A messenger clad in the sect’s martial uniform strode into the chamber and bowed deeply. “This humble servant greets His Majesty, Emperor Zhou Yongil, and the esteemed Imperial Court. Today, I bring an important announcement from the Blazing Dawn Sect. On the occasion of the esteemed Young Mistress Lin Cha Mu’s birthday, Sect Leader Liang Feng Cha Ling has officially declared his retirement. The race for ascension to the position of sect leader has begun!”
The court erupted in murmurs of shock. What began as an ordinary morning had now been transformed into a pivotal moment in the empire's political landscape.
Before the court could fully digest the news, the messenger added, “Furthermore, Sect Leader Liang Feng Cha Ling has entrusted me with a personal letter addressed to His Majesty.” He gestured, and an imperial guard stepped forward to receive the sealed scroll, ensuring its safe delivery to the emperor.
But the true surprise was yet to come.
The messenger turned back to the court, his voice rising slightly to capture the attention of all present. “Lastly, I bring news that Her Highness, Princess Huangshu, has declared her support for the Red Faction in the race for sect leadership.”
A stunned silence enveloped the room. The court, already reeling from the unexpected retirement announcement, was now grappling with an equally seismic revelation: Princess Huangshu, long known for her disdain for political machinations, had stepped into the arena of imperial politics. The implications were vast, and the murmurs began anew, louder and more urgent.
Seated beside her brothers, Princess Huangshu maintained a composed expression, though a faint, knowing smile played on her lips. She had anticipated this reaction. The announcement of Her support for the Red Faction had been carefully calculated with Junior Edina. This move, sudden as it appeared, was designed to serve a dual purpose.
Firstly, it signaled her intent to compete for influence in the imperial court, an arena she had previously avoided. Her declaration positioned her as a contender, forcing those who had yet to pledge loyalty to either of her brothers to reconsider their stance. Secondly, her timely response suggested a sophisticated network of intelligence, implying that she had learned of the sect leader’s impending retirement long before anyone else, perhaps even the emperor. This perception was critical in a court where the appearance of competence could outweigh substance.
The murmurs swelled into a cacophony of hushed debates among the ministers. From his seat, First Prince Zhou Wan chuckled softly, breaking the tension. “Well, little sister, it seems your information network surpasses even mine,” he said, turning to Huangshu with a wry smile.
Stolen novel; please report.
Princess Huangshu returned his gaze with a playful chuckle of her own, her fan partially concealing her face. “Ah, Brother Wan, you flatter me. Surely your spies are far more capable than my humble resources. Why, for all I know, even my bodyguard could be in your employ.”
At this, her bodyguard, Jinhai, standing a few steps behind her, visibly flinched, though it was imperceptible to most. The remark struck close to home—he was, in fact, a spy for the Mount Hua Sect, which maintained ties to First Prince Zhou Wan. The First Prince, for his part, forced a nervous laugh. “Come now, little sister, you give me far too much credit.”
Meanwhile, Emperor Zhou Yongil sat silently on his throne, observing the scene with a heavy heart. The sight of his children maneuvering and counter-maneuvering in the political game was a stark reminder of the passage of time. For years, he had avoided naming a successor, hoping to delay the inevitable factionalism and power struggles. Yet, his inaction had only exacerbated the issue. Now, even his youngest child, who had once shunned politics, was staking her claim.
The emperor sighed inwardly. Perhaps the time had come to face the reality he had long avoided. His reign was drawing to a close, and the empire could no longer afford his hesitation. A decision would have to be made.
Seeking to restore order, he raised his hand, his voice cutting through the noise with imperial authority. “Court, settle yourselves. We shall move on to the next agenda.”
As the ministers scrambled to comply, the emperor’s thoughts lingered on the message from the Blazing Dawn Sect.
Jinwei Mansion, Blazing Dawn Sect, Gunghua Province,
The morning sun had vanished behind heavy, snow-laden clouds, casting an ashen hue over the Jinwei Mansion. Inside the grand hall, the air was warm but charged with an undercurrent of tension. Junior Edina sat, her calm smile betraying the satisfaction she felt at their reactions to her proposal.
Chuang Chi, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the table's edge. Her dark eyes reflected the weight of the decision before them as she finally broke the silence. “So,” she began, her tone contemplative, “you’re suggesting we leverage the fact that Mister Rin is a mage from the Western Continent and use his unique magical arts to gain favor among the sect’s disciples?”
Richard nodded slowly. His brow furrowed in thought as he added, “It’s a sound strategy. It’s no secret that martial artists are at a disadvantage when faced with magic. Offering the disciples an opportunity to understand and even learn about such techniques might sway them to our side. After all, knowledge is power, and the allure of mastering the unknown is a strong motivator.”
He paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “If they perceive me as someone who can bridge that gap—someone who can teach them to counter or even incorporate magic into their martial arts—it could give us a significant edge in the sect leader race. This might not only pique their curiosity but also inspire loyalty.”
Junior Edina, allowed herself a small smile of approval. Her sharp eyes darted between the two men as she spoke. “Exactly,” she affirmed, her tone laced with confidence. “The scarcity of mages in the Eastern Continent is a fact known to all. For many of these disciples, the chance to interact with one, let alone learn from one, is virtually nonexistent. Mister Richard’s presence here is an anomaly—a rare asset we can capitalize on. If we present him as an instructor or at least a mentor figure who can teach them the fundamentals of magical theory and ways to combat against it, it will be a tempting prospect.”
Lian Hua, who had been silent until now, finally chimed in. Her voice was soft but resolute, carrying the weight of someone who spoke only when necessary. “The idea is promising, but it’s not without its risks. The disciples may be intrigued, but some of the more conservative factions might view this as an affront to traditional martial practices. We need to tread carefully. The sect has always prided itself on its martial heritage, and any deviation could be seen as a betrayal.”
The room fell silent again, save for the soft crackle of the brazier in the corner. Snowflakes tapped gently against the windowpanes, as if urging them to make their decision. Chuang Chi’s fingers stilled, and her expression shifted to one of determination.