Translator: AnubisTL
The tide of war surged forward, unstoppable and inescapable.
Faced with millions of enemy cultivators, individual strength became insignificant.
Even Prefect Chu, at the peak of the Soul Core Realm, couldn't avoid injury.
Gu Feng's heart grew heavy as he reviewed the daily casualty reports.
Under his control, the Sunset Glow Sect's losses were still manageable, but many familiar faces had vanished forever.
The five hundred elderly cultivators he had brought into the Grand Harmony Academy years ago had made little progress in their cultivation despite years of effort, most still hovering around the seventh or eighth level of the Nurtured Spirit Realm.
Yet on the battlefield, they fought fearlessly, charging ahead and slaying countless enemies, even as most of them perished in the process.
Wu Qi was severely wounded, nearly dying had Gu Feng not arrived in time.
Chao Yuan lost an arm. Only two of the Xiong Brothers remained. Guo Renkai and Tuoba Lei sacrificed their lives for the nation...
So many Senior Sisters from the Jade Maiden Sect had their youthful beauty forever frozen at its peak.
The casualties were simply too devastating. In just six months, countless small sects had been wiped out, Great Sects crippled, and countless Heaven's Chosen had shed their blood.
When Gu Feng discovered an Array Formation had been laid beneath the Swamp Fortress years ago, he had Zhu Qingyan help him set up a Meteor Burst Array Formation.
A month ago, Great Li launched a massive offensive through the Swamp Fortress, aiming to invade Great Chu.
Gu Feng acted decisively, detonating the Meteor Burst Array Formation and obliterating the Swamp Fortress!
The battle inflicted heavy casualties on Great Li, turning the tide of the war and establishing a stalemate.
The wounded were gradually evacuated to their respective Sects for recovery, while the remaining cultivators continued to engage in sporadic skirmishes with Great Li forces.
"This is utterly pathetic! The Sects have suffered heavy losses while the Great Chu official forces have preserved their main strength!"
"They've stationed us in the most dangerous areas while their own army stands idly by?"
"This is a conspiracy! They're deliberately weakening our Sects' power!"
"..."
Gu Feng had become the leader of the younger generation, and Zong Shixuan and others often came to him to vent their frustrations.
Gu Feng had sensed this issue months ago. However, adhering to the principle of fighting for the nation, he hadn't dwelled on it.
Now, looking back, too many coincidences and too much evidence suggested that the Great Chu official forces seemed to be deliberately sending Sect cultivators to their deaths.
"Gu Feng, do you know why Great Li suddenly attacked?" Duan Yansheng asked, his expression grim.
Hearing this, Gu Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he raised his eyes to look at the others.
"The Crown Prince sent assassins to kill Great Li's Crown Prince!" Wu Sheng frowned as he spoke.
"This war came at the worst possible time. If we had just five more years to recover Great Chu, Great Li would likely not have dared to invade," Zong Shixuan said in a low voice.
"Do you think the new emperor deliberately provoked this war?"
"Not only that, but he also aims to weaken the Sects and consolidate power through this conflict," Dugu Ao, being an official, had heard some inside information.
"Great Li is gathering a massive army behind the lines and will launch another full-scale offensive within a month! Meanwhile, the high-ranking members of the Sects are growing increasingly opposed to the war," Zong Shixuan revealed a shocking piece of news.
After speaking, he cast a spell, enveloping the group in a protective barrier to isolate them from the outside world.
"Rumor has it that the major Sects and some officials within the court are already discussing plans to replace the current emperor!"
Another shocking revelation.
"This would not only resolve the conflict between the Sects and the court but also force Great Li to retreat!"
Gazing at the fervent gazes of the people before him, Gu Feng realized that replacing the emperor was likely not just under discussion but already a done deal.
"Ah—, we Sunset Glow Sect are just a small, insignificant sect. What use is it to tell me about such a major affair?" Gu Feng forced a bitter laugh, indicating his reluctance to get involved.
"Chu Shaoheng must abdicate, or Great Chu will descend into chaos!"
"His claim to the throne is illegitimate. The Third Prince holds an imperial edict, but he has yet to reveal it."
"..."
"If there's an edict, why not simply welcome the Third Prince back and help him ascend the throne?" Gu Feng remained unmoved.
"The Third Prince refuses. Therefore, we've decided to assassinate Chu Shaoheng and force him to return and claim the throne," Zong Shixuan said, his gaze dark and profound.
"Come on, you're not seriously asking me to assassinate the emperor, are you? I have a personal grudge against him, I can't get close enough, and besides, I would never do such a thing!" Gu Feng shook his head with a wry smile.
"We never intended for you to carry out the assassination. However, we need your consent," Wu Sheng said softly.
"Chu Shaoheng has been on the throne for half a year. It's time for him to take a consort."
"We want Miss Long, one of your subordinates, to carry out the assassination."
"She's unfamiliar to the court, exceptionally beautiful and talented, and possesses formidable strength. She's the perfect candidate."
"We've already discussed this with Hua Wenyue, and she has agreed to let Miss Long take the mission."
"..."
Gu Feng frowned deeply, genuinely surprised that Zong Shixuan and the others had secretly contacted Hua Wenyue.
"Gu Feng, why hesitate? If the Third Prince ascends the throne, he can grant the Black Myanmar Region an official title, giving it legitimate status... and Hua Wenyue's grievances can finally be redressed."
If it were just the others' persuasion, Gu Feng would never have agreed.
However, they produced a letter from Hua Wenyue.
"I'll ask only one thing: can you guarantee Long Xun'er's safety?" Gu Feng finally sighed.
"Chu Shaoheng's strength isn't as formidable as Miss Long's. If they're alone, assassination will be easy. Once it's done, we'll arrange for her to leave..."
Half a month later, Zong Shixuan and the others departed for the capital to attend Chu Shaoheng's wedding ceremony.
After they left, Gu Feng gave Yan Yexue some instructions and secretly returned to the capital as well.
Inside the Imperial Palace!
Music and dance filled the air, creating an atmosphere of joyous celebration.
Dressed in the Kasaya of Monk Wu De, Gu Feng stood quietly in a corner of the grand hall, observing the scene with a calm expression.
Through covert manipulation, Long Xun'er had been dressed in the phoenix robe and stood beside Chu Shaoheng, accepting congratulations from officials and the assembled Heaven's Chosen and young elites.
The master of ceremonies, holding a golden scroll, began to read the congratulatory speeches.
However, just as everyone was fully engrossed, Long Xun'er suddenly struck, killing Chu Shaoheng with a single blow.
The hall erupted in cries of shock, plunging into instant chaos.
Long Xun'er vanished into the confusion, making her escape.
Gu Feng activated his Immortal Eye. Void Break, confirming Chu Shaoheng's death, and quietly slipped away as well.
Just as he was leaving, a golden figure flew into the hall from outside.
It was Long Xun'er!
Her face was pale, and blood trickled from her lips.
Zong Shixuan and the other Heaven's Chosen, along with the Imperial City Guard and several skilled experts present, surrounded her tightly.
In that instant, Gu Feng let out a soft chuckle.
He felt a sense of unprecedented irony wash over him.
His heart was weary, and he wanted nothing more than to stop caring.
"Sigh... it's time to leave the Great Chu Dynasty!"
Long Xun'er, surrounded by her captors, wore a deathly pale face, yet her eyes remained utterly devoid of emotion.
It seemed she had been anticipating this moment for a long time.
"Kill her! Assassinating His Majesty the Emperor of Great Chu is an unforgivable crime!"
"Lay down your weapons and cease your futile struggle."
"Why waste words? Just kill her outright!"
This was their true face!
Gu Feng couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Gazing at Long Xun'er's forlorn figure, he removed the Kasaya covering his head, revealing his form.
"Heh heh..."
Gu Feng's sudden appearance left Zong Shixuan and the others mortified. They instinctively lowered their heads, feeling utterly ashamed.
"Brother Gu, you've arrived just in time! Help us kill this assassin!" a familiar Heaven's Chosen, whom Gu Feng had once rescued from the East Sea, whispered.
Gu Feng remained silent, merely glancing at him before walking over to Long Xun'er.
He gently lifted her, who was on the verge of collapse, into his arms.
"Come, I'll take you away!"
A gentle voice reached Long Xun'er's ears. She stared blankly at Gu Feng, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "I'm just a pawn... Why bother—"
"You're my pawn. No one else has the right to discard you," Gu Feng murmured.
Then his gaze swept across the room.
"Brother Gu, you..." Duan Yansheng opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by a stern rebuke.
"Get out of my way, or don't blame me for being ruthless. You all know I have the power to do it."
As Gu Feng stepped out of the hall, he glanced back at the crowd inside. He saw little grief or anger on their faces, and suddenly everything clicked into place.
This was all a performance, a grand play staged for the world to see.
"Tell the new Great Chu Emperor not to provoke me again—"
With those words, Gu Feng leaped into the air and vanished without a backward glance.
"Rest well," Gu Feng said as he placed Long Xun'er into the Violet Starlight Sky-Piercing Disc. He then headed straight for Prefect Chu's residence.
Prefect Chu had returned to the Academy half a month earlier to recover from his injuries.
After inquiring about his condition, Gu Feng cut straight to the point.
"Prefect Chu, I want to take Youhuan away!"
(End of the Chapter)
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