Yun Ya was a fearsome opponent. Most importantly, he never wasted effort. If he truly wanted to kill Miao Hansheng, he wouldn’t have waited here, nor would he have wasted so much time talking with Grand Tutor Lu.

Only by satisfying his demands could Miao Hansheng remain alive.

“Tell me about each of the resistance strongholds you’ve established in Wei,” Yun Ya said calmly. “Don’t try to fabricate anything. I already know eight or nine-tenths of it—I just need your confirmation.”

If he revealed everything, Grand Tutor Lu knew that his subordinates and allies within Wei territory would face an extremely bloody purge. The resistance forces in Western Yao might never recover, left without the strength to resist tyrannical Wei.

But if Miao Hansheng died now, the hope of restoring the nation would shatter instantly. Grand Tutor Lu’s gaze wavered.

If the child in Yun Ya’s hands was also a fake, then the comrades he betrayed would have sacrificed themselves for nothing.

If he was real…

Yun Ya waited for a short while, observing the torment in his eyes, then casually smiled and said: “Let me change the question. When did you and the King of Yan agree to take action?”

The sudden mention of the King of Yan startled Grand Tutor Lu: “What do you mean?”

Yun Ya replied languidly: “In many prefectures across Eastern and Western Yao territories, village militias are being secretly trained and military supplies expanded. Although you’ve been discreet, keeping each camp small, together they number over thirty thousand. Heh, you’re planning to declare independence when Yan and Wei go to war, aren’t you? But the food, medicine, and weapons for thirty thousand men cost a fortune daily, and this number will surely increase. Now that all tax revenue from Yao lands belongs to New Xia, where would you get the money without outside support?”

Grand Tutor Lu maintained a stern face, saying nothing.

Yun Ya continued with a light chuckle: “Perhaps only the King of Yan is willing to be so generous now. He’s quite the schemer. When the time comes, my great Wei will be busy fighting Yan, with no capacity to deal with you. Meanwhile, you’ll raise an army with Miao Hansheng, call for the restoration of Yao, and receive widespread support. This will keep New Xia too occupied to assist Wei against Yan.” He shook his head. “That old fool has more money than sense. He never learns. This trick has rarely worked, yet he uses it over and over.”

Despite these words, both men understood that Yan was far away in the Southern Continent, separated from New Xia by an entire ocean. If the King of Yan wanted to manipulate the situation and reduce a powerful enemy in the future war, his only option was to employ the strategy of killing with a borrowed knife—using former Yao loyalists like Grand Tutor Lu to take action, finding ways to create trouble for both Wei and New Xia.

Understanding this strategic objective of his opponent, Yun Ya wanted to remove the cancerous resistance forces in Yao territory early, lest they grow stronger and eventually erupt when the opportunity arose. “So, how much money did the King of Yan give you, and when are you to take action?”

Grand Tutor Lu kept his mouth tightly shut. Yun Ya applied slight pressure with his hand, causing the child pain and making him burst into tears.

“Stop! Three million taels each season! How would I know when Yan will start the war? Why don’t you ask them!” Grand Tutor Lu’s forehead beaded with sweat as he continued without pause. “Don’t harm the child’s life—don’t forget you have an agreement with New Xia!”

“Now you want New Xia’s protection?” Yun Ya smiled lightly. “Unfortunately, the agreement only stipulates mutual non-aggression between the two countries. It doesn’t say I can’t kill people here. Besides—” he drew out his words, “—killing this little thing would solve internal troubles. Your Queen should thank me.”

Grand Tutor Lu said dejectedly: “I accept defeat. Return him safely to the Queen of New Xia, and I, Lu Wenda, will surrender immediately!”

As they spoke, Miao Hansheng, who had been lying on the edge of the table, stood up. However, he lost his balance and fell headfirst.

Just as he was about to hit the ground head-first, Yun Ya quickly grabbed his small leg and held him upside down.

An opportunity!

Lu Hongyuan, who had been silent all along, made a gesture. The cultivator hidden by the window had already prepared his technique and, hearing the signal activated it. The ground beneath Yun Ya’s feet immediately turned to mud. Two others lunged forward—one to grab the child, one to slash at Yun Ya with a sword.

The Grand Tutor’s Mansion had talented individuals. These men were highly skilled in cultivation, and their coordination was flawless. In an instant, the humble room was filled with the bright gleam of blades.

But Yun Ya’s action shocked everyone:

Without hesitation, he flung Miao Hansheng directly toward the opponent’s blade!

Such a tender infant would be split in two immediately. The man facing him was horrified and pulled back his sword, managing to catch the child in his arms. When he looked down, he saw Miao Hansheng grinning at him.

That smile lacked a child’s innocence and instead was filled with an eerie quality.

He sensed something was wrong but had no time to throw the child away before an explosive pain erupted in his chest.

Then his vision went black, and he knew no more.

“Miao Hansheng” tossed aside the still-beating heart in his hand and lunged toward the cultivator by the window. His movements were as swift as an arrow—nothing like a child’s toddling steps. The latter hurriedly drew his sword to defend himself. When the sword tip struck the child’s palm, it made a clear “clang” sound, like metal striking metal.

With this sudden change, the Lu family members knew something was very wrong. Lu Hongyuan shouted: “It’s a trap! Retreat!”

Since the child was fake, they had no reason to stay.

Yun Ya sent the man beside him flying several yards with a palm strike, while smiling: “Please stay, everyone. After the play ends, we still need to take a bow.” With that, he snapped his fingers.

“Click.”

As soon as the sound fell, the surrounding scenery suddenly blurred, like a mirage collapsing. The house disappeared, and suddenly a strong light shone into their eyes.

The Lu family members were stunned for just two breaths as the place seemed to transform into another world. Where was the deep night? Where was the shabby farmhouse? Where were the distant mountains and valleys?

Everyone was standing in a spacious square—more precisely, on a raised earthen platform slightly higher than ground level.

The square was decorated with colorful lanterns, and the area around the platform was packed with people.

There were adults, children, women, and elderly, most holding lanterns, staring at the platform without blinking.

Their expressions were indescribable.

The vast square was dead silent as if one could hear a pin drop.

Amid their shock, the Lu family members thought they heard the gentle sound of flowing water nearby.

Grand Tutor Lu murmured: “This is, this is…” His gaze shifted, and he found himself looking directly at the Queen of New Xia below the platform.

She sat there in magnificent attire, beautiful as a celestial being, watching him with a smile on her face.

Without words, her eyes said everything:

You’ve lost.

Grand Tutor Lu suddenly remembered what his granddaughter had said: “This year, the stage… was set up in the Xue family’s courtyard…”

The Xue residence was by the lake. During the Yao invasion, its gates and walls had been reduced to ruins, and everyone had died. After the authorities reclaimed the mansion, they simply tore down the remaining walls and turned the courtyard into a square for this year’s Lantern Festival.

After all their travels, they had never left the city but had been brought here by the carriage—into an illusion—performing this scene before countless Yinzi citizens!