Chapter 5: The Divine Martial Emperor

"Isn't it? But from where I stand, ominous portents have appeared, natural disasters are rampant, and various factions are stirring. This is clearly the twilight era of a dynasty," Long Yunshui said, thoroughly puzzled.

Is this simply a difference in perspective between a dragon and a mortal?

Mo Wen felt otherwise.

He had a few guesses: First, a change in the heavens and earth. Even in an era of absolute peace, it would be viewed as a twilight era by the seemingly impartial "Heavens." Second, external interference. A dynasty would not fall on its own, but external forces would destroy it. Third, someone was truly plotting a massive scheme and was close to success; once achieved, it would shatter the foundations of the dynasty.

In any case, it certainly wasn't because of his arrival, as he had appeared long after the momentum of the dynasty's twilight had already formed.

Ah, right, he had forgotten to look to history for reference.

He sent a mental message: "How did the first four dynasties fall?"

Long Yunshui replied candidly, "I don't know, but it definitely wasn't my doing."

You shut-in dragon, you don't even know something like this! However, since Long Yunshui flatly denied it was her doing, it effectively eliminated one incorrect answer.

Before the Emperor of the Chenyao Dynasty, the god-like mortal who had descended from the heavens asked coldly, "The fall of the four dynasties—why?"

The emperor immediately reviewed the past: "The Cangling Dynasty fell due to a loss of virtue, losing the protection of the divine bird and being overthrown by the rebel army. The Bainiao Dynasty perished because of its bloodline; having no ruler resembling a mortal, it was overthrown. The primordial Sheng Dynasty vanished due to greed; the immortal monarch dug his own grave, leaving the dynasty without roots, thus cutting it off. The Qilin Imperial Court... perished at the hand of the founding emperor of our own dynasty."

"I see!"

"The scenery of a dynasty's twilight is entirely due to the decline of military might!"

The Daoist Commander wanted to speak but stopped; he felt this answer was incorrect.

Because of prolonged peace, military commanders on all sides lacked tempering, and the entire dynasty lacked peerless fierce generals. However, the influence of the Daoist Academy was at its peak, and the academy was firmly controlled by the "Celestial Stars" venerated by the Chenyao Dynasty. Although soldiers were few, their strength could by no means be called weak.

Yet, this answer was by no means entirely wrong either.

The imperial family of Cangling, lacking the protection of the divine bird, had been slaughtered to the last. The imperial family of Bainiao, possessing divine blood, remained incomparably noble even after the emperor died and the dynasty perished, with the phoenix temporarily slumbering. Although the immortal monarch was buried with the dynasty as its emperor, rumors persisted that he was resurrected after death, seeking another chance. The lineage of King Qilin had even forged a blood pact with the founding emperor, living in seclusion away from the world to enjoy peace and freedom.

Before the celestial phenomena shifted and the divine mortal descended, sheltered by the Daoist Commander, the Chenyao imperial family... at least the emperor, was someone no one dared to touch.

However, the Daoist Commander was curious: with his close friend's wisdom, what method could he possibly devise to strengthen the military might?

"I shall abdicate today and have Your Excellency take over the imperial throne. How does that sound?"

Wait, what kind of result did your astonishing wisdom produce?!

Facing Mo Wen, the emperor said calmly, "A million brave soldiers cannot compare to you alone."

"Your Excellency possesses unrivaled valor, rarely seen in this world. I fear that your strength alone is enough to seize supreme power over the realm, and you also carry the mandate of heaven. I confess I lack the ability to harness such a hero. Even if Your Excellency had the heart to assist me, it would leave the imperial throne vacant and obstruct the induction between heaven and human."

"In our Chenyao Dynasty, bloodline is not restricted; the inheritance of the imperial throne takes virtue and capability as paramount."

"If Your Excellency is willing, I can abdicate and cede the throne!"

At the core of the Chenyao Dynasty's emperors was capability.

To ensure that the emperor was able to maintain the dynasty, on the one hand, secret arts were used to condense the spiritual veins and the will of the people, drawing upon the celestial stars and sublimating the bloodline to give birth to true "imperial heirs." On the other hand, methods such as divination and imperial examinations were used to comb the entire dynasty for governance talents, incorporating them into the imperial family as adopted sons.

These imperial candidates would be granted supreme power and compete in a relatively fair manner, using their respective methods to gain support and accomplish great deeds. The one most suited to the dynasty would ascend the throne as emperor, while the others could continue to display their talents in positions most appropriate for them.

With the supervision of the "Celestial Stars," the control of the previous emperor, the divination and oversight of the Daoist Commander, and the supreme power wielded after ascending the throne, the Chenyao Dynasty had endured for a millennium without a single unqualified ruler thus far, far surpassing past dynasties.

With such an emperor setting the example, the various noble families also appointed people based on virtue and ability rather than nepotism.

Now, in the twilight of the dynasty, with chaos on the verge of erupting and the "Celestial Stars" difficult to respond, suddenly passing on the imperial throne might not conform to tradition, but in the emperor's eyes, it was entirely fitting for the current times.

At the very least, he would not be the emperor of a fallen state.

Mo Wen struggled to control his facial expression. "I am not skilled in governance."

The emperor responded cheerfully, "Your Excellency can establish new positions to summon talents from all across the country."

"The so-called emperor is not one person managing the world, but one person managing the court ministers, and relying on the court ministers to govern the world."

"Your Excellency's journey here was for the sake of the country, driven by great righteousness. Facing imperial power without a single distracting thought, your great virtue is like water. With such great virtue, great righteousness, and unrivaled valor, it is truly the fortune of our Chenyao Dynasty. This can be called the 'Divine and Martial Reign.'"

Long Yunshui immediately transmitted her voice, urging him, "What are you standing there for? The imperial throne is being handed over to you right now, and the former emperor is even willing to be at your beck and call. Just take it."

"Rest assured, although your destiny is so wretched that normally becoming emperor would immediately lead to the ruin of the state and clan, you are now blessed with boundless merit."

"Although it's not as good as directly founding a new dynasty, in the face of your unrivaled might, the momentum of the dynasty's twilight will have to retreat by several notches. Perhaps you can directly prolong the destiny of the state and spare the common people from experiencing the suffering of turmoil."

Mo Wen didn't particularly want to be emperor either, but this imperial throne seemed destined for him, didn't it?

"Then... I shall act as emperor for a period of time?"

"This position of emperor—I can abdicate again later, right?"

The former emperor affirmed, "Naturally. However, the weight of the imperial throne is not something ordinary people can bear; only those with virtue and capability can shoulder such responsibility. The matter of abdication must be handled with the utmost caution, prioritizing tradition."

With that, the former emperor lightly tapped his own chest, then suddenly pulled outward and flicked his wrist.

Mo Wen felt something ethereal yet tangibly real connect with him. The heavens, the earth, and the hearts of the people seemed to be at his disposal, though upon closer inspection, it felt almost like an illusion.

The former emperor added, "The remaining portions will have to wait until the completion of the enthronement ceremony before they can be fully handed over to Your Majesty."

"By then, Your Majesty's words will become the mandate of heaven; a single word can decide the life or death of an entire clan, and a single thought can alter the fortune of a region."

Long Yunshui exclaimed in admiration, "Oh, wow, the fortune of the dynasty's twilight has shifted! The originally decadent momentum has been swept away by your personal martial prowess. Although some gloom remains, it is no longer anything to fear. There are no longer any celestial warnings for the time being—it looks like the external influence has been frightened into submission by you."

Little Li stared in bewilderment at this imperial succession that resembled child's play, utterly unable to comprehend it.

The Daoist Commander's expression shifted multiple times before he finally managed to accept the result, merely asking the former emperor with his eyes what he intended to do next.

The former emperor bowed to Mo Wen. "Your Majesty, after the enthronement ceremony, if you no longer require me to manage state affairs, I hope you will permit me to return to the Ministry of Works."

Thus far, no emperor had ever abdicated before dying or deciding to retire to enjoy their twilight years. He was the first, and naturally, he should set an example and continue to shine in his own way.

Want to run?

Mo Wen grabbed the former emperor by the arm. "I have never been an emperor before. I must ask my predecessor to assist me."