Chapter 403: A Veteran of Three Reigns

“You mustn’t go, Grand Preceptor! That Monarch Yan has killed countless officials—wherever he passes, not a single government officer is left alive!”

“Exactly! That villain is utterly deranged. Relying on some strange abilities, he has been wantonly annexing Great Wu’s territory. If we ally with him, it’s no different from making a pact with a tiger!”

“Grand Preceptor, we should reconsider this matter carefully…”

Upon hearing that their pillar of support was planning to go off and “send himself to death,” the officials all panicked and tried to dissuade him.

In their eyes, Yan Wuyong—who now occupied the Mengshui region—was a threat as dangerous as the demon race.

He had already committed treason and possessed formidable power. If not for the Grand Preceptor’s presence and the many brilliant strategies he devised to suppress him, Yan Wuyong’s territory might have already doubled in size!

As the room descended into chaos, the Grand Preceptor raised a hand.
“Silence. Time waits for no one. We no longer have the luxury of debating whether to act.”

“Tomorrow at first light, I will take my disciples, load up several dozen carts of grain, and head for Heyun Prefecture.”

“At that time, I ask that His Highness—no, His Majesty—write a royal decree, formally proposing an alliance.”

“I will bring the decree, and with both reason and emotion, try to persuade him. Then, I will take my own life before Monarch Yan to beg him—on behalf of the people of Great Wu—to put aside past grievances and join forces with us to stand against the demon race!”

The hall fell deathly silent. It felt as though everyone’s throats were blocked, the heavy sound of breathing echoing in the Golden Hall.

None had expected that this elder, a minister who had served under two emperors, would go to such lengths for the sake of Great Wu.

Clearly, the Fifth Prince had spared him intentionally. If he had chosen to surrender, he might have lived out his days in peace… yet he chose otherwise. Upon learning the truth, he resolutely decided to stake his life to win a powerful ally for Great Wu!

Who among those standing in the imperial court was a fool? Who wasn’t a shrewd and worldly figure?

Even though the Grand Preceptor hadn’t explained his motives in full, everyone grasped the meaning behind his actions.

A national teacher, a man second only to the emperor, willing to humble himself to the dust, bringing students and provisions, announcing his plea all along the journey, just to ensure that Great Wu’s people would not fall under demon control.

If Monarch Yan refused to help, how could he continue to gain the people’s support and admiration?

This was an open stratagem—one that used his own life to enter the game!

“That’s enough… go and do what must be done.” The Grand Preceptor waved his hand, signaling the court officials to take their leave.

Upon hearing this, every official rose and gave him a deep bow, then departed quickly without looking back.

In that moment, the terror and helplessness brought on by the demons breaching the border and the Fifth Prince’s declaration of himself as emperor seemed to lift slightly from their hearts. The Grand Preceptor’s resolve had rekindled a long-lost fire within them. Or perhaps, unwilling to let his determination go to waste, they too decided to stake everything on one last attempt for Great Wu—even if hope was slim.

Not long after, the Golden Hall was empty. Even the attendants and eunuchs had been dismissed by the Grand Preceptor.

The Third Prince stood still, gazing at the aged and frail Grand Preceptor. His heart was filled with turmoil. Just as he was about to speak, the old man rose of his own accord.

He hurried forward to support the Grand Preceptor’s faltering body.

The latter smiled and, holding onto the Third Prince, stepped up the stairs toward the dragon throne. With every step, he spoke another line:

“I have served in court for sixty-three years—fifty-seven of those as Grand Preceptor…”

“My entire life, aside from ten years of hard study in my youth, has never left the imperial court…”

“My whole life has been dedicated to Great Wu—I will not let it fall now…”

Listening to the Grand Preceptor speak as if delivering a final testament, the Third Prince felt a tight pain in his chest. He was about to speak when he met the old man’s murky, yet kind and loving eyes.

“Your Highness, I watched both you and the Fifth Prince grow up. I know your temperaments better than anyone.”

“Remember this—excessive rigidity leads to breakage!”

“Your way of ruling is too domineering. That style may work in a time of national strength, but in times of crisis like now, you must learn the meaning of ‘gentle governance’…”

“Pushing forward blindly is wrong, but relying solely on softness is also a mistake. Only with firmness tempered by gentleness can a nation be properly governed… I said this to your father, and to your grandfather as well. They listened at first… but later on…”

“Alas…”

With a deep sigh, the Grand Preceptor gently pushed the Third Prince onto the dragon throne, then quickly turned and strode to the front of the hall. He knelt before the Third Prince and said, “Your Majesty, I regret that I am unable to attend your coronation, so I will impose on you and act as a veteran of three reigns here…”

As he spoke, the Grand Preceptor bowed again, saying, “May Great Wu prosper and never fade. May Your Majesty lead Great Wu through this great calamity and steady the crumbling foundation of the empire!”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”

Seeing this, the Third Prince’s eyes reddened, his voice thick with emotion. He choked out, “M-My… My subject, please rise!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The Grand Preceptor bowed once more, slowly rising to his feet, and revealed a satisfied smile. “Your Majesty, please write a royal decree so that this old minister may take it to Heyun Prefecture.”

“Very well…” With a soft reply, the Third Prince picked up the gilded brush, which had not been used in a long time, and dipped it in ink. He began writing a decree he had long desired to compose, one he had thought about day and night.

It was unclear how long passed, but eventually, the Third Prince set down the brush. After carefully drying the ink on the decree, he handed it over to the Grand Preceptor, who had stepped forward to receive it.

Taking the decree, the Grand Preceptor bowed slightly and said, “Your Majesty, I shall depart now. Wait for my good news to return.”

“Minister, please do not hurry. Please, take your time…” The Third Prince, forcing back the bitterness in his heart, uttered this sentence.

“Your Majesty’s will is my command.” The Grand Preceptor clasped his hands together and bowed, then turned his back and walked slowly toward the hall’s exit.

As the first light of dawn began to break, a warm golden ray of sunlight streamed through the doors of the Golden Hall and fell upon the Grand Preceptor. This first beam of sunlight landed squarely on him, elongating his shadow.

It bathed his silver-white hair in a faint golden glow, and his hunched figure seemed to straighten slightly under the touch of the sun.