Chapter 149: The Better the Timing, the Worse the Timing (Two-in-one)

This night, Wentian City appeared exceptionally calm compared to usual.

When the night watchman walked to Heavenly Street, he was surprised to find that Heavenly Street, which usually had music and singing every night, was eerily quiet.

Not only were the doors of every house tightly shut, but there were not even many candles lit inside the rooms.

A peaceful night scene.

The noble families and Feudatory Kings, who had been restless ever since the struggle for the position of Chancellor began, suddenly became well-behaved after receiving a certain piece of news.

They obediently tucked their tails between their legs.

And one cannot blame them for being so well-behaved...

The Song Family had been wiped out.

The Song Family, famous throughout the Beiming Divine Continent for their Haoran Zhengqi Technique, and even renowned in the other three Divine Continents, had been wiped out just like that.

Their home was raided and their clan exterminated; not even a chicken or dog was left alive.

Earthworms were split in half, eggs were shaken until the yolks broke, birds and beasts were plucked of all their feathers, and even a passing dog would receive two slaps.

The Song Family, which could only be considered moderately famous a few days ago, was now completely world-renowned.

It is not as if noble families have never been wiped out before; noble families do have their cycles of replacement.

But to be wiped out so silently, and to die in such a stifling manner, the Song Family is definitely the first.

If the Song Family had a reputation for great evil, it would be one thing; the onlookers would be eager to clap and cheer, perhaps even jumping for joy.

But it was the exact opposite!

The Song Family had enjoyed a good reputation in Jiangnan for many years!

Every few decades, great Confucian scholars would steadily emerge from the Song Family to enter the world; although they did not reach the level of writing that shocked the world, their strength was not fake.

They were all Confucian cultivators with impressive combat power.

Yet, such a powerful family was wiped out completely without a sound.

Who did it?

Was it a previous enemy? Or... who else could it be!

Only by opening up post stations everywhere and speeding all the way using teleportation arrays across the land could it be possible to gather enough troops from various places in a single night.

So here in Wentian, besides the Li Family, whose family could make the Imperial Court willingly help suppress the news?

Whose family in Beigan could have such strength?

None!

Only the Li Family, as the royal house, could do it.

But how did the Li Family dare to do this?

Are they truly not afraid of the people of the world rising in revolt?

According to the news they have received now, voices speaking out for the Song Family have already appeared in the Jiangnan region.

If this were ordinary times, they would guide these voices, perhaps even turning them into bands of Righteous Army, eventually raising the banner of rebellion to crusade against the Li Dynasty.

Noble families are very familiar with this process; each family has its own set of rules.

But this time, they did not make a move.

They were a little afraid.

The Divine Dynasty Lord is always overbearing and does not allow others to sleep soundly beside him.

But this Emperor of the Li Family is not only overbearing, he is also a bit crazy...

Better not provoke this guy for now; at least wait until the first bird that sticks its head out appears.

Thus, the noble families kept silent by unspoken agreement, while inwardly feeling a faint sense of unease.

If we do this, it should be fine for now, right?

No matter how crazy he is, he cannot take action against all the noble families, right?

The young noble families were anxious, but some ancient noble families were relatively calmer.

The Li family members have always had something wrong with their brains; it is not entirely incomprehensible that they could do such reckless things.

The life or death of the Song family members actually does not matter.

Compared to those trivial matters, they were more curious about another thing.

Li Long, the current Emperor of Beigan, this true dragon, has been lying in wait in Wentian for so long; what made him go to such great lengths?

Was it really just because a disciple of the Song Family offended the Princess, such a small matter?

Is the truth really like this?

Is he truly so unwise?

Such doubts clouded the minds of many people.

With all parties hesitating, the entire Wentian City ushered in a rare quiet.

However, this quiet was only an outward appearance.

Beneath this facade, there were even more oppressive undercurrents surging.

The noble families were stable, but another force in the Beiming Divine Continent, the sects... were in chaos!

The person in charge of the Wanhua Valley in Wentian, who was in the Transformation Realm, was negligent in management, and two disciples actually openly kidnapped the Divine Dynasty Princess!

And after personally executing the disciples, this person in charge actually fled in fear of punishment, attempting to escape the retribution due.

Moreover, before fleeing, she also swept away a large amount of sect supplies and injured other disciples who tried to intercept her.

She even vengefully took away the sect's files in Wentian.

Zhao Yundan, the contemporary Valley Master of Wanhua Valley, was furious upon receiving the news.

The previous few things were only minor matters, but the last one was a major one!

Files are not things that can be easily shown to others; they contain too many arrangements and involve the great cause of the entire sect!

Regardless of whether she was doing it to save her own life or to use it as a bargaining chip to trade with others, this was intolerable!

Although she could not arrive in person, the Valley Master still sent back some words of comfort to the disciple who delivered the message, and dispatched two Supreme Elders to Wentian to hunt down the traitor.

Zhao Yundan was actually not surprised at all by the disciple's defection.

For such a thing to happen within the Demon sect, it was simply too normal.

She also never doubted Li Fengyao's testimony, not even for a moment considering the possibility that there might be a trap in it.

What was Li Fengyao's status? It was fundamentally impossible for him to do such a thankless task.

No one in the entire valley doubted Li Fengyao in the slightest.

Because, there was no need.

The foundation of Wanhua Valley in Wentian was less of a sect's, and more of what Li Fengyao had funded alone over these years.

Food, clothing, and daily expenses all came from Li Fengyao alone.

It would be more accurate to say that the person in charge of the sect had robbed the Second Prince rather than embezzled Wanhua Valley's resources...

Therefore, when Zhao Yundan dispatched the Supreme Elders, it was only to let them go all out to retrieve the files.

As for those lost resources after catching the traitor...

The sect did not want them; they could just be distributed between the two of them.

……

……

Imperial Palace.

Li Long had a cup of wine by his side; he sat on the highest eaves of the Imperial Palace in such a carefree manner, dangling one leg in a dissolute and unrestrained way.

His gaze was calm, overlooking the sleeping Wentian City.

"This prosperous age..."

Sighing, he poured the wine, which had long since gone cold in the cup, down his throat.

"Lacks a bit of color."

More exaggerated than what those noble families guessed, this entire Wentian City was actually under Li Long's control.

Every move of the noble families and sects was actually under his nose.

He had ignored it all these years, but that did not mean he truly knew nothing.

"Almost... it is time."

Li Long closed his eyes, hiding the blood-red color in them deep within, suppressing his killing intent.

In his perception, another group of rats carrying poison had snuck into Wentian City.

"It is time to let those rats hiding in the corners understand one thing."

"Exactly who is the master of this Beigan."

……

……

By the time Ren Yidao saw Li Fengyao again, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

The leaders of the three trials of Literature, Martial Arts, and Virtue gathered once again under the summons of an imperial edict.

Longgong Hall.

Ren Yidao's smile remained on the surface, but he naturally walked to the left side of Jia Ming, leaving Li Fengyao on his right.

Li Fengyao was aware of his little movements in his heart, but he only smiled without pointing it out, standing leisurely where he was.

And Li Long, sandwiched between the two, felt that the relationship between them was somewhat subtle.

Hm?

What is the situation?

What happened yesterday that I do not know about?

He was indeed able to perceive many things in Wentian City, but the prerequisite was that those people harbored malice toward Wentian.

As for perception outside of malice, it was much weaker.

And in this strange silence, Su Peiqing cleared his throat.

"Welcome, the three of you; today is the final trial."

"The winner shall be the new Prime Minister of my Beigan Dynasty."

"Regardless of background, regardless of the past, as long as you truly act for the sake of this Beigan world, you are the Prime Minister we respect!"

Scanning the three calm individuals, Su Peiqing felt it was uninteresting and stopped saying these high-sounding empty words.

He pulled out an imperial decree and announced loudly:

"The final trial is named 【World Heart】."

"Today's palace examination is decided entirely by His Majesty alone; it does not test literature, does not compare martial arts, and does not judge virtue... please keep this in mind, gentlemen!"

Listening to the Grand Eunuch's reading, Ren Yidao blinked his eyes.

"This rule... listening to it, why does it feel not quite right?"

At first glance, this palace examination seemed no different from the Virtue trial; both were meant to test the inner heart.

Generally, it was also about Questioning the Heart when facing some kind of illusion, to make the most "authentic" reaction.

But... to Ren Yidao's ears, this had another meaning.

What was all that empty talk?

You might as well just say it openly...

"Isn't this damn thing obviously going to be a rigged operation?"

It was just short of saying, "I am going to cheat!"

Suppressing the urge to turn his head and make a snide remark, Ren Yidao curled his lip and shifted his gaze to the side, staring blankly at the magnificent decorations in Longgong Hall.

My brother Li Long is about to rig the game, everyone just disperse.

Acting as both the contestant and the judge, who could possibly outdo him!

Time to go, time to go, heading home to play with Junior Sister... Hmm?

His brow suddenly felt hot, and Ren Yidao habitually narrowed his eyes, slowly looking toward the Qian Mirror in the center of the hall where Su Peiqing stood.

"This Qian Mirror..."

The more he looked, the stranger it felt; after staring for a long time, Ren Yidao suddenly realized that this Qian Mirror was not the same one from last time!

Could it be that this Beigan actually has a second, identical Supreme Treasure?

"That's right, you aren't even willing to put on a full act, just bringing a fake to fob off your brother."

You're being boring now.

At least put on a full performance.

It's so boring to be seen through.

After feeling disdain for such petty tactics, Ren Yidao adjusted his mindset and tilted his head slightly, wanting to look at Li Long.

Turning his head, he realized that at some point Li Long had stepped forward, revealing Li Fengyao who had been blocked from view.

Meeting Li Fengyao's eyes, Ren Yidao had no time to dodge and saw those burning eyes opposite him.

"?"

Damn it, there's a gay man!

Just as Ren Yidao prepared to turn his head back as if nothing had happened, Li Fengyao spoke.

Not out loud, but with lips constantly opening and closing.

At this moment, Ren Yidao felt immense regret.

Why did I ever learn such a useless skill as lip-reading?

Was the past me sick in the head?

Then, he "read" Li Fengyao's words.

Li Fengyao said:

("I will make you understand my determination.")

Determination?

What determination, I don't want to understand!

Don't make me understand!

Don't come near me—

Huhu disgusted. JPG

Although he felt ten thousand layers of disgust inside, Ren Yidao still maintained a cordial appearance.

He nodded at Li Fengyao and responded with a smile.

("My mind is made up, Your Highness need not try to persuade me further.")

("Whatever I want, you cannot give me anything.")

Just give up like this.

But Li Fengyao, rejected once again, did not get angry, but instead smiled as well.

She said:

("You will see.")

("You will eventually know my Heart Star.")

Ren Yidao:?

See what?

What am I supposed to see!?

Can you just speak clearly, damn it!

Ren Yidao wanted to press for an answer, but by then Li Fengyao had turned her head back and stopped making any reaction.

Li Long: "..."

The Emperor, who felt everything was under his control, now felt a bit confused.

"Why does it feel like I am an outsider?"

One is my son, the other is my brother.

How are they chatting so happily, and even exchanging glances in the middle of the hall...

I am being isolated!

No!

I must join the conversation too.

Li Long took a step back and looked left and right, only to find that neither of them was turning their heads anymore.

Li Long:?

Are you two isolating me!?

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"

Standing on the high platform, Su Peiqing saw the little movements of the three clearly.

Before His Majesty could do anything out of line, he coughed twice and said:

"... Your Majesty has already entered the Qian Mirror to await you all."

Looking at the three with their varied expressions, Su Peiqing asked earnestly, his face strictly professional:

"The three of you, I wonder who shall go first?"

Ren Yidao wanted to flee this place, and just as he was about to take a step, he discovered someone was a step faster than him.

"Eunuch Su, let me go first."

Li Fengyao stepped forward, not a hint of nervousness visible on her body; her footsteps were as relaxed as if she were strolling through a garden.

"You two, how about it?"

Li Long, who was using an alias, nodded indifferently: "Fine."

Anyway, I, the Emperor, know what I am doing; you all can come as you please, the outcome will not change.

Ren Yidao thought for a moment; as long as it wasn't Li Long going in first, anything was actually fine.

Thus, he nodded with a smile.

Watching Ren Yidao nod so easily, Li Fengyao also smiled, gave him a meaningful look, and sent a voice transmission:

【"Daoist, you must be careful."】

Ren Yidao:?

Careful of what?

Yet just as Ren Yidao was puzzled, Li Fengyao's figure had already vanished into the Qian Mirror.

Brows furrowed, Ren Yidao pondered Li Fengyao's final words.

"Careful?"

It couldn't be that I need to be careful of furries, could it?

Inside the Qian Mirror.

After entering the Qian Mirror, Li Fengyao did not hesitate at all and knelt directly before "Li Long".

Li Long:?

"Father Emperor, your child has something to report."

Kneeling on one knee, Li Fengyao lowered her head deeply and said in a low voice:

"Your child recently learned of a matter and has been unable to find an opportunity to report it to you privately..."

A dangerous light flashed in her eyes as Li Fengyao slowly raised her head.

Looking directly into the eyes of Li Long's Incarnation, she spoke slowly.

She said:

"Wanhua Valley intends to rebel."

And in the main hall, Ren Yidao blinked his eyes.

"Oh my."

At the moment when fresh flowers bloomed in the main hall, he finally understood what he needed to be careful of.

Wanhua Valley, you all are so brave!

Chains woven from fresh flowers bound the Qian Mirror, and thickets of thorns pierced into the mirror.

The perpetrator was incredibly ruthless, wanting to destroy this Supreme Treasure along with the people hidden within it!

"The Emperor and the prince are both in the Qian Mirror; you all picked a good time, it's just that..."

Turning his head to look at Jia Ming, whose expression was uncertain, Ren Yidao nodded silently.

"The better the timing, the worse the timing."

I am truly too tired; I will recover starting tomorrow, I really can't crawl out of bed, my whole body is aching so much I'm going crazy...

Also, the subscription numbers have fallen to a point where they are painful to look at, sigh... everyone, please stop hoarding the book, I beg for auto-subscriptions!