In the Moonlight

A deathly silence filled the tent.

Countless gazes converged upon Xue Yanna.

Xue Yanna froze momentarily, then stood firm and sneered, "Su Dan Gu was killed by bandits—the evidence is irrefutable! Who dares accuse me? Let them confront me face to face!"

His roar shook the tent beams.

The Xue family guards stepped forward in unison, drawing their blades with a menacing air.

All eyes immediately turned to the chieftains of the Kang, Mo, and An families.

Though the three chieftains maintained stern expressions, they wondered inwardly: Who was the informant?

Yuanjue stood in the center of the tent, fearless. "Do you confess your crimes, General Xue?"

Xue Yanna laughed scornfully. "Absurd! Without proof, why should I confess?"

Yuanjue pressed his palms together. "Bring them in!"

The felt curtain rustled as guards escorted several disheveled men into the tent.

The men threw themselves beneath the dais, trembling and weeping as they recounted Xue Yanna’s crimes.

"On the twelfth of last winter’s month, at noon, General Xue hosted a grand banquet at his residence, inviting twelve commanders of the imperial guard."

"On the eighteenth, the Xue family’s chief secretary inquired about the Monk Soldiers of Wang Temple and the imperial guard’s shifts, asking when the King would emerge from seclusion."

"On the twentieth, General Xue began relocating local garrisons under the pretext of rotation. Here are records of all infantry changes at relay stations over the past three months."

"General Xue harbors treacherous ambitions and has long plotted rebellion. He repeatedly clashed with Regent Su Dan Gu, seeking to replace him. It was General Xue who set the ambush to assassinate Su Dan Gu!"

"The Xue family’s fifteenth son, a captain in the Xingcheng garrison, bribed local troops there—I witnessed it myself!"

"The bandits and assassins who pursued Su Dan Gu were recruited by the Xue family from various regions. The Xues are ruthless, threatening families with death for failure—and silencing those who succeeded."

"The Xue family enlisted condemned prisoners. I was a guard at the death prison. The fifteenth son of the Xue family coerced and bribed me to take him to the prisoners. They promised them wealth and secretly released them, forcing them to serve the Xues. I feared for my life and dared not speak out."

A man in light armor knelt and kowtowed, wiping his face. "I am a training officer of the Xingcheng garrison. At last year’s Begging Cold Festival, the Xues offered me riches to ambush Su Dan Gu. I refused, so they plotted to kill me. I fled to my wife’s family and narrowly escaped."

...

Time, place, and individuals involved—the men laid out everything they knew, clearly and methodically.

As dusk fell, the tent’s atmosphere froze.

Guards lit candles, their flickering light filling the space.

After the men finished their accounts, guards presented their written testimonies. The tribal chieftains passed them around, murmuring as they read.

The testimonies were even more detailed than the oral accusations, piecing together the Xue family’s assassination plot and recording Xue Yanna’s usual arrogant private remarks.

The crowd paled reading them. Recognizing the informants’ identities, they exchanged stunned glances.

The kneeling men ranged from commoners and outcasts to low-ranking officers and clerks—unsurprising, except that aside from a few clerks working in the Holy City, the rest were all from the Kang, Mo, and An territories, one even bearing the Kang surname.

Their varied backgrounds made it hard to dismiss their accounts as mere fabrication.Xue Yanna's face twitched several times, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. He slammed the table and rose in fury, glaring at the chieftains of the Kang, Mo, and An families: "You actually joined forces to frame me?"

The three chieftains paled dramatically.

They all tacitly understood that only by eliminating Su Dan Gu could the noble families regain power. After Su Dan Gu's death, the four families became rivals competing for the Regent's position, locked in irreconcilable conflict with constant friction. However, none wished for the Buddha Prince to obsess over Su Dan Gu's death, as thorough investigation would reveal none were innocent.

Secretly informing against the other three families to make the Buddha Prince despise them—this they were capable of and had indeed done. But these informants in the tent were certainly not arranged by them!

Exchanging glances filled with accusation, they wondered: They had controlled the situation within half a month, forcing the Buddha Prince to end his seclusion, and success seemed imminent. Who had broken the balance out of selfish motives?

The Buddha Prince had been in secluded meditation in the temple. Su Dan Gu died outside the Holy City. After his death, the four families immediately blocked key routes to prevent garrisons loyal to the Buddha Prince from returning to the Holy City. The Buddha Prince hadn't left the temple these past days. Without informants, how could he grasp the situation so quickly within mere days, gather evidence, and confront Xue Yanna directly?

Although Ashina Bisha had been actively investigating Su Dan Gu's death, he was from the Ashina family. His clansmen wouldn't offend the noble families for his sake, so he couldn't uncover much.

Someone must have secretly pledged allegiance to the Buddha Prince!

The chieftains glared at each other briefly but couldn't identify who had defected to the Buddha Prince—each wore equally suspicious expressions.

Xue Yanna saw potential informants in everyone. Enraged, he roared: "You covet the Regent's position and would even frame me for it, isn't that right?"

The three chieftains were just as perplexed.

Yuanjue stepped forward and said: "They are loyal to the Buddha Prince and courageously exposed General Xue's crimes. How could this be framing?"

With both witnesses and physical evidence present, Xue Yanna showed no panic. Drawing his blade with a sinister laugh, he declared: "How can the words of vile men be lightly believed?"

With that, he swung his sword at the man kneeling on the ground.

Once he killed all the informants, let's see who would dare testify against him!

The crowd gasped in alarm, rising together to sternly stop Xue Yanna, yet none actually stepped forward.

The men on the ground turned deathly pale.

Yuanjue sneered, drawing his blade to meet the attack.

The clang of colliding swords reverberated, leaving everyone's ears ringing.

Xue Yanna's strike failed. He retreated several steps, signaling his guards to advance. "The Kang family falsely accused me of plotting against Su Dan Gu! The Buddha Prince believes one-sided accounts—I, Xue Yanna, refuse to accept this!"

The guards drew their swords, forming a protective circle around him. Blades glinted, tension mounting.

Xue Yanna scanned the room with a grim expression: "My Xue family's ten thousand elite troops are stationed outside the city. If the Buddha Prince insists on believing slander, I can only summon them to clear my name!"

The tribal chieftains turned ashen, rising to their feet one after another.

Faced with conclusive evidence, Xue Yanna was directly threatening the Buddha Prince. His reputation for savage defiance was well-known—evidently, the rumors were true. It seemed he intended to act recklessly today.

The chieftains of the Kang, An, and Mo families retreated several steps, faces filled with anger while inwardly sighing: The Buddha Prince's insistence on uncovering the truth about Su Dan Gu was truly unwise. With ten thousand Xue family elites camped outside the city, even if Xue Yanna admitted to killing Su Dan Gu, the Buddha Prince could do nothing to him today!As long as a Regent is elected, casualties can be avoided. Now that the Buddha Prince refuses to compromise, Xue Yanna is enraged by humiliation, and the other families are unwilling to let the Xue family monopolize all the benefits—tonight, bloodshed is inevitable!

The three exchanged glances, communicating silently, and quickly reached a tacit understanding.

They had deployed troops to besiege the city merely to intimidate the Buddha Prince and the other three families. Unless absolutely necessary, they had no intention of resorting to actual combat.

The only way to prevent the situation from escalating and protect the interests of the noble families was to shift all the blame onto Xue Yanna.

The head of the An family stepped forward from the crowd: "Xue Yanna, cease your insolence!"

Xue Yanna sneered, "Today, we are here to elect a Regent. Unless we choose one who can earn the Xue family's genuine respect, I will remain insolent to the end!"

The leaders of the three families were furious, and the tribal chieftain cursed loudly—Xue Yanna was truly overbearing!

Xue Yanna wore an arrogant and triumphant expression.

Amid the chaotic curses and shouts, a palace guard hurried into the hall, his face pale with panic. He knelt and reported, "Your Majesty, there are unusual movements among the troops outside the city!"

A collective gasp swept through the crowd, followed by an uproar.

Had the time for desperate measures arrived already? Who had made the first move?

Was it the Xue family?

The Kang, An, and Mo families glared furiously at Xue Yanna. With evidence seemingly clear, had he lost his composure?

Xue Yanna frowned deeply. Whoever acted first would face the combined suppression of the other three families. He had not given any orders—how could his men have taken action?

"Xue Yanna, the evidence is undeniable! Do you dare to rebel?" someone roared, drawing a blade and charging at the Xue family's guards.

The Xue family guards raised their swords in retaliation.

The clashing of blades echoed incessantly, steel flashed, and curses filled the air.

Everyone in the tent overturned tables and drew their weapons in self-defense. The factions, already hostile toward one another, immediately attacked anyone who approached in the tense and uneasy atmosphere.

Kang Mo Zhe retreated under the protection of his loyal followers. Watching the tent descend into chaos, a sense of foreboding washed over him. He glanced at Tanmoroqie, who remained seated motionless behind the brocade curtain, and suddenly felt a chill of terror.

Then, a sudden turn of events unfolded.

Two of Xue Yanna's guards abruptly sprang into action, gripping their long blades tightly. They slashed through the hanging brocade curtains and charged straight toward Tanmoroqie on the throne behind the curtain!

Before anyone could react, several guards from the Kang, Mo, and An families also surged forward, brandishing their blades as they rushed toward the throne.

In an instant, the brocade curtains were torn to shreds, and multiple long blades struck simultaneously at the Buddha Prince clad in his Kasaya.

The crowd stood frozen, their souls seemingly fleeing in terror.

The nearest guards snapped into action, leaping forward to block the attackers.

"In their wolfish ambition, the Xue and Kang families feigned negotiations to elect a Regent, buying time to assassinate the Buddha Prince and plot a rebellion!"

Amid the chaos, someone shouted hoarsely.

The cry was taken up by others, their voices merging into a roaring wave that pierced the heavens.

The crowd stood stunned.

Kang Mo Zhe remained rooted to the spot, his face ashen.

The tribal chieftain hastily retreated from the tent, drenched in sweat, and pointed accusingly at Xue Yanna and Kang Mo Zhe. "You are mad with ambition! For the sake of seizing the Regent's position, you dare to assassinate the Buddha Prince! We will rally our forces to protect the throne and defend His Majesty!"

From a corner, someone shouted, "Stop them!"

As the words fell, the sharp whistle of arrows cut through the air. In the darkness, a volley of arrows rained down upon the chieftain.

The sound of orderly, dense footsteps grew louder. Shadows shifted beneath the palace walls as several troops advanced toward the main hall, the clanking of their armor unmistakably clear."You want to silence us by killing us!"

The chieftains glared with fury, abandoning their curses as they retreated from the main hall with their personal guards.

Along the way, shouts echoed that noble families were assassinating the Buddha Prince. The imperial guards bribed by the Xue family, believing the nobles had truly acted, rushed out from the shadows.

"The Xue family has ten thousand troops outside the city! The other three families cannot enter. The central army has only a few thousand imperial guards. Charge with me! When General Xue succeeds as Regent, wealth and treasures will be within easy reach!"

They began attacking the Royal Court guards.

The Royal Court guards appeared overwhelmed, retreating step by step.

The imperial guards aligned with the noble families advanced relentlessly, breaking through all resistance.

Inside the tent, personal guards were still locked in chaotic combat. The Kang, An, and other families, hearing the deafening battle cries outside, realized the situation had spiraled beyond their control and sensed impending disaster.

Kang Mo Zhe moved closer to the Buddha Prince.

His personal guard, while slashing at enemies, whispered in his ear, "Grand Chancellor, since things have come to this, we might as well fight to the end. If we can subdue the others, everyone will have to obey your commands!"

Kang Mo Zhe shuddered inwardly.

Others were thinking the same.

Trembling all over, Kang Mo Zhe rushed toward the throne under his guards' protection, shoving aside the imperial guards.

The throne was empty.

Tanmoroqie had long since slipped away amid the chaos.

Kang Mo Zhe gritted his teeth until they creaked, whirling around abruptly.

"Out! Leave this den of strife!"

Several thunderous booms shook the ground as the heavy main hall doors slowly closed before his eyes. All imperial guards inside shouted loudly while retreating toward the exit, while the personal guards of the four families continued their disordered struggle.

Kang Mo Zhe's face drained of color as he lunged toward the doors.

The final gap sealed shut before him. Candles were extinguished, plunging the great tent into darkness.

Kang Mo Zhe's eyes widened suddenly, pupils nearly bursting from their sockets.

They had believed the Buddha Prince was still in seclusion, that his concessions days earlier were acts of helplessness, that everything remained under their control.

But it was all an illusion.

The Buddha Prince was the one who had set the trap!

...

Outside the main hall, Tanmoroqie rode through the long street in his kasaya, wind whipping his robes fiercely.

Imperial guards continued fighting amidst surging crowds. Crossbows on palace walls reflected cold silver light as imperial guards retreated strategically, coordinating perfectly with five thousand ambushing troops to encircle the noble families' forces brought into the palace. The noble-aligned imperial guards raised swords in resistance.

When Tanmoroqie appeared at the street's end, the human wall froze momentarily. Countless heads lifted in unison to gaze up at him.

He surveyed the crowd, emerald eyes clear, face devoid of joy or sorrow, like a celestial deity.

In that instant, the noble factions' morale shattered, their will collapsing.

Without uttering a word, Tanmoroqie turned his horse from the main hall. Behind him, ten thousand arrows flew like locusts as imperial guards advanced steadily. The noble-aligned imperial guards began retreating, utterly defenseless.

When living beings lack virtue, numerous calamities arise. When kingdoms face repeated chaos, disasters frequently occur. Various misfortunes and fears press upon them.

In times of chaos, one must use methods of chaos.

Tanmoroqie's fingers gently rubbed his rosary as he silently recited scriptures, his kasaya billowing in the wind.

Imperial guards emerged from the darkness, escorting him up the city walls.

Over recent days, descendants of noble families commanding armies had either been persuaded by imperial guards to secretly switch allegiance, or had been bound and confined under guard in tents.

While the noble families were preparing for action, the tens of thousands of troops stationed outside the Holy City had already become porous everywhere, full of vulnerabilities.The Imperial Guards scouts weaved through the chaos, employing clever tactics to set fire to the camps. Amid the confusion, they shouted and screamed, unsettling the enemy's morale and swiftly triggering a full-scale panic within their ranks.

Once the camp descended into chaos, even the officers lost control over their soldiers.

Meanwhile, ten thousand tribal cavalry, having received the Falcon's message and under orders to march to the Holy City, lay in ambush outside Xingcheng. Their mission was to charge into the enemy formations, disrupt the aristocratic soldiers' battle arrays, and plunge them into utter disarray.

At this moment, the four armies below the city walls—cut off from their lords and ensnared in the Imperial Guards' trap—descended into a frenzied melee. Across the snowy plains, dense masses of soldiers followed their leaders in chaotic charges. Flames roared everywhere, and the agonized screams and clashing weapons transformed the scene into an Asura's Realm.

Tanmoroqie stood above this Asura's Realm, overlooking the battlefield. The blazing fires cast a flickering glow upon his handsome, serene face, his features as exquisite as a painting.

"Your Majesty! Everything is proceeding smoothly!"

Bi Suo, clad in armor, rushed up the city wall and announced in a clear voice.

Tanmoroqie nodded slightly and waved his hand.

In unison, the white-robed Imperial Guards acknowledged the command. They set down their longbows and rolled out heavy, cumbersome crossbow chariots, adjusting the weapons to aim at the chaotic soldiers below the walls.

Bells and drums resonated in harmony, their majestic tones echoing across the entire battlefield.

The soldiers below the walls looked up in stunned silence, their faces paling with terror at the sight of the crossbow chariots on the ramparts.

These chariots were the Royal Court's formidable weapons designed to counter the Northern Rong cavalry. With immense penetrating power, they could easily pierce cavalry armor from a hundred paces away.

If the Imperial Guards unleashed these crossbows, it would take only moments for the soldiers below to be riddled with holes like sieves!

Terrified, the soldiers scrambled backward.

"The aristocratic families have rebelled, attempting to assassinate the Buddha Prince, and have been captured!" Bi Suo leaned against the battlements, his voice amplified by Internal Force, roaring across the fray. "The Buddha Prince is here! Lay down your weapons at once!"

His powerful shout cut clearly through the sounds of battle.

"The Buddha Prince is merciful. He knows you were deceived by the aristocratic families and will not hold you accountable. As long as you surrender your weapons, you will not be treated as rebels."

"Those who resist stubbornly are enemies of the Buddha Prince!"

The soldiers gazed up blankly at Tanmoroqie, and an eerie, water-like silence fell over the battlefield.

They had no understanding of what had transpired—suddenly bursting from their camps, suddenly embroiled in chaos, suddenly confronted by savage troops descending as if from the heavens, and suddenly driven beneath the city walls.

Clang! Mixed among the soldiers, Imperial Guards forcefully discarded their weapons, feigning loud, mournful wails as they knelt and kowtowed.

A few others followed suit, dropping to their knees.

This sound broke the spell. The remaining soldiers, as if awakening from a dream, laid down their arms and prostrated themselves.

A tide of armor in varying colors surged and settled, while in the distance, horses neighed and flames roared fiercely.

Tanmoroqie stood atop the city wall, gazing down upon the surrendered soldiers at his feet.

On the night he evaded pursuit and took refuge with Yaoying at the courier station, he had already made his decision. Every move the aristocratic families made had unfolded as he anticipated. Along the journey, Falcons delivered his messages and commands. Even before reaching the Holy City, he had arranged all ambushes.

Allowing the aristocratic families to besiege the city was a deliberate strategy to consolidate military power.

From this night onward, these soldiers would no longer be the private armies of the aristocratic families.

...

That night, the citizens of the Holy City trembled with fear, unable to sleep.

The Royal Court was in turmoil. The aristocratic families, aggressive and overbearing, had bribed the palace guards and attempted to assassinate the Buddha Prince, only to be apprehended by the guards loyal to the Buddha Prince and the central army's Imperial Guards.Outside the city, the four armies rioted at dusk and hastily launched an assault on the city. The tribal cavalry who had come to pay homage to the Buddha Prince arrived just in time, scattered the four armies, and drove them back beneath the city walls. The Buddha Prince personally appeared atop the battlements, where the soldiers, overwhelmed with shame, wept bitterly, discarded their weapons, and surrendered.

The next day, tribal chieftains submitted memorials one after another, demanding severe punishment for Xue Yanna, who had led the assassination attempt against the Buddha Prince.

Tanmoroqie did not immediately deal with the noble families. Instead, he first promoted and generously rewarded the meritorious officers and soldiers, issuing a decree that henceforth, in the four armies, soldiers—regardless of noble or humble origins—could be promoted based on military achievements.

This decree spread like wildfire, and the soldiers were greatly inspired.

The main hall’s gates were tightly shut. The noble families who had led troops into the palace were trapped by the imperial guards like turtles in a jar. From Kang Mo Zhe to the An family’s personal guards, not a single one escaped, all being imprisoned in the dungeons.

News trickled into the dungeon. Kang Mo Zhe laughed hysterically, his laughter tinged with madness.

Over the years, Regent Su Dan Gu had handled court affairs while the Buddha Prince often secluded himself in meditation. Su Dan Gu was ruthless and merciless, earning the deep-seated hatred of the noble families, who had schemed tirelessly to eliminate him. Yet they had forgotten that the Buddha Prince was Su Dan Gu’s ultimate support!

They had been overconfident, assuming the Buddha Prince acted cautiously and would not dare confront the noble families. They believed that by stationing troops outside the Holy City and catching him off guard, the Buddha Prince would have no choice but to compromise. After all, maintaining court balance and avoiding direct conflict with the noble families was the ancestral teaching of the Tanmo family. Moreover, with external threats looming, he surely would not want court instability.

To their surprise, the Buddha Prince, in his fury, tore off all pretenses with the noble families. Relying on none of the four great families, he directly targeted their military power to dismantle them.

Kang Mo Zhe could not help but feel some regret.

The Buddha Prince had led troops to repel enemies at the age of thirteen. Even if Su Dan Gu died, the Buddha Prince would not sit idly by. They had underestimated him.

A single night passed, and the world turned upside down.

When Kang Mo Zhe was brought before the hall, his once ruddy face had become gaunt and haggard.

He lifted his head and gazed at Tanmoroqie, who sat on the throne, bent over reviewing memorials.

The hall was dimly lit, with only a flickering lamp casting a faint glow on the desk.

"Your Majesty, you were not in seclusion, were you?" Kang Mo Zhe murmured. "It has been less than half a month since you emerged. How could the tribal cavalry arrive at the Holy City so swiftly, scattering the four armies like divine intervention?"

He had pondered this for a long time, unable to comprehend how the Buddha Prince, who had seemingly remained in the temple, could command tribal cavalry from thousands of miles away.

There was only one answer.

"You already knew the Regent was in danger and made arrangements in advance... You were not in seclusion. Even before Su Dan Gu was harmed, you had set a trap, waiting for us to fall into it!"

Kang Mo Zhe smiled bitterly.

What use was realizing this now?

He was already a prisoner.

"How will Your Majesty deal with us?"

Tanmoroqie replied calmly, "We will investigate the crimes and punish according to the law."

Kang Mo Zhe was taken aback, then let out a light laugh, the wrinkles on his face smoothing slightly.

The King was the Buddha Prince. He would not slaughter indiscriminately like the Zhang family to consolidate power. No matter the circumstances, the Buddha Prince would never raise a blade against the weak, elderly, or children.

Kang Mo Zhe heaved a long sigh. "Why go to such lengths, Your Majesty? You could have simply ignored the strife among the noble families."

Having navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for years, single-mindedly pursuing his family’s interests, he could not understand Tanmoroqie’s actions.Tanmoroqie set down a scroll of parchment and said, "The four armies of the Royal Court are controlled by noble families, with constant internal strife in the court. The Northern Rong are watching like a tiger eyeing its prey. Once discord arises among the four armies, intelligence will reach the Northern Rong within two days. Without eliminating internal troubles, the Royal Court can hardly resist the Northern Rong."

In recent years, the Northern Rong's attacks on the Royal Court had always coincided with internal turmoil. Previously, he had been exhausted from battling them, several times on the brink of death, with no energy to rectify the court. This time, Wahan Khan also faced chaos—an opportunity not to be missed.

Kang Mo Zhe let out a long, turbid sigh. "Your Majesty must reclaim military authority to focus on dealing with the Northern Rong."

He shook his head with a bitter laugh.

Did he not understand that only through unity could external threats be confronted?

He understood, and so did the other noble families.

Yet none could achieve it, for none were willing to be the one to sacrifice their clan's interests.

"Your Majesty, your ambitions are grand, your plans for the Royal Court's enduring peace far-reaching, but you underestimate human nature! By disrupting the balance, the noble families have temporarily submitted, but they will rise again like smoldering embers."

"Throughout history, which hero has met a good end?"

Kang Mo Zhe sat cross-legged, gazing at Tanmoroqie as if in a ruler-subject dialogue.

"Does Your Majesty remember General Sai Sang'er? And General Mohe? They were loyal to the Royal Court, devoted their hearts and minds, served the public their entire lives—yet one ended with his entire family slaughtered, himself dead at the hands of rebels; the other fell out of favor with the sovereign, was torn apart by five horses, his clan enslaved. Ironically, the commoners they promoted quickly became nouveau riche, resorting to any means to integrate with the noble families, joining them in trampling and enslaving the common people. How are their faces any different from the noble families'?"

Kang Mo Zhe laughed heartily.

"Your Majesty, you are the Buddha Prince, the ruler of a nation. You cannot do without the noble families. They are like grass on the plains—withering and flourishing, enduring endlessly. Though you suppress us today and control the court, local governance still relies on the noble families. Deep-rooted and lush, they have been the flesh and blood of the Royal Court since its founding. Without the noble families to maintain order locally, the Royal Court would be scattered sand. Within a few years, the noble families will rise again, and you will ultimately compromise with them."

A flicker of light passed through Kang Mo Zhe's clouded eyes as he heaved another long sigh.

"General Mohe sought to reform the military system. He encroached upon the noble families' interests, violated the Royal Court's foundations—his fate was self-inflicted."

"General Sai Sang'er insisted on investigating the noble families' seizure of manors, dug too deep, and could not extricate himself."

"They were too naive."

Kang Mo Zhe lifted his head, looking at Tanmoroqie with a mocking smile at the corner of his lips.

"Your Majesty, the common people are ignorant and docile. As long as you hold a stick, they will obey meekly. Kindness cannot win their loyalty—they are too fickle, too foolish. Today they worship you as a deity; tomorrow they will spurn and hate you for a minor fault. You will soon discover that those who betray you are the very common people you protect!"

"The Tanmo family has ruled for generations. You need only balance the noble families to enjoy eternal wealth and honor."

"Rashly breaking the rules will not earn perpetual submission from those whose interests are harmed. Even knowing they cannot change anything, they will bare their fangs, waiting for revenge."

"Your Majesty, you are the Buddha Prince. How could you not understand this? How could you not see the stakes?"

Before the desk, the candle flame flickered.

Tanmoroqie lowered his gaze, his expression calm, and said lightly, "The Royal Court is already critically ill, adrift in turbulent times. If we continue to indulge it, the Royal Court will ultimately perish in war."

Someone must do this. If everyone hesitates, who will pacify the chaotic era?

Kang Mo Zhe stared at him, silent for a long moment, his fingers trembling.

"So, knowing the consequences, you still strive to turn the tide? Even at the cost of ending like General Sai Sang'er—body destroyed and name erased?"Tanmoroqie’s brush moved with steady composure as he said, “All men must die. If one dies for the kingdom and for the people, such a death is worthy.”

The candlelight enveloped his face, illuminating the sharp contours of his profile.

Kang Mozhe recalled that year when the noble families abandoned the city and fled. Thirteen-year-old Tanmoroqie had rallied the central army to defend the Royal Court, covering the civilians’ escape. Amidst the vast, windswept sands, the young man rode forth alone, advancing courageously and unflinchingly toward an enemy force many times his size.

With his own strength, he sought to deliver all beings, protect the Royal Court, and quell the chaos of the troubled times.

Kang Mozhe remained silent for a long while before prostrating himself and kowtowing.

“Your servant pleads guilty.”

The Kang family would not fall into ruin. After generations of management by the noble families, even if they lost all power, they would rise again within two generations.

By pleading guilty and surrendering his military authority, he knew Tanmoroqie would not pursue total annihilation.

…

Apart from Xue Yanna, the other three families surrendered their military authority and accused Xue Yanna of assassinating Su Dan Gu.

A storm that had shaken the heavens was quelled overnight. The city’s inhabitants, still trembling with lingering fear, buzzed with discussions, filling the streets with rumors.

When Yaoying awoke, it was just when the encampment outside the city was thrown into chaos.

She tightened her robes and stood up. Seeing the stacks of Scripture Scrolls on the long desk, she realized she was still in Tanmoroqie’s Zen room and froze for a moment.

Dull, thunderous noises echoed into Wang Temple, shaking the ground. Flames lit up half the sky, and the clamor outside the city grew increasingly tumultuous.

Yaoying stepped out of the Zen room, her face pale.

Bā mǐ ěr, thinking she was afraid, quietly reassured her, “Princess, there is no need to worry. Wang Temple has reinforced its guards. No more intruders will break in.”

Yaoying shook her head, wrapped her cloak tightly around herself, and ascended the high tower to gaze toward the direction outside the city.

The great fire burned throughout the night.

Yaoying kept watch on the tower until dawn.

At daybreak, Yuanjue hurried back to Wang Temple. “These past few days have frightened you, Princess. Now the central army has quelled the rebellion. There is no need for concern.”

Yaoying asked him, “Were there many casualties?”

Yuanjue smiled and said, “We only set a few fires to scare them into chaos. We had people planted in all four armies. When they saw the signal, they deliberately stirred up trouble. After dark, some infiltrated the camps, cut their bowstrings, severed their stirrups, and filled their weapons with mud, rendering them useless in battle… Also, a few days ago, the Buddha Prince ordered General Ashina to secretly dig large pits along the main roads outside the city. With several layers of snow unmelted in winter, the ground looked uniformly white everywhere. Only the Imperial Guards familiar with the Holy City knew which patches of snow concealed ravines and pits and which were solid ground.”

Having held back for many days, he could finally speak freely and was too excited to contain himself.

“During the chaos, the Imperial Guards deliberately led those who couldn’t see clearly toward those pits. Everyone fell into the snow holes, unable to climb out. Who had time to worry about anything else?”

Tanmoroqie had been fully aware of the movements of the four armies and had long planted his agents. Just when the noble families were swaggering arrogantly, thinking the Buddha Prince and the central army’s Imperial Guards had retreated, the Imperial Guards had already infiltrated the troops stationed outside the city. After dark, working from within and without, they incited turmoil. Coupled with the tribal cavalry directly scattering the enemy formations, casualties were minimal.

In the palace, aside from a few close associates of Xue Yanna and his allies, all other rebels and imperial guards surrendered and disarmed without a bloody battle.

Yaoying felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted and breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuanjue smiled and said, “The Princess is truly kind-hearted.”

Yaoying shook her head. “I am simply happy for the Dharma Master.”Yuanjue was taken aback for a moment, then came to a realization. He looked at her deeply several times, put away his smile, and nodded.

No wonder the king showed no trace of joy after the noble families confessed their crimes.

While everyone was immersed in the ecstasy of victory, only Princess Wenzhao could discern the king's hidden concerns.