[Seven: I’ve heard too. It’s laughable—even a Celestial Lord wouldn’t be a match for the Judiciary within Great Feng’s borders. How could the Judiciary possibly die?]

Li Lingsu expressed his opinion.

[Four: I haven’t heard any rumors yet, but given the Judiciary’s status, unless a transcendent intervened, he would be invincible within Great Feng’s borders.]

Even after resigning his office for ten years, Scholar Chu still cared about court affairs and matters of the realm. In the Book of Earth chat group, whenever such topics were discussed, he was never absent.

[Nine: Hard to say. Great Feng is tottering, already at its last gasp. The fate energy boost the Judiciary could receive would be limited. And without a nation’s fate energy support, a First Grade artificer’s combat power is nothing special.]

Golden Lotus Daoist gave a relatively objective assessment.

[Nine: By the way, it’s confirmed that Eight will emerge from seclusion. He’s safe and well, which is excellent. He might visit the capital soon—would everyone like to gather in the capital?]

[Seven: We’ll see if I have time.]

Li Lingsu answered thus.

The others remained silent, waiting for Xu Qi’an or Huaiqing’s response.

After quite a while, they finally received Huaiqing’s accurate reply:

[One: Qingzhou has fallen, and the Judiciary very likely perished.]

This simple sentence struck the Heaven and Earth Society members like a thunderbolt, stunning them speechless, and instantly robbing them of the ability to think.

For a full cup of tea’s worth of time, no one spoke.

Li Miaozhen transmitted as if in a dream:

[Two: How could this be…]

A bolt from the blue!

For the members, it was simply an unacceptable catastrophe.

[Seven: The Judiciary is dead, then, then what about Great Feng? No, no, how did the Judiciary die? This is impossible…]

His questions were shared by all Heaven and Earth Society members.

[One: Detailed circumstances are unknown for now. According to Minister Song, among the extraordinary who acted that day were Xu Pingfeng, Galore Tree, White Emperor, and Black Lotus.]

[Two: White Emperor? That White Emperor from Yunzhou?]

Li Miaozhen, who had stayed in Yunzhou for a long time, transmitted her questioning in disbelief.

The other members thought for a few seconds before corresponding guesses formed in their minds.

[One: Yes, that’s the one, according to Sun Xuanji. Furthermore, regarding this descendant of gods and demons’ strength, Sun Xuanji speculates it’s First Grade. If not First Grade, it would be impossible to kill the Judiciary.]

Among the extraordinaries who participated in that battle, Black Lotus was Second Grade. If White Emperor was also Second Grade, it would have been impossible to kill the Judiciary.

The Heaven and Earth Society members drew in sharp breaths, chilled to their cores.

They knew Yunzhou’s legends and had some understanding of that White Emperor, but hadn’t imagined this legendary being would ally with Xu Pingfeng and move against the Judiciary.

[Nine: Strange, why would this descendant of gods and demons meddle in Central Plains affairs without reason? There must be some twist.]

Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and others were equally curious.

[Two: Xu Qi’an? You must know, right?]

Li Miaozhen had grown accustomed to summoning Xu Qi’an when faced with uncertainty.

If it’s him, he must know… This thought flashed through every Heaven and Earth Society member’s mind, except Golden Lotus Daoist.

They had learned the truth about the gods and demons’ fall from Xu Qi’an, learned the secret of how the Celestial Lord had driven the descendants of gods and demons from the Nine Provinces, and learned the mysteries related to Buddha.

If it was Xu Qi’an, even if he didn’t know the specific truth, he would understand some inside information.

[Three: White Emperor targeted the Judiciary specifically. This involves a certain secret from ancient times that I probably haven’t told you about yet—regarding the Gatekeeper.]

Gatekeeper?

The Heaven and Earth Society members were completely unfamiliar with this term.

[Three: I don’t know the specific meaning of Gatekeeper. I’ll tell you once I’ve investigated clearly. As for the course of this battle, I have some ideas I can share.]

The members’ spirits lifted as they stared at their Book fragments.

Xu Qi’an repeated what he had told Zhao Shou about the Chai family and First Generation Judiciary.

[Nine: What a twisted tale. The First Generation Judiciary has been dead for five hundred years yet can still influence today’s situation. Truly worthy of being the artificer system’s founder.]

Golden Lotus Daoist felt deep emotion.

No wonder the Judiciary was defeated. What truly countered him wasn’t Xu Pingfeng, but methods left by the First Generation… Huaiqing had no more doubts, helplessly accepting the fact of the Judiciary’s sealing.

The only good news was that the Judiciary wasn’t dead, but being sealed wasn’t much different from being killed. Given Great Feng’s current situation, destruction was already predetermined. When that time came, the Judiciary would die all the same… Chu Yuanzhen sighed silently in his heart.

[Seven: This, this is hopeless now. We’ve lost the Judiciary, and the enemy has gained another First Grade…]

Great Feng must fall.

The Holy Son didn’t voice this thought. At this moment, even a Heaven Sect disciple like him who had no sense of belonging to Great Feng felt despair and heaviness.

[Six: This poor monk remembers, that Sir Xu once said you bear the nation’s fate, already inseparable from Great Feng. If Great Feng falls, Sir Xu would perish with it.]

The usually quiet Hengyuan suddenly interjected, laying the bloody reality bare before the members’ eyes.

Li Miaozhen transmitted irritably:

[Two: What are you saying, you smelly monk? Why bring up the worst possible thing?]

Xu Qi’an thought for a moment and transmitted:

[To be honest, I haven’t figured out how to break through this situation. The current circumstances, for me and Great Feng, are truly a dead end. Except for Princess Huaiqing, you all don’t have much connection to the Great Feng court.]

But we have a connection to you… Flying Swallow Heroine only dared whisper these words in her heart.

Hengyuan transmitted again:

[Six: This monk’s life was saved by Sir Xu. This monk said before, given the chance, he must repay Sir Xu’s life-saving grace. Amitabha, for a monk to have the opportunity to resolve karma is truly fortunate.]

Master Hengyuan, you’re raising flags again… Xu Qi’an’s heart warmed, and he quickly used sarcasm to cover his inner touch.

[Seven: The Master’s enlightenment is high indeed. I won’t risk my life for him, but considering our time wandering the jianghu together, I’ll accompany you kid through life’s final journey.]

Though his words weren’t pleasant, his attitude was clear—he wouldn’t back out.

[Four: Troops trained for a thousand days are used in one hour. After training troops for so long, they must be brought out for practice.]

Huaiqing and Li Miaozhen didn’t speak—they didn’t need to express their attitudes.

The former was herself royal family, duty-bound. The latter was overly romantic; risking life and shedding blood were Flying Swallow Heroine’s favorite things.

[Five: Father told me to march north for battle.]

At this time, Li Na transmitted.

Mosang is already in the Central Plains—is Dragon Chart trying to lose both children at once?… The Heaven and Earth Society is my most reliable foundation. Even the player-king Li Lingsu can be counted on at critical moments… Xu Qi’an held the Book fragment, facing the mild sunlight as he slowly exhaled.

…

At the border of Sword Province and Xiang Province.

In a certain mountain stronghold, Li Lingsu put away his Book fragment, sat woodenly for a moment, sighed lightly, and left the room.

Walking out of the fenced yard, he headed toward the training ground.

The so-called training ground was actually just a space cleared and packed down by his subordinates, used for martial arts practice, troop formations, as well as group meals, and women’s gossip.

“Greetings, Leader!”

Subordinates encountered along the way respectfully greeted him.

Li Lingsu walked expressionlessly, quickly reaching the training ground to see Yang Qianhuan wearing a veil covering his face, loudly scolding the rabble in the field.

“If you don’t train hard now when you get to the battlefield, the whole stronghold will be waiting at your home for the funeral feast.”

Listening to Yang Qianhuan’s scolding, Li Lingsu’s gaze swept over the ranks composed of refugees, absurdly discovering there were even six or seven-year-old children among them.

“War must be cultivated from childhood. When you’re older it’ll be too late to regret, and the whole stronghold will be waiting to feast at your home.”

Yang Qianhuan’s scolding continued.

Even I occasionally think there’s something wrong with your head, Brother Yang… Li Lingsu took a deep breath and called loudly:

“Brother Yang!”

Yang Qianhuan had seen Li Lingsu long ago, as he was facing away from the crowd, coincidentally toward Li Lingsu’s approach.

“Brother Li!”

Yang Qianhuan stopped scolding and strode over. Reaching Li Lingsu, he turned around, faced away from him, and said:

“What is it?”

But Li Lingsu didn’t answer, instead weighing and pondering for a long while before steeling himself and saying:

“News has come from Qingzhou. Qingzhou has fallen.”

Hearing this, Yang Qianhuan was shocked but didn’t lose his composure, saying excitedly:

“Only in critical situations can Yang’s importance be highlighted! Once I finish training troops, I’ll turn the tide. Watch those rebel traitors of Yunzhou kowtow and beg for their lives.”

Li Lingsu said heavily:

“The Judiciary has been sealed…”

Yang Qianhuan snorted:

“That’s truly wonderful news. Teacher… The judiciary has misled me for years. Without his suppression, I, Yang, can finally rise to prominence!”

Li Lingsu shook his head slightly:

“Brother Yang, I’m not joking with you.”

He immediately relayed the intelligence learned from Xu Qi’an.

After listening, Yang Qianhuan stood silently like a lifeless statue.

After a very, very long time, Li Lingsu heard a low voice from ahead:

“I understand…”

This was a voice Li Lingsu had never heard before, stripped of all flamboyance and cynicism, so unfamiliar it didn’t seem to come from Yang Qianhuan, or perhaps this was his normal voice.

“Don’t tell Caiwei.”

Yang Qianhuan said again.

…

Qingzhou.

Ji Xuan pressed his left hand on his sword hilt and carried a wine jug to his right as he pushed open the door to Ge Wenxuan’s residence.

Ge Wenxuan wore the standard white robes of artificers, sitting at his desk studying military texts.

“Young Master Ji is busy managing countless affairs, not busy recruiting troops and preparing provisions—what brings you to my place?”

Ge Wenxuan said with a smile.

“The peace envoy is my second brother. I heard you recommended him. I’ve come to ask General Ge for an explanation.”

Ji Xuan slammed the wine and sword on the table, eyes narrowed, smiling without warmth:

“After hearing your words, I’ll decide whether to drink or draw my sword.”

As two power figures in the Yunzhou army’s younger faction, Ge Wenxuan and Ji Xuan’s relationship had always been subtle.

They were both friends and competitors.

They could sit down to drink and joke, yet would slam tables and glare over resource disputes.

Qi Guangbo’s military discipline was strict, rewards and punishments clear, without any favoritism for Ji Xuan’s status.

“Young Master Ji Yuan is talented and eloquent, always sharp-tongued, and is the City Lord’s son. Having him as envoy for peace talks with Great Feng couldn’t be more suitable.”

Ge Wenxuan said.

Ji Yuan was Ji Xuan’s brother, born of the same mother, both from concubines.

Among the brothers, he ranked ninth.

Unlike the masculine and mild Ji Xuan, this Ninth Young Master didn’t love cultivation but was fond of reading, being the most scholarly among the Hidden Dragon City Lord’s children.

Most admirably, he applied his learning practically, with keen literary thought, not being a bookworm who only read dead books.

“In leading troops to battle, Young Master Ji Yuan falls short, but in court debates and verbal sparring with scholars, he far surpasses you as an elder brother,” Ge Wenxuan smiled:

“Even I can’t debate or outspeak him and haven’t read as much as him. Isn’t that irritating?”

Ji Xuan ignored his joking, his expression serious as he said heavily:

“You haven’t dealt with Xu Qi’an—you don’t know, that surnamed Xu is a madman.”

Ge Wenxuan remained calm, saying:

“What if I tell you Miss Yuanshuang and Young Master Yuanhuai are in the delegation?”

Ji Xuan was stunned.

Ge Wenxuan continued:

“It was the Imperial Preceptor’s idea. He understands what kind of person Xu Qi’an is better than we do. Peace talks can handle the court ministers and young emperor, while Miss Yuanshuang and Young Master Yuanhuai can make Xu Qi’an hesitate to act.”

Ji Xuan frowned.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Ji Xuan recalled how in Yongzhou City, Xu Qi’an had cut the tendons in Ji Yuanhuai’s limbs but indeed spared his life.

This person wouldn’t be restrained by flesh and blood ties but truly wasn’t cold-blooded and heartless. His brothers and sisters weren’t completely without influence on him.

Ge Wenxuan recalled what Xu Pingfeng had said days ago:

Didn’t he mock me for being cold-blooded and heartless? Then I’ll send his brother and sister before him.

Ge Wenxuan murmured:

“Teacher is truly the most unfeeling person under heaven.”

…

Morning court, Hall of Golden Chimes.

The Yongxing Emperor gradually began to fear attending court, fear the memorials placed on his desk, for their contents made him restless and anxious.

Refugees becoming a disaster, empty treasury, Qingzhou’s fall, capital officials’ panic, and recently spreading rumors—provincial administrators sending memorials reporting that “the Judiciary is dead, Great Feng will fall” was circulating everywhere among the people.

It caused panic among the common people, making them think Great Feng would truly fall.

Throughout history, the standard response to such rumor-spreading, chaos-fomenting behavior was severe punishment, most commonly exile or execution at the vegetable market to warn the people.

But in times of upheaval, rumors flew everywhere, impossible to stop the countless mouths, and lower officials probably shared similar thoughts.

Moreover, Qingzhou had truly fallen, with fleeing commoners spreading the news everywhere, one telling ten, ten telling a hundred.

The court’s efforts were destined to have little effect.

Now, it seemed the whole world was roaring in the Yongxing Emperor’s ears, telling him Great Feng would fall, and that he would become a ruler who lost his country.

When had this emperor, born in peaceful prosperity, ever faced such a situation?

But attending morning court today, the Yongxing Emperor’s mood was different, like a person in desperate straits seeing dawn’s light.

Yesterday, Yongzhou Provincial Administrator Yao Hong had sent a memorial whose contents stated—the Yunzhou rebels actively sought peace talks.

Furthermore, Yao Hong had also reported Yang Gong in the memorial, because Yang Gong had refused peace talks and tried to suppress this matter.

This crime deserved death!

“Minister Yao is truly Our pillar minister.”

Yesterday, upon reading the memorial, the Yongxing Emperor had been overjoyed. As for Yang Gong, he didn’t plan to deal with him for now, as Yongzhou still relied on him for defense.

“Ministers, yesterday Yongzhou Provincial Administrator Yao Hong submitted a memorial—Yunzhou wishes to negotiate peace with Our court, to cease hostilities.”

The Yongxing Emperor looked around at his officials and announced loudly: “What are your thoughts on this?”