“…”

Upon hearing Xu Ming’s last words, Xiao Mochi fell into silence.

The scholarly gentleness in his eyes instantly sharpened, though the intensity was not directed at Xu Ming.

He took a slow sip of tea.

The study was enveloped in silence.

Xiao Mochi hadn’t expected Lu Xiao Liu to say such things to Xu Ming.

“That guy, Xiao Liu… Back at White Deer Academy, he was always up to no good—constantly stealing the headmaster’s chickens and ducks, then pinning the blame on me. And now, he’s telling a junior like you all sorts of nonsense.” Xiao Mochi shook his head.

Xu Ming remained silent.

Setting down his teacup, Xiao Mochi spoke slowly.

“Xu Ming, there are some things that are better known than unknown.

But this matter has nothing to do with your generation.

What you need to do is simply observe the state of the world and act accordingly.

Just as Xiao Liu said—no matter what happens next, you must not intervene. Just watch.

This is not something the younger generation can take part in.”

Xu Ming shook his head.

“Since I already know, I can’t simply stand by and do nothing. If there is anything within my power to do, then naturally, I will act.

Besides, Teacher Xiao, who in this world can truly stand by and watch?

I’ve heard people say that a great calamity is coming upon the world.

When that calamity arrives, will anyone truly be spared?”

Xiao Mochi stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and opened the window, gazing outside.

Xu Ming waited for his response.

But in the end, Xiao Mochi simply shook his head.

“Xu Ming, tell me—what do you think of the current relationship between cultivators and ordinary people?”

Xu Ming was momentarily stunned.

He hadn’t expected Teacher Xiao to ask such a question.

After a brief contemplation, he answered seriously,

“Nowadays, cultivators see themselves as superior, treating ordinary people as if they are insignificant.”

This was the conclusion Xu Ming had drawn from his travels.

He had encountered many cultivators, and what he felt was that they did not regard ordinary people as ‘people.’

“That is indeed the case,” Xiao Mochi nodded.

“Most cultivators carry a sense of superiority.

Even those who call themselves righteous—while they may appear humble before the common folk, in truth, they view ordinary people no differently than they would animals.

The only difference is that these ‘animals’ happen to look like them and possess some intelligence.

And this isn’t just in other nations—even within our Wu Kingdom, have the crimes committed by the mountain-dwelling cultivators been any less?”

Xu Ming mulled over Xiao Mochi’s words, then looked up and asked,

“Teacher Xiao, what are you implying?”

Xiao Mochi turned around and smiled at Xu Ming.

“There’s no need to guess—you won’t figure out what we intend to do. And even if you ask, I won’t answer.”

“I’ve already told you—this matter does not concern you or your generation.

Each generation has its own responsibilities.

All I can say is that this is the last thing we can do for you all.

The future belongs to your generation.

What we can do is try to create better conditions for you—but the world to come will be up to you to shape.”

Xu Ming: “…”

Xiao Mochi smiled.

“I still have official duties to attend to, and later, I must enter the palace. I’m afraid I can’t accompany you any longer.”

Xu Ming understood—this was Teacher Xiao’s way of dismissing him.

He stood up and bowed respectfully.

“Then I won’t disturb you further, Teacher Xiao.

But… regarding what you just said—there’s something I would like to say as well.”

Xiao Mochi made a “please” gesture.

“Xu Ming, speak freely.”

“I have heard that when you were ten years old, you once pleaded a case for a woman, seeking nothing but fairness. At that time, did you ever think that such matters were only for adults to handle?”

Xu Ming bowed.

“I shall take my leave now.”

He turned and walked out of the study, following the maid toward the exit of the Prime Minister’s residence.

Meanwhile, Xiao Mochi remained seated, Xu Ming’s words echoing in his mind.

After a brief pause, he simply chuckled.

Upon returning to the Princess’s residence, Xu Ming recounted his conversation with Xiao Mochi to Wu Yanhán.

Wu Yanhán had already speculated about what her father and Xiao Mochi were planning.

But she had also heard that relations between them had been strained lately.

It seemed that due to Xiao Mochi’s immense power and influence, the Emperor had grown wary of him.

Yet from what Xu Ming had just described, their relationship did not seem so tense after all—on the contrary, they were conspiring together.

Perhaps, in this entire world, the only other person who truly understood what they were planning was Mr. Fang.

But that man would never reveal anything.

Day by day, time marched forward.

The date of the Grand Assembly grew ever closer, and more and more sects sent their cultivators to the capital to participate in the grand event.

Many sects found this assembly particularly puzzling.

In previous assemblies, although sect leaders were officially required to attend, in reality, they never did.

They would usually send a grand elder or some other high-ranking member, and the Wu Kingdom had always turned a blind eye to this.

After all, from the sects’ perspective, their mere presence was already a sign of respect—surely the Wu court should reciprocate with some leniency.

But this time was different.

This time, Emperor Wu had explicitly decreed—and strongly emphasized—that the sect leaders must come in person.

If a sect leader was truly unable to attend, then the second-in-command must arrive with the sect’s token of authority.

Many sects were now wondering what exactly Emperor Wu was planning.

Some even suspected that this would not bode well for them.

But that thought remained just that—a passing suspicion.

After all, those attending the Grand Assembly of Ten Thousand Arts were all powerful cultivators, many at the Jade Purity Realm, with even a few in the Immortal Realm.

What could Emperor Wu possibly do? Did he truly intend to turn against them and wipe them all out?

Did he even have the courage for that?

More importantly—did he have the strength?

Thus, while the sect leaders were wary, most remained calm.

They were certain that Emperor Wu would announce something significant at the assembly.

But whatever it was, it surely wouldn’t concern them.

Finally, the day of the Grand Assembly arrived.

The weather seemed ominous—dark clouds loomed overhead, casting a heavy, oppressive atmosphere over the capital.