Gate of God
chapter-477

...

Three weeks later...

Winter had arrived in the Great Xia.

The snow covered the ancient city, leaving behind a silver, glistening layer.

The wind was strong.

Countless citizens stood at the gates to the palace. They wore many layers of thick clothing as they waited in anticipation.

Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping stood at the front, the officials standing at the side. All of the candidates looked at them.

Snow continued to fall from the sky, landing on their shoulders. However, they did not move.

They were all waiting...

They were waiting for the results of the court examinations!

Ordinarily, only the results of the theory examinations carried such unknowns. After all, the results of the combat examination were clear for all to see.

However...

This was an exception.

No one knew what the results of the court examinations were. No one knew who would take home the top spot.

Then, the doors opened.

A warm gust of air gushed out from inside as the officials and candidates tensed. They straightened their backs and lowered their heads. However, they all glanced at the doors.

There was no Minister of Rites nor a Chief Imperial Messenger. This would mean that the Emperor or the Left Prime Minister would announce the results.

However, despite the doors opening, Emperor Lin Mubai was nowhere to be seen.

At the very moment, eight soldiers in golden armor stood by the door.

Each one of them had a solemn expression as they carried a huge tablet in their hands. This was the results tablet.

"Are they just going to present the results?"

The candidates and officials looked at each other without speaking. However, the same thought was going through their minds.

The Imperial Decree Hall was where the Emperor's held their ceremonies when they ascended the throne.

Similarly, it was the location for the announcement of the court examination results. After every announcement, there would be a tablet with the names of the candidates inscribed in gold.

This was the emphasis placed on the court examinations.

However...

Usually, the court examination results would be announced before the tablet was revealed to the masses. However, this time seemed to be different.

The tablet was being carried out.

Neither the officials nor the candidates spoke. The icy wind sent a chill down all their spines.

The eight guards' footsteps were steady as they trudged through the snow. The snow was thick, but they didn't wobble.

They came to a halt.

They stopped at the gates of the hall and placed the tablet on the ground.

"Reveal!"

A crisp voice rang out from inside the Imperial Decree Hall. It was not loud, but everyone could hear it clearly.

The message was relayed all the way to the entrance.

"Reveal!"

"Reveal!"

　　"..."

The voices echoed all the way to the entrance of the palace. Then, the message was passed all the way to the walls.

The city was bustling with activity.

Everyone, from businessmen to soldiers, stopped what they were doing and looked towards the Imperial Decree Hall.

The golden parchment was removed from the tablet.

The golden names were revealed. There were only 10 names on the tablet.

"I'm on the tablet!" An excited voice rang out.

"Me too!" Yet another candidate screamed. To be ranked on the tablet was a great honor.

Then, there was a third voice, then a fourth...

"Nangong Hao is first!"

"Indeed. Nangong Hao did great work in the Southern Region, signing a peace treaty with the Southern Region for 10 years. It is only right that he is in first place."

"Yes, but... why is Yan Xiu third?"

The candidates looked at the top few rows of the tablet. Nangong Hao's name was clearly inscribed at the top.

"No, there are only nine names here!"

"Nine?!"

"Look, Nangong Hao's name is not in the center!"

"Not in the center?!"

"Yes, based on the position of his name, there is someone else to his right..."

"You're saying that Fang Zhengzhi..."

When the candidates noticed Yan Xiu's ranking, they also realized that there was something wrong with the tablet. However, when they spoke of Fang Zhengzhi, they all went quiet.

"The results are out. The top three candidates have the opportunity to participate in the Heavenly Dao Pavillion selections seven days from now. Nangong Hao, will you be participating?" Another voice rang out. This voice ignored the discussions happening below.

"I will!" A figure in white stood out from the crowd. His blade glistened in the sun.

"Mm, it is the Great Xia and Nangong Family's honor to have you represent us at the selection!" The figure replied approvingly.

All of the other candidates were envious at such an opportunity. The Heavenly Dao Pavillion was the best place to cultivate.

"Young Master Nangong, you will definitely make it through!"

"That is a given. You had the abilities to participate in the selections four years ago. It will be a piece of cake for you now."

"Congratulations!"

All of the candidates sent their well wishes to Nangong Hao.

Nangong Hao bowed to them, then turned and returned to the crowd, just as calm as before.

The person at the door of the Imperial Decree Hall looked out at the crowd, his gaze finally resting on an icy face.

"Yan Xiu, will you be participating in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion selections?" The voice rang out.

"Why isn't Fang Zhengzhi on the tablet?!" A figure walked out from the crowd, his face pale. He was clearly still recovering from severe injuries.

However, his back was straight despite the chill and wind. His robe flapped in the wind.

His name...

Yan Xiu!

"Yan Xiu, he is asking you if you will be participating in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion selections! We can discuss any other matters after the selections are over!" One of the officials hollered.

"I asked why Fang Zhengzhi's name isn't on the tablet!" Yan Xiu ignored the official as he stared into the Imperial Decree Hall.

His gaze had never left the Imperial Decree Hall.

"Yan Xiu, this is the Imperial Decree Hall, behave yourself!" The Minister of Law's voice rang out. He was not going to tolerate such behavior here.

"Why isn't Fang Zhengzhi's name on the tablet?!" Yan Xiu showed no intention of backing down.

"Yan Xiu!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's voice cut through the air, his red official robes flapping in the wind.

"According to the rules of the court examination, the combat examinations ended before the battle of the Southern Region. That is at the Icy Monkey Settlement. At that time, Fang Zhengzhi was in command of nearly 50,000 soldiers. The only candidates left were Nangong Hao, Fang Zhengzhi, and I. Why is his name not on the tablet?!" Yan Xiu ignored Yu Yiping as he bellowed.

"Does a traitor deserve to be on the roll?"

"He violated the Princess of the Southern Region! That is an undeniable fact! How can he still be honored? Furthermore, he rebelled and killed Shan Ling and injured the Crown Prince. He is lucky that the Emperor hasn't executed his entire family. What else do you want?"

"Yan Xiu, you are different from Fang Zhengzhi. You come from a noble family. Now that you have a chance at the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, you should focus on that, not stand up for a rebel!"

All of the officials were fuming.

"Innocent until proven guilty! I only have one question, why is Fang Zhengzhi's name not on the tablet?!" Yan Xiu clenched his fists.

"Yan Xiu, you..." All of the officials couldn't find words to express their anger.

All of the eyes of the candidates were on the verge of popping out of their sockets. They never expected that Yan Xiu would debate with all the officials.

All because...

Of Fang Zhengzhi...

"Kacha!" At that moment, the scrunching sound of shoes trudging in snow rang out.

The sound was soft.

However, all of the candidates and officials fell to their knees.

"Long live the Emperor!" They replied in unison.

Emperor Lin Mubai looked at the only youth standing. His golden robe danced in the wind.

"You asked me why Fang Zhengzhi's name isn't on the tablet?" Emperor Lin Mubai was calm, but everyone knew that his tone was dangerously icy.

His iciness was different from the snow and the wind. If the wind chilled one's bones, Lin Mubai sent shivers down one's spine and penetrated one's heart.

"Yes!" Yan Xiu nodded, his voice equally cold.

"Okay, let me tell you this. I have already left space on the tablet for him. As long as he can prove that he had nothing to do with the crimes he was being accused of, then I will personally inscribe his name on the tablet. Is that a satisfactory answer?" Emperor Lin Mubai frowned.

"Your Highness, please calm down!"

The officials all kowtowed when they heard this.

Yan Xiu didn't speak. He bit his lip as he looked at Emperor Lin Mubai and the empty space next to Nangong Hao's name.

The snow was intensifying...

"Yan Xiu, the Emperor has answered your question. It is time for you to answer ours. Will you be participating in the selection?" Eunuch Wei's voice rang out.

As the Emperor's servant, he knew what to say and when to say it.

"I will take part when the Emperor inscribes Fang Zhengzhi's name on the tablet!" Yan Xiu fell to his knees.

However, he stood up just as quickly. Then, he turned around and walked to the exit without hesitation.

"This..."

"This is ridiculous!"

"Your Highness, should we..."

All of the officials turned to look at Emperor Lin Mubai.

"Let him be!" Emperor Lin Mubai waved the officials off as he looked at the snow before returning to the Imperial Decree Hall.

　　...

　　...

Spring, one year later.

In a quiet residence inside the Great Xia...

Flowers were blooming and their fragrance filled the residence.

There was a lady on the swing in the yard, her white skin glistening in the sun. Her eyebrows were thin and sharp.

In the middle of her forehead was a red mark, like a red spot in a sea of white. She was gorgeous.

She kept looking at a clear lake nearby as she swung on the swing.

The lake was filled with fallen petals. There were a few tarps in the pond, making ripples as the swum around.

"Why aren't they out yet? Could they be... stuck at the door?" The lady's voice had traces of anger.

At that moment...

There was movement in the lake. The movement became more vigorous by the moment, forming waves on the surface of the lake. Then, a black circular rock rose to the surface.

"Oh? They're out!" The lady's eyes glistened as the frustration on her face was replaced with calm.

A crack appeared on the black rock. It looked as though a door was being opened from the inside.

The lady grabbed the rope on the swing and the swing came to a stop. She stared at the black crack.

The crack began to widen...

Then...

A figure walked out...

This was a bearded, aged man. He was barefoot and wore a baggy white robe. He seemed calm and unassuming. The only unique feature about him was his long, silver beard. His beard extended all the way to his waist.

"Master!" The lady jumped off the swing when she saw him. Then, she looked behind the man.

"Oh, you were waiting for me?" The old man smiled as he brushed his beard.

"Where is he?" The lady ignored the old man's question.

"Who?" The old man asked, visibly confused.

"That fella! Why isn't he out? Is he stuck at the door like the previous time?"

The lady smirked when she said it.

She was thinking about a previous incident.

"So you weren't waiting for me?" The old man seemed disappointed.

"Of course I was, but where is that fella? Is he still inside?" The lady asked.

"Nope." The old man shook his head.

"No? How could that be? Did he turn into a Fire Plume Chicken and fly away?" The lady was shocked.

"Indeed." The old man nodded solemnly.

"Master, enough with the jokes. Without your guidance, he won't be able to walk out of this 'Water Demon Realm'." The lady didn't buy it.

"Yes, how did he exit the 'Water Demon Realm'?" The old man nodded in agreement.

"Master, you... no way? That guy really made his way out by himself?"

"Probably!"

"Ah? Where did he go? He better not be going to the capital! I... I haven't even finished my preparations. If we go now..."

"No, he didn't go to the capital."

"He didn't? Then where did he go?"

"He said that he was inside for too long. It was suffocating. He wanted to enjoy the scenery."

"Enjoy the scenery? Where?"

"He said he wanted to go to the Blood Shadow City!"

"Blood Shadow City? Oh... as long as it is not Yan Capital... hang on... did you say Blood Shadow City?! Isn't that the Demon's capital?!" The lady's expression changed.