Chapter Six: Farewell, My Radiant Integrity...

“Isn’t that General Dong?”
“And General Lü as well!”
“What... what on earth is happening? Why would Bai Muge have the two of them brought into the court under guard?”
“What has actually occurred?”
The officials who had already aligned themselves with the Southern Guardian Prince’s faction looked on in confusion, whispering anxiously to those around them, as bewildered as monks lost in a fog.
Yet among them, a handful of perceptive officials, as well as those who had remained loyal to the Tang Dynasty, saw the truth at a glance.
The death of the Southern Guardian Prince was a vast and cunning conspiracy.
If it were not so, then Generals Dong and Lü would not have been hauled into court by Bai Muge’s men like dead dogs mere moments after the Prince’s demise.
The intent behind this act could not be clearer—
It was evident that Bai Muge had already received secret orders from the Young Prince of Tang before leaving the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
This time, the Young Prince had sent Bai Muge to act alone, in order to thoroughly purge the remnants of the Southern Guardian Prince’s faction!
Only now did they begin to understand.
Why had Bai Zhan and Cao Zhen spent so much time discussing trivial matters and consulting with the Young Prince in court?
Their actions had been a deliberate delay, a ploy to prevent the rebel officials from escaping, so they might be captured in one fell swoop!
It had to be said, given the performances of the Young Prince and Bai Muge, no one could regard them as mere green youths any longer.
For everyone in the court, high and low, had just been deceived by their ruse!
“Bai Muge is destined for greatness!”
“With this, Lord Bai has ridden his son’s coattails to share in a magnificent achievement!”
“Ah... why do we lack such fortune...”
Many loyal officials sighed inwardly, their gazes toward Bai Muge, now striding into the great hall, glittering with jealousy and envy.
Yet above all, they felt relief!
‘Once the Southern Guardian Prince’s faction is eradicated, we will no longer be shackled, but may at last shine in our own posts.’
‘Promotion and wealth will then be within easy reach!’
With such thoughts, the loyal officials all wore delighted expressions, offering Bai Muge warm, approving smiles.
After all, Bai Muge was the benefactor of them all!

Standing at the head of the officials, Cao Zhen glanced toward the entrance, where Bai Muge was approaching with measured steps, his face momentarily dazed before his eyes fell to the two men beside him—Cao Zhengchun and Hai Dafu.
There was no way these two were mere courtiers; only a fool would believe they were not martial experts!
“Congratulations, Lord Bai!”
Cao Zhen collected himself and turned to Bai Zhan at his side, offering a gentle smile. “I never imagined you would hide your true talents from me and undertake such a feat in secret.
Your courage, Lord Bai, is more than I could ever claim for myself!”
“???” Bai Zhan was momentarily dumbfounded.
I hid my talents? What talents?
How is it that even I know nothing of this?
But as he glanced up, seeing his own son Bai Muge entering with the two generals in tow, and recalling the instructions Bai Muge had whispered to him before leaving, understanding suddenly dawned.
“So this was a scheme carefully devised by Muge and His Majesty all along!
That rascal, keeping his old father in the dark!”
Yet when he considered the risks Bai Muge and the Young Prince had shouldered in plotting the assassination of the Southern Guardian Prince, Bai Zhan could not help but feel a lingering terror.
Had their plan failed, nothing would have happened to the Young Prince, but Bai Muge would surely have perished!
After all, Bai Muge was the only heir of his family.
If Bai Muge fell, what hope would remain for Bai Zhan, Minister of Revenue?
“Bah, what an inauspicious thought! How could I be so morbid? Muge is sure to live a long and prosperous life!
Yes, a long life indeed!”
Chiding himself inwardly, Bai Zhan finally regained his composure.
A smile crept across his face as he clasped his hands and replied quietly, “You flatter me, Chancellor. In truth... Muge acted without my knowledge; even now, I am still shaken.”
Bai Zhan spoke honestly, but in Cao Zhen’s ears, it sounded like modesty.
After all, Bai Zhan was always known for his humility and caution.
“No need for such humility, Lord Bai,” Cao Zhen replied with a gentle smile, not believing a word.
Could Bai Muge and the Young Prince have dared to set this plan in motion without Bai Zhan’s secret support? Success would have been impossible.
Moreover, the two men at Bai Muge’s side were clearly not his subordinates, but must have been sent by Bai Zhan!
In years past, Bai Zhan had been one of the Tang Dynasty’s foremost generals. Only after the late Emperor entrusted him with the care of the young prince did Bai Zhan move into political office, ceding his military power to the Southern Guardian Prince.
It was obvious—Bai Zhan was happy to yield credit to his son, that Bai Muge might rise.

As for Bai Muge, a notorious scion, did Cao Zhen not know exactly what he was capable of?
Knowing he was misunderstood, Bai Zhan could only feel resigned and chose to remain silent.
“Let him persist in his misunderstanding; this way, Muge will be all the safer,” Bai Zhan mused inwardly.
Thus, as Bai Muge entered the hall, Bai Zhan cast him a subtle, meaningful glance.
Bai Muge paused, suddenly understanding his father’s intent—he was to keep a low profile in court.
But now, with the system’s assistance, Bai Muge was destined to walk ever further down the path of cunning and shamelessness.
He smiled and nodded at his father, but as soon as he turned away, he discarded the advice from his mind.
Farewell, my days of uprightness...
“Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Upon entering the hall, Bai Muge bowed slightly to the Young Prince of Tang, then presented the military tally with both hands, saying with a smile, “Your Majesty, your servant has retrieved the tally;
these two are the trusted generals of the Southern Guardian Prince, and await your decree!”
Seeing that Generals Dong and Lü had been utterly subdued by Bai Muge’s men, and that the tally was returned, the matter was surely settled.
The Young Prince, Li Chen, was overjoyed, slapping his thigh with delight. “Excellent! Bai, your service is beyond compare—quick, hand me the tally!”
“At once, Your Majesty,” Bai Muge replied with an easy smile, stepping up to the throne to personally present the tally.
Upon confirming it was indeed the tally for two hundred thousand troops, Young Prince Li Chen finally relaxed.
At the same time, he leaned in to whisper in Bai Muge’s ear, “Old Bai, are all the remnants at the Southern Guardian Prince’s residence eliminated?”
“Rest assured, brother,” Bai Muge nodded subtly. “The remnants at the residence have been cleared. Only the Azure Dragon Society in Chang’an remains.”
Li Chen understood immediately.
Eliminating the Southern Guardian Prince was only the first step.
Purging the rebel officials was the second.
The third was to deal with the clandestine force the Prince had supported all along—the Azure Dragon Society, the greatest gang in the capital!
Now, it was time to set the second phase of the plan in motion!