Mystique Soul: A Cultivator's Flame
Chapter 94

Chapter 94: Chapter 94

A cute little shadow flitter bird cut through the sky like an ink stroke against dawn’s pale light, its sleek black feathers barely visible against the lingering mist. It moved with uncanny speed, gliding over towering mountains where the air was thin and sharp, weaving through jagged cliffs where few dared to tread.

With each powerful beat of its wings, it traveled farther, crossing rivers that shimmered like silver ribbons beneath the morning sun, skimming over rolling fields where farmers toiled beneath straw hats, oblivious to the silent messenger above.

Its destination lay beyond these peaceful lands, nestled within the heart of a bustling town. As the scent of civilization thickened in the air, woodsmoke, market spices, the tang of damp stone streets, the bird adjusted its flight. Sharp eyes locked onto its target, and with a final dive, it disappeared into the maze of buildings below.

The shadow flitter bird landed gracefully on the windowsill, its sleek black feathers ruffling slightly as it extended one claw, releasing the sealed letter onto the wooden surface. Feng Jiao Xue, who had been seated by the dim candlelight, lifted her gaze from the delicate silver threads of her senbon needles and reached for the letter.

Breaking the wax seal, her eyes skimmed over the hurried strokes of ink. The more she read, the deeper her frown became.

"The imperial court has reached a decision. The abolition of Crown Prince Liang Feng’s title will be announced within three days. The noble factions have placed insurmountable pressure upon His Majesty. Without intervention, the decree will be irreversible."

The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows across her face, but her expression remained unreadable. Folding the letter neatly, she exhaled slowly, pressing her fingers against her temple.

Three days.

She set the letter down, tapping her fingers lightly against the wood. There was no hesitation in her mind, only the cold calculation of her next move.

"Sister, what’s that?" Mo Tianze asked, tilting his head as he dried his damp hair with a cloth. He had just returned from washing up after their spar, his golden eyes catching the slight crease in Feng Jiao Xue’s brows.

Feng Jiao Xue glanced at him briefly before lowering the letter onto the table. "Nothing you need to worry about" she replied evenly though the flickering candlelight barely concealed the sharp glint in her eyes.

Mo Tianze, ever perceptive despite his usual carefree demeanor, pouted slightly. "Liar." He stepped closer, his ears twitching in curiosity and concerndly. "I know that face. Something bad happened, didn’t it?"

Tian Heng who had been silently sitting by the side, took note of her expression as well. His sharp purple eyes flickered to the letter. "Is it something to do with the capital?"

He had already figured that the reason they came here must have something to do with them. Only a fool wouldnt know that.

Feng Jiao Xue didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she picked up the letter again, her fingers brushing over the familiar seal. She had no intention of keeping the truth from them for long, after all, both of them would eventually be involved in what was to come.

After a brief moment of silence, she set the parchment back down and looked up. "The crown prince is about to be stripped of his title."

Mo Tianze blinked. "Liang Feng?" His ears twitched again, this time in alarm. "But why?! He’s the emperor’s son, isn’t he?!"

"The emperor’s son, yes. But not the court’s favored heir" Tian Heng murmured, his mind already piecing together the political implications. "Pressure from the noble factions... that means they’ve been preparing for this for a while."

Feng Jiao Xue hummed in acknowledgment. "It was only a matter of time. I suspect certain ministers have been feeding the emperor with half-truths, convincing him to sever his own son from the throne before he becomes a threat."

Mo Tianze’s expression darkened. "That’s not fair." His fists clenched at his sides. "After everything he’s done...!"

Feng Jiao Xue reached over and flicked his forehead lightly, silencing his outburst. "Justice has never been fair. And the imperial court is a battlefield of its own. If you let your emotions control you, you’ll always be at a disadvantage."

Mo Tianze rubbed his forehead, muttering under his breath, but he knew she was right.

Tian Heng leaned back against the wooden chair, arms crossed. "So, what’s our next move?"

Feng Jiao Xue’s gaze sharpened. "Three days is too short to reverse the decree completely. But it’s enough to at the very least, get all the hidden snakes againtst Liang Feng come out."

Mo Tianze perked up. "Does that mean we’re going back to the capital?"

Feng Jiao Xue smirked. "Not quite. Not yet." She tapped the letter once. "But we will make our presence known."

The air in the room shifted, the flickering candle casting their shadows long against the walls. The game was beginning.

Feng Jiao Xue sat at the wooden desk, the dim candlelight casting flickering shadows over the parchment before her. The scent of ink filled the room as she carefully dipped the brush into the inkstone, her strokes deliberate, elegant, and firm.

She knew the emperor well enough. He was not a man to be easily swayed, yet he was a ruler who understood the value of power when it was laid before him. If he was wise, and she suspected he still was, he would see her letter for what it wass. an opportunity.

Her fingers traced over the words she had just written, the weight of each syllable sinking deep into her mind.

She did not need to spell out her intentions any further. The emperor was a man who played the long game, and she was betting on the fact that he would recognize the significance of her words. If he made the right move, the nobles who were so confident in their victory would soon find themselves caught in a trap of their own making.

Sealing the letter with wax, she pressed a jade emblem into it, the mark of the Feng clan. Though the family had long since faded into obscurity, its name still held meaning in the right circles. It would remind the emperor of who she was, where she came from, and what she represented.

She turned to the shadow flitter bird perched by the window, its dark feathers gleaming under the moonlight. With a quiet motion, she tied the letter securely to its leg. The bird let out a soft, eerie cry before taking off into the night, vanishing into the vast darkness.

Mo Tianze, who had been silently watching from the side, finally spoke. "You’re really going back?" His usual playful tone was absent, replaced with something quieter.

Feng Jiao Xue exhaled slowly, her eyes tracing the path the bird had taken. "Yes" she said. "But on my terms."

Tian Heng, who had leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watched her with unreadable eyes. "And if the emperor refuses to play along?".

She turned to him, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "Then he would be a fool."

The three of them sat in silence as the weight of the decision settled in the air. The capital awaited, and with it, the battlefield that was the imperial court. The enemy thought they had won, but they had only created the perfect stage for their downfall.

In the inner, most obscure building in the capital...

The flickering glow of lanterns cast long, wavering shadows across the dimly lit chamber. Behind closed doors and thick curtains, a group of men sat around a circular wooden table, their voices hushed but heavy with tension. The scent of ink and old parchment lingered in the air, mingling with the faint trace of damp stone, a sign that even the palace’s hidden corners could not escape the creeping chill of uncertainty.

At the head of the table, Crown Prince Liang Feng sat with an air of quiet authority. He was dressed simply, his royal robes exchanged for something more subdued, but even without the golden threads of his status, he commanded attention. By his side stood Han Qing, his ever-loyal guard, arms crossed over his chest, expression carved from ice.

The officials around him were not as composed.

"We cannot simply sit idle!" One of the ministers leaned forward, his voice laced with barely restrained frustration. "Your Highness, in three days’ time, your title will be stripped from you. The nobles have already consolidated their power; they will not give you the chance to recover."

"We must act now," another added, his hands clenched into fists. "Your allies in the military are being pressured, and your supporters in the court grow fearful. If we hesitate any longer, even your most loyal retainers will begin to waver."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The flickering candlelight reflected in their worried eyes, painting a scene of uncertainty.

Liang Feng, however, remained calm. He folded his hands before him, his fingers idly tracing the engraved surface of the table. "You speak as if I am alone in this," he said, his voice even. "As if I have no path forward."

One of the advisors hesitated. "Your Highness... with all due respect, do you?"

The question was pointed. The nobles had gathered their forces, and the emperor himself had given in to their demands. The faction that supported the crown prince had been losing ground for months, but now, with the official decree set to be announced in mere days, the weight of impending failure bore down on them all.

"You worry too much," Liang Feng said, his tone light, as if they were speaking of weather and not the end of his future.

The men exchanged glances. Worry too much?

One of them cleared his throat. "If Your Highness has a plan, now is the time to tell us. We are prepared to fight for you, but we cannot fight blindly."

Liang Feng merely smiled. "You do not need to know everything just yet."

His words did nothing to soothe them.

"But...."

"You may leave," Liang Feng interrupted. His tone was polite, but there was a finality to it that left no room for argument. "I appreciate your concerns, but there is nothing more to discuss tonight."

The officials hesitated, but one by one, they bowed and filed out of the room, some glancing over their shoulders as if hoping for an explanation that never came.

When the last of them had gone, Liang Feng exhaled softly, his fingers pressing against his temple.

"They will not rest easy," Han Qing noted. His voice, as always, was cool and controlled.

Liang Feng chuckled. "No, they will not."

Han Qing watched him carefully. "You are placing all your trust in her, then."

Liang Feng’s expression did not waver. "I am."

For a long moment, Han Qing said nothing. Then, finally, he gave a small nod. "Then I will trust in your judgement."

The prince’s smile deepened. "That is enough."

Outside, the palace walls stood tall and unyielding, but in the darkness, the winds had already begun to shift.