Chapter 112: My Lord, I Have One More Humble Request
The latest transmission from the Heaven's Mechanism Dove sent the world into a frenzy. The revelation that eight locations had been marked by Immortals as "Dragon-Rearing Grounds," each bearing celestial fortune no lesser than that of Wolong Ridge, was indeed astonishing.
Yet, even more earth-shattering was the sign-off.
A seal formed of fresh crimson blood read: Heaven's Mechanism Pavilion under the White Jade Capital.
Heaven's Mechanism House had now become Heaven's Mechanism Pavilion, falling under the dominion of White Jade Capital—one of the myriad factions of the Hundred Schools. A power with centuries, perhaps a millennium, of legacy had been effortlessly annexed.
Though Heaven's Mechanism House was never the most formidable among the Hundred Schools, it was nonetheless a force no one dared disregard.
In the Imperial Capital.
Yu Wenxiu reclined on his dragon throne, holding the missive in hand. At his side, an aged eunuch stood respectfully, bowing low.
"Heaven's Mechanism has been annexed by White Jade Capital? That which the Grand Zhou Dynasty failed to achieve after years of effort, Lu Ping'an accomplished with ease..." Yu Wenxiu spoke slowly.
"This is a faction on the level of the Hundred Schools—yet it has bowed to White Jade Capital. What is Lu Ping'an attempting? Will he next seek to absorb the other schools?"
"If it were any other force, perhaps it would be impossible. But with Lu Ping'an's White Jade Capital… perhaps not."
"If he truly unites the Hundred Schools, what terrifying heights might White Jade Capital reach?"
Yu Wenxiu muttered under his breath, then turned to the eunuch, frowning.
"What say you, old thing?"
The eunuch trembled, kneeling to the ground. "Your Majesty, forgive this humble servant—I dare not speculate."
Yu Wenxiu leaned back in his chair.
"As expected. With those endlessly chattering ministers dead, my ears are finally at peace..."
"Lu Ping'an, indeed, has the means to do what I do not dare."
"If I had slaughtered those ministers myself, I would bear the scorn of history. Yet Lu Ping'an? He fears nothing. He is not me—such infamy to him is but a fleeting autumn breeze."
The eunuch remained prostrate, not daring to make a sound.
Yu Wenxiu grew bored. Stroking his chin, he gazed out at the sunrise blazing over the imperial skyline. His expression flickered slightly.
"Among the Dragon Grounds lies celestial fortune… and I already occupy one such land—thus I stand ahead of all others."
"No… not ahead of Lu Ping'an. North Luo Lake is itself a Dragon-Rearing Ground…"
"Lu Ping'an's act of transforming the Black Carp into a dragon was based on the land's unique properties."
His eyes narrowed.
"Old one, go to the library and summon the Grand Diviner. Tell him—the imperial capital lies in ruins and needs his hand to restore order."
The kneeling eunuch bowed deeply. "At once."
Yu Wenxiu rose, robes sweeping, and departed the Purple Gold Palace for the gardens.
...Northern Command Tent.
A heavy silence hung over the great tent, a chill like death itself clinging to every inch.
The Overlord had stormed the camp—one man and one steed, riding in from a hundred miles away, unstoppable. He reached Tan Tai Xuan himself, arrogant, chin raised, axe in hand.
Yet the mighty northern army could do nothing against him.
Tan Tai Xuan looked years older. Seated, he massaged his brow in silence. On either side, Mo Beike and Mo Ju sat with solemn faces.
Suddenly, a soldier delivered a message.
Mo Beike and Mo Ju read it together, their eyes sharpening.
"Heaven's Mechanism has been absorbed by White Jade Capital… from this day forward, the Hundred Schools are one fewer."
As the head of the Mo School, Mo Beike felt a deep sense of loss.
The fall of a Hundred School marked not merely a shift in power, but the beginning of an era's end. A great, unseen hand now stretched toward the very heart of the Grand Zhou's intellectual dominions.
But Tan Tai Xuan saw something else—the message about the Dragon Grounds.
He leapt to his feet, pacing rapidly.
"Dragon Grounds…"
"The imperial capital is one. That brat Yu Wenxiu turned the tide against Zhao Kuo only because he was protected by a black dragon..."
"To claim the mandate of heaven, one must obtain the dragon's favor and stand righteous in the fight for the throne."
"Moreover… Dragon Grounds are lands of celestial fate. This time, I must not miss it again!"
His bloodshot eyes burned with determination. His fist clenched tight.
The Overlord's dominance reminded him clearly—power is the only truth. The age of single men defeating armies had arrived. He could no longer remain stagnant.
"Summon every military commander! We shall scour the land for all Dragon Grounds!"
Tan Tai Xuan's eyes gleamed like fire.
Mo Beike observed him with a faint nod. Tan Tai Xuan possessed a rare trait—unyielding resolve. No matter how many defeats, he always rose again—and crucially, he could read the tides of the world.
Such men… stood a real chance at success.
...Southern Command.
A sealed missive drifted into the Tang estate.
As the most powerful family in the South, the Tang Clan controlled vast resources.
Tang Xiansheng, robed in scholar's garb, sat at the table surrounded by a hundred exquisite dishes. After reading the message, he smiled, folded it, and picked up his jade chopsticks, placing a piece of glistening fish into Tang Yimo's bowl.
"Eat more, Yimo," he said gently.
Tang Yimo said nothing, quietly chewing the fish.
Since the day he killed Tang Baichen, Tang Xiansheng had changed. The once-distant stranger—whom he saw barely once a year—had become a warm and doting father.
His mother and sister had been moved out of the woodshed and placed in a new courtyard, attended by over ten maids—second only to the main wife in household status.
Tang Yimo understood. He was not a fool. His rise had elevated them.
His mother, trembling with worry, had even warned him to tread carefully and not commit immoral deeds.
But seeing them in silken robes, enjoying fine meals, Tang Yimo accepted Tang Xiansheng's overtures.
Wasn't this his goal? To let his mother and sister live well, live safely?
Now that it had been achieved—that was enough.
"Yimo, take a look at this message."
Tang Xiansheng slid the letter over. Tang Yimo paused, put down his chopsticks, wiped his hands on his sleeve. Across from him, the Tang family's eldest son frowned faintly.
Tang Yimo unfolded the letter.
"Dragon Grounds?"
"There are eight such lands in the Grand Zhou? And they hold celestial fate?"
He was stunned.
"This was sent by Heaven's Mechanism—no, by White Jade Capital's Heaven's Pavilion. It cannot be false. The Wolong Ridge message last time proved true as well. Back then, I missed that chance at fortune. This time, I will not let it slip past."
"The future belongs to cultivators. The stronger the cultivators beneath one's banner, the closer one is to ruling the realm."
Tang Xiansheng set down his jade chopsticks, stroked his beard, and chuckled.
"Yimo, would you lend your father your strength?"
Tang Yimo hesitated. He glanced at his little sister, whose mouth was glistening with oil. His eyes softened.
"Father, whatever aid you need, simply say the word."
Tang Xiansheng, shrewd as he was, caught the glance—and his smile deepened.
...The message swept across the realm.
The entire land trembled.
Not only the major factions, but even the martial world was thrown into chaos.
The Eight Dragon Grounds—each a site of divine fate.
Those who entered might gain celestial fortune. If they caught the eye of a true dragon, they could even attain the Dao in a single stroke!
The martial world boiled.
So too did the Hundred Schools.
Sword sects, Daoist orders, and other great clans began to take the news seriously.
They also noted the renaming of Heaven's Mechanism to Heaven's Pavilion under White Jade Capital.
A sense of impending danger gripped the major powers.
If White Jade Capital could annex Heaven's Mechanism today, might they one day subdue Sword Sect, Daoist Sect, or even the Mechanism Clan?
Many sensed White Jade Capital's ambition.
Young Lord Lu of North Luo was poised to engulf the Hundred Schools, dominate the martial world, and rise as the paramount power in Grand Zhou.
The winds of change howled through the land.
Hearts grew restless.
Many masters and sects...