Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 616: A Moth to the Flame

Wang Daoning’s judgment on Xia Longyuan’s cultivation largely came from his observations of the emperor’s performance during the battle at sea.

At that time, Tngri had said to Xia Longyuan, “You unified the world to experience the process of ruling, to use it as your stepping stone to the Profound Control Realm. Now that you’ve mastered the power of controlling rivers and mountains, you no longer care to maintain your rule. It is as if unifying the land was nothing more than a key to you, one that you have chosen to cast aside after opening the door...”

Then came a warning, “But Xia Longyuan, you are mistaken... To treat your path to the level of gods and demons with such disdain and disrespect, discarding it as worthless once crossed—you will inevitably suffer the consequences. You gained enlightenment through your dominion over the world, but when you lose control, your foundation will crumble.”

Xia Longyuan had not refuted it—he knew it was true. To argue would only invite ridicule.

Logically, once a path was achieved, it could not be undone by such circumstances. Once you crossed the river, even if the bridge was destroyed, you would not return to the other side.

But due to his injuries, Xia Longyuan found himself metaphorically back on that bridge. It was this specific situation that made everything rather... delicate.

Wang Daoning gathered the heads of the aristocratic families, and after deliberation, they reached a consensus: It was possible to undermine Xia Longyuan’s foundation.

Thus, they devised their plans—inciting figures like Tang Buqi and Wan Tianxiong to declare independence. If they genuinely seceded, that would be ideal. But even if they did not fully implement it, the mere public belief that they intended to was enough. Once word spread to the point that “everyone knew,” it became a reality. Would people see Jiangnan as loyal to Tang Buqi or Xia Longyuan? Public sentiment had already chosen sides.

They then made use of an array of the four swords symbolizing the mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas of the world, signifying the world’s rejection of its emperor.

When Xia Longyuan could no longer conceptualize his mastery over the land, what then?

But that alone was not sufficient.

The land itself held qi veins. Xia Longyuan chose his capital not in traditional locations like Chang’an or Luoyang but in a region influenced by a subtle deviation in the world’s geomancy. In this realm, the northern dragon veins had shifted to the far north—sealed there in ancient times by the Azure Dragon. Whether with hopes of one day reviving it or for other reasons, the proximity to Beimang was crucial for establishing the capital. The closer the capital was to Beimang, the stronger the imperial foundation.

This alignment ensured that even if it got to the brink of collapse, the dynasty would not fall completely. At the very least, Xia Longyuan could retreat and bide his time. With his power, a comeback was inevitable.

But then Kunlun’s Daoist Yuxu, fourth on the Ranking of Heaven, severed the dragon vein.

Perhaps Yuxu once believed gods and demons were immortal, making such actions meaningless. Xia Longyuan was likely one of them. What more could Yuxu do beyond wandering the world in seclusion? But with the Tome of Troubled Times foretelling new fates, Yuxu’s view of these divine beings changed. Xia Longyuan’s aura faded in Yuxu’s eyes.

Still, it was not enough.

Because the puppet emperor continued holding the imperial court, some traditional-minded officials believed that Xia Longyuan was not truly at fault. He seemed diligent, even if the decrees were hollow. He was not a tyrant, nor was he indulgent in vice. The tale of him killing the crown prince seemed absurd. Though he had made missteps, they were hardly crimes beyond forgiveness. In fact, some thought the rebels were the real culprits of the chaos.

Moreover, loyal ministers like Tang Wanzhuang maintained their posts, convincing many that Xia Longyuan was still the legitimate ruler. A significant faction of officials, scholars, and warriors upheld his reign primarily because of Tang Wanzhuang’s steadfast loyalty.

By aligning his cultivation with the palace’s geomantic energy, Xia Longyuan forged a personal microcosm—his being one with the imperial aura, omnipresent and untouchable.

But with the puppet emperor’s decree of the Tang Clan’s treason and execution of the entire family that illusion shattered.

The dragon qi dissipated, and the foundation crumbled.

The land’s loyalty vanished. The dynasty’s protection dissolved.

Suddenly, Xia Longyuan stood isolated. He was no longer the omnipotent emperor but a man laid bare.

If Zhao Changhe were here, he might say, “The boss’s invincibility has worn off.”

The sins that had once only been assumptions were now substantiated. If there had been any bonds holding everything together, those bonds had been severed.

Even Zhao Changhe understood that fortune reflects a trend; when that trend inevitably leads to collapse, the fortune dissipates. Such was the case with the dragon qi. There was no need to wait for the news to spread. Strictly speaking, the Imperial Ancestral Temple was no longer Xia Longyuan’s domain. The palace and temple were not personal property; they were symbols of the nation. They only retained meaning with the people’s recognition. Without that recognition, they were mere monuments—nothing more than a scenic site.

When Xia Longyuan employed a double to handle court duties, he had never anticipated that the deadliest blow would come from this imposter’s hand. It was a near-unsolvable trap. His only chance now was to break free immediately and declare the imposter’s falsehood to everyone—that was his one hope of recovery.

A dragon-shaped fist shot from Xia Longyuan straight toward Yang Jingxiu standing below the high platform. Xia Longyuan was attacking!

This might have been the first time since his cultivation breakthrough that he had truly panicked.

Li Shentong stepped forward, countering with a fist of his own.

If Xia Longyuan’s My Fist was the epitome of strength, then the Wind and Lightning Palm of the Divine Brilliance Sect was the epitome of defense. Unlike the Black Tortoise’s defense, the Divine Brilliance Sect relied on pure physical fortitude.

Boom!

The two forces collided with a deafening explosion. Li Shentong’s clothes disintegrated instantly, revealing a body of iron-hard muscles covered in countless scars—a hundred times more than Zhao Changhe’s.

Subduing dragons and taming tigers, the brilliance of divine might!

He withstood Xia Longyuan’s strike, stepping back only three paces!

Relief spread among the onlookers. This exchange made it clear: Xia Longyuan was weakened—significantly so!

As the two fists clashed, the four divine swords ignited simultaneously, converging into a radiant beam of divine light that hurtled toward Xia Longyuan’s back. This was the power of the land itself striking back!

Ying Five’s hand turned into a claw, warping the battlefield with an oppressive force that seemed to bend and collapse space itself. Spatial manipulation! Even when facing Xue Wu, he had not used this technique. Whether he had been holding back or had recently advanced, this was his trump card.

Li Gongsi and Yang Jingxiu silently drew their backup swords and lunged at Xia Longyuan’s neck from both sides.

Above, a bird’s cry echoed. Torrential flames rained down, setting the sky ablaze—Vermillion Bird had arrived!

No one had the luxury to gossip about her appearance. In this deadly battle, a single moment of distraction could mean death!

The number of attackers was fewer than in the battle against Xue Wu, but their elite quality had doubled, if not more. With the sword array, the dragon-vein-severing power of Yuxu, Wang Daoning working in the background, and Hai Pinglan’s earlier strike that wounded Xia Longyuan... this was every top-tier expert in the Great Xia Empire converging on its emperor.

The only one missing seemed to be Snow Owl. Where was he during such a grand event?

* * *

Meanwhile, outside the imperial study.

Qin Dingjiang’s failed pressure-point strike left him flustered. He dared not look at Tang Wanzhuang, his face flushed with shame as he backed away.

“Bureau chief, I...”

Tang Wanzhuang spoke calmly, “You were following an imperial order. I don’t blame you.”

Qin Dingjiang hung his head in guilt, muttering under his breath, “I’m not sure this really counts as an imperial order...”

“Oh, you know he’s a fake?” Tang Wanzhuang smiled wryly. “But others don’t know that, and me saying so won’t change anything. To the world, he’s as real as anything else.”

Qin Dingjiang hesitated. The real emperor was not someone anyone could just kill. If she went in now and cut off the imposter’s head, it would prove he was fake. But Tang Wanzhuang was right—public opinion was controlled by the aristocratic families. They could concoct a story about the emperor being injured and frame her as a regicide. That would destroy the people’s faith in the Great Xia Empire. It was a deadlock.

The only thing still in question was that Xia Longyuan was currently being besieged. A top-tier martial artist like Tang Wanzhuang could influence the outcome. If the real Xia Longyuan emerged, everything would fall into place.

Tang Wanzhuang glanced around. Qin Dingjiang dared not move, and the surrounding guards, when caught by her gaze, bowed their heads and stepped back. She walked forward, unobstructed—her authority and respect among the people were that strong.

From inside the imperial study, the imposter’s voice trembled with rage, “Tang Wanzhuang! Your family is still in the capital. Do you really want them to be executed as traitors?”

Tang Wanzhuang sneered with disdain and leapt away without hesitation.

At the residence of the Tang Clan in the capital.

A group of imperial guards stormed into the courtyard.

“By the Emperor’s decree, arrest the traitorous Tang Clan! Those who resist will be—uh?”

Before they could finish, they saw the bustling Tang family estate now eerily empty. Not even a dog remained. Everything had been taken away.

How had such a large family vanished without a trace? Moving this many people silently was impossible unless preparations had been made days in advance. This was the work of someone who had foreseen this moment, orchestrating her family’s escape in carefully planned stages.

Tang Wanzhuang, who had spent her life battling demonic cults and foreign invaders, was not to be underestimated. Her skill in handling affairs of the jianghu had kept even Vermillion Bird and Maitreya at bay. The state might be in chaos, but her cunning and foresight remained unmatched. Zhao Changhe himself was still a novice in comparison.

Yet, knowing the danger lay within the palace, she had sent her family to safety and walked into the lion’s den alone.

As Tang Wanzhuang flew across the moonlit sky, a sigh echoed in the air:

“First Seat Tang, if you surrender to me, I’ll grant you lands and titles...”

Before the voice could finish, the Spring Water Sword flashed. The shimmering blade traced a graceful arc under the moon, striking toward the source of the voice.

“Your kindness is noted, Sea-Suppressing Marquis, but I decline!”

With the sword’s release, the frail aura she exuded surged. By the time the sword reached Wang Daoning, she was no longer the weakened woman she appeared to be—she was now a warrior who had unlocked the third layer of the Profound Mysteries.

Clang!

Wang Daoning caught the blade between two fingers and sighed softly.

“Why fight like this... Unlocking the third layer of the Profound Mysteries leaves you, at most, an hour to live. But I have already broken into the Profound Control Realm. Your desperate gambit is futile; you’re but a moth to the flame. Is this truly worth it?”