Peace Order

Chapter 1792 - 79: Seize or Protect, The Choice

It was only three nights ago.

A long wind swept across the sky above the Central State, the lights of the city coiling like dragons. Ying Country’s elite troops were garrisoned here, the clash of many powers lurking beneath the surface. By rights, it ought to be called lively.

Yet beneath that bustle riding on the surface, within this Central State City, there was still a kind of indescribable quiet.

Liveliness, silence, blazing heat, dead stillness.

Different atmospheres circled and coiled, condensed into the night of a single city.

Within the Academy, Su Wang lifted his head, gazing up at the vault of heaven. The long wind surged; under the eaves of the Academy, the bells swayed with a clear chime.

In former days, the Academy was a sea of voices; such crisp sounds only made one feel a sudden, unexpected delight.

Now the Academy was desolate. Aside from these elders of theirs, there were no more young people. The ringing of the bells in the night wind instead carried much bleak solitude, making one inexplicably feel an endless melancholy in one’s heart.

The Old Qilin, with one Qilin Horn broken off, had desolation in his eyes.

Was the Red Emperor’s eight hundred years of Qi Fortune truly about to reach its end?

Su Wang performed Qi Observation, looking at the whole night sky above Central State. Countless strands of Qi Fortune, the aura of the Military School, the aura of kings, the Qi Fortune of a dynasty, the vital breath of the common people, all tangled and coiled, forming a boundless ocean, so complex that even the Taoist Sect could not see it clearly.

Heavenly Mandate, human hearts—who can claim to see them clearly?

Gongyang Suwang said softly: "How fierce the spearhead of war; the momentum of Jiang Wanxiang is vast and mighty. This time, he has come to devour the Qi Fortune of the Red Emperor’s line. But, my friend, ever since eight hundred years ago, since the First Generation Master established the Red Emperor, the lineage of the Academy has been fulfilling that one agreement."

The Old Qilin said in a low voice: "At the very least, we must protect the Red Emperor’s line in peace."

Su Wang said: "Yes."

The aged Qilin gave his body a shake and transformed into the form of a small cat, lying on Su Wang’s shoulder. Though he had disciplined that little fellow, the First Generation Master had once said, ’When three walk together, there must be one I can learn from.’ From the Little Qilin he had also pondered out the methods and ingenious uses of transforming and shrinking the body to ease movement.

Su Wang lifted the sword-weapon of the ancient Confucian Way, and said: "Yuwen Lie and He Ruoqinhu are leading armies here. In chaotic times, when famed generals of the Military School let their edge run rampant, their might is unstoppable."

"If you and I were to face these two generals head‑on, we would not be their match."

"To die amidst the chaos of battle is greatly possible as well."

"The only chance is to..."

The Old Qilin said in a low voice: "Snatch him away."

Su Wang nodded slightly, and said: "Yes."

The old Confucian Scholar’s palm stroked the long sword. "The lineage of the ’Eight Hundred Years of the Red Emperor’ must not fall with such an ending. Even if in days to come he does not gain All Under Heaven, he can at least, as now, be an easy prince or marquis, and obtain a good end."

Afterward, the various Palace Masters of the Academy’s halls secretly contacted the Red Emperor, saying they wished to take Ji Zichang away, to send him to a safe place. Even if he did not possess the power of All Under Heaven, at the very least he could have days of peaceful Taiping.

Only, the Red Emperor did not answer him.

He only said that afterward, Su Wang would see his answer.

The several Masters of the Academy had never given up on the rescue. They had exhausted every effort. In secret contacts, the Purple Sun Master of the Taoist Sect and the living Buddha of the Central Plains from the Buddhist Sect had all come forward, already preparing a retreat route, ready to cover the rear and assist.

Only, when they reached Ji Zichang.

What they saw was the true Emperor turning away, carrying eight hundred years of spring and autumn with him, going to his death and ending it all.

And now.

Surging, blazing flames soared into the heavens, as though they would burn the firmament to ash.

Su Wang and the Qilin, hidden among the crowds, watched this scene, and for a time were left speechless.

They had come to rescue the Red Emperor.

But at this moment, they could no longer advance. A Qilin of the Eighth Layer Heaven could hardly charge into such flames amid the famed generals and armies of Ying Country. Su Wang was likewise no match for Yuwen Lie. The Old Qilin, who had once followed the First Generation Master, stared dazedly at the surging blaze for a long time, lost in thought.

The Qilin lowered his voice and said: "So this is his choice..."

"His answer."

Su Wang looked upon it all and said: "Yes."

The Old Qilin said: "I have met him. Many years ago, when the son he had with that Noble Consort Wen was born, he was very happy. He personally came to the Academy to pay respects to the Innate of the Taoist Sect, the Purple Sun Master, and personally begged for a longevity lock for that child."

"Later, his son died."

"His brows never relaxed again. Not until recently did I sense, in his eyes, a glimmer of light returning—like morning dew on grass and trees refracting the first rays of dawn. He had once more found a thirst for life."

"That was a good thing."

"Master, does he not wish to live?"

Gongyang Suwang said: "He wishes to live, but he also desires something greater."

"That thing is more important than life itself."

"And that Noble Consort Wen?"

"She is the same."

The aged Qilin was silent for a long time.

In the end, the aged scholar could only sheathe his sword, offering only a slight bow.

Even one who dwelt upon the Nine Heavens, the Su Wang of Confucianism, though not on the level of a Martial Arts Legend, could not act at this moment.

Or rather, it was precisely because he was the Su Wang of Confucianism that he would all the less act at this moment. He could sense Ji Zichang’s blazing intensity and steadfastness, and understood his resolve to, by his own strength alone, bring an end to eight hundred years of the Red Emperor’s destined fate.

To one who has resolved upon death, any attempt to act is an extreme insult.

Gongyang Suwang bowed solemnly:

"In honor of the Red Emperor."

"A gentleman shall never die with his crown removed."

The First Generation Master’s Disciple of Confucianism died to set his crown aright; not for the act of straightening the crown itself, but for the great righteousness and ideals that act represented. Thus he went to his death—this is called courage.

Before the blazing flames, there were those at a loss, and there were those in panicked terror.