Chapter 1541: Oath Sworn in the East Sea

Just as Song Ci said, the news of Xia Houzhe’s death reached the ears of certain interested people outside the capital, and they all felt a sense of finality, thoroughly burying their past. They hid what needed to be hidden, changed their appearances, and no longer spoke of restoring the nation or supporting a new ruler.

As Chu Ze mentioned, the people from the old faction, who had remained since the time of Crown Prince Xia, had developed over the years, each with their own plans. Who can surpass the others when everyone is the same?

With the mentality of "if you can be the leader, why can’t I?", everyone had their own calculations. Thus, the play couldn’t be staged, and it was better to tacitly bury the past and each consider the future for their respective families.

Among the old faction, there were those who truly regarded Crown Prince Xia as their heaven and sighed deeply, but sighs were all they could offer, as they were helpless.

Firstly, the death of the leader dispersed the unity, and secondly, many were captured and destroyed. Even if they were to gather again, they lacked the sufficient strength to contend with Emperor Chu. Why would they willingly send themselves to their deaths like eggs thrown against a rock?

For this reason, they could only go with the flow and lament the fickleness of fate.

The era belonging to the Xia clan truly drifted away with the death of Xia Houzhe, with no chance of revival.

Far above the East Sea, a sea ship was slowly approaching the harbor. On the deck stood a small figure, looking impassively at the horizon. With a thin face and a small scar on the right cheek, there was not a hint of a smile, giving off an intimidating aura that made those on the ship secretly murmur to themselves.

The child seemed to come from the Underworld, particularly cold and eerie.

"Young master, we’re about to disembark." A servant walked over and respectfully spoke.

This person was none other than Zhang Zhi, who had previously served by Cabinet Minister Ning’s side, and now served the new master, Ning Xiaohong.

Drip, drip.

An abrupt sharp cry came from the sky.

The two looked up, and Zhang Zhi placed his fingers against his lips, letting out a sharp whistle. A black dot appeared in the sky, swooping toward them at increasing speed.

Zhang Zhi extended his hand as the black dot gradually enlarged, and in an instant, it landed on Zhang Zhi’s arm, its claws gripping his hand. It was a large sea eagle, with fierce and cold hawk-like eyes.

Ning Xiaohong met its gaze without flinching.

Zhang Zhi untied a small bamboo tube from its leg, poured out a small piece of paper, quickly read it, and his face turned cold before handing it to his master.

Ning Xiaohong took it, scanned through it quickly, and a sneer escaped his lips, "Truly not worthy of pity in death."

Zhang Zhi gritted his teeth and said with hatred, "Such a useless waste, having wasted Cabinet Minister’s years of teaching, unable to make good use of a winning hand, truly a pity for Cabinet Minister and the Ning family."

Mentioning the former master, this dignified man couldn’t help but have his eyes redden.

Ning Xiaohong clenched the piece of paper, a glint of cold hatred emerging in his eyes as he looked in the direction of Great Qing: "I, Ning Xiaohong, swear here and now that I will devote my life to making Chu dogs pay with blood for the blood debts, to honor the spirits of my Ning clan ancestors."

Zhang Zhi felt a surge of emotion, kneeling at Ning Xiaohong’s feet, and said, "This servant is willing to follow to the death."

Ning Xiaohong remained silent, but his palm slowly seeped blood, dripping onto the deck.

...

Great Qing Imperial Palace.

Emperor Chu awoke from his midday nap, drenched in sweat, with a stern and shadowed face.

He had a nightmare, dreaming that he stood amidst a blood mist, with someone grinning at him, eyes blood-red like a demon from hell.

Such a dream was ominous.

Emperor Chu pressed his hand to his chest, feeling some discomfort.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Song requests an audience." Eunuch Zhou entered upon hearing the noise.