Murong Yan looked at the solemn-faced Murong Ping and Murong Li, their childlike earnestness bringing a hint of amusement to his eyes.

He shook his head, then spoke seriously to the two: “To unify the world, slow and gentle methods definitely won’t work. We must use sharp and unconventional means to accelerate the pace of unification. This task requires someone to do it… But it absolutely cannot be done by the emperor who will rule the world after unification! When the world is unified and all seas are peaceful, the kind of ruler the people expect is a wise and benevolent sovereign who has the Kingdom and people at heart!”

Murong Ping and Murong Li, one older and one younger, knelt quietly across from Murong Yan, earnestly listening to his teachings.

“Ninth Uncle… is willing to be Yan’s unscrupulous minister who covers the sky with one hand, pushing forward Yan’s unification. And Yan… must have a benevolent and wise ruler beloved by all people!” Murong Yan looked at Murong Ping, then at Murong Li, continuing: “When the world is settled and Yan achieves success, the wise ruler will execute the powerful minister and comfort the people with generous virtue, surely winning hearts for our Yan and making the world submit to the enlightened sovereign.”

“Ninth Uncle!” Murong Ping was shocked, straightening his back. “What are you saying, Ninth Uncle! We’re family, how could we…”

Murong Yan gestured for Murong Ping not to be anxious: “It’s just putting on a show for outsiders. By then, when all seas are peaceful, you will have grown up and become pillars of the nation. Ninth Uncle can confidently entrust Yan to your hands, and also wants to live his own life. Moreover, as your second brother said, you’re all still young… none of you are suitable to be this all-powerful person.”

“Yan has struggled step by step to reach today. Whether your father emperor, wanted to pass the throne to me, or I want to pass it to one of you two, it’s all for Yan’s great cause! It’s not that we’re choosing who sits in that position, but that we must all choose the best and most secure path for Yan.”

Murong Li understood Murong Yan’s words, as did Murong Ping. Both fell silent.

“Ninth Uncle, I’m a military general, not suitable to be emperor!” Murong Ping turned to look at Murong Li. “Although A’Li is young, he’s the most outstanding among us brothers! Originally… I was supposed to go to Jin as a hostage, but A’Li took my place. It was precisely because A’Li, the legitimate son, went to Jin that Jin wasn’t so wary of our Yan. Whether in breadth of mind or strategic wisdom, A’Li far surpasses us, brothers. I believe… A’Li is most suitable!”

Murong Ping’s ambition was to achieve merit on the battlefield. He had self-awareness… he might be a good general, but definitely couldn’t be called a good emperor.

But A’Li was different. Not only was A’Li legitimate, he was deep-minded with far-reaching vision, and despite his young age, had sufficient courage—all the most basic qualities of an emperor, A’Li possessed.

“A’Li, what do you think?” Murong Yan looked at Murong Li and asked.

Behind Murong Yan, thirty-two lotus-pattern lamps flickered, their flames swaying in the summer breeze.

Murong Li possessed all the qualities of an emperor, but the ambition of an emperor—at least currently, Murong Yan couldn’t yet see in Murong Li, so he had to ask…

If Murong Li had no such desire, he wouldn’t force it, preferring to choose Murong Ping instead.

After a long silence, young Murong Li finally raised his eyes to look at Murong Yan, his gaze resilient and determined, tinged with moisture: “A’Li is willing to become Yan’s sovereign. If Ninth Uncle dares entrust Yan to A’Li’s hands, A’Li will surely be of one heart and mind with Ninth Uncle, doing everything possible for Yan’s unification of the world, completing… Father Emperor’s and Grandmother’s last wishes, together with Ninth Uncle and all brothers!”

Hearing Murong Li mention his mother and elder brother, Murong Yan’s lips parted slightly, his eyes suddenly stinging. After a long moment, he pressed his lips together in a smile, reached out to touch the top of Murong Li’s head, picked up that final edict and unfolded it for one last look, then turned to glance at the swaying flames of the lotus lamps and placed the edict over the flames.

The flickering flames touched the edict embroidered with dark birds and azure sparrows, making an extremely faint sizzling sound as fire tongues curled around the edict’s edges…

Murong Yan’s profound, dark eyes reflected the pale blue flames slowly igniting the edict, unfathomably deep.

Since he had decided not to ascend the throne, keeping this edict would only cause trouble. Better to consign it to the flames and exchange it for Yan’s peace.

“Ninth Uncle…” How could Murong Li not understand Ninth Uncle’s painful intention in burning the edict? After all, it was the last thing Father Emperor had left behind, yet Ninth Uncle still burned it for Yan’s stability and his secure throne.

Today, we can announce the mourning. Publicly declare… the edict commands Prince Li to ascend the throne, and because Prince Li is young, specially orders Ninth Prince Murong Yan to serve as regent…” Murong Yan turned back to look at Murong Li. “From now on, Ninth Uncle will be the powerful minister who controls the court. Whatever I do… has nothing to do with you. You just wait… wait until the world is unified, find an appropriate opportunity to condemn the Ninth Prince, then implement benevolent governance for the people.”

Murong Li’s eyes grew hot, tears uncontrollably falling. He hurriedly wiped them with his sleeve, not wanting Ninth Uncle to see. He remembered that Ninth Uncle most disliked seeing his nephews cry—men shed blood, not tears.

Murong Yan held the burning edict in his hand, his wrist hanging down as the flames consumed half the edict, the increasingly vigorous fire casting Murong Yan’s stern features in even deeper shadows. Even this golden firelight couldn’t add a trace more warmth to Murong Yan’s countenance than usual, making him appear even more fierce and imposing.

Murong Ping tactfully rose to fetch a bronze basin, placing it beside Murong Yan’s legs before properly kneeling back down.

Only when the edict was almost completely consumed by flames did Murong Yan drop it into the bronze basin Murong Ping had brought.

“Ninth Uncle…” Murong Li spoke, his voice hoarse.

“Originally, after Yan took Wei, we held the foremost position among nations. But Jin moved too quickly—after Jin took Liang… our brief advantage ended. To exchange for Yan soldiers held captive by the Rong and Di, I signed an agreement with the Rong and Di’s Ghost-Faced Prince on Yan’s behalf: within three years, should any conflict arise between the Rong and Di and Xi Liang, we cannot interfere or provide assistance.” Murong Yan looked at Murong Li. “Counting the days, Yan’s envoys should have already entered Xi Liang territory. The Xi Liang Empress should also know of the alliance Yan signed with the Rong and Di…”

Murong Yan sent envoys to Xi Liang to inform the Xi Liang Empress that Yan was compelled to sign a three-year non-interference agreement regarding Rong and Di attacks on Xi Liang in order to rescue captured soldiers—this was to let the Xi Liang Empress prepare early against the Northern Rong.

“Ninth Uncle, won’t this push Xi Liang toward Jin…” Murong Li remembered Bai Qingyan was about to become emperor and corrected himself: “Jin is now Great Zhou. Won’t this push Xi Liang toward the Great Zhou’s side?”