Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by : Michyrr

The once-deserted gate and courtyard of the Xue Estate were still not very lively, but at least some people had visited, and they had all been important figures. In front of the coffin, the Prince of Zhongshan had just very casually nodded and then left. On the other hand, the Minister of Rites had very seriously lit a stick of incense and then whispered a few words. No one knew what he had said.

In the eastern courtyard, a quiet room had been set up. Chen Changsheng, Su Moyu, Prince Chen Liu, and Tianhai Shengxue were seated in chairs within this room.

The four of them were all very young. Tianhai Shengxue, the oldest, was only thirty-some years old.

Chen Changsheng looked at the wound on Tianhai Shengxue's face and wanted to say something.

Tianhai Shengxue spoke first.

After that year's Grand Examination, the grudge between the Orthodox Academy and Tianhai Shengxue had been resolved. In private, they had even formed a mutual understanding unbeknownst to anyone else. That mutual understanding and the promise made back then now seemed very frail against the grand backdrop of the coup of the Mausoleum of Books, unable to withstand a single blow. Nevertheless, the two sides had once had a mutual understanding.

Moreover, just as was said before, they were all still young.

Youths spoke to each other with far fewer platitudes, spoke much more directly.

"You should also be well aware that these important figures that came to the Xue Estate today wish to use your momentum to probe at or confirm things in the Imperial Court."

Tianhai Shengxue continued, "The master of the Dao holds supreme authority in the Imperial Court and requires Zhou Tong's survival as proof. At least up until this point, no one had dared to challenge this, but I believe that with the passage of time, our fathers will not be so willing to remain this obedient."

His father was Tianhai Chenwu and Prince Chen Liu's father was the Prince of Xiang, both truly powerful figures of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Chen Changsheng understood his meaning. After a period of silence, he said, "Nobody knows how long such a time would be."

"You can't randomly step on a path when you don't know what it looks like ahead. It's easy to walk into crossroads this way."

Prince Chen Liu saw his expression and earnestly advised, "Any matter must consider the general situation first. Your becoming Pope is the general situation more important than anything else, is worthy of patiently waiting for."

Chen Changsheng did not speak. He had a different opinion of this matter.

He understood his teacher more than anyone else, including the Pope.

He had lived in Xining Village's old temple for fourteen years. The middle-aged Daoist had been both teacher and father to him, but now that he carefully thought about it, neither he nor Yu Ren had ever seen the true colors of the middle-aged Daoist. They had only seen the corner of a peak through the thick mist, a thin sliver of blue sky on an overcast day, a single flower growing by a stream.

Now that he had experienced so many things, these many sights and fragments of memory gradually began to take shape. These seemingly objectiveless detailsthe flower by the stream, the mountain in the mist, the blue sky behind the clouds, the Daoist scriptures within the templehad actually contained details overflowing with information and were now forming into a true picture: his teacher, Shang Xingzhou.

The Pope wished to pass the Orthodoxy into Chen Changsheng's hands. He believed that he could use the might of the Li Palace and his own awe-inspiring reputation to ensure that at least no one within the Orthodoxy would oppose this matter after he returned to the sea of stars. Thus, as long as the Orthodoxy was internally stable and united, the Imperial Court could not meddle in this affair.

But Chen Changsheng knew that this matter would assuredly not develop in this fashion. He was extremely sure that the day his martial uncle the Pope returned to the sea of stars would be the same day that his teacher moved against him. He might be killed, or, like the little Black Dragon, he would be imprisoned forever in an abyss that would never see the light of day.

Regardless of the result, it was not a result he desired.

Tianhai Shengxue seemed to sense something and said, "If you really think that something big will occur, you should start making preparations now."

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "All preparations are rather meaningless."

It was just like that nightafter the Imperial Design had lost effectiveness, the entire situation in the capital hinged on the outcome of the battle on the Mausoleum of Books.

The history of the continent had always been decided by the experts of the Divine Domain.

Between the Divine and the mortal was a gorge that could not be crossed.

No matter how incredible Chen Changsheng's talent in cultivation, it was impossible for him to cross this gorge in the short span of several dozen days.

"You should leave."

Prince Chen Liu had a different opinion than Tianhai Shengxue. "Take advantage of the fact that His Holiness is compelling your teacher not to movethis is your best and final opportunity."

Su Moyu glanced at Chen Changsheng.

In the Orthodox Academy, he had once made a similar proposal.

Chen Changsheng did not reply. He knew that it was impossible for him to leave.

Tianhai Shengxue departed, but before he left the room, he said, "In a few more days, the celebration will begin."

Many events had taken place this autumn. The Tianhai Empress had returned to the sea of stars and the Demon Lord had descended to his death in the abyss.

Some other events were about to take place. The only one that could be discussed on an equal level with the previous two was the confluence of the north and south.

After a few days, the celebration over the confluence of the north and south would begin. Based on what was discussed in the spring, the White Emperor couple might come to preside over the festivities.

Chen Changsheng understood what Tianhai Shengxue wanted to bring notice to.

Luoluo might also return to the capital.

.

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Zhou Tong returned to the alley of the Northern Military Department.

He stood at the base of the courtyard's wall, his hands held behind him as he stared into the deep tree hole. His expression was apathetic as he silently waited for the return of the crabapple tree.

A mournful bird cry suddenly rang out in the autumn sky. He and several subordinate officials raised their heads, only seeing a black silhouette strengthlessly descend from the sky.

It was a Red Falcon, one of the best birds at enduring long-distance flights. In one night, it could cross one thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers and still not feel tired.

This Red Falcon was only returning from the south, yet it was exhausted to the point of death.

Some major event had assuredly occurred in the south.

The Mount Li Sword Sect? The Qiushan clan? Or was itScholartree Manor?

Zhou Tong's eyebrows rose.

A subordinate hurriedly came forward and reported on the urgent news from the south.

Wang Po had left Scholartree Manor.

The spies of the Department for Purging Officials that had been following him the entire time had been thrown off two days ago at the Qing River and had lost track of Wang Po.

No one knew where Wang Po was going or where he was now.

Zhou Tong stared at his subordinate but did not speak.

With some hesitation, the subordinate said, "Hemight be coming to the capital."

Zhou Tong's expression subtly changed. After a pause, he suddenly said, "I need to enter the palace."

The subordinates were somewhat stunned at these words. If Wang Po is truly coming to the capital, shouldn't Your Excellency be sending men to stop or kill him? Why is there a need to so urgently enter the palace?

"Are you all deaf?"

Zhou Tong's face was rather pale, his voice somewhat shrill.

He needed to urgently enter the palace because he was currently very uneasy, even somewhat afraid.

Only in the Imperial Palace under the watchful gaze of the esteemed master of the Dao would he feel safe.

He was very sure that Wang Po would come to the capital.

He was very sure of what Wang Po was coming to do.

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Upon returning to the Orthodox Academy, Chen Changsheng also learned of this news.

Su Moyu was very perplexed, asking, "What is he coming to the capital for? To pay respects to Xue Xingchuan?"

No one dared to bury Xue Xingchuan and no one dared to pay him homage. At this time, if Wang Po were to appear, it would be very much in line with the common people's impression of him.

Chen Changsheng did not believe this was the case. He knew that Wang Po had not come to pay respects or for anything else.

Wang Po had come to the capital to accomplish one task.

He had come to kill.

To kill Zhou Tong.