Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 212 Mountain Collapse (Part 1)
The moment the golden rainbow entered the clouds, the Xia Yu sword in Emperor Huai's hand trembled slightly. The cloud patterns on the sword's spine reflected the rosy light outside the palace, causing his eyes to flicker. He slowly sat on the imperial throne, looking down at the officials below.

"Issue the imperial edict," Emperor Huai's voice pierced through the golden light, landing below the steps, "The Emperor's father has passed away. His funeral rites shall follow the established system of the Xia Dynasty, lasting for three years. During this period, music shall cease throughout the nine provinces, and war shall be quelled throughout the four seas."

"Anyone who causes discord, the whole world shall attack them!"

"Your Majesty, we obey the imperial decree,"

All the officials responded in unison, their voices crashing against the sun and moon patterns on the beams and pillars, creating a series of faint echoes.

Gao Bo stepped forward and said loudly, "Now that the new ruler has ascended the throne, he should announce it to the world. This old minister requests permission to take the jade tablets of the Xia Dynasty and tour the nine provinces to set the record straight and to appease the various states."

Emperor Huai slowly nodded and said, "Granted."

The Holy Emperor's words are law, and he has the merit of inheriting the throne, establishing the ultimate standard, ruling over all nations, and bringing glory to the four corners of the earth.

Although Emperor Huai did not truly bear the Mandate of Heaven and wield the Nine Tripods of the Xia Dynasty, he carried the legacy of Emperor Zhu of Xia.

It should be known that Emperor Zhu Xia ruled the world for three hundred years, and his prestige and virtue far surpassed those of his father and grandfather. He was revered by all spirits as the radiant sun, which is said to shine brightly in the nine heavens, illuminate the four seas, and spread its energy throughout the eight directions.

Emperor Huai possessed such a legacy, and even though he had not yet assumed the throne, he had already received some of the Mandate of Heaven's favor.

Therefore, after Emperor Huai received the homage of his ministers, his words became law. As soon as Emperor Huai spoke, divine miracles arose, and a faint dragon's roar suddenly echoed from the Jizhou Cauldron among the Nine Cauldrons.

At first, the dragon's roar sounded like a secluded spring flowing through a deep valley, but in an instant, it exploded like rolling thunder in the Purple Palace.

A moment later, a warm white light rose from the cauldron, hovering in mid-air, condensing into a jade tablet, which fell into Gao Bo's hand.

The jade tablet is as white as solidified fat, but not pure white; a mysterious light flows within its texture. There are no words on the surface of the jade tablet, only cloud patterns that appear faintly. Upon closer inspection, countless tiny starlight fragments can be seen hidden within the cloud patterns.

“Gao Bo,”

Emperor Huai's gaze fell on the old man, and he said, "Holding this jade tablet, one can tour the nine provinces. Seeing this jade tablet is like seeing the emperor, like seeing the Xia emperors of all dynasties."

"Any state that dares to harbor disloyal intentions, or that uses the Emperor's death as an excuse to start a rebellion, may, by virtue of the imperial edict, order the governors and ministers of all states to execute them first and report later."

"This old minister obeys the imperial decree,"

Gao Bo held the jade tablet in both hands and kowtowed deeply.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Qingzhou, on the coast of the East China Sea
The sea breeze was salty and briny, whipping up fine sand as it swept across the Sun Bathing Terrace in the east. In the Sea-Viewing Pavilion beside the terrace, Xi Shu, the leader of Xihe, one of the Four Sacred Mountains, stood by the window.

The sea breeze, carrying moisture, crashed against the bronze railings of the Guanhai Tower, producing a dull rumble.

Xi Shu stood by the window, the hem of his sacrificial robe lifted by the wind, revealing a sun totem embroidered on the corner. This was the emblem passed down through generations of the Xihe clan, symbolizing their divine mandate to control the four seasons and the sunrise.

He gazed out at the East China Sea. The sea was unusual today; where waves used to crash against the shore like bells and drums, it was now eerily quiet. Where the sea met the sky, the clouds churned like boiling water, tinged with a faint golden-purple hue.

"The sun, in the end, has set."

Xi Shu raised his hand and caught a wisp of golden light carried by the sea breeze. This was the remaining fortune of Emperor Zhu Xia when he transformed into a dragon and returned to heaven, which spread across the land of the nine provinces.

"The heavens of the Xia dynasty are about to change,"

As he spoke, the golden light in his hand trembled with the waves, and his eyes reflected the surging undercurrents deep in the East China Sea, where ancient aquatic creatures slumbering on the seabed let out muffled roars.

The so-called Four Sacred Mountains are the link between Yin and Yang, and the bridge between humans and gods. When the four seasons change, people must report to the mountains; when the wind and rain are irregular, they must pray to the mountains. All the gods and officials are governed by the mountains, and the people pray to the mountains for blessings when they have requests.

This is also because the Four Sacred Mountains hold important positions, each occupying a region and reaching the pinnacle of heaven. Therefore, those who can shoulder the responsibilities of the Four Sacred Mountains are all descendants of emperors and nobles, the direct line of heaven, just like Gonggong in the past and Xihe in the present.

It can be said that these clans, which have served as the Four Sacred Mountains or have served as the Four Sacred Mountains, are all famous families in the Nine Provinces, with many powerful figures in their lineage and extremely profound heritage.

"Your Majesty, Emperor Zhu of Xia has passed away, and the dragon's aura has been divided into three," a powerful figure from the Xihe clan behind Xi Shu whispered. "One part returned to the Nine Tripods, one part entered the new reign, and the other part dispersed into the four seas. This is a sign of the turning of the mandate of heaven."

"In the past, the Xiahou clan was able to seize the Mandate of Heaven from the Yu clan. How can my Xihe clan not seize the Mandate of Heaven from the Xiahou clan now? With this feat of changing the world, we may be able to achieve the great achievements of Emperor Yao, Emperor Shun, and Emperor Yu."

"It's tough,"

Xi Shu smiled and shook his head, saying, "Emperor Yao abdicated, Emperor Shun inherited the throne, and Emperor Yu established the dynasty. These three sage kings all came to power in accordance with the wishes of the people and the destiny of heaven and earth."

"Although I, Xihe, am one of the Four Sacred Mountains, I fear that the three families of Zhurong (Southern Sacred Mountain), Kuiwei (Northern Sacred Mountain), and Jimeng (Western Sacred Mountain) will not give up easily if I try to usurp the mandate of heaven from the Xia Dynasty."

"Are you worried about the reaction from these three families?"

The powerful figure from the Xihe clan frowned, looking thoughtfully at Xi Shu.

Xi Shu said calmly, "This is the Dao Fruit of a Saint King, second only to the Great Dao Fruit of the Heavenly Emperor of the Upper Realm. Once one attains the Dao, one will be ranked above all the gods. Who would be willing to give it up?"

Outside the Guanhai Tower, the sea breeze grew stronger, carrying the fishy smell from the depths of the East China Sea, which clattered against the window frames.

"and,"

"I always feel that people in the world seem to underestimate Di Zihuai. After all, Di Zihuai is Di Zhuxia's successor. After being trained by Di Zhuxia, no one knows how good he really is."

"Perhaps, Emperor Zihuai will give the world a big surprise!"

"Surprise?"

Xihe, the great power, had a solemn expression and spoke softly to himself.

Although he didn't know what the 'surprise' that Uncle Xi was talking about was, he had a feeling that he could sense a dangerous aura in it.

At the same time, the impact of the death of Emperor Zhu Xia was spreading further.

The land of Kyushu, due to the collapse of Emperor Zhu Xia, was like a deep pool into which a giant rock had been thrown, with undercurrents churning wildly beneath the surface.

Except for Xihe, the god of the Eastern Peak, who did not take any action, the three families of the Southern Peak, Western Peak, and Northern Peak each mobilized their troops to varying degrees.

The dukes and marquises under the Four Mountains were also stirring, waiting for the last chance to snatch chestnuts from the fire.

Only Emperor Huai seemed to turn a blind eye to the chaos in the world.

Jambudvipa, the southern continent of Jambudvipa, the prefecture of Liangzhou during the Northern Sui Dynasty.
"Unexpectedly, Di Zhuxia would perish at this time,"

Lu Shang's expression was solemn. Although he had long known that Emperor Zhuxia's lifespan was nearing its end, he never expected that this proud emperor, praised by the Great Wilderness, would perish at this time.

Just as he attained immortality and was about to display his ambitions, Emperor Zhuxia passed away.

After Emperor Zhuxia's death, Emperor Zihuai succeeded him as the new emperor of the Xia dynasty.

"The Emperor of the Great Wilderness,"

In the bronze lamps of the governor's mansion, the lamp oil cast shimmering light on the table, making Lü Shang's face appear even more somber.

During the transition of the Xia dynasty, the Mandate of Heaven changed hands. Under the emperor, the four mountains each harbored their own schemes, and under the four mountains, the various states of the nine provinces also had their own ideas.

Lü Shang could foresee that a great battle that would determine the future destiny of the Xia dynasty was imminent.

For Lü Shang of the Great Wilderness, this was both a calamity and an opportunity.

The calamity is because the Nine Provinces of the Human World will face war and chaos, while the opportunity lies in the formidable strength of Lü Shang of the Great Wilderness, who can turn the crisis into an opportunity and gain benefits.

(End of this chapter)