Edict of Self-Reproach

Cloud Deer Academy, headed by Zhao Shou, a third-rank Confucian scholar.

The foremost Confucian School scholar of our time.

Zhao Shou represents not only himself, but also the entire Cloud Deer Academy and all scholars who follow the Confucian School system.

So he came with a carving knife.

Emperor Yuanjing's face suddenly turned pale upon seeing the carving knife. For the first time since ascending the throne, this supreme ruler had faced a death threat within the palace, within the Golden Throne Hall.

"How did you get into the capital? How did you get into the palace?"

Emperor Yuanjing slumped onto his dragon throne, pointing at him, his emotions running high. "Chief Supervisor! Chief Supervisor! Come quickly and protect me!!"

A large number of imperial guards rushed to the outside of the Golden Palace, but were blocked by a barrier of clear light.

"Confucian School will not commit regicide, they will only kill traitors!"

Zhao Shou's face revealed a fearless spirit, as if he were willing to sacrifice himself for his principles. "Zhao Shou, representing the Confucian School, asks you for two promises. The first promise is to immediately issue an edict of self-reproach. The second promise is that Xu Qi'an, who spoke out for the people and redressed the grievances of Lord Zheng, is innocent, and you must issue an imperial edict praising him, acknowledging his innocence, and ensuring that his family is not harmed."

Emperor Yuanjing's face was ashen as he slowly swept his gaze over the assembled officials. These scholars from the Imperial Academy were so numerous that not a single one dared to object. Had the Imperial Academy and Cloud Deer Academy unknowingly joined forces?

"It would have been fine if I had issued an edict of self-reproach, but why are you protecting Xu Qi'an?"

Zhao Shou smiled slightly and announced frankly, "I did not tell him beforehand, Xu Ningyan is my disciple."

What?!

The entire court was dumbfounded. The night Nightwatchers, Xu Qi'an, that scoundrel, was actually the disciple of Zhao Shou, the headmaster of the Cloud Deer Academy?

He... he's actually a Confucian School scholar like me?

He truly deserves the title of poetry champion.

Indeed, how could someone who could write so many timeless masterpieces not be a Confucian School scholar?

Our own people

Various thoughts flashed through their minds.

Wei Yuan frowned, glanced at Zhao Shou, and looked at him with suspicion.

"You want me to pardon that traitor who killed the Duke? You want me to continue to allow him to serve in the court? Ha, ha, ha ha ha!"

Zhao Shou's request seemed to have thoroughly enraged Emperor Yuanjing, driving him into a semi-mad state, where he laughed maniacally.

"Zhao Shou, I am the ruler of a nation, the Son of Heaven. Do you really dare to kill me? I will gamble my life with you on the fate of Confucian School."

The enraged Emperor Yuanjing kicked over a large table, paced back and forth on the pedestal, and pointed at Zhao Shou, angrily shouting, "This is outrageous! This is outrageous! I still have the Supervisor; I don't believe he will stand by and watch you take action!"

He didn't believe Zhao Shou would risk his life for something so trivial. He knew Zhao Shou's lifelong wish was to bring glory to the Cloud Deer Academy.

He was even less convinced that the Director of the Imperial Observatory would sit idly by and watch the emperor be killed, unless the Bureau of Astronomy wanted to sever ties with the fate of the Great Feng Dynasty, or unless the Director of the Imperial Observatory did not want to be a first-rank Warlock.

After being pressured by his officials and threatened in front of the palace by Zhao Shou, Emperor Yuanjing was on the verge of exploding.

At that moment, a beam of light rushed into the hall and transformed in the air into the image of an old man in white robes and with a white beard.

"Yuan Jing, issue an edict of self-reproach!"

Emperor Yuanjing's mind went blank for a moment. He staggered backward and slumped onto the dragon throne.

His eyes were vacant, his face was sallow, like an abandoned old man, like a loser who had been betrayed by everyone.

He finally understood why Wei Yuan and Chief Minister Wang were able to collude with all the officials to force him to issue an edict of self-reproach, and he understood why Zhao Shou dared to enter the capital and force him to issue an edict of self-reproach.

All of this was done at the behest of the supervisor.

After saying this, the old man in white slowly disappeared.

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

The silence was broken only when Zhao Shou spoke, "He no longer deigns to serve as an official in the court."

who is he?

Naturally, this refers to that commoner who loudly proclaimed he wouldn't become an official.

Emperor Yuanjing was oblivious, sitting there in a daze, like an old man on his deathbed.

Star-Gazing Tower, Eight Trigrams Platform.

Xu Qi'an, dressed in simple clothes, stood proudly facing the palace. He raised his wine jug and laughed, "The rise and fall of dynasties throughout history can all be summed up in a single jug of wine."

"Look how smug you are. No teacher will clean up your mess now. See if you get away with it."

Sitting cross-legged at the table was a girl in a yellow dress. She had an oval face, big eyes, and a sweet and lovely appearance. Her cheeks were bulging from the food, making her look like an adorable hamster.

"How are Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Master Hengyuan?"

Xu Qi'an smiled, unconcerned by Chu Caiwei's sarcasm.

"The injuries will be fully healed in a few days." Chu Caiwei frowned and complained, "I'm exhausted! They didn't want Senior Brother Song to help them heal."

They were afraid of becoming guinea pigs Xu Qi'an said with relief.

He didn't say anything more, reminiscing about the events of yesterday.

That day, he came to the Bureau of Astronomy and asked Caiwei to convey a message to the Director: Wei Yuan and Chief Minister Wang wanted to unite with all the officials to force Emperor Yuanjing to issue an edict of self-reproach, and they hoped the Director would help them.

Without the approval of this Great Feng guardian deity, Emperor Yuanjing had maintained checks and balances in the court for many years, with numerous factions vying for power. It would have been difficult for Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen to reach an agreement on a deal that would have been reached in a single day, gaining the consent of more than two-thirds of the officials in the capital.

The supervisor agreed.

Only then did the scene unfold where Xu Qi'an blocked the court officials at the Meridian Gate and abducted Duke Cao and Duke Huguo Que Yongxiu.

Killing these two traitors is just the beginning; Wei Yuan and Chief Minister Wang need to make Emperor Yuanjing confess his crimes before it will be over.

Of course, if Duke Wei and Chief Minister Wang choose to stand idly by, then Xu Qi'an will execute the two traitors to appease the spirits of Zheng Xinghuai and the 380,000 wronged souls of Chuzhou City.

Then he took his family and left Beijing, wandering far away into the world.

Yesterday, he went to the Cloud Deer Academy and told Zhao Shou about his plan. Zhao Shou disagreed with his decision to go far away, because Xu Xinnian was the only Cloud Deer Academy student to enter the Hanlin Academy and become a future prime minister.

This led to the scene where Dean Zhao entered the palace and threatened Emperor Yuanjing.

"I'm no longer an official. Although the connections I've built are still there, it will be difficult to use the power of the imperial court. Moreover, my official career is over; it's impossible for me to climb any higher. When I confront that mastermind behind the scenes in the future, I'll have to rely on other forces."

Xu Qi'an thought for a moment and formulated a new development plan: leveraging connections with powerful figures and his own abilities.

"The members of the Heaven and Earth Society are one of my reliance. Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen are fourth-rank warriors, and Master Hengyuan is an eighth-rank martial monk. However, according to Chu Yuanzhen, the master's explosive power and endurance are excellent. Even if his combat power is not as good as that of a fourth-rank warrior, it is still better than that of a fifth-rank martial artist."

"Lina's combat strength cannot be accurately assessed. She is slightly inferior to Hengyuan, but Master Jinlian said that she is the only genius in the group who can rival me."

"Number One's identity is currently unknown, so let's ignore that for now. Number Nine, Daoist Jinlian, is one of the big shots I can get close to. Behind him are many Daoists from the Earth Sect who haven't yet fallen into demonic possession."

"So next, we need to help Daoist Jinlian protect the Nine-Colored Lotus."

As for Number Seven and Number Eight, it is said that the former is the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect and Li Miaozhen's senior brother. His current whereabouts are unknown. When this person was mentioned, Li Miaozhen hesitated and did not want to talk about it. Later, when she was annoyed by the questions, she said: That guy is a scoundrel just like you, but he got his comeuppance while you did not. But one day you will follow in his footsteps.

Number 8 went into seclusion, and his fate remains unknown.

"Besides Daoist Jinlian, Wei Yuan is the only big shot I can trust. I don't count the Supervisor; he's too unpredictable. All the goodwill he's showing now might not be genuine. Until his true intentions are revealed, nothing is trustworthy."

"Master Shenshu is more trustworthy than the Supervisor, but he is currently in a deep sleep and won't wake up anytime soon. Then, Master Du'e of Buddhist School can be considered a half-reliance. If I'm really forced into a dead end, I'll retreat into the Buddhist order. No, Shenshu is inside me, so going to Buddhist School is a dead end."

"Luo Yuheng, the leader of the Human Sect, has some connection with Jinlian, but my relationship with him is superficial, so I can't really count on him."

After summarizing, Xu Qi'an made a task list in his mind:

Reliable and trustworthy leaders: Master Jinlian (Heaven and Earth Society), Wei Yuan.

Suspected reliable bigwigs: Shen Shu and Jian Zheng.

Potential powerful figures to court: Luo Yuheng and Du'e Luohan.

Enemy: Mysterious Warlock gang, Emperor Yuanjing.

"After the massacre in Chuzhou, I will keep a low profile and try to advance to the fifth rank. This won't be too difficult; I've already touched the threshold of the fifth rank. But the fifth rank is not enough. Only when I reach the fourth rank will I truly have the power to protect myself."

"By the way, I can gauge Emperor Yuanjing's attitude by observing Erlang and Second Uncle's situations. If there's a tendency towards revenge, I'll leave the capital immediately. The best outcome would be for me to leave after advancing to the fourth rank. If I leave now, I'll only be able to rely on Daoist Jinlian; I can't count on any other powerful figures."

Lost in thought, the eunuch sitting motionless at his desk slowly opened his eyes and said, "His Majesty has agreed to issue an edict of self-reproach."

Xu Qi'an breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's a pity we can't force Emperor Yuanjing to abdicate. The old emperor has been in power for many years, and his foundation is still solid. Even though the officials are now forcing him to issue an edict of self-reproach, most people will not support him if we really try to force him to abdicate. The interests involved, the changes in the political situation, and so on are too far-reaching."

"Yes, one shouldn't be greedy. This is the result I wanted," he thought to himself.

The supervisor looked down at the dishes his apprentice had brought him to eat, and felt a pang of melancholy.

"Caiwei, I only went to the palace to watch a play for a while," the supervisor sighed.

"Who told you to watch the show by yourself?" Chu Caiwei said sweetly, her tone assertive.

"When Lingyin, Lina, and I eat, it's all about first come, first served. Even a six-year-old understands that."

The supervisor didn't want to speak anymore.

Xu Qi'an asked curiously, "Why haven't I seen Senior Brother Yang?"

Chu Caiwei replied, "He was suppressed underground by the teacher and went to keep Senior Sister Zhong Li company."

What did that arrogant guy do this time to anger the supervisor? Xu Qi'an wondered.

Caiwei continued, "Teacher, Senior Brother Song asked me to ask you something."

Upon hearing this, the warden paused for a moment, "Does he want death row inmates to conduct alchemical experiments again?"

Chu Caiwei shook her head.

Just as the supervisor breathed a sigh of relief, he heard his young apprentice say in a clear voice, "He said he wants to go to the Human Sect to become an apprentice and learn skills, but since you are his teacher, he doesn't dare to make decisions on his own, so he needs your permission."

The supervisor slowly asked, "What is his reason?"

"Senior Brother Song has reached the final stage of human body refinement, but his Primordial Spirit cannot merge with his physical body. He is very distressed and cannot eat or sleep. The Daoist School is an expert in the realm of Primordial Spirit, and he wants to learn Daoist School Law Technique."

As Chu Caiwei ate, she said, "However, Senior Brother Song said that his heart still belongs to you, Teacher, and he hopes you won't be jealous."

The supervisor remained silent, glancing at Chu Caiwei's greasy lips, then thinking of Zhong Li and Yang Qianhuan suppressed underground. He silently turned his head, gazing at the prosperous capital, and sighed forlornly.

Life is not worth living.

Xu Qi'an quickly covered his mouth, almost bursting out laughing.

The palace was in complete disarray.

The curtains were torn down, the incense burner was overturned, the calligraphy and paintings were ripped to pieces, the tables were overturned, and gold and silver utensils were scattered all over the floor.

Emperor Yuanjing stood amidst the "ruins," wearing a long robe with wide sleeves and disheveled hair.

After thirty-seven years on the throne, his dignity has been trampled underfoot by his ministers. For a proud monarch who considers himself to be at the pinnacle of power, this is a devastating blow.

An ordinary person would go mad if they were humiliated like this, let alone an emperor.

"His Majesty."

The old eunuch came in from outside the door and called out tremblingly.

Emperor Yuanjing stared at him coldly.

"The gentlemen haven't left; they're still gathered in the Golden Palace," the old eunuch whispered.

"What are they doing? What more could they want? Didn't I already agree to their demands?!"

Emperor Yuanjing waved his hands in a fit of emotion and roared hoarsely.

The old eunuch's knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground, lamenting, "Wang Zhenwen and Wei Yuan said they would not dismiss the court until they saw the edict of self-reproach."

Emperor Yuanjing swayed and staggered back a few steps, suddenly feeling a pain in his chest and a metallic taste churning in his throat.

On this day, just after lunch, the imperial court, for the first time ever, posted a notice.

The imperial city gate, the inner city gate, the outer city gate—twelve city gates in total—and twelve bulletin boards were all adorned with Emperor Yuanjing's edict of self-reproach.

Emperor Yuanjing reigned for thirty-seven years and issued his first edict of self-reproach.

This day caused a sensation across all levels of society in the capital.