574: Chapter 574 Helplessness and Reluctance

Meanwhile, ten thousand miles away in the Tianlong Imperial Capital, within the guest courtyard of the Qintian Division.

Mysterious Clarity Master stood alone by the window, tightly clutching a secret sound transmission report just delivered by a secret agent; its contents were identical to the message Situ Jun had received.

His Divine Sense scanned the words on the secret report, his brows furrowing deeply into the shape of the character ' Sichuan' (chuan), his expression extremely grave.

Before leaving for the Tianqi Royal Capital, he had repeatedly warned Li Xuan not to do anything foolish out of personal spite, and had even personally entered the palace to request Empress Dowager Zhou Mei to intervene and persuade him, all in hopes of stabilizing Li Xuan's Heart-Nature and preventing him from acting on impulse.

But despite all his calculations, he ultimately failed to stop him.

Li Xuan not only threw his warnings to the wind but even went further, committing such an utterly foolish act.

Thinking of Jiang Wanlian, Mysterious Clarity Master's heart was filled with sighs of regret.

When he originally recommended this woman to Li Xuan, his intention was for Li Xuan to take her into the harem to continue the imperial Bloodline and stabilize the Imperial Dynasty's Foundation.

But later, when he performed a divination, he unexpectedly discovered that her destiny was perfectly aligned with Situ Jun's. He immediately advised Li Xuan to drop the idea. Although Li Xuan was unwilling at the time, he agreed to his face. Who would have thought that after he left the capital, Li Xuan would harbor such malicious intent?

"This Li Xuan..."

Mysterious Clarity Master sighed softly, his eyes filled with deep helplessness and disappointment. Spiritual energy surged from his fingertips, crushing the secret report.

Then he sighed inwardly: Li Xuan, oh Li Xuan, you are seeking your own death, playing with fire and burning yourself!

Do you think that by sending Jiang Wanlian to the Ascension Realm, you can disgust Situ Jun and take revenge for his past "insults"?

You are gravely mistaken!

You have never truly understood the temperament of my master, Situ Jun.

Usually, he is indifferent and gentle, and everything in the world can be discussed. But once his bottom line is touched and his protective instinct is triggered, even the Heavenly King himself cannot stop his resolve.

After his silent sigh, Mysterious Clarity Master exhaled a breath of turbid air and slowly took out a sound transmission jade talisman. The hand holding the talisman paused in mid-air, hesitating for a long time.

He knew well that sending a message now might not change anything, but he was ultimately unwilling to see the situation deteriorate. In the end, he had a brief message sent to Situ Jun in the Northern Border, hoping to slightly ease the situation.

After delivering the sound transmission Jade Slip, Mysterious Clarity Master remained by the window, gazing at the bustling night view of the Tianlong Imperial Capital.

The lights were brilliant and the traffic was heavy, but his heart was heavy, without a shred of joy.

He stood by the window for a long time. His aura gradually shifted from the initial helplessness and disappointment to a heavy solemnity.

Li Xuan's actions this time were no longer a simple clash of an Emperor's ego; he had completely crossed the line between Situ Jun and the Tianqi Dynasty. If things were allowed to develop, it would surely lead to an immense catastrophe.

Li Xuan was blinded by the pleasure of revenge, thinking only of plotting against Situ Jun, but he completely forgot that Situ Jun was still in the Northern Border, commanding heavy troops, and possessed Cultivation that could reach the heavens and earth—far beyond what he, an Emperor of a mortal Dynasty, could contend with.

Once thoroughly enraged, not only would his throne be insecure, but the entire Tianqi Dynasty could be destroyed in an instant, turned to scorched earth!

What worried Mysterious Clarity Master even more was that Li Xuan's targeting of Situ Jun would inevitably provoke the already sensitive nerves of the Northern Border.

For the stability of the Northern Border and to eliminate future troubles, Situ Jun would certainly act to overthrow Tianqi's rule before departing for the Ascension Realm. When that time came, war would flare up, the Dynasty would collapse, and countless innocent people would suffer and be displaced.

"No, I cannot let the situation deteriorate like this!"

Mysterious Clarity Master turned abruptly and paced back and forth in the room, his brows constantly locked, his heart filled with extreme anxiety.

He knew clearly that staying in the Tianlong Imperial Capital, even if he could inform Situ Jun in advance, would ultimately not allow him to interfere with Situ Jun's final decision.

And Li Xuan was narrow-minded, his mind already clouded by hostility. The Empress Dowager remaining in the Tianqi Royal Capital, even if she intended to persuade him, would likely find it difficult to suppress the Emperor's obsession and animosity.

Only by personally rushing back to Tianqi to stop him face-to-face could he prevent Li Xuan's subsequent, even more absurd actions and save Tianqi from the disaster of national destruction.

Furthermore, once Situ Jun became angry, the consequences would be unimaginable. He had to go back to mediate and try his best to salvage the situation.

If Situ Jun were truly to go to the Tianqi Royal Capital in person, deposing Li Xuan would be a minor matter. But once a direct conflict between the Northern Border soldiers and the Dynasty's army was triggered, that would be the true catastrophe, not only violating the original intention of his many years of Cultivation but also failing the Dao Heart promise he made to protect the people of Tianqi.

Thinking of this, he was about to step out the door, but then he seemed to have all his strength drained away, sitting back down in his chair despondently, looking like a frost-bitten eggplant, listless.

Now that the opening of the Ascension Realm was imminent, he bore heavy responsibilities in the Qintian Division and simply could not leave the Tianlong Imperial Capital to return to Tianqi without authorization.

Moreover, Situ Jun was his master; both his status and strength made it impossible for him to forcibly interfere. Even if he went back, he might not be able to turn the tide.

In utter helplessness, he could only sit alone in his room, his heart full of anxiety and sorrow, thinking over and over how to clean up this mess and prevent the impending catastrophe.

...

Time passed quickly, like a white pony flitting across a gap.

In the study of the East Courtyard of the Northern Border City's Lord's Mansion, Situ Jun stood by the carved window, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the window frame.

His gaze passed through the window lattice and fell on the open space bathed in warm sunlight—the wet nurses were holding three infants in swaddling clothes, swaying slowly. The little ones' babbling and playing sounds drifted through the window with the wind, shattering the gloom in his eyes.

It had been three months.

Three children of his own blood had only just opened their eyes to this world.

But for him, the father, the days he could stay by their side were already numbered.

The journey to the Ascension Realm would last for a thousand years.

By the time he returned, the children might have already started their own families and careers, with grandchildren around them, while he, their father, would likely be just a strange name on the genealogy records.

"Husband."

A gentle female voice sounded from behind, softly interrupting Situ Jun's thoughts.

He turned around and saw Su Yunniang walking slowly with a cup of bright white Spiritual Tea. A faint tea fragrance wafted from the cup, warm and pleasant.

Behind her, Aunt Xu followed with a delicate little fellow—it was Situ Fengyan, who was almost a year old.

He reached out and took the tea cup but didn't drink. He placed it casually on the table and instead opened his arms, steadily taking Situ Fengyan into his embrace.

The little guy had already grown a few baby teeth. He was sturdy and cute, with chubby cheeks, and his features looked more and more like his father's. His dark, bright eyes seemed to be soaked in starlight.

At this moment, he was babbling and waving his chubby little hands toward Situ Jun's face. The soft touch made Situ Jun's heart melt.

"Fengyan, call me Daddy."

He lowered his head, his voice very soft, filled with unmistakable doting.

Situ Fengyan blinked his big, dark eyes, shook his little head, and squeezed out a vague sound from his throat:

"Da..."

This tender "Da" was like a fine needle, gently pricking Situ Jun's heart.

He instinctively tightened his arms, holding the child closely. Hot emotions surged in his chest, both sour and warm.

Su Yunniang stood aside, watching the father and son together. Her eyes turned slightly red, but she forced back her tears.

She knew better than anyone the reluctance and torment in her husband's heart.

She walked forward gently and leaned against him, her palm covering the back of his hand as he held the child. Her voice was calm but carried an indisputable firmness:

"Husband, do not worry. With us looking after them, the children will surely grow up safely and Cultivate well. A thousand years is but a blink of an eye. Once our Cultivation is sufficient, we will certainly go to the Ascension Realm to find you."

Situ Jun raised his eyes and looked at the woman before him.

She was the one who had been with him the longest, the one who had borne his children and sacrificed the most for him. No matter what situation he was in, she never left him.

A thousand words were stuck in his throat, eventually turning into a raspy:

"Yun Niang, it's been hard on you. Thank you."

Su Yunniang shook her head gently and leaned her head on his shoulder, her hair brushing against his cheek:

"We are husband and wife, one entity; there is no need for thanks. To have met you and to have this home is the greatest blessing of my life."

Outside the window， The sun is shining brightly， A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of flowers from the courtyard.。

The laughter of the wet nurses and the babbling of the children intertwined. The years were peaceful and quiet, as warm as a handful of unmelting sunshine.

...