Gathering Storm in Yujing City

Shadow Guard Deputy Commander Ying Shisan returned defeated, bringing back a message from Duke of Zhenguo Chen Qing: "Northern Frontier affairs are pressing, and I cannot return to the capital for the time being." This act, bordering on open defiance of the imperial decree, completely ignited the powder keg that had been accumulating in Yujing for a long time.

The memorials of impeachment were no longer like snowflakes but rained down upon the Directorate of Transmissions like a storm. The language used was more intense than ever, directly accusing Chen Qing of "hoarding troops, disregarding the sovereign, and acting like a traitor," demanding that the Emperor take decisive measures immediately.

Meanwhile, all sorts of rumors about Chen Qing spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys of Yujing.

Some said he practiced demonic arts that devoured living beings, with hundreds of thousands of people in the Northern Mang Royal Court becoming sustenance for his cultivation; others claimed he had found the imperial seal of the previous dynasty in the Northern Mang Royal Court and had secretly declared himself emperor; and still others alleged he had colluded with the northern barbarians, intending to march south and overthrow Great Yan...

Whether true or false, real or fabricated, Chen Qing's image was molded into that of a cruel, ambitious, and monstrous figure of chaos.

In the imperial court, the war faction and the appeasement faction argued fiercely.

The war faction, led by the Minister of War and some noble generals, believed that Chen Qing's ambition was evident and that they must launch a swift and decisive military campaign before his foundation was stable, lest he become an endless source of trouble.

The appeasement faction, led by the Prime Minister and some civil officials, argued that the Northern Frontier had just been pacified, Chen Qing had made outstanding contributions, and he enjoyed immense prestige among the border troops and the populace. A rash campaign might trigger a large-scale rebellion and shake the foundation of the state. They advocated for a strategy of appeasement and gradual progress.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate, and the Golden Palace was like a marketplace every day.

The Emperor's expression on the dragon throne grew more somber with each passing day. How he wished he could immediately apprehend this out-of-control tiger and bring Chen Qing back to the capital! However, the twenty thousand elite troops of the Northern Frontier, coupled with Chen Qing's unfathomable cultivation in the Aperture Opening Realm, made him hesitant to act.

More importantly, he vaguely sensed that beneath the surface of the court, an undercurrent was pushing the attacks against Chen Qing, and its purpose was likely not solely for the benefit of the imperial court.

One day, late at night, in the Imperial Study.

The Emperor dismissed everyone else, leaving only the Grand Commander of the Shadow Guard, a figure shrouded in a black robe, whose aura was like that of an abyss.

"Have you found out? Where did those rumors first originate?" The Emperor's voice carried a hint of weariness and coldness.

The Grand Commander of the Shadow Guard's voice was hoarse and low: "Your Majesty, the sources of the rumors are numerous and difficult to trace. However, some of the key ones seem... to be related to Marquis Zhenbei's Manor."

"Han Qianshan?" A cold glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes. Marquis Zhenbei Han Qianshan, one of the military giants, was also one of the first to pay attention to Chen Qing. "What does he want? To use a borrowed knife to kill? Or... is he also coveting that Black Tiger inheritance?"

"This subordinate is still investigating. Additionally, disciples from sacred grounds like Lanke Temple and Zhenwu Sect have been frequently active in Yujing recently, and they seem... to be quite interested in the affairs of the Northern Frontier."

The Emperor fell silent for a long time, his fingers tapping on the table. The situation was becoming increasingly complex. Chen Qing was like a giant stone thrown into water, not only stirring up the court but also attracting lurking leviathans from all sides.

"Continue to keep a close watch on Marquis Zhenbei's Manor and those martial arts sects. Also," a hint of decisiveness flashed in the Emperor's eyes, "issue an edict to 'Tianwu Pavilion,' ordering them to send two elders out of seclusion and secretly travel to the Northern Frontier. I want them to thoroughly assess Chen Qing's true strength and... threat level."

Tianwu Pavilion! A secret organization cultivated by the imperial family to train top experts, whose elders were at least at the Aperture Opening Realm!

"Yes!" The Grand Commander of the Shadow Guard bowed and accepted the order, his figure slowly blending into the shadows and disappearing.

The Emperor sat alone in the Imperial Study, gazing at the flickering candlelight, his eyes deep.

"Chen Qing, oh Chen Qing, I gave you glory and wealth, I gave you supreme authority, why... must you walk this path that makes things difficult for me?"

While Yujing was in turmoil and the Emperor was secretly mobilizing his forces, Marquis Zhenbei's Manor remained peaceful.

In the study, Marquis Zhenbei Han Qianshan was playing chess with an old monk in a moon-white robe. The old monk had white eyebrows and beard, a ruddy complexion, and clear eyes; he was none other than the abbot of Lanke Temple, Master Huijue.

"Marquis, the storm is brewing in the capital, yet you are in such good spirits," Master Huijue said calmly as he placed a chess piece.

Han Qianshan looked at the chessboard and said faintly, "When the storm comes, it cannot be avoided. It is better to remain calm and see how this game will ultimately unfold."

"Is that Chen Qing truly a successor of the Black Tiger Sect?" Master Huijue asked.

"Eight or nine out of ten," Han Qianshan replied, placing a piece. "Moreover, the inheritance he obtained is likely more complete than we imagined. The fragment from the Northern Mang Royal Court should have already fallen into his hands."

Master Huijue twirled his prayer beads. "The Black Tiger's emergence, with its sky-piercing malevolent energy, is a sign of military calamity. Marquis, you had a connection with the Black Tiger Sect in the past. What are your plans now?"

Han Qianshan was silent for a moment, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "The Black Tiger Sect is the Black Tiger Sect, and Chen Qing is Chen Qing. This young man's character and methods are extraordinary. His Majesty wishes to eliminate him quickly, but I feel there might be a possibility of cooperation."

"Oh?" Master Huijue raised his eyes to look at him. "Is Marquis planning to... use a tiger to devour a wolf? Or... to nurture a tiger as a potential threat?"

Han Qianshan did not answer directly but instead asked, "Master, you did not come to the capital merely to play chess with this old man, did you?"

Master Huijue smiled slightly. "Amitabha. This old monk is a person outside the secular world and should not meddle in worldly disputes. However, with malevolent energy soaring to the heavens, it concerns the destiny of all living beings under heaven. Lanke Temple cannot remain uninvolved. I have come to see where this Fierce Tiger will lead this world."

"It seems, Master, that you can no longer sit still," Han Qianshan chuckled. "Since that is the case, perhaps we should... add more fuel to the fire."

He took out a secret letter and handed it to Master Huijue. "This is the latest intelligence my subordinate just received from the Northern Frontier, regarding some interesting characteristics of Chen Qing's cultivation techniques..."

Master Huijue took the secret letter and quickly scanned it. A slight change in expression appeared on his usually serene face. "Devouring malevolent energy, condensing Dharma Aspect... This seems to be the path of the Heaven Swallowing Fiend Scripture? Could the legends be true?"

"Whether it's true or not, it will soon be revealed," Han Qianshan said with deep eyes. "When everyone believes he possesses a rare treasure and cultivates demonic arts, Yujing will truly become lively."

Master Huijue looked deeply at Han Qianshan and burned the secret letter. "Marquis has a good plan. However, be careful not to play with fire and get burned."

"Master, rest assured," Han Qianshan said confidently. "This fire will not reach Marquis Zhenbei's Manor."

While the two old masters were secretly making their arrangements, no one noticed a shadowy figure, like a ghost, silently infiltrating Yujing, heading straight for... Chen Qing's secret stronghold in Yujing.

The winds of change had already quietly gathered in Yujing.

A massive storm, centered around Chen Qing and involving the imperial court, the martial arts world, and even the hidden reserves of the royal family, was slowly beginning to unfold. And Chen Qing, far away in the Northern Frontier, seemed completely unaware of it, still diligently cultivating in Zhenbei City, digesting the power brought by that black fragment, and awaiting... his final transformation.