Tianqi City, Imperial Palace.

Emperor Mingde, wearing his dragon robe, was having his morning meal when Jin Xuan walked in slowly from outside, his expression grave and brows slightly furrowed. Emperor Mingde set down his jade bowl, glanced at him, and lightly waved his sleeve: “Everyone, leave.”

The palace maids and eunuchs attending him immediately withdrew from the room, gently closing the doors and windows.

“Coming to see me so early—what has happened?” Emperor Mingde asked.

“Last night, the Shadow Sect mansion burned down. Imperial Father-in-Law Yi Bo was burned to death,” Jin Xuan tried to maintain a calm tone as he delivered these words.

“What!” Emperor Mingde was shocked. “Yi Bo, he’s dead?”

“Yes. The fire was massive, the entire Imperial Father-in-Law’s mansion was burned down, with countless casualties,” Jin Xuan nodded.

“Which means…” Emperor Mingde said quietly.

“The Shadow Sect ceased to exist as of last night,” Jin Xuan replied.

Emperor Mingde picked up his teacup, lifted the lid, and took a sip, gradually regaining his composure. He sighed lightly: “Did it have to be done so decisively?”

Jin Xuan sighed softly: “One mountain cannot harbor two tigers, and he never liked Yi Bo.”

“Was it really—” Emperor Mingde’s brows furrowed deeper, “done by him?”

“Yesterday, reports reached the palace saying he wasn’t at his mansion last night,” Jin Xuan replied.

“Such decisive action doesn’t seem like his style,” Emperor Mingde shook his head.

“But hasn’t our Prince changed quite a bit from before?” Jin Xuan said quietly.

Emperor Mingde set down his teacup, which shattered instantly. Jin Xuan hurriedly lowered his head and stepped back.

“Enough,” Emperor Mingde shook his head. “Since it’s reported as an accidental fire, then let it be a fire. Have the Court of Justice handle it.”

“By your command,” Jin Xuan said solemnly.

“Does Consort Xuan know about this news?” Emperor Mingde suddenly asked.

Jin Xuan immediately reported: “Early this morning, the Seventh Prince already entered the palace. By now, Consort Xuan should know.”

Taihua Palace.

White gauze curtains hung down, separating the inner chamber from the outer hall.

Xiao Yu knelt in the outer hall, his expression sorrowful: “Mother, Grandfather’s death couldn’t have been so simple. He must have been murdered!”

In the inner chamber, a woman’s silhouette could be seen brushing her hair, her movements unhurried, seemingly unmoved by the news Xiao Yu had brought. This woman was naturally Consort Xuan, once known as the greatest beauty in the world, born Yi Wenjun, the only daughter of Yi Bo, leader of the Shadow Sect.

“Mother!” Xiao Yu called out loudly.

“Stop crying,” Consort Xuan’s voice carried a hint of weariness. “Since when did you have any feelings for your grandfather? He never liked you, and you rarely associated with him. Don’t think I don’t know.”

Xiao Yu wiped his tears, saying helplessly: “But Grandfather was our greatest protection in Tianqi City. And Mother, even if I’m not grieving, aren’t you?”

“Send a letter to Muliang City,” Consort Xuan said slowly after a moment of silence.

Xiao Yu was startled: “Is it to notify the Foster Father to come to investigate this matter? For the Sword Immortal to arrive in the city, that would be…”

“No, just to inform him,” Consort Xuan replied.

“Mother, how can you be so calm?” Xiao Yu asked puzzled. “Could it be true as the rumors say, that you resented Grandfather for marrying you to Father Emperor…”

“Silence. Some words should not leave your mouth,” Consort Xuan rebuked. “I’m not grieving because I knew this day would come eventually.”

Xiao Yu frowned slightly, shaking his head: “Your son doesn’t understand.”

“Tianqi City no longer needs the Shadow Sect. Father thought he could change everything, but the world has already changed,” Consort Xuan pushed aside the curtain and walked out. Time had left no trace on her face; she was still the world’s greatest beauty. “So he was destined to be erased.”

Langya Prince’s Manor.

“Where did you go last night?” Li Xinyue stood behind the Prince of Langya, sword in hand, asking coldly.

“I went to Fengxiao Temple to meet an old acquaintance,” Xiao Ruofeng sipped his tea, speaking slowly.

“Do you know what happened last night?” Li Xinyue pressed.

“I heard the Shadow Sect is gone,” Xiao Ruofeng smiled slightly. “You should know very well who did it.”

“I don’t understand why Dark River came to Tianqi City only to destroy the Shadow Sect. The entire court knows that the Shadow Sect’s greatest political enemy was us,” Li Xinyue said gravely.

“You think I recruited Dark River? That their earlier assassination attempt on me was just an elaborate facade?” Xiao Ruofeng continued smiling mildly, casually pouring tea for Li Xinyue.

Li Xinyue sighed helplessly: “It’s not what I think, it’s what everyone in Tianqi City will think, including your elder brother.”

Xiao Ruofeng set down his teacup: “Then let them think that.”

“But I don’t believe you would choose such methods,” Li Xinyue said.

“That’s why you and I can be friends,” Xiao Ruofeng handed Li Xinyue the cup of tea he had poured.

At this moment in Tianqi City, Dark River’s assassins who had secretly infiltrated the city were silently departing.

At the Chaolai Inn, Master Bu came to seek companionship by listening to music, only to find an empty room. After pondering for a long while, he sighed deeply: “So they’ve left after all.”

White Crane Huai rode his horse outside Tianqi City, asking Su Muyu beside him: “After this parting, when will we return to Tianqi City?”

“I hope when we return, we can truly walk the long streets without distractions,” Su Muyu smiled.

White Crane Huai thought for a moment: “You mean to walk through the pleasure quarters without distractions, right?”

“That would be your father’s wish,” Su Muyu replied.

“Look at this little rascal, making fun of Uncle Zhe again,” Su Changhe rode beside them, imitating Su Zhe’s tone teasingly.

Su Muyu turned his head then, looking at the now-tiny city gates: “Changhe, we’ll achieve our ideals, won’t we?”

“You call that an ideal? Other people’s ideals are to become great generals serving the country and people, or sword heroes saving the world. You just want to be an ordinary person,” Su Changhe laughed.

Su Muyu paused: “Then what about you? Can your ambition be called an ideal?”

“Of course,” Su Changhe suddenly cracked his horsewhip. “I not only want to lead Dark River into the sunlight, I want to become that light itself!”

“Very well. Then I’ll be your sword,” Su Muyu declared.

White Crane Huai scratched his head: “Then I’ll heal your wounds… and if I can’t treat them, I’ll let my father search for silk for you!”

“Hahahahaha! It’s a deal!” Su Muyu broke into rare laughter.