The blood-red gemstone was embedded in the eyes of a four-clawed dragon pattern, gleaming brilliantly – it was a medal belonging to a founding elder. Thirty years had passed, and Elder Chu was the last living meritorious minister.

But Emperor Qian’an’s eunuch only glanced once, then ordered people to cover the corpse with white cloth and carry it away.

Shen Qiyuan set down his wine cup: “Your Majesty?”

The emperor didn’t even turn his head to the side, his eyes looking straight ahead: “Elder Chu was advanced in years, and with his wife and children having died one after another, it’s understandable that he couldn’t think clearly.”

If he couldn’t think clearly due to family matters, why would he wear battle armor and jump from the artificial mountain rocks in the imperial garden? With his head facing precisely north.

Shen Qiyuan opened his mouth to say something more, but Emperor Qian’an said: “It’s getting late – beloved minister should also return early to rest.”

Golden embroidered dragon patterns flashed before his eyes, and when he raised his head again, the emperor had already been escorted away by several eunuchs.

Vivid golden wings, along with magnificent ceremonial processions went through the moon gate on the right.

Pale hemp cloth covering a thin bamboo frame went through the moon gate on the left.

The voices gradually faded, leaving only wreckage at the banquet.

Ruyi returned to her room, satisfied from eating and drinking. The moment she entered, she sensed something was wrong. She walked gracefully to light the lamp, and the dancing flames illuminated the silent figure beside her.

“What’s wrong with you, my lord?” She smiled as she extinguished the flame. “Returning to the capital with merit, shouldn’t you be attending celebration banquets? Why are you so unhappy?”

Shen Qiyuan raised his eyes and looked at her deeply: “I remember you once complained, saying that the Blue God doesn’t save all living beings.”

Ruyi thought for a moment: “That did happen. When my mother city was destroyed, I was willing to offer all my cultivation as compensation to pray to him, but he never manifested.”

He tilted his head: “Do you hate him?”

“Not to the point of hatred, but I won’t believe again.” She reached out to pour tea, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. “What, have you also abandoned your believers?”

Shen Qiyuan lowered his eyes, not knowing how to respond.

Ruyi took a sip of tea and placed her slender finger on his forehead – for immortals, having one’s divine consciousness probed was very offensive, but he only struggled slightly before relaxing his shoulders.

Countless prayer voices surged toward her like a tide. Ruyi’s eyes widened in shock, feeling as if her limbs were bound by countless iron chains inscribed with talismans, causing her head to throb with dull pain.

She suddenly withdrew her hand.

“You…” Rubbing her temples, Ruyi could hardly believe it. “Do you have to listen to so many wishes every day?”

“Only the most sincere wishes can reach my ears.” Shen Qiyuan rubbed his fingers. “Elder Chu’s voice was the clearest I’ve heard in recent years.”

The clearer the voice, the more sincere the heart naturally was. By rights, such wishes should be fulfilled, but unfortunately, when wishes conflicted, he could only stand by and let nature take its course.

Ruyi’s eyes flickered: “So… my prayer failing back then wasn’t because I had done bad things, but because my prayer conflicted with others.”

She paced two steps in the room, laughing bitterly in her anger: “That old thief Puhua had already prepared to deceive me.”

The divine had never abandoned her – it was just that Puhua had preemptively used conflicting sincere wishes to block her cry for help to the Blue God. After all these years, she had been blaming the wrong person all along.

Then the calamity that befell her mother city was most likely deliberately orchestrated by Puhua as well.

Her teeth itched with anger. Ruyi asked Shen Qiyuan: “What happened to Puhua afterward?”

Shen Qiyuan avoided her gaze, his expression growing even dimmer: “I need more evidence before I can remove him from the divine registry.”

“Still need evidence?” She laughed at the absurdity. “Mortals often say Heaven has no eyes – who would have thought it was so accurate?”

“It’s because Puhua was cunning in covering his tracks, and there was the Dome at the time – it’s not Heaven’s fault.”

Ruyi still felt angry, flicking her skirt as she sat in the chair: “The matter happened thousands of years ago – what evidence could remain? In my opinion, we should find an opportunity to capture him and directly scatter his soul.”

If she had said such things before, Shen Qiyuan would certainly have scolded her for being reckless and rebellious, but for some reason, today he seemed unusually silent.

She couldn’t help but turn her head to ask: “Is it feasible?”

He shook his head, his dark eyes full of confusion: “I… don’t know.”

Realizing his mood wasn’t good, Ruyi stood up, quickly walked to him and embraced him, saying with a smile: “Let’s not talk about this. Shall I tell you about Fuman and the others instead?”

“Those few are quite capable now, running the wine house while also taking on cases from ducal mansions. Yanning was even praised by Duke An and received two extra ingots of silver as a reward. He was so delighted, completely unlike his dejection when examining corpses at Ningyuan Marquis’ Manor.”

“Fuman is also impressive – she saved money and partnered with Tinglan to open a tea house at the end of the southern alley on God Worship Street. Besides selling tea, they also sell information. I find this business peculiar, yet they manage it quite well.”

“Qingyi hasn’t done any business, but his martial arts are excellent. He’s blocked several assassination attempts for Yanning and Fuman. Yanning is so grateful he practically wants to swear brotherhood with him.”

“I also heard news about Young Master – these past two months, his family has been urging him to meet potential brides. Every evening, he comes to the wine house to complain to Yanning.”

Her tone was gentle and cheerful, her words scattered and numerous, falling into his ears like spring rain, gradually soothing his agitation.

Shen Qiyuan spoke softly: “What does he have to complain about? How could the young ladies the Zhou family introduces be anything but excellent?”

“That may be so, but he’s unwilling.” Ruyi clicked her tongue lightly. “He shouldn’t have met someone like me at such a young age.”

These words sounded rather deserving of a beating. Shen Qiyuan finally smiled, pinched her chin then released her, taking a long breath.

Ruyi looked at him with smiling eyes, then slowly began to speak: “Elder Chu’s matter is not your fault – you needn’t take it too much to heart.”

“Life and death are fated. He chose his path – I have nothing to say about it.” Shen Qiyuan lowered his eyes. “I just feel that while the current emperor is skilled at maintaining balance, he always chills people’s hearts. This is truly not a long-term way to govern a nation.”

How should the Blue God protect the mortal realm? Since he couldn’t fulfill all requests, it would be best if this kingdom no longer needed to pray to Heaven for favorable weather, if laws could punish evil and promote good, and if rulers and ministers could serve the nation and people.

But with Emperor Qian’an behaving this way, forget serving nation and people – it would take this Blue God’s desperate protection just to preserve Great Qian’s dynasty for another ten years.

Speaking of which, if the divine position earned through painstaking cultivation was just to protect the kingdom for someone as cold-blooded and heartless as Emperor Qian’an, then being an immortal was truly meaningless.

“When Supreme Lord appointed you as Blue God, did he make you swear any oaths?” Ruyi suddenly asked.

Shen Qiyuan nodded listlessly: “To guard Great Qian’s kingdom, protect Great Qian’s emperor, not indulge in power or beauty, not kill the innocent indiscriminately.”

Her eyes rolled, and Ruyi pulled him toward the bed: “It’s getting late – come rest with me quickly.”