The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

Three days later, at the Tianming Imperial Palace, a grand court assembly was held.

The atmosphere in the Golden Palace was so heavy it seemed to drip water. News of the disastrous defeat at Luofeng Gorge had finally been able to be completely concealed, and all sorts of shocking rumors were circulating throughout the court and among the people. The officials held their breath, stealing glances at the throne.

Lin Chu sat high on the dragon throne, dressed in a bright yellow court robe and wearing an imperial crown. A beaded curtain hung down, obscuring most of her face, revealing only her tightly pursed, bloodless lips. In her hand, she held the urgent report from the border.

Inside the hall, Gao Tianci stepped forward, his face filled with grief and indignation, his voice booming and echoing in the silent hall:

"...The traitor Su Che, his wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious! In the past, relying on His Majesty's favor, he usurped power, formed cliques, and pursued personal gain—this is his first crime! Now that His Majesty has seen through his treachery and has merely restrained him, he harbors resentment, killing and wounding soldiers and looting military equipment—this is his second crime! To escape punishment, he fled, betrayed the country, and defected to the enemy—this is his third crime! Such a disloyal, unjust, and treacherous traitor, without a ruler or father, is abhorrent to both Heaven and man, and intolerable to gods and ghosts!"

He grew increasingly agitated, waving his arms: "Your Majesty! This scoundrel Su Che is cunning to the point of being demonic, possesses extraordinary martial prowess, and is intimately familiar with our court's military and political affairs, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of our border defenses! Now that he has fled to Jiang Qiong, he will surely be used by Jiang Qiong, causing endless trouble! I implore Your Majesty to immediately issue an edict, announcing to the world his ten major crimes, issuing a warrant for his arrest, and offering a hefty reward. Regardless of life or death, this scoundrel must be captured and killed to uphold the law and appease the people! His cronies in the capital should also be investigated and punished severely and swiftly, without any further leniency towards evil!"

His words were like sparks thrown into a frying pan. Some officials who had already sided with Gao Tianci or who were inherently jealous of Su Che immediately stepped forward to echo him, their words vehement, as if Su Che were the chief culprit who had brought disaster to the country and its people.

However, some officials showed reluctance or hesitation. Su Che's merits were known throughout the land. Such a ruthless turn on him, this complete annihilation, was chilling.

Lin Chu listened in silence, his gaze hidden behind the beaded curtain, unseen by anyone.

After Gao Tianci finished speaking, the hall fell silent again, and everyone's eyes were focused on her.

She slowly, with great difficulty, raised the report in her hand. Her voice came through the beaded curtain, cold and dry, carrying a deliberately crafted yet undeniably trembling authority:

"What Minister Gao said...is all true."

She paused for a long time, so long that one might think she wouldn't continue.

Then, she slammed the report onto the imperial desk with a loud "thud," startling several timid officials.

The beaded curtain snapped shut, revealing her bloodshot eyes, burning with raging anger and... a deep-seated fear.

"Su Che!" she shouted sharply, her voice shrill with emotion. "How generously I have treated you! I have bestowed upon you a marquisate, granted you wealth and honor, trusted and valued you! And what have you done?!"

She stood up and pointed south outside the hall, as if Su Che were standing there.

"You, relying on your meager achievements, have become arrogant and disrespectful, forming cliques and manipulating the court! When I offered you a slight remonstrance, you held a grudge! When I, out of consideration for your hard work, asked you to return some trivial duties, you killed an official and fled! Do you still have even a shred of the proper relationship between ruler and subject? Do you still have even a shred of reverence for me?"

Her chest heaved violently, and her words pierced through like poisoned icicles:

"You accuse me of crossing the river and then burning the bridge? If it weren't for me, a nobody from the mountains, how could you be where you are today?!"

"You say General Gao is jealous of talent and ability? Without a loyal and virtuous official like General Gao, how could I check and balance a powerful minister like you?!"

"You fled to Jiangqiong? Fine, very well! You think you can find peace there? That you can take revenge on me? Dream on!"

She stepped down the imperial steps, her gaze sweeping over the silent officials. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth, filled with deep-seated hatred and resolute determination:

"Issue my decree!"

"Su Che has deceived the emperor, formed a faction to plot rebellion, killed and wounded government officials and soldiers, betrayed the country and defected to the enemy—his crimes are unforgivable! Strip him of all his titles, honors, and official positions, and relinquish his surname; let the whole world unite against him!"

"Issue a warrant for Su Che's capture and arrest, to all prefectures and neighboring countries! Whoever captures or kills Su Che will be rewarded with 100,000 taels of gold and ennobled as a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households! Whoever provides a true account of his whereabouts will be rewarded with 10,000 taels of gold and promoted three ranks!"

"His accomplices in Beijing, led by Zhao Jianing and Pang Xiaopan, are all to be labeled as traitors, their homes confiscated, and their families exterminated; they shall be severely punished without exception! All those who have had dealings with Su Che shall be thoroughly investigated; it is better to wrongly accuse than to let the guilty go free!"

The cold-blooded decree, like a blizzard in the dead of winter, instantly swept through the entire Golden Palace and will soon sweep through the entire Tianming Empire through various channels.

A look of wild joy flashed in Gao Tianci's eyes. He was the first to kneel down and shout, "Long live the Emperor! Your Majesty is wise! This will prevent future troubles and secure the nation!"

Some officials knelt down, while many others knelt down numbly or out of fear.

Standing on the imperial steps, Lin Chu looked down at the kneeling officials below, listening to the deafening roar of "Long live the Emperor!" Yet, he felt no joy, only a cold emptiness, and a growing, increasingly clear, and heavy feeling—

fear.

Finally, she tore away the last veil of pretense, revealing her suspicions, fears, and murderous intent to the world.

The person who caused her to lose her composure and feel such fear is now far away in a foreign land.

He said: In Jiangqiong, wait for her and... Gao Tianci to come as guests.

Lin Chu clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging deep into his palm, drawing blood, but he was completely unaware of it.

Su Che, you'd better never come back.

……

On a desolate hilly path within Jiangqiong territory.

Su Che suddenly reined in his horse and looked up at the northern horizon, the direction of his homeland.

"Sir, what's wrong?" Zhao Jianing asked.

Su Che shook his head, his face expressionless.

"It's nothing."

He turned his gaze to the winding, unfamiliar, and barren road ahead, to this chaotic, decaying, yet infinitely promising new land.

"I just feel," he gently tugged the reins, urging the horse forward, his voice fading into the southern breeze carrying the bitter scent of grass and trees.

"The sky over there seems to have finally turned completely dark."

Yeah.

Only when darkness falls can we see clearly who the true stars are and who are the moths drawn to the flame.

Will he, Su Che, be the spark that burns out and illuminates the darkness, or will he ultimately burn everything and change the world...?

A wildfire?

The answer lies in the wind above the river, and on the road beneath your feet.