424: The road ahead is long and there is no going back
The next day.
In the Imperial Palace.
All the civil and military officials were gathered, and Yan Junlin and others were also present. Since the Xia Emperor was leaving today, he would certainly say a few things, and they only needed to wait quietly.
However, everyone present felt restless.
The Emperor was relinquishing power, and a New Emperor was about to emerge.
At such a moment, choosing a side was extremely important; a slight misstep could lead to complete defeat, but it was also a major gamble.
Everyone waited for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but instead of the Xia Emperor, they waited for National Teacher Yuan Tianxiang.
“The National Teacher is here!”
When everyone saw Imperial Preceptor Yuan Tianxiang, their eyes showed surprise.
It was well-known that the Qintian Bureau and the Great Xia Holy Academy did not participate in court struggles, so the National Teacher’s appearance today was somewhat unexpected.
Imperial Preceptor Yuan Tianxiang walked to the front, and with a wave of his hand, an imperial decree appeared in his grasp: “This old man is here only to convey His Majesty’s decree!”
“……”
Everyone in the hall immediately knelt down.
Imperial Preceptor Yuan Tianxiang unrolled the imperial decree and said in a deep voice: “His Majesty has decreed that there will be no Crown Prince position this time, only the New Emperor position. The imperial dao scroll contains the New Emperor’s name, and the names of all princes and princesses may be within the imperial dao scroll. Three months from now, I will personally open the imperial dao scroll and announce the New Emperor’s name. The Qintian Bureau and the Great Xia Holy Academy shall not be involved in this matter!”
“……”
When everyone heard this, their eyes lit up.
This imperial decree made it very clear; perhaps the imperial dao scroll truly contained the name of a certain prince or princess, but that was not important.
Because the National Teacher would only announce the contents of the imperial dao scroll three months later, meaning that the princes present had three months to compete.
The Xia Emperor intentionally gave everyone three months for a process of elimination, providing every prince and princess an opportunity to compete. Ultimately, whoever stood last would be the New Emperor of Great Xia.
After Imperial Preceptor Yuan Tianxiang finished his announcement, he closed the imperial decree and glanced at everyone: “The imperial dao scroll is in the Qintian Bureau’s Emperor Star Pavilion. Three months from now, I will announce the contents of the scroll on time. During this period, I will enter seclusion.”
After speaking, he was about to leave.
Prime Minister Wei spoke up: “May I ask, National Teacher, has His Majesty already left?”
Imperial Preceptor Yuan Tianxiang said: “His Majesty left Tianqi City an hour ago!”
“……”
Everyone was surprised; he left so early?
He truly left just as he said he would, decisive and resolute.
Imperial Preceptor Yuan Tianxiang said nothing more, and with his hands behind his back, he left the main hall.
In the main hall, everyone looked at each other, their eyes showing a peculiar expression.
“Emperor Star Pavilion!”
Yan Junlin and the others felt a tremor in their hearts.
The Emperor Star Pavilion was not simple; in the past, the emperor yu sword and the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow were suppressed within it, and it also sealed Great Xia's Fortune Power.
Now, the imperial dao scroll was also in the Emperor Star Pavilion. This was telling them that by entering the Emperor Star Pavilion, they could obtain the imperial dao scroll, the emperor yu sword, and Great Xia's Fortune Power!
Their Father Emperor, before leaving, had indeed created an opportunity for them to compete with all their might.
The Great Xia Holy Academy and the Qintian Bureau would not participate in this competition, and the National Teacher, who was in charge of the imperial dao scroll, was even going into seclusion. This was giving them a chance.
Whether they could succeed in the end depended on their own strength and foundation.
——————
Outside the city.
Thirty li away.
In a pavilion.
The Xia Emperor had shed his imperial robes and changed into a black long robe, and he was savoring fine wine.
On the stone table lay an unruly tabby cat, and beside the pavilion was a Snow Treading Spirit Horse.
There were no other guards around; the Xia Emperor had left quietly this time, without bringing anyone else.
Xie Weilou walked over and bowed to the Xia Emperor: “Greetings, Your Majesty!”
The Xia Emperor was somewhat surprised to see Xie Weilou appear. He smiled and waved his hand: “From now on, I am no longer the Emperor of Great Xia. Since you are here, come have a drink with me!”
“Alright!”
Xie Weilou nodded slightly and sat down beside him. He glanced at the unruly tabby cat on the table and felt no surprise at all.
The Xia Emperor poured Xie Weilou a cup of wine: “Do you have a girl you like?”
“……”
Xie Weilou paused for a second, took the wine cup, and said nothing more.
The Xia Emperor smiled and said: “If you do, tell her early. That way, you might have something to be concerned about. The path of the Great Dao is endless. Those on this path are like a solitary boat in the vast ocean, drifting with the currents, easily losing direction. But if you have a concern, you will have a bearing, and then you can ride the wind and waves to reach the other shore!”
“Of course, if you enjoy the taste of solitude, that is also not wrong. Living in seclusion, walking the Great Dao alone, perhaps you can forge an even more extraordinary path!”
As he spoke, a hint of complexity appeared in his eyes.
Today, as he left, there was no one to accompany him. Perhaps born into an imperial family, constantly surrounded by schemes and intrigues, loneliness was his destiny.
Even if there had been one or two confidants by his side, their thoughts were now divergent.
“Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty!”
Xie Weilou raised his wine cup to the Xia Emperor.
“……”
The Xia Emperor smiled faintly and clinked cups with Xie Weilou.
After one cup.
The Xia Emperor put down his wine cup, stood up, looked at the distant world, and said with a faint smile: “As Heaven maintains its vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-perfection! Young man, I must go my own way. They say there will be a long future, but it’s unlikely we’ll meet again. Take care of yourselves!”
Xie Weilou poured a cup of wine, stood up, and said to the Xia Emperor: “Farewell, Your Majesty!”
The Xia Emperor smiled and waved his hand: “Farewells between men should be unrestrained, avoid sentimentality. I’m off.”
He picked up the tabby cat and walked towards the nearby Snow Treading Spirit Horse.
“……”
Xie Weilou watched the Xia Emperor’s retreating figure.
At this moment, the Xia Emperor was no longer the high and mighty Emperor of Great Xia. Having shed all his shackles and cleansed himself of worldly splendor, he seemed more like an unrestrained hero.
“The road ahead is long, and one must clear the thorns and brave the challenges.”
The Xia Emperor smiled and swung himself onto the Snow Treading Spirit Horse.
“Wait a moment!”
Just then, an urgent voice sounded. A beautiful woman in a white dress was seen galloping on a Snow Treading Spirit Horse.
The Xia Emperor looked over, a hint of surprise in his eyes: “Dugu…”
Dugu Buzheng rode her horse to the Xia Emperor’s side. She smiled and said: “Your Majesty left quietly, but thankfully I caught up. I will accompany Your Majesty on the road ahead.”
The Xia Emperor was silent for a second, then said: “I am no longer the Emperor of Great Xia. The road ahead is long, and I may not return. Are you sure you want to follow, Dugu?”
Dugu Buzheng smiled and said: “When I leave Tianqi, I will no longer be the Empress of Great Xia. Even if I don’t return, it doesn’t matter!”
The Xia Emperor said: “Are you at ease about Junlin?”
Dugu Buzheng said: “Let the young people walk their own path. They are all adults; they must accept both success and failure!”
The Xia Emperor gazed towards the north: “I am not going south; I am going north.”
Going north was the true path, but before that, he still had to visit Phoenix Perch Mountain; there was a thunder dragon there with whom he had a connection.
Dugu Buzheng smiled charmingly: “We’ve been south several times. If His Majesty wants to go north, then I will follow you north! If we don’t return, then we don’t return. I accompanied Your Majesty when he was in distress, and now that you are abandoning prosperity, I can also accompany you.”
“Hahaha! Then let’s go!”
The Xia Emperor laughed heartily and spurred his horse forward.
Dugu Buzheng glanced at Xie Weilou: “Young Xie Family man, we’re off!”
She waved lightly, and her Snow Treading Spirit Horse quickly dashed forward, catching up with the Xia Emperor.
“Farewell to you both!”
Xie Weilou bowed to their retreating figures.
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