Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 1025 God’s Blessing
Tonight in Luoyang, the undercurrents are no longer swirling, but a malevolent wind carrying ambition, fear, and desire is blowing wildly without restraint.

Various encrypted secret messages, semi-public open messages, flapping-winged pigeons, stealthy spies, and communication devices shimmering with faint light frantically shuttled and intertwined in the streets, rooftops, and even underground passages of Luoyang.

Although the strict curfew should not have led to such a scene in the capital, the officials and government offices that were fully responsible for monitoring the security situation in the capital, such as the Commandant of the Capital, the Governor of Henan, and the Magistrate of Luoyang, were themselves caught up in a frenzy of information transmission and conspiracy.

This makes the forbidden spectacle seem all the more "legitimate".

The suppressed voices, the rapid hoofbeats, and the uncontrollable exclamations and discussions of the people in the neighborhood mingled together, like an invisible heat wave, rolling and steaming in this otherwise tranquil spring night.

If the strange phenomenon of "appearing day and night" in Pei State was merely a vague omen that needed interpretation, then...

So, the "Mars guarding the heart" high in the sky at this moment is almost like a "clear card" played by the heavens to announce a great change!
Anyone with even a modicum of historical knowledge and some education will involuntarily conjure up that chilling yet subtly exciting guess:

The emperor... is probably going to die!

This moment:
Several princes of the Sima family, who held significant military power or occupied key positions, could no longer suppress their ambitions. They summoned their most trusted confidants and advisors overnight, closed their mansions, and began to discuss how to "protect the Emperor's brother's safety" and how to "share the burdens of the Great Jin Dynasty."

Their covetous gazes were now undisguisedly fixed on the depths of the imperial city.

However, the princes, who were rightfully granted titles, became extremely conservative and cautious in their behavior after the initial shock and instinctive excitement.

They knew that countless eyes were watching them, and they dared not move an inch, fearing they would become the target of everyone's criticism. They could only wait anxiously.

Ambitious individuals and speculators throughout the government and the country were not to be outdone, networking everywhere, analyzing the situation, and betting on the future.

For them, infighting is instinctive, and the struggle for power is an unparalleled pleasure.

The wickedness of the people in Luoyang was like a turbid wave that had finally crossed the dam, surging and unstoppable.

It was as if an invisible hand had pressed the "fast forward" button on the fate of this dynasty, setting it on an irreversible trajectory.

The royal palace, at the heart of the storm, was a scene of unimaginable chaos and turmoil.

After all, the emperor was still alive and more lucid than ever before.

Therefore, the "loyalty" that needs to be expressed must be expressed urgently, and the "concern" that needs to be shown must be shown with utmost seriousness.

Outside the palace gates, the three dukes and nine ministers who had rushed over upon hearing the news knelt on the ground in a dense mass, each with a face displaying just the right amount of anxiety and loyalty.

However, Emperor Jin acted contrary to his usual behavior this time.

He did not convene a meeting of his ministers as usual, nor did he even wave his hand to order the blocking of most of their requests for an audience. No matter how noisy and pleading there was outside, the palace gates remained tightly shut.

Only one person was "invited" in by the Imperial Guards—the Grand Historian.

In the spacious yet oppressive hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated the emperor's face, which betrayed no emotion.

He didn't look at the kneeling Grand Astrologer, but instead gazed at the ominous rust-red starlight outside the window, his tone unusually calm, even gentle:
"My dear minister..." he began slowly, "What did you say to me last time? And the time before that, what did you say? And three months ago... in the astrological memorial you presented, how did you share my burdens?"

He turned his head slightly, his gaze finally landing on the Grand Historian:

"Could you... help me recall it properly?"

The tone was gentle and soothing, like a soft breeze and a warm, gentle touch.

But to the Grand Historian, these words were like a violent storm, a thunder and lightning!

The chilling killing intent contained within was so intense that it terrified one's very soul!
The emperor's words carry the weight of divine authority, and his pronouncements are law. Since matters concern his own life and death, and the continuation of the dynasty, every word he utters at this moment carries immense weight and an unquestionable judgment.
Upon hearing this, the Grand Historian, who was lying on the ground, was instantly drenched in cold sweat, his heavy official robes soaked through.

Finished!

My heart felt cold.

Ever since he managed to gloss over the strange phenomenon of "the people of Pei appearing day and night" by citing classical texts in a vague and ambiguous manner, he had a premonition that an even greater crisis would come sooner or later.

By wielding the armillary sphere to observe celestial phenomena, even someone with no knowledge of fortune-telling or metaphysics can discern ominous signs.

However, before he could effectively transfer his family property and valuables, and even while he was still preparing his escape plan, he was caught off guard by the sudden "Mars guarding the heart" phenomenon and was once again dragged to the emperor's presence at this critical juncture.

Now, things are really in big trouble.

At the head of the table, the emperor's seemingly calm gaze actually carried the heavy pressure of humanity across the entire Nine Provinces, like an invisible mountain; to his side, the Grand Preceptor's seemingly gentle gaze carried a faint, sinister aura, as if assessing his prey; and in the shadows of the hall, countless pairs of eyes from royal attendants or hidden masters were coldly locked onto him.

As astute as the Grand Historian was, he naturally understood that today he had to give an explanation that would "satisfy" the emperor, otherwise there was no way he would leave this golden palace alive.

Death is imminent once more!

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you allow me... to use the armillary sphere once more to observe the celestial phenomena."

He knelt down and pleaded, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

"Granted." The emperor's reply was brief and cold.

Soon, the armillary sphere, symbolizing the highest authority in observing celestial phenomena, was carefully carried to the Golden Hall.

However, the process before the observation was extremely complicated. First, an eunuch would "accompany" the Grand Astrologer to bathe and change clothes to check for any concealed items; then an imperial physician would come forward to take his pulse to confirm that he was healthy and there was no possibility of a sudden serious illness; finally, even the Imperial Preceptor would come forward to feign "blessing" him, but in reality, he would be checking for any abnormal fluctuations in magical power within his body.

All of this is to prevent any underhanded tactics, to ensure that the subsequent observation results are "true and credible," or... to ensure that he cannot escape on any pretext of an accident.

The Grand Historian felt a chill in his heart.

Today's ordeal is truly inescapable.

At this moment, he seemed to see the Cao Zhi recorded in history books, who was forced by his elder brother Cao Pi to compose a poem in seven steps in this Luoyang palace.

Suddenly I felt empathy.

However, when people are driven to a truly desperate situation, their survival instinct is fully activated, and they may even develop a ferocity that they would never normally exhibit.

The last vestige of integrity and principles that remained in my heart as an observer were completely thrown to the winds at this moment.

Today marks the...final fate of me, the seventh Grand Astrologer!

An incredibly clear understanding formed in his mind:

You absolutely must not actually look!

So many exes before him set a bloody example, showing him that anyone who saw it was doomed!
Not watching it is not an option!

If no "culprit" can be found to deflect blame and shift the blame to appease the emperor's anger, death is inevitable!
As his mind raced, sifting through various plausible or absurd solutions, a fierce glint flashed in the Grand Historian's eyes.

Without further hesitation, he immersed his official seal and mind into it, and boldly activated this ancient celestial globe!
Om-!
With a deep hum, the various parts of the instrument began to flash and rotate:
On the celestial globe, the twenty-four solar terms, twenty-eight constellations, equator, ecliptic, hidden circle, and visible circle, which are engraved on it, light up in turn, like a miniature projection of the stars in the celestial sphere, and begin to flicker.

Above the armillary sphere, the intricately nested ecliptic ring, horizon ring, meridian ring, hexagram, ecliptic ring, inner equator ring, and right ascension ring began to rotate slowly, emitting subtle yet clear sounds of their mechanisms meshing.

This enormous bronze creation seems to have been awakened from its slumber, beginning to fulfill its sacred mission of communicating between heaven and humanity.

The ancient power of the Primordial Calendar converges upon it, and runes carrying the glory of humanity in the Nine Provinces flow and shimmer between the copper rings.

The Grand Historian's mind was connected to it, feeling the vast and boundless flow of information, and he made a firm decision:
Then... take a look!
They had to gather enough "real" information to gain the emperor's trust, while cleverly distorting and concealing the most crucial details!
As for whether he can survive by walking a tightrope...

Let fate decide!

But a thought, like a venomous snake, burrowed into his mind:

If I manage to survive this time... I will definitely teach this dog emperor who has tried to kill me time and time again a lesson!
The power of the Primordial Calendar operates across the Nine Provinces, regulating the changing of the four seasons, the evolution of the stars, and the seasonal changes of humanity. All macroscopic laws related to time and order are contained within it.

Using this as a foundation to activate the armillary sphere, one can naturally glimpse fragments and threads of the long river of time and space, and feel the magnificent power that transcends the imagination of ordinary people.

However, this peculiar "beauty" and massive amount of information, woven from the laws of humanity and the trajectories of the stars, could only be "seen" by him with the help of the armillary sphere and the official seal of the Grand Historian. Even those highly skilled practitioners of the Heavenly Secrets Dao could not observe such a scene originating from the orthodox calendar of the dynasty so clearly and directly.

At this moment, it was as if he were standing above the entire Nine Provinces. The Grand Historian watched as countless pieces of information representing the operation of Heaven, Earth, and Man surged in like a flood, almost overwhelming his mind.

He let out a bitter laugh that was a mixture of pain, self-mockery, and resolute determination.

Then, gathering all his remaining willpower, he looked toward the most dazzling and deadly source of information—the celestial warning about "Mars guarding the heart"!

But he himself did not know that his previous tricks in interpreting the stars and avoiding the important points had actually allowed him to stay away from the central calamity and avoid being directly involved in Xu Bailian's huge and chaotic vortex of cause and effect.

From a mysterious perspective, this actually allowed him to successfully "pass through tribulations" several times without his knowledge.

Such an achievement of repeatedly avoiding great calamities through "slipperyness" and "inaction" would be remarkable even in an era of divine intervention.

As the saying goes, those who survive a great calamity are sure to have good fortune in the future.

Perhaps it was this accumulation of "merit" that finally earned him a sliver of divine favor during this true life-or-death moment.

He did see something in the armillary sphere:
They saw the direction of Liang Kingdom, where the dragon-like aura belonging to the Crown Prince of Liang was particularly conspicuous yet showed signs of dissipation.

I saw the ancient Ebo Terrace, and the solemn atmosphere of the altar still lingering on it.

I saw a crimson star phantom break free from its restraints on the earth and rise into the sky.

I could even vaguely see two blurry figures standing on that high platform...

Just as the information continued to unfold, it was about to touch upon a taboo existence that was unspeakable and unbearable to be looked at.
hum! ! !
The operation of the celestial sphere, which carries the power of the primordial calendar, was disrupted by an even more primordial force!
They seem to share the same origin, yet are somewhat incomplete, but they are sufficient to interrupt the program's operation.

A dazzling, radiant light burst forth from the core of the armillary sphere!

An immense and unstoppable force erupted from it, like an invisible giant hammer slamming down on the Grand Historian who was connected to it by mind and body!

"puff--!"

The Grand Astrologer was sent flying like a kicked ball, crashing heavily into the golden dragon pillar of the main hall. His bones cracked with a sickening sound, and blood gushed from his mouth and nose.

(End of this chapter)