Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 999: Preparing to explore Tianxing, dismissing Xiao He and the others!

However... this mistake of mine is probably not so easy to erase.

My thoughts returned from the brief shock to the cold yet magnificent reality of the underground palace. The brief experience of flying and the cold notification from the system seemed like nothing more than a bizarre dream, but the lingering feeling of weightlessness as I slowly landed, and the enormous celestial body in the center of my vision radiating visible energy fluctuations, silently proclaimed that everything that had just happened was real.

At this moment, Xiao He, Han Xin, and the others were still in a state of extreme shock, their worldviews undergoing an unprecedented upheaval. Xiao He's face was pale, his lips moving slightly, as if he wanted to use the classics he knew to explain this illogical scene before him, but even racking his brains, he could only find vague legends like Liezi riding the wind and the Yellow Emperor riding a dragon, which seemed so pale and powerless compared to the weightlessness he was experiencing firsthand. He looked at Gao Yao, who was suspended in the air, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe, confusion, and a trace of unease as a subject witnessing his ruler in danger.

Han Xin, however, reacted with more of a soldier's astonishment and instinctive vigilance. He subconsciously gripped the hilt of his sword, his muscles tense, his sharp gaze sweeping across the vast underground space like a hawk's, especially the celestial star radiating an ominous light. He couldn't comprehend this power, but instinctively sensed danger.

As for the other accompanying guards, they were even more silent and trembling. Some of them even had weak legs and needed others to help them stand up. The way they looked at Tianxing and Gaoyao was filled with awe and fear, as if they were looking at a miracle.

Unlike the civil officials who were still reeling from the shock, Gao Yao, the commander of Gao Yao's trusted guards, remained highly vigilant. His gaze, like the most precise scanning instrument, swept over the luminous pearl on the dome, the cold murals around him, the smooth, mirror-like ground beneath his feet, and the deep, light-swallowing center of the crater. He feared that this mystical place harbored unknown traps, and that the slightest oversight could lead to utter destruction.

"Duan Wei!" Gao Yao's steady voice broke the silence in the underground palace and brought everyone back to their senses. He had already landed, his gaze calm, and he had not lost his composure due to the strange experience and system notification.

"Your Majesty!" Duan Wei appeared instantly from the shadows like a ghost, bowing to receive the order. He was clad in black armor, with sharp eyes and a restrained aura, and was Gao Yao's most capable guard leader.

Gao Yao's gaze swept over Xiao He and the others, who were still in a daze, and he ordered in a deep voice: "First, send a team of elite troops to escort Lord Xiao He and General Han Xin away from the underground palace temporarily. This place is treacherous and may still harbor unknown dangers; it is not a place to linger. At the same time, order the soldiers on the outer perimeter to conduct a carpet search of the mountain, radiating outwards for ten miles! Anyone who dares to approach this place, regardless of their identity or reason, will be killed without mercy! Whatever we see or hear here must not be leaked in the slightest!"

"Yes, sir!" Duan Wei accepted the order without hesitation, clasped his hands in a fist and turned to make arrangements.

However, at this moment, Xiao He's stubborn intellectual nature resurfaced. He broke free from the support of his companions, took a few steps forward, and although his face was still pale, his tone was unusually firm: "Your Majesty! Absolutely not! A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall! The fate of this place is uncertain. If we leave, what about you? You are of paramount importance, the foundation of the nation. How can you remain alone in such a dangerous place? If you must investigate, we should go first, or send more soldiers to protect you!"

Looking at Xiao He's cheeks, slightly flushed with excitement, Gao Yao felt both helpless and warm. He knew that Xiao He was genuinely worried about his safety.

He softened his tone, but the decisiveness in his words left no room for doubt: "Minister Xiao, I understand your intentions. But as the ruler of a nation, I cannot shirk certain responsibilities. This celestial event is of great importance, and I must investigate it personally. Your safety is equally important. With the great cause newly established, the court cannot do without you, its pillars of the state. Leaving first and ensuring your own safety is the greatest support you can give me. Do you intend to disobey my orders?"

“But, Your Majesty…” Xiao He wanted to argue further. He could not stand by and watch his monarch risk danger while he retreated safely; this would go against his principles as a minister.

Seeing this, Gao Yao knew that reasoning with this stubborn mule would be difficult in a short time, so he could only helplessly give Han Xin a look. Han Xin understood. Although he was also worried, he understood the principle that military orders were as solid as mountains, and he could also understand the strategic intentions behind Gao Yao's actions.

Han Xin stepped forward, grabbed Xiao He's arm without a word, and whispered, "Lord Xiao, the King's mind is made up; he has his reasons. Our presence here is only distracting him. Let's go, lest we delay the King's important business!" With that, he exerted a little force, half-pulling, half-advising Xiao He, who was still babbling on, back the way they came. The other officials quickly followed, and the group soon disappeared at the entrance to the underground palace.

Watching their departing figures, Gao Yao pondered silently. To him, the lives of key ministers like Xiao He and Han Xin were indeed far more valuable than those of ordinary soldiers, and at times, even more valuable than his own. This realization was harsh, but an undeniable fact. Throughout history, and even in the modern era before his transmigration, the slogans proclaimed equality for all, that the emperor was subject to the same laws as commoners. However, in reality, the allocation of resources and the varying degrees of protection constantly revealed the disparity in the weight of certain individual lives.

The loss of an experienced engineer, a strategic commander, and a prime minister who could reassure the people is a loss that thousands of ordinary people cannot make up for.

Gao Yao possesses the system as his greatest trump card. Now, his territory is vast, and the system's accumulated rewards are countless; many he doesn't even bother to claim or inventory. The larger his territory, the richer the system rewards, creating a near-virtuous cycle.

Furthermore, having undergone system enhancements, he possessed combat prowess far exceeding that of ordinary people, allowing him to disregard most physical dangers. While the loss of his loyal and valiant personal guards was painful, the court had a system to compensate their families for their losses. However, if pillars of the state like Xiao He and Han Xin were to meet with misfortune here, the blow to the newly established dynasty would be devastating, potentially causing turmoil in the court, paralysis of government affairs, and even internal power imbalances leading to unrest. He needed these capable ministers to remain in power and stabilize the situation.

Having witnessed the legendary celestial star and personally experienced its wonders, Gao Yao, as a time traveler, had his innate curiosity and desire to explore the unknown ignited. He couldn't resist the urge to thoroughly study it.