Chapter 404 It's time to call it a new era!
"Lord Fang, what should we do with Kuang Cheng and Mu Jing?"
"Those who walk different paths can only be silenced forever."
"But they are just ordinary people. No one can see them if they are locked up in prison. They won't affect our important matters."
"Countless attempts to achieve great things have failed at the last hurdle, all due to the misplaced compassion of women."
He Jingyuan remained silent after hearing this, then nodded slightly, continuing to walk without saying another word.
Before long, the two entered the Great Xia Imperial Palace.
Under the deep darkness of night, icy rain fell in a patter, condensing into fine, sharp ice crystals in mid-air. These crystals struck the glazed tiles of the palace, producing a continuous, crisp, and piercing "shush" sound.
The palace's upturned eaves revealed a silent and hard outline in the gloom. Rainwater gathered along the eaves, freezing into icicles of varying lengths before it could completely drip down.
The scene was like a crystal curtain hanging over this enormous palace, eerie and lifeless.
The two walked along the long corridor and gradually entered the deep palace. The imperial attendants who had been waiting there saw them and went up to greet them, bowing slightly.
"Greetings, Lord Fang; greetings, Lord He."
"Eunuch Chen, has His Majesty's headache improved recently?"
"I'm much better now. It hasn't hurt for a long time."
When the imperial attendant heard He Jingyuan's question, he smiled and replied.
The young Emperor Da Xia had always suffered from headaches, which had never stopped since he ascended the throne. At its worst, he could not even eat or sleep properly.
Even veteran officials like He Jingyuan knew about this, so they would always ask about it when they entered the palace, as if it had become a habit.
As they spoke, the white marble path came to an end, and ahead were high stone steps leading to the terrace in front of the emperor's bedroom.
At this moment, Xia Tianzi was standing on the terrace, turning his gaze slightly as he watched Fang Ruoming and He Jingyuan arrive.
"Have they caught him?"
"We caught him, but my fellow villager is more stubborn than I imagined."
Fang Ruoming walked toward the terrace as he spoke, his tone tinged with regret.
After listening, the emperor sighed slightly: "Ordinary people are indeed hard to understand our good intentions, and are more likely to think of us as blood-stained executioners. But things in the world are not as simple as black and white. Fortunately, things will succeed soon. Brother Fang will hold the reins of power in the world, and a golden age will come. When that time comes, they will understand everything."
Fang Ruoming nodded: "Even if I am burdened with evil deeds, I will still go."
"By the way, I heard you went to Gengyang City and killed some members of the Fang family there? Are you alright?"
"It's nothing. My younger sister found herself a marriage with a family surnamed Guan in Gengyang City. They are related to the Fang family by marriage. I accompanied her to meet them as a family member. But I never expected that after so many years, those aristocratic families still haven't made any progress."
"After enduring so many years, you finally couldn't hold back anymore."
"The past events are still vivid in my mind, and even the best cultivation would find it hard to bear."
He Jingyuan was standing behind them, and couldn't help but look up slightly when he heard their conversation.
He knew some of Fang Ruoming's past. It was said that before joining the Zhenbei Army, he had also secretly cultivated in the Immortal Sect.
However, because he lacked a family background and was exceptionally talented, he suffered a lot of suppression and humiliation, which was very similar to Ji You's experience.
From that time on, he began to harbor deep hatred for the immortal sects and aristocratic families.
“In the past, we had to hold back because we were afraid of being exposed. Now, it’s okay to vent, as long as it’s handled properly.”
"You can rest assured about that. The Guan family is terrified, and the Immortal Sect is always slow to react, so no one will find out."
"That's good." The emperor nodded.
"How is the matter of the Holy Land of the Sages progressing?" Fang Ruoming suddenly asked. "Has a date been set for opening the Holy Land?"
"The Dan Sect sent word today that the Sacred Ground of the Sages has only three remaining rifts, and the opening date has been set for the full moon next month. Speaking of this, there's something quite interesting about it."
"oh?"
The emperor seemed to realize something and slightly raised the corners of his mouth: "The five major immortal sects do not trust each other at the moment, but they have taken the initiative to propose that the Zhenbei Army guard the core of the holy land, and their suggestion to guard the four directions coincides with our thoughts."
“This is the way of the enlightened, and Heaven helps them.” Fang Ruoming looked into the distance with a deep gaze. “After so many years of hard work, it’s time for the world to change. When that happens, I will never forget everyone’s efforts and help.”
That's good.
"The night is cold and the wind is chilly. Your Majesty's health is not good to begin with. You should go back and rest early. I also need to make some preparations."
The emperor coughed twice: "Then I won't see you off. I only came to see you today to ask about the Fang family. Let's save some things for after we've succeeded."
Fang Ruoming nodded after hearing this, and then stepped down the white marble steps.
After watching him walk away, He Jingyuan, who had been standing behind the two, looked at the emperor, as if he had something to say, but hesitated for a long time without speaking.
Seeing this, the emperor looked at him and asked, "Does Lord He have anything else to say?"
"These are my two officials from the Imperial Observatory. I wonder what Your Majesty intends to do with them?"
"Didn't Lord Fang say so?"
After a moment of silence, He Jingyuan raised his head: "Lord Fang said he wants to kill them."
The emperor turned around upon hearing this: "The winter day when we changed the reign title was the day our plan officially began. When I gathered you all together that day, I said that his orders were equivalent to mine. Why do you ask me again?"
"I just think they are just ordinary people, and it's enough to lock them up. There's really no need to kill them."
"I'm curious, what did Kuang Cheng say to you in prison that made you suddenly hesitate tonight?"
"Your Majesty is too kind. We are undertaking a great cause that will benefit all people. I have never had any hesitation. But do we really have to entrust everything to Lord Fang?"
The emperor turned around and said, "So what you're hesitating about isn't what we're doing, but him as a person."
After pondering for a long time, He Jingyuan spoke: "Your Majesty, Kuang Cheng once asked a question in prison: if we were truly forced to shed blood for the sake of the people, should we pay for the lives of the dead after the establishment of the new world order? I was stumped by the question, and Lord Fang's response was different from what I expected."
“Brother Ruoming has the heart of a child and the ambition to create lasting peace. He is the most insightful person I have ever met. Moreover, only his physical body can bear the fate of the entire clan. When the time comes, you should not hesitate, but rather be more determined.”
He Jingyuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."
The emperor gazed out into the distant deep space: "They were both good ministers. If it weren't for what happened today, they could have been given important positions after the great cause was accomplished. Even though they are no longer useful now, remember to let them go peacefully."
"Understood."
"Go."
He Jingyuan nodded, then stepped down the white marble path.
Under the endless darkness and the fine, dense rain, only the emperor remained on the terrace.
However, he did not immediately return to his palace due to his poor health, but instead maintained the same posture as before, gazing into the boundless deep sky.
Suddenly, without warning, the Emperor of Great Xia swung his hand and smacked his head.
"Stop arguing, be quiet!"
"..."
The spring rain continued for several days until the seventh day of the third lunar month.
Wei Rui, holding an oil-paper umbrella, crossed Yong'an Street and walked towards Nishan, her expression filled with fear and unease.
Soon, she arrived at the gate of the Heavenly Academy, but was blocked by a great formation and could not enter.
The head disciple guarding the mountain gate bowed slightly upon seeing him: "Miss Wei, may I ask what brings you to the Heavenly Academy?"
"I want to find Instructor Cao."
"Instructor Cao? Oh, you mean Elder Cao?"
Wei Rui immediately nodded: "Yes, I have something to say to him, please ask this young master to pass on my message."
Upon hearing this, the disciple in charge of the academy looked troubled: "The Holy Land of the Sages is about to open, and the demon race is eyeing it covetously. Elder Cao and all the elders of the Elder Council have gone to Zhongzhou with the Palace Master, and I have been unable to contact them."
"And what about Fairy Zhengxin?"
"She went too, along with the Third Hall's personal disciple, Senior Brother Ban Yangshu. They all went to Zhongzhou."
Upon hearing this, Wei Rui couldn't help but clutch her sleeve.
She came here today for no other reason than that she had not seen Kuang Cheng for ten days.
At first, the Director of the Immortals said he had been sent to the south on official business, but as time went on, she began to feel that something was wrong.
Because no matter which time Kuang Cheng left the capital, he would write a letter to tell me, and even if the mission was urgent, he would ask someone to send a message.
Thinking of all this, she immediately went to Mu Jing's house to confirm whether Kuang Cheng had gone on official business and where exactly in the south he was.
To his surprise, Mu Jing also disappeared.
Her younger sister, Mu Xiu, also went to the Imperial Observatory to inquire, and Mu Xiu received the same answer as Wei Rui.
Because she had previously searched for Kuang Cheng but couldn't find him, only to later learn that he had been captured by the Immortal Sect, she was filled with unease at the moment and wanted to ask Instructor Cao for help. Unexpectedly, she arrived at a time when everyone was out of Shengjing.
After pondering for a long time, Wei Rui hurriedly left the Nishan Sacred Way, intending to inquire in other places.
But at that moment, she encountered Mu Xiu, who was also hurrying along the long street.
"Miss Wei, something has happened."
"Miss Xiuxiu, what's wrong?"
"Come with me."
"?"
Before Wei Rui could react, Mu Xiu pulled her into an alley.
The two turned left and right, finally stopping in a secluded dead-end alley.
Wei Rui was already very uneasy, and when she saw him stop, she immediately asked, "Miss Xiuxiu, what happened? Is there any news about your brother?"
Mu Xiu looked at her with a pale face, and after catching her breath, she opened her mouth: "A shop assistant at a teahouse in the city said that my brother saw someone before he disappeared. It was Wang Jiu, a shop assistant at Wulu Trading Company."
"Wang Jiu?"
"Yes, but the problem is that Wang Jiu was found drowned in the Qu River in the south of the city the next day..."
Mu Jing and Wu Lu Trading Company have no connection; the connection lies with her lover. The employees of Wu Lu Trading Company are only responsible for selling grain and would never go to the Si Xian Jian to find an official unless necessary.
Upon thinking of this, Wei Rui's face turned pale instantly, and a bad premonition began to linger in her heart.
But at this moment, no one cares about such a trivial matter, because everyone's attention is on Zhongzhou.
As the date of the full moon drew ever closer, countless cultivators, led by the Immortal Sect, flocked to Sunrise City from all directions, sealing off the surrounding dozens of miles around the sacred site of the sages.
Among them, the Heavenly Academy was represented by the masters of Zizai, Changsheng, and Buyu, while the other three sects were all represented by powerful figures above the Boundless Realm.
As for Spirit Sword Mountain, they sent all their elders, and even the Mirror Master's carriage appeared together.
This matter concerns the clan and its destiny, and the scale of this event far exceeds that of the Heavenly Dao Society, even rivaling the ancient conquest of a thousand-year-old clan.
Such unusual activity naturally attracted the attention of the demon guards on the border of Yunzhou, and countless intelligence reports began to be sent to the heart of Yunzhou.
"Human cultivators have surrounded the sacred site of the ancient sages?"
"Your Highness, it is said that all the official roads around Zhongzhou have been shut down, and there are countless powerful figures emanating from the northwest."
In the northern part of Yunzhou, the newly built Demon Emperor City resembles a crouching behemoth, exuding the fierce aura of a lion.
In the Demon Prince's residence, the patriarchs of the five clans—scaled, fanged, furry, clawed, and feathered—gathered together. After hearing the report from the demon generals at the front, they frowned slightly.
They had already assembled a large army last month and spent a long time devising a plan to launch a night raid on Zhongzhou, intending to occupy the southwest of Zhongzhou as quickly as possible, control the Dan Sect, open a holy land, and seize the fortune. But it was only now that they realized that the human race had been prepared all along.
It seems that during their trip to Shengjing, although they did find out about the sacred sites of the ancients and the destiny of the human race, they may have also exposed their covetous intentions.
"Given that the human race is well-prepared, the only way to seize their destiny is through direct confrontation, which could result in heavy casualties."
"Even a direct confrontation might not be enough to penetrate deep into the heartland as planned, so how can we control those alchemists who can open the sacred ground as intended?"
"And the sacred artifacts are also a threat."
Inside the council chamber, prominent figures from the five ethnic groups began to discuss the matter animatedly.
The Demon Emperor Ziye Han was sitting upright in this room. After hearing the discussion, he spoke softly and frowned slightly.
In truth, he was well aware that the difference between a direct confrontation with the human race and a surprise night raid was enormous, and the difficulty was worlds apart. It was understandable that the various races would hesitate.
He looked up at the demon general who had brought the news: "Could you observe whose aura those powerful figures came from?"
"Some of them have been identified. This is the list. Please take a look, Your Highness."
The demon general took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Ye Han.
After carefully examining it, Ye Han solemnly placed it on the table: "Everyone, according to what was said in the letter, the human race has sent more than half of its strongest warriors. The situation is not favorable to us, but I think our demon race has been waiting for this opportunity for a thousand years, and we absolutely cannot give up easily."
Upon hearing this, the Scale Clan Chief spoke up: "What the Prince says is absolutely right. Good opportunities are hard to come by again. Besides, our Demon Clan is no weaker than the Human Clan. It was the injustice of Heaven that forced us to flee to the Snow Region back then. This time, we cannot let our people be buried by the wind and snow for another thousand years because of our own cowardice."
"In fact, Yunzhou and half of the northern border are enough for our people to live on. Is it really worth taking such a great risk?"
"That's because the human race was severely weakened in the last internal strife, and there is mutual distrust among the race. They are temporarily unable to resist the allied forces of our race and the demon race. But once they recover, do you really think they can be friendly neighbors with us? Don't forget, Yunzhou is the source of spirit stones they rely on the most. Once they restore the human race's fortune and receive the favor of the heavens, war will still be inevitable, and we may not even have the chance we have now."
"But the human race's sacred artifacts are still an insurmountable threat."
Upon hearing the argument, Ye Han suddenly slammed his hand on the table: "Regarding the Sacred Artifact, please rest assured, all races. We have been preparing for so many years amidst endless snow and wind, and we will not forget this matter. Father Emperor has his own way of dealing with the Sacred Artifact."
Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances and straightened up: "In that case, our demon race has nothing to fear!"
"Very well, that's exactly what I wanted to hear from you all."
"Then, Your Highness, when shall we depart?"
"I will go to the palace first thing tomorrow morning to petition my father to send troops as soon as possible. After all, if the human race is well prepared, we may spend more time fighting. Strike first and win is the best outcome."
After Ye Han finished speaking, he looked at the Feather Clan Chief and said, "Uncle Gan, there's something I need to trouble you with."
"Please give your orders, Your Highness."
"After Father Emperor gives the order, our clan's army will set off directly southeast, marching along the Yuheng Mountains into the Central Plains. During this time, our backs will be exposed to the barbarians for a large part of the time, so we must be careful. In the next few days, we will trouble the soldiers in our clan to keep a close watch on Youzhou."
The Feather Clan Chief nodded upon hearing this: "I will obey the Prince's decree."
After saying this, Ye Han took a deep breath: "Everyone, life and death are unpredictable on the battlefield. Tell the warriors that we are fighting for the survival of our race. Even if we die, our Demon Emperor lineage will never fail their families. Our people will forever worship their spirits in our clan's territory and sing their praises for generations to come."
"Long live the Demon Emperor!"
"Go ahead, let them all go home and spend time with their families."
Upon hearing this, the five clan leaders rose, cupped their hands in greeting, and left the prince's residence.
After seeing everyone off, Ye Han changed into a white robe and left the mansion, heading towards the south side of the Demon Emperor City.
The war is about to begin. In the face of life and death, there is no distinction between high and low status. Spending time with family before going to war to avoid regrets is a tradition of the demon warriors, and he is no exception.
He didn't need to worry about his father and mother, but his only concern was his younger sister. So he went out to see her again before the war.
At this moment, a storm was brewing in the Demon Emperor City, and the once bustling metropolis was now shrouded in an invisible chill.
The streets, once bustling with traffic, are now wide like plazas. Instead, banners from the five ethnic groups flutter in the wind like surging tides. Even the ordinary people along the street are like taut bows, waiting for the order to unleash a barrage of arrows.
The only thing unaffected by this atmosphere was a small white building standing on the south side of the Demon Emperor City.
This is the clinic of Princess Feng Yang of the demon race, which is very similar to the one she has in the snowy region, even the layout is the same.
At that moment, she was treating a young Mao child's cough, her movements and tone as gentle and kind as ever.
For some reason, however, there was a deep sadness hidden in her eyes that no one else could detect.
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(End of this chapter)
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