Heaven Revelation City, the Imperial Palace.
Dressed in a dragon robe, Emperor Mingde was having his morning meal when Jin Xuan slowly entered the room, his expression grave and brows slightly furrowed. The emperor set down his jade bowl, glanced at him, then lightly waved his sleeve. "All of you, leave."
The maids and eunuchs attending him immediately withdrew from the room, quietly closing the doors and windows behind them.
"You seek me so early in the morning—what has happened?" Emperor Mingde asked.
"Last night, the Shadow Sect's estate was engulfed in a great fire. The Imperial Father-in-Law, Yi Bu, perished in the flames." Jin Xuan delivered the news in as calm a tone as possible.
"What!" The emperor was visibly shocked. "Yi Bu... he's dead?"
"Yes. The fire was immense, consuming the entire estate. Countless lives were lost." Jin Xuan nodded.
"So that means..." Emperor Mingde murmured.
"From last night onward, the Shadow Sect no longer exists," Jin Xuan replied.
The emperor picked up a teacup beside him, lifted the lid, and took a sip. Gradually, his expression steadied. He sighed softly. "Was it necessary to be so ruthless?"
Jin Xuan exhaled quietly. "Two tigers cannot share one mountain. Moreover, he has never liked Yi Bu."
"Truly—" The emperor's frown deepened. "Was it his doing?"
"Last night, intelligence reached the palace stating he was not in his own residence," Jin Xuan answered.
"Such ruthless actions do not seem like his usual style," Emperor Mingde said, shaking his head.
"But our prince is already quite different from the past, is he not?" Jin Xuan remarked thoughtfully.
The emperor set down the teacup—it shattered instantly. Jin Xuan quickly lowered his head and took a step back.
"Enough." Emperor Mingde shook his head. "If it is said to be an accidental fire, then let it be so. Have the Ministry of Justice handle the matter."
"As Your Majesty commands," Jin Xuan responded solemnly.
"Has Consort Xuan been informed of this news?" the emperor suddenly asked.
Jin Xuan promptly replied, "Early this morning, the Seventh Prince entered the palace. By now, Consort Xuan must already know."
Taihua Palace.
Long white drapes hung down, separating the inner chamber from the outer hall.
Xiao Yu knelt in the outer hall, his expression sorrowful. "Mother, Grandfather's death is far from simple—he must have been murdered!"
Inside the inner chamber, the silhouette of a woman could be seen combing her hair, her movements unhurried, as if entirely unaffected by the news Xiao Yu had brought. This woman was none other than Consort Xuan, once hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world. Her original name was Yi Wenjun, the only daughter of Yi Bu, the former leader of the Shadow Sect.
"Mother!" Xiao Yu called out loudly.
"Stop crying," Consort Xuan's voice carried a trace of weariness. "When have you ever held affection for your grandfather? He never favored you, and you rarely interacted with him. Do you think I don’t know?"
Xiao Yu wiped his tears and said helplessly, "But Grandfather was our greatest protector in Heaven Revelation City. And Mother, even if I am not grieving, surely you must feel something?"
"Send a letter to Mu Liangcheng," Consort Xuan said after a moment of silence.
Xiao Yu was taken aback. "Are you asking Father to come to Heaven Revelation City to investigate? If the Sword Immortal enters the city, that would be..."
"No. Just inform him, that is all," Consort Xuan replied."Mother, how can you remain so calm?" Xiao Yu asked in confusion. "Could it truly be as the rumors say, that you were very... about Grandfather marrying you off to Father?"
"Silence. Some words should never leave your lips," the Imperial Consort reprimanded sharply. "I'm not sad because I knew this day would come eventually."
Xiao Yu frowned slightly and shook his head. "I don't understand."
"Heaven Revelation City no longer needs the Shadow Sect. Father thought he could change this, but the world has already changed beyond recognition." The Imperial Consort pushed aside the curtains and stepped out. Time had left no mark on her face—she remained the most beautiful woman in the world. "So in the end, he was bound to be erased."
Langya King's Residence.
"Where were you last night?" Li Xinyue stood behind the Langya King with her sword, her voice cold.
"I went to Fengxiao Temple to meet an old friend," Xiao Ruofeng replied calmly, taking a sip of tea.
"Do you know what happened last night?" Li Xinyue pressed.
"I heard the Shadow Sect is no more," Xiao Ruofeng said with a faint smile. "You should know very well who was behind it."
"I don't understand why Dark River came to Heaven Revelation City only to eliminate the Shadow Sect. The entire court knows that the Shadow Sect's greatest political rival in the court is us," Li Xinyue said gravely.
"Do you think I sought out Dark River? That their previous assassination attempt on me was just a carefully staged illusion?" Xiao Ruofeng continued to smile faintly as he poured Li Xinyue a cup of tea.
Li Xinyue sighed helplessly. "It's not just me—everyone in Heaven Revelation City will think the Shadow Sect's downfall is connected to you, including your elder brother."
Xiao Ruofeng set down his teacup. "Then let them think so."
"But I don't believe you would choose such a method," Li Xinyue said.
"That's why you and I can be friends," Xiao Ruofeng replied, handing her the cup of tea.
Meanwhile, in Heaven Revelation City, the assassins of Dark River who had infiltrated quietly now departed just as silently.
At the Facing Dawn Inn, Butcher Second Master came looking for a friend to enjoy music together, only to find an empty room. After a long silence, he sighed deeply. "In the end, they've left after all."
Bai Hehuai rode her horse outside Heaven Revelation City and asked Su Muyu beside her, "Now that we're parting ways, when will we return to Heaven Revelation City?"
"I hope that when we return, we can walk freely down the main streets without a care in the world," Su Muyu said with a laugh.
Bai Hehuai thought for a moment. "Or rather, walk freely through the music houses, right?"
"That's what your father would want," Su Muyu retorted.
"You little rascal, making fun of Uncle Zhe again," Su Changhe teased, riding alongside them in imitation of Su Zhe's tone.
Su Muyu turned his head to look at the now-distant city gates. "Chang He, we will definitely achieve our ideals, won't we?"
"Can you even call that an ideal? Others aspire to be great generals serving the nation or sword-wielding heroes saving the people. You just want to be an ordinary man," Su Changhe said with a laugh.
Su Muyu paused. "Then what about you? Can your ideal even be called one?"
"Of course," Su Changhe declared, cracking his whip. "Not only will I lead Dark River into the sunlight—I will become that light itself!"
"Good. Then I'll be your sword," Su Muyu proclaimed resolutely.Bai Hehuai scratched his head. "Then I'll treat your injuries... If I really can't cure you, I'll have my father perform the silk search for you!"
"Hahahahaha! It's a deal!" Su Muyu laughed heartily, which was rare for him.
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