The first to break was the morning court.
The bell in the Golden Hall had just finished tolling.
Officials entered in orderly lines as always—but today, the procession was noticeably slower.
Because someone was already seated upon the dragon throne.
Xiao Xuanyin.
There had been no early summons. No deliberate display of power.
He simply sat there.
And yet, the moment each official stepped into the hall, they instinctively slowed their breathing.
It felt like walking into the shadow of an invisible mountain.
"Greetings to Your Majesty—"
The voices were as unified as ever.
But softer.
Xiao Xuanyin lifted his gaze.
"Rise."
Just two words.
Several elderly ministers instantly felt cold sweat soak their backs.
They couldn't explain why.
Only that the presence before them was no longer merely that of an emperor.
The Court Session
The morning proceedings continued.
Memorials were presented.Matters debated.Decisions issued.
Everything followed protocol precisely.
And that was what made it terrifying.
The Minister of War was midway through a report when his voice faltered.
"Your Majesty…"
He hesitated.
"The northern supply deployment—might it be… too aggressive?"
The hall fell silent.
This was a test.
Xiao Xuanyin raised a hand, signaling him to continue.
The minister forced himself to finish.
After listening, Xiao Xuanyin asked only one question.
"You believe a three-month march is the upper limit?"
The Minister of War froze.
"…Yes," he replied carefully.
Xiao Xuanyin tapped the armrest of the throne lightly.
"That's because you're still calculating like a mortal."
The words were calm.
But they cut like a blade.
He casually picked up a military report.
"The Body-Strengthening Pills are now fully distributed within the army. Recovery time reduced by thirty percent. Endurance increased by twenty."
"Now," he said evenly, "calculate again."
The Minister of War's face drained of color. He bowed his head and recalculated rapidly.
A few breaths later—
He looked up, his voice trembling.
"Your Majesty… if this holds…"
"Our troops could march one hundred and fifty li per day."
The hall erupted.
This wasn't simply a stronger army.
It was a complete break from common sense.
Xiao Xuanyin's voice remained steady.
"So you must learn," he said, "to keep up with me."
After Court
Several senior officials did not leave immediately.
They gathered silently in a side hall.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" the Minister of Revenue murmured.
The Minister of Rites nodded slowly.
"His Majesty today…" he hesitated, "…was looking down on us."
The words were soft.
But they sent a chill through the room.
"If this continues," an elderly official said cautiously, "can His Majesty… still rule among mortals?"
The room went deathly silent.
At that moment—
A voice came from the doorway.
"Of course he can."
Su Wan stepped inside.
Her tone was gentle. Her smile unchanged.
Yet these seasoned political veterans found themselves unwilling to be careless before her.
"His Majesty is still the same emperor," she said calmly.
"He's just… a little more capable than before."
"A little?" the Minister of Revenue forced a bitter smile.
Su Wan considered it.
"Perhaps," she said lightly, "a bit more capable than you're imagining."
Then her gaze sharpened.
"But rest assured, gentlemen. His Majesty cultivates the righteous path. He sells pills to enrich the treasury, strengthens the army to protect the people."
She paused.
"If he is no longer fit to be your emperor—then tell me."
"Who is?"
No one answered.
Because no one dared.
Elsewhere · Capital City
Not everyone chose reverence.
Deep within the capital, inside a fortified estate belonging to an ancient clan, shadows gathered beneath flickering candlelight.
"He has touched something he should not have," a middle-aged man said coldly.
"A mortal cannot contend with immortals."
Another voice spoke slowly.
"But he still holds the fortune of the realm."
"If we allow this to continue…"
"When he ascends—"
"There will be no one left in the mortal world who can restrain him."
The candlelight reflected greed in their eyes.
"If he can rule as emperor while cultivating…"
"Then why—"
"Can't we replace him?"
At that moment—
True hostility took shape.
Night · Imperial Study
Xiao Xuanyin closed the final memorial.
"It has begun," he said calmly.
Su Wan leaned against the window, her phone glowing faintly.
"Yes. They're starting to move. They're not just afraid of you anymore."
"They want your position."
She looked up, her smile gentle—but sharp.
"Immortals above. Traitors below."
"We might as well clean house all at once."
The small white spirit beast rolled over nearby, utterly carefree.
Outside the window, the wind rose.
This was no longer merely about cultivation.
It was a game of power—
Between the mortal world and the immortal path.
And this time—
The board belonged to them.