was a faint look of joy in his eyes.

I watched with curiosity as the shaman walked away.

“What did you say to him?”

Lately, my consciousness has been fading more frequently and for longer periods.

Consequently, I was unaware of the details of their conversation.

Che’er smiled slightly. “It was nothing. I merely promised him a few things.”

A month later.

Rumors spread that Zhou Ke had defected to the Wei State and had earned the deep appreciation of the King of Wei.

Zhou Ke also publicly vowed that he would lead an army to crush the palace of Great Xia, capture the King of Xia alive, and skin Cui Yan to avenge his previous humiliation.

Half a month later, Zhou Ke led his troops to attack Great Xia. He won his first battle and swiftly captured five cities.

Having lost a fierce general like Zhou Ke, Great Xia’s military strength was greatly diminished. Unable to withstand the assault, they sued for peace with the Wei State and took the initiative to return the High Shaman to them.

The King of Wei was overjoyed and appointed Zhou Ke as the General Who Conquers the North.

Two months after the High Shaman entered the Wei State, the old King of Wei, who had been bedridden for a long time, began to show signs of recovery.

Once the King of Wei’s health improved, the Crown Prince of Wei was sent on a tour of various regions. It was said that he was targeted by multiple assassination attempts during his journey.

After narrowly escaping with his life and returning to the palace, the Crown Prince of Wei attempted to stage a coup with his confidants. However, he was personally struck down by Zhou Ke, the General Who Conquers the North, who was guarding the King of Wei’s side.

Following the death of the Crown Prince of Wei, the King of Wei was overcome with grief and fell terminally ill.

At this time, a sudden plague broke out in the palace of the Wei State, and the royal heirs died one after another.

Upon hearing the tragic news, the King of Wei could not bear the shock and soon passed away.

With the royal family of the Wei State decimated, the New Emperor who ascended the throne was less than a year old.

The Wei State revered the supernatural. After the New Emperor took the throne, it was customary for the High Shaman to preside over a sacrificial rite to select the person destined by heaven to assist the New Emperor.

Heaven’s mandate chose Zhou Ke.

The court officials of the Wei State protested vehemently. “He is not of our kind! His heart must be different!”

Under the protests of the officials, the royal family of the Wei State decided to hold the rite again.

To prevent any foul play, the new rite was even more rigorous and cautious.

Yet, Zhou Ke was chosen once more.

The High Shaman swore upon the honor of his entire clan that this was the will of heaven.

Though the officials remained unconvinced, they had nothing left to say.

After Zhou Ke began assisting in the governance, he held no real power and did very little, causing everyone to gradually lower their guard.

Meanwhile, because the New Emperor was young, various factions within the Wei State court fought incessantly for power, leading to frequent internal strife.

When the various factions had fought to the point of mutual destruction, the previously quiet Zhou Ke struck out boldly. Using iron-fisted methods, he swiftly seized control of all key positions in the Wei State.

Thereafter, the forces led by Zhou Ke continuously suppressed the old clans of the Wei State, and the country gradually fell under his control.

People either chose to defect to him voluntarily or harbored their resentment in silence.

Two years later, Great Xia sent troops to invade the Wei State.

The Wei State surrendered without a fight.

Zhou Ke, the Grand General Who Assists in Governance, accompanied the young emperor to present the maps of the Wei State in submission.