The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The cold moonlight illuminates the night, as if ink were being poured out.

A dark figure streaked across the sky above Baiyujing.

Its aura was so terrifying that even the night trembled wherever it passed, as if it could not withstand the overwhelming pressure.

Countless people in the streets and alleys were jolted awake from their dreams, feeling a tightness in their chests, as if an invisible giant hand had gripped their hearts, making it difficult to even breathe, as if they would be crushed at any moment.

Someone looked up at the sky and only caught a fleeting glimpse of a blur across the horizon, so fast it seemed like an illusion.

But the oppressive aura was terrifyingly real, sending chills down one's spine and making one's bones feel cold.

"What terrifying pressure!"

"Who is this powerful figure who dares to act so recklessly in Baiyujing?"

It was a tremor from the depths of one's soul, as if some terrifying being was looking down upon the city.

"Is that Emperor Shengchen?"

"hiss--"

"Is he that strong?"

They all knew that Emperor Shengchen was very powerful.

Only when one truly feels that oppressive aura does one realize what a terrifying abyss lies hidden beneath that black imperial robe.

"What a terrifying emperor, truly worthy of being called the Emperor of the Stars..."

"It is said that when he was born, the imperial star in the sky shone so brightly that all other stars paled in comparison."

"There are even rumors circulating among the people of Kyushu that he was chosen by Heaven."

The emperor who usually sits on the dragon throne, never showing his emotions, is such a despairing being once he unleashes his true power.

Bei Chenji stood by the window, gazing at the horizon beyond the city.

The night wind blew up his clothes, making them flutter and the hem of his crimson robe danced in the wind like a silent flag.

But his figure remained motionless, like a sculpture, frozen in the deep night.

"This is……"

"Tangxi Night!"

Even from halfway across Baiyujing, he could sense the overwhelming force sweeping in like a tsunami, almost enough to overturn the entire city.

"Is my brother-in-law on his way to be reincarnated?"

Hua Rongshi raised an eyebrow.

In the darkness of night, the figure transformed into a streak of light, so fast that even the eye could not keep up, leaving only a trace that tore through the sky—as if someone had used the sharpest knife to cut a gash in the heavens.

"Has Tang Xiye gone mad?"

Bei Chenji's voice was low and deep, like a frozen spring, revealing no emotion.

But the slight furrowing of his brows betrayed something unusual.

His brows were furrowed so tightly, as if they were under a tremendous burden, that even the center of his brows was creased with a very shallow wrinkle.

He understands Tangxi at night.

That guy was like a still night sky, hiding his emotions very deeply, so deeply that it almost made people think he had no emotions or desires.

He would never lose control for no reason, much less release his aura so openly, exposing his strength to everyone.

unless--

What happened that could drive him mad?

"Qian Su, go and investigate."

He casually gave an order, but his gaze never left the night sky.

The distant firelight reflected in those purple eyes flickered, like two clusters of burning cold flames.

"Something unusual must be going on."

With the Nine Extremes Alliance imminent, emperors from various countries have arrived at Baiyujing one after another.

Tang Xiye was already the target of everyone's criticism, and now she was releasing her aura so openly, it was as if she was declaring war on everyone.

Or rather—

To whom is it being expressed, and what is it being revealed?

What could it be?

Bei Chenji's gaze darkened slightly, a hint of unease rising in his heart.

The unease came inexplicably, yet it lingered, like a tiny thorn stuck in my heart.

It doesn't hurt, but it's impossible to ignore.

"Cousin, whose side are you on at this Nine Extremes Alliance meeting?"

Hua Rongshi's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of nonchalant laziness.

He leaned back in his chair, holding a scroll painting in his hands, completely absorbed in it.

That was a painting he made himself when he was in Lintai last time. The person in the painting is Tangxi Xue, and every frown and smile is captured in the painting.

He watched it over and over again, never getting enough of it.

"Is it Beichen, or Menghua?"

He asked casually, but his gaze never left the painting.

Bei Chenji remained silent for a moment before finally turning his gaze away from the window.

He turned around, his crimson robe shimmering dimly in the candlelight.

"Tangxi Night..."

He paused, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"That arrogant attitude of looking down on the world is truly an eyesore to me."

The score between the Beichen clan and the Tangxi royal family has not yet been settled.

Why should I, the king, rush to be his weapon?

He turned away, no longer looking at the chaotic night sky outside the window.

But for some reason, the unease in my heart became clearer and clearer.

That unease was like a drop of ink falling into clear water, slowly spreading and staining the entire lake of my heart.

"Let him go and meet those wolves from all sides on his own. Isn't he destined to be an emperor? If he has the fate of an emperor, he should have the confidence to suppress all the stars."

He paused, a complex light flashing deep within his purple eyes.

"Otherwise—what kind of imperial star would that be?"

He didn't cause trouble for Tang Xiye at the sacrificial ceremony, making him a laughingstock in the eyes of the world, which was already out of consideration for Tang Xixue.

Don't even think about anything else.

"Oh, right—"

His voice suddenly turned cold, as if it had been chilled to the bone, carrying a chilling killing intent.

"I heard that the one who escaped from the Sang family back then has come to Baiyujing."

He gripped the Purple Snow Sword, his knuckles turning slightly white.

The mastermind behind the scenes is certainly hateful, but those blood-stained executioners deserve to die just as much.

How much blood of the Beichen clan did the Sang family have on their hands over those years?

Those cries in the night, those fallen figures, those eyes that will never open again...

He remembers everything.

I remember every single detail.

It's etched into my bones, ingrained in my blood, and I'll never forget it.

"Yes, that Sang Tingke guy... is really troublesome."

Hua Rongshi finally carefully put the scroll away and sighed softly.

He carefully rolled up the scroll, tied it with a ribbon, and placed it in the closest place to his body.

It was as if it weren't a painting, but some rare treasure, as if afraid of getting even a speck of dust on it.

"The array masters around him are all top-notch experts. The Floating Life Guard has been tracking his whereabouts, but every time they are about to find a trace, someone will erase it first."

He looked up, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.

That solemn expression was rare; Hua Rongshi was usually all smiles, and it was uncommon for her to show such a look.

"He has powerful backers protecting him. And... their power is considerable."

He paused, lowering his voice slightly:

"Based on the clues I've found, the Sang family is very likely connected to that mysterious and unpredictable... Heavenly Punishment Hall."

"The Heavenly Punishment Hall?"

Bei Chenji's gaze sharpened slightly.

He had heard of that name before.

I've heard more than just about it.

"A bunch of madmen who claim to be acting on behalf of God have done a lot of heinous things."

Hua Rongshi's tone became unusually serious, her eyes filled with disgust.

"The Heavenly Punishment Hall and the Fengxiao Pavilion are simply two major cancers in the Nine Provinces. They worship the Nine Heavens and offer sacrifices to the Heavenly Dao—countless lives have been poisoned by them. Whether it was the Red Plague in the Southern Frontier or the catastrophe in the East Sea, the shadow of the Fengxiao Pavilion was behind it all."

He paused, then gave a cold laugh.

The laughter was full of sarcasm, yet it also concealed a hint of apprehension.

"Compared to them, my battle hall is quite honorable. When they make a move, it's a swift and decisive kill, often resulting in the deaths of millions of lives."

"In their eyes, the millions of ordinary people are nothing more than sacrifices offered to the Heavenly Dao, nothing more than a string of numbers, nothing more than stepping stones to climb up the social ladder."

As Bei Chenji heard him mention those cults, his unease grew deeper and deeper.

"Rong Shi, what you just said—"

His voice was deep, as if rising from a deep pool, with a hint of hoarseness:

"In the end, it seems that they were all resolved by the Heavenly Physician of Fate Weaving."

"If the divine pronouncements of heaven circulating among those sects are true, then she is..."

He didn't continue.

But that thought was like a thorn stuck in my heart.

Going against the will of Heaven?

What would be the consequences?

"It must be the ramblings of those madmen."

Hua Rongshi scoffed, not taking it to heart.

He waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to mention these unlucky things again.

The movement was so casual, as if he were just brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve.

"If Heaven truly exists, it should be benevolent. How could it treat all things as straw dogs? How could it use the common people as sacrifices? How could it allow those madmen to commit evil under its banner?"

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the gradually calming night sky.

The firelight had dimmed, leaving only wisps of smoke drifting slowly in the moonlight.

Let's not talk about this anymore.

He withdrew his gaze and turned to Bei Chenji, his face regaining its usual playful smile.

"Cousin, do you think Xiaoxuehua was particularly impressed with me today?"

"I'm the kind of person who thinks things through three times before deciding, and whose scheming is all in vain. She probably hasn't met me before."

He looked at his cousin expectantly, wanting his approval.

"Someone as unique as me, how could she not be tempted to collect my belongings?"

"..."

Bei Chenji glanced at him, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"The Nine Extremes Alliance has nothing to do with you. Why aren't you returning to Qimeng Flower City? What are you doing here every day, hanging around this king's place?"

My cousin is like a sparrow all day long, chirping away and giving me a headache.

Since he arrived in Baiyujing, this house has never been peaceful.

She was either muttering about her "my wife," staring blankly at the painting, or pestering him with questions.

He thinks about his cousin every day.

"Why would I be staying at my cousin's place?"

Hua Rongshi looked completely innocent, his peach blossom eyes blinking so innocently that it made you want to punch him.

"You gave me the house next door, and I moved in openly and legitimately. I've already had the name changed to Drunken Snow Abode. How about it? Not bad, right?"

He smiled broadly, his eyes crinkling, and looked at his cousin with a boastful expression, as if he had done something extraordinary.

His courtesy name was Fuzui, and her given name was Xue.

This is a perfect match for Zuixueju!

Bei Chenji gave him a cold glance:

"Not very good."

Hua Rongshi was not annoyed and continued to smile.

"Thanks to my cousin, I heard that Shen Yan is often targeted for assassination."

He paused, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"You used to send Tone to protect you, so why have you called her back? Are you just going to ignore her?"

"Is she still an exception for my cousin?"