### Chapter 188

### Chapter 188

#### Xie Heng's Regicide

Xie Heng listened, as if he had been waiting for this day for a long time.

He nodded, wrote on a piece of paper, and called over Chuisi. He tied the paper to Chuisi's leg, patted it, and said, "Go find Brother Shengzhao and have him write a letter to her to pick him up."

Chuisi chirped and flew away.

Then Xie Heng calmly stood up and spread his arms. "Change clothes."

The attendant beside him dressed him in his usual black robe with golden threads and put on his gold crown. Meanwhile, Vermilion Bird waited and reported, "Also, the book that Lady obtained from the Dark Pavilion at Fengyu Pavilion has now been fully restored. Brother Xuanshan sent it over."

As he spoke, Vermilion Bird handed over the book. Xie Heng took the ledger, flipped through a few pages, and paused at Jiang Fengwan's portrait.

Looking at the face that resembled Li Guiyu so much, Xie Heng was silent for a long time before calmly saying, "Indeed."

"What is it?"

Vermilion Bird looked over in confusion, then exclaimed, "This person looks quite like Third Highness?"

"Keep this book," Xie Heng handed the ledger to Vermilion Bird. "If Li Guiyu ever harms the Lady, give it to her. If not..."

After a moment of contemplation, Xie Heng continued, "Keep it yourself and don't tell anyone."

"Oh."

Vermilion Bird didn't quite understand but obediently kept the book.

Xie Heng glanced at him and led him out, calmly instructing, "In the afternoon, bring a horse and a travel bag with □□ and a bottle of Essence Pills. Wait for me under the willow tree outside the city."

"Huh?"

Vermilion Bird asked in confusion, "Why? Where is Young Master going?"

"I'm going to see His Majesty and take him to Egret Mountain."

Xie Heng walked out, leading Vermilion Bird, and said calmly, "Many people came with His Majesty today, so you don't need to go. Prepare everything and wait for me outside the city."

"Oh."

Vermilion Bird nodded without further thought and said, "Alright, I'll wait for you outside the city."

With that, Vermilion Bird bowed and said, "Young Master, I'll prepare now."

"Vermilion Bird."

Xie Heng suddenly called him back. Vermilion Bird turned around, and Xie Heng tossed him a token, smiling, "When you see Xuanshan, have him give you all five hundred gold from the treasury."

Hearing this, Vermilion Bird's eyes widened. Xie Heng laughed, "Aren't you fond of buying shoes? You can buy plenty now."

"Young Master!"

Vermilion Bird exclaimed in delight, "You're too kind!"

"Wait for me outside the city."

Xie Heng waved him off, and Vermilion Bird left happily.

After Vermilion Bird left, Xie Heng turned and led the others out, coldly saying, "Prepare to receive His Majesty."

Li Zong's entourage had stopped outside Si Prefecture.

Half a month ago, he had written to Li Zong requesting the Yin Lord's order to open the gate of the underground palace at Egret Mountain. Li Zong quickly replied, saying he would come in person.

The emperor's procession, with nearly ten thousand guards, had traveled for half a month before reaching Si Prefecture.

Xie Heng and the officials of Si Prefecture had been standing at the city gates for a while, watching the emperor's procession approach. When the entourage stopped at the city gates, Xie Heng led everyone in kneeling and paying homage, shouting "Long live the Emperor." Then he heard Li Zong's familiar voice from behind the dragon carriage: "Rise."

Xie Heng stood up, and Li Zong extended his hand from the dragon carriage, calling, "Come closer, let Me see you."

Xie Heng approached the dragon carriage. Li Zong lifted the curtain, looked at him for a moment, and then smiled, "You look thinner."

"It's because Your Majesty worries about your servant," Xie Heng respectfully replied. "My clothes haven't changed, yet Your Majesty worries about me."

"You are My child, raised by Me. How could I not worry when you are away fighting rebels?"

Li Zong sighed, his eyes full of affection, then turned to look at the distant mountains and said slowly, "How far is Egret Mountain?"

"About half an hour."

Xie Heng glanced at the sky and suggested, "Your Majesty should rest for a day and continue tomorrow..."

"No need to wait until tomorrow," Li Zong waved his hand, clearly eager. He turned to Yang Chun and said, "Yang Chun, arrange for five thousand troops to settle down and bring another five thousand with Me into the mountain."

Yang Chun responded and made the arrangements. Li Zong then turned back to Xie Heng, like any ordinary elder, chatting casually, "It's still early. Have you had breakfast?"

"Not until Your Majesty arrives, Your servant has no appetite."

"Perfect," Li Zong smiled. "I grant you to dine with Me. Let's talk, son."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xie Heng and Li Zong waited a moment. Yang Chun finished the arrangements, and Xie Heng boarded Li Zong's carriage, leading the way with five thousand troops toward Egret Mountain.

Along the way, they ate a bit, and Xie Heng carefully explained the situation in Si Prefecture to Li Zong.

"The Zheng family has been exploiting the people here, causing great suffering. The people are grateful for Your Majesty's presence and deeply appreciative. The case against the Zheng family is being thoroughly investigated. Those guilty will be punished, and the innocent will be spared."

Xie Heng spoke these words, Li Zong smiled without saying anything. After Xie Heng finished, he slowly said, "I originally thought... you would have killed the Zheng family and hung them on the city gates. I didn't expect that even Heng'er has become soft-hearted."

"Indeed, I considered it," Xie Heng nodded, pondering, "But with the current state of affairs, where powerful clans across the land are watching closely, I feared that if I did so, they might feel sympathy for the fallen and incite a military revolt. Then, the life of Luo Wanqing wouldn't be enough to assuage their fears."

"That's true."

Li Zong nodded, clearly not too concerned about this matter. He changed the subject and asked, "What about Egret Mountain? What is the situation there now?"

"After occupying Si Prefecture, I had people search Egret Mountain. Eventually, we found a cave on the backside of the mountain. The cave leads straight down, and at the bottom, we saw a stone door. The door requires a key. I examined the lock and confirmed that the Yin Lord Token should be used to open it. Concerned that there might be self-destruct mechanisms behind the stone door, I did not proceed further."

Xie Heng recited his well-prepared explanation, seamless and convincing. Li Zong did not doubt him.

He lightly tapped his knee, appearing calm, but his willingness to come here already revealed his eagerness.

After all, six years of searching and so much effort had finally led to this moment. How could he not be anxious?

Xie Heng looked at Li Zong's expression and said with concern, "Actually, Your Majesty, sending the Yin Lord Token would have been sufficient. There was no need for you to come in person."

"The last thing Qingping left behind, how could I not come and see it?" Li Zong sighed, somewhat nostalgic, "I want to see what he left behind, what made him turn against me as a brother."

"Your Majesty values loyalty."

Xie Heng's tone was calm, but he understood that Li Zong came in person because he did not trust him.

Perhaps in this matter, he trusted no one.

He wanted to personally inspect the explosives in the underground palace, bringing many people along. After verifying everything, he might take them away or leave them here for future use.

Knowing his suspicious nature, Xie Heng deliberately told him that the Yin Lord Token was needed to open the gate, luring him here.

Xie Heng showed no change in expression as he chatted with Li Zong into the mountain. When they reached Egret Mountain, Xie Heng led Li Zong to the cave he had prepared and said, "Your Majesty, the cave is narrow. Let the soldiers wait outside and select a few elites to escort you inside."

"No need for too many people," Li Zong raised his hand to stop the soldiers behind him, looking at Xie Heng with full trust, "With Heng'er and Yang Chun protecting me, I am very reassured."

Saying this, Li Zong turned and walked inside, saying generously, "Let's go, Heng'er lead the way."

Xie Heng respectfully moved forward, leading Li Zong deeper into the cave.

The tunnel was extremely narrow, only wide enough for three people side by side. Xie Heng and Yang Chun flanked Li Zong, with Xie Heng holding a torch in front, gently reminding Li Zong of the stones on the path.

They walked through the tunnel for a long time. Li Zong began to feel uneasy, looking up at Xie Heng, who held the torch, and said with a smile, "Heng'er, there's actually another personal reason why I came here."

"Oh?" Xie Heng did not turn around, his tone calm, "What other reason does Your Majesty have?"

"It's almost time to give Heng'er the medicine." Li Zong smiled, "I was afraid of delaying it, so I came in person. This time, Heng'er has done great service. Once we find the explosives, when we return to East Capital, I will give you the antidote. As father and son, we don't need this anymore."

"Is Your Majesty afraid?"

Xie Heng asked directly. Li Zong's expression did not change, and he only smiled, "Afraid of what?"

"If not afraid, why mention this to me?"

Xie Heng's tone was calm. Li Zong laughed awkwardly and then said, "This path seems too long."

"We're here."

Xie Heng stopped, Li Zong looked up in confusion, and Yang Chun gripped his dust whisk tightly. They saw Xie Heng standing at the end of the path.

At the end was a stone door. Xie Heng held the torch, standing before the door, and respectfully asked, "Shall Your Majesty open it, or shall I do it?"

"Give the Yin Lord Token to him."

Li Zong took out the Yin Lord Token from his sleeve and handed it to Yang Chun.

Yang Chun received it with both hands and passed it to Xie Heng.

Xie Heng handed the torch to Yang Chun and bowed, "Thank you, Director Yang, for holding the light for me."

"Not at all," Yang Chun smiled, taking the torch.

Xie Heng inserted the Yin Lord Token into the lock, turned it, and the stone door slowly lifted.

Yang Chun watched, feeling something was wrong, but not being skilled in mechanisms, he couldn't pinpoint it. He frowned as the stone door opened, revealing darkness beyond. Yang Chun instinctively stepped forward but was stopped by Xie Heng, who immediately said, "Director Yang, we don't know what's inside. It's not safe to carry a torch."

Hearing this, Yang Chun was startled, realizing that if it were an explosives chamber, carrying a torch inside...

His heart chilled, and he quickly extinguished the torch, hurriedly saying, "Thank you, Master Xie..."

Just as the cave plunged into darkness, a palm strike suddenly came!

Yang Chun's expression hardened, and he condensed his inner strength into a single palm, colliding fiercely with Xie Heng.

The powerful inner strength clashed like two surging rivers, and both were simultaneously thrown back. At the same moment, Xie Heng smashed the mechanism near the stone door, causing it to slam shut as Yang Chun landed, trapping him behind it.

"Xie Heng!"

Yang Chun's voice echoed from within the closed door.

Xie Heng swallowed a mouthful of blood, quickly rising from the ground. In the darkness, he grabbed Li Zong by the neck and calmly said, "Let's go."

Li Zong remained silent, allowing Xie Heng to drag him forward.

The cave was filled with secret passages. He had discovered the Zheng family's underground palace, which was originally used to detain prisoners, and now served his purpose.

He led Li Zong through twists and turns, opening a hidden door, and leaped down. Once they landed in the secret chamber, he pushed Li Zong onto a chair and then fumbled in the dark to light a lamp.

As the light flickered on, Li Zong squinted, looking at the young man holding the candle.

His face was slightly pale as he lit each lamp. When the room was fully illuminated, Li Zong looked around and realized it was a torture chamber.

He felt a chill in his heart, but his face remained expressionless as he turned to Xie Heng and smiled, saying, "What does Heng'er mean by this?"

"Is Your Majesty not afraid?"

Xie Heng looked at the composed person before him and spoke coldly. Li Zong glanced around and said calmly, "You wouldn't kill me, so what do I have to fear?"

"Are you that certain?"

"I understand you," Li Zong chuckled lightly, "If you wanted to kill me, you would have done it just now. Tell me," Li Zong straightened his robe, speaking confidently, "what do you want?"

Xie Heng stared at Li Zong, his throat tightening. He had known this person for over twenty years.

Since he could remember, he had known this person, who was always kind, an elder, a family member.

He looked at him for a long time before finally saying, "When I was young, I had a bad temper and often caused trouble. Everyone was teaching and scolding me, but only Your Majesty always said that I would be a national treasure and should not have my spirit broken. So every time I got into trouble, I wasn't afraid because I knew Your Majesty would take care of me."

Hearing Xie Heng's words, Li Zong's eyes softened slightly, saying, "It's hard for you to still remember."

"I always thought that Your Majesty was a good elder, accompanying me along with my family as I grew up. Before I turned eighteen, I believed I was one of the luckiest people in the world. I came from a prestigious family, had excellent talent, and was surrounded by loving relatives. There was nothing in this world I couldn't achieve. So, I've never understood," Xie Heng raised his eyes to look at Li Zong, "why did Your Majesty do this?"

"What?" Li Zong didn't understand.

Xie Heng looked at him and said hoarsely, "Why did you allow Wang Lianyang to force the Crown Prince and Aunt to their deaths?"

Li Zong heard this and thought for a moment before laughing, "You ask me a question, let me ask you one—"

Speaking, Li Zong's expression became serious and his gaze sharp, "What did you find on Egret Mountain?"

Hearing his question, Xie Heng knew what Li Zong cared about. He laughed, his face showing mockery, "Nothing."

Li Zong frowned, about to speak, when Xie Heng said, "That map was placed there by me; there is nothing on Egret Mountain."

Li Zong was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized the implications, asking, "Did you open the Xuantian Box early? Where is the map? Where are the items?"

Xie Heng remained silent, looking at Li Zong with a hint of pity, saying calmly, "There is no map of the ammunition depot inside. Only my uncle's military diary, your correspondence, and a map of a march over the snowy mountains to Kunlun."

"Is that where the ammunition depot is?" Li Zong exclaimed in disbelief, "The ammunition depot is in Kunlun?"

Even Li Zong found this absurd.

How could Cui Qingping place the ammunition depot in Kunlun, separated by Beirong?

But if the Xuantian Box had no map, and if there were no maps anywhere else, then...

"There is no ammunition depot." Seeing Li Zong's realization, Xie Heng said calmly, "The ammunition depot has never existed in this world, Your Majesty. This is a lie."

Li Zong stared blankly at Xie Heng, and after a long while, managed a smile, "Impossible, you're lying. Back then, your mother used this kind of explosive to blow open the palace gates. Its power is hundreds of times greater than existing explosives; just one could blow open the palace gates..."

"Why doesn't the Cui family use it then?"

Xie Heng asked calmly, Li Zong froze, and Xie Heng continued, "Did Your Majesty see the palace gates blown open with your own eyes? Did you see just one explosive blow open the gates that require hundreds of them?"

Li Zong was speechless, suddenly realizing he hadn't seen it himself.

This information came from Wang Lianyang.

Seeing Li Zong's dazed expression, Xie Heng continued slowly, "Let me tell you what happened back then. At that time, the Cui family was at its peak, and my uncle promoted the Great Xia Law, requiring everyone to follow the law. But Your Majesty preferred pleasure and was not the wise ruler my uncle imagined. Therefore, you two had many arguments. You harbored resentment for a long time, but due to the authority of the Cui family, you could only bear it secretly. The Wang and Zheng families sensed your thoughts and colluded with Beirong, using the pretense of peace talks to make Great Xia lower its guard. On May 15th, Beirong attacked the border, and the Wang and Zheng families blocked news of the attack."

Li Zong listened quietly without speaking.

Xie Heng continued, "For nearly a month, the border troops held out, but supplies dwindled. To East Capital, unaware of the war, this behavior seemed like self-aggrandizement and disloyalty. At this point, the Wang or Zheng family suggested to Your Majesty that they discovered Cui Qingping secretly building an ammunition depot. You easily believed this lie."

"Wang Lianyang."

Li Zong understood what he meant, adding, "She told me, and she mentioned it in April."

"You were afraid and realized that if you possessed the ammunition depot, you could suppress the noble families with force. You wanted to break free from the Cui family, which you had long desired. So on June 10th, you ordered Wang Lianyang to detain the Empress and Crown Prince, hoping to force my mother to reveal the location of the ammunition depot. But I broke into the palace, and my mother committed suicide to protect me."

Li Zong looked at Xie Heng, whose face showed no emotion, and he continued, "News of my mother's death quickly reached my uncle. On June 16th, you received his letter, which read, 'Beirong has invaded. I defend against external enemies and internal threats. If there is a rift between us, I cannot stand alone. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider and show mercy. If the Crown Prince is not of Cui lineage, I cannot guarantee the stability of Great Xia.' This letter angered you, erasing any guilt over my mother's death, and you imprisoned the entire Cui family."

"Wasn't it justified?" Li Zong spoke coldly, "As a mere subject, how dare he be so presumptuous..."

"The last sentence of that letter was not written by my uncle."

Xie Hong interrupted Li Zong, who was stunned. Xie Heng continued calmly, "He wrote many letters to you, but they were intercepted. Only this one reached you, with the final sentence added by someone else. At that time, Sun Zhengli controlled the Ministry of War, and all letters passed through it. This letter was deliberately chosen for Your Majesty."

Li Zong sat dumbfounded, listening to Xie Heng continue, "After receiving news of the imprisonment of the Cui family, my uncle knew you were harming his family, yet he remained steadfast on the front lines."

Xie Heng walked forward, handing over copies of their correspondence and Cui Qingping's military diary, saying simply, "He held out until the last bullet, ordering civilians to retreat to Yu Guan. However, the Wang family distributed enemy uniforms to the civilians, shooting them as enemies, and reported a victory at Yu Guan to claim credit."

Li Zong was speechless, looking at Cui Qingping's military diary, hearing Xie Heng's mocking voice, "This was the victory at Yu Guan. Before the front line was breached, they reported to the court that the enemy had reached Yu Guan, causing the court to abandon ten border cities. My uncle could have recaptured them, but knowing that an internal conflict would lead to Beirong's direct assault on East Capital, he chose another path."

Li Zong looked up in confusion, Xie Heng's eyes moistening, "He led ten thousand soldiers and civilians over the snowy mountains, circling behind Beirong to Kunlun. He held out until the city fell and he was captured, escaping back to East Capital for reinforcements. If East Capital had sent troops, they could have flanked Beirong with these ten thousand soldiers!"

Li Zong listened, eyes wide in disbelief, exclaiming, "How could this be?!"

"But Your Majesty didn't believe him."

Xie Heng laughed through tears, "Your Majesty chose to poison him in the palace, abandoning those ten cities, and sacrificing the lives of the entire Cui family for your throne!"

Xie Heng couldn't help but grab Li Zong's neck, staring at him intensely. Li Zong's eyes widened in shock, gasping for breath, hearing Xie Heng's questioning, "This is your ruler, the ruler my uncle and our family served with our lives! Do you have no heart? No feelings?"

Xie Heng tightened his grip, Li Zong struggling, trying to pry off Xie Heng's fingers, hearing Xie Heng ask, "My uncle grew up with you since childhood, my aunt was your wife, and my brother was your first child—decades of loyalty, and you gave him no trust?"

"What about him?!"

Li Zong, finally unable to contain himself, shouted, Xie Heng's grip loosened, and Li Zong pushed him away, coughing violently, glaring at Xie Heng, "You ask me if I trusted him, but did he trust me?!"

Xie Heng remained silent, watching Li Zong's face turn red with anger, shouting, "If he trusted me, why didn't he tell me about the ten thousand people sent to Kunlun? Why didn't he tell me about the Xuantian Box sent to Jiangnan?!"

Li Zong spoke, even forgetting to refer to himself, and said urgently, "Do you think I killed him for no reason? Do you think I wanted to kill him? Do you think Shengzhao and Muhua escaped because I let them go? I've been waiting for Cui Qingping!"

Xie Heng's eyes flickered. Li Zong, facing his gaze, turned away, somewhat embarrassed.

He seemed unwilling to admit it but still clenched his fists and explained, "I wanted to trust him. I was waiting for him to explain. When he returned from Beirong, everyone was telling me that he came back to avenge the Cui family. They said he advocated war because Beirong had set an ambush, and he colluded with Beirong, waiting to destroy my troops. Do you know the pressure I faced at that time?"

Li Zong spoke in a rush, angry and resentful: "But I still wanted to trust him! I waited for him. I knew he delivered the Xuantian Box to Jiangnan. I waited for him to tell me everything, but he didn't! He only asked for my troops and told me that if I gave them to him, he would have a sure victory. But where did he get this confidence?"

"Because he sent ten thousand civilians and soldiers to the rear of Beirong," Xie Heng said, understanding dawning in his eyes. "As long as we attacked from both sides, he would have a sure victory."

"But he didn't tell me," Li Zong laughed bitterly. "He feared I would harm these people, feared I would reveal their positions to Beirong, leading to their destruction. You say I didn't trust him, but did he trust me?"

As he spoke, tears fell from Li Zong's eyes, and he laughed while crying: "You always say I am suspicious, but haven't I paid a price? It was Cui Qingping who betrayed me! If he had trusted me just a little more back then, he wouldn't have died!"

"What about my mother?"

When speaking of the past, Xie Heng's tone couldn't help but become agitated.

He thought of the moment Cui Muhua took her own life, the moment he crawled on the ground to reach his mother's blood. He couldn't help but say, "You say you want our trust. But before Uncle returned, during your so-called waiting period, my mother was already dead! Aunt died, the entire Cui family was imprisoned. How could you expect Uncle and us to trust you?!"

Faced with this question, Li Zong finally couldn't answer.

He fell silent for a long time before saying, "I didn't intend to kill them."

Mentioning Cui Muhua and Cui Lianyi, Li Zong's voice finally showed signs of hoarseness: "At that time, I only wanted to use Shengzhao and Lianyi to force your mother to tell the truth. But unexpectedly, you returned, and when she saw you, fearing Zheng Daochu would kill you, she took her own life. I couldn't stop her in time. Later... when your uncle was captured, the border wars had ended, and the Wang and Zheng families were watching me... I had no choice but to kill."

"And what else?"

Xie Heng's eyes were filled with emptiness as he looked at Li Zong: "Is this all the guilt you bear?"

Li Zong remained silent, and after a long pause, he said, "So, are you here today to confront me?"

Saying this, Li Zong looked at Xie Heng: "Are you telling me this to seek justice?"

"Will Your Majesty provide that justice?"

Xie Heng asked calmly, and Li Zong laughed: "You didn't come just to ask me this question. Tell me, what do you want? What do you have?"

"Li Shengzhao is still alive."

Xie Heng began, and Li Zong was unsurprised. He calmly said, "Is it that child called Cui Junye?"

"You knew?"

"I sensed it." Li Zong chuckled lightly. "Sometimes when I look at him, I remember Shengzhao. I always thought I was imagining things, but now..." Li Zong looked at Xie Heng, "you have this ability. So what do you plan to do now?"

"Enthronize him as the Crown Prince Regent, rehabilitate the Cui family, and reinstate the Great Xia Law."

Xie Heng spoke calmly, each word seeming like a long journey.

Li Zong watched him closely: "What's your leverage?"

"The eight thousand troops you gave to Luo Wanqing, along with the two thousand from Si Prefecture, have taken ten border cities, negotiated peace with Beirong, and welcomed back the troops left in Kunlun. This army, combined with the Supervision Division and the Qin and Xie clans, is enough, isn't it?"

Listening to him, Li Zong stared at Xie Heng for a long time before raising his hand and clapping softly: "Good, very good. With troops, power, and wealth, how could I refuse?"

Xie Heng ignored his sarcasm and listened as Li Zong continued: "So, the case involving Qin Wenyan—was it your deliberate act of kindness towards Qin Jue?"

"Yes."

"Who killed Shangwen?"

"It was me."

"Were the accusations against the Eastern Palace's Six Armies fabricated?"

"They deserved it; they were the ones who shot the civilians during the Yu Guan victory."

"Who were the assassins at your wedding? Were they from the Wang and Zheng families or your people?"

"Both. If they didn't act, I would."

"To make me give you troops to attack Si Prefecture?"

"Yes."

"So the invasion by Beirong was also fake news?"

"Yes."

Li Zong didn't speak further, his lips curled into a smile as he pondered Xie Heng's words. After a long while, he shook his head: "It's a pity. Why aren't you my biological son?"

Xie Heng stared at Li Zong, who smiled and said, "I originally thought my most outstanding son was Guiyu, and I planned to pass the throne to him—just as my father passed everything to me. He would ensure the prosperity of the Li dynasty. But in the end, it's Shengzhao. Still, it doesn't matter; he's my son too. I agree. But there's one condition—"

Li Zong looked up at Xie Heng, staring into his eyes, calm and solemn: "Kill Luo Wanqing."

Hearing this, Xie Heng understood but still asked, "Why?"

"No reason. I want her dead." Li Zong didn't bother explaining, smiling at Xie Heng, "I'm giving everything to Shengzhao, but you must show your loyalty, right? Can't even kill a woman?"

"Must she die?" Xie Heng confirmed.

Li Zong replied without hesitation: "She must die."

Xie Heng listened, lowering his eyes. After a long pause, he closed his eyes, laughing mockingly: "Only her death can protect Your Majesty's secrets, right?"

Li Zong's pupils trembled slightly, feigning composure: "What secrets?"

"Was the organization inside the palace given to Your Majesty by the late emperor?"

Xie Heng deduced from Li Zong's words.

Luo Qushu entered the chamber at a young age. He is around the same age as Li Zong, so it's unlikely that Li Zong groomed him.

According to Li Zong's words, he inherited everything from the late emperor. That chamber might be the most secretive organization serving the royal family for generations.

Hearing Xie Heng mention the chamber, Li Zong understood: "You know?"

"The chamber member, Luo Qushu, was on the battlefield back then. He has been sending messages to the chamber all along. Your Majesty is the leader of the chamber, so you were well aware of what happened on the battlefield. You knew about Uncle's hardships."

Xie Heng looked up at Li Zong: "In April, when you heard about the Cui family's arsenal, you had an idea. So you deliberately let the Wang and Zheng families run wild, trying to force the Cui family into a corner to verify the existence of the arsenal. For this, you even used Yang Chun as bait, intentionally letting him join them and collude with Beirong. When my mother blew up the palace gate, you believed the Cui family must have such a thing. Even if they didn't, dividing the massive Cui family would nourish many noble families, making it easier for you to maintain control."

"You are the real culprit."

Xie Heng spoke calmly, without any anger, only weariness.

Li Zong unconsciously gripped the armrest and laughed: "I merely ignored everything. How does that make me the culprit?"

As he spoke, Li Zong adjusted his posture, leaning against the armrest, smiling: "Why bother with all this? Lingshu, think clearly about what you really want. The most important thing is to implement the Great Xia Law, followed by clearing the Cui family's name. As for the rest, is it that important?"

"What if I insist on pursuing it?"

"You can pursue it," Li Zong scrutinized Xie Heng's eyes, "you can tell everyone about my collusion with Beirong and the ceding of ten cities to harm the Cui family. Then, I will become a traitor to the nation. But remember," Li Zong leaned forward, emphasizing, "Shengzhao's throne comes from me."

Xie Heng remained silent, and Li Zong's eyes showed arrogance: "If Shengzhao is to inherit the throne, I must be destined by heaven. If Shengzhao is the son of a traitor, someone will use this as a pretext to claim his rule is illegitimate and replace him with another royal prince, leading to unrest."

"I could just kill you."

Xie Heng spoke calmly, as if discussing something ordinary.

Li Zong laughed: "Kill the emperor for a woman? Think carefully," Li Zong straightened his sleeves and sat solemnly in his chair, "the scent of heavy bone incense hasn't dissipated. Kill me, and you'll die too. And your protégé Li Shengzhao will become a traitor. Then the Wang family will respond to public opinion and make Guiyu the successor, with the nation's support. You know what Guiyu is like; if he becomes emperor, your Supervision Division won't last. You'll end up with nothing."

Xie Heng listened, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes.

Li Zong looked uneasy, softened his tone, and advised: "Actually, you don't need to feel like I wanted to kill her. Even if I didn't, she wouldn't survive. As long as those close to you know that Luo Wanqing threatens Li Shengzhao's legitimacy, who would protect her? Whether it's Li Shengzhao or Qingya, after all your hard work supporting Shengzhao and hoping he fulfills your grand vision, would you risk it all for a woman? Xie Heng," Li Zong looked at him, certain, "you're not that kind of person, none of you are."

Xie Heng listened quietly, showing no emotion.

He understood Li Zong's words from the moment he learned the chamber belonged to Li Zong. He knew Luo Wanqing threatened Li Zong and Li Shengzhao.

Her status is too high, and she knows too much. Eventually, she would discover the chamber's connection to the royal family, realizing every message her father sent ended up with Li Zong, making him the true traitor.

As Luo Qushu's daughter, holding his letters, every accusation she makes could shake the foundation of the nation.

For Li Zong, this is absolutely unacceptable.

He would kill her, sooner or later.

If it were the old Xie Heng, he might have made the same choice, eliminating the root to avoid future trouble.

But now, he couldn't.

He held onto a sliver of hope, wishing Li Zong were more merciful. Any sign of leniency would give him room to maneuver.

He deliberately avoided mentioning the chamber, giving Li Zong a way out. But Li Zong proved far more ruthless, using her death as leverage for their desires.

If Li Zong told Shengzhao, Qingya, or Xuanshan about this trade, they would choose her death without hesitation.

Thinking this, Xie Heng couldn't help but laugh.

Images flashed through his mind: the woman leaning against the railing, holding a pipa, fighting her way through bloodshed. He whispered softly: "Your Majesty is right. If Your Majesty only wants Luo Wanqing's life, whether it's Shengzhao, the remaining Cui family members, or anyone in the Supervision Division, they might agree. Sacrifice one life for the greater good."

Li Zong relaxed slightly, about to speak, when Xie Heng continued: "But not me."

Li Zong froze, hearing Xie Heng say: "Your Majesty, Xie Heng indeed weighs the situation, but," he lifted his eyes, a hint of warmth in them, "my heart is moved."

In that moment, Li Zong barely had time to react before Xie Heng was already close.

Li Zong screamed: "Xie Heng!"

But Xie Heng had already grabbed his neck, pinning him to the chair.

He tightened his grip, and Li Zong struggled desperately, writhing like a fish in hot oil.

Xie Heng looked into his eyes, which usually held uncertainty, now revealing genuine fear and panic.

He suddenly remembered many people.

He remembered his mother, who killed herself before him.

He remembered Cui Zigui, smiling at him from prison.

He remembered Cui Lianyi, granted death in the palace.

He remembered Cui Changxi, collapsing in a pool of blood at the ferry.

He remembered Cui Qingping's back disappearing into the rain, feeling like he had walked a long, exhausting road.

He felt he wasn't choking Li Zong but his own heart.

His heart tightened in his hand, throbbing painfully. Staring at Li Zong's face turning purple, he said hoarsely: "I have nothing left, Li Zong."

"Let go of me..." Li Zong struggled desperately, feeling the air being squeezed away, his lungs about to burst, "You're committing regicide! Regicide!"

"Might as well do it properly since I'm doomed anyway."

"Sheng...zhao..." Li Zong struggled, reminding him of his importance to Li Shengzhao, seeking a chance to live.

But Xie Heng laughed.

"Rest assured, once I kill you, I'll leave the Crown Prince alone. I'll go and assist the Third Highness to ascend the throne. But there's one thing you need to know, the Third Highness," Xie Heng slightly bowed, "is Jiang Fengwan's son."

Hearing this, Li Zong suddenly opened his eyes, and Xie Heng laughed, muttering a curse under his breath: "The Li dynasty will bear the Jiang name in the future."

"No—!!"

Li Zong screamed in shock, and at that moment, Xie Heng finally stopped tormenting him, crushing his neck with a sudden grip.

Blood spurted from his neck wound, splattering Xie Heng's face.

Then came a loud crash as the wall beside them was shattered by a powerful palm strike, and amidst the dust, Yang Chun appeared at the door with soldiers.

Yang Chun stared in shock at Li Zong, whose headless body sat in the chair, frozen in place.

Silence fell over the scene, and a soldier recovered first, stammering in alarm: "Xie... Xie Heng has killed the emperor!"

Realizing what had happened, he backed away, shouting: "Xie Heng has killed the emperor! Xie Heng has killed the emperor!!"

Hearing this, Xie Heng calmly rose, lifting his gaze. The blood drops on his handsome pale face made him look exceptionally alluring.

Seeing the panic in everyone's eyes, he felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. He tilted his head, wiping the blood from his face with the back of his hand, feeling a sudden sense of relief. He admitted openly: "Yes, I have killed the emperor."

"Traitor, die!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Chun finally reacted, lunging at Xie Heng with a fierce palm strike.

Xie Heng kicked and dragged Li Zong's body in front of him, and Yang Chun hastily pulled back. In that instant, Li Zong's corpse slammed into Yang Chun, and Xie Heng seized a sword, dashing out.

His sword wind was fierce, his movements ghostlike, and within moments, he had burst through the corridor.

Yang Chun, shielding Li Zong's body, shouted fiercely: "Stop him! Capture this traitorous murderer!"

Soldiers swarmed forward, but who could stop Xie Heng?

His sword strikes were like a collapsing mountain, shattering everything in their path. He fought his way out of Egret Mountain and headed straight for the city outskirts.

The Vermilion Bird had prepared horses and supplies, waiting idly outside the city walls. Hearing the commotion from afar, they soon saw Xie Heng approaching with a blood-stained sword, leaping swiftly.

Gasping, he reached the Vermilion Bird and mounted the horse. The Vermilion Bird exclaimed in surprise: "Young Master?!"

"I've killed Li Zong."

Xie Heng said with satisfaction.

The Vermilion Bird's eyes widened, but before he could speak, Xie Heng continued: "Quickly get our people out of Si Prefecture. Find the Crown Prince and tell him that Xie Heng was incited by Li Guiyu to kill the emperor. Ask the Crown Prince to restore his identity and raise an army, then return to the capital under the pretense of punishing the traitors."

"What about you?" The Vermilion Bird quickly asked, grabbing Xie Heng, "Young Master, where are you going alone?!"

"I'm going to see someone."

"Who?" The Vermilion Bird was puzzled.

Xie Heng smiled, his eyes softening: "My beloved."

**Author's Note:**

**Mini Scene**

Vermilion Bird: "The head of the Supervision Division becomes a lawless madman. Is it a twist of human nature or a collapse of morality?"

Xie Heng: "Who cares about morality? I never had any to begin with. At the end of my rope, I'm off to find my wife!!"

**Mini Scene 2**

Luo Wanqing: "You broke the law?"

Xie Heng: "...let me explain..."

Luo Wanqing: "Let me see how to sentence you."

Xie Heng: "..."

Luo Wanqing: "Oh, life imprisonment."

Xie Heng: "No, I did it for you..."

Luo Wanqing: "In my heart, life imprisonment."