Chapter 918: Chapter 542: The Coming Storm Dugu Chanyi felt she hadn’t been this relieved in a long time. From arriving at Great Li, bringing Que’er into the Imperial Family of Great Li, to cautiously stepping forward to reach the present. Que’er had finally completely taken over the “legacy” left behind by the previous Emperor of Great Li, and they, as ‘mother and son’, almost became the leaders of this vast dynasty in both name and actual power. Standing at the highest position. Even if there was still a feudal lord Zhou Dufu with his bifurcation, and the difficult-to-read Li Mingyi, or some Immortals temporarily retreating under the gazes cast from Linlu Academy. However, at this moment, the former who had secretly visited, should be hurriedly fleeing back to his “old nest” in the west after seeing the two moons rise at the mountain top. Moreover, he was soon to face a “surprise” that she had prepared for him from outside the western border. As for Li Mingyi… presently he had to stay honestly nestled, no matter what his previous thoughts were, he had to hide them well, lest she found an opportunity. “Finally pressed down the heads of those rotten men.” The woman nicknamed Chanyi chuckled lightly to herself. However, she had clearly forgotten this seemed to have been accomplished with the help of another special rotten man… Halfway up Sacrificial Moon Mountain, a grand celebration was taking place, celebrating the perfect conclusion of the ceremony and proclaiming the destined mandate of the young Emperor of Great Li. This spot halfway up the mountain conveniently had a grand high platform facing tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians below. At the moment, on the bustling high platform where Great Li’s dignitaries were gathered, Chief Musician Mu Jin was hosting the celebration. After the grand ceremony’s complete victory, she quickly left the defense of Hanjing and hurried to Sacrificial Moon Mountain to celebrate for the Empress. Standing at the forefront beside the Empress and His Majesty, Mu Jin used the cultivation of a Golden Core Realm Daoist Cultivator to transmit her voice in and out of Sacrificial Moon Mountain, reading aloud a ceremoniously drafted thousand-word celebration text by the Ritual Department. The entire afternoon’s celebration reached its peak climax. Under the order-maintenance of Great Li’s Imperial Army, the dense crowd below echoed with voices of worship, salutes, and cries of “long live” throughout the heavens and earth. This update ıs available on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩 At the forefront of the high platform, Dugu Chanyi, adorned in a splendid phoenix robe, inhaled deeply into the cool autumn breeze, strands of loose black hair fluttering. Yet, her meticulous attention to these details and ceremonies this time did not lead her to tidy up. Rarely relaxing a bit, anyways standing in the forefront, in the eyes of Great Li’s people below, she was probably just a blurred figure. Dugu Chanyi felt, at times, being a ruler of a dynasty or a significant power, standing at the pinnacle of power and being admired by all was quite a peculiar experience. Most of the time, the people below wouldn’t actually look up at you, either for fear, guilt, or other humble emotions. You alone cast your gaze all around, none dared meet your gaze—despite the throngs of crowds—it often felt desolate, with no one meeting your eyes. An overpowering sense of overlooking accompanied with solitude arose within the heart. Your grand attire and imposing stance seemed somewhat meaningless, yet indispensable, as inevitably some ignorant or audacious guys liked to gaze around indiscriminately, thinking none noticed, like a certain Zhao not long ago, during the kneeling salute among others, his eyes always seemed uneasy, intentionally or not, roving over her figure, especially the waist, thinking perhaps she hadn’t noticed… Thus, Dugu Chanyi habitually presented herself with a dignified and imposing demeanor, often unconsciously emulating a towering woman who deeply influenced her. Fortunately, for a long period, those male gazes should no longer occur, as all the Confucian Scholars from the Academy had retreated, the Great Immortals dared not intervene for the time being, and the entire Great Li belonged to her and Que’er… Dugu Chanyi gently closed her eyes, savoring the worship, celebration, and the cries of “long live” from officiants and ministers behind her. The last time such an elated joyous tide swept through every pore of her being was before arriving in Great Li, when she had gained the recognition of the “king”, obtaining a certain honorable and ancient identity… At this moment, Dugu Chanyi leisurely opened her eyes atop the high platform, first looking sideways, glancing at Li Mingyi among the civil and military ministers behind, who was unobtrusive and well-behaved in his python robe. She lightly curled her lips, nodded inwardly, eyes continuing to the rear of the high platform where foreign envoys adorned in exotic attire curiously gazed around. These people hailed from a worn-out dynasty at the western border of Great Li, a faction rife with friction since the founding of Great Li, not merely among the ruling classes of both dynasties but even common folk opposed each other. Initially, the previous Emperor of Great Li deployed Zhou Dufu stationed in the three western counties, nurturing a robust military force, intending to advance westward. However, all changed with the passing of the Emperor, yet Zhou Dufu’s western army remained a significant threat desired for elimination by the old western dynasty, with some new participants joining this time… Currently, these western envoys were summoned by Li Mingyi. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The identity of their shared enemy was apparent. Dugu Clan was quite satisfied, though dissolving the animosity between neighbors with an age-old grudge required time, and some efforts were needed to foster a trust, perhaps even through ceremonial alliances. Just yesterday, Li Mingyi suddenly approached her, proposing an alliance sworn by blood between the emperors of the two nations at Sacrificial Moon Mountain, which sounded quite appealing… Satisfied, Dugu Chanyi nodded, simultaneously raising a hand to lightly wave towards the stage’s bottom, instantly amplifying the already persistent cheers to multiple decibels. “Que’er, focus. These are your subjects, the dynasty you are to rule in the future.” The resplendent woman spoke in a voice only audible to her and the dragon-robed youth beside. “Have you forgotten how those teachers taught you?” Li Wangque, who was momentarily staring with downcast eyes, instantly raised his head, endeavoring to smile, mimicking his mother and waved his small hand towards below. The roar intensified. Simultaneously, he whispered, “I haven’t forgotten; the people are like water; they can carry the boat, but also overturn it.” The youth pursed his lips, recalling the farewell words the teacher told him in the tent before the ceremony. Dugu Chanyi casually raised her brow, apparently hearing this intriguing metaphor for the first time, couldn’t resist asking, “Oh? The teacher in the Imperial Study Room said this? Teacher Zhang?” Li Wangque: “Teacher Zhao.” Dugu Chanyi was rendered speechless. Simultaneously, he whispered, “I haven’t forgotten; the people are like water; they can carry the boat, but also overturn it.” The youth pursed his lips, recalling the farewell words the teacher told him in the tent before the ceremony. Dugu Chanyi casually raised her brow, apparently hearing this intriguing metaphor for the first time, couldn’t resist asking, “Oh? The teacher in the Imperial Study Room said this? Teacher Zhang?” Simultaneously, he whispered, “I haven’t forgotten; the people are like water; they can carry the boat, but also overturn it.” The youth pursed his lips, recalling the farewell words the teacher told him in the tent before the ceremony. Dugu Chanyi casually raised her brow, apparently hearing this intriguing metaphor for the first time, couldn’t resist asking, “Oh? The teacher in the Imperial Study Room said this? Teacher Zhang?” Simultaneously, he whispered, “I haven’t forgotten; the people are like water; they can carry the boat, but also overturn it.” The youth pursed his lips, recalling the farewell words the teacher told him in the tent before the ceremony.