Three Questions of Humanity, the Divine General Strikes

(PS: Not many words today. I sorted out the later plot, and I'm feeling much better. Thank you for everyone's understanding these past few days. Tomorrow, I'll resume three daily updates totaling ten thousand words!)

The next day, the Emperor ordered a forced march, immediately drawing remonstrance from the ministers and nobles. After all, this entourage was not merely an army; it also included numerous high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Besides, they were going to Mount Tai for the Fengshan Ceremony, not to fight a war. A forced march was completely meaningless.

But only the Emperor himself knew that it was meaningful.

The closer they came to Mount Tai, the more distinct that terrifying pressure became. Something was gathering without erupting, yet it was growing ever heavier. Though the Emperor was no transcendent being, he could clearly sense it all. Instinctively, he knew that he did not have much time left.

The Emperor had ruled the realm for more than ten years. Though he had achieved no great accomplishments during that time, his position was there for all to see. The longer he ruled, the greater his majesty became. Thus, even though many ministers and generals opposed it, under the Emperor's forceful authority, the forced march began the next day nonetheless. By shortly after noon, they had indeed reached the foot of Mount Tai.

The many officials and nobles naturally complained without end. The Emperor knew of their grievances, but all his attention was now on Mount Tai. He did not even care about the entire ritual process of the Fengshan Ceremony, because he knew those procedures meant nothing for this journey. The only things that truly mattered were the Lin siblings and himself.

"...Then I shall rely upon all of you for every procedure, rite, and auspicious hour."

The Emperor