Boom.
A muffled clap of thunder rumbled through the clouds.
Heavy black clouds pressed down over Capital Prefecture in an instant.
The cold wind began to howl.
Chen Xuanji looked up at the sky, and a trace of chill unexpectedly tugged at his usually expressionless face.
"His Majesty and I discussed the southern journey half a month ago."
"I had planned to leave after the fifteenth, but now... something may have happened in Shuzhou."
Mo Baiyi naturally knew that Chen Xuanji had long decided upon the southern journey, and he also knew what His Majesty and Chen Xuanji intended.
—To inspect the Border Towns and make the final preparations for the great war.
Mo Baiyi fell silent for a moment before asking thoughtfully, "Because of the annual examination some time ago?"
Chen Xuanji nodded slightly. Clouds and mist reflected in his deep eyes, with a faint glimmer of crystalline light flashing within.
"Ma Shuhan used the annual examination as an opportunity to reveal heavenly secrets. The intentions of whoever hid behind him are not hard to imagine."
Mo Baiyi glanced at him, then turned to the horizon as well. "The Nine Provinces and Three Prefectures are in an uproar now, and the scholarly circles have been shaken. His Majesty must have flown into a dragon-faced rage, no?"
Chen Xuanji shook his head. "At first, he did."
"But after the time it took to drink a cup of tea, His Majesty understood."
"He wanted to take this opportunity to see whether the people's hearts could be put to use."
A smile appeared on Mo Baiyi's face. "What a fine case of making the best of a mistake. His Majesty is far steadier than he was in his youth."
After a pause, he continued, "His schemes have also grown much deeper."
Chen