Chapter 31: The National Preceptor Executed, Cracks in Imperial Power

When the Black Array shattered, a mournful wail rose from beneath Luo'an City.

That was not a human sound.

It was as though some beast hiding deep within the earth veins had its throat severed by Jiang Che's sword.

Countless black mists rose from the cracks in the streets and alleys, only to be purified by the Qinghua Sword Light.

The people of Luo'an knelt on the ground, survivors of the calamity, many weeping with heart-wrenching grief.

But this time, they did not bow to the imperial power.

Instead, they prostrated themselves toward the altar where Jiang Che stood.

"Thank you, Young Master Jiang, for saving our lives!"

"Thank you, Han Zhou, for saving us!"

Voices rose and fell in succession.

Jiang Che did not let them kneel for long.

He descended from the altar and helped up the nearest old man.

"If you wish to give thanks, thank yourselves."

Tears in his eyes, the old man shook his head: "Had the Young Master not come, where would we have dared to shout that cry?"

Jiang Che fell silent.

He looked toward the gray-robed National Preceptor at the edge of the altar.

The gray-robed National Preceptor was not yet dead.

Half his body had been corroded by the backlash of the formation, his flesh and blood withered, and the golden light in his eyes had dimmed considerably.

Yet he was still smiling.

Jiang Che walked to stand before him.

"Who gave you the Heavenly Gate Remnant Patterns?"

The gray-robed National Preceptor coughed up a mouthful of black blood.

"Do you want to know?"

Jiang Che pressed the tip of his sword against his brow.

The gray-robed National Preceptor spoke in a low voice: "The one you shattered was merely a Lower Realm Gate."

"The true Heavenly Gate lies in the Upper Realm."

"There exists an Immortal Dynasty, a Dao Lord, and countless beings beyond your imagination."

Jiang Che said: "I asked who gave you the remnant patterns."

The gray-robed National Preceptor's smile turned eerie.

"The Emperor."

Jiang Che's eyes narrowed slightly.

The gray-robed National Preceptor continued: "When Great Yin was founded, the Grand Ancestor made a Covenant with the Heavenly Gate."

"The human dynasties serve as shepherds for the Heavenly Gate."

"The Heavenly Gate grants the Royal Family the Immortal Longevity Method and the National Stabilization Art."

"The Jiang Family guarding the Northern Border Sword Vein was, from the start, the greatest rebellious bone in the eyes of the Royal Family and the Heavenly Gate."

Jiang Che's heart sank.

So this was not merely the madness of the current Emperor.

It was a secret long rotted at the hundred-year foundation of the Great Yin Royal Family.

The gray-robed National Preceptor stared at him: "Jiang Che, killing me is useless."

"If you do not overthrow Great Yin, the Heavenly Gate will return through imperial power."

"But if you overthrow Great Yin..."

His smile grew more mocking.

"Then you become a true rebel."

Jiang Che looked at him and suddenly smiled as well.

"I never cared how they called me."

The gray-robed National Preceptor was stunned.

Jiang Che thrust the Green Bamboo Sword down.

The gray-robed National Preceptor's brow was pierced through.

In his final moments, a trace of disbelief flashed in his eyes.

He thought Jiang Che would hesitate.

He thought Jiang Che would worry about his reputation.

He thought Jiang Che would struggle between being a loyal minister and a rebel.

But Jiang Che did not.

From the moment he saw Lu'an Sacrificial City, the answer had been clear.

Such a court does not deserve to rule the world.

After the gray-robed National Preceptor died, the dark clouds above the altar completely dispersed.

Xie Tingxue approached, her face pale.

She had expended great energy breaking the formation just now, and an arrow still pierced her shoulder.

Seeing this, Jiang Che frowned and asked: "Are you injured?"

Xie Tingxue said calmly: "A minor wound."

Jiang Che reached out to inspect, but Xie Tingxue sidestepped to avoid him.

"Deal with the city first."

Jiang Che nodded.

Nearly ten thousand Imperial Guards remained in Luo'an City.

But after the National Preceptor died, the Heavenly Seal shattered, and the truth of Sacrifice City was exposed, the morale of these Imperial Guards had long since wavered.

After the Green Blade Camp executed several generals who resisted to the end, the rest surrendered one after another.

The hidden agents of the Wan Tong Merchant Association quickly took over the granaries and pharmacies to treat the common people.

By evening, the gates of Luo'an City stood wide open.

Jiang Che ascended the city tower.

Below the city, hundreds of thousands of common people had gathered.

They looked at Jiang Che, their eyes filled with awe, gratitude, and fear.

They did not know what to do next.

The Emperor wanted to kill them.

Jiang Che had saved them.

Yet Jiang Che was ultimately branded a rebel by the court.

The Lord of Luo'an City had fled long ago; the government collapsed, and the army surrendered.

This city needed a new answer.

Jiang Che stood atop the city wall, silent for a moment, then spoke:

"People of Luo'an."

"The Emperor used you as sacrifices; he is no longer fit to rule."

A murmur of shock swept through the crowd.

Jiang Che continued, "I, Jiang Che, stand here today and force no one to rebel with me."

"Those who wish to head north to Han Zhou, Han Zhou will welcome you."

"Those who wish to stay in Luo'an, let Luo'an defend itself."

"Those who wish to seek justice..."

He drew the Green Bamboo Sword, its blade pointing south toward the Capital City.

"I will take you to ask the Emperor."

Silence fell over the city below.

After a long while, a scholar raised the Broken Pen in his hand.

"I, Zhou Wen, a Luo'an Scholar, am willing to follow the Young Master to question the ruler!"

Then, a blacksmith raised his hammer.

"Willing to question the ruler!"

An old woman, clutching the clothes of her dead grandson, cried out hoarsely:

"Willing to question the ruler!"

More and more voices merged together.

"Willing to question the ruler!"

"Willing to question the ruler!"

That night, atop the walls of Luo'an City, the imperial power cracked for the first time with a fissure visible to the naked eye.