Not just Zhuo Hao Ran, but all the military leaders present first fell silent in shock, then began cursing.

“Is the little emperor still being stubborn? Does he think his life is too long, or is the Dragon Throne so uncomfortable that he’s eager for us to remove him from it?”

“Damn it, where does the Great Feng court get its confidence? The treasury is empty, chaos reigns everywhere, and even the Imperial Censor is gone.”

“Heh, if they’re not afraid of death, then let’s fight! When we march into the capital, that little emperor will be on his knees begging for mercy.”

Since the Imperial Censor was sealed and Qing Province was occupied, the Cloud Province army’s morale had reached its peak. They had become somewhat arrogant, believing that taking the capital and ruling the Central Plains was just a matter of time.

When discussing the Great Feng court, their words were full of disdain, carrying an air of superiority.

Therefore, in the eyes of these commanders, the peace talks were purely an act of charity and mercy – how dare the Great Feng court actively refuse?

They thought, that when the Cloud Province army marches to the capital when the State Preceptor and invincible transcendent experts like the Garuda Tree descend upon the capital, would Great Feng have the ability to resist?

Qi Guang Bo’s expression was solemn. After waiting for the commanders to vent their emotions, he tapped the table and said:

“The Heaven’s Mechanism Palace spies report that Xu Qi An forced Yong Xing to abdicate and helped Princess Huai Qing ascend to the throne.”

The Cloud Province military commanders, who had been emotional and clamoring just moments ago, collectively fell silent upon hearing Qi Guang Bo’s words. They looked at each other, their faces filled with bewilderment and shock.

This news was indeed shocking and unexpected. But its nature was more “absurd” and “outrageous” – helping a woman ascend to the throne?

“Pfft—” Someone couldn’t hold back their laughter:

“What’s this? Has the Xu fellow run out of options? To pull such a foolish move.”

“Indeed, a woman ascending to be emperor? Does he think the Central Plains isn’t chaotic enough? Even if the officials in the capital fear his martial prowess and don’t dare rebel immediately, the moment he leaves the capital, that female emperor will probably be served poisoned wine or die mysteriously in the palace,” Zhuo Hao Ran sneered.

As a bloodthirsty butcher, women were mere playthings in his eyes – how could they be worthy of the Dragon Throne?

Yang Chuan Nan shook his head with a laugh:

“This way, the hearts of the capital’s people will be unstable, making it even harder for them to unite against us. Once the State Preceptor refines Qing Province’s fortune and marches north, it won’t take long to break through the capital.”

The other commanders burst into laughter – some mocking, some disdainful, some joking – no longer taking the failed peace talks so seriously.

Ji Xuan and Ge Wen Xuan exchanged glances. Though confused, they didn’t rush to agree with the other commanders, instead looking toward Qi Guang Bo.

“Indeed, helping the Princess ascend to the throne is a risky move.”

Qi Guang Bo looked around at everyone and slowly said:

“What if I tell you that not only did he help a woman ascend to the throne, but he also stabilized the court in an extremely short time? On the day of the Princess’s ascension, flowers bloomed throughout the capital – the common people saw it as a heavenly omen, believing that the Princess’s ascension was heaven’s will, meant to save the struggling Great Feng.

“What do you all think of that?”

The laughter in the hall suddenly ceased.

The commanders’ smiles vanished as they silently looked at each other, trying to gauge their colleagues’ reactions.

Ge Wen Xuan said:

“He forced Yong Xing to abdicate to install a puppet emperor, thus eliminating future troubles. But if it’s just a puppet, wouldn’t choosing a naive child be better? Why take this risk of putting a woman on the throne?”

Someone sneered:

“That female emperor must be a great beauty, probably already Xu Qi An’s lover. Everyone knows that Xu fellow’s reputation for womanizing.”

Ge Wen Xuan frowned:

“Only a complete fool thinks of their enemies as fools.”

Ji Xuan pondered briefly:

“According to intelligence about the Great Feng royal family, Princess Huai Qing is a famous scholar in the capital. She studied at the Cloud Deer Academy, and during Yuan Jing’s reign, she served as a Hanlin Editor. She’s no ordinary woman.”

Due to his background, Ji Xuan paid special attention to members of the Great Feng royal family. While the other commanders might not know much about a princess’s background, Ji Xuan knew every detail.

“Just because of that?”

Zhuo Hao Ran understood Ji Xuan’s meaning – a talented princess on the throne might be more formidable than Yong Xing, but due to his prejudice against women, he maintained his disdainful attitude.

Qi Guang Bo tapped the table again and said:

“When the Heaven’s Mechanism Palace spies sent this news, our delegation was still in the capital. Xu Qi An kept them alive rather than killing them, presumably wanting to make a deal with us.”

Everyone turned to look at Ji Xuan.

If it were an ordinary illegitimate son, his value would be limited, and they wouldn’t give the Great Feng courtroom to make excessive demands.

But this illegitimate son was Ji Xuan’s brother from the same mother (not twins), and as a Third-Rank martial artist from Cloud Province’s main line, Ji Xuan’s position was exceptional, making his brother no ordinary illegitimate son.

Ji Xuan said gravely:

“I’ll defer to the General’s decision.”

He took a step back voluntarily.

Qi Guang Bo said:

“In three days, we’ll mobilize our forces and enter Yong Province’s territory. Surround the city without attacking, putting pressure on the Great Feng court. Then send envoys to negotiate with Yang Gong, forcing them to release our people.”

Ge Wen Xuan nodded:

“This way, we can recover Young Master Ji Yuan at a minimal cost.”

Mobilizing troops would serve both as pressure and as a show of strength, eliminating any chance of the Great Feng court making excessive demands.

The commanders in the hall heard this and excitedly rubbed their hands together.

“We’ve been waiting for this.”

“The soldiers have been anticipating the attack on Yong Province day and night.”

“Surely they wouldn’t dare not hand over Young Master Ji Yuan.”

…

In a mansion less than three li from the Administrative Office in Qing Province.

Xu Ping Feng sat cross-legged as streams of power invisible to mortal eyes gathered toward the mansion, transforming into flowing light that entered the white-robed artificer’s body.

These powers concentrated in his dantian, forming a turbid energy sphere.

Xu Ping Feng’s hands virtually grasped the sphere, gradually refining the “impurities” within it, making it increasingly clear and flawless.

The core ability of Qi practitioners was to refine and purify a province’s fortune, then integrate it into themselves, using the refined fortune to leverage the power of all living beings.

When the fortune reached a certain threshold and underwent a qualitative change, one could advance to become a Fate Master, able to glimpse the future and become one of the world’s top strategists.

The sound of fluttering wings came from the courtyard as a carrier pigeon landed steadily.

Xu Ping Feng opened his eyes, returned the semi-turbid energy sphere to his dantian, and then reached out to “grab” the pigeon from the courtyard. The pigeon carried a message from Qi Guang Bo.

After reading the contents of the note, Xu Ping Feng pondered briefly, then rubbed his fingertip across the paper.

The black characters disappeared, replaced by a single word:

Approved!

He returned the note to the bamboo tube on the pigeon’s leg, gently tossed it away, then stood up and stepped sideways into the adjacent meditation room.

The room’s temperature was as hot as midsummer. Bodhisattva Garuda Tree sat cross-legged, his neck no longer empty – his head had regenerated.

“The peace talks have failed,”

Xu Ping Feng said with a smile.

Garuda Tree opened his eyes, his serious face showing no other expression as he slowly said:

“The Imperial Censor indeed left a backup plan.

“But what kind of trump card gives him the confidence to fight against us?”

Xu Ping Feng stood with his hands behind his back, smiling lightly as he said:

“You don’t understand him well enough. Daring to fight us to the death doesn’t necessarily mean he’s confident – if backed into a corner, he might choose mutual destruction.

“Even if Master Imperial Censor left a trump card, it couldn’t possibly let him advance directly to First Rank. At most it’s some method to enhance combat power, along with Luo Yu Heng’s impending breakthrough to First-Rank, making up some of the power difference.

“This gives him a bit of confidence.”

Garuda Tree nodded slightly.

Xu Ping Feng continued:

“In three days, we’ll deploy troops to Yong Province. Then we’ll know.”

“White Emperor hasn’t returned to the Nine Provinces Continent?” Garuda Tree asked.

“It will take some more time,” Xu Ping Feng replied.

What that descendant of gods and demons was doing overseas, what they were planning – nobody knew.

Of course, if Xu Ping Feng deliberately investigated, he could have found some clues, but there was no need.

Doing so would only damage their alliance relationship – the cost would outweigh the benefits.

…

At the Bureau of Astronomy.

On the Eight Trigrams Platform, Xu Qi An sat cross-legged beside the desk, gazing at the various aspects of life in the capital, comprehending the power of all living beings.

A clear light flashed behind him as the white-robed Sun Xuan Ji appeared with Guardian Yuan.

“Has your injury healed?”

Xu Qi An remained seated, presenting an upright back to the human and ape, just like the Imperial Censor once did.

Guardian Yuan first looked at Sun Xuan Ji, then turned to look at Xu Qi An’s back, saying:

“It’s about seven or eight-tenths healed.”

Xu Qi An nodded, took out a brocade bag from his chest:

“The contents will tell you what to do next.”

Sun Xuan Ji accepted the bag but didn’t open it, silently watching Xu Qi An’s back.

Guardian Yuan helpfully translated:

“Are you imitating Master Imperial Censor? But I think you’re more like Junior Brother Yang!”

Xu Qi An let out a “heh” and didn’t respond.

Guardian Yuan helpfully translated:

“Xu Silver Bell’s heart is telling me: Don’t compare me with that show-off, I’m not cosplaying the Imperial Censor, I’m imitating Zhuge Liang… Oh crap, I wasn’t careful, didn’t guard against this dead monkey. I’m going to eat monkey brains tonight.”

Guardian Yuan suddenly snapped awake, breaking free from his immersive mind-reading, silently shrinking behind Sun Xuan Ji, and tremblingly said:

“Please give me another chance.”

Sun Xuan Ji opened the brocade bag, glanced at it, made a sound of acknowledgment, and formed patterns spread from beneath her feet as she teleported away with Guardian Yuan.

Guardian Yuan felt deeply relieved, feeling like he’d just saved his own life.

At the same time, he realized his mind-reading divine ability had improved again – he could see through Xu Silver Bell’s thoughts even when they weren’t intentionally projected.

He wasn’t sure whether to be happy or sad about this development.

Just as Sun Xuan Ji left, Xu Qi An rose on the wind, flying toward the Lingbao Temple.

Though back in the capital for many days, he hadn’t visited Lingbao Temple yet. Initially, he neither had the mood nor time, and later he was busy dual cultivating with Mu Nan Zhi, actively avoiding the State Preceptor.

After all, the State Preceptor surely knew about his dual cultivation with Mu Nan Zhi, and seeking trouble at this time wouldn’t show the proper survival instincts for a master of the fish pond.

But now he had to make a trip to Lingbao Temple.

…

Inside Lingbao Temple.

Luo Yu Heng sat cross-legged above a pool of water, meditating.

Wearing feathered robes and a lotus crown, with a striking vermillion mark between her brows.

Cold and otherworldly like a celestial maiden from the Ninth Heaven, the immortal aura cultivated from years of Dao practice could instantly outshine most “worldly” women.

In the pavilion by the pool sat a woman holding a fox cub, clicking her tongue:

“The State Preceptor is truly beautiful – skin like cream, phoenix eyes, crimson lips, ice-jade bones, and flesh, a mortal treasure.

“It makes an ordinary woman like me green with envy.”

Though plain-looking and well past her prime, her tone was teasing, without a hint of inferiority.

“So envious!” Bai Ji clapped her paws in agreement.

Mu Nan Zhi sighed:

“The State Preceptor may be beautiful, but it’s quite pitiful to have no man’s affection.”

Bai Ji said coquettishly: “So pitiful!”

Mu Nan Zhi continued:

“Unlike me, though I’m only average-looking, at least I have a man’s love.”

Suddenly she shook her head, face full of worry: “Though it’s not always good – such a lustful fellow, won’t even let one leave the bed.”

A blue vein popped up on Luo Yu Heng’s smooth forehead.

She pretended not to hear and continued meditating.

Outside the small courtyard, just beyond the wall.

Quietly leaving… Xu Qi An used Heaven Gu’s “Moving Stars and Shifting Constellations” ability to mask his presence, returning the way he came, deeply concealing his merit and fame.

“That fool Mu Nan Zhi has gotten cocky since awakening the Flower God’s divine essence… State Preceptor, this is karma for threatening and intimidating her back then… Well, it’s none of my business.

“These days everyone’s into the sister-versus-sister competition – Flower God competing with State Preceptor, Huai Qing with Lin An, Ling Yue with Yuan Shuang…”

Xu Qi An left Lingbao Temple.

Half a quarter hour later, an orange cat leaped onto the wall and entered the secluded courtyard.

Mu Nan Zhi and Luo Yu Heng both looked at the orange cat.

The cat wasn’t nervous at all, carrying a letter in its mouth as it walked elegantly to the poolside and dropped the letter.

Then it turned to leave.

The State Preceptor and Flower God both frowned and tentatively asked:

“Xu Qi An?”

The orange cat turned back, gave a cute “meow” as if trying to be adorable, and continued walking.

The two women, advanced in years but still unrivaled in beauty, withdrew their gazes.

Luo Yu Heng beckoned the envelope to float over, opened it, and read it with a cold smile.

“Whose letter is it?”

Mu Nan Zhi asked, pretending to be unconcerned.

“Xu Qi An’s,”

Luo Yu Heng said flatly.

“What did he write?” Mu Nan Zhi’s ears immediately perked up.

Luo Yu Heng’s lips curled up, her tone nonchalant:

“Requesting dual cultivation.”

…

That night, at the Eight Trigrams Platform.

Xu Qi An held the Earth Book fragment, reading the messages on its mirror-like surface by the faint starlight.

[One: I’ve tracked down the Earth Sect evil Daoists’ base. They are indeed in Qing Province, having sought refuge with the Cloud Province rebels. They now control Qing Province’s Criminal Investigation Commissioner’s Office. Their main base is at the Commissioner’s Office in Qing Province’s capital.

[They still wear their Earth Sect Daoist robes, making them easy to identify.]

Minister Wei’s sleeper agents are truly formidable… the Heaven and Earth Society members inwardly marveled.

[Nine: Good, let’s proceed according to plan. Everyone, let’s meet at a location.]

[Three: Let’s meet in the underground palace outside Yong Province’s capital. Everyone knows that place, and Yong Province borders Qing Province, making it convenient for operations. No need to come to the capital.]

[Eight: The underground palace outside Yong Province’s capital?]

Asura didn’t know the palace’s location.

Chu Yuan Jin messaged: [Thirty li south of Yong Province’s capital there’s a mountain range. You should be able to find us once you get there. Number Eight, where are you? If you’re not too far, we can come pick you up by flying sword.]

Asura declined: [No need, it’s not too far. I’m already in the Central Plains.]

Just a few thousand li from Yong Province.

[Nine: Then, let’s meet at dawn tomorrow!]

The members all replied: [Alright!]

There’ll be quite a show tomorrow… Xu Qi An put away the Earth Book fragment and melted into the shadows, returning to his room.

The candlelight was dim as a bean.

Mu Nan Zhi sat at the table holding Bai Ji, reading an illustrated novel.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Xu Qi An spoke while undressing, preparing to make the bed creak with the Flower God.

Mu Nan Zhi sneered:

“Xu Silver Bell, if you’re not going to dual cultivate with your State Preceptor, what are you doing here?”

What? Why would I go dual cultivate with the State Preceptor? It’s not even cultivation time, and normally Luo Yu Heng is very resistant to getting intimate with me… Xu Qi An didn’t understand what she was jealous about.

Weren’t you showing off and competing beautifully earlier today?

“What are you talking about?” Xu Qi An said irritably.

Mu Nan Zhi gave a “hmph” and couldn’t be bothered to deal with him.