Chapter 40: The New System Established, Dark Currents Flow Into the Night

The Dragon Throne was severed, and the world trembled.

Some clapped their hands in satisfaction.

Others were struck with fear and unease.

Even more people did not know how to comprehend a world without an Emperor.

When the Capital City posted notices of the New System, onlookers blocked Zhuque Street until not even water could pass through.

"Human Assembly Hall?"

"Provinces and commanderies elect representatives?"

"Three Ruling Seats?"

"Guardian of the Nation Sword Master?"

A vegetable-picking man scratched his head: "Isn't this just changing the wording for being Emperor?"

A Scholar nearby shook his head: "Not the same. The notice states that the rulers have fixed terms, the Council Hall can impeach them, and finances, grain, and military laws are separated, belonging to no single person."

The vegetable-picking man did not quite understand.

The Scholar thought for a moment, then rephrased it: "From now on, no one can kill an entire city with a single word."

The vegetable-picking man froze.

"Then that is good."

The implementation of the New System did not proceed smoothly.

Among the old bureaucrats in the Capital City, some outwardly submitted while secretly colluding.

The powerful local clans were even more terrified.

They did not fear a change of Emperor.

After all, any new Emperor would still need them to govern the local regions.

What they feared was the Council Hall.

They feared commoners' representatives entering the capital.

They feared old debts being brought to light.

Within seven days, three assassinations, two arsons, and one instance of poison being slipped into military rations occurred in the Beijing Capital Region.

The Green Blade Camp was so busy their feet hardly touched the ground.

Xie Tingxue personally interrogated an assassin and discovered the plot involved the Imperial Clan of the Old Imperial Family.

The Royal Family of Great Yin had not been completely wiped out.

Dozens of princes and nobles remained in the Capital City.

After the Emperor's death, most had shut themselves indoors, pretending to be innocent.

But once the New System was established, they panicked.

Because Jiang Che's refusal to ascend the throne meant they could no longer exchange their royal status for wealthy sinecures.

Even their royal estates, private armies, and Imperial Ancestral Fields were to be investigated.

That night, Jiang Che convened a meeting.

Gu Chongming presented a scroll containing a list of names.

"Among the Old Imperial Family, thirty-seven participated in the Heavenly Gate Sacrifice, twelve directly participated in the Lu'an Blood Sacrifice, and eight branches of the Imperial Clan maintain private armies."

Chen Shanhe said coldly: "Kill them."

Gu Chongming frowned: "We cannot treat them all the same."

Chen Shanhe shouted angrily: "These people enjoyed a century of royal wealth and now wish to bite the hand that fed them; why keep them?"

Gu Chongming replied: "With the New System just established, if we slaughter the Royal Family on a large scale, local regions will use it as a pretext to launch a punitive expedition."

Chen Shanhe sneered: "They already intend to launch one!"

Seeing the two begin to argue, Jiang Che raised his hand.

"Judge according to their crimes."

"Those who participated in the Blood Sacrifice or the Heavenly Gate Pact shall be executed."

"Those who maintained private armies or plotted rebellion shall have their weapons, armor, and estates confiscated; the principal offenders shall be killed, and the accomplices sentenced to hard labor."

"Those who did not participate shall have their royal privileges abolished but retain their status as ordinary citizens."

Chen Shanhe wanted to say more, but Jiang Che looked at him.

"Uncle Chen, on the first day of the New System, we cannot let it be ruined by our own hands."

Chen Shanhe fell silent for a moment, then clasped his fists: "Yes."

Xie Tingxue glanced at Jiang Che.

She knew that Jiang Che was learning something harder than wielding a sword.

Restraint.

The ability to kill without indiscriminate slaughter.

The ability to hate without being dragged along by that hatred.

Late at night, Jiang Che went alone to the Imperial Palace Ruined Garden.

That place had once been where the Emperor kept immortal cranes; now it was empty, with only a pool reflecting the cold moon remaining.

The Green Bamboo Sword suddenly chimed softly.

Jiang Che frowned: "Who is there?"

From the shadows by the pool, a youth walked out.

Sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing an old brocade robe, his face pale.

In his hand, he held a Short Dagger.

Xie Tingxue appeared silently behind Jiang Che.

The youth startled, shivering, yet gritted his teeth and said, "Jiang Che, I will kill you!"

Xie Tingxue raised her sword tip slightly.

Jiang Che blocked her.

"Who are you?"

With red-rimmed eyes, the youth said, "My name is Xiao Cheng'an."

Jiang Che thought for a moment.

The Great Yin Royal Family bore the surname Xiao.

"Royal Family?"

Gritting his teeth, the youth said, "My father is Prince An. Yesterday, your people captured him."

Jiang Che said, "Prince An participated in the Lu'an Blood Sacrifice; the evidence of his guilt is conclusive."

The youth roared, "But I am his son!"

Jiang Che looked at him.

"So you intend to avenge your father?"

The youth's hands trembled.

"I... I don't know."

His tears suddenly fell.

"I only know that before yesterday, everyone called me the Young Prince."

"Today they say I am nothing."

Jiang Che remained silent.

Xie Tingxue said softly, "When an old world shatters, there will be many such people."

Jiang Che walked before the youth.

The youth raised his blade, yet could not thrust it forward at all.

Jiang Che reached out and took the blade from him.

"If your father is guilty, he will face trial."

"If you are innocent, no one will kill you."

The youth stared in shock.

Jiang Che said, "From now on, no one will call you the Young Prince."

"But you can learn to be a human."

Having spoken, he turned and left.

The youth sat kneeling on the ground and wept aloud.

Night wind blew through the ruined garden.

Jiang Che gazed toward the horizon, yet felt no relief in his heart.

For he knew that something more troublesome than remnants of the Royal Family would arrive very soon.

The Upper Realm.