Matters Concluded

"The key to Huainan lies in its strategic location, controlling the Jiangnan. Its wealth flows like the river, its resources inexhaustible."

"With the fertile and abundant lands of Jiangnan, and the wealth gathered from all corners of the world, coupled with a strong military and a solid foundation for the nation, abundant resources will lead to hegemony."

"The land Jiangnan River is rich in natural resources and uniquely beautiful, but it lacks the grandeur and tragedy of the Central Plains and Northern Frontier."

The residence of the Governor of Yangzhou.

The courtyard is deep and secluded, with winding paths leading to quiet spots.

The misty rain of Jiangnan gives this mansion a watercolor-like ambiance.

Ye Zhanxin sat in the study, holding a book in his hands, but didn't turn a single page for a long time.

The faint sound of folk songs could also be heard drifting in.

Yesterday's groom is today's purple robe; today's lackey is tomorrow's minister. A sweep of the city walls of Huainan reveals nothing but a city full of waving dog tails...

He shook his head and put the book down.

"Fourth Master." A servant slowly walked in.

"Azure Waves Heaven has appointed seventeen more officials."

Ye Zhanxin nodded.

"Knew."

The attendant stood still.

Ye Zhanxin a glimpse of it and said calmly.

Is there anything else?

The attendant hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Fourth Master, are we just going to stand by and watch? That prince of the Sima Clan clan, with all this commotion, is bound to get into trouble sooner or later. And then we'll be implicated..."

Ye Zhanxin smiled.

"Implicated?"

He stood up and walked to the window.

"The Cloud Mist Ye Clan did nothing. When they bestowed official titles and made promises, we offered our congratulations and gifts. When they suppressed and purged their dissidents and former subordinates, we stood by and watched. When they renamed the Huanyu Azure Waves, we did not seize any benefits."

Ye Zhanxin turned around and gently turned the pages of the book.

"The Ye Clan is loyal to the Great Jin and respectful to the princes of the imperial clan. Beyond that, they know nothing."

The attendant nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Those below, please behave yourselves for now. But you still need to do what needs to be done, both openly and secretly!"

"But we shouldn't say what we shouldn't say, and we shouldn't ask what we shouldn't ask. The Sima Clan's affairs are none of our concern; let them do what they want. We can sit back and watch the show, profiting from the chaos—isn't that wonderful?"

The attendant acknowledged and humbly withdrew.

Ye Zhanxin was the only one left in the study.

He picked up the book again, looked at it again and again, and thought about it again and again.

"The Huainan army is well-armored and heavily armored, with countless Dao Soldiers, and they also have the advantage of terrain and battle formations. How could they not be in disarray? What makes the Ye Clan so eager for this?"

"No matter how strong the city walls and fortifications, they cannot withstand the will of the people..."

"If the sable coat is insufficient, a dog's tail will suffice; it's absurd, but it does possess some skill."

"Sima Canglan, that's interesting."

Suddenly, he remembered that day in the royal carriage, when Sima Canglan placed the seal of the garrison commander of Huainan in front of him.

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them."

Ye Zhanxin smiled.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch."

The Azure Waves Heaven loomed overhead, its dark blue outline appearing and disappearing indistinctly.

"Watch him build tall buildings, watch him entertain guests," he murmured.

"Look, his building collapsed."

The Wind Abyss Ruin Realm.

Ye Jinyu stood on the most central Sword Peak of the Wind Abyss Yijian Sword Sect in the Central Region.

Beneath the ancient pine, gazing at the gradually dissipating Mist Pavilions, the moonlight shone through the misty river...

Three months have passed since that day. In fact, the events in the Wind Abyss Ruin Realm had already ended the moment Sima Huanyu stepped into it.

The Mingyang Imperial Mausoleum, yet the imperial mausoleum itself is not Mingyang.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Ye Jinming walked to his side and followed his gaze.

Everything is arranged.

Ye Jinyu nodded.

The two walked down the mountain path and arrived at the burial ground of the Yuanming Sword-Playing Sect, which was also the location of the graves of the Sword Sect's disciples after their deaths.

Thousands of sword mounds stand silently.

In front of the grave in the very center, a broken sword is stuck.

Beside the broken sword lay a peach blossom branch; the blossoms had faded, but the branch still stood upright.

In front of the grave, Ye Jinyu personally planted many sacred peach trees for Wei Ming. One tree after another, stretching for miles, enveloping the entire area in a peach grove.

Under each peach tree, it seems, lies a person.

True Disciple of the Sword-Playing Sect, inner disciples, outer disciples, and menial servants...

They say that all living beings were once vibrant and alive.

But he died in the strife, in the prelude to the aftermath of this game set up by the adults.

Ye Jinyu stood still in front of Wei Ming's grave.

He looked at the grave, the broken sword, and the withered peach blossom.

"I don't seek the afterlife, nor the other shore," Ye Jinyu said softly. "At least I've secured a chance for life for this world."

Behind him, Ye Jinming whispered, "The Spirit Wood Peach Blossom is True Lord Qiuran's beloved."

Ye Jinyu nodded. He naturally knew his father's preferences. His father, Ye Zhanqiu, was ultimately different from Cangxuan All-Heavens. At this moment, he remained silent and could only ponder quietly.

"The True Lord once said that planting one peach tree reduces one's guilt by a little. Planting thousands or tens of thousands of peach trees does reduce the guilt somewhat."

"He was willing to learn from and become acquainted with Wei Ming."

The world is cruel; even True Lord has things he cannot have and hates separation... But ultimately, the road must be traveled and things must be done!

"Young Master is the future head of the Ye Clan, and he will have to make many choices and decisions in the future."

A glint flashed in Ye Jinyu's eyes.

The wind blew, and peach blossoms fell in a flurry, landing on the grave and on the broken sword.

In the distance, a golden Dawn Light appeared.

Zhang Chen arrived bathed in the Dawn Light, with the phantom of a golden crow flapping its wings behind him, and the Fusang Radiance flowing around him.

He was still wearing that black and gold Daoist robe, and his face was still youthful, but there was a hint of weariness between his brows.

"Greetings, True Lord." Ye Jinyu bowed.

Zhang Chen waved his hand.

No need for such formalities.

He stood outside the peach grove, gazing at it in silence.

Then, from within his palm, the golden crow slowly rose, transforming into a sky full of Dawn Light, which fell upon the entire peach grove, signifying that peace and prosperity should begin with the flourishing of life.

When all the flowers in the world have faded, the peach blossoms begin to bloom.

Those peach trees planted with spiritual energy slowly bloomed under the radiant Dawn Light.

The branches grew longer, the buds bloomed, and in an instant, the peach tree was covered in blossoms. The flowers were not the usual pink and white, but had a faint golden hue, shimmering in the sunlight.

Blossom after blossom, tree after tree, peach blossoms bloom simultaneously across thousands of miles.

Zhang Chen's voice rang out, very soft, yet it resonated throughout the entire Sword Peak.

"May you achieve your goal, and may we all enjoy the blooming peach blossoms for miles around."

The light faded.

Then he turned around and looked at Ye Jinyu.

"Give me back the Imperial Sword!"

Before Ye Jinyu could speak, Zhang Chen silently placed the Mingyang Emperor Sword in his palm.

The sword is ancient and simple, with the sun, moon and stars engraved on one side and mountains and rivers on the other. On the hilt, the two ancient and clear characters Mingyang Emperor Sword ".

"I will take this sword with me," Zhang Chen said.

"It will be very useful."

Ye Jinyu nodded.

Zhang Chen looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Don't you want to know what my intentions are?"

Ye Jinyu shook her head.

"The seniors have their own plans. It's not good for juniors to ask; knowing too much would only make things worse."

"As for Wei Ming, he said he didn't seek the next life, nor the other shore. He only wanted this one sword to burn everything away."

Zhang Chen's smile deepened.

"Good."

He sheathed his imperial sword and waved his hand towards the distance.

"Heaven has granted his request; those who seek benevolence will surely receive it."

In the Eastern Region, the capital of the Great Qi, the cities damaged in the war slowly healed in the Dawn Light, and the common people were healed in the Dawn Light.

In the Northern Region, under the Great Yin, everything destroyed by war has been reborn. The dead carry on with heavy burdens, but the living can enjoy peaceful and tranquil days.

As the Dawn Light shines, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi becomes richer, the Principle become clearer, plants and trees come to life, and all things revive.

"From this day forward, this realm belongs to Cangxuan." Zhang Chen's voice resounded throughout the entire Wind Abyss Ruin Realm.

"Those who cultivate to the Purple Mansion may ascend to the Cangxuan. Those who wish to remain may also guard this realm."

"The lineages of this world each belong to their respective masters."

"Those who come here later will each have their own fortuitous opportunity."

The sound faded away, and Zhang Chen stepped into the Great Void.

Looking back.

Thousands of peach trees bloom in the Dawn Light, the Emperor Mingyang's road leads to the desolate Sword Tomb. The scenery is new yet familiar, but it is not what it used to be. There will always be successors.

He smiled, a smile of relief.

"They're all here." Zhang Chen waved nine faint lights from his sleeve and looked at them softly.

"They're all still here. Senior brother is right. I still can't do that evil deed and cause chaos, or consider the consequences."

Nine faint lights transformed into Azure Luan, a dragon, and seven human figures, none other than the Purple Mansion True Person from the former Wind Abyss Ruin Realm.

"Where will you nine go from here?"

The nine people exchanged glances, as if they had made up their minds.

"We are willing to follow the True Lord and die ten thousand times for the sake of peace!"

The most central part of the Mingyang Imperial Mausoleum.

A nine-story platform floated in the void, and a giant cauldron shimmered with light.

Beside the cauldron, the figure in moon-white stood quietly.

It's Greater Yin!

She gazed at the high platform, at the cauldron, and at the imprisoned figure within it.

Sima Huanyu.

He sat cross-legged in the cauldron, his eyes closed. The dark blue light around him dimmed, the vast Luo River was suppressed, his cultivation level was unstable, and he was in a state of balance and silence.

But he is still alive.

A Golden Core True Monarch, holding the Azure Profound Heavenly Position, is favored by countless blessings and fortunes; he is not so easily killed.

Greater Yin looked at him, her gaze calm as still water.

It's been ten thousand years.

From the day Mingyang fell, the Greater Yin lineage has been waiting.

Now, the wait has come.

She raised her hand and tapped gently.

A beam of moonlight descended from the sky and landed on the giant cauldron.

The cauldron trembled, and light flowed around it.

Inside the cauldron, Sima Huanyu suddenly opened his eyes.

He saw the Greater Yin.

In those hawk-like eyes, resentment, unwillingness, and anger flashed.

"Greater Yin!" he hissed, "You dare imprison me!"

Greater Yin remained silent.

She simply looked at him quietly, her gaze indifferent and cold.

"Sima Huanyu." She finally spoke, her voice as ethereal as moonlight.

"Didn't you ask Mingyang for help?" She paused.

"Then stay by Mingyang's side, guard the tomb for a hundred years, and make amends for your mistakes."

As soon as she finished speaking, she raised her hand and waved.

The giant cauldron shone brightly, and the nine-story platform slowly sank into the depths of the void.

The Mist Pavilions, the Moonlight Labyrinthine Crossing Peach Blossom Spring Severed, the Lone Lodge Cold, the Setting Sun Dusk is infinitely more magnificent than before.

Greater Yin Fivefold Heaven-Locking Illusion!

The stone gate slowly closed.

In the darkness, only Sima Huanyu's roar remained.

"Greater Yin! Ye Clan! Zhang Chen! You wait! The Sima Clan will not let you get away with this!"

"You can't hold me captive for life..."

The sound stopped abruptly.

The stone gate was completely closed.

The imperial tombs have returned to silence.

Within the Great Void.

Greater Yin stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the dubious tomb that had sunk into darkness.

Zhang Chen walked to her side.

"Locked?"

Greater Yin nodded.

"Century."

Zhang Chen remained silent for a moment, then revealed a slight smile.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Greater Yin did not answer.

Looking at the imperial mausoleum

a long time.

She said softly, "The Greater Yin lineage is detached from worldly affairs and untouched by worldly corruption. From now on, we're even!"

Zhang Chen looked at her without saying a word.

Moonlight shone silently from the void, illuminating her.

A tear slid down that exquisitely beautiful face.

"The Mingyang has shone, the cloudy moon has shone, and the moonlight is flawless."