Chapter 1103: Upheaval in Wei

The water arrived. Niu Youdao took the water flask and began pouring it into the counterfeit Wuliang Fruit.

He then pushed the fragment of the treasure pearl, suspended by a silk thread, back inside the imitation. After examining how the light passed through it, Niu Youdao smiled. He tied the other end of the thread to the opening in the counterfeit, leaving the pearl fragment suspended inside, then carefully used spiritual power to fuse the opening shut.

Once it was completely sealed, he picked up his carving knife again and meticulously worked over the fused seam, refining the imitation further.

When he was finished, he set down the knife and casually tossed the counterfeit over. "See what you think."

Hei Yun caught it and held it in his palm. Everyone present stared in amazement.

It was not because they had ever seen a Wuliang Fruit. None of the Demon Foxes of their generation had. What astonished them was that the thing seemed almost alive.

Faint red light seeped from the grooves in its uneven surface. As the glow shifted, the object seemed to breathe, like a heart beating.

Holding it in his hand, Hei Yun could tell where the strange effect came from. He could feel the pearl fragment suspended inside swaying. The seemingly breathing light was an illusion produced as the fragment moved through the water.

He looked again at the carving. It appeared rough, but every rough spot had actually been cut by hand. The craftsmanship was so fine that Hei Yun clicked his tongue in admiration. "Niu Youdao, I never knew you had this kind of skill."

Niu Youdao chuckled. "I once had a period when I was interested in counterfeits. Just a trifling little craft. Good enough to catch your discerning eye?"

Hei Yun studied it. "It's well made, but asking us whether it's good is pointless. We've never seen what a Wuliang Fruit looks like. Whether this truly resembles one or not is something you have to judge for yourself."

Niu Youdao said, "As long as no one stands close enough to take it in hand and inspect it, it should pass for the real thing on appearance alone. Without pretending to be modest, I'm an expert at this."

Hei Yun rocked the object in his palm. "If I'm not mistaken, that breathing-looking glow comes from the pearl fragment swinging inside. If it stops moving, won't people notice something is wrong? Surely a real Wuliang Fruit doesn't have to be shaken to give off that kind of light."

"That's precisely why I suspended the fragment inside, so it can sway and produce a similar effect. The water makes the glow diffuse more naturally, and it also slows the fragment's movement so it won't strike the inside and make a sound that could give it away. As for whether anyone will notice, I've observed the site around the Wuliang Fruit tree. It shouldn't be a serious problem. The Crow Generals are guarding it. The moment anyone approaches, they manifest, and the force of their presence creates enough movement to make the fruit sway. That should be enough to fool anyone who comes close to look. If no one approaches, it doesn't matter whether the glow is moving or still.

"It was only after seeing those conditions for myself and weighing them carefully that I came away from Wuliang Garden confident enough to find you immediately and have you prepare the materials. Unless Wu Chang comes in person and restrains the Crow Generals, everyone inside Wuliang Garden can only inspect the fruit visually. The Crow Generals recognize no one. No one else can get close, and if anyone forces the issue, the Crow Generals will destroy the Wuliang Fruit.

"If someone really does get close enough to touch and inspect the fruit, then there's nothing we can do. No counterfeit could survive that kind of examination, no matter how perfect it looked. So your concern is unnecessary."

Hei Yun turned the object over in his hand. "If you're confident, that's naturally a good thing. Are you going to make another eleven?"

"Another twelve. This one was only a trial piece. The real ones need finer, more meticulous carving. I'm also worried the silk thread suspending the fragment won't hold after soaking in water for too long. Find me something stronger."

Hei Yun immediately waved for someone to see to it.

Niu Youdao sat down at the stone table again and threw himself into the work with complete concentration.

He could not stay here indefinitely. That would arouse Misty Pavilion's suspicions. He had to finish as quickly as possible.

The others had already watched him make one and now moved to help. Some scraped powder from the stone walls, some fetched water, and others prepared resin, doing everything they could to spare Niu Youdao unnecessary steps.

In the imperial palace of the State of Wei, Grand Commandant Nan Renyu entered the imperial study and respectfully bowed to Xuan Chengtian, who sat behind the desk.

Xuan Chengtian did not bother with ceremony. He raised a hand to dispense with the formalities and went straight to the point. "I summoned the Grand Commandant because there is something I wish to discuss with you. You have held an important office and labored for the state for many years. It is time you enjoyed some peace and comfort. Do you understand my meaning?"

The sudden turn made Nan Renyu's heart sink. The emperor wanted him to surrender his military authority.

He could not agree, yet neither could he refuse. Caught completely off guard, he answered evasively, "This subject understands. I will return and make preparations at once."

Xuan Chengtian's anger flared the moment he heard that. "What preparations are needed? I am asking only whether you agree!"

Nan Renyu's expression grew grave. He slowly cupped his hands. "This subject is advanced in years and fears delaying affairs of state. I respectfully ask Your Majesty to choose another worthy man for the post."

Xuan Chengtian smiled. "Since the Grand Commandant has offered his resignation of his own accord, I will certainly consider it carefully. You may withdraw."

"Yes. This subject takes his leave." Nan Renyu retreated several steps with his hands cupped before turning away, his expression shifting uncertainly.

Xuan Chengtian was still smiling as he watched him leave when, before Nan Renyu had gone more than a few steps, guards suddenly rushed in from both sides and seized him on the spot.

Xuan Chengtian had not even grasped what was happening. Nan Renyu, pinned down, turned back in shock. "Your Majesty..."

Before he could finish, someone clamped a hand over his mouth. One of the guards had already drawn a sword and drove it straight through his chest.

Nan Renyu's eyes went wide in disbelief as blood welled from the wound.

Xuan Chengtian sprang to his feet in horror. "What are you doing?"

A graceful figure hurried out from a side chamber. It was Noble Consort Chang. Trailing a waft of perfume, she came forward. "How can Your Majesty indulge a woman's softheartedness in a matter of such importance?"

Xuan Chengtian stared at her in shock. "You did this? He already agreed to resign on his own. Why did you still have him killed?"

He truly had been dissatisfied with Nan Renyu. When he had previously tried to strip Nan Renyu of military authority, Xuan Wei had stopped him, planting a thorn in his heart that he had never been able to let go. But even so, he had not dared kill the man lightly. As long as Nan Renyu submitted, that would have been enough.

Now Nan Renyu had agreed, yet this side had suddenly killed him. Xuan Chengtian had no idea how he was supposed to explain this to his imperial elder sister afterward.

Noble Consort Chang dropped to her knees before him. "Your Majesty, he was plainly stalling you. Have you forgotten the lesson from before? The moment he left the palace, he would have gone straight to Imperial Elder Sister to complain. Do you think she would have agreed? If she refused, most of the backbone of Wei's army consists of officers personally promoted by her and Nan Renyu. If Imperial Elder Sister raised her arm and called, the armies would answer. Who then could remove Nan Renyu?

"Your Majesty, everything across the state has already been prepared. All that is missing is a single decree from you. Nan Renyu is dead now. If Your Majesty still cannot bring yourself to act decisively, once his subordinate generals hear the news and rise in revolt, an army could surround the palace in an instant!"

Xuan Chengtian was breathing hard. "How am I supposed to answer to Imperial Elder Sister?"

"Your Majesty! Once you control the military, Imperial Elder Sister will not even be able to enter the palace. There will be no need to explain anything. Once you control the military, even Wei's three great sects will have to stand on your side. Your Majesty, Nan Renyu's death cannot be concealed for long. The arrow is already on the string and must be loosed! Otherwise, this concubine's wholehearted devotion will become a capital crime. If Imperial Elder Sister regains control of the situation in time, not only will this concubine be unable to escape death, in her fury Imperial Elder Sister may even depose Your Majesty!

"Your Majesty, you are the true sovereign of this state!"

Goldenwings flew one after another from the imperial palace, carrying decrees to every part of Wei.

At the Mist Bureau's central headquarters, the newly appointed Chief Commissioner suddenly led a group of men to kick open a door and storm inside.

Jiang Shiji, who had been seated reading intelligence reports from around the state, jerked in alarm. She flipped backward toward a sword rack, drew her sword with a hiss, and leveled it at the intruders. "Zhou Gao, what are you trying to do?"

Zhou Gao was the current Chief Commissioner of the Mist Bureau.

As Xuan Wei had gradually relinquished authority, control of the Mist Bureau had been handed over to Xuan Chengtian. Unsurprisingly, Xuan Chengtian had installed his own preferred man.

Although Jiang Shiji had stepped down, Xuan Wei had arranged an honorary post for her within the Mist Bureau. In a sense, she remained there to help Xuan Wei keep an eye on intelligence matters.

Zhou Gao produced an imperial decree and said heavily, "His Majesty has issued a decree. Jiang Shiji, do you intend to resist it?"

At the sight of the decree, uncertainty flashed across Jiang Shiji's face. The sword in her hand slowly lowered.

The men who had entered immediately swarmed forward and seized her.

Jiang Shiji was still trying to understand what was happening when Zhou Gao strode forward. His sword flashed coldly from its sheath, and he cut her down on the spot, leaving her in a pool of blood.

Immediately afterward, Zhou Gao strode out and directed his men to strike throughout the Bureau. Using the imperial decree as their authority, they began a bloody purge of Jiang Shiji's people, or rather, a purge of Xuan Wei's people within the Mist Bureau.

Nor was it only the Mist Bureau. The entire capital of Wei seemed to have plunged into military chaos.

Nan Renyu's trusted subordinate generals were almost simultaneously lured into traps and killed, accused of involvement in rebellion.

For a time, the guard cultivators had no idea what was happening in the face of an imperial decree. By the time the retainer cultivators understood what was really going on, it was already too late.

And it was not confined to the capital. The moment Nan Renyu was killed in the palace, messages were immediately sent throughout the state. By the time some people realized what was happening, many garrison commanders across Wei had already been murdered in the sudden upheaval.

Just as Noble Consort Chang had said, everything had been prepared in advance. Or, more accurately, someone had been directing the operation from behind the scenes for a long time, with every critical point already arranged. All that had been missing was a single imperial decree from Xuan Chengtian.

Tianwei Residence had been surrounded by an army.

Xuan Wei strode out in fury. The troops outside moved to block her, and Ximen Qingkong flew into a rage.

Xuan Wei grabbed him before he could act, drew Tang Yi's sword and borrowed it for the moment, then walked directly toward the forest of blades and spears facing her. "Who dares stop me?"

None of the guards dared offend her. As she advanced step by step, they collectively retreated without even meaning to.

The officer who had just taken command looked to either side and realized that he alone had been left facing her. He immediately turned and shouted, "No one is to retreat!"

Xuan Wei swept her sword out.

Blood burst from the officer's neck, spraying across Xuan Wei's face and body.

Agony twisted the man's features. He clutched his throat and collapsed with a clang.

Blood dripped from Xuan Wei's face. Like a peach blossom stained crimson, her expression was murderous and severe. Sword in hand, she opened a path before her, and the army surrounding the residence moved aside of its own accord.

[End of Chapter 1103]