Chapter 302 The Shaman and the Mysterious Woman
Just a month ago, when Mu Xi sat on the throne in Tianjun Palace, she had the illusion that she was "ready". But Mu Heng's words just now made her realize that she could never be ready on the road to revealing her gender and becoming a female monarch.
But Bai Su's words were inspiring, and the voices of 100,000 soldiers cheered loudly.
Mu Xi felt a surge of heat rush from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, instantly clearing her mind—there was never any such thing as being "prepared," only "facing it directly."
What does it matter if it's a man or a woman?
Before being male or female, one must first be a person.
The "original sin" of being a woman is certainly a prejudice of the world, but people are prejudiced, and all she could do was be fearless.
Upon realizing this, it was as if a flash of inspiration had struck him, and an even more powerful force rose fiercely from the terrifying ruins.
That was the resentment accumulated over two lifetimes, the anger rebounding after being driven to the brink, the soul's contempt for injustice, and her unyielding stubbornness and pride.
When Mu Xiqiu's shimmering eyes met Mu Heng's mocking and manic gaze again, they were as imposing and unassailable as a mountain standing at the edge of an abyss: "Qualifications? What are qualifications? Is being born a man an innate qualification? Then how many foolish and tyrannical people throughout history have been destined for greatness simply because of their physical appearance?"
Her gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over the hundreds of thousands of soldiers behind Mu Heng. Every word she spoke resonated deeply, questioning the very core of their hearts: "If we speak of bloodline, I, Mu Xi, am also a direct descendant of the Mu clan. But what does the Mu clan's bloodline matter? If we speak of gender, though I am a woman, I have quelled rebellions and saved my lord, dealt with pirates, and sought to soothe the hearts of the people, in accordance with Heaven's will. Why can't a woman inherit the throne? If we speak of talent, courage, and a sense of responsibility for the world, how can you dismiss them with a mere 'woman'? And you, Mu Heng, though a man, what have you done? Aside from imprisoning your own father, harming your relatives, colluding with pirates, and engaging in this despicable act of kidnapping hostages, such behavior is unworthy of being called human. Do you even dare to covet the throne?"
Mu Heng was rendered speechless by the rebuttal, his face turning ashen with impotent rage: "No matter how eloquent you are, no matter how flowery your words are, they cannot change the fact that you are a woman. Mu Xi, in front of the whole world, do you admit that you are a woman disguised as a man, deceiving the world and stealing a reputation?"
"Yes, I admit it, so what?" Mu Xi's voice was crystal clear, filled with a relieved composure, echoing throughout the Qifeng Terrace. "I, Mu Xi, am indeed a woman. Although I did not wish to disguise myself for so many years, since it is so, I only ask that my actions be worthy of heaven and earth, and worthy of my own conscience. Now, Mu Heng, listen carefully... As long as you release Mu Xun, I can give up the throne. As long as you release him, I will leave Moyang immediately."
"Hahaha..." Mu Heng got the answer he wanted, and a twisted and triumphant laugh appeared on his face, but the laugh quickly turned into greed and ruthlessness. "Release them? How can you release them so easily? Although you have agreed, what about the Han Hai Army? Unless the Han Hai Army can also surrender and submit to me, I will not release them immediately."
"You two-faced scoundrel!" Bai Su roared.
Mu Heng, with a smug look on his face, shouted at Tu Feng, the commander of the Han Hai Army on the other side, "And you former loyal subjects and illegitimate sons of the Qianyan clan, you have long been stray dogs, yet you have managed to survive until now. Since you still want to be loyal to the Xi clan's prince, then lay down your weapons immediately, or your prince will surely perish on the spot."
Tu Feng's face was flushed red, and his snow-white beard trembled with rage: "I will not fall into the trap of a villain like you. If I surrender now, Wangsun will live. But you, who think you can fight against two opposing forces with Wangsun's life alone, should think carefully. If Wangsun loses even a single hair today, I will tear you to pieces."
The situation has reached a stalemate again.
Just then, a strange and rhythmic bell sound came from the official road outside the army. The bell sound was clear and ethereal, and strangely suppressed the bloody and murderous aura of the hundreds of thousands of troops.
Everyone involuntarily looked in the direction of the sound.
A silver carriage of unusual and ancient design was speeding towards them, escorted by dozens of wizards dressed in wizard robes and wearing white masks with gold patterns.
The curtains hanging on all four sides of the carriage were embroidered with intricate and mysterious star charts and sun and moon symbols in bright silver thread. Even in the dim light, they still shimmered faintly and were clearly visible. At each of the four corners of the carriage roof hung a hollowed-out bronze bell, whose clear and melodious sound was the source of the strange bell sound just now.
On the carriage shaft, besides a taciturn charioteer dressed in the standard attire of Guanlan Palace, there was a small banner with a unique symbol representing the majesty of the Imperial Preceptor and granting him unimpeded passage throughout the land—a crossed star staff and a laurel branch.
"It's the Imperial Advisor..." The soldiers who were about to step forward to stop him shouted before they could even do so.
The gasps were filled with immense awe and fear.
Everyone, regardless of their faction, instinctively made way. On the continent of Yan Sheng, shamans represented the highest bridge between humans and gods, holding a transcendent status that even kings and nobles had to treat with respect. No one was willing to risk the wrath of the world by offending a great shaman who was not involved in the power struggle.
Ignoring the reactions around them, the carriage continued its journey at full speed towards Qifeng Terrace.
The carriage came to a steady stop below Qifeng Terrace. A long, pale hand lifted the curtain, and the Imperial Preceptor Xianjin stepped out first. She still had that aloof and refined appearance, as if this change in the world was something she had foreseen.
Immediately afterwards, another radiant and noble woman with a flame between her brows also stepped out of the carriage.
"Princess Yan Ya?" Mu Xi exclaimed in surprise.
These two have had no official seals since Yan Sheng was caught in the war and Mo Yang City fell several times. It is unknown why they suddenly appeared here today.
Princess Yan Ya also bent down and stepped out of the carriage to stand with Xian Jin. The two suddenly appeared together, but they ignored the thousands of soldiers. They looked up at the Qifeng Terrace in front of them and then looked at the blazing sun in the sky. Then, they were about to step onto the Qifeng Terrace together under the protection of dozens of wizards.
Mu Xi couldn't help but spur her horse forward to greet them: "Imperial Preceptor, Princess, what brings you here?"
Xian Jin looked at Mu Xi without any surprise, only bowing respectfully, his voice becoming increasingly ethereal and distant: "The country is no longer a country, and Xian Jin is no longer the national teacher, but merely a shaman. I have not yet offered my congratulations to Your Majesty on taking over Moyang City. Now that Your Majesty has obtained this position, I hope you will not fail the will of Heaven, nor the will of the people."
"Uh..." Faced with the balance of power among the three parties, Mu Xi was speechless. She then looked at Princess Yan Ya, "How come the princess is with the Grand Preceptor? Mu Xun... Xi Xun is still in their hands..."
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