“An Emperor, after all, is but the ruler of a single domain. Even with Pangu’s Giant Body, they are merely capable of maintaining the status quo. Only Xirang can truly break the Emperor’s shackles, allowing them to lead their armies personally.”
The world, watching through the Sky Mirrors, murmured amongst themselves. Although they were in different places around the world, they were connected in mind at the moment.
A single truth had been revealed: Xirang was the key to the world. Whoever controlled it, controlled everything.
“Xirang… the key to the world…” Yao Guang repeated the words with a smirk. Her demeanor was anything but that of a defeated ruler.
A narrow defeat, nothing more. She was Yao Guang, Empress of Great Ci. To have challenged Jiajing within his own territory, even in defeat, it was not a disgrace, but a glorious achievement, a feat no other Emperor could claim.
However, Jiajing’s victory was as bitter as a defeat, his usual arrogance gone, his reputation as the world’s strongest shattered by the power of Xirang, now stood a shadow of his former self, his confidence shaken.
Would the battle continue? The world held its breath, watching through the Sky Mirrors, waiting for his decision.
“Yao Guang… you may leave. I shall not see you out.”
Jiajing’s words shocked the world. He had defeated Yao Guang, but he couldn’t kill her. Within his own territory, a defeated enemy Emperor had been allowed to retreat unharmed?
“Indeed.” Yao Guang’s laughter echoed between heaven and earth.
“I shall take my leave.” She departed as casually as she had arrived, leaving Jiajing and his fifty thousand soldiers to watch helplessly.
For a long while, Jiajing remained motionless like a grim, silent statue, even after Yao Guang had vanished from sight. Then, several figures descended from the sky, their auras powerful and imposing. They knelt before Jiajing.
“Your Majesty, we, Yan Song, Xu Jie, and Lu Bing, beg your forgiveness.”
Whether by Yao Guang’s oversight or deliberate design, the Sky Mirrors remained active, broadcasting the scene for all to see.
“Your Majesty, Yao Guang has insulted your authority. We must retaliate! We must send our armies against Great Ci and avenge this humiliation!” Grand Secretary Yan Song declared.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. I concur,” added Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie.
“Though I am not a military man, I am willing to serve as your vanguard, to shed my blood for the Great Ming!” Lu Bing, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, declared.
The three officials’ sentiments mirrored those of countless citizens of the Great Ming. This was a disgrace! But Jiajing simply glanced at them, his expression no longer angry, but the arrogance had also vanished, replaced by a profound, almost unsettling calmness.
“Attack Great Ci?” he murmured, as if to himself.
“Yes! Attack Great Ci!” the three officials shouted in unison.
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Jiajing’s laughter sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it. Then, his next words were even more disturbing.
“And send them to their deaths?”
The three officials were stunned into silence. How could Jiajing, a man renowned for his pride, utter such words? Was he admitting that the Great Ming was weaker than Great Ci?
Yao Guang, a mere woman, had dared to challenge him within his own territory, and though defeated, she had retreated with her honor intact. Yet, he, Jiajing, dared not retaliate. The comparison was stark, and deeply humiliating.
“Your Majesty!” Yan Song knelt down and cried bitterly.
“A ruler’s shame is his subjects’ shame. A ruler’s humiliation is his subjects’ death! It is my incompetence that has brought you such disgrace! I… I…”
The Grand Secretary’s grief was echoed by Xu Jie and Lu Bing, who knelt, begging for forgiveness.
The world watched, stunned into silence. Jiajing’s apparent helplessness only served to emphasize the power of Xirang.
After a long moment, Jiajing sighed. “Issue my decree.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Yan Song’s weeping ceased instantly. Xu Jie and Lu Bing remained kneeling, awaiting his command.
“I command Lu Bing, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to search the land for any information regarding Xirang. Whoever presents me with Xirang shall be granted the title of Prince, a hereditary title passed down through their lineage.”
The world was once again in an uproar. A hereditary title of Prince? A single portion of Xirang was worth such a reward?
A frenzy of excitement swept across the land. Though Xirang’s power was extraordinary, it seemed only Emperors could utilize it. For ordinary cultivators, it was useless. But to exchange a portion of Xirang for a hereditary title, for generations of wealth and privilege, even without achieving immortality, it was a tempting offer.
“Xirang! I must find Xirang! I shall search the deepest oceans, the highest mountains, the harshest deserts! If I find it, I shall be a Prince!”
The world had gone mad, their greed ignited by the power of Xirang, revealed through Yao Guang’s Sky Mirror.
The opportunity for instant elevation, it seemed within reach. The final image reflected in the Sky Mirrors was Emperor Jiajing’s retreating figure, a lonely silhouette against the setting sun, a poignant reminder of the saying, “The setting sun is beautiful, but it is near dusk.” Was Jiajing’s era finally coming to an end?
At Mianchi, Yao Guang, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan gathered once more. This time, even Fan Li was excluded. It was a Four Emperors’ Summit.
“Empress Yao Guang… you’ve worked hard,” Cao Cao looked at her. A complex mix of emotions swirled within his eyes.
In her battle against Jiajing, Yao Guang had used a portion of Xirang. Now, they all possessed an equal share. With their fears allayed, the three Emperors should have been eager to finalize their plan to assassinate Jiajing. Yet, their expressions were grim, their silence heavy with unspoken concerns.
Yao Guang smiled, but offered no explanation. Only an Emperor could truly understand another Emperor’s mind. In her battle against Jiajing, Yao Guang had not only demonstrated her strength but had also gained immense prestige, her popularity now rivaling, perhaps even surpassing, Jiajing’s.
Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan, however, their reigns marked by relative obscurity, their recent military campaigns against the Great Ming ending in disastrous defeats, their authority diminished, their prestige tarnished.
If not for their Great Vehicle cultivation, their reputations might have sunk even lower than that of the puppet Emperor Xiang Chong.
Their imperial authority weakened, how could they hope to conquer the world? Was this all part of Yao Guang’s plan, or simply an unforeseen consequence? They couldn't question her, they wouldn't dare. They could only endure the humiliation.
“Empress Yao Guang, I have a question,” Liu Bei spoke up.
“Please, speak freely, Emperor Han.”
“Your battle against Jiajing, though impressive, has revealed the existence of Xirang. He has now ordered his troops to guard the borders, to strengthen the defenses of every city and pass. He has even issued decrees restricting travel and trade, effectively closing off the Great Ming. Jiajing is afraid. Unless he obtains Xirang, he will not leave his territory. How then, can we possibly assassinate him outside the Great Ming’s borders?” Liu Bei’s words, spoken with a hint of accusation, clearly placed the blame upon Yao Guang.
She, however, remained unfazed. After a moment of laughter, she replied, “Emperor Han, your question is insightful. But haven’t you realized? Your question… is also your answer.”
Not only Liu Bei, but Cao Cao and Sun Quan as well, looked at her curiously.
“We possess all of Nüwa’s Xirang. There is no more to be found. For years to come, Jiajing’s search will be fruitless. Then, we shall release a rumor, a false lead, suggesting that a portion of Xirang exists outside the Great Ming. A desperate Jiajing will surely take the bait…”