At the Yunlu Academy, Chancellor Zhao Shou held the rank of Third-Grade Grand Scholar.
He was the foremost figure in the Confucian world.
Zhao Shou represented not only himself but the entire Yunlu Academy and all scholars following the Confucian system.
That’s why he came with an engraving knife.
Emperor Yuanjing’s face turned pale upon seeing this knife. Since his ascension to the throne, it was the first time this Son of Heaven faced a death threat within the imperial palace, inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
“How did you enter the capital? How did you get into the palace…” Emperor Yuanjing collapsed onto the Dragon Throne, pointing at Zhao Shou, his emotions running high. “Guardian! Guardian! Come protect me!”
A large group of imperial guards rushed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony but were blocked by a barrier of clear light.
“Confucians do not assassinate emperors; we only kill traitors!” Zhao Shou’s face showed fearless determination to sacrifice himself for his principles. “I, Zhao Shou, represent the Confucian school and demand two promises from you. First, issue an Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach immediately. Second, acknowledge that Xu Qi An pleaded for the people and sought justice for Minister Zheng without committing any crime. You must issue an imperial decree praising him, recognizing his innocence, and ensure his clan will not be implicated.”
Emperor Yuanjing’s face turned ashen as he slowly surveyed the officials below. None of these scholars from the Imperial Academy dared to speak up. Unknowingly, the Imperial Academy and Yunlu Academy had aligned.
“Forcing me to issue an Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach is one thing, but why do you protect this Xu Qi An?”
Zhao Shou smiled slightly and declared frankly, “I hadn’t mentioned it before, but Xu Ning Yan is my disciple.”
What?!
The entire court was dumbfounded. The night watchman Xu Qi An, that commoner, was the personal disciple of Zhao Shou, the Chancellor of Yunlu Academy.
He… he was a Confucian scholar?
Truly worthy of being the Poetry Champion…
Indeed, how could someone capable of writing so many timeless masterpieces not be a Confucian scholar…
He’s one of our own…
Various thoughts flashed through the officials’ minds.
Wei Yuan frowned slightly, glancing at Zhao Shou with a questioning look.
“You want me to pardon that traitor who beheaded a Duke? Do you want me to continue allowing him to serve as an official in court? Ha, haha, hahahaha…”
Zhao Shou’s demand seemed to have thoroughly enraged Emperor Yuanjing, pushing him into a semi-manic state, laughing like a madman.
“Zhao Shou, I am the ruler of a nation, the august Son of Heaven. Do you truly dare to kill me? I’ll wager the fate of Confucianism with my life.” The frenzied Emperor Yuanjing kicked over the imperial desk, pacing quickly on the imperial dais, pointing at Zhao Shou, and shouting, “This is outrageous! Utterly outrageous! I still have the Guardian. I don’t believe the Guardian would stand idly by while you act.”
He didn’t believe Zhao Shou would risk his life over this matter. He knew Zhao Shou’s lifelong wish was to bring glory to Yunlu Academy.
He was even more skeptical that the Guardian would remain indifferent if the emperor was killed, unless the Bureau of Astronomy wanted to sever ties with the Great Feng Dynasty’s destiny, unless the Guardian no longer wished to be the First-Grade Sorcerer.
After enduring the pressure from his officials and Zhao Shou’s threat in the hall, Emperor Yuanjing was on the verge of erupting.
At this moment, a beam of light burst into the hall, transforming into the image of an old man with white hair and beard in mid-air.
“Yuanjing, issue the Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach!”
Emperor Yuanjing’s mind was struck with a thunderous shock. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the Dragon Throne.
His gaze was blank, his face defeated, like an abandoned old man, like a forsaken failure.
He finally understood why Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang could rally the officials to force him to issue the edict. He realized why Zhao Shou dared to enter the capital and compelled him to do so.
All of this was under the Guardian’s instruction.
After speaking these words, the white-robed elder slowly dissipated.
The hall fell into dead silence.
Until Zhao Shou spoke, breaking the silence: “He no longer deigns to serve as an official at court.”
Who is “he”?
Naturally, it referred to that commoner who had loudly proclaimed he wouldn’t be an official.
Emperor Yuanjing seemed unaware, sitting dazed like a frail old man in his twilight years.
…
At the Eight Trigrams Platform of the Star-Observing Tower.
Xu Qi An stood proudly in his plain clothes, raising his wine flask towards the imperial palace, and smiled, “All the rise and fall of empires past and present, entrusted to this flask of wine.”
“Look how pleased you are with yourself. If it weren’t for your teacher cleaning up after you, let’s see how well you’d fare,” said a yellow-dressed girl sitting at the table. She had an oval face, and big eyes, and looked sweet. Her cheeks were puffed out with food, resembling a cute hamster.
“How are Miao Zhen, Chu Yuan Zhen, and Master Heng Yuan doing?” Xu Qi An smiled, disregarding Chu Cai Wei’s mockery.
“In a few more days, their injuries will be fully healed,” Chu Cai Wei frowned and complained, “They’ve worn me out. They refuse to let Senior Brother Song help treat their wounds.”
They’re afraid of becoming experimental subjects… Xu Qi An thought to himself.
He didn’t speak further, savoring the events of yesterday.
That day, he came to the Bureau of Astronomy and asked Cai Wei to relay a message to the Guardian: Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang wanted to unite the officials to force Emperor Yuanjing to issue an Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach, hoping for the Guardian’s assistance.
Without the approval of this Great Feng Dynasty’s protector, Emperor Yuanjing’s years of balancing court factions would make it difficult for Wei Yuan and Wang Zhen Wen to reach an agreement on interests in just one day, convincing over two-thirds of the capital’s officials to agree.
The Guardian agreed.
This led to Xu Qi An’s blocking of the officials at the palace gate and his abduction of Duke Cao and Duke Que Yong Xiu, the Protector of the State.
Killing these two villains was just the opening move. Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang making Emperor Yuanjing admit his guilt was the real conclusion.
Of course, if Lord Wei and Prime Minister Wang had chosen to stand by, Xu Qi An would have simply killed the two villains to console the spirits of Zheng Xing Huai and the 380,000 wronged souls of Chu Prefecture.
Then he would have left the capital with his family to wander the jianghu.
Yesterday, he visited Yunlu Academy and informed Zhao Shou of the plan. Zhao Shou disagreed with the decision to leave for the jianghu, as Xu Xin Nian was the only Yunlu Academy student to enter the Hanlin Academy and become a reserve prime minister.
This led to Chancellor Zhao entering the palace to pressure Emperor Yuanjing.
“No longer being an official… Although the accumulated connections are still there, it will become difficult to utilize the power of the court. Cutting off the official path means no possibility of further advancement. In the future, when confronting that behind-the-scenes mastermind, I’ll have to rely on other forces,” Xu Qi An pondered, formulating a new development plan: Befriend powerful figures + enhance personal strength.
“The members of the Earthly Prosperity Society are one of my supports. Li Miao Zhen and Chu Yuan Zhen are Fourth-Grade combat strengths. Master Heng Yuan is an Eighth-Grade warrior monk, but according to Chu Yuan Zhen, the master’s explosive power and endurance are both excellent. Even if his combat strength isn’t equivalent to Fourth-Grade, it surpasses Fifth-Grade warriors.
“Li Na’s combat strength can’t be accurately assessed. She’s slightly inferior to Heng Yuan, but Daoist Jin Lian said she’s the only genius in the group who can rival me.
“Number One’s identity is unknown for now, so we’ll set that aside. Number Nine, Daoist Jin Lian, is one of the most powerful figures I can befriend. He has many non-corrupted Earth Sect Daoists behind him.
“So next, I need to help Daoist Jin Lian protect the Nine-Colored Lotus.”
As for Numbers Seven and Eight, the former was said to be the Holy Son of the Heaven Sect, Li Miao Zhen’s senior brother. His current whereabouts are unknown. When mentioning him, Li Miao Zhen was evasive and reluctant to discuss. Later, when pressed, she said: “That guy is a scoundrel just like you, but he’s suffered retribution. You haven’t yet, but you’ll follow in his footsteps one day.”
Number Eight was in secluded cultivation, his fate unknown.
“Besides Daoist Jin Lian, Wei Yuan is a powerful figure I can trust. The Guardian doesn’t count; he’s too difficult to fathom. All the goodwill he’s shown so far might not be genuine. Before his true intentions are revealed, nothing can be trusted.
“Even Master Shen Shu is more trustworthy than the Guardian, but he’s currently in a deep slumber and won’t wake up anytime soon. Then, Master Du E from the Buddhist sect can barely be considered half a support. If pushed to the extreme, I could enter the monastic life. No, that’s not right. With Shen Shu inside me, joining the Buddhist sect would be a dead end.
“As for Luo Yu Hang, the leader of the Human Sect, she has some friendship with Jin Lian, but our relationship is superficial. She probably can’t be counted on.”
After summarizing, Xu Qi An made a mental task list:
Reliable and trustworthy powerful figures: Daoist Jin Lian (Earthly Prosperity Society), Wei Yuan.
Potentially reliable powerful figures: Shen Shu, the Guardian.
Powerful figures to win over: Luo Yu Hang, Arhat Du E.
Enemies: Mysterious sorcerer group, Emperor Yuanjing.
“After the Chu Prefecture massacre case is closed, I’ll keep a low profile and try to advance to Fifth Grade. This shouldn’t be too difficult; I’ve already touched the threshold of Fifth Grade. But Fifth Grade isn’t enough. Only when I reach Fourth Grade will I truly have the power to protect myself.
“Meanwhile, I’ll observe Emperor Yuanjing’s attitude through the situations of Second Brother and Second Uncle. If there are signs of retaliation, I’ll leave the capital immediately. The best outcome would be to leave the capital after I advance to Fourth Grade. If I leave now, I can only rely on Daoist Jin Lian; other powerful figures can’t be counted on.”
As these thoughts ran through his mind, the Guardian, who had been sitting motionless at the table, slowly opened his eyes and said, “His Majesty has agreed to issue the Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach.”
Phew… Xu Qi An felt relieved.
“It’s a pity we couldn’t force Emperor Yuanjing to abdicate. The old emperor has controlled the court for many years; his foundation is still there. Although the officials are now forcing him to issue the edict, if we were to force him to abdicate, the vast majority wouldn’t support it. The interests involved, changes in the court situation, and so on, are too extensive.
“Well, one shouldn’t be too greedy. This is already the result I wanted,” he thought to himself.
The Guardian looked down at the table, seeing that the snacks his disciple had brought for him had all gone into his disciple’s stomach, and felt somewhat melancholic.
“Cai Wei, your master only went to watch a play in the palace…” the Guardian sighed.
“Well, who told you to go watch the play by yourself?” Chu Cai Wei said in a coquettish voice, justifying herself:
“When we eat with Ling Yin and Li Na, it’s first come, first served. Even a six-year-old child understands this principle.”
The Guardian didn’t want to speak anymore.
Xu Qi An asked curiously, “How come I haven’t seen Senior Brother Yang?”
Chu Cai Wei answered, “The teacher has him suppressed underground, keeping Senior Sister Zhong Li company.”
What did that show-off do to anger the Guardian? Xu Qi An wondered.
Cai Wei continued, “Teacher, Senior Brother Song asked me to inquire about something.”
Hearing this, the Guardian was silent for a moment, “Does he want death row inmates for alchemy experiments again?”
Chu Cai Wei shook her head.
The Guardian had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard his little disciple say in a crisp voice, “He said he wants to go to the Human Sect to become an apprentice and learn their arts. But you’re his teacher, so he doesn’t dare to make decisions on his own. That’s why he’s seeking your approval.”
… The Guardian slowly asked, “What’s his reason?”
“Senior Brother Song’s human body refinement has reached the final step, but his primordial spirit can’t fuse with his physical body. He’s very troubled and can’t eat or sleep well. The Daoist sects are experts in the field of primordial spirits, so he wants to learn Daoist techniques.”
As Chu Cai Wei spoke, she continued eating, “But Senior Brother Song said his heart is still with you, Teacher, and hopes you won’t be jealous.”
The Guardian remained silent. He glanced at Chu Cai Wei, whose mouth corners were glistening with oil, then thought of Zhong Li and Yang Qian Huan suppressed underground. He turned his head silently, gazing at the flourishing capital, and sighed dejectedly.
The mortal realm is not worth it.
Xu Qi An hurriedly covered his mouth, almost laughing out loud.
…
In the imperial bedchamber, everything was in disarray.
The curtains were torn down, incense burners overturned, calligraphy and paintings ripped to shreds, tables flipped, and gold and silver utensils scattered on the floor.
Emperor Yuanjing stood amidst the “ruins,” his wide-sleeved robe and hair in disarray.
After thirty-seven years on the throne, today his dignity was trampled underfoot by his officials. For a proud monarch who prided himself on being at the pinnacle of power politics, the blow was too great.
Even ordinary people would go mad if their face was slapped like this, let alone an emperor.
“Your Majesty…”
An old eunuch entered from outside, calling out timidly.
Emperor Yuanjing looked at him coldly.
“The officials haven’t left. They’re still gathered in the Hall of Supreme Harmony,” the old eunuch said softly.
“What are they doing? What more do they want? Didn’t I agree to their demands?!” Emperor Yuanjing waved his hands excitedly, roaring at the top of his lungs.
The old eunuch’s knees went weak, and he knelt on the ground, saying mournfully, “Wang Zhen Wen and Wei Yuan said they won’t disperse until they see the Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach.”
Emperor Yuanjing’s body swayed, and he staggered back a few steps. Suddenly, he felt a pain in his chest, and a sweet, metallic taste rose in his throat.
…
On this day, just after the noon meal, the court unprecedentedly posted announcements.
At the palace gates, inner city gates, and outer city gates—twelve gates in total—twelve bulletin boards were posted with Emperor Yuanjing’s Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach.
In his thirty-seven years on the throne, this was Emperor Yuanjing’s first Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach.
On this day, all levels of society in the capital were in an uproar.