Brazen Confrontation
There were no seats for the practices and formalities of scholars were seldom observed in Wutui Palace. Therefore, eunuchs had to bring in chairs.
Song Chi expressed, “Zi Li is ashamed for he has not paid both of you a visit in so long when you have always treated his family with generosity.”
“You speak too highly of us, Young Master Song.”
After the other four conveyed their formal greetings, as well, His Majesty said, “The capital has been deprived of peace recently, so deviating from usual routines is perfectly acceptable. The fact that you have kept me in mind means that you have kept everyone’s wellbeing in mind. I heard that Miss Jin possesses great knowledge, but is it true that you are not trained in martial arts?”
Jin Zhaoying softly replied, “It is true.”
“Right.” With a hand on his beard, His Majesty continued, “We are all on the same side, so I shall not withhold this. I believe everyone here is aware of the recent news pertaining to Fiends’ Genesis?”
Naturally, considering their family backgrounds, they all affirmatively nodded.
“Despite their modest numbers and might, outsmarting them has proven difficult. As a result, efforts to wipe them out have not borne fruit. The Seven Champion White Princes were the ones who advocated for Fiends’ Genesis’ termination two decades ago. For that reason, Fiends’ Genesis have been fixated on targeting the seven. As you are all part of the Seven Champion White Princes, all of you need to be careful. I shall assign a few groups of Qilin Guards to your lodgings to protect you later.”
While His Majesty had yet to prove the five were innocent, it would be wrong if he was to wrongly accuse them and not extend a helping hand when it was within his power to.
Song Chi conveyed, “You can rest assured, Your Majesty. They would be nothing but ragtag criminals after their leader, Shang Bieshi, went missing twenty years ago. Commander Yi effortlessly drove out the criminals and has turned the capital into an iron fortress. No matter how capable Fiends’ Genesis may be, it will be no easy feat for them to invade.”
He makes a good point.
“I hope it is as you say. They really are…”
A eunuch informed, “The Directorate of Imperial Observatory requests an audience!”
It certainly was rude to request an audience while His Majesty was busy receiving guests. Howbeit, His Majesty knew the Directorate of Imperial Observatory well enough to know that he wouldn’t have requested an audience under these circumstances unless there was a pressing issue.
“Let him in.”
The Directorate of Imperial Observatory briskly entered instead of meandering as he usually would.
“Director Wen, what has you so uptight and worried that you have disregarded the rules?”
Knowing His Majesty was displeased, Director Wen prostrated himself. “Please forgive your subject for the fault. It is just that this matter is too important to delay.”
“What’s the matter?” His Majesty smiled. “You don’t mean to tell me there is an astronomical phenomena you wish for me to view, do you?”
“You are correct,” Director Wen replied with a straight face. “Please follow your subject. You need not make a long journey. The top of the observatory will suffice.”
Ol’ Wen, why can’t you be more sensible? How can I waste time gazing at the sky when there are so many national issues waiting for me to attend to?
“Your subject is willing to stake his head that this is important. Please come with him for a look.”
Emperor Yuansheng was aware that Director Wen didn’t speak lightly and was always sensible. “Your Majesty, what say you?”
Since she knew Emperor Yuansheng wanted a legitimate reason to excuse himself, Her Majesty solemnly answered, “Director Wen is deserving of punishment for failing to respect the rules. However, on account of his glowing track record, it would not hurt to take a look before you make your judgement.”
“Hahaha, you think so? In that case, I shall follow you. My five esteemed guests, would you accept my invitation to join me?”
Needless to say, neither of them would reject His Majesty.
Technically, the observatory could function as a military structure since it provided a view of the entire imperial palace. For that reason, it was heavily guarded.
Emperor Yuansheng witnessed Sirius explode not long ago, and he was in no mood for gazing at the sky. Moreover, what rare phenomena could there have possibly been when the sun was still shining bright? He changed his mind as soon as he looked up from the observatory. In fact, everyone was stupefied.
They saw a man neatly attired in black sitting under the scorching sun. There was no shade whatsoever, yet he was leisurely reading a book in the heat.
“Umm… What…” Emperor Yuansheng couldn’t find the words to speak just as nobody else could.
Head down, Director Wen explained, “This phenomena appeared not long ago. Your subject happened to see him sitting in the sky when he was gazing at the heavens. That is why he rushed to report in to you.”
“Th-this is most certainly no trivial matter. You did well to report it to me.”
There was no doubt the people would be making a fuss out of the matter, so Director Wen was right to report it, which would give the imperial court time to deal with it. Else, somebody was going to leverage it in some way for their own ends.
“Just… what manner of trickery is this?” uttered Emperor Yuansheng.
“… A mirage.”
Emperor Yuansheng looked to Song Chi.
“Ah, please forgive Zi Li. In your subject’s opinion, the phenomena should be a mirage, but that is the extent of what he knows. Director Wen will have to enlighten us.”
Director Wen bobbed his head. “You are well learned, Young Master Song. This one agrees with your evaluation. With that said…”
Emperor Yuansheng could finish the sentence on his own. It wouldn’t have been odd to see a mirage in the desert or at sea, but in the mainland of the Nine Provinces? That was a first. More importantly… one that highlighted a certain man’s appearance.
“What exactly…”
Emperor Yuansheng suddenly noticed the man mouth, “Summon Li Shijiao.”
Li Shijiao, rank eight on Seventeen Hidden Dragons, was as respected for his vast variety of knowledge as he was for his martial prowess. Among those random subjects he was competent in was lip reading.
As he anxiously waited for Li Shijiao, Emperor Yuansheng mumbled, “… How? How?”
Even though Li Shijiao was filled in on the way over, he was still startled when he saw the man that made a throne out of air. In the middle of deciphering what the man mouthed, he suddenly went down on his knees. “Your subject dares not say the treasonous words he is saying.”
“I will not hold you accountable. Tell me what he said!” Li Shijiao’s hesitance to speak triggered His Majesty. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll hold you accountable for the same fault as if you were to say those words!”
Li Shijiao brought his head down numerous times, and Emperor Yuansheng had to assure him just as many times to convince him to interpret.
“He is repeating the same line over and over…”
Upon finally learning what was mouthed, Emperor Yuansheng felt a sick feeling in the stomach. He had a name for the face.
He had made his move, and he had succeeded. He had emerged from the shadows, slipped through the iron fortress and arrived before the monarch of the Nine Provinces. With a grin on his face, he announced, “This one is Jiang Chen, ender of thou dynasty.”
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