The imperial palace. 

Emperor Zhou stroked the cold armrests of the imperial throne as if hoping to calm the waves within his heart.

Not far away, Hong Shenshang stood there like a pine tree, just as quiet as in the past.

However, there was a lingering, overcast air about him.

“Before the duel began, I’m afraid that Lonely River, Yun Zhongqi, and the other fogies planned to seize the opportunity to seize Su Yi’s good fortune as soon as he was defeated. Who would have thought that in the end, Su Yi… actually won?” After a while, the emperor sighed. 

“Furthermore, he won so beautifully, and with such ease, without suffering even the slightest injury. Those old-timers must surely be disappointed?” As he spoke, he fixed his gaze on Hong Shenshang and asked with great interest, “State Preceptor, how do you think Su Hongli feels about all this?”

Hong Shenshang shook his head. “Su Hongli is no longer the Su Hongli I once knew, and he hasn’t been for quite some time. I cannot fathom his thoughts.”

He paused, then muttered, “But there is one thing I can say for sure: the strength Su Yi revealed today at Nine Millet Mountain was surely beyond Su Hongli’s expectations. He’ll have no choice but to take Su Yi seriously now.”

The Zhou Emperor...