Unease

The capital of the Great Qi, the Prime Minister's Office.

Sima Ruiming was resting with his eyes closed, enveloped by a bead emitting a dark, mysterious light.

The Nine-Aperture Mystic Nether Pearl is formed from the essence of water in heaven and earth, born deep within the eye of the ocean, and only one aperture is formed every thousand years. A perfect nine-aperture pearl is even rarer.

For water-elemental cultivators, it is a treasure that aids in cultivation and purifies true essence.

A misty vapor surrounded him, and a deep blue aura of Law Power swirled around him. Above him, the phantom of a dragon grew increasingly solid, winding and coiling, exuding an imposing aura.

The Firmament Luo River Mirror hangs before them, connecting to the Firmament Heaven above and monitoring the entire Great Qi territory below the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm.

But at this moment, the mirror was crystal clear, strangely clear, and completely empty, seemingly reflecting the unease in Sima Ruiming's heart.

"Father..." Sima Ruiming opened his eyes, made a hand Method Formula, and a wisp of his life essence entered into it. It was Secret Method bestowed by the Firmament Heaven, which could be traced and contacted even across the Great Void and different realms.

Shui Jing waited for a long time, but it remained empty. There was no reply, no Divine Sense imprint, and not even the most basic "read" status.

Sima Ruiming's expression immediately darkened.

The strange phenomena of the deaths of Emperor Yin and Emperor Qi shocked the entire Wind Abyss Ruin Realm.

The sorrow of the people under the kingly rule, bearing witness to the dissipation of the sword's might over a thousand years.

The domineering and unparalleled sword intent soared into the sky, shattering silently at the peak.

He sensed something was wrong.

Of the nine Purple Mansion in this realm, why were only two emperors granted three days of divine intervention?

Why is there no news from Father, and Purple Mansion Cangxuan Mansion, which should be guarding the Great Void and deterring this world? They have all disappeared without a trace!

Deep inside him, a voice coldly reminded him:

"Piece."

Sima Ruiming suddenly looked up, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes, but it quickly turned into a deeper fear.

"Someone is plotting against us! Cangxuan definitely has more than one Golden Core cultivator involved in this scheme! Is it targeting [Luo River Cosmic Heaven]'s father, or...?!"

I have already become a pawn. Since I have become a pawn, I must be useful, otherwise...

Whether it's exchanging pieces or...

On someone else's chessboard, you are not in control of your own destiny!

He dared not think any further.

Your Highness.

Sima An's voice came from outside the door.

That was the day they brought news from the Southern Region, along with the envoy brought back by Sima You.

Sima Ruiming received the news and also offered advice.

The silence was terrifyingly oppressive; in the end, he simply said, "I understand."

He knew that His Highness must be furious, yet he managed to suppress it, showing his growing composure.

Since then, he has become more cautious and can only perform tasks such as delivering messages.

Sima Ruiming closed his eyes, suppressed his emotions, and his voice returned to its usual calm and indifferent tone.

"Come in."

Sima An pushed open the door and entered, bowing as he spoke.

"Battle report from the front: The Yin Dynasty army is suffering repeated defeats. Wherever the Great Qi Dynasty's army goes, it is warmly welcomed by the Aristocratic Clan and clans. It has already captured a hundred cities. At this rate, it will be able to swallow up half of the Great Yin's territory within a month."

"Not enough." A glint of light flashed in Sima Ruiming.

"Send the order: launch a full-scale attack, regardless of the cost. I want to see the Yin Dynasty destroyed within three months."

Sima An paused slightly. "Your Highness, although the Yin Dynasty has a newly enthroned emperor and its foundation is unstable, its domineering national power and fortune still exist, and its foundation remains. Such a hasty attack may..."

What are you afraid of?

Sima Ruiming coldly interrupted.

"The Great Yin Emperor is dead, the Purple Mansion is destroyed, what is there to fear? Domineering power? The domineering power of the new Great Yin Emperor? Laughable!"

Sima Ruiming paused again, his voice low.

"The destiny... I want the destiny of the Great Yin, to devour Great Yin territory bit by bit, to plunder its heritage, to use that Li Tian to forge the King-Observing Emperor Sword, to forge the Kingly Zhanlu! Zhanlu's appearance in this realm must be the Great Peace Temple! What exactly are they trying to do?!... To protect themselves, they need bargaining chips! Value! In this way, the pawns... have a chance to survive!"

Sima Ruiming did not continue speaking beyond that.

Sima An dared not ask any further questions and bowed as he withdrew.

Silence returned.

Sima Ruiming stared blankly at the Firmament Luo River Mirror, a complex and unfathomable expression flashing in his eyes.

It wasn't that he was impatient! He himself didn't want to believe it, but he had to. Wasn't Great Peace Temple always closely connected with the Sima Clan?!

"Small trends can be reversed, but the overall trend cannot be changed..."

He murmured his father's (Sima Huanyu) teachings, hoping to find a glimmer of clarity, and determined to convince himself.

Moreover, the benefits of absorbing fortune were so enticing that Sima Ruiming was almost unable to give them up.

The feeling of that overwhelming surge of fortune flowing into his body caused the outline of his Dao Foundation [Mystic Nether Dragon Lord] to become increasingly solid, reaching the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"The overall trend remains unchanged. No matter what the True Lord of the Heavens are plotting, this realm will ultimately belong to Cangxuan. I only need to... only need to complete the predetermined course, control Great Qi, and annex Great Yin..."

"That's right! All the fortune is in my hands, the Emperor Sword is one with me, no matter how those old guys scheme, they can only grit their teeth and accept this established fact."

"My father is also a chess player! He certainly won't abandon me! I am a direct descendant of the Great Jin royal family! In the Cangxuan Ancient Realm, my Sima clan will ultimately reign supreme!"

Suddenly, Sima Ruiming couldn't help but think of what had happened some time ago.

The Ye Clan?! The Xie Clan!

Did Ye Jinyu already know something?

What are they trying to do?

But now the Southern Region remains inactive, not interfering in the Northern Region.

But thinking of that humiliation, Sima Ruiming clenched his fists.

Ye Jinyu, retribution may be delayed, but it will come. Once I have dealt with the Great Yin, I will make you understand the power of Sima Ruiming!

"Men! Keep a close watch on the Southern Region!"

Sima Ruiming gave the order to the person outside the door.

Report any unusual activity immediately.

"Yes."

Sima An responded from outside the door.

Northern Region, Great Yin.

In the dead of night, the once magnificent and imposing royal palace was unusually deserted.

After admonishing his nephew, the Emperor, Yin Ji secluded himself in his residence and never went out, spending his days drinking wine in his bedchamber.

"Your Highness is up all night, drowning your sorrows in alcohol, worried about the fate of the nation?! Your Emperor is utterly stubborn, and my young master's patience is almost exhausted..."

Upon hearing the sound, Yin Ji, who was somewhat drunk, suddenly sobered up.

The door to the sleeping quarters had been opened at some point, but the night breeze stirred and the candlelight flickered before returning to stillness.

Across the table, someone had already taken up a seat.

The man was young, with refined and serene features. He wore a Yunlan robe and had his black hair tied up with a jade hairpin. His aura was pure and gentle, like a gentle breeze at dawn from the heavens.

[Clear Heng Radiant Wind], Ye Jinxuan.

Yin Ji's heart tightened suddenly.

He didn't move or call out to anyone.

The people from the Cangxuan Ye Clan entered his palace alone; they were probably not there to take his life.

"The Ye Clan's envoy arrived late at night."

Yin Ji suddenly smiled, lowered his voice, and remained calm on his face.

"What is it you want?"

"The current emperor of the Great Yin Dynasty could aptly be called Emperor You, wouldn't you? I witnessed quite a few scenes on my way to the Great Yin..."

Ye Jinxuan smiled.

"A harsh government is like a dark prison, and the people are like prisoners, a scene of raging inferno!"

Yin Ji listened to Ye Jinxuan's words without responding, seemingly acquiescing to his statement.

He poured himself a drink, his face showing a mixture of confusion, thought, and uncertainty.

for a long time.

"What does Your Excellency wish me to do?"

Ye Jinming looked at Yin Ji and nodded.

"Speaking to smart people, who are pragmatic and know when to advance and retreat, requires no effort at all."

"Your Highness, rest assured, there's no need for any treason or regicide."

"Your Highness, simply open the door at midnight tomorrow."

Yin Ji listened, his heart surging with emotion, and suddenly opened his eyes, asking a question.

What door?

"Naturally, we'll prepare measures for the main gate of the capital of the Great Yin Kingdom, as well as the protective formations within the city. The same arrangements should be made within the palace."

Ye Jinxuan's gaze remained calm, maintaining his composure and self-assurance.

It simply states the facts directly.

"Someone will enter the city tomorrow night."

"After entering the city, do not harm the common people of the capital, do not kill members of sects or noble Aristocratic Clan, and do not take the life of the new emperor."

"I'm just here to let the new Emperor of Great Yin see some things clearly."

Yin Ji remained silent for a long time.

"What if I do not respond?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Jinxuan's tone turned cold, and he stood up to leave.

"Then you should take care of yourself. My young master doesn't mind the trouble and the price to pay. It's just a matter of getting involved in karma and a few people dying."

"I wonder if the Great Yin can withstand the wrath of the Ye Clan!"

Just as Ye Jinxuan was about to leave the bedchamber.

Yin Ji's hoarse voice rang out.

"Your Excellency, please wait a moment. Such matters still require careful planning and strategizing... to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Nephew, your uncle is also doing this for the sake of the Great Yin Dynasty! For the sake of the imperial family and the common people.

If my elder brother were alive, he would never bear to see this.