The Empress’s Judgment and a Desperate Plea

Her figure finally emerged fully from the pillar of light, yet she exuded no deliberate, oppressive spiritual pressure.

Nevertheless, her sheer ‘presence’ alone caused the very laws of heaven and earth to subtly bend towards her.

The crimson expanse above was a direct manifestation of her will, its gentle radiance bathing the land, yet imbued with an absolute decree: prosperity for those who yield, demise for those who defy.

All those present knelt in obeisance, their gazes averted from the Empress’s blinding radiance.

Only the translucent projection remained, standing jovially in place, appearing as though it stood on equal ground with the Empress herself.

Yet the Empress seemed entirely unbothered by this disrespect, her gaze first falling upon Qiu Ku.

A clear, chilling voice resonated through heaven and earth, each syllable seemingly harmonizing with the Great Dao itself, sending tremors through the hearts of all who heard: “Qiu Ku.”

Her imposing, piercing eyes fixed upon Qiu Ku, radiating an authority that needed no anger.

Even in her soft query, Ji Fengyi’s voice carried an undeniable edge of indignation.

“A millennium has passed since we last met, yet for a mere trifle, you personally lead an army, brazenly invading another sect with the intent to annihilate it?”

A keen glint flickered within Qiu Ku’s turbid, aged eyes.

She could distinctly sense that the Empress before her possessed a power even more profound and unfathomable than during her last audience.

The blessings of national destiny were, indeed, terrifying beyond measure.

Within her gaze, too, a flicker of almost imperceptible greed briefly manifested.

“Your Majesty!” Qiu Ku bowed slightly, her posture deferential, yet her voice remained a hoarse, resonant rumble.

“It is not that this old woman is inherently bloodthirsty; rather, the Xuan Nv Sect has truly pushed us too far with their egregious bullying! They not only indulged their disciples in slandering and framing my Qiu family heir, but also brazenly attempted to inflict private punishment! Such an act not only grievously wounded my Qiu family’s reputation but also cast a shadow upon my granddaughter’s Dao heart! How could we possibly not be incensed by this? Qiu Yue, cherished as a treasure by our family since childhood, possesses unparalleled talent, and her future path had long been meticulously charted. Yet, unexpectedly, she joined this declining Xuan Nv Sect, and now finds herself publicly slandered, utterly unable to defend her name. Your Majesty is well aware of this old woman’s fiery temper and her fierce protectiveness of her kin; naturally, I could not stand idly by and witness my beloved granddaughter subjected to such abuse! My presence here, leading these individuals, is simply to lend strength to my granddaughter!”

She conveniently omitted any mention of her earlier war cries, her threats to “level the Xuan Nv Sect.”

Her declarations of slaughter were now artfully framed as a righteous defense of her family’s honor and her heir’s safety, allowing her to claim the moral high ground.

The Empress, however, paid her no heed, turning her gaze instead to the translucent figure on the other side.

“Sect Master Lin, a millennium has passed since we last met… and you truly are—”

–Empress, I’m not entirely sure what became of my true body. But given its prolonged absence, it’s likely deceased, wouldn’t you agree?

‘…Still as utterly heartless as her true self.’

Immediately thereafter, the Empress’s gaze, sharp as a falling icicle, plummeted with pinpoint accuracy towards the viewing platform below.

A clear, cold voice, like the chime of jade, reached only Ji Xue’s ears, imbued with supreme imperial majesty as it directly pierced her sea of consciousness:

“Utterly foolish! How could you so carelessly cast aside the life-saving divine talisman I bestowed upon you, leaving it here? Have you forgotten you possess but one life? As an imperial princess, how dare the Qiu family even contemplate such an act against you? Are you truly so afraid of death?!”

The voice resonated like cold jade clashing from the nine heavens, each word infused with a thunderous fury, yet also tinged with the profound disappointment of ‘hating iron for not becoming steel’.

“Matters that could have been reported with a simple sound transmission talisman, and even if I had to rush here, I would have been but a moment late! Can you truly not comprehend even this? Furthermore, you are unaware—”

The beaded curtain of her imperial crown swayed almost imperceptibly as the Empress’s sigh, imbued with deep disappointment, pierced through their very souls:

“Very well… Since I am here, your wish shall be granted—” Suddenly, the Empress’s pupils sharply constricted.

“You—? What has transpired?!”

“Mother… it is thus…”

Yet, the tumultuous storm raging within the Empress’s heart remained imperceptible to outsiders.

All they witnessed was her figure suddenly descending, moving directly towards the viewing platform.

Witnessing the Empress descend before the spectators, Qiu Ku’s heart gave a sudden, sharp jolt.

Instantly, she recalled the confidential report detailing the First Imperial Princess’s unauthorized departure from the palace, never in her wildest dreams imagining she would be found within the Xuan Nv Sect!

No wonder the Xuan Nv Sect possessed the audacity to resist; it appeared they knew the Imperial Princess was within their grounds, emboldening them to act without fear.

Was their silence a calculated move, intending to wait for her side to inadvertently incriminate themselves by attacking the Imperial Princess?

Qiu Ku remained silent, for she knew that the more one spoke, the greater the likelihood of error.

It was wiser to first gauge the Empress’s reaction before deciding on a course of action.

A fresh jolt went through Qiu Ku’s heart.

She cast a swift glance, signaling Qiu Jingwen to descend and ascertain Qiu Yue’s condition.

The members of the Xuan Nv Sect naturally followed suit, descending as well.

Only that wisp of projection remained aloft, serving as a precaution should the old witch Qiu Ku suddenly lose her mind, and to ensure Lin Mo’s injuries could be tended to.

For a moment, an eerie, unnatural stillness enveloped the entire scene.

No one dared to utter a single word, all patiently awaiting the Empress to break the silence.

Qiu Ku watched Qiu Jingwen, she—

Qiu Ku suddenly noticed that Qiu Jingwen had, surprisingly, returned.

“Did I not instruct you to watch over Yue’er? Why have you returned?”

“Old Ancestor, there is a matter of considerable importance I must convey to you… it concerns something Yue’er herself spoke of.”

Qiu Ku rarely witnessed such a grave expression on Qiu Jingwen’s face, and she wondered what secret her subordinate was withholding, insisting on a private sound transmission.

Yet Qiu Jingwen was never one to be easily flustered or prone to dramatics.

For her to appear so solemn, this was undoubtedly no minor affair.

“Then pray tell me what this matter entails?”

As Qiu Jingwen recounted her tale, Qiu Ku’s eyes—which normally appeared half-closed due to sagging muscles—were now wrenched wide open by sheer astonishment.

Her gaze shifted to Lin Mo, and in her eyes, a newly born, almost imperceptible flicker of greed manifested.

And was the Empress any different?

Her eyes, too, turned to Lin Mo, carrying a distinct nuance, a hint of something different.

Instantly, the intense, probing gazes from both formidable parties converged upon Lin Mo.

Trapped at the heart of this brewing storm, Lin Mo acutely felt the icy stares that seemed to pierce directly into his very soul.

He felt as though he had plunged into an ice cellar, his limbs growing stiff and numb, utterly unable to move.

Never before had death loomed so terrifyingly close.

Yet, what churned within his heart was far more than mere fear; it was also the profound, bittersweet ache of a reunion long overdue…

He was terrified.

Terrified that his hopes would be cruelly dashed, terrified that this was merely someone who bore a striking resemblance… and terrified that the longing and sorrow he had painstakingly suppressed within his heart would erupt, surging forth to utterly consume him.

Furthermore, positioned at the very epicenter of this tempest, his mere existence at this moment promised nothing but endless complications.

‘If that truly is Mother… will I only bring her trouble once more?’

‘And if it isn’t… I fear I’ve inadvertently brought ruin upon the Xuan Nv Sect…’

He had never imagined that the power backing Qiu Yue would be so utterly biased, so utterly fanatical…

Fear coiled and spread within his heart, followed by a surge of anger at the Qiu family’s overbearing arrogance, and then a profound, aching regret—regret for having pushed Qiu Yue too relentlessly, thereby inviting a catastrophe potent enough to obliterate their entire sect.

He gazed at his master Mu Qingli’s blood-stained collar and disheveled hair, at the elders’ unprecedentedly grave expressions and their strained, defiant postures, at the despair welling in the eyes of the surrounding disciples… A crushing weight of self-reproach threatened to overwhelm him.

He was not a man given to excessive sentimentality, but if thousands of lives were truly to be sacrificed because of him alone… he simply could not bring himself to commit such a heartless act…

Perhaps all he needed to do was—

“Wan’er, do not fear. With your master here, no one shall harm you.”

Mu Qingli’s voice remained cool and clear, yet it carried an unparalleled warmth.

“Lin Wan’er,” Qing You’s voice resonated, imbued with an undeniable resolve, as if the one who had schemed against him moments ago had vanished.

“The Xuan Nv Sect has not fallen so low as to sacrifice a disciple’s life for its future. No matter how much I scheme, it would never fall to a single disciple like you to forge a path for the entire sect. This is not a burden you should bear.”

“Lin Wan’er, do not think such foolish thoughts,” Xian Chengyue interjected suddenly.

“If someone must be sacrificed, let it be me! This old woman has lived long enough!”

“Senior Uncle, do not fear!” Zhao Qiubai’s voice rang out with vibrant strength.

“Though the Xuan Nv Sect does not boast many Old Ancestors, each one is a formidable fighter! There are still several hidden within the forbidden grounds; if that withered old monster dares to make a move, I guarantee she’ll be sent packing with more than she can handle! Moreover, Senior Sister’s projection is still present!”

His innermost thoughts seemed to have been laid bare before these elders…

Their words, like heavy lead, seemed to melt away under this scorching warmth.

A sharp pang of sourness surged to his nose, his eyes instantly growing hot and moist, almost uncontrollably on the verge of tears.

How many years had it been?

Ever since his mother’s disappearance and his subsequent transmigration and capture, he had long grown accustomed to bearing burdens alone, to self-consolation.

Those icy fears, crushing self-reproach, and boundless despair… in the face of this overwhelming surge of protective warmth, melted away like residual snow beneath the spring sun.

In their place, a more complex emotion churned and surged within his chest—an immense gratitude for the many figures standing behind him.

How to describe it…

It was good to be alive.

As long as one lived, one could experience many things.

However, now he must—

However, he now had to make a stand himself; lurking behind others like a cowering turtle was simply not his style.

At its core, this was about settling his grievances with Qiu Yue.

Thus, Lin Mo spoke.

“Your Majesty! Old Ancestor Qiu! This junior has a strategy that can break this current deadlock and also provide an explanation to the Qiu family.”