Chapter 716: Chapter 425: Law Code and Confucian Scripture
At the end of Chang’an Street, the magnificent palace looms through the early spring drizzle. The bronze bells at the edges of the palace walls chime crisply in the wind. The new emperor has not held a coronation ceremony, and the "Datong" era name, painted in gold dust on the vermilion palace walls, glistens with a hazy luster in the rain.
Yesterday, Daxia’s era name was changed from "Zhisheng" to "Datong."
The First Year of Datong marks the peak of Daxia’s national strength. The army attacks from two fronts, already laying siege to the capitals of Qi Country and Chu Country. These once mighty dynasties now have only one capital each to defend, ready to fall at any moment.
Only Zhao Country is somewhat special; being an ally of Daxia, further annexation would make Daxia seem faithless and untrustworthy.
But without annexing Zhao Country, true unification under heaven cannot be achieved.
This matter has already sparked several days of debate in the court.
One side insists that as a nation of propriety and righteousness, they cannot act with faithlessness.
The other side argues that unification under heaven is unstoppable, and while Zhao’s court can remain, they must adhere to Daxia’s mandates.
Li Mansion.
In the rear courtyard, new leaves on the parasol tree glisten with morning dew. Li Nuo steps over scattered begonia petals on the bluestone path, arriving at a courtyard where a figure stands with hands behind their back at the end of the corridor.
Li Nuo approaches and says, "Father, you summoned me."
Li Xuanjing turns towards Li Nuo and, after a long silence, speaks, "My mission is complete. The road ahead, you must venture alone. This item, it is time to give it to you..."
He slowly lifts his hand, fingertip gently tapping the void.
Before Li Nuo’s eyes, a book suddenly appears.
This book seems illusory yet real, resembling the "Law Code," suspended before him...
Or rather, it is floating before his father’s eyes.
At this moment, there are two illusory large tomes in the void.
One is the familiar "Law Code," the other is closely similar but with different script on the cover — it is the "Confucian Scripture" in seal script.
When this "Confucian Scripture" appeared before him, Li Nuo felt an aura akin to the Law Code’s essence.
His prior feeling proved correct: the Law Code is not complete, or perhaps, both the Law Code and the Confucian Scripture aren’t complete. Their auras complement each other perfectly, as if they were originally one entity.
When the two books appeared simultaneously, they began to slowly converge.
In the next instant, thousands of glows reflected in Li Nuo’s eyes.
As the glow dissipated, a new book emerged before him.
On the cover of this book, the words "Law Code" and "Confucian Scripture" vanished, replaced by the words "Heavenly Book." Opening the Heavenly Book, images appeared page by page.
Seeing those images, Li Nuo’s pupils slightly dilated.
He was exceedingly familiar with these images, as many books about the Hundred Schools featured them.
Confucian Saint, Magic Saint, Mohist Saint, Military Saint, Medical Saint, Martial Ancestor..., and some images unfamiliar to Li Nuo, but appearing alongside these pioneering saints in the Heavenly Book, they were undoubtedly extraordinary figures.
A strange connection arose between Li Nuo and these images.
With a mere thought, his Martial Path aura in the Fourth Realm surged to the Half-Saint Peak.
Another thought, and several more half-saint forces emerged within his body.
Previously, to obtain such High Realm powers, he had to expend a significant amount of Life Span, but this time, the Heavenly Book’s cover showed no change in his Life Span.
Is this the complete form of the Law Code?
Why do the images of these pioneering saints appear in the Heavenly Book?
Historical records state that the pioneering saints from each of the Hundred Schools vanished at the same time, remaining an unsolved mystery to this day, causing severe disruptions for a significant period until new saints emerged.
That period is called the lost history.
No one knows why the All Saints disappeared, nor does anyone know what happened during that lost history.
But Li Nuo could almost be certain that the Heavenly Book harbors the hidden truth of that lost era.
Li Xuanjing, looking at Li Nuo, showed no sign of surprise on his face.
The figure of King Chun appeared in the doorway, waving to Li Xuanjing, "Xuanjing, let’s go fishing!"
Li Xuanjing gently patted Li Nuo’s shoulder before turning and leaving.
Li Nuo stood in place for a long time, carefully sensing his connection with the Heavenly Book, feeling as if he were very close to a staggering secret, yet a door always prevented him from accessing it, lacking the key to open that door...
Unable to comprehend the Heavenly Book’s secret, Li Nuo had to set it aside temporarily.
Though the great situation was settled, there were still some matters to conclude.
His father and Uncle King Chun seemed intent on retiring, so these tasks were left for Li Nuo to handle alone...
...
Qi Country.
The Xia army was already at the city’s gates.
Apart from the capital Lin City, all of Qi Country’s territory had fallen to Xia Country.
The army did not continue its advance. With Qi Country on the brink of extinction, many powerful figures retreated to the capital. A forced siege could lead to severe casualties, awaiting the court’s decision was the wiser move.
The common people within Qi Country’s capital harbored no fear but rather anticipation, eagerly hoping for Xia — oh no, Daxia’s army to quickly invade and liberate Lin City.
Then they could have more land to cultivate, earn more wages each month, and live better lives than now.
In contrast to the people’s expectations, the nobility and wealthy families in the city were in constant anxiety.
The Revolutionary Army was exceedingly benevolent to the populace but showed no mercy to them.
Those willing to cooperate lost much of their property but at least kept their lives.
Those who resisted were all hung on the city walls...
Qi Country Imperial Palace.
In the Golden Hall, a court meeting was being held.
It might be the last court meeting.
The Emperor of Qi sat silently on the Dragon Chair as the officials below all wore mournful expressions.
With the country’s downfall imminent, there was little left to discuss, and most officials had started planning their own escape routes.
Amidst the silence, footsteps echoed from outside the hall.
A man and two women strolled in.
Slowly rising, the Emperor of Qi looked at the familiar face, expressing no emotion as he said, "So you’ve come after all..."
Gazing at the Emperor of Qi, Li Nuo recalled that last time he was here, he had to escape with the nightingale in disgrace.
Several months had passed, and upon meeting again, the emperor’s cultivation had fallen to the Fifth Realm.
Phoenix and nightingale stood beside Li Nuo, surveying the surroundings as realization dawned on their faces.
Twenty years ago, they once played in this hall.
Twenty years later, returning here, they were of a different mind.
The middle-aged man in the Dragon Robe looked at them, shaking his head as he said, "I may have defeated your father, but I never expected to lose to you sisters..."
As Li Nuo and the sisters approached the hall, the officials of Qi Country stepped aside.
Li Nuo met the Emperor of Qi’s gaze and said, "It’s time for you to abdicate; there’s no need for an emperor here anymore..."
The fist hidden within the emperor’s sleeve clenched, then loosened.
He closed his eyes and said gravely, "Bring me the imperial decree..."
Lin City.
The city gates opened hour by hour, allowing the Daxia Revolutionary Army to enter in an orderly manner, red flags waving like clouds in the streets.
An hour ago, the Emperor of Qi issued his final decree, also his decree of abdication.
From today, there would no longer be an emperor in Qi Country.
To ensure state operations, Qi’s court, under the supervision of the Xia Revolutionary Army, was temporarily retained, while the capital saw red flags flying everywhere, heralding a new era on this land...
Not long after.
Chu Country’s capital.
Within the vast Imperial Study Room, there was only one person.
The Emperor of Chu gazed ahead in a daze, the flickering shadows on the Imperial Table resembling his fragmented world.
As the doors to the Imperial Study Room were pushed open and a figure stepped inside, the young Emperor of Chu looked at the even younger figure and spoke, "Is it Li Nuo from Xia?"
Li Nuo replied, "It is I."
Leaning back in the Dragon Chair, the Emperor of Chu closed his eyes and said, "I once believed I was the strongest among the younger generation across the continent. It turns out I was too conceited. The strength gained from external means is ultimately just a castle in the air..."
Opening his eyes to look at Li Nuo, he said, "I have heard that your father overthrew the Xia Imperial Authority. Is this world now under your Li Family’s control? Have you come to make me pass the throne to you?"
Li Nuo shook his head: "Just write an abdication decree; someone will ensure you live out your life safely."
"You don’t want the throne?"
"The throne holds no importance to me."
The Emperor of Chu’s gaze was intense, thinking of how many would turn against family or fight among brothers for the throne, just one step away from ascending it. Yet this young man didn’t covet such supreme power?
He fixed his gaze on Li Nuo and asked earnestly, "What’s important to you, then?"
Looking at him, Li Nuo softly replied, "Making sure there’s no throne left to inherit in this world is of great importance to us..."
