"So what if we rebel?"
If anyone else from Heavenly Melody Sect had said this, it might have been shrugged off. But this line came straight from Grace Gao herself.
So...
At this moment, Victor Zhang recalled the warning his master, Elder Zachary Zhang, had given him before he set out for Heavenly Melody Sect: once you arrive, keep a low profile.
But he hadn’t taken it seriously. First, he was an elder’s disciple; second, he was also Deputy Director of the Overseer Directorate. He didn’t believe Heavenly Melody Sect would dare do anything to him.
But now, things were clearly not going the way he expected...
If Heavenly Melody Sect really broke with the Military Council, he’d be in a tight spot as envoy. Would they kill him as a sacrificial example? Honestly, that seemed pretty likely.
Thinking of this, his heart trembled with fear. Bracing himself, he barked, "Sect Master Gao, please watch your words!"
It sounded imposing, but everyone could see Victor Zhang was already backing down. For a moment, all the Heavenly Melody Sect disciples present wore mocking smiles.
Grace Gao’s lips curled in open disdain. So this was the kind of bluster the Military Council sent? What a disappointment.
From this moment on, Grace Gao didn’t spare Victor Zhang another glance. Instead, she raised her voice and declared, “The world belongs to all under heaven, not to the Military Council. For years, the Council has lorded it over our sects, trampling us beneath their feet. Heavenly Melody Sect has had enough! Today, I announce the Nine Articles of Guilt against the Military Council. Article One: The elders have lined their own pockets. Article Two: They abuse public office for private gain. Article Three: Nepotism rules their appointments. Article Four: ...”
With each crime Grace Gao recited, the disciples of Heavenly Melody Sect grew more spirited and bold. In stark contrast, the Military Council envoy’s faces twisted in shock—especially Victor Zhang, whose complexion had turned ashen.
After listing all nine crimes, Grace Gao’s aura surged, her voice ringing out even louder. With a crisp swish, her sword left its scabbard and pointed toward the distant Holy City. “Today, I—Grace Gao—formally declare on behalf of Heavenly Melody Sect and the East Domain Martial Alliance: From this day forward, the entire East Domain will no longer obey the Military Council’s orders!”
“Sect Master mighty!”
“Long live the East Domain Martial Alliance!”
All the disciples of Heavenly Melody Sect shouted in unison.
Grace Gao raised her hand and silence fell. Her gaze landed coldly on Victor Zhang as she said, “Traitor Victor Zhang, you’ve aided the enemy and brought disaster upon us. You deserve to be executed as a banner sacrifice! Elder Wu!”
“At your command!” The old woman bowed deeply.
“I order you to execute him on the spot!”
“Understood!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Elder Wu’s cane transformed into a black dragon and shot straight toward Victor Zhang.
"No, don’t kill me!"
Victor Zhang was seized by terror and immediately turned to flee down the mountain.
But compared to Elder Wu, he was painfully slow. The rest of his entourage also scrambled to escape down the mountain.
At that moment, Martial Saints from Skywater Palace, Black Tortoise Gate, and Divine Bird Pavilion appeared, blocking their way.
The fight was over in an instant. Elder Wu herself beheaded Victor Zhang and brought his head to Grace Gao to claim her merit.
“Well done, Elder Wu!” Grace Gao praised loudly.
Heavenly Melody Sect has rebelled!
Heavenly Melody Sect has led the East Domain into rebellion.
Heavenly Melody Sect killed the Military Council’s envoy Victor Zhang and broke away!
News spread rapidly across the world. In less than three days, everyone in the Nine Domains had heard the story.
Grace Gao’s Nine Articles of Guilt against the Military Council were especially celebrated and repeated by all.
The Military Council was originally founded by all the sects to defend against the Devil and Demon races. But as it grew stronger, it slipped from the sect leaders’ control and became the most powerful force in the world.
With its overwhelming strength, the Military Council grew more and more domineering, eventually turning into a tool for certain people’s personal gain.
For example, nearly every important department in the Military Council was controlled by the nine elders’ disciples or relatives—at the very least, those with close ties to them.
Though the Council was supposed to be supported by all the sects, it instead acted high and mighty, lording it over them. The sects had long been fed up with the Military Council.
But the Council’s power was simply too great—no sect dared to rebel.
Now, with Heavenly Melody Sect leading the East Domain in revolt and listing the Nine Articles of Guilt, sects everywhere cheered them on.
The other eight Domains were seething with hidden currents; many ambitious people were itching to make a move.
But for now, everyone was waiting to see what would happen next.
Everyone was waiting for Heavenly Melody Sect and the East Domain to fight their first battle against the Military Council.
If the Military Council won, the would-be rebels would keep lying low. But if the Council lost, they’d seize the chance to rise up.
Holy City.
The nine elders gathered once again.
The Nine Articles of Guilt proclaimed by Heavenly Melody Sect had reached their ears. For some reason, all of them felt a faint panic.
“Bu Yi, that was your brilliant idea. If those nine crimes are proven true, how will the Military Council survive?”
As soon as the meeting started, Elder Chu pounced on Bu Yi, launching a furious tirade.
“That’s right! Elder Bu, you owe us an explanation. My disciple died at Heavenly Melody Sect. If not for your suggestion, how would he have died?” Zhang Jiangkun shouted, his face twisted with rage.
Watching their performance, disappointment and reflection flashed in Bu Yi’s eyes.
He was disappointed that, even now, Elder Chu and Zhang Jiangkun were still obsessed with purging rivals. He reflected that the Military Council had truly changed flavor over the years. The Nine Articles of Guilt had shaken him to the core—because every single one was true, and the elders’ crimes went far beyond those nine.
“Elder Bu, do you have anything to say?” Elder Nian spoke up, his eyes and tone icy cold.
“This truly is my fault. For that, I am willing to resign my elder seat. Old friends, I’ll take my leave.” With that, Bu Yi stood and walked out of the council chamber.
The other elders were all stunned by his actions—except for Elder Chu and Elder Zhang Jiangkun, whose eyes glimmered with satisfaction.
Elder Chu then straightened her face and snorted coldly. “Hmph, to think Bu Yi is such a coward—running away when trouble comes. He’s truly unfit to be an elder!”
“Elder Chu, since Brother Bu has already resigned, there’s no need to pursue the matter further.”
Another elder spoke up.
“Fine, I’ll give Elder Zi some face,” Elder Chu said in a low voice. But then she immediately changed the subject: “I’ve found that Raymond Lei faked his injury and deceived his superiors, resulting in Victor Zhang’s death. I propose we strip him of his Overseer Directorate Directorship and throw him in prison for dereliction of duty!”
Bu Yi had just resigned, and already Elder Chu was going after his people. How ugly could her behavior get?
Typical woman—so petty and narrow-minded.
Elder Nian glanced coolly at Elder Chu, feeling a surge of annoyance. He said, “Demotion will suffice—no need for prison.”
Hearing this, Elder Chu was startled. She quickly glanced at Elder Nian and said, “I have no objection.”
“No objection from me either!” Zhang Jiangkun chimed in.
The other elders all voiced their agreement with the proposal.
“Now, let’s discuss how to handle Heavenly Melody Sect’s rebellion.” Elder Nian said grimly.
Immediately, everyone’s expression turned serious. This was the real issue—the matter of Raymond Lei was just a sideshow.