novelraw Chapter 491 - 256, The rise and fall of a 300-year dynasty
Chapter 491 - 256, The rise and fall of a 300-year dynasty
At the same time as they were kneeling, they were secretly relieved that they had withstood the pressure and chosen to observe filial piety, not rallying behind Emperor Xiaochang. Since the true identity of the cultivator named Yan was the Grand Ancestor Emperor, the sole answer to this question was self-evident. No one would appreciate descendants who disregarded filial piety.
"You may all rise," Xu Xing nodded slightly. With a flick of his great sleeve, he employed Daoist methods to help the Three Princes of the Royal Family to their feet. "Today’s events can conclude here."
And just as he had done when meeting Emperor Xiaochang, he had a low table placed before each of the three, upon which sat a cup of Hundred Sun Liquid Spirit Wine. As the Grand Ancestor, he would not show favoritism. Although these Three Princes of the Royal Family seemed common, if he had not intervened, they would not have even possessed the courage to raise troops and rebel. But mortals were just mortals. The world was vast, not limited to Fengxi Country. For them, the disposition of an Emperor was of little use; understanding when to advance and retreat was the true foundation for prolonging their lives and protecting their families.
"Thank you, Grand Ancestor Emperor, for the wine."
Prince Rui and the other two princes eyed the Spiritual Wine on the low tables before them, hesitated for a moment, then raised their cups in unison and drained them.
After finishing the wine, they immediately felt a warmth surge through their limbs and meridians. Old, stubborn ailments seemed to vanish under this comforting wave, and their bodies felt noticeably lighter.
"The Grand Ancestor Emperor just said, ’Today’s events can conclude here.’ I wonder what the Grand Ancestor Emperor means by this..." Prince Rui put down his wine cup and hesitated for a short while before looking up at the youth in a green robe on the Jade Seat and asking timidly.
"This lowly prince is not questioning the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s decision, but merely fails to understand its meaning," he added hastily after speaking, fearing Xu Xing’s displeasure.
It had not been easy for them, the three princes, to raise troops from their fiefdoms and fight their way to Shenjing. Now, on the verge of overthrowing the dynasty and proclaiming themselves emperors, how could they simply give up? This step meant life if they advanced, and death if they retreated. Even if they themselves were willing to withdraw, the civil and military officials who had followed them in rebellion would never consent to such a retreat.
"What Prince Rui is considering is also what puzzles us..." Prince Xu and Prince Zheng nodded in agreement. When they first raised their troops, they understood that once they made a move, there was no turning back. Though they feared Xu Xing, this Grand Ancestor Emperor, they still had to voice their concerns.
"It’s nothing much, really." Upon hearing their questions, Xu Xing chuckled lightly, not blaming the Three Princes of the Royal Family for their inquiry. He put himself in their shoes; if it were him, having finally succeeded in a rebellion, only for someone to suddenly appear and tell him to stand aside and relinquish such an advantageous position, he too would be utterly bewildered.
"I, Xu Mou, am now an Exiled Disciple of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace... If not for the fact that the Flying Feather Immortal Palace adheres to the Righteous Path and would not carelessly harm the descendants of its disciples, you juniors would likely not be standing before me to speak..."
"However, the grace of a gentleman fades after five generations. The legacy of a founding dynasty, too, only extends for three hundred years."
"Once those three hundred years are up, the Immortal Sect will not idly stand by and allow this land to remain under the rule of my Xu Family."
"And within these three hundred years... my Xu Family might not even last that long..."
Xu Xing swept his gaze over the faces of the three princes, pondered for a moment, and then slowly revealed this inside information.
Three hundred years! This was the time the Flying Feather Immortal Palace permitted the Xu Family to rule Fengxi Country.
If this period was exceeded, and a new Human King physique or other rebel powers emerged, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace would undoubtedly intervene personally, assisting them in changing the dynasty and replacing the Xu Family’s Han Dynasty.
Of course, if Xu Xing had not defected from the sect and, like Song Knife, was still a part of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, then the palace would likely turn a blind eye to the matter, perhaps even dispatching missions to secretly aid the Imperial Court, much like Ye Jeming had assisted Emperor Chongming back then.
For the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, a power of the Righteous Path, to allow the Xu Family to rule Fengxi Country for three hundred years without letting other forces usurp them, was already an act of considerable conscience.
"Such a thing exists..."
"This..."
The Three Princes of the Royal Family exchanged glances, shock evident in each other’s eyes. The Ancient Books recorded that throughout the generations, dynasties rarely survived beyond three hundred years, typically falling around that mark. They had always assumed this was a heavenly punishment or a curse from the heavens, preventing a single family from ruling a nation for more than three hundred years. But now it seemed this three-hundred-year limit was inextricably linked to the Immortal Sect.
Currently, although the Xu Family had only founded their state a little over two hundred years ago, most dynasties generally collapsed around the two-hundred-and-fifty-year mark.
With the aid of Immortals, a dynasty might endure for three hundred years.
Without it, a dynasty would not last that long.
If I ascend the throne, wouldn’t that make me the ruler of a doomed dynasty? Even if I weren’t, my successor most certainly would be. the Three Princes of the Royal Family thought, their brows tightly furrowed. Despite their confidence in their methods of grooming their Crown Princes, the fall of a dynasty was a matter of destiny. They themselves were merely men of average ability; how could they dare entrust their hopes to their respective heirs?
"We implore the Grand Ancestor Emperor to resolve this crisis for our Xu Family..."
A realization struck the Three Princes of the Royal Family, and they immediately knelt once more, kowtowing as they spoke.
After more than two hundred years, Emperor Tiande had returned to Fengxi Country and personally orchestrated such a massive upheaval in the Imperial Court. They refused to believe their old Ancestor was simply idle and stirring up trouble for no reason.
The fall of the nation was a crisis for them, but for the Grand Ancestor Emperor, it might not be.
"Fengxi Country is territory under the dominion of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. Although I possess some abilities, I am not yet so bold as to dare stroke the Immortal Palace’s tiger whiskers," Xu Xing said, shaking his head.
Hearing his words, the Three Princes of the Royal Family were instantly filled with disappointment.
If Fengxi Country ceased to exist, what then would be the point of their rebellion and usurpation? Were they to compete for the throne of a doomed nation?
However, just at this moment, Xu Xing’s next words brought a flicker of joy back to their faces.