Chapter 119: I Will Kill You

A profound silence enveloped the entire Imperial College; not a single sound could be heard.

Emperor Yanfeng was clearly speaking from the heart, seizing this opportunity to both awe his officials and foster a unified spirit between ruler and minister.

A moment later, Emperor Yanfeng smiled and settled back into his seat. "I seem to have lost my composure," he said. "Grand Secretary, bring me the register."

Daoist Lingyun swiftly presented the register. Emperor Yanfeng took up his vermilion brush and wrote a few characters beside Qin Mu's name. "From this day forward," he declared, "he is a disciple of the Son of Heaven." He then closed the register and handed it back to Daoist Lingyun.

Emperor Yanfeng turned to the Young Ancestor. "Grand Libationer," he said, "selecting scholars is traditionally your responsibility. I have overstepped my bounds by making a choice for you. What are your thoughts on this?"

The Young Ancestor chuckled. "Your Majesty is sagacious and possesses grand vision," he replied. "It is a great blessing for the Great Ruins."

Emperor Yanfeng burst into laughter, shaking his head repeatedly. "Flattery, always flattery," he chuckled. "Very well, let the scholars resume their examinations."

Upon receiving the order, the Grand Secretary of the Imperial College instructed the multitude of scholars to resume their tests. Several elementary scholars had not yet completed their examinations and were also taking a unified test in front of the Grand Imperial Hall, with Daoist Lingyun still serving as the chief examiner.

Even if Daoist Lingyun wished to show leniency to the children of the elite, he found himself helpless. After all, the powerful individuals present possessed keen eyes; any attempt at manipulation would be instantly seen through!

The grand examination finally concluded in the afternoon, leaving some rejoicing and others in despair. The competition was particularly brutal and rigorous for the Imperial Scholars; gaining admission to the Imperial College was truly a one-in-a-hundred achievement!

For the elementary scholars, only five spots remained. Those from prestigious families, naturally, possessed more extensive knowledge than disciples from humble backgrounds. Among these five successful scholars, only Si Yunxiang managed to pass the grand examination and become an Imperial College scholar.

The other four successful candidates were all from prominent aristocratic families.

It was not for lack of effort on the part of scholars from humble backgrounds, but rather due to limitations in resources.

Both the elementary and imperial colleges taught the same martial arts, spells, and swordsmanship. No matter how skilled one became, it was impossible to break through certain barriers. However, besides what was taught in the colleges, prominent families also possessed their own inherited, ancestral, and sectarian secret arts, and had masters within their households to provide guidance. Consequently, the proportion of scholars from humble backgrounds was not high.

Qin Mu noted this, thinking to himself: "If this continues, I fear that the upper echelons of Yankang will eventually fall under the control of powerful aristocratic families and sectarian forces. Disciples from humble backgrounds will never have a chance to rise, making it impossible for them to hold high positions in the imperial court. Should this come to pass, the nation will surely not endure. Emperor Yanfeng has a heart for reform, but I wonder if he can truly change this situation?"

In such a scenario, the ruling class would forever remain in power, societal stratification would become rigid, and certain factions within that ruling class would inevitably grow in power, accumulating increasing resources, eventually becoming a cancerous growth upon the empire.

When scholars from humble backgrounds finally rebel, and these cancerous factions seize the opportunity to stir up trouble, the empire's collapse will be but a matter of time.

After the grand examination concluded, the Grand Secretary arranged accommodation. All successful Imperial College scholars were provided with their own private residences within the Imperial College. This area, known as the Scholars' Quarters, served as the residence for all scholars. Each scholar was assigned a two-courtyard residence, fully equipped with all necessities. Servants were also provided to assist with household chores, cooking, and laundry, allowing the scholars to devote themselves entirely to their studies without being troubled by daily life.

Scholars from prominent families were also permitted to bring their own household servants or maidservants. Having nothing, Qin Mu naturally had no such arrangements to worry about.

"I wonder if I can bring Hu Ling'er here as well? Once everything is settled and I've met the Ancestor, I will go and bring her over."

Qin Mu looked around him. The Jade Peak where the Imperial College was situated was far larger than he had initially realized, with mountains nested within mountains and caves within caves. Beyond Chunyang Hall, Qingyang Hall, and the Grand Imperial Hall, there were dozens of other palaces of various descriptions, along with the Heavenly Archives Tower.

The Heavenly Archives Tower served as the imperial library, housing the Secretariat. The term 'Mishu' (secretary) literally means 'keeper of secret books,' and indeed, the tower contained a vast collection of scriptures and records from various sects across the empire, all overseen by the Secretariat.

Qin Mu paused to observe. He noticed a constant flow of people in and out of the Heavenly Archives Tower, a bustling scene mostly comprised of Imperial College scholars, but also including members of the royal family.

"Young Cult Master, now that you've journeyed all this way and arrived here, how do you feel?"

An aged voice drifted from behind him. Qin Mu turned, bowed respectfully, and said, "Ancestor."

It was indeed the Young Ancestor. Despite his youthful appearance, his voice was distinctly aged. He smiled and said, "There's no need for such formalities."

Qin Mu collected himself. "As I journeyed and observed the state of Yankang," he said, "I was profoundly impacted, and my heart remains quite unsettled."

The Young Ancestor's interest was piqued. He began to walk forward. "Oh, do tell."

Qin Mu kept pace with him, speaking as they walked. "As I traveled and observed, I saw signs of great prosperity throughout Yankang. Daoist arts and divine abilities are being used daily by the common people, advancing with astonishing speed. Causing rain during droughts and dispersing clouds during floods are feats akin to miracles. There are airships soaring in the sky and land-boats traversing the ground. Alchemy is also widely applied in daily life, producing wondrous creations. Although Yankang is experiencing some turmoil, it will not last long; afterwards, it will emerge incredibly powerful!"

The Young Ancestor led him to a lake nestled on the mountain. Standing by the water's edge, shaded by jade willows, he asked with curiosity, "Which do you believe has a greater future: sects or states? From what you're implying, you contend that sects cannot possibly contend with a state?"

Qin Mu nodded. "The Elementary College, Imperial College, and Grand Imperial College have already established Yankang as the largest sect under heaven," he stated. "Other sects are merely its elementary and imperial colleges, serving solely to provide scholars to Yankang. How can these sects possibly compete with Yankang?"

The Young Ancestor sat down. Two fishing rods lay by the shore; he handed one to Qin Mu and kept the other. Casting his bait into the water, he smiled. "However, the world is currently in turmoil, and many sects are seizing the opportunity to rebel, their defiance spreading like wildfire. Moreover, the Yankang Imperial Preceptor has been severely wounded. I perceive Yankang to be in grave peril, on the brink of collapse at any moment!"

Qin Mu also cast his line and bait into the water, letting out a wry chuckle. "Ancestor, you're trying to trick me, aren't you? The Yankang Imperial Preceptor is simply using the tactic of 'letting the fish go to catch them later,' aiming to seize this opportunity to round up all opposing forces across the land. This cannot be concealed from me, nor, naturally, from you, Ancestor."

The Young Ancestor gazed calmly at the lake's surface. After a moment, he remarked, "It's not merely 'letting the fish go to catch them later'; you're also overlooking the 'self-inflicted injury' ploy. The Yankang Imperial Preceptor is indeed severely wounded; his injuries are very serious. Otherwise, he would not be able to deceive all the sects and schools across the land."

Qin Mu was startled, blurting out, "The Yankang Imperial Preceptor inflicted the wounds upon himself?"

The Young Ancestor shook his head. "Someone else was responsible. It is said that three old monsters from my own generation attacked him together, severely wounding him. I saw him after he returned to the capital, and his injuries were indeed quite severe."

Qin Mu was stunned. He had always believed the Yankang Imperial Preceptor was employing the 'letting the fish go to catch them later' strategy to lure out opposing forces, never imagining that the Imperial Preceptor was genuinely injured.

"He turned their scheme against them, aiming to draw out these individuals."

The Young Ancestor spoke unhurriedly: "If these sects believe they can simply eliminate the Yankang Imperial Preceptor and destroy Yankang in this manner, I fear they are in for a rude awakening. Young Cult Master, what is your assessment of the Yankang Imperial Preceptor?"

Qin Mu replied solemnly, "A hero among men, possessing a broad mind and unparalleled talent."

The Young Ancestor smiled. "When he sought my guidance years ago, I held the same view. I had originally intended to take him as a disciple, but his vast knowledge and talent already showed signs of subtly surpassing my own, so I dismissed that notion, lest I impede his future. Therefore, given that Yankang now reigns supreme over all sects and schools beneath the heavens, proving irresistible, and the Yankang Imperial Preceptor is a peerless genius, how should my Sacred Cult conduct itself?"

His words held a clear undertone of testing.

From the very first words he had spoken to Qin Mu during this encounter, his test of the young man had begun.

Qin Mu's participation in the Imperial College grand examination and his successful entry as an Imperial College scholar was merely the first phase of the test, assessing his strength. Now, however, the examination was of his wisdom: whether he possessed the acumen to lead the Heavenly Devil Cult, and the sagacity required to become its Cult Master.

Qin Mu pondered for a moment. "My Sacred Cult has two potential paths," he began. "One path is to transform the cult into a state, establishing the Sacred Cult as a nation. If we were to establish a nation, my Sacred Cult would have to be far away from Yankang. As Yankang's destiny grows increasingly prosperous, its Imperial Preceptor will undoubtedly engage in external warfare after stabilizing the current unrest. Domestically, we cannot contend with Yankang, and if too close, we also cannot. However, if we move far from Yankang, the very foundation of my Sacred Cult would be lost, and it might be decades before we see any significant progress."

The Young Ancestor nodded. "The first path is exceedingly difficult," he agreed. "My Sacred Cult is rooted among the common people in the marketplaces. To leave Yankang would be to destroy our very foundation. This path is unfeasible. What, then, is the second path?"

"The second path is to pledge allegiance."

Qin Mu clarified, "The Sacred Cult pledges allegiance to Yankang."

The Young Ancestor's expression subtly shifted, and he sneered, "You wish to become Cult Master only to bring about the destruction of my Sacred Cult? You have immense audacity! I ought to have your head!"