"Kill a few chickens? Am I one of those chickens, or am I the monkey?"
Leonard Goodwin's eye twitched, uneasy, as he slipped a few Everpeace Coins into the eunuch's hand and braced himself to enter the palace. He hadn't gone far before another decree-carrying eunuch appeared, also heading toward the Imperial Academy, greeting him with, "Congratulations, Lord Goodwin!"
Leonard replied absently, "Eunuch, what's there to congratulate me for?"
"Lord Goodwin, you may not know yet—your Academy Fellow at the Imperial Academy has done great service in quelling the rebellion. His Majesty sent me to bestow a reward and promote his rank."
Leonard was startled and blurted out, "Another promotion? There was just a eunuch here to promote him—how is he getting promoted twice in a row?"
The decree-carrying eunuch explained, "His Majesty said, the first time was because others failed to do their duty, while the Academy Fellow did his duty well, so he was promoted to proper Sixth Rank. This time, it's for distinguished service in quelling the rebellion in the Southern Frontier, so he's being promoted again, to subordinate Fifth Rank."
Leonard quietly slipped him a few Everpeace Coins, mumbling, "So he earned merit. The Academy Fellow is one of our Imperial Academy scholars—his achievements bring honor to us all..."
"Indeed!" The decree-carrying eunuch replied with a charming smile, then hurried off.
Leonard, still distracted, continued toward the palace, only to encounter yet another decree-carrying eunuch coming his way. This one greeted him with bright delight: "Congratulations, Lord Goodwin! Felicitations!"
Leonard's face darkened. "Eunuch, what's there to congratulate me for?"
"His Majesty has sent me to announce a decree—he's promoting the Academy Fellow at the Imperial Academy!"
The old eunuch smiled, "The Academy Fellow Quinn Shepherd treated the Imperial Preceptor's injuries, so he's promoted to Upper Fifth Rank Mid-Palace Gentleman, with privileges equal to the Imperial Academy! Three promotions in a single day—this is a great event for your Academy!"
Leonard nodded woodenly, slipped a few Everpeace Coins into the old eunuch's hand without anyone noticing, and forced a smile. "I suppose I share in the honor..."
After the eunuch left, Leonard's face darkened. With every promotion Quinn received, Leonard's own status dropped—if Quinn kept rising, they'd soon be equals!
Three promotions in one day—and it was costing Leonard quite a bit in bribes!
"If he gets promoted any further, I'll have to start calling him 'my lord.'"
Steeling himself, Leonard went to see the emperor, presenting the list of fallen students. Emperor Evan was reviewing memorials; he looked up, took the list, and after reading it, said with grief, "These students are the backbone of my realm, the pillars of our future. Because of a leak, they were slaughtered by the rebels! I want to kill someone!"
Cold sweat broke out on Leonard's forehead; he dared not speak, unsure if the emperor would want to kill him for interrupting.
Emperor Evan rose, pacing back and forth, then suddenly slammed the table, anguish in his voice. "I only issued the directive for their training location right before I left—how did they get ambushed? Leonard Goodwin, my trusted official! Tell me, who leaked the information?"
Leonard pondered, then said, "Judging by the situation in Fairview Prefecture, the Deputy Prefect had already taken Lu County, and when the Imperial Academy and students arrived, the rebels just happened to use the Soul-Calling Rite. That means the rebels knew the students' exact arrival time, as if by foresight. They must've gotten word before Lu County fell, which let them summon demons after the county was lost. So the leak didn't come from the Academy or the students, but..."
He forced himself to continue, "—but rather, the leak came from me, or one of those First-Rank grandees."
"The rebels are among us!"
Emperor Evan sneered, "Looks like someone among us wants me out of this seat, eager to take my place. The ones who knew about this matter were you, myself, and the First-Rank grandees—the Crown Prince's tutors, the Minister of Works, the Grand Preceptor, the State Dukes. Which of them do you suspect?"
Large beads of sweat formed on Leonard's forehead; he clenched his teeth and said nothing.
Emperor Evan glanced at him and snorted, "Afraid to speak? You're not loyal to me, then."
Sweat poured down Leonard's face. "Your Majesty, I was sealed in the Great Ruins for two hundred years. I don't know the current ministers well enough to judge..."
"Just say what you think—I won't hold it against you."
"I'm naturally slow-witted, Your Majesty—so much so that the Academy Fellow tricked me out of my court sword. That alone proves my foolishness..."
Emperor Evan, exasperated, pointed at Leonard's nose. "Don't play dumb with me! The Academy Fellow tricked you out of your sword—just bow your head and ask for it back. If you were truly slow, why would I keep you as Grand Rector? I'd have kicked you out already! Now, tell me—who do you suspect?"
Leonard gritted his teeth, then suddenly looked up. "The Crown Prince's tutors are highly suspect!"
"What did you say?"
Emperor Evan's fury erupted, his imperial authority pressing so hard that Leonard had to bow his head.
Suddenly, Emperor Evan seemed deflated and waved his hand. "My dear Goodwin, you're clever—very clever... Go on, then."
Leonard, drenched in cold sweat, slowly backed out.
"Come back," Emperor Evan called.
Leonard's hair stood on end, but he forced himself to return. Emperor Evan asked slowly, "This time the Imperial Preceptor has done great service, yet I've never rewarded him. What do you think I should give him?"
Leonard lowered his head. "Your Majesty, what could you possibly give him?"
Emperor Evan shook his head. "There's nothing left."
Leonard thought for a moment. "Then grant the Imperial Preceptor beauties and treasure."
"You think just like I do."
Emperor Evan sighed, "I'm just afraid he'll refuse, like he always does."
Leonard hesitated. "So much has happened this time—if the Imperial Preceptor is truly wise, he'll accept it now."
Emperor Evan paused, then laughed. "You're quite the character. I slaughter chickens not for your benefit, and you're no chicken. Off you go. And stop provoking the Academy Fellow—you can't handle him. His abilities are beyond your imagination. Every time you trip over his tricks, I feel embarrassed for you. I appointed you against everyone's advice—I don't want to keep cleaning up your messes."
Leonard, ashamed, withdrew, thinking, "I can't handle him? Me, a grandmaster of the demonic path, one of the most powerful in the field—am I really no match for a mere Five Luminaries Realm rookie? Have I wasted these centuries for nothing...?"
Emperor Evan continued reviewing memorials, but suddenly put down his red brush, lost in thought. "I came to the throne in middle age, even outliving several sons. Looks like my Crown Prince won't have to wait as long as I did..."
At the Imperial Academy, Quinn Shepherd received three imperial edicts, and his rank was raised to Upper Fifth Rank Mid-Palace Gentleman. This was an honorary position with no real power—he was lauded as a top scholar, but in truth, just a wandering official.
Clearly, the emperor still harbored doubts about Quinn as the Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon, so he withheld any real power—lest the court fill up with demon cult ruffians.
Quinn tossed the three imperial edicts into the west wing, utterly unruffled.
He was still cultivating the other four transformations of the Five Luminaries Realm.
After the southern campaign to quell the rebellion, the Imperial Preceptor gave them much guidance. Upon returning from the Southern Frontier, Wayne Shen, Serena Yunxiang, and the others buried themselves in the Heavenly Records Tower, searching for Five Luminaries Realm techniques.