Chapter 551
Murong Xiao had always had faith in his classmate, Li Ming.
With his reminder, everyone snapped back to reality.
Indeed, the Cold Fairy was by Li Ming's side.
In such a precarious moment, when the great edifice was about to collapse, how would he choose?
“It is well known that Brother Li is a master swordsman of integrity, and his character is evident to all,” said Song Shangshu, nodding in agreement.
The officials naturally chimed in.
“Exactly! Young Hero Li is a paragon of virtue, upright and honorable.”
“With him around, we can surely find a reasonable solution to our crisis.”
“Well, at least you’ve said something sensible,” remarked Shang Wu, putting down his wine gourd, pride evident in his voice as a mentor.
“My precious disciple is well-trained; he learned from me, so naturally...”
But before he could finish his sentence, Li Ming, having received news from the front lines within the Jiangshan Sheji Map, stood up and gazed at the high-ranking officials of Mo City.
He raised his arm and called out with unwavering determination:
“The heavens have fallen; the Phoenix Heaven must rise!”
“The Celestial Clan is unreliable, the Earth City is unreliable; we can only rely on ourselves!”
“Will you all join me in this grand endeavor?”
---
Chapter 626: Ying Bing Cannot Leave the Tianhuang Domain, A Crucial Matter
Li Ming's powerful voice echoed from the Jiangshan Sheji Map, silencing the entire city for a few seconds.
“What does ‘the heavens have fallen; the Phoenix Heaven must rise’ mean?”
“Perhaps it means he plans to gather a group of people dressed in bright yellow to go to Tian City…”
“Isn’t that just rebellion?”
“Who just said that Young Hero Li would navigate this crisis like a gentleman? Is this what they call a gentleman?”
The crowd erupted in chaos, shocked to discover that beneath Li Ming's thick brows and bright eyes lay a rebellious spirit.
They feared that the Celestial Trial would end here, with the Jiangshan Sheji Map declaring it a trial accident.
Could a mortal's journey lead to rebellion? Would that even be broadcasted?
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Can he really succeed?”
“Mo City’s current power is still inferior to the various martial families of Earth City. The Cold Fairy is strong, but with the chaos in Tian City, it’s no longer about individual strength dictating the outcome.”
“Let’s wait and see. If it’s Young Hero Li, he might just have a way.”
“In the history of the Celestial Trials, he is the only one who nearly unified the human city; no one else has achieved that.”
After the initial silence, countless people in the imperial capital began to discuss more fervently.
Starting with a hammer, ending up as the emperor of Tian City.
It sounded like a fairy tale, but… what if it actually happened? Just think about the excitement of that!
---
Under the grand canopy before the Wu Gate, the high-ranking members of various sects still gathered daily in the closest spot to the Jiangshan Sheji Map to observe the trials.
“Prince Jiang Yu’s methods were reliable in past Celestial Trials, but he relies too much on past experiences. Entering the Inner Scene Realm will always leave a flaw,” said a Confucian scholar from the Guozijian, trying to make excuses for someone’s failure.
Beside him, a purple-robed official chimed in, “Ruling the country and bringing peace to the world, the sage’s methods are indeed correct. However, the existence of that demonic cult is too powerful. Even a born emperor like the prince has not succeeded; Tian City is now a deadlock.”
Nearby, King Zhongnan, Zhong Qin, set down his teacup and said calmly, “Two of the three trial participants remain; you two are speaking too soon.”
The officials shook their heads. “Even if rebellion succeeds, whether it’s Li Ming or Ying Bing becoming the new emperor, it would just be repeating the same mistakes. If the prince cannot succeed, they will only be taking a few more steps down the same old path.”
The scholar frowned. “Moreover, the prince has a legitimate claim, while this Li kid is what? Rebellion! Even if he succeeds, Tian City will be left in ruins. It’s only natural that the prince would go further.”
“He may not follow the prince’s old path.”
Zhong Qin’s tone carried a certain conviction.
Looking at the gathered dignitaries, he paused before continuing, “The outcome in Tian City concerns the Jiangshan Sheji Map and the face of our Da Yu. Yet you all seem to be dampening our morale. Are you in cahoots with the treacherous minions of the demonic cult?”
“…”
The dignitaries fell silent.
No, Your Highness, Li Ming is the one rebelling.
Who exactly are the treacherous minions here?
But with King Zhongnan’s accusation hanging in the air, the scholar could only say, “We are merely discussing the matter at hand; we certainly hope for victory.”
Zhong Qin narrowed his eyes and fell silent.
When the demonic cult, along with the remnants of the Great Shang and disaster beasts, invaded the southern border, His Majesty urgently summoned him back. This matter felt suspicious.
In the past, Emperor Jingtai had supported him wholeheartedly.
Yet, at such a critical moment, he was called back to the imperial capital.
Was it because he felt powerless to change the situation, or perhaps… to protect him?
If that were true, the situation in the court was even more chaotic than he had imagined…
---
In the Wanling Palace, Jiang Yu, just sent out of the Celestial realm, walked through the long corridors of the palace, feeling for the first time how long this path was.
He didn’t know how to face his mother, nor how to face the elders of the Da Yu royal family who had high hopes for him.
When he reached the palace door, he took a deep breath.
“Mother, I’ve come to pay my respects.”
“Please wait a moment, Your Highness.”
After the maid announced him, Jiang Yu followed her through the palace door.
The incense wafted from the immortal crane furnace, and Empress Chu Ge, embodying the essence of motherhood, reclined on a soft couch, her expression blank as she embroidered a handkerchief, seemingly indifferent to the events unfolding in the Jiangshan Sheji Map.
“Mother, I… feel I have let you and Father down.”
Jiang Yu bowed his head.
“It’s nothing.”
Empress Chu Ge’s response surprised Jiang Yu.
He had anticipated disappointment or even fury from her, but he never expected her to be so calm.
So calm that he felt at a loss.
“But I have ultimately messed up; the situation in Tian City is even worse, and the gamble with the demonic cult’s deity is likely…”
“It’s of no consequence.”
“Then… what is of consequence?”
“Do not ask. Your Inner Scene is incomplete; I already have a plan. You need not think too much or ask too many questions. I will not harm you; just wait.”
“Yes…”
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jiang Yu left the Wanling Palace, filled with questions.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that his mother had known he would fail from the start, or perhaps… hoped for it?
Otherwise, how could she be so indifferent, even unsurprised?
Empress Chu Ge then lifted her head, gazing at the light and shadows within the Jiangshan Sheji Map.
In her heart, she silently answered Jiang Yu’s earlier question:
“It is crucial that Ying Bing remains trapped in the Tianhuang Domain.”
With the chaos in Tian City, this was precisely what she wanted to see.
A Mo City composed entirely of mortals, even if it had changed, was still insufficient to stir the winds and rains of Tian City.
By then, Ying Bing’s personal strength would no longer hold any significance.
---
In the Tian City realm, the people in the Catching Wind Hall fell into contemplation upon hearing Li Ming’s words.
“Little Li, are you saying… rebellion?”
“Exactly.”
“We?”
Li Ming set down the enamel teacup in his hand, looking at the elderly faces around him, as if he were in a rural nursing home. He nodded with unwavering confidence.
“You are at the age to fight.”
Dong Ao remained silent for a moment before clearing his throat. “Little Li, how do we fight? In terms of high-end combat power, Mo City has only a handful of strong warriors like my grandfather. Compared to the martial artists of Earth City, we are far behind. Mortals… we may be numerous, but numbers alone won’t help.”
Qi Tiezhu, after careful consideration, shook his head as well.
“If we rise up, all the Celestial Clan will likely stop their infighting and turn their focus on Mo City. No matter what, they cannot allow mortals to take control of the Celestial realm.”
These were two very realistic concerns.
Li Ming glanced at the two of them and said, “That’s exactly the effect I want.”
The young genius had already formulated a plan.
Moreover, he had discussed it with Ying Bing, and the feasibility was quite high.
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