Morning arrived in the Imperial Court—
But the atmosphere was far from peaceful.
Officials stood in their positions.
The grand hall was filled with silence.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
Emperor Xuan Wu Hei sat on the throne.
His expression stern.
Unreadable.
Crown Prince Hei Long stepped forward.
In his hands—
A letter.
"Your Majesty," he said, bowing slightly.
"I have something important to present."
The Emperor's gaze fell upon him.
"Speak."
Hei Long lifted the letter.
"This was discovered recently."
He paused.
"Evidence of betrayal."
A murmur spread through the court.
The Emperor's expression darkened.
"Whose?"
Hei Long's voice remained calm.
"General Wu Jianhong."
Silence.
Total silence.
All eyes turned.
General Wu stepped forward immediately.
His face showed no fear—
Only confusion.
"This is false," he said firmly.
The Crown Prince handed the letter to the Emperor.
"It bears his seal."
The Emperor opened it.
His eyes moved across the words.
Slowly—
His expression changed.
From calm—
To anger.
The hall grew tense.
"This…"
His voice deepened.
"…is treason."
Lady Wu Caixia was not present—
But the weight of the accusation echoed far beyond the court.
General Wu spoke again—
"This is forged!"
His voice was strong.
Loud.
"I have never betrayed the throne!"
The Emperor slammed the letter down.
"Enough!"
His voice shook the hall.
The court fell silent once more.
The Emperor stood up.
His gaze burning with fury.
"General Wu Jianhong," he said,
"You stand accused of treason against the empire."
General Wu knelt immediately.
"I am innocent."
His voice did not waver.
The Emperor looked at him.
There was conflict in his eyes—
But also anger.
"The evidence is clear."
General Wu clenched his fists.
"It is not real!"
Silence.
Then—
The Emperor turned away slightly.
His voice grew heavier.
"The Wu family…"
He paused.
"…will be beheaded in three days."
Gasps filled the hall.
Shock spread among the officials.
General Wu lowered his head.
Not in defeat—
But in pain.
"Your Majesty…"
His voice softened slightly.
"I have served this empire all my life."
A pause.
"I have never once betrayed you."
The Emperor's hand tightened.
But he did not turn back.
"I cannot ignore what is before me."
His voice was cold now.
Final.
General Wu closed his eyes briefly.
Then bowed his head fully.
"I understand."
The guards stepped forward.
The decision had been made.
And there was no turning back.
Far away—
Near the endless ocean—
The wind moved softly over the water.
Yu Hai Xinyue stood there once again.
Waiting.
Just as she always had.
But this time—
A presence appeared behind her.
She turned.
And froze.
"Moyan Jue…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
He stood there.
Looking at her.
After so long—
He had returned.
Before she could say anything more—
She ran toward him.
And embraced him tightly.
"I thought…"
Her voice broke slightly.
"…you would not come back."
Moyan Jue stood still for a moment.
Then slowly placed his hand on her back.
"I said I would return."
His voice was calm.
But gentle.
Yu Hai Xinyue held onto him tightly.
As if afraid he would disappear again.
"I waited for you," she said softly.
Moyan Jue looked at her.
"I know."
There was a quiet warmth between them.
A love that had endured time.
Distance.
And silence.
In the Celestial Heaven—
The Jade Emperor stood beside the Elder Turtle Sage.
Both of them looked into the distance.
Their expressions serious.
"Something is wrong," the Elder Turtle Sage said.
The Jade Emperor nodded slowly.
"The balance is shifting."
His voice was calm.
But heavy.
The Elder Turtle Sage turned slightly.
"It has already begun."
Silence followed.
Then the Jade Emperor spoke—
"Call the Sea Serpent Guardian."
The Elder Turtle Sage nodded.
"She Lanyin."
The name echoed softly.
A guardian of great power.
One who watched over the balance of the seas.
"If something has disturbed the order…"
The Jade Emperor's gaze sharpened.
"…we must know."
The Elder Turtle Sage bowed slightly.
"As you command."
The heavens had begun to move.
The mortal world had begun to break.
...