"Yuan Ming, whatever it is, let it wait until after the ceremony," the Emperor advised.

Yet Yuan Ming merely smiled at him, shook his head, and then turned to address the ministers and generals of the court, raising his voice:

"Ladies and gentlemen, concerning the ambush I encountered at the Southern Border, whether it be Prince Xian who was captured or Lin Junsheng who was killed, both were merely puppets manipulated by others. The real mastermind is someone else."

As soon as these words were spoken, an eerie silence fell upon the great hall, and many involuntarily turned their gaze toward the State Preceptor, only to quickly look away.

The reactions of Lin Junsheng and Prince Xian had already provided these seasoned officials with the answer; what puzzled them, however, was why Yuan Ming would so recklessly pierce this veil of decency.

Could it be that he truly had the confidence to overthrow the State Preceptor single-handedly?

Or was he relying on the Emperor's favor, becoming arrogant and forgetting that the State Preceptor was from Chang Chun Temple and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator whom the laws of Da Jin might not be able to restrain?

A genius who rose to fame at a young age, a mere Qi Refinement Realm cultivator, should not act so impulsively.

"Yuan Ming..."

The Emperor suddenly raised his voice, silently shaking his head at him.

Yuan Ming merely glanced at him, then smiled and, pointing directly at the State Preceptor, loudly demanded, "Master Yu Hu, I, Yuan Ming, have neither grudge nor grievance against you. Why then, do you seek to harm me unto death?"

A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples.

The veil was ultimately ripped asunder by Yuan Ming's outstretched finger.

"How dare you slander the State Preceptor like this?" a cultivator from Chang Chun Temple, standing at the back, was the first to lose his patience and shouted angrily.

"The State Preceptor is upright and virtuous, having performed rituals for Da Jin for many years, ensuring the prosperity of our empire. He is a pillar of our nation; how dare you accuse him so?" the Minister of Rites, an older man with grey hair, stepped forward and scolded.

"The State Preceptor has always been righteous and virtuous; how could he make a move against a mortal?" others also expressed their doubts.

...

The Emperor watched silently as these varied and tumultuous words floated around him, sighed inwardly, yet did not reprimand Yuan Ming.

For in truth, Yuan Ming had done nothing wrong.

"State Preceptor, regardless, shouldn't you come forward and give us, the Yuan Family, an explanation?" At that moment, a powerful voice suddenly overwhelmed the noise of the other civil servants' debates.

General Yuan's eyes were slightly red, and he fixed his gaze steadfastly on the State Preceptor.

Although he knew he could not challenge the State Preceptor with his own power, as a father, he had to stand firm and support his son.

"State Preceptor, this matter ultimately requires an explanation to Yuan Ming," the Emperor also spoke up.

Now that the matter had been brought to light, he had no other choice but to stand by Yuan Ming.

Master Yu Hu looked at Yuan Ming, his gaze solemn for a long time, finally sighing and standing up.

"Arranging for Prince Xian and instructing Lin Junsheng to assassinate Yuan Ming on his mission to the Southern Border was indeed my doing," the State Preceptor suddenly confessed.

"What, why would you do that..."

"Impossible, why would you ever resort to that, State Preceptor?"

"What has Yuan Ming done to warrant such actions from the State Preceptor?"

Questions arose tumultuously.

The old Emperor also could not help but frown and look at him.

"While it is true that I did it, I do not believe I did anything wrong," the State Preceptor spoke again, dropping another bombshell that exploded in everyone's hearts.

"What a thing to not consider wrong!" Yuan Ming responded, not with anger but with laughter, clapping his hands.

"Yuan Ming, you were deemed to have poor talents back then and could not enter Chang Chun Temple for cultivation. Angered, you used trickery and painting to beguile His Majesty, causing him to give up cultivation even though he possessed supreme talent. You even used your mission as a pretext to pave your way for entering the official ranks. If you were not eliminated, His Majesty would not embark on the path of cultivation, eventually straying and missing the best opportunity to ascend the Immortal Path," the State Preceptor declared bluntly to Yuan Ming.

Upon hearing this, the entire court was stunned.

They had never imagined that the State Preceptor had acted for this reason.

Even the look the old Emperor gave the two confronting men grew much deeper.

"So that was it, so that was it..."

"It seems the State Preceptor would not act for personal gain against justice, and indeed, all was for His Majesty," the Minister of Rites, as if finding an undeniable reason, suddenly remarked.

His words quickly gained the support of many civil servants, who began to speak out in praise.

Suddenly, the justification for the State Preceptor's attempt to kill Yuan Ming seemed utterly appropriate.

"Yuan Ming, you have deeply misled His Majesty. Had it not been for you, His Majesty might have already reached the Foundation Establishment two years ago. In the path of cultivation, to be slow by a step means being slow in every step. You are truly the guilty official," a disciple of Chang Chun Temple also began to shout.

The observing elder from Bailuo Manor and Fairy Luoshui from the Water Spirit Palace also nodded quietly, showing their agreement.

At once, the voices of accusation overwhelmed those calling for accountability, and the few voices opposing the State Preceptor were suppressed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if it was your children who were targeted, murdered, and had experienced hardships in the barbaric land of Southern Border, would you still condemn them so righteously?" General Yuan finally couldn't bear it any longer and stood up to challenge. "Yuan Ming has never bewitched the Emperor; in fact, he has always privately advised the Emperor to enter Chang Chun Temple for cultivation. What right do you have to harshly criticise my son when he is clearly the one being persecuted?"

These forceful questions silenced everyone.

A long while passed before the young Emperor recovered from his shock. He had never imagined that the State Preceptor's reason for acting against Yuan Ming was actually for his own sake.

"Indeed, you have wronged Yuan Ming. My reluctance to cultivate is entirely due to personal reasons and my resistance to the idea of secluded cultivation in that temple has nothing to do with Yuan Ming," the young Emperor wearily stated.

"Perhaps I was wrong, but does Yuan Ming bear no responsibility for misleading and obstructing?" the State Preceptor finally conceded, seeing the young Emperor completely siding with Yuan Ming.

I might have been wrong, but is Yuan Ming without faults?

Hearing this, General Yuan's eyes reddened with rage.

Yuan Ming, however, raised his head and closed his eyes, seemingly trying very hard to suppress his anger.

"State Preceptor, when one is wrong, one is wrong—no need for further words. You must compensate Yuan Ming," the young Emperor also showed his anger.

"In that case, let's exceptionally allow Yuan Ming to be recorded in the Daoist lineage alongside the Emperor, to be included in the genealogy, and to enter Chang Chun Temple for cultivation together. Upon completing the Qi Refinement Realm, he may also receive a Foundation Establishment Pill," Master Yu Hu contemplated for a moment and then suggested, stroking his beard.

Upon hearing this, everyone was filled with envy.

The status of Chang Chun Temple in Da Jin Country was paramount; gaining entry for cultivation was exceedingly challenging. It wasn't only about one's background, but primarily about one's cultivation aptitude.

Even the legitimate sons of generals and nobles found it hard to get in, and here was Yuan Ming not only securing a spot but even receiving a promise of obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill—such a favor was immense.

"Furthermore, after entering Chang Chun Temple, Yuan Ming will also cultivate the 'Nine Elements Technique' together with me, not the 'Chang Chun Skill,'" the young Emperor added.

While having the Nine Elements Technique meant Yuan Ming had it too, private cultivation and legitimate, open cultivation were ultimately two different states.

Upon hearing this, a disciple from Chang Chun Temple was the first to disagree.

"Your Majesty, the Nine Elements Technique is a magical technique that only core disciples can cultivate. What capabilities does Yuan Ming have? Why should he be allowed to cultivate the Nine Elements Technique? Allowing him to cultivate the Chang Chun Skill is already an exception; how can you be so greedy?"

"You say I am being greedy?" the young Emperor scoffed.

"I, I…" the disciple from Chang Chun Temple was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Your Majesty, I cannot decide on the 'Nine Elements Technique,' please excuse me," the State Preceptor bowed slightly and said.

The young Emperor, hearing this, showed hesitation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think there may have been some misunderstanding," Yuan Ming's voice rang out again at this moment.

Everyone turned to look at him.

"The reason I am standing here accusing the State Preceptor is not to seek any compensation or to have you advocate for me; I only hope that everyone can witness and give me a chance, a chance to challenge the State Preceptor."

At Yuan Ming's words, everyone was thunderstruck.

"What does he mean, he wants to challenge the State Preceptor?"

"Has Yuan Ming lost his mind? Challenge the State Preceptor... how?"

"Will they compete in painting and calligraphy, or in writing? What a joke!"

...

Whether they supported the State Preceptor or opposed him, everyone thought Yuan Ming was out of his mind.

"We thought he was a genius, but it turns out he's just foolish!"

"The Emperor has already secured a tremendous benefit for you; by doing this, where does that leave the Emperor?"

"Utterly ungrateful and reckless!"

...

"Yuan Ming, what nonsense are you talking about?" Frustrated and furious, General Yuan disregarded court etiquette and rushed to Yuan Ming's side.

He put his hand on his son's shoulder and whispered urgently, "We can't fight the State Preceptor. What the Emperor has done for you is the best compensation possible; don't act recklessly."

"Brother Ming, what exactly are you trying to do?" the young Emperor also came up to Yuan Ming, his brow furrowed, asking in a voice only they could hear.

"Father, Your Majesty, the dangers I encountered in my journey to Southern Border are actually far more than what I've written in 'Young Master Sheng's Southern Journey.' When I left Iron Tiger Town, the State Preceptor even sent Cultivators to kill me once. I made my way back here step by step, just wanting to fight for my own life and my rights. If I don't resolve this openly today, I will have to watch out for him for the rest of my life," Yuan Ming smiled and said.

If it had only been Lin Junsheng's earlier targeting, Yuan Ming might have really accepted the reconciliation from the State Preceptor. But the second assassination outside Iron Tiger Town was something he couldn't forgive.

Once can be forgiven; twice cannot.

Indeed, I, Yuan Ming, reward kindness, but I, Yuan Ming, also seek revenge.

Having said that, he turned to everyone and called out assertively: "A vendetta as deep as death—on what grounds does the State Preceptor lightly phrase an apology and expect me to accept? On what grounds does Chang Chun Temple offer me a cultivation spot and expect me to be grateful? On what grounds should I submit a life-and-death challenge to someone seeking to kill me and you curse me as ungrateful?"

"I must ask you all, what is my fault? Why do you disallow it?" Yuan Ming blazed his eyes over the crowd, demanding in a loud voice.

Yuan Ming's interrogation, like a thunderclap on a dry field, made everyone's cheeks burn in shame, and silenced them completely.

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