Chapter 959

Zhu Yiliu had grown up observing the Emperor’s governance, but many things remained hazy to him—he did not see clearly. After inspecting the troops, he asked the Emperor why the people always sided with the court and supported new policies whenever conflicts arose between the court and local authorities.

In truth, he was asking how the Emperor had gained support for his reforms—more precisely, how one could win the backing of the majority.

Politics, though seemingly complex with countless threads, is in essence simple.

“Everyone who enters the Buddhist hall is one of our own; knowing some unsavory things about my sister isn’t a problem—we won’t speak of them outside the family. But those maids and servants…” Wen Yukou deliberately paused, watching closely the general’s expression, and indeed saw him pondering her words.

Suddenly, a bright moon hung in the vast sky, pouring its light upon the earth. The snow, bathed in that pure radiance, made Xinshen stagger—then he saw another moon reflected in the lake. Startled, he turned around and saw yet another moon inside the pagoda. It was already night; the famed scene of “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon” had finally appeared.

“Damn, finally cleared out this batch of monsters—got me exhausted. There were way too many of them. Honestly, those graveyard vagrants and thieves hit pretty hard.”

“In my memory, Chu Shen never smiled, acted with caution and decisiveness—this version of him has completely changed my old impression.” Back then, though he trusted Chu Shen, he did not truly understand him. Chu Shen’s loyalty stemmed mostly from the fact that his mother was Yan Zixi, and also because Chu Shen was a sharp blade in the Emperor’s hand.

“Young master, why not rest for a while?” As she spoke, Linglu handed Lan Rongyue a cup of warm water.

The Nidoking, preparing inside the burrow, burst out swiftly and delivered a powerful Million-Ton Punch straight to the chin of the Flash Duckbill Dragon, which was poised to attack at the burrow’s edge, knocking it to the ground.

Zhong Bo walked out, while Li Cuifen frowned slightly, sensing that the old master had something to say.

“Yes.” Jiu’er did not understand why Lan Rongyue was so cautious, but without hesitation, she tucked the jade pendant away.

He felt every hair on his body open up, as a damp, fine breeze entered his chest and spread through his blood to every corner—like giving each cell a bath.

Mist appeared in his vision. Though he assumed all spells had struck the Hero Faction, the young man in the long robe and haori raised his hand, and the mist he wielded deflected every spell! The mist in his hands slowly spread, gradually engulfing the entire Hero Faction.

Yue Ji shook her head, then pointed downward. Gong Yi Qing looked down and saw the face of a celestial being staring directly at him. “Did your words just now compliment this Prince?” Ji Mo Yu asked.

Unintentionally, Su Jue spotted several nuts scattered on the ground. He bent down and saw a bamboo basket filled with wild walnuts, pine nuts, and some millet and chestnuts. Judging by the surrounding displays, this must have been a grain shop.

Xiao Ying also tugged at her lips, but for some reason, when she should have been putting on a show, a chill ran down her back—she quickly pulled down her dress.

That afternoon, Li Ran arranged a grand funeral. As Re Jin’s formal disciple, Zhao Qingyi, Zi Xi, and Yu Ze all kept vigil inside the hall.

“Exactly—don’t look over there; that’s my dwelling. I’m afraid you’ll dirty it.” The spirit bird fluttered its wings as white mist enveloped it.

Before arriving, he had known that the commander of Lan City was Empress Gong Sun Qian of Great Qi—his own junior sister. The world knew only of the Gong Sun family’s Yin-Yang arts, but few knew they possessed another formidable skill: troop deployment and battlefield formation. Su Yu stepped out of the main tent, his figure flickered, and he arrived at the forest described by Ye Shaoling.