"This is cause for celebration; I request Your Majesty summon the armies of the various vassal states and personally lead the expedition against Great Qian!"

Yin Yu's eyes gleamed, and he cast a meaningful glance at Zuo Xin once more.

This strategy was not bad; it solved two problems at once. It eliminated potential issues from a massive military campaign while simultaneously draining the power of the vassal states. Zuo Xin's demeanor grew even more respectful: "Our Great Shang holds the mandate of righteousness, and we have the call of the Sage Zhu Zi. Your Majesty need only issue an imperial decree, and noble houses like the Yang and Zhu families surely would not dare refuse."

To ascend the throne, one absolutely needed the support of the Confucian School. Refusal would mean not just defying Great Shang, but offending the entire Confucian School and the venerated Sage Zhu Zi himself.

Great Shang had already bled and exerted effort in the Battle of the Sky of All Sentient Beings. Now it was time for these aristocratic clans—

"Even if these traitors do not reject the Sage Zhu Zi's summons, should they resist the levy, we can seek aid from the Daoist School. A few venerable Saints from the Demonic and Daoist Sects would surely be pleased to see it."

Yin Yu was already moved. If a personal campaign against Great Qian was necessary, this might be the only way to preserve the foundation of Great Shang. However, at this moment, he remained hesitant and conflicted.

"My subject, you truly are the backbone of this Emperor! This strategy is excellent, but I still require some time for consideration. You may withdraw for now!"

Zuo Xin, the Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, looked up, slightly surprised. Since ascending the throne, Emperor Yuan Chen had always presented himself as resolute and formidable. Having governed for a century, his authority was absolute. Regardless of whether his decisions were right or wrong, he was unwavering—a rare, enlightened, and capable sovereign.

Why the hesitation today?

Could there be something amiss with the plan he had just proposed? Yet, in Zuo Xin’s estimation, it was the only viable course of action.

He said nothing, offered another respectful bow, and retreated out of the hall.

Moments later, only Emperor Yuan Chen, the State Preceptor Gao Ruo, and Chong Xuan remained in the Hall of State Governance.

After a period of silence, Yin Yu finally asked, "State Preceptor, what are your thoughts?"

"This is the utmost excellent strategy! Great Qian is now a grave threat to the heart of our Dynasty; it cannot be ignored!"

Yin Yu, however, frowned. Zuo Xin's proposal was naturally a good plan, but that was not what he intended to ask about.

"A month ago, Your Majesty could have refused. But Great Shang has no room for refusal now."

Chong Xuan's expression turned solemn, his face profoundly grave.

"One Confucian School, one Daoist School—they can determine the rise and fall of a nation. They can even determine the succession of the Imperial Line."

This last statement was blunt, delivered in the hall like a thunderclap, causing the complexions of the other two to turn ashen.

Chong Xuan's words struck directly at the vital point.

Yin Yu remained silent for a long time before continuing, "I do not wish to be controlled by these few individuals. Does the State Preceptor have a sound plan to advise me?"

Chong Xuan smiled, answering without hesitation, "After careful thought, only the Twelve Bronze Men left by the First Emperor can help Your Majesty suppress this chaos. I have already located the position of Emperor Qin's main tomb; it should emerge soon. Our Great Shang can devise a way to enter and retrieve them ahead of time—"

Yin Yu suddenly stood up, his face alight with barely suppressed ecstatic joy. The anger and distress from hearing the bad news earlier had finally receded somewhat.

With the Twelve Bronze Men—twelve bronze puppets capable of contending with top-tier Saints—along with the heritage and armor left by Emperor Qin, Great Shang could stand firm in the world, no longer needing to defer to the expressions of a few supreme Saints.

"If we can retrieve the Twelve Bronze Men, that would be absolutely ideal. I entrust this matter to the State Preceptor!"

His mood lightened, and a smile finally broke across Yin Yu's face.

"State Preceptor, in your opinion, will my personal campaign against Great Qian result in victory or defeat?"

"The monarch of Great Qian has already been designated an Enemy of Confucianism! Everyone under heaven has the right to kill him. Even if Great Qian originated as a barbaric nation, it is not without people who incline toward cultivation and civilization. With Sage Zhu's decree, this nation has lost its righteousness; the populace will inevitably be scattered, and troop morale will decline. Our Great Shang still commands millions of soldiers. The combined forces of the various noble houses can muster over two hundred thousand Daoist soldiers. Furthermore, the Daoist, Demonic, and Confucian sects will certainly not stand idly by."

Chong Xuan spoke with slight hesitation, "With Kong Rui involved, predicting the outcome of this battle is difficult for me to do normally. Judging by common principles, Great Shang should have over ninety percent chance of victory. The remaining ten percent is unpredictable, depending on what methods Zong Shou might employ to counter. However, for Your Majesty, regardless of victory or defeat, neither outcome is immediately beneficial. If we win, the power of the great noble houses will certainly grow stronger. If we lose, Your Majesty's prestige will suffer."

Yin Yu merely laughed upon hearing this, full of confidence: "Then winning is better!"

He reflected that they were cultivators after all, unable to fully grasp all the intricacies.

The East Lin Cloud Continent and Hui Prefecture Island of Great Qian were no longer barren wastelands but renowned, prosperous territories.

It was rumored that they contained not only vast mineral wealth but also endless fertile lands. Even an ordinary commoner, with a little diligence, could live in comfort and plenty.

Once a great victory was achieved, if this "bone of contention" were cast out, countless aristocratic houses and sects would scramble for it.

He could even devise a way to relocate many of the powerful clans and noble families within Great Shang, temporarily resolving the internal threat. In ten years, they could fully confront external enemies.

It was a strategy with multiple benefits—

Yet, a slight unease lingered in his heart. It was always like this. He always thought Zong Shou had been pushed into a desperate corner, only for this man to reverse the tide with unexpected methods.

Would this time be the same?

He immediately shook his head violently and burst into laughter. In this battle, he had no room for maneuvering. In a crude calculation, the military strength disparity was nearly six to one, bullying the weak with strength.

As long as the generals were not utterly incompetent, overwhelming force would suffice!

Furthermore, those supreme Saints would certainly not permit a second major defeat.

Given this, what did he have to worry about?

As for Zong Shou, the Enemy of Confucianism? Truly pitiful—

Yin Yu felt a strange sense of shared misery at this moment.

As a sovereign, no one understood the detestable, infuriating nature of the Confucian School better than he.

They controlled the annals of history. As long as one offended the Confucian School and refused to act according to its ways, then even an eternal sage-king would suffer eternal infamy.

Having solidified his reputation as a misguided ruler, Zong Shou must be utterly overwhelmed by now.

※ ※ ※ ※

Zong Shou was still within the Sky of All Sentient Beings, holding the Blood Moon Scimitar in his hand.

This weapon belonged to the Lu family of the Burning Sky Continent. Upon the death of the wielder, the saber naturally fell into his possession.

It was not artificially forged, but rather ground from a naturally occurring Celestial-grade Divine Iron. Within it lay an innate formation array, making the Blood Moon Saber a divine weapon even without refinement.

"A born divine artifact, truly remarkable," Zong Shou murmured in admiration. The Laws contained within this saber were two—or rather, one and a half. One was the character for 'Conceal' (Zang), and half of 'Borrow' (Jie).

These Laws granted the wielder an ability to obscure their aura far superior to ordinary cultivators.

It was precisely because of the divine power of the Blood Moon Saber that the previous owner could evade the scrutiny of Saints like Xiu Guan and even manipulate the power of the Heavenly Tribulation to attack enemies.

Zong Shou did not care for the divine weapon itself; with the Spirit Refining Sword in his possession, he needed no other blade.

What truly held his attention were the Laws contained within this artifact.