Chapter 118: The Path to Ascension

Eunuch Liu’s face was as calm as still water, revealing no hint of his thoughts. He inquired, “There are several paths to become a great clan. Which one does Your Majesty intend to take?”

“I am the Empress of the Great Qin, and I will follow the ancient ways set by our ancestors.”

Eunuch Liu’s countenance softened slightly, and he said, “Your Majesty is far-sighted and wise beyond any man. This old servant admires you deeply.”

The so-called ancient way, established by the Grand Ancestor, required conquering new lands and earning military merits to gradually expand, until the criteria for becoming a great clan were met. This was the most orthodox, the oldest, and the most difficult path. For an ordinary upper-class family to ascend, it required an enormous amount of military achievements. In the early days of the empire, the rise of each great clan was paved with the bones of countless dark creatures.

However, this path to ascension was too arduous and slow. Even if a family produced talented individuals, it would take over a century and the efforts of several generations to succeed. Precisely because of its difficulty, the system of great clans was gradually criticized as a tool for high-ranking families to monopolize resources. Many scholars from humble backgrounds even agitated for the abolition of the clan system.

When the Martial Ancestor revitalized the empire, capable ministers and valiant generals gathered in the court. Many exceptional warriors achieved brilliant victories, but according to the ancient ways, they could not ascend to become great clans.

The Martial Ancestor, recognizing the times, opened up new paths to ascend. This led to the glorious period of the nine great clans, all of which were genuinely deserving and respected by the world.

However, after the Martial Ancestor, the social climate deteriorated, and the hearts of people became corrupt. Several subsequent emperors, eager to leave their mark on history, also tried to open more paths to become great clans. But lacking the martial prowess of the Martial Ancestor and being influenced by those with ulterior motives, they created more paths to ascension.

At one point, there were as many as a dozen paths, and the number of great clans surged, leading to a chaotic situation with over twenty clans. To distinguish the true great clans like the Zhang and Zhao from the others, the emperor at the time divided the great clans into three ranks.

With so many great clans, their status diminished. Many families, unable to expand externally, resorted to internal strife to gain territory, leading to a toxic and chaotic court.

Fortunately, a wise ruler emerged and thoroughly rectified the disorder, reinstating the ancient ways. Many illegitimate great clans were demoted, leaving only five true great clans. These five clans were truly worthy of their status.

The emperor also revised the historical records, openly acknowledging the chaos and recognizing only the five legitimate great clans, labeling the rest as fake. The descendants of the involved families have long debated this, arguing that the sins of one generation should not be passed on to the next, but subsequent emperors have never budged on this issue.

After rectifying the great clans, the Great Qin reorganized the paths to ascension, eventually settling on five main routes. The most controversial among them is the path of founding a great clan through the actions of a Celestial King.

This path has been used multiple times, but a great clan requires a long lineage and deep foundations, not something that can be achieved overnight. There have been instances where the descendants of a Celestial King squandered their inheritance shortly after his death. Additionally, a great clan carries responsibilities, such as defending the land and bearing the burden of war, which can deplete a family’s resources within a decade.

In recent years, the talk of the empire’s revival has coincided with actual turmoil. The rise and fall of great clans have begun anew, starting with the Song clan’s demotion, followed by many other families vying for ascension.

Empress Li now declared her intention to follow the ancient ways, meaning the Li family must achieve a vast amount of military merit in the upcoming battles. This would undoubtedly contribute greatly to the empire.

Thus, Eunuch Liu expressed his admiration. Given the Li family’s unique status as a divination clan and Her Majesty’s position as Empress, there were at least two other paths available. However, Empress Li, as a woman, showed great determination and courage by choosing the hardest path.

Choosing this path meant choosing the empire’s interests. After expressing his admiration, Eunuch Liu said, “Your Majesty is wise and just. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to command me.”

Empress Li replied, “I have been thinking, and there is indeed one matter I wish to consult with you, Eunuch.”

“Please, Your Majesty, speak your mind.”

“This child’s father is currently in Yonland, exploring a new world. I heard that he recently encountered the Morser werewolves, and the Great Lord Sosa of Morser has also appeared. What should we do?”

“Dealing with a Great Lord is the responsibility of a Celestial King. This old servant is of lowly strength and cannot overstep my bounds.”

Empress Li sighed, “Eunuch, I will be frank. This matter involves two factions in the court. The key is how to treat the child’s father. Some believe that if someone is not of our kind, they must have different intentions. They not only refuse to help him but also prevent others from intervening, hoping the Morser werewolves will eliminate him. But consider this: he grew up in the empire and is the adopted son of Grand Chancellor Lin. Has he ever done anything to betray the empire? In the Floating Land battle, if not for him destroying two Duke-class ships and holding White City, we could not have won. Such treatment of a meritorious subject would surely chill the hearts of many.”

Eunuch Liu fell silent, then said, “The saying ‘those who are not of our kind must have different intentions’ comes from the Grand Ancestor and is a sacred edict. How it is evaluated today is not for me to judge. That person’s actions in Yonland are not without criticism. Setting aside everything else, just the fact that he has taken in so many werewolves solidifies the notion that he is carving out his own territory. In my opinion, perhaps the most prudent course of action is to address the immediate crisis with Sosa.”

“Your words are very wise. But how do we deal with Sosa, who is no ordinary foe?”

Eunuch Liu said slowly, “Considering the current state of the court, the only available Celestial Kings are the Old King and the Blue Sun King. However, neither is suitable.”

Empress Li smiled wryly, “Approaching the Blue Sun King for this matter would be awkward.”

“It seems that this old servant must undertake the journey for Your Majesty.”

Empress Li lowered her gaze, “What do you think, Eunuch, if we ignore this matter?”

“No!” Li Kuanglan blurted out.

Empress Li glared at her, “This is not a place for you to speak.”

Due to Empress Li’s authority, Li Kuanglan did not dare to say more.

Eunuch Liu asked, “Do you know of the plans of that faction and still believe that you can bring him back?”

Empress Li sighed, “It is precisely because I know their plans that I seek your help. Even if we cannot bring him back, we must not push him to the other side. If it were not for the Old King’s involvement, I would question their intentions.”

Eunuch Liu thought for a moment, “There is a method that might work.”

“Please, tell me, Eunuch.”

“There is a treasure in the palace, a long spear made by the empire’s foremost master during the Martial Ancestor’s reign, named Longquan. The master, though ambitious, failed to create a new legendary spear. Longquan could not withstand the Martial Ancestor’s tremendous power and was destroyed in a great battle. However, the spear’s body remains intact. I hear that he possesses a gun barrel named Zangxin, of quality comparable to a legendary spear. Combined with Longquan, it could rival the ten legendary spears. With this weapon, even facing Sosa, he could hold his own.”

“Longquan? I have never heard of it.”

“Your Majesty’s focus has always been on divination, and the imperial treasury is filled with too many trivial items. Longquan, now a piece of scrap, is not worthy of your notice.”

Li Kuanglan, curious, asked, “Why didn’t the Martial Ancestor use the Emperor Gun?”

“The Emperor Gun’s power is dispersed and not concentrated, making it more effective in large-scale battles but less useful in duels. The Martial Ancestor preferred overwhelming power, and the Emperor Gun was too soft for him. Therefore, he summoned the finest craftsmen to create a new legendary spear, resulting in Longquan. However, Longquan’s material was still inferior, not as indestructible as a legendary spear.”

Li Kuanglan understood after this explanation.

Empress Li, still uncertain, pondered, “If it is in the treasury, I can retrieve it. But how do we deliver it and install it?”

Combining two different force weapons, especially ones of the caliber of Zangxin and Longquan, was no simple task. It required a true master craftsman to handle it properly. Any mistake could drastically reduce the weapon’s power.

Eunuch Liu said calmly, “Your Majesty need not worry. Since this old servant suggested it, I will see to it personally.”

Empress Li rose and bowed deeply, “Thank you, Eunuch.”

Yonland, the City of Azure Waves.

Qian Ye returned to the Duke’s manor and convened his generals to gather intelligence and update himself on the progress of the wars across Yonland. To Qian Ye’s surprise, the allied forces of the noble families had advanced rapidly, penetrating over two hundred kilometers into the Flame Domain, capturing several major cities and annihilating over two hundred thousand Flame werewolves.

With the werewolf heavy infantry taking the brunt of the close combat, the elite private armies of the noble families utilized their firepower and equipment to the fullest, even mounting ground cannons on cargo ships. In each battle, the Flame werewolves were decimated by layers of firepower before they could reach the front lines.

Before this heavily armed force, the Flame werewolves’ charges lacked courage and were merely a record of slaughter.

The devastating losses on the battlefield infuriated the Duke of Flame, who repeatedly threatened to challenge the Duke of Breeze. The Duke of Breeze, still recovering from old wounds, was in no condition to fight to the death.

Fortunately, William, after subduing the Breeze Domain, sent several precious weapons from the Summit of the Peaks: a short and long sword, and a set of armor that enhanced speed and defense. With these, the Duke of Breeze’s combat ability significantly increased, and he managed to deter the Duke of Flame from attacking.

However, the Duke of Flame was now almost at his limit. Fighting on two fronts at this moment was not ideal.

After careful consideration, Qian Ye ordered a massive construction project to fortify the border forts in the Breeze Domain and stationed a large garrison there. He also recalled the allied noble forces from the Flame Domain to reorganize and prepare for operations in the new world. The Duke of Breeze was secretly summoned back.

The representatives of the noble families were pleased with the order. Although it was a pity to give up the territories they had already captured, they were finally entering the new world, a place rumored to be filled with gold and treasures. This also meant that the noble families were recognized and accepted by Qian Ye, allowing them to participate in his most crucial campaigns.

Throughout this, Qian Ye was not at ease. Entering the new world again, he would have to confront Sosa and test the true might of the legendary Great Lord of Morser.