The civil ministers exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend what they had just heard.
In the two hundred years of Taicang's history, the idea of proactively striking the neighboring nations of Jiuhou and Zhouqing was unheard of. Even in the days of the once-mighty Cangwei Army, Taicang could only barely defend itself.
Yet now, the young monarch had issued a bold command: dispatching two thousand elite Cangshou soldiers to march deep into enemy territory and launch an attack on Jiuhou City!
Such a scene was beyond anything they could have imagined.
"Your Majesty, reconsider! Even though Jiuhou only has 3,500 soldiers defending their city, it's still impossible for just 2,000 Cangshou soldiers to capture it!"
"And what about Zhouqing, watching us like a tiger ready to pounce? The moment they learn of our campaign against Jiuhou, they might cross Zhouqing Mountain and attack Cang City directly!
If that happens, Taicang will face utter disaster."
"Yes, Your Majesty, please think it over!"
A cacophony of objections filled the hall. At first, Ji Xia listened patiently. But as the ministers grew more anxious, speaking as if the entire nation would collapse with one military campaign, his patience wore thin.
"Silence!" Ji Xia roared, cutting through the noise.
"You civil servants, focus on your duties. Military campaigns are matters for the generals. How dare you meddle in what doesn't concern you?"
"I don't blame you for being ignorant of Taicang's military strength, given how absorbed you are in your paperwork. But how dare you question my decision?"
With that, he slammed the Taicang national seal onto the stone table with a loud crack. "I've decided! We will march on Jiuhou. Zhouqing is too preoccupied with mining for the Grand Charm Empire to threaten us. Who among you dares to oppose me?"
The room fell silent, but a faint voice hesitantly spoke up. Ji Xia turned, and his anger flared at the sight of the speaker. "Jing Ye! Even you dare to stop me—"
Before Ji Xia could finish, Jing Ye simply gestured towards the stone table. Ji Xia glanced down to find the shattered fragments of the national seal lying quietly on the surface.
Awkwardly, Ji Xia covered the shards with a memorial report and cleared his throat. "My decision to march is based on sound reasoning. Perhaps you're unaware that Zhouqing's soldiers have been conscripted to mine for the Grand Charm Empire for the past six months."
"Thanks to the miraculous effects of Tailai Spirit Water, the Cangshou Army has grown significantly stronger. What they lack is combat experience. The current conflict between Jiuhou and Ehorn presents the perfect opportunity!"
General Ji Qianqing noticed Ji Xia's earlier embarrassment but found his sudden shift to a more conciliatory tone curious. Moments ago, the monarch had been fiery and domineering; now, he was patiently explaining himself to the ministers, which was uncharacteristic of him.
At that moment, Po Xian spoke up. "The monarch is absolutely correct. In my time here, I have witnessed the Cangshou Army's astounding growth. Their strength is now sufficient to engage Jiuhou's forces head-on!"
"A swift strike with two thousand of our best soldiers is ideal. A larger force would only slow us down, giving Jiuhou time to respond. I fully support His Majesty's decision!"
"Such decisiveness and vision in seizing this rare opportunity are qualities of a true leader. Taicang is fortunate to have such a ruler!"
Ji Xia was buoyed by Po Xian's praise but was quickly grounded as Po Xian continued, "However, I must criticize another of Your Majesty's decisions as reckless."
"A ruler of your stature must not risk personal safety so casually. Your cultivation still has room to grow. If an enemy expert were to exploit your presence on the battlefield, Taicang could not bear the loss of its monarch again."
Po Xian's words brought the real issue to light. Ministers quickly chimed in, urging Ji Xia not to act rashly.
Before Ji Xia could respond, General Ji Qianqing interjected, "If the monarch leads the charge, the morale of the Cangshou Army will soar. Furthermore, as a cultivator, Your Majesty must gain battle experience to truly grow."
Ji Xia nodded with a smile. "Exactly as General Ji says. Besides, I—"
"General Ji makes a valid point," Po Xian interrupted, "but no advantage justifies risking His Majesty's safety. Taicang cannot endure another disaster like the loss of its ruler."
"Who's to say the monarch would face certain danger?" Ji Qianqing countered, frowning.
"Jiuhou has many powerful warriors, and the monarch's cultivation is still weak. If targeted by a skilled adversary, he could face great peril," Po Xian retorted.
As the ministers argued, Ji Xia attempted to mediate. "Enough, all of you! My cultivation isn't as weak as you think—"
His voice was drowned out by the escalating debate.
Taking a deep breath, Ji Xia allowed his spiritual energy to surge. A torrent of brilliant blue light erupted around him, shimmering with tangible intensity as it enveloped the hall.
The overwhelming pressure silenced the room. Even seasoned officials struggled to breathe, feeling the air thicken around them.
Ji Qianqing and Po Xian, the first to sense the shift, quickly marshaled their own spiritual energy to resist.
The hall was suddenly charged with three immense spiritual auras. Ji Qianqing's cultivation had reached extraordinary heights, her mastery of the Great Snow Mountain making her one of Taicang's most formidable warriors.
Yet in that moment, she discerned that the overwhelming energy blanketing the hall originated not from an external foe, but from Ji Xia himself.
Po Xian, though slower to realize, soon reached the same conclusion.
Their gazes met, and both were filled with disbelief. The monarch's cultivation was not only beyond comprehension but seemingly impossible for someone of his age.
Standing at the hall's center, Ji Xia exuded an air of effortless command. His silver robes shimmered against the blue energy swirling around him, giving him the appearance of a young deity.
"The monarch's cultivation…" Po Xian murmured in awe. "It's beyond even my understanding."
"Though he hasn't forged a spiritual wheel to reach divine abilities, his spiritual energy is more refined and powerful than that of even Ji Qianqing," Po Xian thought, astonished. "Truly terrifying!"
Ji Qianqing's thoughts raced back to just a month prior when she had first guided Ji Xia into cultivation. His current display seemed almost otherworldly.
"Could the monarch be a reincarnated deity?" she wondered.
The ministers finally grasped the reality of Ji Xia's strength. No longer the reckless young prince of yesteryear, he now stood as an awe-inspiring figure.
The once-raucous hall fell into reverent silence.
Ji Xia withdrew his spiritual energy, the radiant blue light fading away.
"Well, my dear ministers," he said with a light cough. "Are your concerns alleviated now?"