Chapter 404: It Is Time to Change the Sun and Moon

“Master Fang, how should we handle Kuangcheng and Mu Jing?”

“Our paths diverge; we must silence them forever.”

“But they are merely mortals—locked away, no one will see them; they won’t interfere with our great undertaking.”

“Countless endeavors in Qingyun’s realm have failed at the final step, all undone by feminine mercy.”

He Jingyuan fell silent after hearing this, then gave a slight nod, his steps continuing without pause, yet no more words spoken.

Not long after, the two entered the Great Xia Imperial Palace.

Beneath the deep night, icy rain fell softly, freezing midair into fine, sharp crystals that struck the palace’s glazed tiles with a continuous, crisp, piercing “shasha” sound.

The upturned eaves of the palace halls stood out in dimness as silent, hard silhouettes; rain gathered along their edges into strings that froze before fully dripping, forming icicles of varying lengths.

The scene resembled a curtain of crystal hung over the vast palace—grim, lifeless.

As the two walked the long corridor and gradually entered the inner palace, the imperial attendants who had been waiting there stepped forward and bowed slightly to them.

“Greetings, Master Fang. Greetings, Master He.”

“Eunuch Chen, has His Majesty’s headache improved lately?”

“Much better—it hasn’t troubled him for a long time.”

The imperial attendant smiled warmly as he replied to He Jingyuan’s question.

The young emperor of Great Xia had long suffered from headaches, never ceasing since his ascension; in severe episodes, he could neither sleep nor eat.

Old ministers like He Jingyuan all knew of this, so they always asked after it upon entering the palace—as if it had become habit.

As they spoke, the white marble path ended; ahead rose high stone steps leading to the terrace before the emperor’s sleeping quarters.

At that moment, the young emperor of Great Xia stood on the terrace, his gaze turning slightly as he noticed Fang Ruoyao and He Jingyuan approaching.

“Have they been captured?”

“Captured—but my fellow townsman proved more stubborn than I imagined.”

As Fang Ruoyao spoke, he walked toward the terrace, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

The emperor sighed lightly: “Common folk simply cannot understand our intentions; they easily see us as bloodstained executioners. But can worldly affairs truly be so black-and-white? Fortunately, success is near. Brother Fang will seize the reins of power, and a golden age will arrive—then they will understand everything.”

Fang Ruoyao nodded: “Though evil karma cling to me, I press forward.”

“By the way, I heard you went to Gengyang City and killed some of the Fang family. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. My younger sister arranged her own marriage—to a Guan family from Gengyang City, kin to the Fangs. I went as a family member to meet them, but after all these years, those clans have not improved one bit.”

“You’ve endured so long—finally, you couldn’t hold back anymore.”

“The past is vivid before my eyes; no matter how strong one’s cultivation, it’s hard to endure.”

He Jingyuan stood behind them, and upon hearing their exchange, he raised his head slightly.

He knew some of Fang Ruoyao’s past—rumor said that before joining Zhenbei Army, Fang had once hidden his identity to cultivate in a transcendent sect.

But lacking family backing, yet possessing extraordinary talent, he suffered constant suppression and humiliation, his experience nearly identical to Ji You’s.

From then on, he came to hate the transcendent sects and aristocratic clans intensely.

“Before, we had to endure to avoid exposure; now, a little release won’t hurt, as long as it’s handled properly.”

“You can rest assured—the Guan family is terrified, and the transcendent sects always react slowly; no one will notice.”

“Good,” the emperor nodded.

“How goes the matter of the Former Sages’ Sacred Ground? Has the date for its opening been set?”

“Today, Danzong sent word: the Former Sages’ Sacred Ground has only three fissures left. The opening date has been set for the next full moon. Speaking of which, there’s something rather interesting.”

“Oh?”

The emperor’s lips curled slightly as if recalling something: “The Five Transcendent Sects, now distrustful of each other, have voluntarily proposed that Zhenbei Army guard the sacred ground’s core while they hold the four directions—exactly our own plan.”

“This is the aid of Heaven to those who walk the Dao,” Fang Ruoyao said, gazing far into the distance with a solemn look. “After all these years of effort, it is time to change the sun and moon. When that day comes, I, Fang, will never forget your efforts and support.”

“Then all is well.”

“The night is cold and windy. Your Majesty’s health is frail—return to rest soon. I must also make some preparations.”

The emperor coughed twice: “Then I won’t see you off. I called you here merely to meet and ask about the Fang family. Let’s save the rest for after success.”

Fang Ruoyao nodded, then descended the white marble steps.

After watching him depart, He Jingyuan, who had been standing behind them both, turned to the emperor, as if he had something to say—but hesitated for a long while without speaking.

The emperor noticed and looked at him: “Master He, do you have something to add?”

“It’s about my two officials from the Spirit Supervision Office. What shall be done with them?”

“Didn’t Master Fang say?”

He Jingyuan paused, then raised his head: “Master Fang said they must be killed.”

The emperor turned to him: “The day we changed the era name was when our plan officially began. When I gathered you all then, I said his orders were my orders—why are you asking me again?”

“I merely think they are ordinary mortals; locking them up suffices. There’s no need to kill them.”

“I’m curious—what did Kuangcheng say in prison that made you hesitate tonight?”

“Your Majesty overstates it. We are undertaking a great cause for the welfare of millions. I have never wavered. But must we truly entrust everything to Master Fang?”

The emperor turned his body fully: “So your hesitation isn’t about our cause—it’s about him.”

He Jingyuan thought long before speaking: “Your Majesty, Kuangcheng once asked in prison: if we truly stained our hands with blood for the sake of the people, then after the new world order is established, should we pay for the lives of the dead? I was silenced by his question—and Master Fang’s reply differed from what I thought.”

“Brother Ruoyao has the heart of a pure child and the ambition to bring eternal peace. He is the clearest mind I’ve ever known. Moreover, only his body can bear the fate of our entire clan. At this critical moment, you must not hesitate—you must stand firm.”

He Jingyuan bowed deeply: “Your Majesty, I understand.”

The emperor gazed into the distant void: “Both of them are fine ministers. Had it not been for today’s matter, they could have been employed after our great work was done. Even now that they’re useless, make sure they die swiftly and without suffering.”

“Your servant understands.”

“Go.”

He Jingyuan nodded, then descended the white marble path.

In endless darkness and fine, woven rain, only the emperor remained on the terrace.

Yet he did not immediately return to his chambers due to his frail health; he remained in the same posture, staring into the boundless void.

Suddenly, the emperor of Great Xia unceremoniously struck his own head.

“Stop shouting! Be quiet!”

“...”

Spring rain fell for days, until the seventh day of the third month.

Wei Rui walked across Yonganjie under an oiled paper umbrella, heading toward Nishan, her expression filled with fear and unease.

Soon, she arrived before the gates of the Heavenly Book Academy—but was barred by the great array, unable to enter.

The gatekeeper disciple of the Management Hall saw her and bowed slightly: “Miss Wei, what brings you to the Heavenly Book Academy?”

“I wish to find Master Cao.”

“Master Cao? Oh, you mean Elder Cao?”

Wei Rui nodded immediately: “Yes, I need to speak with him. Please, sir, deliver my message.”

The disciple’s face darkened: “The Former Sages’ Sacred Ground opens soon, and the demon clans watch closely. Elder Cao and the entire Elder Council have departed with the Sect Master for Zhongzhou. I cannot reach them.”

“What about Zhengxin Immortal?”