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Chapter 30 - Chapter 30 – Tempest of Fate

The battle report from Youzhou reached the imperial capital within a single night—delivered by a rider who changed horses every six hundred li.

By noon, the great bells of the palace had only just fallen silent, yet the entire Da Zhou court was already gripped by unease. Inside the imperial study, the Emperor sat upon the dragon throne, his face dark as storm clouds. The ministers of civil and military rank stood in two solemn rows. Even their breathing seemed too loud in the still air.

"The ancient city of Liuchuan has fallen. Thousands of citizens perished—sacrificed in a blood ritual,"the imperial eunuch read aloud, his voice trembling."Half our soldiers are dead or missing. Though the Nightmare Envoy has retreated, the Inverse Spirit Sect remains strong. The northern border is still in peril."

A wave of outrage rippled through the hall.

"The Inverse Spirit Sect dares such madness?""An entire city wiped out—beasts in human form!""If Youzhou falls, how long before the northern frontier collapses altogether?"

The hall filled with voices—righteous anger, fear, and hidden ambition blending together. Then, like wolves scenting blood, they turned on a single name.

"Your Majesty," thundered the Left Chancellor, Wei Zhong, stepping forward, "the root of this chaos lies with the so-called National Fate Inspector!"

A hush fell.

Wei Zhong's tone cut sharp as a blade.

"That title was meant to safeguard the empire's destiny—but its power is beyond measure. This entire disaster began with Li Tianyuan and the power he wields. His origins are obscure, yet he commands the nation's fortune. Such a man is a threat not only to our armies—but to the throne itself!"

The words struck like lightning.

The office of the National Fate Inspector had only been created a few years prior, after the mysterious force known as Dingli—the Power of the Cauldron—first appeared. The Emperor had hoped to harness that power through a single chosen vessel. But now, with cities burning and civilians dying, the courtiers saw an opening.

"The Left Chancellor speaks truth," said Minister of War Zhao Jun, bowing low. "Li Tianyuan's heritage is unknown. Should he turn against us, he could wield the empire's own fortune as a weapon. I propose his removal and the sealing of the Cauldron!"

"Insolence!"

The Right Chancellor, Han Yin, slammed his hand against his table, beard bristling.

"Li Tianyuan has earned his honors in blood! Without him, Liuchuan would have fallen completely. Do you call victory treason? Will you smear a hero to polish your own pride?"

Others stepped forth—the Minister of Revenue, the Commander of the Imperial Guard—all defending Li Tianyuan in turn.

In moments, the court divided into two camps.

One sought to strip Li of his position, claiming it would 'stabilize the mandate of heaven'—though their true aim was to weaken the Emperor's grip. The other side stood behind him, seeing in the young warrior a rare balance to the growing corruption of the bureaucracy.

From his throne, the Emperor sat motionless, eyes half-closed, listening as storm and thunder clashed beneath him.

Then—

"Your Majesty!"

A censor stepped forward, slamming his memorial to the floor.

"I have proof! The turmoil in Youzhou is not only the work of the Inverse Spirit Sect—it is aided by traitors within this very court!"

The chamber froze.

Two imperial guards dragged forward an elderly official. Gasps echoed through the ranks—it was Minister Xu Wenhao, the Grand Preceptor of Rites, a man long respected for his dignity and learning. Now he knelt trembling, face ashen.

"Xu Wenhao," the censor barked, "you stand accused of consorting with the Inverse Spirit Sect. Do you deny it?"

"I… I…" Xu's voice broke. Then he collapsed forward, whispering, "I was deceived… tempted by their promises of eternal life…"

The court erupted in shock.

The sect's corruption had reached the heart of imperial power.

The Emperor rose, fury flashing in his eyes. His voice struck like thunder across the marble floor.

"By my decree—Xu Wenhao, guilty of treason and blasphemy! Execute him at once!"

The words fell like a sword. Silence followed, suffocating and absolute. No one dared speak.

That single execution chilled the entire court—and made clear how deeply the sect's shadow had already spread.

Far away in Youzhou, Li Tianyuan stood beneath a grey sky, reading the very same report.

He said nothing. Around him, the camp was quiet—wounds still fresh, soldiers moving like ghosts among tents. Hundreds of his men were dead. Thousands of innocents had vanished. The victory tasted of ash.

"Tianyuan," Mu Xueyin said softly, "you can't bear this alone."

He shook his head. "It's not guilt. It's understanding. I've stepped beyond the battlefield. Now… I'm just another piece on the board."

Fu Yuan stood nearby, arms folded, his tone as cold as the wind.

"You've finally seen it. The Cauldron doesn't just bind to armies—it binds to power. They're watching you, using you… fearing you. You will either rise—or be erased."

Li Tianyuan said nothing, though his pulse thundered in his ears.

There was no path backward anymore.

At that moment, a golden-edged decree arrived from the capital. The imperial messenger dismounted at the camp gates and unfurled the scroll.

"By the Emperor's command—Li Tianyuan, National Fate Inspector, is to return to the capital at once… to receive honors for his service."

Li raised his eyes to the storm clouds gathering over the northern peaks.

"Honors?" he murmured.

But in his gaze flickered not relief—only cold resolve.

He knew this was no reward.It was an invitation into a deeper storm.

The wind rose, carrying the scent of thunder.And far above, unseen by any mortal eye, the tide of the nation's fate began to stir.

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