The resonant sound of a chime echoed through the Renshou Palace within the Great Ming's Western Park.
Inside, Grand Secretary Yan Song, Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie, Grand Secretary Gao Gong, Minister of Works Yan Shifan, and a host of other officials performed the grand kowtow, three kneels and nine prostrations, before the Emperor's throne.
Once the formalities were complete, the court session began.
"Your Majesty!" Yan Shifan stepped forward, speaking first. "Hu Zongxian, Grand Coordinator of the Northern Territories, a high-ranking official of the Great Ming, has been assassinated! This is an outrage! I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Grand Secretary Yan Song chimed in with a tone that of a father reprimanding his son.
"Yan Shifan, you must be mindful of your demeanor in the Emperor's presence. Surely you are aware that Hu Zongxian recently achieved a breakthrough, reaching the ninth rank of the Unity Realm?
How many factions in this world possess the power to assassinate such a powerful figure within the Great Ming's borders?
Furthermore, Hu Zongxian has commanded our troops for many years. Who knows how many enemies he has made?"
"A thorough investigation? It won't be easy."
The officials listened intently. Grand Secretary Yan Song was indeed a cunning man.
His words, seemingly criticizing his son's impulsiveness and lack of foresight, subtly shifted the blame to the Xu faction.
Every nation had spies operating within the Great Ming, but none possessed the strength to kill a ninth-rank Unity Realm cultivator. Moreover, due to the Three Emperors' Summit, there had been no major wars in recent years.
Hu Zongxian had defended the Great Ming's borders for many years. He couldn't possibly have made enemies outside the country.
Therefore, only the "clear stream" faction within the Great Ming had a reason to assassinate Hu Zongxian.
Perhaps to prevent him from regaining control of the army?
As the officials marveled at Yan Song's cunning, another chime echoed from behind the silk curtain concealing the Emperor's throne. The resonant sound, ancient and elegant, silenced the court.
Emperor Jiajing preferred to communicate through chimes, and his motives were twofold.
First, Heaven's will was mysterious and difficult to discern. Only those who could understand the meaning of his chimes could claim to truly understand the Emperor's intentions, proving their worth as officials.
Second, the chimes never explicitly stated his will. If a policy failed, the blame could always be shifted to the officials, accusing them of misinterpreting his intentions.
But the chimes were enigmatic, their meanings obscure. Who could truly claim to understand Emperor Jiajing?
Silence hung in the air. Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie glanced at Yan Song, noticing a rare flicker of unease on the old man's face.
Xu Jie had already formed an interpretation of the chimes. Observing Yan Song's reaction, he felt even more confident.
"My esteemed officials," he said, "the deceased is gone, but we must not neglect the matters of state.
Hu Zongxian is dead. Who will replace him? Who will lead our armies and reclaim Yunzhou?"
His words shocked the court.
Xu Jie was openly dismissing Hu Zongxian's assassination?
No investigation?
No questions?
He was simply sweeping the matter under the rug?
The Yan faction's most powerful figure in the military, dead, and the Grand Secretary wasn't even protesting?
The officials looked nervously at the Emperor's silhouette behind the curtain. They dared not stare, afraid of incurring his wrath.
Their gazes shifted to Grand Secretary Yan Song. Surely he would speak up and refute Xu Jie's attempt to dismiss the matter?
But Yan Song remained silent. It seemed… he had conceded defeat.
The Yan faction officials were horrified. Hu Zongxian had been an incredibly important figure. How could they simply let his death go unpunished?
Was their leader, the Grand Secretary, truly powerless to avenge his own men?
Xu Jie, on the other hand, was overjoyed. Finally, he had won!
It seemed even Emperor Jiajing, who had always favored Yan Song, was willing to support the "clear stream" faction.
Surely the Emperor was aware that they were the prime suspects in Hu Zongxian's assassination. But the man was dead.
Emperor Jiajing wouldn't punish Xu Jie, his most trusted advisor, for the death of a single official.
Xu Jie was innocent, and so was the "clear stream" faction.
Realizing this, Xu Jie glanced at Gao Gong.
Had the Embroidered Uniform Guard truly been unable to uncover Gao Gong's involvement in the assassination?
Perhaps Lu Bing had already informed the Emperor.
But who were Gao Gong, Chen Yiqin, and Yin Shidan?
They were tutors to the Crown Prince. If Wanli ascended the throne, they would become his imperial advisors.
To protect the Crown Prince's reputation, they couldn't be punished.
Thus, Xu Jie, the mastermind behind the assassination, was safe. And so were his three subordinates.
The matter would be dismissed.
Xu Jie sighed with relief.
Assassinating Hu Zongxian had been a gamble, a risky move. But he had won.
Even powerful figures like Emperor Jiajing had their weaknesses. But he had to handle the matter of retaking Yunzhou City carefully.
If he failed to alleviate the Emperor's worries and only created more problems, with Emperor Jiajing's ruthless nature, he would surely face retribution.
"Your Majesty, I believe that with the right commander, we can reclaim Yunzhou for the Great Ming."
Xu Jie spoke, drawing everyone's attention. He paused, seemingly waiting for someone to respond.
After a moment of silence, Grand Secretary Yan Song finally spoke.
"Junior Grand Secretary Xu, if you have a suitable candidate in mind, someone who can alleviate the Emperor's worries, speak freely."
Xu Jie smiled coldly.
What a cunning old fox.
Alleviate the Emperor's worries?
Emperor Jiajing was an incredibly arrogant and confident man. Who dared claim they could alleviate his worries?
No matter who Xu Jie recommended, even if they succeeded in retaking Yunzhou City, they would surely incur the Emperor's jealousy. But for once, Xu Jie had outsmarted Yan Song.
"Your Majesty," he said, "I recommend that we entrust this task to the Crown Prince."
The court erupted in shock. Even Yan Song stared at him with astonishment.
"Excellent…"
He blurted out the word, then immediately stopped. The officials exchanged glances. The Grand Secretary clearly had more to say.
Was it "excellent choice," "excellent strategy," "excellent cunning," or perhaps… "excellent shamelessness?"
Yan Shifan, lacking his father's patience, immediately spoke up.
"Junior Grand Secretary Xu, are you joking? The Crown Prince is comatose! He has been sent to search for the mythical 'Southern Nest' to seek a cure! And you want him to lead the army? When will he recover? And when will he be well enough to command our troops?"
His questions were rapid-fire, aggressive, and accusatory.
But Xu Jie remained calm and composed. He had spent decades battling Yan Song in the Great Ming court. But he felt little pressure facing Yan Shifan.
He chuckled. "A valid question, Junior Grand Secretary. I visited the Imperial Astrologer yesterday. He assured me that the journey to the Southern Nest will be a grand opportunity for the Crown Prince.
He is the heir apparent, blessed by Heaven. Surely, upon his return, he will be transformed, like a phoenix reborn from the ashes!"
Xu Jie's words carried weight. And by invoking the Imperial Astrologer, Lan Daoxing, he had added an irrefutable authority to his claims.
Yan Shifan's face hardened. But before he could speak, a chime echoed from behind the curtain.
"Ommmm~~~~~~~~~~!"
The officials listened intently, hoping to decipher the Emperor's meaning. But most were left confused.
Only Xu Jie seemed to have understood. Yan Song, on the other hand, looked defeated.
"Weizhong," the Emperor's voice came from behind the curtain.
Yan Song immediately dropped to his knees.
"Your subject is here."
The curtain was pulled back, revealing Emperor Jiajing. He wore his Daoist robes, his long beard reaching his chest, his hair flowing down his back. He was barefoot.
"It is a cold winter day, Your Majesty. Please take care of your health," Yan Song said.
"Hahaha."
Emperor Jiajing laughed heartily.
"I am no ordinary man, Weizhong. Why do you treat me as such?"
Yan Song, still kneeling, resembled a giant shrimp with its body contorted.
"This subject is foolish. All under Heaven are merely mortals. I had forgotten that Your Majesty is a true dragon, a future celestial emperor!"
Emperor Jiajing burst into laughter once more.
"I cultivate immortality, not for power or a lofty title. But so that every citizen of the Great Ming can achieve enlightenment and enjoy eternal life."
His words moved the officials, who immediately dropped to their knees.
"Your Majesty's grace and benevolence are boundless! We, your subjects, will never forget!"
Emperor Jiajing looked at them with a confident smile.
"Weizhong, tell me. What is my intention?"
Yan Song answered without hesitation.
"Your subject can only speculate. The Crown Prince and Yunzhou City are now intertwined by fate. If he can personally resolve this matter, it would greatly benefit his future growth. Therefore, perhaps allowing the Crown Prince to lead the army once more…"
Xu Jie, hearing this, couldn't help but sigh.
The old fox was indeed cunning!
If Wanli succeeded in retaking Yunzhou City, he would solidify his position as heir apparent. His previous failures at Mount Yunmeng and Yunzhou City would be forgotten.
But Yan Song's words had also subtly diminished the significance of retaking Yunzhou. Even if Wanli won this battle, it would only be considered a redemption, a chance to prove himself.
The Crown Prince's position was still precarious.
What would Emperor Jiajing decide?
Xu Jie nervously looked up, hoping to gauge the Emperor's reaction.
But before he could even raise his head, Emperor Jiajing spoke.
"The Crown Prince does need more experience."
That single sentence painted Wanli as a young and impetuous ruler. Xu Jie, who had momentarily believed he had outsmarted Yan Song, was now defeated. He felt like weeping.
Did the Emperor truly favor Yan Song?
The court session finally concluded.
The Three Hundred Thousand Wolf Troops would remain stationed at the Tongzhou garrison, training diligently.
Upon the Crown Prince's return, he would lead the army north, to Yunzhou City.
…
Great Ci Dynasty.
Fan Li's clone had been waiting for many days. Finally, a woman sought him out.
Bai Shijiu, the Sage Ruler of Chess. She entered Xiang Ning's courtyard without an invitation.
"Elder Sister said you agreed," she said coldly.
But even Xiang Ning could see the fear beneath her cold demeanor. It was an amusing sight.
So, this was how other women reacted when they were bullied by the Traitorous Chancellor?
She unconsciously touched her face. Had she also pretended to be unafraid of Fan Li?
"Yes, I agreed to accompany you to the Southern Nest," Fan Li spoke neutrally.
"Excellent!" Bai Shijiu was eager to leave. "Help me understand that ancient Go game, and Elder Sister will convince Xiang Chong to abdicate the throne and hand it over to you."
Fan Li smiled faintly. Xiang Ning, standing beside him, looked at Bai Shijiu with a mix of amusement and indignation.
How dare the Great Ci Dynasty discuss the overthrow of the Chu throne in her presence?!
Thankfully, Fan Li had warned her beforehand.
"Sage Ruler Bai, please wait a moment," he said. "I need to speak with His Majesty."
Bai Shijiu frowned. She couldn't understand why Fan Li referred to Xiang Ning as "His Majesty." She was a prisoner of the Great Ci Dynasty.
But she was afraid of Fan Li. Simply being in his presence had caused her cultivation to drop from Great Vehicle to Unity Realm.
"Alright, I'll wait outside. Hurry up."
Once she was gone, Fan Li had nothing to say to Xiang Ning. He closed his eyes, calling out to the system.
"System, where are you?"
"Ding! Host, I am here."
"Issue me a mission. I need a specific reward."
The system fell silent. After a while, it responded.
"A specific reward? Impossible. Your request violates the fundamental principles of the Traitor System. It cannot be granted."
Fan Li smiled. He had anticipated this response.
"System, my requested reward perfectly aligns with the Traitor System's principles."
"Oh?"
The system sounded intrigued.
"I am requesting a guarantee of Empress Xiang Ning's absolute safety, under any circumstances.
For example, if I were to wage war against the Great Ci Dynasty, her life must be protected. She cannot be used as leverage against me, nor can she be killed."
The system fell silent once more, as if performing complex calculations. After a longer pause, it finally answered.
"Your request… It can be granted.
The Traitor System's fundamental principle is this: The host is a subject. Therefore, a suitable Emperor must exist.
Given Xiang Ning's personality, abilities, potential, intelligence, and her feelings towards you, she is the ideal candidate for Emperor. This system can ensure her safety."
"Constructing mission… Please wait…"
Fan Li sighed with relief.
A traitor without an Emperor. It was unthinkable!
It was the foundation of the system, the very reason for its existence. By using this logic, he had finally convinced the system.
Since his arrival in this world, Fan Li had been carefully studying not only his surroundings, but also the Traitor System.
Today was his first attempt to manipulate it. He preferred to control the system, to dictate its missions and rewards, rather than passively accepting its random assignments.
But he didn't notice the system's strange wording. "Given Xiang Ning's personality, abilities… and her feelings towards you…"
"Ding!"
"Mission constructed."
"Mission Name: [Annihilation of a Country]."
"Mission Description: You must conquer and destroy the Great Ci Dynasty through war."
"Mission Reward: Xiang Ning will be granted the [Undying] status effect."
"Status Effect Description: Until the Great Ci Dynasty is destroyed, Xiang Ning cannot be killed or harmed by any means."
"Reward granted. Effective immediately."
"Mission Time Limit: Ten Years."