[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-peace-decree":3,"chapter-the-peace-decree-the-peace-decree-chapter-529":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Peace Decree",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2328704,4553,"Chapter 529: The Fall of Chen","the-peace-decree-chapter-529",529,"\u003Cp>Chen Wenmian was repelled by Chen Dingye, staggered to his feet, then heard a sudden clamor of swords and blades—as if countless weapons pierced flesh at once—before silence fell again in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Wenmian’s body trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, blood seeped from beneath the door, then the eunuch who had closed the courtyard gate seemed to finally collapse, falling backward onto the ground as the gate swung outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horrific scene within the courtyard lay bare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Wenmian stared at the sight before him, his face pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after resolving to act, even after delivering a killing blow toward Chen Dingye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But human hearts are such—when the final moment arrives, sorrow cannot be avoided; and for the events of this small city that day, the Shi family recorded five characters in their histories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The Emperor fell by blade and spear.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Shi family’s principle of recording such matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is also to honor the noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in other histories, the account of this event is far clearer: 【Chen Dingye died amid the chaos of battle.】 His final words—【Come, let us open the state as Duke】—seemed to carry an uncanny power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals who participated in the killing of the Chen Emperor all received titles and fiefs in the future, just as when the former hegemon died, the generals under Chi Di fought over his corpse, dividing it into five parts; those who seized a portion were enfeoffed as marquises and dukes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later generations, reading these histories, sighed with deep emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi watched silently. The Chen Emperor’s death marked the first step in avenging his parents—he had destroyed the very reason Chen Dingye had targeted his father and mother, shattered everything Chen Dingye held dear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Dingye had struck down the Tai Ping Duke and his wife, whose fame shook heaven and earth, all for the throne and his dominion; the Tai Ping Duke’s son, after ten years, led hundreds of thousands of troops, swept across Chen Guo, and leveled it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself did not lift a hand—let Chen Dingye die in the chaos of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A revenge from within, outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some believed this Qin Wang perfectly matched the jesting remark of the contemporary Yīng hegemon Jiang Wanxiang: “Grand in spirit, petty in heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others believed such revenge, upright and righteous, aligned with the Gongyang school of Confucianism—and was truly satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch, barely clinging to life, stared at Chen Dingye’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat there dazed, then suddenly snapped back, his body trembling; he pushed himself up with his hands, crawled forward on his knees, and finally reached Chen Dingye’s side, gazing at the monarch seated there, his white robe soaked crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Dingye was dead, clad only in bloodstained robes, seated upon the courtyard’s gray stone, propped up by a sword, refusing to fall, eyes wide open—his final posture carried more dignity than when he once sat upon his throne, draped in dragon robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>General Fan Qing raised his weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Qin Wang halted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch crawled to Chen Dingye’s side, looked up at the dead emperor, struggled to rise, reached out, and closed Chen Dingye’s eyes—repeatedly, until finally he said: “Your Majesty… the rain has stopped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may rest now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand once more, and Chen Dingye’s eyes finally closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch choked back sobs, turned to face the noble Qin Wang, knelt, and bowed his head to the ground: “Your Highness, Qin Wang… it has been a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi looked at the eunuch and said: “It has been a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was young, serving as a Jinwu Guard in the palace, this eunuch had already guessed who his father was—but for reasons unknown, he chose silence, never exposing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi bore him no great ill will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi said: “Chen Dingye is dead. I have no taste for desecrating corpses. All things flow like water—Chen Guo is gone. You have come this far. Now, guard his tomb for the rest of your days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch bowed deeply: “Your Highness, your mercy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I am your Majesty’s servant—how could I betray my lord for personal gain…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice cut off—he suddenly lunged, dagger in hand, rushing toward the Qin Wang. But he was merely a broken man with no talent; even with the pills Chen Dingye had granted him, he was only a Third Realm cultivator, artificially enhanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Third Realm cultivator, even with fierce blood and qi, could only wear armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could lead a few hundred men on the battlefield, nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he compare to the Qin Wang, whose aura swallowed ten thousand miles? And Li Guanyi was not alone—when the dagger struck with all its force, a hand seized the wrist. The Qin Wang did not move; his generals on either side had already restrained the eunuch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Qing squeezed hard—the dagger clattered to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qin Wang looked at the eunuch: “…Take him away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, we have no grudge. Let this end well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Qing released the eunuch’s wrist. The eunuch stared at the Qin Wang, tears streaming, knelt, and bowed his head repeatedly: “...I know my words are reckless and bold, but Your Highness—may I beg for a corner of your battle robe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Qianfeng roared: “Audacious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A eunuch dares demand the Qin Wang’s battle robe? Do you seek death?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guanyi raised his hand, stopping Yue Qianfeng, and looked at the pale-faced eunuch: “If I were merely the Qin Wang, I could not give it to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Qin Wang drew his sword—its clear chime rang out—and cut off a single corner of his battle robe. The blade returned to its scabbard; the scrap fluttered down. Li Guanyi whispered: “But you are an old friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch’s mouth twitched—whether to laugh or cry, he could not tell—and suddenly remembered the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Chen Dingye was a neglected prince, long gone from the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just a lowly eunuch, with no patrons, living in misery, abused by all—except that divine general, who would thank him, and after being carried drunk to his horse, would raise a wine cup and invite him to drink, saying, “Brothers, let’s drink together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, trembling, had replied: “I am a broken man—I cannot be your brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man had only laughed aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A true man has courage—why care what others think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eunuch whispered: “Truly, you are his son. Your nature, Your Highness, mirrors that of the Tai Ping Duke so closely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by generals, the eunuch, pierced with arrows, clutched the dagger and stabbed at the scrap of robe again and again—he had no martial skill, and this was all he could do to avenge his lord. Then he dropped the dagger, gasped for breath, his face ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This eunuch, who once rushed into flames to see the divine general’s final moments, had spent his life bowing low—yet now, for the first time, he straightened his back, staggered to Chen Dingye’s corpse, grinned weakly, and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And never rose again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true man has courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as enemies, Tai Ping Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have done thus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can I be called a true man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The death of Chen Guo’s emperor marked the end of its imperial line. His passing struck a devastating blow to the remaining families and hidden forces still clinging to resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this pretext, the Qin Wang’s Qilin Army began systematically eliminating and subduing the last pockets of defiance in Chen Guo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Guo · Imperial Mausoleum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Dingye was finally buried here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recognition of his final, desperate charge against the grasslands, he deserved this resting place. Li Guanyi buried the eunuch beside Chen Dingye, and gave full honors to the fallen Jinwu Guards of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the heart of Chen Guo’s imperial mausoleum stood an ancient, magnificent tomb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside it were two massive stone steles, and beyond, an old tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the burial site of Chen Wu Di, the founding emperor of Chen Guo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired old Siming stood here, gazing at the tree. Another spring had come—the willow had sprouted fresh leaves again—but the people of that time were gone. Not only the old friends, but even the empire they had forged with sword and spear had perished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only this old willow, once spring passed, turned green once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Siming patted the tree’s trunk and spoke to the ancient tortoise beside him: “Old friend, back then, when Chen Wu Di the bastard broke with me, I told him before I left: ‘When you die, I’ll come here and piss right under this tree.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never thought the brat would write a decree before he died, ordering his successors to plant this very tree. A man of his word, indeed—but such a thing only had meaning while Chen Wu Di’s descendants still lived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now his dynasty is gone. To piss on his tomb… suddenly feels pointless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old tortoise rolled its eyes: “You’re asking for a beating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you only feel alive when someone finds you and chases you with a cleaver?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tortoise grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why he remembered those days so clearly, with such bitterness—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One might guess: when the old Siming, in his youthful rage, during the peak of Chen Guo’s power, climbed onto the tree beside Chen Wu Di’s tomb and urinated, and was caught by the palace guards who swung cleavers at his skull—who stopped them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Siming scratched his head and laughed heartily: “Ha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at you—how many years have passed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you still remember so clearly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re the same, aren’t we? Hey, you little turtle, how can you hold a grudge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Siming rubbed the tortoise’s head roughly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tortoise wanted to bite him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Siming gently stroked the old tree, his smile fading. White hair fell over his face, his eyes calm and serene, heavy with the weight of time: “Time flows. Chen Wu, your kingdom has fallen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, the west, the grasslands, your Chen, the southwest—all belong to one realm. The world is nearly divided in two. The unity we once dreamed of as youths is nearly achieved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But on the path to that dream, your great dream was shattered. If you saw this scene today, would you feel rage and resentment—or simply laugh, raise a cup, and let it be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What should men like us do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Siming sighed. As if heaven favored him, a light rain began to fall—cold, fitting. He stood before the white hair, raised his palm, catching the falling drops, watching the willow sway gently—as if seeing an old friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The willows before him, the clear sky beyond—were they not desolate? Were they not…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Siming’s thoughts froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—the clear sky beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear sky?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Siming stared, stunned, at the sky thirty paces away—bright, dry, untouched by rain—then back at the rain covering this spot. His forehead twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to realize something, stiffened, slowly turned, looked up—and atop the tomb, a man with skin like wood and stone was urinating into the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang smiled cheerfully: “Aren’t you little Siming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer’s face visibly flushed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that spring sorrow and autumn melancholy, all that old man’s desolation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five hundred years ago, the First Divine General needed no words—only a single gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could shatter the Dao-heart of the Yin-Yang Sect’s first great school in eight centuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer lifted the Black Tortoise with one hand, shielding himself from the rain, and roared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xue, you bastard!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang unbuttoned his pants, urinating cheerfully:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a new feature Guan Shier added for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It looks like a piss, but it’s just normal water discharge—like a water-bolt cannon. Oh, wait—I’ve been dead for how many years? How could I possibly be like you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just regular river water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if it’s river water, it’s still foul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer lunged and tackled the thing, punching it furiously, face crimson with rage—but his fists struck only machinery, shaking his knuckles red-hot. He gritted his teeth: “What the hell did you force Guan Shier to add to you?!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang replied with perfect confidence: “The most essential feature.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer: “…………”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, seeing this fellow so utterly unshaken—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer lost all will to be angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it. No point getting mad at this thing. Not worth it. Not worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang easily lifted the Old Astronomer, sat up, and stared at the Chen Dynasty tombs, murmuring in awe: “I heard the last emperor of Chen Baxian’s line has passed. Given Li Guanyi’s nature, he’ll return soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before he clashes with Jiang Su, let’s come take a look at Chen Baxian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer said: “Jiang Su… the final battle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man fell silent. He had already sensed vaguely that Li Guanyi and Jiang Su’s final clash would decide the fate of the world—but the forces and people entangled in this war were too numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without external enemies, this battle’s intensity and scale would be unprecedented, unparalleled—the ultimate slaughter among the world’s greatest generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely imagining it made the Old Astronomer’s spirit tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer fell silent, then asked: “Who do you think will win in the end?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang smiled: “How would I know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer said: “Aren’t you the First Divine General of five hundred years ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang replied: “You said it yourself—five hundred years. Back then, Chen and Ying dominated the world, yet their dynasties lasted only three hundred years. When I was alive, Chen Baxian, the ancestor of Chen, was just a duke—and he fought me every day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now his descendants’ state has risen and fallen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five hundred years is a very long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer said: “Just speculate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang thought for a moment: “If I had to guess—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In terms of depth, Ying is deeper. But in potential, Li Guanyi’s side is far greater. Give him thirty years, and though it won’t be effortless, victory will come easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They hold the future. Jiang Su holds the past.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But they must fight in the present.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who will win? Honestly, I can’t see it. I never experienced a battle of this level in life. One of my greatest feats was killing the Turkic Khan—but these men have already swept the steppe tribes clean.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang sat cross-legged atop the highest tier of the Chen Dynasty tomb complex, propping his chin on one hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The strongest battle since the War of the Red Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly something to look forward to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer hesitated, then asked: “Then who is stronger now—Li Guanyi or Jiang Su?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang replied lazily: “Jiang Su is stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The former First Divine General of the world, somehow granted the Ying Dynasty’s national fortune. Honestly, with these methods and power, I don’t see how he could lose. Even if Li Guanyi is gifted and rides the tide of fortune—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To erase Jiang Su’s three hundred years of foundation in ten years? That’s absurd. At least for now, Jiang Su has advanced further. If they led equal forces into direct combat, one-on-one, Jiang Su wins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But on a battlefield of strategy, it’s never just about raw power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This final battle will be decided by national strength, by depth of heritage, by how well generals grasp the battlefield, by unity of purpose, by the tide of heavenly fortune, by a sliver of luck—and above all—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer: “Above all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang smiled: “By a single breath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer blinked: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The final battle that decides the world’s fate—doesn’t hinge on great ministers or generals, not on swords and armor—but on this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang answered: “Of course, great generals, armies, swords, and armor matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the will of the army matters more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this level, all contradictions are laid bare. Tactics are useless—both sides know the other’s likely moves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the end, it’s the most brutal method: both sides crush together, blade to blade, spear to spear. Blades shatter, yet they still slash. It’s pure will—pure ferocity—pure hunger for victory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t underestimate this one breath. With it, even defeat on the battlefield leaves room to rise again. Without it, even a million troops are hollow shells—brief victories collapse instantly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang patted his shoulder and smiled: “If this is truly the battle to ‘open lasting peace,’ how could it possibly be just one battle? It must be a prolonged war.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we’re here, why not see what’s inside this tomb?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer, still simmering, blurted: “Huh??”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re going to rob the Chen Dynasty tomb?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang said: “Of course not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued: “We enter through the main gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With proper, upright authority!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer stared blankly: “Huh????”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Xue Shenjiang spoke nonsense when talking, he acted with ruthless speed—especially when Chen Baxian was involved. He arrived swiftly before Chen Baxian’s tomb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Baxian had personally forged the foundation of the Chen Dynasty. His descendants, awed by this peerless general of his age, built their imperial tomb complex around his burial mound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer saw between two colossal tomb guardians a stone stele, inscribed with a single line:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Who enters this tomb shall be punished by Ancestor Baxian—dying without burial】!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang sneered, then shoved open the massive stone gate above the tomb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come get me, Chen Baxian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old man, who are you trying to scare?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed forward, passed the corridor, and saw another stele.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The characters were sharp as iron, silver as hooks, bristling with blade-like fury—as if written with a spear, radiating the fierce, battle-hardened spirit of the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【No Xue, no dogs allowed inside】!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Astronomer fell silent: “What did you do to Duke Chen Baxian that he was certain you’d come to his tomb—and left this insult right inside his own burial chamber?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang replied confidently: “Who said I came in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I died centuries ago. It’s a mechanical body that entered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That old man guessed wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the great stele and strode forward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care what you say!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang walked inside. Every obstacle failed to stop him. He reached the innermost chamber, where the foremost stele bore a single, slashing character:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【GET OUT】!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang laughed, unbothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kicked open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck you, grandpa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the burial chamber, before the massive tombstone, sat a wine jug and two cups—clearly prepared long ago, now thick with dust. Xue Shenjiang picked up the jug, poured two cups, and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still understand me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At a time like this, you’d surely be waiting to drink with me, Chen Baxian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang lifted the cup. Though his body was mechanical, he still felt the slow, tranquil calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You prepared everything, arranged everything. Your descendants truly founded a state—but it still fell. Just a hollow dream. I think you should know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What you sought… you never achieved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang smiled faintly, tipped back the cup, and drank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if chatting with an old friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly spat it out: “Huh????”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the wine. The aroma was rich—but the taste was like vinegar mixed with chili oil. Guan Shier’s mechanical arts weren’t strong, but Xue Shenjiang’s soul-force touched the wine—and thus felt its effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the jug, he saw a small inscription: Chen Baxian’s handwriting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【This time, I won】.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Shenjiang froze. He could picture the old man, frail and near death five hundred years ago—calmly, playfully, crafting this “winning move” with quiet cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then arranging it perfectly, wearing a sly, relaxed smile, closing his eyes, and leaving the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the final move against General Xue Shen, and the last gift from an old friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gift had been absent for five hundred years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Baxian had fully expected General Xue Shen to visit his tomb, yet he never imagined he himself was General Xue Shen’s friend, his closest companion—even someone as carefree as the latter would never do such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only after five hundred years, when Chen Guo fell, that he was told.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men were too clever, clever enough to see through the human heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet precisely because of this, they underestimated each other’s loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old friend is gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old friend remains as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>General Xue Shen’s heart seemed pierced—he sat motionless beside the tombstone, raising a hand to caress the stone beside him, then suddenly laughed softly, then burst into loud, unrestrained laughter, wild and free, a catharsis he had not known in ages, utterly exhilarating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drained the “wine” mixed with chili oil and vinegar, laughing loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine wine!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Baxian, Chen Baxian—you’ve won!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ruler of Chen Guo is dead; the dynasty of Chen Guo is ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The death of a sovereign, especially of a great Central Plains state, had a greater impact on the world than even Qin Wang’s conquest of most of Chen Guo’s territory, yet amid this chaos, amid this surging change—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more events followed closely behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Emperor Chen Ding passed away; ministers and officials debated his posthumous title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new General Ranking was issued across the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?? Zuo Xi struggled back—friends, please give me monthly votes!\u003C\u002Fp>",3545,"2026-06-20T19:20:36.387Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e777ade3e69563725320d7788f913a658ca1fa3f9e0209c53781e5a2ec3538f6","the-peace-decree-chapter-530","the-peace-decree-chapter-528",593,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-peace-decree-cover.jpg"]