Imperial Proclamation

"The Coiling Dragon Heart Method had risen to Level 13 at the crucial moment thanks to Qi Hongxin."

Su Ziji lowered his gaze and saw half a Rosewood Pendant flashing. "Ji Jun of the Dragon Palace underwent Dragon Transformation, greatly influencing the Human Path and forming a Seed of Humanity. Absorb it? (This cannot be reversed.)"

"Yes!"

[Coiling Dragon Heart Method] absorbed Seed of Humanity, +9800, raised to Level 14 (318/14000), Heaven's Mandate +1, Heaven's Mandate 7→8

"9800? The Dragon Palace's influence was this great?" Su Ziji had no time for sighs or celebration. He immediately rose and went out.

He was in a work shed by the riverbank. With his senses now keen, he faintly heard voices in the distance.

On the Shunan Prefecture riverbank, the food basket slipped from Madam Zhou's hands. Wine and food scattered across the ground. She stared blankly, and amid cries of "Lord Qi is dead!" darkness swept over her eyes as she was about to faint.

A personal guard reacted swiftly and caught Madam Zhou at once. "Madam Qi! Madam Qi!"

Su Ziji hurried over from outside the crowd. Seeing this scene, he stopped short, his heart giving a slight jolt. The carriage curtains were open, and Qi Hongxin was still dressed in his official robes, his head slightly bowed as though he had merely nodded off. Yet anyone could see that he had already passed on.

Though Su Ziji and Qi Hongxin had not truly shared any friendship, and had even clashed over differing views, if not for the locust plague and flood control forcing them to work together, the two would likely have torn into each other over public affairs and private grudges long ago.

But where were there so many "ifs" in this world? The reality was that