Upon hearing this, Ian Song's gaze swept playfully over the dozens of Black-Robe Guards. With a half-smile, he said, "If I don't leave immediately, are you planning to forcibly escort me back to the capital?"
"Lord Ian, please cooperate. Don't make things difficult for me and my men!" pleaded the Black-Robe Guard Hundred-Household Captain at the front.
"You people are truly foolish. On my turf, you dare threaten me? Looks like you're tired of living!"
Ian Song shook his head inwardly, then turned and walked toward the exit.
"Stop right there!"
A Black-Robe Guard lunged forward, fingers curled into a claw, reaching for Ian Song's shoulder.
But Ian Song acted as if he hadn't noticed, continuing to walk forward on his own.
Just then, the sound of a bowstring rang out—a sharp whistle—and a deadly arrow shot straight toward the Black-Robe Guard's face.
If he didn't pull back, that arrow would have gone straight through his head.
A flash of anger flickered in his eyes as he dodged to the side, then continued lunging toward Ian Song.
But at that moment—
Two armored guards burst in, blades drawn, their swords flashing coldly as they slashed at the Black-Robe Guard.
With no other choice, the Black-Robe Guard quickly retreated and drew his own saber.
The other Black-Robe Guards also drew their sabers, their expressions growing grim.
The next moment, a flood of armored guards stormed into the hall, forcing the eunuch herald and the Black-Robe Guards into a corner.
"Ian Song, what are you trying to do? Are you rebelling?"
The eunuch herald, pale as a corpse, shouted with false bravado.
"Seize them! Any who resist—kill without mercy!"
Ian Song's voice rang out from beyond the hall.
At his words, the eunuch herald and the Black-Robe Guards all turned ashen, their faces twisted in dread.
This group of Black-Robe Guards was quite strong—all of them had reached the Martial Master level, and their Hundred-Household Captain was even an Innate-realm expert.
Unfortunately, they still couldn't hold out for long—they were either subdued or killed.
"Ian Song, you traitor! Betraying His Majesty—you'll die a miserable death!"
The Black-Robe Guard Hundred-Household Captain, dragged before Ian Song, cursed him furiously.
"Take him away and execute him!"
Ian Song waved his hand, and the Hundred-Household Captain was quickly dragged away by force.
Seeing this, the eunuch herald trembled uncontrollably with fear, while the remaining Black-Robe Guards' faces twisted in grief and terror.
"Lord Ian, I know I was wrong! Please, spare my life!"
The eunuch herald begged with a quivering voice.
"Don't worry, I won't kill you. Go back and tell Emperor Wei, that foolish monarch, to eat and drink his fill while he still can. My army will soon be at the capital—if he doesn't gorge himself now, he won't get another chance!"
Ian Song said with a smile.
Afterward, Ian Song ordered his men to release the eunuch herald and the remaining Black-Robe Guards.
"My lord, isn't this rebellion a bit hasty?"
One of Ian's advisers asked carefully.
This adviser had only recently been promoted. With so many daily affairs, Ian couldn't possibly handle all the official business alone, so he recruited a group of advisers to help.
"Then what do you think we should do?" Ian Song asked.
The adviser replied gravely, "First, we must have a just cause. Second, my lord could raise the banner of 'purging evil from the emperor's side' and march on the capital. After the city is taken, you can proceed step by step—only then will you win the people's hearts!"
"Your suggestion is excellent! But I have no desire to be emperor."
Ian Song smiled and shook his head. Not to mention the mortal throne—even the Immortal World's emperor, he's already been. To him, that position holds no allure at all.
Hearing Ian Song's words, all the advisers present looked puzzled. If he didn't covet the throne, then why rebel at all?