The Decision

At the summit of Nine Dragon Mountain, Heavenly Pool lay tranquil, with a pavilion standing in the heart of the lake.

Moonlight streamed into the room, casting dim, shifting shadows.

Eunuch Nie, already changed into the python robe bestowed by the Emperor, knelt before the imperial desk.

"Your Majesty, this servant was incompetent and failed to fulfill your command."

Behind the imperial desk, candlelight flickered.

Li Yaoxuan wore only a thin inner garment beneath an Imperial Dragon Robe. His face was aged and lined with wrinkles, and his clouded eyes calmly scanned the memorials before him without expression.

"I saw it."

Eunuch Nie's pupils contracted slightly as he hastily tried to explain why he had withdrawn.

"Your Majesty, this servant was not timid. If, at the time—"

"I said."

Li Yaoxuan cast him a somewhat weary glance and softly repeated, "I saw it."

Bang.

Eunuch Nie pressed his forehead tightly against the icy floor.

"This servant knows his crime."

"Xu Yinhe is quite fortunate. The growth of his third son has truly been far faster than expected."

Li Yaoxuan leaned lightly against the back of the dragon throne, interlacing his fingers before his abdomen. With what seemed like a sigh, he said, "Without Xu Changtian, with only his eldest son, I would have many more choices now."

Long before the war to eradicate the barbarians began, Li Yaoxuan had seen through his Prime Minister's intention to cultivate Xu Changtian. But at the time, he had not cared.

Because it was already too late.

Even if he cultivated with the Prime Minister's Estate's full support, by the time Li Yaoxuan's end came, Xu Changtian would at most possess cultivation around the Fusion Realm.

In this extraordinary world, those with low cultivation were easy to deal with.

Once conflict erupted, while standing