A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2263 - 1531: Chaos Across the Land (Eat More, Supplement More Is Best)

Before, Duanmu Huai went to the West Martial World and the North Martial Arts, causing quite a few disturbances, but none of them can compare to this time. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Because he killed the Emperor.

Perhaps some are puzzled; the outside world is already engulfed in flames of war, Rebel Armies rising everywhere. Everyone knows Yang Guang’s days as emperor are numbered. Dead sooner or later, it’s all the same. So why didn’t they consider sending someone to kill Yang Guang, even though the Rebel Army has its own experts?

The reason is simple. As long as Yang Guang is on the throne for a day, he is officially the Emperor and still has influence over the court. People like Yuwen Hua Ji, even if eager to rebel, still have to consider Yang Guang’s prestige.

But once Yang Guang is dead, it’s like the dogs that were once restrained are all unleashed, plunging the world into chaos.

First, Sima Dekan, upon learning of Yang Guang’s death, promptly raised an army on the spot, seized Yangzhou City, announcing the rise of a new Rebel Army. However, Yuwen Hua Ji was no easy opponent. Although Yang Guang’s sudden death was unexpected for him, Yuwen Hua Ji, prepared for rebellion, decided swiftly to dispatch his troops to battle Sima Dekan, reclaiming Yangzhou City, Lijiang Palace, and Yang Guang’s gold, silver, treasures, and concubines, attempting to head towards Chang’an to seize the capital.

The result was being ambushed halfway by Li Mi’s troops at Li Yang, where both sides waged a great battle. Yuwen Hua Ji was defeated, escaping north with only twenty thousand surviving troops. The gold, silver, treasures, and beauties taken from Sima Dekan and Yang Guang naturally became Li Mi’s spoils.

Meanwhile, upon hearing of Yang Guang’s assassination, Wang Shichong then supported Prince Yue Yangtong in Luoyang as a puppet Emperor. Li Shimin, launched a surprise military campaign, taking advantage of the entanglement between Li Mi and Yuwen Hua Ji, seized Chang’an, and proclaimed Prince Yang Yu as Emperor.

The situation started to advance towards a scenario similar to the mighty competing for the Central Plains, which Duanmu Huai likened somewhat to the Three Kingdoms vying for dominance.

It was just that Li Mi missed a step; Wang Shichong and Li Shimin both successfully found Yang Guang’s descendants, utilizing their puppet emperor in command over the feudal lords. Only Li Mi, although having obtained Yang Guang’s treasures and beauties, lost his righteous cause, typically picking up sesame and losing watermelon, which later made Li Mi furious to death.

After all, rebellion is rebellion, but having legitimate authority is important. Without rightful justification, persuading others to join you in conquest is not easy. Not to mention Li Mi previously betrayed his benefactor, killing Huo Rang, the Wagang Army’s chief, causing internal division within the Wagang Army. Although Li Mi defeated Yuwen Hua Ji, he lost his righteous cause, compounded by the internal split of the Wagang Army, evidently lost the opportunity to vie for power like Yuwen Hua Ji.

The ancients were superstitious about these things, Li Mi’s act of betrayal in killing Huo Rang to seize control of the Wagang Army resulted in losing the chance to leverage the puppet emperor for command over the lords. Many would see this as Li Mi’s karmic retribution. Once such thoughts were prevalent, the scatter of the Wagang Army inevitably led to Li Mi’s downfall.

Duanmu Huai was equally unfortunate.

He killed Yang Guang in broad daylight, and the distinct features of Duanmu Huai, combined with the fact that he killed an Emperor, ignited a curiosity among people wondering who dared act against the Emperor in the light of day. Upon investigation, Duanmu Huai’s identity naturally became widely known.

When it was discovered that it was Duanmu Huai, everyone was first startled, then...

Oh, it’s him, so it’s alright.

After all, the notorious Undying Slaughter God had gained fame in the West Martial World, killing over ten thousand people. In the North Martial Arts, after a period of silence, he erupted, annihilating the Songshan Sect and Sun and Moon Divine Sect, even punching through Song Mountain. Martial artists have long grown familiar with the infamous reputation of this Undying Slaughter God. If someone else had killed the Emperor, it might have been surprising, but Duanmu Huai—well, given their impression of him and his journey, it seemed unsurprising whoever he might kill.

The Emperor was no exception.

Thus, Duanmu Huai was unfortunately ensnared.

This doesn’t mean someone would attempt to avenge the Emperor by killing him. Politically, killing Duanmu Huai would certainly stabilize one’s position. But upon pondering, everyone knew it was impossible; as Duanmu Huai had left countless deaths in his wake, everyone saw it, no one believed they had the capability to gain an advantage against the Undying Slaughter God.

Therefore, they chose another approach—recruitment.

After all, Yang Guang had earned infamy, and people in the Southern State wished for his death. Duanmu Huai’s killing of Yang Guang, regardless of its political and military implications, rendered him a benefactor and savior to many. If Duanmu Huai could be persuaded to join their ranks, recruitment would become much easier. Plus, Duanmu Huai’s exceptional prowess, capable of being an army by himself, appeared an exceedingly worthwhile choice from any perspective.

Henceforth, Duanmu Huai and company were frequently harassed, either by other Rebel Armies attempting to recruit him into their camp or by some Rebel Armies wanting to join his ranks, hoping Duanmu Huai would lead them to conquer the world, promising future positions of ascendancy like ministers under a new regime.

This vexed Duanmu Huai greatly; had he known killing Yang Guang would garner so much trouble, he’d rather have spared him, leaving that dog’s life intact, than being pestered relentlessly.