Chapter 599 - 337: I Am Invincible

Yet, he languished in obscurity at the Hanlin Academy for six long years, only assuming the role of Fifth-Grade Junior Minister at Honglu Temple at the age of twenty-eight. By forty, he had become the teacher of the current Holy Emperor. Later, on his deathbed, the late Emperor promoted him to Minister of Heaven—the head of the Nine Ministers—to assist the current Holy Emperor.

Twenty years had passed since then.

Twenty years was neither a long nor a short time. However, aside from the Minister of Heaven, the other eight ministers in the Imperial Court had been replaced entirely; some positions had even seen multiple changes. For instance, before Chen Xuanji, the position of Minister of War had been held by Luo Yong, Le Yi, Duanmu Yun, and others.

Thus, Cui Mao’s ability to securely hold the position of Minister of Heaven for two decades was exceptionally remarkable. In other words, his intellect and political maneuvering were far from simple. Otherwise, the current Holy Emperor wouldn’t have praised Cui Mao as the "Number One Minister of the Great Wei."

As Feng Erbao pondered this, his expression gradually calmed. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed out his Duster, sweeping up Liu Taoyao to carry him back to the relay station. Although he was a close attendant to the current Holy Emperor and his absolute loyalty should lie with the Emperor, he clearly understood Cui Mao’s place in His Majesty’s heart. Leaving aside the fact that Liu Hong had already brought doom upon himself, even if there were no reason at all, the current Holy Emperor would not punish Cui Mao for eliminating him.

Feng Erbao knew this very well, so naturally, he wouldn’t wag his tongue out of turn. On the contrary, by leveraging his connection with Cui Mao, he, a Chief Eunuch, might just advance further to become the highest-ranking Chief Eunuch.

A short while later.

The carriages bound for the Capital Prefecture set off once more, galloping north along the official Dao.

Song Jinjian watched the carriages from afar, his palm repeatedly stroking the hilt of his Non-Struggle Sword at his waist. Eventually, he lifted his hand, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked down at the carriages disappearing at the end of the official Dao.

"Had the Lord not given specific orders, I would have killed that eunuch without a second thought. It would have been a fitting tribute to Liu Gongmo’s spirit in heaven." A contemptuous smile tugged at the corners of Song Jinjian’s lips. He turned and waved toward the other side. "Come out. It’s time for you to hit the road as well."

Liu Zhaoxue, her figure concealed beneath a black cloak, stepped forward. Behind her followed Zhao Shichang, similarly dressed entirely in black. She cast a complicated look toward the official Dao to the north, not saying a word.

Zhao Shichang, however, bypassed her without hesitation, dropping to one knee and bowing his head. "My lord, shall we wait for you in the Capital Prefecture?"

"We are not going to the Capital Prefecture," Song Jinjian said flatly. "We are going to Jinling."

Though confused, Zhao Shichang readily agreed, rising to his feet and stepping behind a nearby tree.

Song Jinjian’s gaze then fell upon Liu Zhaoxue, a flicker of appreciation flashing in his eyes. But when Liu Zhaoxue looked back at him, his expression reverted to a calm, cold indifference.

"Have you made up your mind? Are you choosing to stay behind, or will you go to Jinling with Zhao Shichang?" he asked.

Liu Zhaoxue looked at him, falling into a brief silence. Staying behind meant following by his side. Going to Jinling...

"The Liu family is no more. What point is there in me going to Jinling?"

Song Jinjian looked at her noncommittally. "Don’t you plan to avenge the Jing State Liu Family?"

"Avenge them?" A trace of sorrow flitted across Liu Zhaoxue’s elegant and beautiful face. She shook her head. "The Holy Emperor passed down the punishment, exterminating the three branches of the Liu family. What ability do I, Zhaoxue, have to seek revenge against the ruler of a nation?

"Or are you suggesting that I should place the blame on Cui Mao?"

"Insolent!" Before Song Jinjian could speak, Zhao Shichang sharply reprimanded her from the side. "How dare you address the Lord by his true name?"

Liu Zhaoxue glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, sneering. "Are you my Third Uncle’s Staff Officer, or are you a dog of the Cui Family?"

Zhao Shichang snorted. "From beginning to end, I have only ever followed the Lord!"

"A loyal hound."

"You..."

Just as Zhao Shichang raised his hand, Song Jinjian thrust out One Finger. A burst of Sword Qi slashed past like the wind.

THUD.

His hand, severed cleanly at the wrist, fell to the base of the tree.

Zhao Shichang snapped back to his senses and immediately dropped to his knees on the branch. "Please forgive my offense, my lord!"

Song Jinjian didn’t even spare him a glance. "Get lost."

Ignoring the need to treat his wound, Zhao Shichang leapt down to the base of the tree, grabbed his severed hand, and darted straight toward the north. Dozens of figures clad in black who had been hiding in the surroundings departed along with him.

A short while later.

Song Jinjian looked at Liu Zhaoxue, who was standing with her head bowed in silence, and shook his head. "Since that is the case, you will stay by my side."

Liu Zhaoxue raised her head to look at him, her face returning to its previous coldness. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll look for an opportunity to kill you?

"You... you clearly promised Third Uncle that you would keep Liu Taoyao safe. Why did you sever his roots and extinguish the bloodline of our Liu family?"

Song Jinjian cast a sidelong glance at her, then turned his head to gaze at the dark clouds in the distant night sky.

Deafening thunder shook the heavens as streaks of lightning crashed down, illuminating their figures.

"Liu Hong committed the heinous crime of treason. The Jing State Liu Family was never meant to have any surviving bloodline. Allowing Liu Taoyao to eke out a miserable existence in this world is already a show of mercy from the Lord."

Liu Zhaoxue stared at him. "What about me, then?"

"You are still of great use. For now, your life is spared."

Song Jinjian retracted his gaze, a smile touching his handsome face. "As for whether you will look for a chance to kill me... you are more than welcome to try.

"But I must remind you—you will only get one chance."

Liu Zhaoxue’s eyes were clear. Looking at his smiling face, she gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

Seeing this, Song Jinjian’s smile faded. In a blur of motion, he took her and headed back to the Prefecture City.

"I will remain in the Shu State until the end of the year.

"During this time, you should put in the hard work to improve your Cultivation."

"Yes, my lord..."

Two days later.

News of everything that had transpired in the Shu State reached the Capital Prefecture. To be precise, it reached the White Tiger Guard.

Xuan Xing, dressed in a red robe and wearing a white mask, took the deciphered secret missive and headed straight for a Quiet Chamber near the third floor. He waited for a moment. Hearing no sound from within, he simply slipped the missive through the crack under the door and respectfully took his leave.

Inside the empty, pitch-black Quiet Chamber, a sudden gust of wind blew in from nowhere, sweeping up the secret missive. The letter tumbled through the air twice before slipping back out through the gap under the door. It then silently drifted across two long corridors, finally entering another Quiet Chamber on the opposite side.