Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 707 - 637: Fortress

The events at the Nameless Restaurant were but a microcosm of the current situation.

Every faction was using every method to stabilize internal morale, employing tactics such as alliances, coercion, enticement, and persuasion to expand their influence, eliminate dissidents, and prepare for the coming storm.

The Zhou Kingdom and Jing Country, among other nations, were the first to arrest wealthy merchants from Yu Country within their borders. Charges included, but were not limited to, hoarding, disrupting market prices, seizing farmland, mistreating servants, and funding the war. Even Yu Country merchants who had taken root in the host country for decades could not escape; all were subject to property confiscation and wealth distribution. In addition, responding to vehement public opinion, many State Mansions arrested Yu Country scholars, students, and traders within their jurisdictions on suspicion of espionage.

However, before officials at all levels could congratulate one another, Yu Country issued equivalent sanctions, arresting merchants, scholars, traders, and tourists from other countries within its territory on the same charges. Given that Yu Country’s economy was wealthy and flourishing, and its culture tolerant and open, the number of foreign nationals residing in Yu Country far exceeded the number of its own citizens in other countries. Not only were there more hostages, but they also included high-ranking nobles.

As a result, all parties were forced to sit down awkwardly and discuss the exchange of hostages through unofficial spy channels. The time for a direct confrontation had not yet arrived. Everyone was waiting—waiting for the Mountain and River Guardian Talisman to dissipate, waiting for Taihao Mountain to take a stand.

The once solemn and sacred Taihao Mountain was now covered in dust. Laborers in straw sandals trampled over the white jade steps, carrying brick and tile, beams and pillars to repair collapsed palaces. Gray-haired scholar-theologians squatted on the edge of ruins, categorizing ancient books unearthed from beneath the rubble.

Yu Feiyu, the Deputy Envoy of the Torch Language Mechanism, was led by a guide through the clamoring crowd, ascending the mountain path to the front of a palace. Unlike the buildings at the foot of the mountain, the main hall of the Judgement Court had not suffered much damage. The floor was made from cut obsidian tiles, and in the center of the hall lay a "carpet" made of countless rubies, blood-red and dazzlingly beautiful. The vaulted ceiling of the main hall soared high, pierced by hundreds of iron chains as thick as a man’s arm. Thousands of masterless weapons were tied to these chains with hemp ropes, swaying in the wind like chimes. These were the proudest trophies of the Judgement Court, the last traces left in the Human World by those executed over the centuries for defying Haotian.

Yu Feiyu crossed the hall, his footsteps echoing ethereally in the empty space.

CLACK. The expressionless guide brought a table, chair, and tea, then silently withdrew without making a sound.

Yu Feiyu, accustomed to the Judgement Court’s style, sat down indifferently, took a sip of tea, and looked up at the palace vault, observing the masterless weapons. The Poisoned Blade merged with the Xiang Liu Poison Gland, used by Zhuo Yong, the pirate who once roamed the East Sea three hundred years ago; the Soft Sword, fashioned from Nine Heavens Fallen Iron, wielded by the Head of the Demon Sect at its peak four hundred years ago; the folding fan used by a Prince of Zhou who attempted a coup two hundred years ago, aiming to release the Zhou Kingdom from Taihao Mountain’s control. Heh, one wonders what the current members of the Zhou Kingdom’s royal family feel when they see this fan.

"This place is missing a sword," a deep male voice arose from the side of the hall. The Judicial Cardinal Bian Yubo, clad in a red robe and robust in figure, slowly walked over and sat on the Black Stone Throne, leaning slightly forward with his fist propping up his cheek.

"There will be one," Yu Feiyu replied, putting down his teacup. He stood and nodded, expressing appropriate respect. Lian Xuanyao’s attack on Taihao Mountain, the severe injury he inflicted on the Head, and the humiliation he brought to the Daoist sect by repelling four cardinals—his body could be torn to shreds and his bones ground to dust without sufficient recompense. Perhaps only by annihilating the Academic Palace could they begin to make amends.

"Sit down," Bian Yubo gestured for Yu Feiyu to sit. With a light tap of his finger, a letter sprang from the armrest and landed precisely on the table beside Yu Feiyu.

"Lian Xuanyao has activated the Mountain and River Guardian Talisman, preventing outside cultivators from entering Yu Country’s territory," Bian Yubo said coldly. "However, fortresses are often breached from the inside first."

Yu Feiyu opened the envelope. The letter inside listed a long string of names from Yu Country: depressed and frustrated fallen nobles, suppressed noble families, ambitious young scholars, and generals who privately worshipped Haotian. Combining the words of the Judicial Cardinal, Yu Feiyu instantly understood that the Judgement Court wanted to restore some face for the Daoist sect before the Mountain and River Guardian Talisman dissipated. All these people on the list were usable; some were even sleeper agents the Daoist sect had planted decades ago.

Yu Feiyu read ten lines at a glance, quickly scanning the lengthy list. When he saw a circled name, he exclaimed in surprise, "How could he be involved?!"

At the same moment, in the courtyard of the Furong Garden in Chang’an, Prince Yue, Li Hui, picked up a black piece from the go bowl and, after contemplating for a moment, placed it on the board. His opponent, playing the white pieces, was Prince Guang, Li Shan. Black and white dragons wrestled and entangled on the board, creating a dire and perilous situation.

Princess Yue, Yan Xuan, who was watching the match, noticed her husband falling into a disadvantage and gently pinched the paw of the little white dog in her arms. Feeling the pain, the little dog immediately jumped from Yan Xuan’s lap and landed on the board, disrupting the arrangement of the pieces.

"Damn dog," Li Hui grumbled, picking up the little dog. He looked at the chaotic board, then at his wife, who sat beside him with an innocent expression, her belly slightly swollen and showing clear signs of pregnancy. He could only sigh helplessly and turn to Li Shan, saying, "I lost this game."

"Not at all," Li Shan chuckled as he set down a white piece. "The outcome was still uncertain after ten or so more moves."

To be honest, Li Hui and Li Shan hadn’t been close before, barely acquaintances. Frequent official interactions in recent times had brought them closer.

The game interrupted, Li Hui waved his hand to dismiss the unrelated parties, leaving only himself and Li Shan in the courtyard.

Li Hui sat up straight and said lightly, "In a few days, His Majesty will decree my transfer to Fan Yang."

"The Lu Family of Fan Yang?" Li Shan asked in surprise.

"Yes," Li Hui stated calmly. "To assail others, one must first secure one’s own house." Noble families were like venomous snakes; used well, they could be unleashed to bite the enemy, but used poorly, they could bite back at a critical moment.

"Yu Country will open up more official positions to noble families, allowing them entrance into previously prohibited shipping and shipbuilding industries, and permitting them to run businesses and build workshops in foreign lands," Li Hui said. "But in return, they must also send cultivators from their clans to join the military."

"A combination of grace and severity then." Li Shan nodded thoughtfully, suddenly recalling something. Pacifying and persuading noble families like the Lu Family of Fan Yang would not be easy. Even if they were willing to cooperate, the Yu Kingdom’s Court would have to monitor them over the long term. The Li Hui being transferred to Fan Yang wouldn’t likely return for several years. That meant the Emperor had made a decision regarding the nearly decade-long competition for Crown Prince. Though he had done nothing wrong, he lost the competition due to shifts at a higher level...

Li Shan silently lamented inside, but his expression remained unchanged. He asked as usual, "What can I do?"

"How about constructing a new railroad?" Li Hui took out a map from his bosom and spread it on the table beside the board. His fingertip traced from Fan Yang, through Boling County where the Cui Family of Boling was located, straight to Pingji, where the Li Family of Zhao Jun was located.

"No problem. I’ll send men to survey the terrain tomorrow." Li Shan carefully studied the map, agreed to the task, and left the Yue King Mansion.

Left alone in the courtyard, Li Hui quietly looked at the chaotic chessboard and heaved a deep sigh. His struggle against the Crown Prince for succession had ultimately resulted in his brother’s victory. Pity. If that person were willing to come forward to help, with his status, perhaps the result could have been different...

Thinking to himself, Li Hui suddenly chuckled bitterly and muttered, "I should first see through this current predicament. If I fail, there might no longer be a Li Family of Yu Country in this world..."