The Princess of the Myriad Beasts Kingdom did not give chase. Her nine tails wrapped around Xu Qi’an and landed before Zhao Shou.
The nine tails unfurled, swaying gently behind Xu Qi’an, then dissipated individually.
“Wait, where is Fu Xiang?” Xu Qi’an asked, struggling through his weakened state.
A seductive female voice emanated from the swaying tails, mocking him:
“Your life is hanging by a thread, yet you’re still thinking about women. What a sentimental fool.”
Indeed, she’s quite the ill-mannered demoness, needing some discipline… Xu Qi’an understood her mockery and frowned. Seeing her fox tails vanishing one by one, he pressed on:
“When others treat me with sincerity, I reciprocate in kind.”
This was a basic tenet for a master of romance.
“I’ve married her off to one of our male clansmen,” came the Princess’s lilting voice.
What the hell?! Xu Qi’an’s eyes widened instantly!
“Just kidding,” the Princess continued, calming Xu Qi’an’s anger. She explained:
“Fu Xiang has returned to my side. Her role as the top courtesan of the Imperial Entertainment Bureau was merely an ordinary mission for her, just another chapter in her life’s journey.”
Xu Qi’an nodded, replying weakly:
“Then I can rest easy.”
Although he knew Fu Xiang was a demon spy and her “death” was just a ruse to escape, hearing that she was safe still brought him relief. For now, he’d let this fish return to the sea.
He’d find a way to reel her back into his pond in the future.
Just before the last fox tail vanished, the Princess of the Myriad Beasts Kingdom added with a smile:
“Oh, by the way, Fu Xiang’s physical body was a corpse I found in a pile of dead bodies years ago. It had just died, and the body was still usable, so I used a soul-returning technique to plant Fu Xiang’s soul into it.
“Although that body was indistinguishable from a living person’s, it was still a corpse. After a few years, it began to decay and rot uncontrollably. Fu Xiang had no choice but to fake her death and escape.”
Xu Qi’an’s expression instantly froze, like a still painting.
…
“Eldest Nephew, Eldest Nephew…”
Second Uncle Xu waited anxiously nearby. As the fox tails dispersed, he rushed over to check on his nephew’s injuries.
Xu Pingzhi’s aged face was a mix of sorrow, anger, worry, and lingering fear. He gripped his nephew’s hand tightly, afraid that if he let go, his nephew would be gone.
“Why haven’t the wounds healed yet? Isn’t the Third Realm supposed to grant immortality?” Second Uncle Xu checked for a while, growing anxious.
His nephew’s condition hadn’t improved. The wounds from two jade-shattering strikes were still there, nine demon-sealing nails pierced his flesh, and the wound on his abdomen kept oozing thick, crimson blood.
With blood flowing from his seven orifices, he looked terrifying, as if he could die from his severe injuries at any moment.
“He’s at his limit and urgently needs treatment,” Zhao Shou sighed, enduring his splitting headache. He solemnly declared: “Stop the bleeding.”
Those horrific wounds slowly stopped oozing blood but still didn’t heal.
In Zhao Shou’s view, the fact that Xu Qi’an wasn’t dead yet was a testament to the incredible vitality of martial artists.
He had expended enormous energy in his death battle with Joan of Arc, sustaining severe injuries, especially those two mutually destructive jade-shattering wounds, which were terrifyingly potent.
Then, with the demon-sealing nails embedded in him, locking his qi and blood, he had the cultivation of a Third Realm martial artist but couldn’t exert even a fraction of it.
Finally, he used the curse-killing technique recorded by the Confucian school, sacrificing himself to make the white-robed scholar Xu Pingfeng suffer a karmic backlash.
The backlash of killing a person of great fortune.
It was a case of killing 800 enemies at the cost of 1,000 of your own.
The accumulation of these injuries, yet still clinging to life, wasn’t this a manifestation of a martial artist’s powerful vitality?
“Let’s return to the capital for now. At this point, only the Censor-in-Chief can save him,” Zhao Shou glanced at the distant battle. Even with his Third Realm cultivation, he couldn’t perceive the clash between the First Realm Bodhisattva and the First Realm Heavenly Mandate, as it was shrouded in layers of formations.
The Censor-in-Chief was cutting off the female Bodhisattva’s retreat. He intended to slay the Bodhisattva.
Xu Pingzhi picked up his nephew, nodding with a gloomy expression.
He had remembered everything now, all of it. He remembered his elder brother, once unparalleled and a rare genius.
He recalled the scenes of the Xu family’s past glory and prosperity.
But all of that was now like clouds of the past. Every year in the capital, there were high officials and wealthy merchants who fell from grace and had their property confiscated. With the heavenly mysteries obscured, no one would remember the Xu family that had shone brilliantly for a moment twenty years ago.
…
Late at night, in the Imperial Study.
The candlelight blazed brightly, illuminating the room like daylight.
The Crown Prince sat behind the Emperor’s grand desk, his emotions a complex mix of feelings – sighs, excitement, nervousness… much like an ordinary person facing the once-in-a-lifetime event of marriage.
The Crown Prince knew that whether he could smoothly ascend to the throne depended on tonight.
At this moment, the ministers were still waiting in the side hall, drinking hot tea and eating pastries, awaiting the meeting.
With the Emperor slain, the realm was without a leader. It was natural and expected for the Crown Prince to step forward and take charge. This was his rightful duty and the purpose of his existence.
A nation cannot go a day without a monarch, nor can it go a day without an heir apparent.
The role of the heir apparent became prominent at times like these. If Great Shang didn’t have a Crown Prince, it would likely be in chaos right now.
After a day of pacification, the various levels of society in the capital were relatively calm. The commoners were the most agitated, gathering at the palace gates and various government offices, clamoring to see Xu Qi’an.
The common folk suspected that Xu Qi’an had been secretly arrested or even killed by the court.
Prime Minister Wang had the Crown Prince deploy the imperial army into the city to suppress unrest, while simultaneously ordering officials to pacify the people. This two-pronged approach managed to prevent potential riots.
“Your Highness, the Prime Minister has arrived,” the old eunuch crossed the threshold, standing below and speaking softly.
Prime Minister Wang, wearing his crimson official robe and hat, strode into the Imperial Study with steady steps.
Compared to the anxiety of the other ministers, Prime Minister Wang’s expression was calm, his spirit excellent, as if he had been reborn, shaking off all ailments.
“Your Highness!” Prime Minister Wang bowed.
“Prime Minister, at this critical moment, what should we do?” the Crown Prince looked down at Prime Minister Wang.
He knew that Prime Minister Wang would be a crucial support for his ascension to the throne, and someone he could rely on in the future. He only needed to form an “alliance” with Prime Minister Wang to quickly suppress the various factions and secure his position on the dragon throne.
This wasn’t difficult, because many members of the Crown Prince’s faction were within Wang’s party.
Prime Minister Wang himself didn’t take sides before because the Emperor had kept him in check, so naturally, the Prime Minister couldn’t align himself openly.
But, Prime Minister Wang himself was part of the Crown Prince’s faction, or at least leaned towards him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed members of his party to secretly support the Crown Prince.
Prime Minister Wang said: “Your Highness needs to do three things: First, stabilize the people’s hearts. Second, stabilize the military’s loyalty. Third, stabilize the court.”
The Crown Prince leaned forward slightly, smiling: “How does the Prime Minister suggest we stabilize these three?”
Prime Minister Wang seemed to have prepared his speech in advance and spoke methodically:
“Your Highness, everyone knows that Xu Qi’an slew the former Emperor outside the capital. This matter cannot be concealed. Forcibly covering it up will only inflame the people’s anger and further erode their trust in the court.”
Now, the people of the capital had once again remembered Xu Qi’an, recalling that he was the one who had slain the Emperor.
The Crown Prince sighed. This aligned with his thoughts.
Wang Zhenwen continued:
“We should inform the public of the former Emperor’s actions, announcing them to the world – cutting off supplies to the army, harming loyal ministers, leading to the deaths of 80,000 soldiers at the hands of the Witch Cult. Afterward, you, Your Highness, in your capacity as a filial son, should strongly condemn the former Emperor, forbid his tablet from being placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and deny his remains entry to the Imperial Mausoleum.
“Then, commend Xu Qi’an, restore his original position, grant him a title, and announce it to the world. This will stabilize both the people’s hearts and the military’s loyalty. Although the former Emperor’s actions will greatly damage the reputation and prestige of the court and royal family, Your Highness’s actions will be applauded by the common people and the wise. They will look forward to a new era under the new monarch’s reign.”
The “former Emperor” Wang Zhenwen referred to was Emperor Yuanjing.
“This cannot be done!” the Crown Prince exclaimed in shock, thinking to himself that this would make him an unfilial son.
No matter how perverse the former Emperor’s actions were, a father-son relationship was eternal. Others might curse the former Emperor, but he, as the son, couldn’t do so.
Even if it was justified, it would earn him the reputation of an unfilial son.
This reputation might not appear in the short term, but it would surely be recorded in the annals of history.
Throughout history, even when sons forced their fathers to abdicate or usurped the throne, they still had to properly enshrine their fathers, albeit confined to the palace.
Whipping one’s father’s corpse was unprecedented throughout history, as it was too taboo. No intelligent person would do such a thing.
“If Your Highness wishes to quickly accumulate prestige and win the people’s love, giving them confidence in the new dynasty, this is the price that must be paid. With Your Highness, a wise ruler, ascending the throne, and Xu Qi’an being granted a title and position in court, the situation can be stabilized,” Wang Zhenwen said.
“This cannot be done,” the Crown Prince shook his head again.
Prime Minister Wang nodded and presented a second plan:
“Then we can claim that His Majesty was controlled by the Witch Cult’s sorcery, which led to these perverse actions. Xu Qi’an intervened to stop the Witch Cult’s plot.
“The war between Great Shang and the Witch Cult has just ended, and the people are angry about the 80,000 soldiers who died in the Northeast. No one will doubt this explanation. We can use this to redirect their anger towards the Witch Cult.
“However, we should still commend Xu Qi’an’s actions. This will help salvage the court’s image. The gathering of people at various government offices and the palace gates today is perfect evidence of this.”
The Crown Prince remained silent for a long time, not refuting.
Seeing this, Prime Minister Wang continued:
“Lastly, to stabilize the court, what the ministers are worried about is nothing more than the saying ‘a new sovereign brings his ministers.’ Your Highness just needs to win them over.”
“How should I win them over?” the Crown Prince asked.
Winning people over isn’t just about verbal promises; it requires offering actual benefits. Therefore, to win over one group, you must suppress another.
The Crown Prince was essentially asking: Who should be suppressed?
Prime Minister Wang calmly replied:
“Yuan Xiong, the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Qin Yuandao, the Vice Minister of War, colluded with the Witch Cult to control His Majesty and attempted to overthrow Great Shang. Their crimes are unforgivable. They should be executed along with their entire clans. All their accomplices should have their properties confiscated.
“However, as Your Highness is newly ascending to the throne, you need to grant a general amnesty. Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao will be beheaded publicly, their properties confiscated, and their female family members sent to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau. Their clan members can be pardoned.
“For the other accomplices, depending on the severity of their involvement, punishments will range from property confiscation, dismissal from office, to execution. Their family members can be exempted from collective punishment.”
The timing and methods of punishment were all laid out.
The Crown Prince pondered for a long while, then slowly nodded: “Very well!”
He then turned to instruct the old eunuch: “Inform the ministers to enter the hall for discussion.”
…
Cloud Deer Academy.
Xu Pingzhi returned to the small courtyard, his face etched with exhaustion.
Due to his sudden departure, his wife and daughters had returned to the academy to wait for him.
“My… my lord…” his beautiful and voluptuous wife approached him, her expression troubled. She whispered:
“I… I seem to have forgotten many things before.”
For instance, the reason her father, that old scholar, had married her to Xu Pingzhi wasn’t because of her simple nature or lack of skill in household politics.
It was because the Xu family was wealthy and prestigious at the time, with Xu Pingzhi’s elder brother holding a high position and wielding great power.
The old scholar, relying on his daughter’s heavenly beauty, had married her to the second son of the Xu family, Xu Pingzhi.
But his wife realized she had forgotten all of this over the years…
Moreover, Xu Pingzhi’s elder brother wasn’t some old soldier from the Shanhai Pass battle, but one of the court’s leading figures, a man of great power and influence.
Second Uncle Xu glanced at his wife, weariness permeating his very bones. He said softly:
“It’s better to forget. Some things, when remembered, only bring pain. Some people, when recalled, only bring heartache.”
His wife opened her mouth, her beautiful face a picture of confusion, words caught in her throat.
Xu Lingyu ran out of the room. The young girl stood on tiptoes, constantly looking back, urgently asking:
“Where’s my big brother? Where’s my big brother?”
“He’s at the Department of Astronomy. He’s doing well now,” Xu Pingzhi comforted his daughter, then added: “I think we probably won’t need to leave the capital after all.”
…
In the bedroom of the Star-Gazing Tower.
Chu Yuanzhen, Lina, Li Miaozheng, and Master Hengyuan sat around a square table, silently drinking tea.
They now knew about Xu Qi’an’s later ordeal, the existence of Xu Pingfeng, and how he had treated his son as a vessel, now planning to kill his son to obtain his fortune.
Xu Qi’an had told them everything in detail.
At this point, there was no need for secrecy anymore. Emperor Zhendi had been killed, father and son had laid their cards on the table, and everything had come to light.
The cards were on the table – he was indeed the child of fortune.
Of course, Xu Qi’an wouldn’t broadcast this widely, but telling his closest companions was completely fine.
“It’s truly unbelievable. His background is so extraordinary, so unsettling,” Chu Yuanzhen murmured.
“Amitabha,” Master Hengyuan’s expression was one of deep sorrow. “A father killing his son is a human tragedy. Lord Xu’s background is truly lamentable.”
Li Miaozheng’s face was gloomy as she gripped her teacup, not saying a word.
She felt both sympathy and pity, mixed with overwhelming anger.
“Even tigers don’t eat their cubs. This Xu Pingfeng, I’ll stab him to death sooner or later!”
The youthful spirit of the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Maiden had returned.
“In our Southern Frontier, there’s a tribe like this too. When a son comes of age, if he believes he’s strong enough, he can challenge his father. If he wins, he inherits everything from his father, including his birth mother. If he loses, he must die.
“And if a father feels that any of his sons pose a threat to him, he can also initiate a challenge, killing his son fair and square to protect his status and interests,” Lina said.
That was certainly a tribe of filial piety and paternal kindness.
The other three didn’t respond to her. Many tribes in the Southern Frontier were still in a primitive state, with all sorts of strange customs.
But this was the Great Shang, with its ethical norms and moral principles.
Xu Qi’an’s background made them particularly sympathetic and aroused a sense of shared indignation.
They’re all ignoring me… Lina puffed out her cheeks, a bit unhappy. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly clutched her stomach, her brows furrowing:
“It… it hurts, it hurts so much…
“The… the Seven Fatal Gu…”
…
The moon was bright, the stars sparse.
On the octagonal platform of the Star-Gazing Tower, bursts of coughing could be heard.
The cold wind howled as Xu Qi’an, wrapped in a blanket, sat by a desk, holding a bowl of medicinal soup.
Zhong Li crouched by a small stove, brewing medicine for him, while Chu Caiwei was focused on stitching his wounds and applying pain-relieving ointment.
Song Qing, upon hearing that his close friend was critically injured, had also offered to help.
That won’t be necessary… Xu Qi’an had sent him away.
After taking the Censor-in-Chief’s pills, drinking several bowls of medicinal soup, and having Chu Caiwei forcibly stitch up those wounds that wouldn’t heal on their own, Xu Qi’an finally caught his breath. Although he was still sickly, his injuries were indeed improving.
If this had happened to him during his time at Yuyang Pass, he probably wouldn’t have lasted until the Censor-in-Chief’s return and would have already passed away.
However, the demon-sealing nails were still inside his body, not yet removed.
As long as the nails weren’t removed, his cultivation, along with Shen Shu, remained sealed.
“Is that female Bodhisattva called ‘Liuli’ dead?” Xu Qi’an looked towards the white-robed figure with its back turned to everyone.
The Censor-in-Chief shook his head slightly: “Killing a First Realm expert isn’t that simple. I’ve only severely injured her. She won’t be able to leave the Western Regions for at least two years.”
Xu Qi’an took a deep breath and said with a smile: “This Bodhisattva seems to be a bit weaker than Saren Agu.”
He caught a whiff of the faint virgin fragrance from Chu Caiwei, along with a strong scent of meat buns.
He was hungry…
“Those who can reach the First Realm are never weak. They each have their strengths. The outcome of battles between First Realm experts depends on timing, geography, and human factors. Within Great Shang’s borders, only those above the First Realm can defeat me. However, with Great Shang’s national power having declined to this point, two First Realm experts can now hold me at bay.”
The Censor-in-Chief paused, then continued: “I spent so long entangled with Saren Agu purely because I didn’t want to bring harm to the capital’s citizens. Also, regarding the matter between you and your father, it wasn’t convenient for me to interfere.”
Not convenient?
Your disciple was about to backstab you, and it wasn’t convenient?
Before Xu Qi’an could ask, the Censor-in-Chief explained:
“Those with the Heavenly Mandate cannot reveal heavenly secrets. We can only subtly arrange things behind the scenes. Success or failure is determined by heaven.”
The Censor-in-Chief meant that he had used his Heavenly Mandate abilities to perceive Xu Pingfeng’s schemes, which was equivalent to perceiving heavenly secrets. Therefore, he couldn’t forcibly intervene or reveal these secrets… His action in repelling the female Bodhisattva had nothing to do with revealing heavenly secrets; it was purely about defeating an external enemy… Xu Qi’an’s expression showed sudden understanding.
He then asked: “Did you know early on that the female Bodhisattva would come?”
The Censor-in-Chief picked up the wine cup on the table, drained it in one go, and exhaled with satisfaction:
“Liuli Bodhisattva possesses two great Bodhisattva fruits: the Five-Colored Liuli Dharma Body and the Traveler’s Dharma Body. The latter allows her to travel the Western Regions by day and reach Jingshan by night.”
So? Xu Qi’an didn’t understand the Censor-in-Chief’s meaning.
The Censor-in-Chief smiled and said: “Next, I need to tell you two things. This is very important.”
Xu Qi’an sat up straight, his expression serious as he listened attentively.