The "great fire" in Jiangning burned for half a month before finally coming to an end.

From the majestic Ren Shou Palace, fortified by grand formations, came a single decree.

The Jiangning Xie Family was stripped of its "inherited without replacement" privilege, their title lowered, and their stipend punished.

This punishment was undeniably severe.

Yet for those noble lords and heroes "watching the drama," it was still slightly disappointing… The sole heir of the Jiangning Xie Family had already perished during the Northern Hunt in Great Yue Kingdom. Now, Ren Shou Palace's act of revoking the Xie Family's "inherited without replacement" status seemed a bit redundant.

Nevertheless, this was an extremely critical signal.

The Xie Family had risen in merely a few decades, riding on the powerful fortune brought by Xie Xuanyi's ascension as the Sword Dao Leader. Xie Zhisu's smooth rise to power had transformed the Jiangning Xie Family from a fallen aristocracy to a Da Chu Aliased Prince in just half a cycle of sixty years. During this half-cycle, the Xie Family had established "deep friendships" with the Holy Lands of the Four Realms and the imperial lords of the court.

Yet these so-called "deep friendships" faded as quickly as they formed.

Half of the reason lay with Xie Xuanyi.

Back then, Xie Xuanyi's brilliance was too overwhelming.

If he were still alive,

then the ancestral hall of the Xie Family would have had a Yang God Realm genius Sword Immortal presiding over it right now.

The other half stemmed from the "Saint's favor."

The majority of families from the Holy Lands truly didn't understand why the Xie Family was so highly favored.

But they didn't need to understand the reason…

Once the Xie Family fell, there would be another family to take its place.

Whether it was the Xie Family or the Li Family, their sole responsibility was to "establish connections" and maintain "relationships."

And now, the decree issued from Ren Shou Palace served as a clear signal.

The Saint's favor had its limits.

Currently, the world was at peace, with Fangyuan Square facilitating mutual trade, and transactions occurring frequently between Chuli nobles—a perfectly normal situation… Even members of Da Chu's Imperial Family conducted dealings through Fangyuan Square.

Thus, Xie Zhisu's transactions with Fangyuan Square of Li Kingdom weren't much of a big deal.

Even if he was truly cooperating with Nalan Xuance, it wouldn't have provoked such anger from Ren Shou Palace.

The major Holy Lands were all speculating.

What was the true reason behind Xie Zhisu provoking the Saint's wrath?

…

…

"Sir, the decree has been issued."

Heilin Weisang Zheng, carrying a thick scroll, suppressed his excited emotions as he hurried into the Book Tower, eager to report Ren Shou Palace's outburst of wrath to Chen Jingxuan.

Currently, the Four Realms of Da Chu buzzed with heated discussions.

Everyone was eager to know if, after this severe punishment, Ren Shou Palace had further moves planned.

The Book Tower today was exceptionally tranquil.

The sparks from the crimson brazier flickered, emitting a faint phosphorescent glow.

Sang Zheng stopped, somewhat startled. The golden lines of the Roundness Instrument, which usually stretched across the Book Tower's ceiling, now descended like a waterfall, forming a semicircle that enveloped the Green Jade Table, resembling a barrier reaching the heavens.

Chen Jingxuan's figure was concealed behind the barrier.

Sang Zheng set down the scroll and recounted the message from Ren Shou Palace in detail, sparing no word.

Chen Jingxuan's tone revealed little joy.

"Noted."

Sang Zheng sighed lightly.

He wasn't surprised by Chen Jingxuan's reaction. The man, after all, was always like this—neither elated nor sorrowful, never taken aback by any situation.

"Sir, this time… the Jiangning Prince Mansion is unlikely to recover, isn't it?"

Sang Zheng lowered his voice and said slowly, "The verdict from Ren Shou Palace has led to the immediate departure of the Qin Family Guest Elders stationed in Jiangning. It won't be long before other Holy Lands and noble families follow suit and take action."

After the upheaval in Qing State,

Da Chu Aliased Princes were down to merely the Qin and Xie Families.

The Qin Family Guest Elders' departure from Jiangning, their refusal to intercede—this itself was a highly significant signal.

The crimes of Jiangning are virtually beyond redemption.

Next,

all major noble families and sects will sever their ties with it.

And this is precisely what Chen Jingxuan wants to see.

The best punishment for the Xie Family's betrayal isn't simply killing the Jiangning Prince!

It's stripping everything away from him before his death, reducing him to the state of utter ruin he once endured.

"The time isn't ripe yet."

A calm voice came from beyond the barrier: "How are things on the Taoist side?"

"The Taoist sects…"

Sang Zheng frowned slightly.

These past few days, everything the man had schemed seemed to be going smoothly.

Mr. Xiao Xie successfully escaped from Li Kingdom and completed their diplomatic mission.

The Jiangning Xie Family struck the match of their own destruction, leaving no room for recovery.

Qian San gained control of Chu Country's Fangyuan Square, transitioning from operations behind the scenes to the forefront.

Yet there remained one unresolved issue.

"I followed your orders, Sir, and sent the invitation cards."

Sang Zheng said reluctantly, "But the Taoists seem unwilling to give face to the Book Tower. Three visits to the Taoist sects, all fruitless—we haven't seen any Pavilion Masters, let alone the Great True Master Chong Kan himself."

There was no response from behind the barrier.

Sang Zheng paused for a moment, then added, "However, the invitation cards were accepted on all three visits."

"Who accepted them?"

"Yuqing Pavilion. Shang Yi."

Sang Zheng replied seriously, "Just yesterday, I took the opportunity to inquire about Master Tang's whereabouts… Master Tang has indeed gone to the back mountain, and hasn't left since."

"Sir, there's one more matter,"

Sang Zheng considered carefully and spoke cautiously, "I sense that the current atmosphere within the Taoist sects seems somewhat peculiar… The Seven Pavilion Disciples don't appear as harmonious as they seem on the surface."

Over the past few visits to the Taoist sects, Yuqing Pavilion had been assigned to receive them.

In the past, relations between the Book Tower and the Taoist sects were cordial.

But since last year, the relationship had subtly changed.

No, to be precise, it began with the appearance of "Xie Zhen"… Cracks formed between the Taoists and the Book Tower.

The first rupture was during the Xuanshui Competition.

Xie Zhen defeated Xie Sheng face to face, dealing a heavy blow to Incense Fire House.

What followed was the Northern Hunt in Great Yue Kingdom, during which Xie Sheng and Fang Hang both perished, with the suspected mastermind being Xie Zhen.

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