Chapter 39: The Turmoil Begins, It's Time to Leave
After reaching the Legendary Mortal Rank, both beasts gained the invaluable ability to shrink their size at will. Coupled with their rapid mastery of the Thousand Shadows Transformation technique, they could now directly change their appearance to better blend in.
Sometimes they would transform into two ordinary-looking little birds, perching inconspicuously on Xu Ning's shoulders, and accompany him on his outings around the city without raising any suspicion.
Simultaneously, upon reaching the Legendary Mortal Rank, their martial arts aptitude improved once again. Their cultivation speed reached an incredibly terrifying level, far surpassing normal limits.
In just half a year of dedicated practice, the four core cultivation techniques they were learning had all reached the fifth level. Only one more major breakthrough was needed for them to achieve the Innate Realm themselves.
As for the lantern, Xu Ning would light a small bonfire in the courtyard at night when he had nothing else to do. He would feed the lantern with the fire's energy, slowly upgrading it.
After such a long period of patient, nightly upgrading, the lantern had now reached the highest grade of the Mortal Rank. Its abilities were greatly enhanced compared to before.
If Xu Ning were to unleash its full power now, the lantern could illuminate the entire courtyard as brightly as if it were daytime.
But the lantern's abilities extended far beyond mere illumination. Its flame had become exceptionally special and powerful. In the lantern's own words, its flame could now easily burn through solid metal. In a critical moment, Xu Ning could use this flame as a weapon in battle.
However, Xu Ning's first thought upon hearing this wasn't about combat. Such a powerful, concentrated flame would be perfect for smelting iron!
Upgrading the axe and other weapons required melting down large quantities of pig iron to forge heavier components. This new flame would alleviate Xu Ning's biggest practical worry—how to process the metal discreetly.
Besides its existing abilities, the lantern also had the practical issue of energy consumption. Currently, it consumed very little energy to maintain its flame. According to the lantern's own calculations, one full refueling with bonfire energy would now last for ten full years. It was incredibly efficient.
However, the lantern's upcoming upgrade to the Legendary Mortal rank presented Xu Ning with another headache.
To reach Legendary, it required being fed a top-grade mortal-level flame.
Xu Ning's original plan was simple. He would burn a long-lasting, controlled flame in the courtyard, upgrade that flame itself to top-grade mortal-level, and then feed it to the lantern in one go.
However, he worried about attracting too much unwanted attention with a constantly burning, magically enhanced flame at night. Also, Xu Ning could sense the undercurrents of political turmoil brewing within the Great Xuan court. He needed to be prepared for sudden changes and possibly fleeing at any moment.
He even asked the thatched hut if he could keep a fire burning safely inside the hut for an extended period.
The hut's answer was yes, technically, but the flame would instantly extinguish the moment he shrank the hut to store it. That defeated the purpose.
This practical limitation troubled Xu Ning. It forced him to temporarily abandon his plans to upgrade the lantern, deciding to wait for a better, more stable opportunity.
That day, Xu Ning suddenly received a secret edict from the late Xuan Emperor's chamberlain, summoning him to the palace for a private audience.
Xu Ning was quite surprised and more than a little nervous.
In the six months since he had taken office, he hadn't seen the Xuan Emperor even once. With his lowly sixth-rank official position, he wasn't even qualified to be in the Emperor's presence under normal circumstances.
Why was he suddenly summoned today? And why a secret summons, which implied a private, unofficial meeting?
As for whether it was a trap, Xu Ning quickly dismissed the thought. It was impossible. His current status and influence were too insignificant to warrant the Emperor scheming against him personally.
After tidying himself up and calming his nerves, Xu Ning followed the silent messenger through the palace's winding corridors.
After a long and circuitous journey through restricted areas, they finally arrived at the Xuan Emperor's private bedchamber.
"Your Majesty, Xu Ning, a Compiler at the Hanlin Academy, has arrived as summoned," the eunuch announced softly from the doorway.
"Let him in," a weak but clear voice commanded from within the chamber.
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Xu Ning, led by the eunuch, entered the dimly lit room.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Xu Ning immediately knelt and performed the full prostration upon entering.
Emperor Xuan, propped up on his sickbed, raised a thin hand and waved it weakly. "No need for formalities. Rise. Come, sit beside me. I wish to speak with you."
Xu Ning quickly rose and walked cautiously to the side of Emperor Xuan's bed. "Your Majesty, this humble subject is honored."
Emperor Xuan studied him for a long moment, then spoke. "Minister Xu. You achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, a talent unseen for a thousand years. Don't you feel that I've wasted your potential by leaving you as a mere Compiler at the Hanlin Academy for six months?"
Xu Ning replied carefully, "This humble subject does not feel that way at all. The Academy is a great honor."
In truth, Xu Ning had no such thoughts at all. He wished he could remain a simple Compiler at the Hanlin Academy forever, buried in books!
If he were given a higher, more visible position, he wouldn't have nearly as much free time to study and cultivate. This was perfect.
Emperor Xuan smiled faintly, a knowing look in his tired eyes. "For the past six months, I've been observing you discreetly. You've been very steady in your actions. I noticed that even several high-ranking officials wanted to marry their daughters to you, to tie you to their families, but you turned them all down. Why?"
Xu Ning's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Had the emperor been observing him all along? Had he discovered his secrets?
As for the latter part of the sentence about marriage proposals, Xu Ning barely registered it. He had indeed turned down many such offers, but his mind was now racing with worry about what else the Emperor might have observed.
However, what Emperor Xuan said next startled Xu Ning even more and banished all other thoughts.
"Who do you think," Emperor Xuan asked quietly, his eyes suddenly sharp, "is the most suitable among my sons to inherit my throne?"
Xu Ning's blood ran cold. This was the most dangerous question imaginable. He hurriedly replied, his voice filled with panic, "Your Majesty, this is Your Majesty's empire. Matters of succession are entirely up to Your Majesty's sacred decision. Even if I had a thousand lives, I would not dare to speak recklessly on such a matter!"
Emperor Xuan pressed, his gaze unwavering. "What if I insist you give me your honest opinion?"
Xu Ning knelt again, pressing his forehead to the floor. "Even if you were to sentence me to death for refusing, I would have no complaints. I cannot answer such a question."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan suddenly turned to look at Xu Ning directly, his eyes filled with an icy coldness that chilled the room. "Are these your heartfelt words, Minister Xu? Or are they just clever flattery to avoid commitment?"
Xu Ning answered without hesitation, his voice steady despite his fear. "They are my heartfelt words, Your Majesty. I have no faction, no ambition. I only wish to serve the throne, whoever sits upon it."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan's icy expression suddenly softened. He regained his composure and waved his hand dismissively. "You may leave now. We are done."
After leaving the palace and walking a safe distance away, Xu Ning finally breathed a huge sigh of relief. His back was drenched in cold sweat.
No wonder they say serving a ruler is like living with a tiger. In just this short audience, the pressure that Emperor Xuan had brought to bear on Xu Ning was unprecedented. It had been difficult to breathe.
However, as he walked home, Xu Ning could roughly guess Emperor Xuan's possible intentions. Perhaps the old Emperor had deliberately neglected him, keeping him in a low position, so that when the new emperor ascended the throne, he could promote Xu Ning. This would make Xu Ning instantly grateful and devoted to the new ruler.
Of course, this was just speculation. Xu Ning couldn't possibly know the other party's true thoughts, and he himself doubted whether he was worth such elaborate political maneuvering.
Perhaps I should just run away now, he thought. Staying in the Hanlin Academy is starting to feel too dangerous.
Xu Ning surmised that there must be grandmaster-level experts hidden somewhere in the palace. Otherwise, why wouldn't Meng Yangming have targeted the palace itself for revenge?
After all, Meng Yangming's enemies had already implicated important ministers of Da Xuan. It wouldn't be hard to deduce that the Da Xuan court itself was behind the poisoning.
Meng Yangming's hasty departure from the capital, despite his power, proved one thing: there was someone or something in the palace that even he, a Grandmaster, feared.
On the way back to his residence, Xu Ning was constantly agonizing over the issue of when and how to escape.
He even spent the entire night wide awake in his room, pondering the problem.
However, the very next day, before he could make a decision, shocking news suddenly arrived from the palace. Emperor Xuan had passed away during the night.
This news was not good for Xu Ning. It meant the delicate balance was broken, and turmoil was certain. It meant he almost certainly had to leave.
Forget it, he finally decided. I'll stay for now and see what happens. But I'll be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
According to the late Emperor's will, which was read publicly, the throne of Da Xuan was to be inherited by the eldest prince, Xia Qing.
Subsequently, the entire capital city descended into turmoil and unrest. The peace shattered.
Those who knew the inside story could even feel the very ground of the capital city shaking with the political upheaval.
In the following days, several princes who had come to the capital for the funeral were murdered one after another in brutal attacks.
The new Emperor, Xia Qing, ordered a thorough investigation. The entire capital city was placed under martial law and sealed off completely. No one was allowed to leave the city without a relevant imperial edict and special permission.
Following this, several high-ranking ministers were suddenly found to have problems—evidence of treason, corruption, or conspiracy. They were all arrested and held accountable.
This was the bloody storm brought about by a change of regime. Innocent and guilty alike were swept up.
Xu Ning lived in constant fear during this tumultuous period, staying inside his residence as much as possible, avoiding all contact.
Fortunately, because he hadn't joined any faction or made any powerful friends, he ultimately escaped the purge unscathed. He was too insignificant to bother with.
After the initial chaos subsided, the new Emperor issued several controversial political decrees that shocked the kingdom.
First, increase taxes across the board to replenish the depleted national treasury, which had been drained by the succession crisis.
Second, formally summon the Fifth Prince, Xia Yun, back to the capital from Nanling—likely to confine or eliminate him. Simultaneously, immediately dispatch envoys to the Cangming Empire's border to negotiate a humiliating peace.
Listening to these decrees being announced in the city, Xu Ning couldn't help but shake his head sadly.
It seems, he thought, it's definitely time to leave. This new Emperor is making all the wrong moves. Da Xuan's days are numbered, and anyone associated with it will be in danger.