Chapter 204

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Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

"Wei Zheng, the Yu Que Fu Clan and the Luofu Jing Clan are both meritorious subjects of Shen Wu."

Xuan Ge offered no superfluous explanation.

The Fu Clan once funded the establishment of the Tai Bu Si for Shen Wu.

When Jing Tian came to serve as the Tai Bu of the Divine Martial Diviner, the Fu Clan dispatched no small number of personnel to assist.

As for the Jing Clan, when he was plagued by the trivial matters of the Di Heng Si in his early years, isolated and without aid, they resolutely stepped forward and gave staunch support.

Wei Zheng took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slightly.

It was not that he did not fear Xuan Ge's majesty, but as a minister of the Xian Zhou, there must always be someone who dares face the Xuan Huang directly and remonstrate frankly.

He cupped his hands again, expression respectful yet firm: "Your Majesty, power, ideals, destiny — you have no flaw whatsoever."

"You are, by nature, a born Monarch."

Wei Zheng paused, as if making a resolve, going all in, his expression growing all the more serious: "But, Your Majesty, you cannot kill these people."

Xuan Ge did not speak, merely watching Wei Zheng quietly.

That gaze held not a shred of hostility, yet it was like a sheathed blade, pressing heavily upon Wei Zheng's heart.

Wei Zheng's voice sank, each word distinct and forceful: "If Your Majesty slaughters these clan bureaucrats to the last today, the Xian Zhou will fall into chaos tomorrow."

"Not because they are so important, but because once they are dead, everyone who has ever stood on the wrong side will be afraid."

"What people do when gripped by extreme fear, Your Majesty knows better than this minister, especially we Xian Zhou Celestials — I beseech Your Majesty to think thrice!"

The crowd kneeling below held even their breath, not daring to breathe.

These words were spoken with too much audacity.

What is meant by "what people do when gripped by extreme fear"? This is clearly a veiled reminder, even a threat to the Emperor!

Just as everyone thought Xuan Ge would fly into a rage, Xuan Ge laughed instead.

A very faint laugh, the corner of his mouth hooking a slight arc, fleeting, so fast one might think it an illusion.

He still watched Wei Zheng, his tone revealing not a trace of joy or anger: "So your meaning is, We cannot kill them?"

"This minister's meaning is——"

Wei Zheng cupped his fists and bowed once more, performing a salute, his tone earnest: "For Your Majesty to kill them, a more legitimate reason is needed."

"They stood on the wrong side — is that reason not enough?" Xuan Ge spoke lightly, his face placid.

He suddenly disliked this Wei Zheng quite a lot, yet also liked him quite a lot.

Of course this is from the Emperor's perspective; his orientation is perfectly normal.

"Not enough."

Wei Zheng straightened, his voice clear and resonant, as if deliberately raising the volume so everyone present could hear clearly: "Dynastic change, all past matters, ought to be wiped clean in a single stroke."

"If Your Majesty kills on the grounds of 'standing on the wrong side,' that is not Your Majesty purging treacherous villains, it is Your Majesty bearing a grudge."

"An Emperor who bears grudges makes people afraid."

Wei Zheng's voice was word-perfect, sonorous and forceful: "Afraid ministers will eventually give birth to second thoughts."

"This minister does not wish to see Your Majesty bear the reputation of a tyrant."

Among the kneeling crowd, someone began trembling uncontrollably.

They gradually understood Wei Zheng's intent.

Wei Zheng was not pleading for them; he was building a stair for Xuan Huang to step down.

He bound "standing on the wrong side" and "bearing a grudge" together, forcing Xuan Ge to produce a more legitimate reason before he could move to kill.

Yet even so, Wei Zheng's words were genuinely protecting this group of clan bureaucrats.

Even if Wei Zheng's original intent was only for the stability of Xian Zhou governance, for them it was a chance to survive.

The clever ones reacted quickly.

Fu Xuan's father immediately raised his head, cupped his hands toward Xuan Ge on the Dragon Throne, and saluted with utmost respect: "Your Majesty, our Yu Que Fu Clan is willing to submit to Your Majesty!"

Having spoken, he deliberately turned his head, glancing at Fu Xuan standing within the Luofu bureaucratic system.

His face seemed to show only reverence for the Xuan Huang, but in his heart he was already hating iron for not becoming steel.

This girl, how can she be so oblivious?

Fu Xuan, be a little bolder, just step into the Xuan Huang Hou Gong's ranks — wouldn't everything be settled then?

After all, the Fu Clan long ago defected to Shen Wu; the Xuan Huang knows this in his heart.

Although Xuan Ge never explicitly stated his position, the meaning was already quite clear — he has forgiven the Fu Clan and is willing to accept Fu Xuan.

Fu Xuan also noticed her father's gaze; her ear roots instantly stained with a layer of crimson.

It was not that she dared not; Shijie Yao Guang had previously secretly given her a hand gesture, telling her to go over.

But in her heart she ultimately had misgivings, fearing that if she rashly stepped forward she would displease Xuan Ge and bring punishment upon the entire Fu Clan, fearing to cause trouble for the Family.

So she could only stand here honestly, not daring the slightest movement.

"Tai Bu Da Ren, what is wrong with you?"

Qing Que stood behind Fu Xuan, seeing her ear roots flushed red and expression strange, asked softly in curiosity.

"Mind your etiquette, do not make a sound."

Fu Xuan turned her eyes back, lowered her voice and instructed, her tone carrying a trace of barely perceptible panic.

Qing Que hurriedly covered her mouth, nodded vigorously, not daring to ask further.

Those who were slow to react finally recovered their senses at this moment.

Declaring their stance now would save their lives.

At a time like this, what did face matter? Behind them were still their families, their entire clans.

If they did not yield now, what awaited them would be the calamity of clan extermination.

"My Bei Jing Wang Clan is also willing to submit to the Emperor!"

"We are also willing! Willing to follow the Emperor unto death!"

Pleas for mercy and declarations of submission rose and fell in succession, resounding throughout the entire Lin Yuan Jing.

Jing Yuan also stepped forward at the opportune moment, cupping his fists with both hands, bowing deeply: "The Jing Clan of Luofu is likewise."

Brothers are brothers, sovereign and subject are sovereign and subject.

At this time, he could only be Xuan Ge's subject; he had to make his stance clear.

Otherwise, in the future it would inevitably become a handle for others to attack him, to attack the Jing Clan.

Xuan Ge gave Wei Zheng a deep look, the emotions in his eyes complex.

But he suddenly recalled what the Feather Emperor had once said: "Thinking of your own selfish desires, yet claiming verbally to eliminate harm for the people, Xuan Ge, you are truly hypocritical!"

Wei Zheng's words had ultimately awakened him.

His identity was already different from the past.

The people under his command were no longer the Shen Wu private army, but the subjects of the world of the Xian Zhou;

What he had to protect was no longer his own obsession, but the peace of the entire Xian Zhou.

He had figured it out, but Wei Zheng roasting him over the fire like this still left him harboring a ball of resentment.

Seeing the Xuan Emperor silent and not speaking, Wei Zheng did not get angry, nor did he refuse.

He knew clearly in his heart that the Xuan Emperor had already agreed to these people's submission.

Although he himself might be targeted by the Xuan Emperor, he did not care anymore; at least he had achieved the purpose of his remonstration.

Xuan Ge: I beg you, don't target me!

Wei Zheng immediately dropped to both knees, kowtowing and shouting loudly: "The Emperor is wise and enlightened!"

"The Emperor is wise and enlightened!"

Everyone present, whether officials, the army, or Heavenly Generals and Dragon Venerables, all dropped to one knee in unison, shouting in chorus.

The voices were loud and clear, shaking the heavens, filled with reverence and submission.

"The Emperor is wise and enlightened!"

Xing was swept up by the atmosphere, momentarily excited, unconsciously following the crowd, also cupping her fists and shouting loudly.

"Ah~"

Ji Zi smiled helplessly and sighed, shaking her head.

With this kneel and shout from Xing, their Astral Express group could only follow along and kneel down.

At this moment, it was as if an invisible power spread out.

Even the common people not in Lin Yuan Jing, far away in various parts of the Xian Zhou, all knelt down one after another, shouting loudly: "Xuan Emperor! Xuan Emperor is wise and enlightened!"

Just then, a texture cold like a mirror surface quietly descended.

Xuan Ge turned his head to look, only to see the figure of the Memory Aeon appear at the Sky Edge.

He seemed to exist at the horizon, yet also seemed to exist nowhere, his figure huge and blurry.

Before Xuan Ge could react, the Memory Aeon seemed to have hastily snapped a photo, then instantly disappeared without a trace.

Xuan Ge: "......."

The corner of his mouth twitched, a trace of speechlessness flashing in his eyes.

"It seems... afraid I'll recognize who you are."

Xuan Ge then turned his head, glancing faintly at March 7th, then quickly withdrew his gaze.