Gongyi Cheng was already over fifty years old, with an extremely gaunt face and a body as thin and dry as withered branches. His outward appearance was utterly ordinary. He had a tuft of goatee on his chin, but his pair of eyes revealed something shrewd—an ability to see through people’s hearts and excel at scheming. The gray cloth robe he wore even appeared somewhat worn, making it hard for people to believe that such an unremarkable person was actually one of the famous Second Preceptors of the Heavenly Doctrine, a strategist with extremely high status at the Sect Leader’s side.

He had been in the Heavenly Doctrine for nearly thirty years.

The things he had experienced at the Sect Leader’s side were countless. It could be said he had long grown accustomed to seeing great events and remained unperturbed by changes.

However, when Xie Wei’s people came to find him and invited him to visit the manor for a talk, this old, deeply calculating fox still detected a somewhat unusual flavor.

Gongyi Cheng wasn’t afraid of Xie Wei.

After all, although the Sect Leader had raised this person for twenty years and even taken him as an adopted son, seemingly treating him as his own flesh and blood with extreme trust, Xie Wei’s background was ultimately special. Just how far this trust extended was probably difficult to assert rashly.

He simply found it somewhat troublesome.

But since people had already come to his door, how could he not go?

Moreover, during this period of time staying in the capital, Gongyi Cheng had truly discovered some rather unfavorable signs. He was also pondering finding an appropriate opportunity to knock some sense into Xie Wei, to make him remember what his proper place was.

Therefore, he still came.

“Please enter.”

From inside Zhuoqin Hall came Xie Wei’s indifferent voice.

Just like when Gongyi Cheng occasionally saw him in Jinling, there hadn’t been much change over these years.

His thoughts turning once in his mind, he walked in.

Jianshu stood outside the door without entering.

Somewhat dim light from outside the hall shone in from the window ledge. Xie Wei wore a snow-white Daoist robe, his hair simply bound with an ebony hairpin. A good half of it hung loose behind him, revealing a kind of casual comfort of being at home.

All the tea implements had already been prepared.

He looked up upon seeing Gongyi Cheng, invited him to sit, and smiled slightly. “A few days ago when I heard Mr. Gongyi had arrived in the capital, I was somewhat skeptical. I thought that if you came to the capital, you would most likely inform me. I didn’t expect you truly came.”

The core power of the Heavenly Doctrine was all in the south.

The capital was in the north, where the court’s power was deep. The farther south one went, the weaker the control became, which was precisely suitable for the Heavenly Doctrine to spread its teachings and develop its influence.

Thus Gongyi Cheng often stayed in Jinling.

As for the capital, it had always been a place where the Heavenly Doctrine’s power was weak.

But ever since Xie Wei went to the capital several years ago to take the metropolitan examinations, especially since four years ago when he returned to the capital to scheme and help Shen Lang ascend the throne, such a person became the Heavenly Doctrine’s mole planted in the court. He had even grown increasingly powerful over these years. The Heavenly Doctrine’s influence was thus able to develop secretly in the capital, and by now had already become quite substantial.

However, here in the capital, Xie Wei was the one who called the shots.

By rights, both being people of the sect, when Gongyi Cheng came to the capital, he should by all means have greeted Xie Wei, yet he had not.

Gongyi Cheng took a seat across from Xie Wei. At this moment, he raised his eyes to scrutinize him, seeming to be trying to fathom the deep meaning hidden behind this statement. However, when he spoke, he was unusually direct. “The Sect Leader commanded it. Matters were urgent and pressing. Being busy responding to them, I carelessly forgot in a moment of inattention. Besides, didn’t you already know long ago?”

Xie Wei poured scalding water into the tea cup.

Gongyi Cheng then watched that flowing water releasing white steam and said flatly, “Having arrived in this capital where there are eyes and ears everywhere, even when the Sect Leader’s matters are passed down, there are still people who ask whether they should request your instructions. Where would I need to inform you?”

The hand with which Xie Wei was holding the pot paused for a moment. He said, “Mr. Gongyi’s words are too severe. Everyone in the Heavenly Doctrine reveres the Sect Leader as supreme. When there is a command, we must obey. When there is an order, we must comply. The Sect Leader’s kindness toward Wei is as heavy as a mountain. How would Wei dare to overstep?”

Gongyi Cheng laughed coldly. “Is that so?”

Xie Wei placed the water-heating pot back on the stove. His expression didn’t change. He turned around and even poured tea for Gongyi Cheng, saying, “Wei asks himself whether he has done anything harmful to the Heavenly Doctrine.”

Gongyi Cheng’s gaze suddenly became somewhat sharper. He stood up and paced a few steps, looking down at him from a relatively higher position, actually saying, “Then how do you explain the matter outside Tongzhou and Fengtai cities?”

Xie Wei took a sip of tea and raised his brows. “What matter?”

Seeing his calm appearance as if unaware of the circumstances, Gongyi Cheng finally felt a surge of anger rising from his chest. His voice also became somewhat shrill as he rebuked, “The dog Emperor made one wrong move in his chess game and wanted to deal with the Marquis of Yongyi’s Manor. This could stir up public sentiment and cause turmoil throughout the realm, and moreover, could be used to win over military forces and strengthen our sect—truly a heaven-sent opportunity to overthrow the court! Yet three groups of people sent one after another all disappeared like clay oxen entering the sea without any news. Shortly afterward, their corpses were found in the reed marshes at the docks, all intercepted and killed! Are you telling me you knew nothing of this?!”

Perhaps the water used to brew tea today was too hot. The tea passing over the tip of his tongue left behind a somewhat astringent taste.

It was winter now. The new tea from spring had all turned stale.

Xie Wei thus slowly set down the tea cup in his hand. When he raised his eyes to meet Gongyi Cheng’s gaze, he smiled slightly. “Oh, there was such a matter? Since Mr. Gongyi entered the capital, Wei has not dared to meddle in the sect’s affairs. All business matters have been handled by you, sir. I truly didn’t know such a major incident had occurred. Have you discovered who did it?”

“…”

Their four eyes met. Xie Wei’s eyes and expression were extremely peaceful, but Gongyi Cheng was tightly tensed, his entire face revealing an indescribable gravity.

Although they had always maintained a mutual non-interference, Gongyi Cheng seemed to always be at odds with Xie Wei.

He felt the Sect Leader had made a wrong move in this chess piece. Back then, they should have cut the grass and pulled up the roots—they shouldn’t have left such a person alive, much less allowed him to reach such a high position in the Heavenly Doctrine, and even let him go to this capital where the Heavenly Doctrine’s influence found it difficult to penetrate deeply!

Inviting the wolf into the house, then releasing the tiger back to the mountain!

Gongyi Cheng said, “How truly strange. I thought that Dujun had deep connections with the Marquis of Yongyi’s Manor after all. This time at the young marquis’s capping ceremony, you even personally went to perform the capping ritual and bestow his courtesy name. You appeared to cherish old ties, leading me to think you were dissatisfied with the Heavenly Doctrine’s plans and were secretly obstructing them, finding the Sect Leader too cruel!”

Xie Wei said, “Mr. Gongyi has misunderstood.”

However, when he said these words, he did not look directly at Gongyi Cheng. Instead, he turned his gaze to look at the withered plants and trees in the courtyard, then rose to his feet and walked to the window with his hands clasped behind his back. “My aspirations are no different from the Sect Leader’s aspirations. Mr. Gongyi has been in the sect for so many years. What I have done, you should have known long ago.”

“That was before—I simply thought I knew. Now that you’ve arrived in the capital, you must know that people’s hearts change easily.” Gongyi Cheng smiled mockingly. “The entire court, the entire capital knows that ‘Mr. Xie’ is greatly favored by His Majesty. Not long ago, you even took charge of the Hanlin Academy. Your position grows increasingly secure. Wait another two years, and not only will you have the name of Imperial Tutor, I’m afraid even the reality of it will soon follow! Wealth and glory blind the eyes. Who still remembers the oath sworn back then, the aspirations established?”

The window lattice had exquisite carvings with quite a bit of Jiangnan flavor.

However, Jiangnan didn’t have such cold northern winds or such heavy snow.

A flower vase sat to the side, but there were no fresh flower branches in this season. Inserted in it were merely three arrows.

Xie Wei reached out and picked one up.

It was heavy in his hand. The arrowhead was forged from black iron. The arrow shaft was traced with fine silver patterns. The arrow fletching, however, consisted of two pieces of delicate gold foil embedded into the arrow’s tail. This kind of thing that at first glance appeared somewhat showy but impractical—one could tell at a glance it was probably a trinket gifted by some colleague from the court.

He lightly rotated it with his fingers.

This arrow also rotated with the movement.

Xie Wei said, “For Mr. Gongyi to speak in such a manner means you no longer trust me. If this is the case, then the jade ruyi incident in the palace was also your handiwork?”

The jade ruyi presented to Empress Dowager Xiao had been carved with seditious heretical words.

After that entire storm subsided, it had damaged his arrangements within the inner palace. Three years of painstaking effort destroyed in an instant, and he had actually been forced to cut off his own tail to seek self-preservation! He hadn’t even settled this score yet!

When the conversation reached this point, there was finally somewhat of a sense of drawn swords and confrontation.

Upon hearing this, Gongyi Cheng burst into loud laughter.

He swept aside his robe and sat down again. Picking up his tea, he said in a sinister tone, “I ruined your arrangements and moved your people, so you truly harbor dissatisfaction in your heart!”

Xie Wei came before the tea table. Behind him was that empty wall used for facing the wall in meditation. He only said, “Others have demands, which is why they allow me to win them over. Most of those serving in the palace come from impoverished backgrounds. The Marquis of Yongyi’s Manor is even more a family of loyal martyrs who protect the nation—they can be called pillars of the state. Mr. Gongyi has assisted the Sect Leader for many years, offering strategies and plans, commanding operations. You have also spread teachings and preached. Yet now coming to the capital, you first stirred up the jade ruyi incident, implicating many innocent people, and now want to trap the marquis’s manor in a position of disloyalty and unrighteousness, disregarding the lives of their entire household. I dare to ask you, sir, do you still remember the oath you swore back then, the aspirations you established?”

“Good, good! Finally speaking the truth!” Gongyi Cheng couldn’t help but clap his hands, but when he gazed at Xie Wei, there was somewhat more contempt. “Several months ago, when the Sect Leader secretly sent me to the capital to understand the situation and take charge of the overall situation, he expressed his concerns—first, fearing that wealth and glory had clouded your heart; second, fearing that you were too deeply entangled with the marquis’s manor and had become soft-hearted like a woman! I originally thought you were someone who considered the bigger picture, but unexpectedly, the Sect Leader’s predictions all came true!”

Xie Wei looked back at him without responding.

Gongyi Cheng’s gaze was cold, even his voice carried several degrees of chill as he said, “You must not forget—who spared your life back then, and who gave you everything you have now! Since you know the Heavenly Doctrine’s kindness toward you is as heavy as a mountain, like being reborn, you should know your proper place! In matters the Sect Leader wishes to accomplish, where is there room for you to interfere?!”

Xie Wei still did not speak.

That arrow at his fingertips held no warmth.

Only that golden arrow fletching, reflecting the increasingly dim skylight, refracted some glimmers of light.

Gongyi Cheng’s tone was no longer one of discussion but of admonishment. Moreover, he asked himself whether he was older than Xie Wei and had deeper seniority in the Heavenly Doctrine, thus was qualified to lecture him in this manner.

His words even carried somewhat of a threatening, warning meaning.

After this incident, Xie Wei would certainly lose the Sect Leader’s trust. Therefore, he no longer placed Xie Wei on an equal position with himself. He said sternly, “Helping those in danger and distress, achieving great unity under heaven—these are merely doctrines to win people’s hearts. To accomplish great things, sacrificing a few insignificant people, sacrificing one Marquis of Yongyi’s Manor—what does it matter! In chaotic times, a sage is nothing but a useless person. Only a tyrant can overturn this world!”

In chaotic times, a sage is nothing but a useless person. Only a tyrant can overturn this world.

Xie Wei did not speak for a long time.

It wasn’t until the gold foil arrow fletching on the arrow in his hand no longer reflected the skylight that he slowly said, “You are right.”

Having said so much, Gongyi Cheng finally picked up his tea to take a sip, moistening his throat. Without even turning his head to look at his expression, he only said, “From this day forward, you need not meddle in the sect’s affairs in the capital—”

The words had only reached halfway when suddenly his head felt a heavy impact!

It was actually Xie Wei, who at some unknown moment had walked behind him. One hand reached out and, without any warning, forcefully pressed down on his head, crushing it against the tea table!

“Crash! Clatter!”

The tea implements piled on the tea table immediately shattered everywhere!

Not only was Gongyi Cheng advanced in years, he had never imagined that coming to Xie Wei’s manor today would encounter any danger. He had never even thought that after Xie Wei’s many years in the Heavenly Doctrine, he would dare commit any world-shocking act. He simply couldn’t react!

Everything happened in an instant!

Xie Wei’s face was expressionless. The arrow in his hand pierced coldly into Gongyi Cheng’s neck. The sharp arrow forged from black iron pierced through the front of his throat. The force was so great it actually pinned him to the table surface. The blood vessels on the side of his neck ruptured, spurting great gouts of blood that splattered all over his white robes!

“Gurgle…”

Strange sounds of unclear meaning emerged from Gongyi Cheng’s throat.

Both his eyes widened in terror. He struggled frantically, reaching out his hands to grasp desperately at Xie Wei’s hand pressing him down, also covering his own throat, as if wanting to use this feeble effort to save his ebbing life.

However, how utterly futile all this was before this indifferent person’s eyes!

Unwilling, unable to believe!

Blood foamed from Gongyi Cheng’s mouth as he stared fixedly at him. “Dujun! You…”

However, it was extremely indistinct and unclear.

Xie Wei seemed somewhat dazed, thinking of that tall cherry tree at the Marquis of Yongyi’s Manor. Still as before, he slowly said in a soft, gentle voice, “You are right. A sage cannot accomplish anything. This world needs a tyrant. Those who follow the rules always have a more difficult path…”

Then, why follow any rules at all?

Things others could do, he could do as well—and he would do them even more ruthlessly, even more thoroughly! Just like this moment!

In the final moments of his life, Gongyi Cheng finally realized something. He also understood the meaning beneath Xie Wei’s words.

However, there was no longer time to think carefully.

Regret was too late.

The fresh blood gushing from his neck no longer spurted as violently as before. Like a spring that had originally gushed forth but gradually dried up, it became peaceful.

It pooled all over the tea table and beneath it.

Gradually, there was no more breath.

The blood still carrying warmth spread past Xie Wei’s feet. He did not move a single step. Not until the dry, thin corpse beneath his hand ceased all movement did he slowly release his grip.

A sage’s face, yet stained with blood covering his hands!

Turning around, that snow-white garment was already shockingly covered in blood. Raising his eyes, he saw Jianshu standing in the doorway, gazing at him in horror.

Xie Wei lowered his eyes. He simply walked over to pick up a clean cloth from the table to wipe his hands, saying flatly, “Clean this up.”