Within a single day, the Heaven Dou Empire was swept by an unprecedented storm.
In just a few short days, two earth-shattering events spread throughout Heaven Dou City, shaking both the court and the common people.
The first was the regicide at the palace banquet.
Prince Xue Xing, wielding a poisoned dagger, assassinated Emperor Xue Ye, leading to the Emperor's death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was appointed at a critical moment to temporarily act as regent, stabilize the situation, and begin preparations for the coronation ceremony.
The second event was the breakthrough of Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. He successfully shattered his Spirit shackles, evolved the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and formally renamed the sect the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School.
As for Prince Xue Xing, one of the central figures in the incident, he had already lost all mobility due to a mysterious aftereffect of the poison involved in the assassination.
---
Deep within the Imperial Prison, the air was cold and oppressive.
Bai Mu, dressed in white, walked calmly into the cell.
"Everyone leave," he said indifferently. "No one is to approach without my order."
The guards bowed and withdrew, leaving only Bai Mu and Xue Xing behind.
Bai Mu stopped before the prison bed and looked down at the paralyzed prince, a faint, mocking smile on his lips.
"So this is the once-celebrated Prince Xue Xing," he said lightly. "You were full of ambition not long ago. Who would have thought you'd end up like this?"
Xue Xing lay motionless, his eyes wide open, filled with hatred and disbelief. No matter how hard he tried, he could only produce hoarse, meaningless sounds.
"You've brought this upon yourself," Bai Mu continued calmly. "The crime of regicide is undeniable. From this moment on, you are a sinner of the empire, condemned by history."
Xue Xing's eyes trembled violently.
"I know what you're thinking," Bai Mu said, as if reading his mind. "You didn't plan to assassinate the Emperor. You couldn't control your body."
He leaned closer, his voice low and steady.
"Because this entire ending was arranged by me."
Xue Xing's pupils shrank in shock.
"I merely returned what you once set in motion," Bai Mu went on. "Every cause has its effect. If you hadn't acted as you did in the past, there would be no today."
Xue Xing's gaze burned with fury, regret, and despair.
"There's no need for excuses now," Bai Mu said, straightening up. "Judgment has already been passed."
He turned to leave, then paused and spoke one final time, his tone cold and composed:
"You will live, bearing the weight of your crimes, until the end of your days. That is your punishment."
With that, Bai Mu left the cell, leaving only silence behind.
---
Days later, following imperial rites, Emperor Xue Ye was laid to rest in the Imperial Tombs.
The coronation ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
Clad in imperial robes and wearing the crown, Qian Renxue stood upon the throne, dignified and commanding, as she was proclaimed the new Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The ceremony was grand and solemn, lasting an entire day. Every gesture she made reflected authority and composure.
Only when night finally fell did the ceremony come to an end.
Exhausted yet unable to suppress her excitement, Qian Renxue returned to her bedchamber.
Click.
The moment the doors opened, the smile on her face froze.
A familiar figure was already seated leisurely upon the Dragon Bed.
The palace maids on either side stood motionless, their expressions blank.
"Well," Bai Mu said with a faint smile, looking up at her, "Your Majesty certainly kept this humble subject waiting for quite some time."
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