Inside the Grand Commander's Residence.
At the rear mountain's cave dwelling.
"Master."
It was still before mao hour, the sky dim and hazy gray.
Siqin called softly, careful not to disturb him.
"Lord Su Can has come to see you. He said it's urgent."
"I understand."
Chen Sanshi slowly opened his eyes, put away the spirit pearl, and walked out of the cave.
When he reached the front gate of the residence, Xia Cong was already waiting. The moment he saw Chen Sanshi, he hurried forward and reported, "Master, something serious has happened. Outside Liangzhou City, the villagers are rioting—they're about to rebel!"
"Rebel?"
Chen Sanshi asked calmly, "Because of the spiritual grain?"
In Northern Liang, the farmland was usually cultivated twice a year. After the autumn harvest came autumn plowing and seeding. Wheat was planted again in autumn—the land was never left idle. It directly affected whether there'd be enough surplus grain to survive the next year. In recent years, the problem with spiritual grain had caused many disturbances.
"Yes…"
Su Can explained, "According to the imperial decree, after this year's autumn harvest, during autumn planting, each mu of land must include an additional half part of spiritual grain. But the people refuse to comply—they even threw away the seeds distributed by the court.
"So Magistrate Wu of Liangzhou personally went to persuade them. During the process, one of his men beat the village chief of Qingping Village to death. The villagers surrounded them, and he hasn't returned all night. Only a constable made it back to report—the villagers plan to kill the imperial official and rebel.
"Just a cup of tea ago, General Pan of the Great Halberd Battalion led 2,000 soldiers to suppress the revolt…"
"Wait."
Chen Sanshi interrupted, then said nothing more. He mounted his white horse and rode straight toward the city outskirts.
A prefect-level civil official should have personal guards—cultivators at least in the tempering organs or even Transforming Strength realm. How could common villagers possibly hold him hostage?!
Qingping Village.
Outside a crumbling clay-tiled house, crowds of villagers blocked the way, gripping hoes and sickles, their faces filled with rage.
A burly man shouted angrily, "Wu Youde! You heartless dog!"
"Uproot the spiritual grain!"
"Give us justice for our village chief!"
"Otherwise, don't even think about leaving here alive!"
Inside the house.
Amid the noise and shouting, Wu Youde, dressed in a green official robe embroidered with white pheasants, calmly sipped his tea as though nothing outside concerned him.
"Brilliant strategy, my lord," his guard praised in admiration. "This is what they call a strategist entering the game himself!"
"I had no choice," Wu Youde sighed, shaking his head. "If these peasants refuse to follow the imperial decree, I'll be the one punished for it."
"Don't worry, my lord," the guard said confidently. "I've already informed General Pan of the Great Halberd Battalion. Once he arrives, he'll have the perfect excuse of 'suppressing rebellion.' We can kill a few to set an example—after that, the rest will fall in line."
Since the decree's announcement, the people of Liangzhou had stubbornly refused to cooperate. They relied on their numbers, thinking 'the law can't punish everyone,' and acted without restraint.
The village chief of Qingping was the worst—eating imperial grain yet leading the protest himself. A thorn in the side.
And because the Grand Commander's Residence enforced strict rules, arresting people without cause was forbidden.
So Wu Youde had crafted this elaborate play.
He'd ordered his men to "accidentally" kill the village chief with a whip, inflaming public anger. Then he deliberately let the villagers trap him—the imperial official—inside.
That way, the situation's nature changed completely.
What had started as simple disobedience to plant spiritual grain became "rebellion." With that label, killing became justified. Once blood was spilled, everything else would proceed smoothly.
Wu Youde put down his teacup and frowned. "What's the name of that man leading them outside?"
"Qi Dazhu," the guard reminded him.
"Right. Start with him," Wu Youde said. "When General Pan arrives, tell him to behead that loudmouth first. Once he's dead, the rest will behave."
"Brother Dazhu!"
Outside, some villagers shouted, "Why don't we rush in and tie up that official ourselves?"
"Yeah, let's do it!"
"He killed first!"
"We'll drag him to the Grand Commander's Residence—how about that?!"
"They'll definitely take charge of this matter!"
"Right! And maybe they'll cancel the spiritual grain decree too!"
Qi Dazhu, a naturally broad-shouldered man, clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Alright!"
He was just about to kick down the door—
When suddenly, the ground began to tremble. A moment later, a thunderous rumble of hooves echoed across the valley.
Villagers gasped.
"The soldiers are here!"
"Officials are coming!"
A squad of heavy cavalry in full armor stormed into the village, each man gripping a long halberd. Dust billowed behind them—it was the Great Halberd Battalion.
As soon as they entered, they surrounded the villagers completely.
The villagers who'd seemed so fierce a moment ago suddenly looked pitifully small beside those armored soldiers.
"Don't panic, everyone! Let me talk to them!"
Qi Dazhu stepped forward bravely. "General, you came just in time! Yesterday, Prefect Wu Youde came to our village and killed our chief without reason. Shouldn't we get an explanation for that?"
"An explanation?"
The Great Halberd Battalion's main commander, Pan Luo, gave a cold laugh, then barked sharply, "A bunch of insolent wretches!"
"The imperial court raises soldiers and hires Immortal Masters to protect the people! Without the court, you'd all be dead! And now you complain just because you're told to plant more spiritual grain?!"
"Lord Wu kindly came to persuade you, and not only did you refuse to listen—you attacked and detained an imperial official! Tell me, is your village planning rebellion?!"
Rebellion!
The villagers froze.
None of them had expected such a heavy accusation.
"Don't be afraid!"
Qi Dazhu shouted, his voice trembling with fury. "General, what do you mean 'just plant more spiritual grain'?!"
"Do you even know what you're asking? We can barely feed ourselves already! If each mu of land grows another half portion of that poison grass, we won't even have enough seeds left for next year!"
"Traitors dare to argue?!"
Pan Luo roared, and his internal force surged like waves, gathering on his halberd. He was about to strike—to kill one as a warning to the rest.
"Stop!"
Right then—
Chen Sanshi arrived with Xia Cong.
"The Grand Commander?!"
Pan Luo froze mid-swing. When he turned and confirmed who it was, shock crossed his face. He hurriedly dismounted, put down his weapon, and cupped his fists respectfully.
No matter what—
Chen Sanshi was still the nominal Grand Commander.
Their superior.
Proper courtesies had to be maintained.
And the moment that white robe appeared—not only the soldiers, but even the air seemed to still.
The rioting villagers immediately quieted down, stepping back respectfully.
"Creak—"
The old wooden door of the broken-tile house opened.
Prefect Wu Youde hurried out to greet him. "This humble official pays respects to Grand Commander Chen!"
"Wu Youde. Pan Luo."
Sitting tall on his white horse, Chen Sanshi asked calmly, though already knowing the answer, "What exactly are you two doing here?"
"Reporting to Grand Commander Chen," Wu Youde said with a bow. "The villagers of Qingping Village disobeyed the imperial decree. I tried to persuade them, but they refused to listen and even detained me here. Fortunately, General Pan arrived in time—otherwise, my life would've been in danger."
"Yes, Grand Commander," Pan Luo added, pointing at the crowd. "These troublemakers are armed. They clearly mean to rebel! If we don't punish them severely, more people will follow their example. What then?"
Chen Sanshi didn't respond immediately. He turned his gaze toward the man standing at the front of the villagers and asked calmly, "Qi Dazhu, are you rebelling?"
"You—you know my name, Grand Commander?"
Qi Dazhu froze for a moment, then quickly said, "Grand Commander, we're not rebelling! We just want justice!"
"Grand Commander!"
Qi Dazhu led the villagers as they all dropped to their knees with a loud rustle.
"Grand Commander!"
"It's not that we refuse to plant spiritual grain—it's that we really can't anymore!"
"Every time there's a war, the court collects grain first."
"And that's been happening for years!"
"Taxes in Liangzhou are lower than other places, yes, but we can't survive this constant conscription!"
During the Western Campaign at Mang Mountain, much of the supplies—whether from the Northern Liang Army in the east or the Commander's Army in the west—were taken from the three northwestern provinces.
"Grand Commander…"
An old man knelt down, tears in his voice. "These past two years, Liangzhou's harvest has been poor. Many of us don't even have seeds to plant in spring—we have to borrow money to buy them. And after harvest, the interest alone eats half our yield! Come winter, we need to borrow again just to buy coal to keep warm…"
Many farmers had gone from landowners to tenant farmers through this same vicious cycle. Borrowing meant debt, debt meant interest, and eventually, they had to sell their land and become tenants.
"Grand Commander…"
"We understand the wars."
"When the barbarians are driven off, we can reclaim more land and won't have to fear raids anymore."
"So we can endure conscription and grain levies."
"But…"
"But why the spiritual grain?"
"That poisonous crop drains the soil! If we keep planting it year after year, the good land will turn barren!"
"Even if we must plant it, can't it wait two more years?"
Famine had already struck. Even delaying by two years would at least spare them from starvation.
Hearing their desperate pleas, Chen Sanshi spoke evenly, "All of you, stand up. No need to kneel."
But his words had the opposite effect—the villagers only pressed their foreheads harder to the ground.
"I said stand up! No kneeling!"
Chen Sanshi's voice boomed like thunder.
Startled, the villagers scrambled to their feet.
His tone turned cold. "Since you're not rebelling, why haven't you dispersed yet?!"
"Grand Commander…"
Qi Dazhu hesitated. "Our village chief didn't attack Wu Youde, he was—"
"I told you to leave! Can't you understand?!"
Su Can stepped forward, shoving Qi Dazhu aside. Leaning close, he whispered, "Do you really want to lose your head as a traitor? The Grand Commander is settling this for you—don't make things worse. Go, now!"
Qi Dazhu's eyes widened in realization—they'd fallen into the prefect's trap. He quickly shouted, "Disperse! Everyone, go home!"
The villagers gripped their hoes and sickles, retreating slowly, glancing back every few steps as they left.
"We can't let them go!"
Seeing this, Pan Luo hurriedly said, "Grand Commander, we can't just take their word for it! They claim they're not rebelling, but look at what they've done! Normally, farming should've started half a month ago, but this Qi Dazhu led everyone in refusing to work. If this keeps up and we miss the season, how will we answer to the court?"
"You're a military officer. Since when are taxes your concern?"
Chen Sanshi's eyes turned sharp.
Pan Luo immediately lowered his head, bowing deeply with clasped fists. "This subordinate spoke out of turn. I deserve punishment."
"Grand Commander, surely I can speak?"
Wu Youde wore a bitter expression, sighing heavily. "I know they don't want to plant it, but if next year's spiritual grain quota isn't met, it's not just the court that'll be displeased—even the Immortal Masters will demand answers!"
"Wu Youde, from this day forth, you are no longer Prefect of Liangzhou. Conduct yourself well."
Leaving only that cold remark, Chen Sanshi turned his horse and rode off with his disciples.
Pan Luo and Wu Youde bowed respectfully, watching until he was out of sight. Then, in unison, both snorted coldly.
"Remove me from office?"
Wu Youde sneered. "Even in the past, the Grand Commander's Residence only held full power during wartime. And now? The so-called Grand Commander's Residence is nothing!"
"Don't bother with him," Pan Luo said with a scornful smirk. "Lord Wu, you probably haven't heard—the imperial decree from the capital already reached Liangzhou. That Chen fellow will soon be summoned to the capital. After that, the Grand Commander's Residence will be a name without substance."
"Ha! That's great news. Our good days are finally coming. But…"
Wu Youde frowned deeply. "After his interference today, our plan's ruined. Autumn plowing's almost over, and if we can't finish the assignment, I'll really lose this official hat of mine."
"If it comes to that, we'll use force," Pan Luo said coldly. "When there are only two days left of autumn plowing, I'll send soldiers straight to the fields. Anyone who refuses to plant will be exiled, their grain confiscated, and all their land replanted with spiritual grain! Let's see who dares disobey then!"
"Su Can."
Chen Sanshi rode on horseback, while Su Can followed closely behind. "The current tax on farmland is ten percent for spiritual grain and another thirty percent for regular grain, right?"
"That's right."
Su Can, who had seen and remembered much from traveling between the villages, nodded. "When the weather's good and the harvest fair, the villagers can barely feed themselves. That ten percent of spiritual grain—fine, they plant it, but it just means they can't save any grain for later. But if there's even one bad year, that ten percent becomes their life-saving food. And if it increases by another half portion... even in a good year they'd barely get by, let alone in a famine."
Chen Sanshi said nothing. He silently did the calculations in his mind.
Before long, the master and disciple returned to the military camp.
As expected, the Imperial Overseer Eunuch, Enouch Hou, was already waiting outside the main command tent with an imperial edict in his hands.
"Champion Marquis Chen Sanshi, receive the imperial decree!"
Strategy first, then action!
Before any great affair, one must keep thunder in the chest and calm on the surface—only then can one strike like lightning when the time comes.
And so—
Chen Sanshi slowly dismounted. For the last time, he lifted his robe and knelt upon the ground. "Your subject, Chen Sanshi, receives the decree."
"By Heaven's Mandate and the Emperor's command," Eunuch Hou read aloud, "Champion Marquis Chen Sanshi, who took command in crisis, led the Western Campaign against the Immortals, turned the tide of disaster, and upheld the collapsing realm. In desperate straits, he led his cavalry to burn the fortified city, beheaded the War Immortal on the battlefield, crushed the Western Qi Kingdom, and reclaimed the three western provinces. His achievements are unmatched beneath heaven—he is the backbone of the Great Sheng Dynasty. The Emperor is deeply gratified.
"Thus, he is hereby promoted and enfeoffed as Duke of Wei, to be hereditary and never abolished.
"Additionally, he is appointed Senior First-Rank Privy Grand Minister of Honor and Grand Academician of the Jianji Hall, granted entry to the Grand Secretariat to partake in the affairs of state.
"He shall be rewarded with one Duke's Mansion, one thousand mu of fertile land, 100,000 taels of gold, 1,000,000 taels of silver, and 10,000 bolts of silk.
"Chen Sanshi is to depart immediately for the capital to receive his rewards. No delays are permitted. By Imperial Decree!"
Duke of Wei!
And hereditary—passed down forever!
What kind of honor was this?!
Since the founding of the Great Sheng Dynasty, even Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong had never received such a title. Perhaps only two or three founding heroes, over three hundred years ago, had ever been granted this level of glory.
And beyond that—
He was entering the Grand Secretariat!
The title Grand Academician of the Jianji Hall itself was not high in rank, but it symbolized direct entry into the empire's highest governing body.
And what was the Grand Secretariat?
The very institution that handled the affairs of the entire nation!
Its power stood just below that of the Emperor himself. Especially now—when the Emperor often entered seclusion—the Grand Secretariat collectively was the Emperor's will.
Most crucial of all—
He was young!
Chen Sanshi was barely past twenty, yet already ranked among the highest of the empire's ministers!
It wasn't just his achievements—it was imperial favor made manifest.
In that moment, all the civil and military officials around him looked on with awe and envy.
Yet, those who understood the situation also felt a trace of melancholy. Yes, Chen Sanshi had risen to the peak—but from this day on, the Northern Liang Command Headquarters would no longer truly exist.
"Your subject, Chen Sanshi, gratefully accepts the decree."
The man in white said solemnly, taking the scroll with both hands.
"Lord Chen," Eunuch Hou said with a warm smile, "now that you've fulfilled your filial duty, it's time you enter the capital to serve the Great Sheng Dynasty. The carriage and horses are prepared. Why not depart tonight?"
"Tonight?"
Chen Sanshi rose. "Isn't that a little too hasty? The Command Headquarters has a hundred people, and there's much to pack and arrange—it'll take at least a few days."
"How about five days?"
Eunuch Hou left no room for refusal. "In five days, Lord Chen shall depart. Before that, there's no need for you to handle military matters in Liangzhou. Others will take over, including the Hongze Battalion. General Lü Ji himself will accompany you to the capital—your fellow disciple—so you'll have someone to look after you along the way."
The arrangement was seamless, leaving no space to object.
The day had finally arrived.
"Then I must trouble you, Eunuch Hou, for the arrangements."
Chen Sanshi accepted the command.
Seeing his compliance, Enouch Hou let out a relieved sigh. He hadn't wanted any confrontation either—this was the best outcome for everyone.
After the eunuch departed, Chen Sanshi went on one "final" inspection of the Hongze Battalion.
"My lord, you're really leaving?!"
Zhao Kang and the others hurried over. "You're not taking us with you this time?"
Chen Sanshi didn't deny it. To them, that silence was as good as confirmation.
"There's no need for you all to be so downhearted."
Chu Shixiong stepped in, saying, "Once the Grand Commander enters the capital and joins the Grand Secretariat, it's a promotion. Northern Liang may be vast, but it's still a remote frontier. This is a good thing for him."
"That's right," Xiao Zheng added with a sigh. "Our lord now stands at the very top of the realm—this deserves celebration."
"And besides," Meng Dingxin said, "he's still the Grand Commander. If the time comes, he'll return to lead us into battle again."
"But when our lord leaves…" Zhao Kang asked in confusion, "who'll take charge of the Hongze Battalion?"
"Mister Xu," Chu Shixiong replied, clearly already informed. He lifted his hand and pointed toward the far end of the training field. "Look—he's already here."
At the far end of the drill ground, surrounded by guards, a four-wheeled carriage rolled slowly forward. Seated atop it, waving a feather fan with that ever-calculating smile, was none other than Xu Wencai.
"Him?!"
Zhao Kang and the others looked as if they'd swallowed flies.
"That snake-hearted bastard?!"
Once, they'd fought side by side, brothers in life and death.
And now that man had suddenly been favored by the court—a promotion that, once, they might have celebrated.
That very night, the man hosted a so-called "severance banquet," openly cutting ties with his old comrades.
He embodied the phrase a petty man grown proud so vividly it could be written in a textbook.
Xu Wencai sat on his four-wheeled carriage, fanning himself with a feather fan, and didn't get down until he reached the central command tent. There, full of airs, he stood and offered a perfunctory bow. "Lord Chen, I'll trouble you to tidy up the military archives and transfer everything to me. From today onward, the Hongze Battalion falls under my command."
"Fine. I'll have someone send them over later."
Chen Sanshi replied evenly, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Lazy fool! Die!"
At that instant, a surge of intense force erupted.
Zhu Tong suddenly leaped into the air, twin hammers raised high, charging straight for Xu Wencai.
"Clang—!"
Two guards reacted instantly, drawing their blades to block him, barely managing to stop the blow before others swarmed in to subdue Zhu Tong.
"Lord Chen!"
Xu Wencai's eyes widened in panic. "Your men are too lawless! I, Xu Wencai, am a court-appointed Marquis of Wuxiang and the new Battalion Commander of Hongze! Lord Chen, tell me—what's the punishment for assaulting a superior officer?!"
"You again!"
Chu Shixiong roared in fury. "It was that Liao Fang who first abducted those village women, and now you—what do you think you're doing?!"
"Zhu Tong!"
Chen Sanshi made his decision before Zhao Kang or the others could move. "You've defied orders time and again. Men, take him away! Execute after the autumn harvest!"
Execute after autumn!
This time, it was no empty threat—it was a true death order.
Seeing that their commander was truly angry, Zhao Kang and the others dared not resist. They personally dragged Zhu Tong away.
"Xu Wencai, you'll die a wretched death!" Zhu Tong shouted, voice echoing through the camp.
The brothers from Poyang all glared with burning fury.
Chu Shixiong and the others tried to sound calm, but deep down they knew the truth—
Their commander's "summoning to the capital" wasn't an honor.
It was house arrest.
From now on, he'd serve the court completely, with no path of return.
And Xu Wencai, once one of their own, was now openly siding with the court, helping to strip their commander of power. How could they not rage? How could they not thirst for blood?
"A bunch of fools!"
Xu Wencai pointed his feather fan at them, his face twisted in arrogance. "Idiots!"
When the farce ended, Chen Sanshi didn't stay another moment. He turned and rode back to the Grand Commander's Residence.
Passing through the market, he saw imperial proclamations plastered everywhere, boasting of his titles and rewards, praising the Emperor's boundless grace.
The message was clear: if he didn't go to the capital, he'd be branded a traitor who defied the imperial will.
"Junior brother!"
Before Chen Sanshi even stepped inside, several of his senior brothers and sisters emerged from their secluded training to greet him.
Even cultivators needed rest between sessions, so their timing wasn't interrupted.
"Just as you predicted," Cheng Wei said grimly. "The court only named you in the edict and left the rest of us out. A clear move to divide us. Their intent is sinister—truly venomous."
"Junior brother," Rong Yanqiu asked, "they only gave you five days? Is that enough time?"
Before Chen Sanshi could answer, another man strode into the courtyard.
Each of his steps was heavy as a mountain yet silent as falling snow.
"Well, look who's here," Rong Yanqiu said with biting sarcasm. "Isn't this our three-surnamed dog slave?"
"Ninth sister, you jest," Lü Ji replied with a faint smile. "My surname is Lü—where do you get three surnames from?"
"Oh, I get it," Wang Zhi interjected mockingly. "You were born Lü, that's one. Then you followed our master—two. Later, you cozied up to the Crown Prince, joining his faction—three. Then when the tides turned, you switched to the Emperor's side. If the Crown Prince and the Emperor didn't share the same surname, you'd be a four-surnamed dog!"
"Haha, amusing theory," Lü Ji said, completely unfazed.
To everyone's surprise, even after such humiliation, his expression didn't change. He merely stepped forward and patted Chen Sanshi on the shoulder.
"Junior brother, congratulations. I've spent half my life in the army and only reached the rank of Marquis of Martial Valor. Yet you, at just over twenty, are now Duke of Wei—and soon to enter the Grand Secretariat itself. Truly, the highest among men."
He smiled faintly. "I came to tell you: prepare well these next few days. When it's time to depart, I'll personally escort you to the capital. Then, we can visit Fourth Brother Fang Qingyun together—it's been some time since we've seen him."
At those words, every one of Chen Sanshi's senior brothers and sisters erupted in fury.
"Lü Ji!"
A steel whip appeared silently in Rong Yanqiu's hand. "Don't go too far."
Everyone understood the double meaning behind Lü Ji's words.
First, he'd made it clear that he stood firmly with the court.
Second, he'd hinted that their Fourth Brother—still in the capital—was being held as a hostage to keep them in line.
"Senior brother, that's enough," Ye Fengxiu said coldly. The sword in his arms trembled, humming with barely restrained power. "I could accept it if you didn't want to help us. But to serve the court against your own sect—have you no shame?"
"Enough talk!"
"Three-surnamed dog, die!"
Fifth Brother Meng Guangxin was the first to strike, his Crescent Moon Halberd surging with qi like a crashing tide.
Seventh Brother Ye Fengxiu followed, his sword flashing like lightning.
Ninth Sister Rong Yanqiu's iron whip lashed forth, ringing through the air.
Second Brother Cheng Wei thrust his spear like a dragon.
Sixth Brother Wang Zhi swung his great dao blade, shattering the air.
Five attacks struck from every direction—almost simultaneously.
"Hum—"
A deep resonance filled the courtyard as violet mist suddenly poured from Lü Ji's body, shrouding him completely.
All five attacks struck the mist—and stopped dead, unable to pierce through.
"No wonder he's grown so strong," Meng Guangxin snarled. "You really have taken to cultivating demonic arts!"
"Junior brother!" Wang Zhi shouted. "Do it now! You're the only one who can harm him!"
"Senior brothers, senior sisters—stop."
Chen Sanshi's calm voice cut through the chaos.
The Path of Incense and Divinity—its first realm was Spirit Communion.
Using his Qi Observation Technique, Chen Sanshi could clearly see his senior brother's aura.
The qi of the Path of Incense, the Immortal Path, and the Martial Path were all distinct.
The Immortal Path and Martial Path both drew from the world's spiritual energy, yet stored it differently. The Immortal Path gathered it in the dantian—when an Immortal cultivator mobilized power, that spiritual energy flowed through the meridians only during use.
The Martial Path, however, circulated spiritual energy through the limbs and bones at all times, tempering the flesh itself.
To the naked eye, the two might seem similar—but their origin and storage were entirely different.
When Chen Sanshi first met his master years ago, he had seen the old man's entire body surrounded by a circulating "Azure Profound Qi," rather than energy gathered within the dantian. Back then, his cultivation was still shallow, and he hadn't understood what that meant.
But now…
When he looked at his senior brother Lü Ji—
Above his celestial crown!
There was a divine shrine hovering in the air, impossible to describe in words.
From the strength of its emanating aura, it was clear—Lü Ji had already reached the Spirit Communion Realm's completion stage, equivalent to the Qi Refining completion of the Martial Path, the threshold of true power.
The speed of progress through the Evil God Path was frighteningly fast.
That was exactly why Chen Sanshi had told his senior brothers and sisters to stop.
Aside from Wang Zhi, the rest were only at the Great Perfection of the Profound Manifestation Realm. If Lü Ji truly fought, none of them could last even one exchange. The fact that he had only defended and not attacked meant he had no killing intent—at least, not at this very moment.
"Boom!"
With a single wave of his hand, Lü Ji released a surge of violet energy that rippled through the air, knocking all his senior brothers and sisters to the ground.
The divine incense aura around him slowly faded. He looked down at Meng Guangxin, who was gritting his teeth in fury, and said calmly, "Old Fifth, you're not suited for martial cultivation—that's why you've never broken through to the Martial Saint Realm. Why not come with me? I can teach you the Path of Incense and Divinity."
"Like hell I would!" Meng Guangxin's eyes were bloodshot. "Who'd want your damned incense path of sin!"
"Enough."
Lü Ji shifted his tone. "I've said what I came to say. Junior brother, I don't know what you and Fourth Brother are plotting, but as your senior, I'll give you one piece of advice—go to the capital as the Emperor commanded. Only then can we all remain unharmed."
"Thank you for the warning, senior brother."
Chen Sanshi spoke calmly. "Since you're here, why not stay for dinner?"
After being ennobled, Lü Ji no longer lived in the Grand Commander's Residence but in his own marquis estate.
"No need. The Black Turtle, White Tiger, and Celestial Lion Battalions just entered the city, and there's still military business to handle. Farewell."
After one last subtle threat disguised as duty, he turned and left.
"Outrageous!"
"Truly outrageous!"
Meng Guangxin slammed his halberd to the ground, furious beyond words.
Ye Fengxiu closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Junior brother," Wang Zhi said, standing with his blade as support, "is he going to be a problem?"
"When soldiers come, we'll block them. When water rises, we'll use earth to stop it."
Chen Sanshi gazed toward the front gate of the residence. "Senior brothers, senior sisters—just continue your cultivation in peace."
"Fine."
The earlier clash had left all of them deeply frustrated. Holding that frustration inside, they returned to their quarters to continue training in silence.
Chen Sanshi, meanwhile, called for Steward Wu and instructed him to have the entire household prepare to move.
"Prepare to move?"
Steward Wu had already heard whispers, but he knew his role too well to question orders. Having served the old Grand Commander for half a lifetime, he didn't use that seniority to offer advice or meddle. He simply obeyed and made arrangements.
The news spread quickly through the entire Grand Commander's Residence—everyone was packing up.
"Sanshi."
Covered in sweat from martial practice, Sun Buqi rushed over as soon as he heard the news. "Are we really going to the capital?"
Since Sun Xiangzong's death, Sun Buqi had become quiet and withdrawn for a long time. Only after returning from Guandu did his personality return to normal—cheerful again, spending his days playing around with Chen Duhe and his sister, though he still trained diligently each morning.
As for his resources, Chen Sanshi had never been stingy. Whatever Sun Buqi needed, he provided without hesitation.
"You came just in time." Chen Sanshi gestured for him to sit. His tone carried a trace of guilt. "Buqi, I remember you once said you wanted to live a peaceful life. I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. Following me won't bring peace—only endless storms. Will you resent me for that?"
At those words, Sun Buqi understood immediately.
"Sanshi, you're right—I did want a peaceful life."
His expression hardened with resolve. "But now I understand what real peace means. You don't need to shield me anymore. When the time comes, let me stand by your side. I may not be strong, but I have Sun blood in my veins. In Liangzhou City, there are still many who remember our family name."
"Good. Hearing that puts my heart at ease."
Chen Sanshi smiled faintly, patting his shoulder before heading toward the back courtyard.
There was no need to hide things from Sun Buqi. He was the one person Chen Sanshi could be completely honest with.
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, four days had gone by.
During those four days, the Grand Commander's Residence was in full preparation for relocation.
Just the household goods alone filled dozens of wagons, piled high with crates and chests.
All of it—Eunuch Enouch Hou saw with his own eyes.
For those four days, Chen Sanshi hadn't touched any military or political affairs in Liangzhou. He truly seemed like a man preparing to leave everything behind.
So much so that even the servants who weren't privy to the truth were visibly downcast.
Until the fourth day, at dusk—
"Caw—!"
A sharp eagle's cry pierced the golden sky, breaking the calm of the residence.
Chen Sanshi, who sat cross-legged on a small boat in the rear mountain lake, opened his eyes.
He untied the message from the bluebird's leg, read it silently, then flicked his fingers. A wisp of flame ignited, burning the paper to ash.
Just then, an autumn breeze swept across the lake, carrying the ashes away until they scattered into the water and vanished completely.
"Hey, are we going to the capital or not?"
Zhao Zhao, who was sitting nearby absorbing spiritual energy, finally couldn't help but ask, "You don't look like you're in any hurry at all."
"You silly girl."
Chen Sanshi looked toward the southern sky. "The wind is rising."
The Imperial Capital.
The Great Sheng Dynasty had two ancestral temples—one just outside the capital, and another on Mount Ziwei, which had only recently been reclaimed.
At regular intervals, the Emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty would travel to Mount Kunlun to enter seclusion and cultivate. Before setting out, he would open a heavenly altar near the outer ancestral temple to worship the heavens and pray for the nation and the people.
And on this day—
Even the ordinary people of the capital had a rare chance to see the fabled ruler of all under heaven—the Everlasting Emperor himself.
The streets and main avenues were packed with people, flowing endlessly like rivers. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
The common folk whispered among themselves, eager to catch a glimpse of their sovereign.
It was said that His Majesty had attained immortality, living for over one hundred years yet still bearing black hair, able to ride the sword and soar through the sky. Two years ago, he personally descended into battle, slaying several ancient demons alongside General Chen, saving the world from disaster.
It was also said that the Emperor lived frugally—owning no more than eight sets of robes throughout all four seasons. He had even written the words, "Worry before the world worries, rejoice after the world rejoices." Truly, a sage among kings for the ages.
Finally—
A commotion stirred ahead.
The Emperor had arrived.
There was no grand procession, no gaudy displays of wealth.
He was accompanied only by civil and military officials, along with a few Embroidered Uniform Guard bodyguards. None of them rudely drove away the citizens.
Even the imperial carriage itself was humble—hardly recognizable as the Dragon Palanquin of an emperor. It was carved of plain wood, without any gilding, engraving, or ornament.
And the man seated upon it—the Everlasting Emperor—wore not a dragon robe, but a simple Daoist robe. He sat cross-legged, palms together, praying toward the heavens for a bountiful harvest for the people.
Truly, the living image of "only eight robes through all seasons." Perhaps the most virtuous emperor since the founding of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
Suddenly—disaster struck.
A small child, unaware of the gravity of the scene, slipped away from his parents and ran straight into the road, blocking the path of the imperial carriage. Laughing, he hurled his sand ball straight at the pale-faced eunuch at the front.
The eunuch's hat was knocked askew, his expression turning instantly dark and chilling.
Blocking the Emperor's procession was a crime of the highest order—an act of treason punishable by the execution of nine generations!
The child's parents went as pale as paper, collapsing to their knees, trembling so violently they could barely speak, their foreheads striking the ground in terror.
Just as the Embroidered Uniform Guard guards moved forward to seize the boy—
The Emperor spoke.
Instead of punishment, His Majesty gave an unexpected order. The child was lifted up onto the Dragon Palanquin itself, and the Emperor gently spoke and laughed with him, like a kind-hearted immortal descending to earth.
The Everlasting Emperor.
Witnessing this, the crowd once again fell into deep reverence.
What a benevolent ruler!
Yet deep within, many couldn't help but wonder—
If the Emperor was so humble, so frugal, so kind and wise…
Then why were their lives getting harder every year?
Why were their homes empty, their granaries bare, their families hungry despite their toil?
Why was it so?
As the people pondered in silence, a sudden disturbance rippled through the front ranks of the officials.
A lone figure appeared on the wide avenue.
It was a scholar in a blue robe—handsome in bearing, though clearly frail and sickly. His legs were crippled, and he sat upon a wooden wheelchair.
Behind him followed several officials and a group of men and women, their faces pale and fearful.
This time—
Someone was truly blocking the imperial procession.
"Fang Qingyun?"
The Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonies, Huang Hong, narrowed his eyes and quickly recognized him. "General Fang," he said coldly, "what is the meaning of this?"
"Clang—"
At once, the eunuchs of the Western Depot drew their blades in unison.
"Your Majesty!"
Fang Qingyun's clear and powerful voice echoed across several miles, reaching the ears of every commoner present. "Your servant, Fang Qingyun, has a memorial to present!"
At the front of the imperial retinue, the aged Grand Preceptor Yan Liang—leaning heavily on his cane—lifted his drooping eyelids in alarm.
"General Fang!" Huang Hong snapped. "Today is a sacred day of offering! Whatever your business, it can wait for the next court assembly!"
"If I do not speak today," Fang Qingyun thundered, "our Great Sheng Dynasty will fall!"
His words struck like thunder.
Huang Hong signaled the Embroidered Uniform Guard to seize him—
But from atop the Dragon Palanquin, Emperor Longqing's voice rang deep and calm: "Let him speak."
"I have three petitions!" Fang Qingyun's voice was steady and sharp as steel.
"First, the Immortals are cruel and heartless, forcing the common people to plant spiritual grain that poisons the land and destroys their lives!"
"Second, His Majesty has grown blind to deceit, allowing treacherous courtiers to corrupt the court and plunge the nation into chaos!"
"Third, I demand justice—for the one million souls of Yunzhou who died in vain, and for the 150,000 soldiers who nearly perished at Guandu!"
His voice thundered across the capital, carried by the autumn wind through every street and alley.
At that same moment—
Across all thirty-six provinces of the Great Sheng realm, "complaint papers" began to fall from the skies like rain.
Each sheet described in detail the events of the ten days in Yunzhou and revealed the truth of the betrayal behind the Battle of Guandu.
Thus—
Within the capital and across the empire, a storm began to brew.
A storm to topple Yan Liang.
On the fourteenth day of the eighth month, in the seventy-sixth year of Longqing—
That day—
The wind truly rose.