In ancient times, the most perilous moment for a fallen official was not the courtroom trial or the imperial decree, but the road to exile.
Stripped of power and status, these once-dignified figures became prey. Enemies long suppressed by their former might would seize the opportunity to settle old scores, often dispatching assassins to silence them forever.
Political opponents within the court, too, feared the possibility of these exiles returning to power. They wouldn't rest until the exiled officials were permanently removed from the equation.
And Mu Changtian was no ordinary official.
He had once stood at the pinnacle of military might as a renowned general of the fearsome Tiger Army. For the sake of Emperor Xia's ascension, he had risked his life and offended countless influential people.
Now that he had lost everything, every one of those people was likely sharpening their blades, waiting for the moment to strike.
Mu Changtian was a defanged tiger—wounded, disgraced, and discarded. His enemies would never let this opportunity slip by.
Meanwhile, far away, Lu Chen sat in quiet contemplation.
Should he intervene and save his so-called father-in-law?
With his current strength, it wasn't impossible. After all, the Jinyiwei was now under his command.
Moreover, Mu Changtian was the father of his consort. If he sat back and watched the man die without lifting a finger, it wouldn't just be cold-hearted—it might also bring repercussions.
After a long silence, Lu Chen finally spoke. "If they're being exiled to the northwest… that shouldn't be far from Beijun, right?"
Qin Yushan responded promptly, "Yes, Your Majesty. Not far at all."
Lu Chen studied the intelligence report in his hands. "This report came four days ago… they've likely already begun their journey. If I want to save them now, I don't know if there's still time."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yushan immediately stepped forward. "Your Majesty, please be assured. Commander Liang Zong will know what to do once he realizes you are his true master."
If Liang Zong had remained unaware that the Prince of the North was the true head of the Jinyiwei, he might've stayed his hand. But now that he knew? Now that Duke Mu was the prince's father-in-law?
He would undoubtedly act.
Save the Mu family first—ask questions later.
Lu Chen took a breath. That was the only option he had now—to believe that a man he had never even met would understand his duty.
He looked at Qin Yushan and gave his order, "Send a message to Commander Liang. Tell him to save the Mu family. Have them fake their deaths if necessary—make it look real. Then find a way to quietly bring them to Beijun."
Qin Yushan clasped his fists. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Lu Chen's gaze swept across the leaders of the four Jinyiwei divisions. "The Jinyiwei must not appear in public for now. Continue your operations as before—quietly."
Even though the Jinyiwei couldn't compare to the Great Xia Dynasty's terrifying shadow guards, they were still a formidable organization.
Yet as a prince—a border commander—having such a comprehensive and clandestine intelligence agency under his control would inevitably raise suspicion.
A prince who stationed spies across all counties, monitoring officials and collecting secrets? What else could he be planning but rebellion?
Lu Chen was no fool.
The Jinyiwei were to remain in the shadows. Always. Well, atleast until when he can conquer all enemies at once.
---
Meanwhile, in the capital…
Within the cold, stone walls of the Sky Prison, a tall, imposing man sat bound to a wooden torture rack. His once-proud figure, now in tattered prison robes, looked exhausted, but his presence still carried weight.
His name was Mu Changtian.
Upon receiving the news of his exile, he threw his head back and let out a bitter, booming laugh.
"Hahahaha! Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"
"Lu Xingqiu, ah… Lu Xingqiu! To save you, I risked my life! I led a hundred men deep into enemy territory to drag you back alive! When you fought for the throne, I poured everything I had into your cause—and this is how you repay me!"
"Cold-blooded! Truly, emperors have always been cold-blooded! Today, I finally understand it for myself!"
In the adjacent cell, the other members of the Mu household sat quietly. Upon hearing Mu Changtian's laughter, a voice broke the silence.
"Father… will we even survive the journey to the northwest?"
It was his second son, Mu Xingping—Mu Zixuan's younger brother.
He had grown up amidst courtly intrigue, and his political instincts were sharp. He knew too well: exile was merely a pretense. A lie.
The journey was a death sentence. Emperor Xia would never allow them to reach the northwest alive.
And even if the emperor spared them, the Mu family's enemies would not.
Now stripped of their cultivation and strength, the male members of the Mu family were no more than lambs for the slaughter. If assassins attacked, they wouldn't last a moment.
Mu Changtian fell silent at his son's words. He knew… it was true.
This was a slow execution. Emperor Xia didn't dare kill them outright—that would risk condemnation for murdering meritorious officials.
But exile?
That was cleaner. Safer. Plausibly deniable.
His enemies would do the dirty work, and the emperor's hands would stay clean.
A sigh came from another corner of the cell.
"Father… my little sister… she won't be implicated, will she?"
That was Mu Jingwu, the eldest son.
He, like the others, had already accepted their fate. Death was coming.
But he couldn't help worrying about his younger sister—the daughter married into the royal family. Would she be dragged down with them?
Mu Changtian exhaled heavily. He didn't answer.
What was there to say?
The King of the North was nothing but a useless, spineless fool. Rumors said that ever since arriving in Beijun, he spent his days in luxury, his palace filled with women. The one truly managing the estate was none other than his daughter, Mu Zixuan.
With such a man, how could she rely on him?
The court might not punish her outright, but Lu Chen would likely distance himself to protect his own skin—perhaps even go so far as to divorce her.
And once the rest of the Mu family was dead, no one would be left to speak for her.
As these thoughts consumed him, a bitter hatred flared in Mu Changtian's heart.
He had chosen the wrong man.
He had placed his faith in Lu Xingqiu—an ingrate, a traitor.
At that moment, the door to Mu Changtian's solitary cell creaked open.
A jailer stepped aside as a new man entered. He gave the guard a look and said coldly, "Leave us. I have words for Lord Mu."
"Yes, sir," the jailer replied before exiting, leaving only the visitor and Mu Changtian alone.
From the adjacent cell, the Mu family members watched the scene in confusion. Who was this man?
Mu Changtian narrowed his eyes as the stranger approached. "Did Lu Xingqiu send you?" he sneered, voice low and scornful.
He no longer cared about etiquette. What was there to fear now? Death?
The man gave a faint smile and walked up to him. Without a word, he began unlocking every shackle restraining Mu Changtian.
Click. Clack. One by one, the chains fell.
Stunned silence followed.
Even the Mu family watched, bewildered.
Then the man introduced himself.
"Lord Mu, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zhao Hong—I serve the prince."
Mu Changtian's brows furrowed.
Prince?
Which prince?
Was there any prince left who would dare make contact with him now?
Surely, they all knew what his exile meant. Death.
To approach him now would be political suicide. Emperor Xia would see it as rebellion. The prince involved would be confined—stripped of power, perhaps even of his title.
Just who dared to defy the emperor for his sake?
He was about to speak, but Zhao Hong cut him off, pulling out three jade bottles from his sleeve.
"These are Da Huan Dan," Zhao Hong said calmly. "Take them, and you'll recover ninety percent of your cultivation."
Mu Changtian's eyes widened in disbelief.
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