Xuanlun Mountain Villa had officially been struck from the rolls.
When this news reached the ears of every major power.
Zeng Anmin boarded a ship and left Xiliu, setting out on his journey back to the capital.
Master Hongji also expended immense magical power to pray for rain over Xiliu. The great drought there gradually began to show signs of renewed life.
The disaster relief grain was enough to feed the victims until next spring.
Once spring arrived and the first harvest came in, Xiliu's disaster would have passed without any real danger.
Governor of Xiliu An Jiuyuan submitted a memorial to the throne:
Xuanlun Mountain Villa had seized relief grain and intended rebellion.
Zeng Anmin led two hundred armored soldiers in an assault and conquered it.
Xuanlun Mountain Villa had been struck from the rolls.
Three simple sentences.
Yet they delivered an absolute shock to the entire Great Sage Dynasty.
As winter gradually set in, Emperor Jianhong lay in a chair with a blanket draped over him.
With a brazier heating the Imperial Study, it was not cold inside.
"Your Majesty, a secret report has arrived."
A respectful voice rang through the room.
"Mm."
Emperor Jianhong nodded faintly and slowly extended a hand. As his palm opened, a slip of paper seemed to be carried by a gentle breeze, landing precisely in his hand.
He unfolded the note and looked it over.
The calmness in his eyes from a moment earlier instantly turned razor-sharp upon seeing its contents.
"Dead?"
He slowly raised his head and looked expressionlessly toward a certain spot.
"One dead, one missing."
Within the empty Imperial Study, a voice condensed into a thread and entered Emperor Jianhong's ears.
Emperor Jianhong's hands suddenly clenched.
His body did not move.
Yet a silence heavy enough to crush