133: The gods are not so easily impressed

"Your Majesty, Shen Jianhong has arrived."

Soon after the guard left, Li Fuquan came in to report.

"Let him in."

When Shen Jianhong entered, Li Shun was seated at his desk, his vermilion brush suspended in mid-air, a small dark splotch of ink spreading on the Xuan paper.

As Shen Jianhong stepped into the hall, he saw the Emperor, eyes lowered, reviewing memorials, his expression calm, as if it were just an ordinary summons.

Shen Jianhong and Li Shun had known each other since Li Shun was a Prince. At that time, Shen Jianhong, unaware of Li Shun's true identity, had considered him a close confidant.

However, in just two years since Li Shun's ascension, he had become a competent Emperor, his emotions unreadable, his cunning and strategic depth fully developed.

At least at this moment, Shen Jianhong could not fathom the thoughts of the person before him.

"Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Shen Jianhong bowed, his fingertips subtly tightening within his sleeves.

Li Shun did not raise his eyes, his brush continuing to glide across the paper: "Minister Shen, was your day smooth today?"

"Thanks to Your Majesty's boundless grace, all is well."

"Is that so?"

Li Shun chuckled softly, finally setting down his vermilion brush and looking up at him. "I heard that you went alone to... the Divine Temple today?"

The last two words were uttered very lightly, seeming like a simple inquiry, but Shen Jianhong felt a thin layer of sweat break out on his back just hearing the word 'alone'.

Composing himself, Shen Jianhong's face remained impassive.

"Replying to Your Majesty, your subject did indeed go to pay respects to Lord Chuping."

"Oh?"

Li Shun's fingertips lightly tapped the desk, producing a dull "thud-thud" sound. "Minister Shen is quite devout."

Shen Jianhong took a deep breath, then suddenly knelt, his robes rustling: "Your Majesty, your subject is guilty."

Li Shun's eyebrow slightly arched: "Of what crime?"

"Your subject, without Your Majesty's permission, presumptuously engaged in communication with the Divine."

Shen Jianhong's forehead touched the ground, his voice low, "But your subject dares to ask Your Majesty to hear his words—Lord Chuping, though sharp in his words, has already agreed not to stand idly by while demons wreak havoc upon Great Yan."

If the Emperor truly wished to pursue it, his solo visit to worship the Divine was indeed somewhat presumptuous, especially since he was representing the imperial court this time.

All matters concerning the Divine should be personally decided by Your Majesty.

Li Shun's eyes flickered, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly said: "Minister Shen, how many years have you and I known each other?"

Shen Jianhong was startled: "Since Your Majesty was a Prince, it has been ten years."

"Ten years."

Li Shun sighed softly. "I always thought you were the one who understood me best."

He stood up, walked slowly to Shen Jianhong, and leaned down to help him up: "I am not blaming you. It's just..."

The Emperor's voice suddenly lowered, carrying a rare hint of weariness.

"I just don't understand why the Divine would rather deal with you than face me, the Son of Heaven?"

Shen Jianhong's heart jolted.

Is Your Majesty perhaps acting petulant, like a young girl, out of jealousy?!

His eyes, usually so sharp, now held a trace of bewilderment.

Shen Jianhong felt no sympathy, but rather a shiver running down his spine.

When Your Majesty is clear-headed tomorrow, will he die for having stepped through the door with his left foot first?

"Your Majesty..."

"Enough."

Li Shun waved his hand, turning to look at the deepening twilight outside the window.

"Since Lord Chuping has agreed to suppress the evil within Great Yan, I, as the ruler of Great Yan, naturally... will engrave it upon my bones and heart."

"I have already ordered three sacrificial animals and six domestic animals to be prepared. Tomorrow, I will ask Temple Official Chen to preside over the sacrificial ceremony. You should also go and prepare."

Shen Jianhong hesitated, wanting to speak, but finally just bowed deeply: "Your subject, obeys the decree."

* * *

After Shen Jianhong left, the soft click of the door closing was exceptionally clear.

Li Shun stood alone by the window, the twilight stretching his silhouette long across the room's brick floor, like a lonely shadow.

"Still no good, huh?"

He muttered softly to himself, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the jade pendant at his waist. "The Divine is indeed not so easily moved."

The night wind swept through the hall, rustling the memorials on the desk, revealing a hidden secret report underneath—it had arrived three days ago from Yan Province, detailing the tragic massacre of Yan Province by demons.

Li Shun reached out and pressed down on the fluttering paper, a spasm gripping his stomach.

Just one day in Qingzhou had given Li Shun a different feeling.

The farmers toiling in the fields, the vendors hawking their wares in the market, the clear sound of reading from the school—those ordinary, almost mundane daily routines, now seemed precious enough to make his heart tremble.

"Your Majesty, it is time for your meal."

Li Fuquan's voice sounded from outside the hall.

Li Shun seemed not to hear, his thoughts drifting back to the capital.

In that magnificent palace, he listened daily to ministers endlessly squabbling over taxes, border defenses, and imperial examinations, yet no one truly cared about the common people trembling under the claws of demons.

"Li Fuquan."

He spoke suddenly.

"This old servant is here."

"Serve the meal in the side hall, and... bring me my casual clothes."

The Old Eunuch was startled: "Is Your Majesty going out?"

Li Shun's lips curved into a self-mocking smile: "I want to see Qingzhou."

Half an hour later, Li Shun, dressed in simple robes, walked through the streets of Qingzhou City.