In the silent, pitch-black grove, moonlight filtered through the branches, scattering into countless specks. The place felt eerie.
Xu Lanqing made no comment on the emperor's words and changed the subject.
"Let's leave that aside for now. I have something else I'd like to discuss with Father."
"What is it?" the emperor asked.
"It concerns the Holy Spirit Cult. Xu Tianran is dead, but the Holy Spirit Cult is still going strong. Every second those Evil Soul Masters remain alive, they could pose a threat to the empire."
Xu Lanqing looked at the emperor, whose back was slightly bent but still upright, listening attentively, and spoke earnestly.
"So they have to die!"
Ma Xiaotao, resting with her back against a tree, opened her eyes at his words and looked at Xu Lanqing. Though the night was pitch-black, she could make out every detail of his face, clear as day.
After looking him over once, she closed her eyes again and rested quietly.
The emperor did not reply at once.
The night wind swept through the grove, rustling the leaves. The moonlight swayed with them, wavering across the emperor's face.
Xu Lanqing's tone was firm. The emperor knew he had made up his mind this time. It was less a discussion than a notification.
Whether the emperor agreed or not, Xu Lanqing would act.
What a shame...
The emperor sighed inwardly. He had originally intended to keep the Holy Spirit Cult around and make use of them.
You couldn't have both fish and bear's paw; he understood that. Since things had come this far, he could only keep going down the path he had chosen.
"So how do you plan to proceed?" the emperor asked, his aged voice as steady as ever.
His expression remained composed, though his thoughts were in