Shen Sheng's voice trembled. He understood what ascending the throne meant, but even so, he did not stop walking up the steps, because there was no way back for him.
Having just received news of his elder brother's death in battle alongside the late emperor, Qi He was dressed in plain white robes, beneath which bulged his armor—the front lines could not be left unattended, and after attending this simple enthronement ceremony, he would head to the battlefield.
"No, Xiao Sheng."
Qi He let go of his hand; the road ahead was no longer his place.
Shen Sheng reached the top step. He turned around, and the five-clawed golden dragon on his bright yellow robe shone brightly in the sunlight. His crown obscured his face. From this day forward, he represented not only himself, but also the entire Southern Kingdom.
Qi He knelt on one knee before the new emperor.
"Wait for my triumphant return."
Just like at the coronation ceremony, Qi He made a promise to Shen Sheng.
"Return to you peace and prosperity, a golden age."
—My Majesty, in a time of peace and prosperity, all nations will pay homage to Your Majesty [Note 3].
35. Chapter Thirty-Five: The Truth of the Abyss
After Qi He and Shen Yu left, only Shen Sheng remained in the palace, and for a moment he felt somewhat lonely.
Inside the palace, Shen Sheng was still wondering where Shen Yu would go when he suddenly sensed something. He hurriedly entered the secret room, where there was a clear spring with stones embedded in the ground, just like the ones Shen Yebai had seen in the private room that day.
Ripples spread across the water curtain, revealing Shen Mo, who was resting with his eyes closed.
"Ancestor," Shen Sheng bowed first, then asked with a hint of doubt, "Is there any instruction you wish to convey to General Qi?"
"No."
Shen Mo slowly opened his eyes: "I heard Shen Yu is missing?"
Shen Sheng sensed a hidden meaning in his words and immediately said anxiously, "Xiao Yu only couldn't bear to see the remains of Emperor Yan left to languish outside; she meant nothing else. This junior will find him as soon as possible, you..."
"You seem to be afraid of me," Shen Mo interrupted him calmly.
"No, I..."
"I don't need flattery. I've been in that position before, and I can tell the difference between truth and lies."
Shen Sheng was speechless for a moment, then gave a wry smile and admitted, "Yes... this junior... is somewhat apprehensive."
Leaving aside the age difference between him and Shen Mo, he had finally stabilized the Southern Kingdom when he received various orders from Shen Mo that he could not refuse, and even had to take the initiative to send troops to the Western Continent... He knew that Shen Mo's ambitions were great, so he was even more afraid, because if things went wrong, it could lead to another war between the four continents.
But the South could not withstand a second world war.
“I know what you’re worried about,” Shen Mo said softly. “My father entrusted the Southern Kingdom to me, but there are some things I must do, otherwise I will truly be harming the Southern Kingdom.”
Shen Sheng remained silent. He still didn't understand, but as someone who was in Shen Mo's shoes, he had no choice but to believe Shen Mo.
Shen Mo knew this wasn't the time to explain, so he changed the subject: "Let Shen Yu look for Shen Yan's remains. I'll have Zuo Shu help him."
Shen Sheng knew Zuo Shu's capabilities. With her around, Shen Yu's safety was guaranteed, which put Shen Sheng at ease.
"Thank you for your kindness, Ancestor," Shen Sheng said gratefully.
"Alright, enough with the pleasantries." Shen Mo frowned, remembering the purpose of his contact with Shen Sheng.
He pondered for a moment and said, "I asked you to investigate Qin Moyu's background last time... did you find out?"
"It's been investigated."
Shen Sheng nodded: "Although so much time has passed, the locals still have some impression of the old Taoist priest. They all praise him for his kind heart. If he had found that child, he would have raised him. But there's one strange thing..."
"What's up?"
"It is said that the old Taoist priest was seriously ill at the time and was looking for a family to entrust the child to. They had already arranged a family to take care of the child, but when they went to pick up the child, the old Taoist priest suddenly became radiant, and the child did not go back with them. Moreover, from that day on, the old Taoist priest's personality changed drastically. He no longer associated with his former friends, as if he had been possessed..."
But this is clearly illogical. Who would possess an old and poor Taoist priest?
"...I understand. The drastic change in temperament is not important, as long as we are sure he is the child." After confirming what he wanted to know, Shen Mo fell into reminiscence.
The woman in the light blue long velvet dress handed the child over to the emperor, but due to a twist of fate, she was just one step too late.
He pondered for a long time, and finally sighed resignedly, "Never mind... We owe him after all... Send someone to pick someone up from here later."
"Yes." Shen Sheng agreed on the surface, but he was very surprised in his heart. He had always been the only one in Shen Mo's cave. The last person he was asked to pick up was Shen Yebai. Who would it be this time?
"He is badly injured. Prepare his belongings. Don't expect him to fully recover, just keep him alive. But remember to keep his identity a secret and don't tell anyone."
"yes."
Without asking, without being curious, and without questioning, this is Shen Sheng's attitude towards Shen Mo.
Some things are better left unasked.
...
The Abyss is surrounded by muddy, blood-stained soil on the outskirts, but as you go deeper, it becomes endless yellow sand. The further you go, the stronger the sandstorms become, eventually making it impossible to see the path at all. Not to mention the fiery flames floating in the sandstorms, every step is like walking on a knife's edge.
Qin Moyu was not afraid of the Yu Huo, but the sandstorms were indeed slowing them down.
Qin Moyu stood close to Shen Yebai, the wind making his robes flutter. Because using spiritual energy in the Abyss would attract the Fiery Blaze, although the Red Lotus Karmic Fire was not afraid of the Fiery Blaze, the spiritual energy would be consumed very quickly. After weighing the options, the two decided not to use spiritual energy as a shield.
"Night White—this can't go on—"