Insolent youth! This official is a dignified third-rank… The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial cursed silently, took a deep breath, and called out loudly:

“This official is Liu Da, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, here to welcome the Yunzhou diplomatic mission.”

He called out several times, but there was no response from the Wind-Riding Boat.

The Minister waited another quarter hour in the cold wind, under the curious gazes of passersby on the official road, before leaving reluctantly.

The young lords aboard could afford to wait, but he couldn’t. Failing to escort the Yunzhou diplomatic mission into the capital would be dereliction of duty – both the officials and His Majesty would blame him.

“My lord, please board the carriage.”

A subordinate lifted the carriage curtain for him.

“What carriage? Prepare me a horse!”

The Minister snapped angrily, venting his frustration. How long would it take to reach the palace by carriage from the city to the inner city and then to the imperial city?

Clip-clop clip-clop… Hooves thundered as the Minister galloped toward the Ministry of Rites.

The Court of State Ceremonial was subordinate to the Ministry of Rites. Since the Yunzhou youth deemed his rank insufficient, he had no choice but to find someone of higher rank.

In the main hall of the Ministry of Rites.

The Minister of Rites furrowed his brow:

“Insolent youth!

“They’re trying to intimidate the court from the start.”

Though he cursed, the Minister of Rites said gravely:

“Let… never mind, I’ll go with you.”

He had originally planned to send the Vice Minister, but considering that in terms of rank, the Vice Minister was only half a grade higher than Liu Da, he decided to go himself.

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial breathed a sigh of relief, walking out with the Minister of Rites while saying:

“Thank you for the trouble, Minister.”

The Minister of Rites was elderly and couldn’t ride horseback, so the two took a carriage, speeding toward the city gate.

Half an hour later, the carriage passed through the gate. The Minister of Rites lifted the curtain and saw the massive wooden boat by the official road.

The carriage stopped beside the wooden boat, and the Minister of Rites called out:

“This official is the Minister of Rites, here to welcome the Yunzhou diplomatic mission.”

Shortly after, a guard peered over the ship’s rail, his manner arrogant:

“Our young lord says your rank is insufficient.”

The Minister of Rites’ expression darkened. Suppressing his anger, he said coolly:

“Go ask your young lord what exactly it would take for him to enter the capital.”

The guard didn’t move, snorting and lifting his chin:

“Ninth Young Lord says a prince must welcome us, with the First Minister in attendance, and proper ceremonial music. If this cannot be arranged, say so early, so he can return and tell Yunzhou’s hundred and fifty thousand soldiers that Great Feng is unwilling to negotiate peace.”

“This violates protocol. Have your Ninth Young Lord come out and speak,” the Minister of Rites called loudly.

The guard ignored him and withdrew his head.

A vein throbbed on the Minister of Rites’ forehead, but he took a deep breath and regained his composure.

He turned to the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial beside him and said:

“Send someone to request instructions from His Majesty.”

Aboard the Wind-Riding Boat, in a simple room, Ji Yuan sat at a table, peeling an orange with his long, fair hands, his silver bone fan lying beside him.

“Is Ninth Brother trying to intimidate the Great Feng court?”

Xu Yuanhuai stood by the window, having heard the entire exchange.

“Clever!” Ji Yuan praised, then shook his head:

“But not clever enough.”

Xu Yuanhuai frowned slightly.

Ji Yuan turned his head to look at Xu Yuanshuang, who sat quietly reading in her chair, and smiled:

“What’s your view, Yuanshuang?”

Xu Yuanshuang didn’t look up, saying coolly:

“Nothing more than testing their bottom line.”

“See, see…” Ji Yuan said with a smile:

“Sister Yuanshuang is the clever one. Yuanhuai, from the moment we landed outside the capital, negotiations had already begun. It doesn’t require sitting at a negotiating table, understand?”

Seeing Xu Yuanhuai seemed unconvinced, Ji Yuan continued while eating his orange:

“You need to know where the young emperor’s bottom line is, so tomorrow in the Golden Palace Hall, you can grasp his vital points.”

Xu Yuanshuang frowned:

“The Yongxing Emperor may not fall for your tactics.”

Ji Yuan raised his silver bone fan, snapped it open against his chest, and smiled:

“This too is a test, to gauge the young emperor’s caliber.”

Though he was younger than the Yongxing Emperor, his tone was condescending.

After waiting nearly half an hour, they suddenly heard someone call out:

“Prince Yan and First Minister Qian have come to welcome the Yunzhou diplomatic mission.”

Ji Yuan snapped open his silver bone fan against his chest and shook his head with a laugh:

“With such an emperor, how can Great Feng not perish?”

…

The grand “welcoming procession” entered the city, drawing pointing and discussion from surrounding commoners.

“That’s the Yunzhou flag. So Qingzhou has fallen, and the rumors about the court seeking peace negotiations are true?”

Among the commoners, those who could read recognized the Yunzhou banners of the diplomatic mission – yellow background with embroidered white clouds and a large “Cloud” character in red thread.

Rumors in the capital were usually tightly controlled. Normally, people only dared discuss privately, not in public places like teahouses or brothels, Qingzhou’s fall, the Supervisor’s death, and the court’s decision to negotiate peace.

Now, seeing the Yunzhou diplomatic mission enter the capital, their suppressed emotions immediately rebounded, and they stood along the streets discussing loudly.

“Mere Yunzhou rebels, yet they dare come to the capital to show off their might.”

“Even Inspector Xu couldn’t hold Qingzhou?”

In the carriage, hearing these words, Ji Yuan lifted the window curtain.

“Stories spread everywhere about how Xu Qi’an single-handedly held off eight thousand rebel troops in Yunzhou, and at Yuyang Pass, alone with just his blade, routed two hundred thousand Witch Cult troops. The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.”

Ji Yuan clicked his tongue repeatedly: “Back then, when we brothers and sisters kept hearing tales of Xu Qi’an’s exploits in the Central Plains, we were indignant, believing he had merely usurped the destiny that should have belonged to our branch.

“Now the tables have truly turned. What do you think? Once news of the peace negotiations spreads, how will the common people judge the court, and how will they judge their beloved Inspector Xu?”

Xu Yuanshuang was silent for a moment, staring at him:

“No wonder you insisted on such a grand entrance.”

Ji Yuan snapped open his fan, waving it slightly, smiling without speaking.

…

In the palace.

In the imperial study, the Yongxing Emperor listened to the eunuch’s report that the Yunzhou diplomatic mission had settled in the guesthouse, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

He stopped his restless pacing and sat back in his gilt chair.

Soon after, Zhao Xuanzhen rushed in from outside, announcing loudly:

“Your Majesty, Inspector Xu, and Princess Lin’an request an audience.”

What does he want… The Yongxing Emperor frowned and said:

“Show them in.”

Zhao Xuanzhen withdrew, and minutes later led Xu Qi’an in cyan robes and Lin’an in a red dress as they crossed the threshold into the imperial study.

A beautiful pair.

Seeing the faint smile on Lin’an’s face, the Yongxing Emperor’s heavy mood lightened slightly.

He then looked at Xu Qi’an and smiled:

“Inspector Xu has finally returned to the capital. Someone bring seats and tea.”

Xu Qi’an waved his hand:

“No need.

“Your Majesty, do you truly intend to negotiate peace? Why would the Yunzhou rebels choose to negotiate now when their momentum is surging?

“It’s nothing but an attempt to squeeze the last breath from the court. If we negotiate peace now, there will truly be no chance of victory.”

The smile slowly faded from the Yongxing Emperor’s face as he said coolly:

“Then what does Inspector Xu suggest? Shall we appoint you as Commander of Yongzhou to fight to the death with the Yunzhou rebels?

“Does Inspector Xu have confidence in victory? We know Inspector Xu’s cultivation is extraordinary, at the third rank. But even the Supervisor died at their hands – what can you do?”

Xu Qi’an said:

“If Your Majesty trusts me, I will personally go to the battlefield and fight the Yunzhou army to mutual destruction.”

“But I am unwilling!” The Yongxing Emperor seemed to lose patience, suddenly raising his voice:

“Peace negotiations are our only hope. If we can just survive through the harsh winter until the Spring Ceremony, Great Feng will naturally recover. Why must we fight the Yunzhou rebels to mutual destruction at this time?”

Xu Qi’an said no more and turned to leave.

The Yongxing Emperor was now single-mindedly focused on peace and stopping the fighting. Persuasion was useless, so there was no need to try.

“You dog servant…”

Lin’an took several steps after him, then stopped and strode back to face the Yongxing Emperor, saying loudly:

“Imperial Brother, why can’t you try to trust him?”

The Yongxing Emperor shook his head and sneered:

“Trust him? Trust Xu Qi’an and Great Feng will be saved?

“An enemy that even the Supervisor couldn’t handle – how could Xu Qi’an turn the tide?”

Lin’an said angrily:

“You’re just a coward afraid of death.”

“You…” The Yongxing Emperor flew into a rage, raising his hand to strike.

Lin’an glared at him with reddened eyes.

“Get out! Get out!”

The Yongxing Emperor pointed at the door, shouting.

…

[One: The Yunzhou diplomatic mission has entered the capital with great fanfare.]

In the Earth Book chat group, Huaiqing detailed the day’s events of the Yunzhou diplomatic mission’s entry.

[Four: He’s testing the Yongxing Emperor’s bottom line. Sigh, before even meeting, they’ve already probed his limits. Rushing so urgently to invite them into the city – isn’t this nakedly showing their desire for peace talks?]

Chu Yuanzhen’s sharp mind had guessed the Yunzhou mission’s motives almost perfectly.

[Two: This dog emperor Yongxing isn’t even as good as Yuanjing. Who’s leading the delegation?]

Li Miaozen ground her teeth in anger.

She was angry both at the Yunzhou diplomatic mission and at the Yongxing Emperor’s cowardice.

[One: The Dragon’s Lair City Lord’s ninth son, named Ji Yuan. Currently staying at the inner city guesthouse, heavily guarded inside and out, with two Golden Cord officials.]

[Two: Are they afraid Xu Qi’an will come to kill them? He should be back in the capital, right?]

[One: He’s with me.]

Go die… Li Miaozen gnashed her teeth.

In the imperial city, at Princess Huaiqing’s mansion.

In the spacious and elegant inner hall, the Princess in her plum-colored palace dress set down her Earth Book fragment, her lips curving upward.

She looked at the man opposite her and said softly:

“The current situation is different from when calling for donations. Even if you held a knife to Yongxing’s throat, he likely wouldn’t yield.

“The officials are the same – currently in the capital’s officialdom, over seventy percent of officials support peace negotiations. This is the prevailing trend.”

Xu Qi’an, fresh from the palace, nodded slowly:

“Zhao Shou said that to turn around this dead end, Great Feng’s money and supplies problem must be solved.

“What he meant was, if I am to fight to the death with Xu Pingfeng and the Yunzhou rebels, the court must support me unconditionally, not drag their feet.”

Now, Yongxing was dragging his feet.

Huaiqing was silent for a moment before saying:

“He is indeed somewhat weak.”

Xu Qi’an waved his hand:

“Let’s not speak of him. Why did you summon me?”

He had just left the palace when Huaiqing’s guard captain requested his presence, waiting right outside the palace gates.

Huaiqing pondered for a moment, then said:

“Some time ago, you said there were only three ways to reverse Great Feng’s current decline. First: match them with several supernatural experts. Second: solve the money and supplies problem. Third: resurrect Lord Wei.”

Xu Qi’an listened quietly and nodded.

Huaiqing took a deep breath:

“You’re already working on resurrecting Lord Wei – we’ll see the outcome at the Spring Ceremony.

“The money and supplies problem is difficult to solve, but as you just said, what you need more is a ruler willing to fight alongside you to the death, a court willing to stake everything on the gamble.”

Xu Qi’an said slowly:

“So?”

Huaiqing’s autumn-water eyes stared at him as she said word by word:

“Force Yongxing to abdicate!”

Xu Qi’an had expected this and wasn’t surprised. He shook his head:

“This would only accelerate the court’s destruction. I know you want to support Prince Yan’s ascension, but his qualifications are insufficient, his status is insufficient, and his power base is even more insufficient.

“Perhaps this could work in peaceful times, but now when people’s hearts are in turmoil, if I commit such a tyrannical act, it will push people toward Yunzhou, forcing them to defect.”

If at this critical juncture, he imagined he could suppress everything with military might, he could indeed do so, but people would turn to pledge allegiance to Yunzhou instead.

Never forget, that the Yunzhou branch was also of Great Feng’s royal family.

Huaiqing said softly:

“Fourth Imperial Brother lacks experience and power, but I have both.”

Xu Qi’an was taken aback.

He carefully and repeatedly examined the beauty before him.

Huaiqing met his gaze without fear:

“The former Wei faction are all my people. Beyond that, I’ve also gathered support from many court officials. Combined, they form the largest faction in court.

“As for the Wang faction, I need Inspector Xu’s help.”

Xu Qi’an stared at her for a long while before sighing:

“Your Highness, I knew you were unlike ordinary women, but I still hadn’t realized that you had quietly built such a formidable power base.

“Is there more?”

Since they were being frank, Huaiqing didn’t hide anything:

“I have people in all five divisions of the Imperial Guard and the twelve defense forces of the capital.”

No wonder she could deploy experts and gather refugees – her power is far more terrifying than I imagined… Xu Qi’an pondered before asking:

“What other cards do you hold?”

Huaiqing took a sip of tea:

“Lord Xu has collected five crucial dragon essences, the Yunzhou rebels have one, and the remaining three are with me.”

“What?” Xu Qi’an cleaned his ear, suspecting he had misheard:

“How did you manage that?”

Huaiqing explained candidly:

“All of Lord Wei’s secret agents are under my control. Before he left for battle, he handed over the Night Watchmen’s secret organization to me.”

No wonder Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong said he didn’t know about or take over Wei’s secret agents, and information about the agents had disappeared from the Night Watchmen Bureau’s archives… So Wei had given it to Huaiqing… Having solved this mystery, Xu Qi’an closed his eyes and sighed inwardly:

Indeed not like a true son.

No, indeed an adopted son can’t compare to the daughter of a first love.

Unaware of his internal monologue, Huaiqing continued:

“Possessing dragon essence naturally brings deep fortune.

“With dragon essence in my body, whether gathering court officials or military experts, everything becomes twice as effective.”

Xu Qi’an showed a complex smile:

“Your Highness has been planning all this for a long time, hasn’t she? After Yuanjing’s death, you saw hope and began deploying pieces in secret, step by step. Waiting for the chance to force Yongxing from the throne.”

Huaiqing nodded slightly:

“From when you revealed your background in the Heaven and Earth Society and pointed out the Yunzhou rebels’ existence; from when the former emperor fell and the dragon essence scattered; I knew Yongxing wouldn’t hold the throne long.

“Such a mess, with internal and external troubles – to stabilize the throne and implement reforms requires great courage.

“But Yongxing is too mediocre. In peaceful times, he might be a good ruler, but in chaos, he brings disaster to the country and people.”

You’re the true master of “hidden development” – compared to you, I’m far too reckless… Xu Qi’an mused internally, unable to disagree with Huaiqing’s words.

“How can you guarantee Prince Yan will do better than Yongxing?”

“I naturally have my ways.”

“Fine… tell me your detailed plan.”

It wasn’t until dusk that Xu Qi’an left Huaiqing’s mansion.

…

Returning to the Imperial Observatory, after visiting Sun Xuanji who was recovering from injuries, Xu Qi’an went to the fourth-floor guest room. Opening the door to the spring-warm room, he found Mu Nanzhi combing her hair before a mirror.

White Princess was curled up sleeping on the bed.

She seemed to have just bathed, her hair still damp, a subtle fragrance about her.

“I bought you some peach blossom pastries – I remember you like them.”

Xu Qi’an placed a package of pastries wrapped in oiled paper beside the dressing table.

Mu Nanzhi paid no attention, asking with pursed lips:

“Where were you?”

She secretly sniffed, detecting a faint feminine scent on him.

Did he think a package of pastries would satisfy her?

Xu Qi’an sat on the bed, removing his boots while saying:

“The Yunzhou peace delegation entered the capital today. I went to the palace to see the Yongxing Emperor, but he wouldn’t listen to reason. Then I went to Princess Huaiqing’s mansion to discuss matters.”

He rubbed his temples and sighed:

“Once peace negotiations succeed, Great Feng may truly be beyond salvation.”

And you, bearing the nation’s fate, are on a path to death… Mu Nanzhi looked again at the package of pastries.

She bit her lip.

For a man to remember to bring you your favorite sweets even when overwhelmed with troubles – this thoughtfulness worth just a dozen coins meant far more than honeyed words and grand promises or lavish gifts to win a smile.

Having removed his boots, Xu Qi’an lay back on the bed, arms folded behind his head.

If the plan succeeded, two of the four key points Zhao Shou raised would be satisfied – resurrecting Wei Yuan and stabilizing the rear. Becoming a player was just a suggestion, with no completion criteria.

“As long as the Fourth Prince takes the throne and guarantees support for fighting Yunzhou to the death, then although the money and supplies issue remains unsolved, squeezing Great Feng’s national strength could barely sustain us.

“The only problem now is my cultivation is too weak. Though I can contend with second-rank experts, against first-rank I would certainly die. And standing before me is the Demon-Sealing Nail.”

The Demon-Sealing Nail couldn’t be overcome by brute force unless, like Asura, one knew the unsealing incantations and secret techniques.

With just one nail, self-removal might still be possible.

Xu Pingfeng, ah Xu Pingfeng, you’ve calculated everything… As these thoughts turned in his mind, he suddenly caught a subtle fragrance approaching. Opening his eyes, he turned his head.

Mu Nanzhi sat at the bedside, giving him an infinitely beautiful back view and half of a round bottom straining against silk pants.

She had somehow removed her outer clothes, wearing only white undergarments.

They say young girls are good but not as good as a young wife’s waist; young wives are good but not as good as an aunt’s bottom.

“At thirteen, my parents sent me in exchange for vast wealth. I thought I would spend my life in the palace, but then Yuanjing gave me to Prince Huai. I wallowed in self-pity, believing I was just merchandise to be bought and sold.”

Mu Nanzhi spoke softly, facing away from him:

“Later, I met that nasty woman Luo Yuhen. She told me I was the Flower God reincarnated, carrying spirit essence, that I was Prince Huai’s crucible, waiting for the day he would come to take my spirit essence.

“I asked her fearfully what would happen when my spirit essence was taken. She told me I would die, of course.

“So I felt I was worse than merchandise – just livestock raised in Prince Huai’s mansion, waiting for the day to be led to slaughter.”

So her fear of her identity being exposed, her fear of me knowing she was the Flower God reincarnated, was all because of the Imperial Mentor’s intimidation… Xu Qi’an suddenly understood.

“So I’ve always feared my identity being exposed, distrusting everyone, including you.”

Though Mu Nanzhi didn’t turn around, Xu Qi’an could sense her smile:

“But these past few days, I’ve repeatedly asked myself: if surnamed Xu wanted to take my spirit essence, would I agree? Would I be willing to die for you? Even when you entered the room earlier, I still had no answer.”

She paused, her gaze unconsciously falling on the package of pastries on the table:

“But just now, I suddenly knew the answer – I would be willing.”

After speaking, Mu Nanzhi tensed up, sitting stiffly, as if some terrifying monster behind her might pounce at any moment.

She waited for a long time, but Xu Qi’an didn’t pounce like a hungry tiger. Unable to bear it, she looked back.

Xu Qi’an lay on his side, head propped on hand, smiling at her.

White Princess had copied Xu Qi’an’s pose, lying on her side with a paw propping her head, silently watching.

Mu Nanzhi’s face flushed crimson, seeming to emit illusory black smoke from her head.

“You…”

Embarrassed and angry, she grabbed White Princess and threw her at Xu Qi’an’s face. Xu Qi’an was fine, but White Princess squeaked in pain.

“Just teasing, don’t be angry.”

Xu Qi’an pushed White Princess aside and pulled Mu Nanzhi onto the bed before she could “escape.”

This woman was proud to a fault, tsundere to an extreme degree. Having finally gathered the courage to confess and offer to help him reach the second rank, who knew when such a chance would come again if missed?

“You’re the Undying Tree – I can’t take your spirit essence, at most absorb some. You won’t die. Besides, with the Demon-Sealing Nail in my body, even if I slept with you, I couldn’t advance to the second rank.

“Let me be your devoted admirer first – we’ll discuss absorbing spirit essence later.”

Xu Qi’an buried his head in her soft bosom, ready to enjoy himself, when suddenly his head felt as if struck by a club.

This wasn’t ordinary message transmission – this was a request for a private chat.

Normally, Xu Qi’an would toss aside the Earth Book fragment and fully enjoy being a devoted admirer.

But these were critical times – if a Heaven and Earth Society member wanted to chat privately, it must be important.

Reluctantly raising his head from Mu Nanzhi’s chest, he glanced at her flushed face…

Careless – should have removed the bracelet first. Looking at that face makes it too easy to enter sage mode prematurely… Internally grumbling, he took out the Earth Book fragment and accepted the private chat.

[Eight: I’m fifteen li outside the western city gate. Could you come meet me?]

Number Eight?

Xu Qi’an frowned. A few days ago, Daoist Jinlian had mentioned that Eight had emerged from seclusion and might come to the capital soon.

Why does he want to meet me alone?

Among Heaven and Earth Society members, Eight was perpetually inactive, with no interaction with him or other members.

Better ask Daoist Jinlian first, to see if this Eight is reliable… Xu Qi’an didn’t reply, ending the private chat and instead sending a chat request to Daoist Jinlian.

[Nine: What is it?]

The Daoist responded quickly.

[Three: Eight has come to the capital and wants to meet.]

Xu Qi’an got straight to the point, telling Jinlian the situation.

[Nine: This poor Daoist suggests you might as well meet him.]

Xu Qi’an knew the Society’s rules – without permission, Jinlian wouldn’t reveal a fragment holder’s identity.

Ending that conversation, he immediately connected with Eight, replying:

[Alright!]

He had no choice but to get up, casting one last reluctant look at Mu Nanzhi’s still properly maintained chest as she lay flat, and said:

“I’m going out for a while. Don’t wait up, go to sleep first.”

With that, his form merged into the shadows, disappearing from the room.

Mu Nanzhi let out a forceful breath, unclear whether from disappointment or relief.

“Auntie, I want to be your devoted admirer too.”

White Princess pounced toward Mu Nanzhi’s chest but was swatted away by the Flower God, who frowned:

“Have you been around him too long? You’re becoming a lecher.”

Speaking while lifting one of White Princess’s hind legs to check, she spat:

“You’re female!”

…

Xu Qi’an kept jumping through shadows, reaching the western gate within minutes.

At this hour, darkness was deep, the surroundings extremely quiet, torchlight from the wall tops like fireflies.

Passing through the gate, he dove into the pitch-black night like a black fish, as if swimming through an ocean, following the official road straight ahead.

The meeting place was fifteen li outside the western gate – with no additional description, it was assumed to be on the main road.

Fifteen li wasn’t far; he soon reached his destination and saw a tall figure standing proudly in the darkness.

He wore a red and yellow kasaya, nearly nine feet tall, like a giant compared to normal people.

His features were ugly, with slightly protruding browbones lacking eyebrows, but beneath them his gaze was sharp as a knife, giving an overall impression of extraordinary martial presence.

Ugly yet handsome.

In his hand, he played with a small jade mirror.