Chapter 329: A Room With Bright Windows and Clean Furnishings Truly Feels Like Home

Night deepened.

The people of Changjing had retreated to their homes, and the shops had closed one by one. The streets quickly grew deserted. On this first night of winter, the sky was starless and moonless, and a cold mist blanketed the streets.

Lady Calico continued playing with her ball.

She no longer bothered to restrain her movements, running freely upstairs. Sometimes, she deliberately stomped hard, causing the aging floorboards to creak and shift, making a distinct

thump-thump

sound as they flexed under her weight.

As she played, she suddenly shifted direction mid-pounce, veering away from the cloth ball without hesitation. Instead, she ran straight to the window, leaping onto the windowsill and peering down.

Then she turned her head and called out to the Daoist, “The City God is here!”

“Thank you, Lady Calico.”

“Do you want me to go down and open the door?”

“That would be much appreciated.”

“You're welcome!” Lady Calico twisted her body and leapt off the windowsill. With a quick dash, she bounded downstairs.

The floorboards creaked with a series of sounds.

It seemed Lady Calico had boundless energy.

By the time she lit the oil lamp downstairs and opened the door, the City God and his two assistants were already standing outside. The Daoist, leaning on the wooden railing, descended the stairs.

“Greetings to you, sir, and to Lady Calico,” the City God said, bowing first. “Upon learning of your return, I came at once to pay my respects.”

“There’s no need for such formality, City God,” Song You replied. “Please, come in.”

“I have made it a personal rule to patrol the city twice a month,” the City God explained as he entered. “Today, being the first day of winter, I was out on my rounds and thought to visit you along the way.”

Once inside, and after carefully taking a seat at the table as directed by Song You, he continued, “Since your departure, sir, Changjing has been rife with turmoil. Countless court officials have been replaced, and many nobles have met their end. Thanks to your guidance, I have managed to maintain my position as Changjing’s City God. I owed you this visit, if only to express my gratitude.”

“You’re far too polite, City God.”

As Song You returned to Changjing, he had noticed that the presence of malevolent spirits and demonic auras was far less pronounced than it had been during his first visit. Perhaps this had to do with the fall of Princess Changping and the conclusion of certain power struggles in the city, but undoubtedly, it was also thanks to the diligent work of this City God.

“I’ve only just returned and have no tea to offer you...”

“Please, don’t trouble yourself.”

“I wanted to ask you about the state of Changjing since my departure, but to not even have a pot of tea feels terribly impolite,” Song You said, his tone laced with embarrassment.

“Sir, the mere honor of being invited to sit is more than enough,” the City God replied humbly.

While his authority was limited to the confines of the city, this was, after all, the heart of Great Yan. As the City God of Changjing, he was naturally well-informed about the events in the north.

It was said that even the Heavenly Palace, with all its might, had been unable to suppress a certain demon. Yet after this man passed through, the demon was subdued. It was rumored that he borrowed a mountain from Pingzhou, spanning thousands of miles, to suppress the demon. This miraculous event caused a massive mountain to appear out of nowhere on Hezhou’s flat plains.

As a result, the Mountain God of Pingzhou had seen his incense offerings multiply many times over in just two years.

It was also said that Duke of Thunder Fu, the Thunder Division’s chief officer, had been personally executed by this man outside the administrative city of Hezhou for dereliction of duty and harming the common people. Though Duke of Thunder Fu’s position in the Heavenly Palace wasn’t at the very top, both his divine authority and power were formidable.

And there were countless other scattered tales.

Whether it was a demon king comparable to a deity, a legitimate god of the Heavenly Palace, or an inherent god born of heaven and earth, their fates seemed to ripple and shift whenever they crossed paths with him.

It was said that when a true dragon passed through, even if it didn’t intend to, it caused celestial phenomena. Similarly, when a god walked among mortals, even if inadvertently, they would leave an indelible impact on the world. These might have been baseless rumors, but at this moment, the City God felt there was some truth to them.

One thought stood out in his mind—the legitimate gods of the Heavenly Palace indeed influenced the Earth Gods, and the imperial court had direct power over the appointment and removal of City Gods. However, whether it was the Heavenly Palace or the court officials, neither had as profound an effect as following this man.

Now, the City God of the imperial capital had regained his stature. His divine position was secure, his authority restored, his power increasing, and the incense offerings from worshippers had risen significantly. Reflecting on his state four years ago, when he had been little more than a figurehead, felt like a distant dream.

And wasn’t all of this thanks to this man?

Thus, the City God dared not act with any presumption.

The candlelight flickered in the room. Sitting upright, the elderly City God respectfully recounted, “Shortly after you left, sir, the State Preceptor was frequently absent from Changjing. It seemed as though he was preoccupied with urgent matters elsewhere, though no one knew exactly what they were. Some said it was due to his declining health.

“Others claimed he was engrossed in Daoist pursuits like alchemy and cultivation, losing interest in state affairs. Yet others believed he had returned to Mount Luming to focus on his sect’s legacy. There were many such rumors.

“My ears and eyes are confined to Changjing, and in any case, where the State Preceptor goes or what he does is far beyond the scope of what a humble City God like myself can concern myself with.”

Song You asked, “Could the assassination attempt by the small Western kingdom really be true?”

“From what I’ve seen, it appears to be true,” the City God replied, lowering his voice.

He explained, “I’ve heard that the Great General of Anxi, in pursuit of military glory, frequently incites wars in the Western Regions, treating the lives of the small kingdoms there as insignificant, almost like livestock.

“Previously, the Terraflame Kingdom of the Western Regions was extorted for vast treasures and women by the Great General of Anxi, leaving the kingdom in extreme suffering. Yet, in the end, the general still found an excuse to launch an attack, nearly destroying the entire kingdom. Half the royal family was reportedly killed, and even the women of the royal court were subjected to disgrace.

“The general submitted a report to the imperial court, claiming that the king of Terraflame Kingdom had shown disrespect toward Great Yan, which justified his military actions. The court even commended him for his success.

“Later, the nation was rebuilt under the leadership of the former king’s nephew, who pledged allegiance to Great Yan. But it’s said that the royal families of those regions are often closely knit, and this nephew was deeply loyal to the previous king. The people of Terraflame Kingdom are known for their fiery tempers and fierce resolve.

“Outwardly, they submitted and paid tribute, even sending envoys to personally apologize in Changjing. However, they somehow acquired a rare artifact, and during an audience with the Emperor, they presented a box that, when opened, unleashed a torrent of molten lava and fire. The palace where the foreign delegation was being received nearly burned down that day.

“Several ministers and guards perished in the flames. Fortunately, the palace had certain protective arrangements in place, and His Majesty narrowly escaped unharmed.”

Song You asked, “The State Preceptor wasn’t there?”

“No, he wasn’t.”

“I see,” Song You said, his expression contemplative.

As the City God of Changjing, the divine protector of the city, he naturally had unparalleled insight into its happenings. Even though General Chen might have informants and ears in the court, his reach could never compare to that of the City God. Although the City God was deified after his death by the emperor's father-in-law, he had been deceased and a god for many years.

While deeply tied to mortals and the court, his fundamental perspective was different. Hearing from him would likely provide a relatively objective viewpoint.

This was precisely why Song You wanted to hear the City God's perspective.

After a brief pause, the City God continued, “Afterward, His Majesty’s health declined significantly. Princess Changping, having cultivated her influence in court for years with deep-rooted connections and numerous supporters, would not let such an opportunity pass. However, His Majesty, anticipating this, used the situation as an excuse to clear the path for his sons to inherit the throne.

“What followed was a period of overt and covert struggles, eventually culminating in a coup. What Princess Changping did not foresee was that several generals of the Imperial Guard, who outwardly appeared loyal to her, were actually still devoted to His Majesty. Those who remained loyal to Princess Changping were assassinated by their own subordinates that very night.

“In the end, her faction was eradicated entirely. With her downfall, Great Yan will never see the rise of an empress again. Now, regardless of which prince ascends the throne, there is no opposition left.”

“Has His Majesty named a crown prince?” Song You asked.

The City God shook his head, his expression one of helplessness.

When Song You had stayed in Changjing years ago, he had heard about the two princes and had even met them once. That was three years ago. Earlier tonight, he had discussed them with General Chen, gaining some insight into how the princes had developed over the past three years.

Both princes had grown significantly, and their personalities were now more apparent.

The elder prince was born not of the Empress but of His Majesty’s favorite consort.

The younger prince, the legitimate heir by birth, was the Empress’s son and enjoyed a stronger claim to the throne by law. However, the Empress had long fallen out of favor, and her family’s influence had been dismantled shortly after His Majesty’s ascension for overstepping their bounds. In contrast, the consort’s family now held significant military power, controlling forces around Changjing.

The elder prince was strong-willed and inclined toward martial pursuits. In recent years, as he matured, he exuded a sense of grandeur and ambition reminiscent of his father. He embodied the qualities of a warrior-emperor, making him His Majesty’s favored son. The younger prince, by contrast, was gentle, studious, and inclined toward kindness, though slightly timid. He was widely admired for his literary talent and moral character, garnering support from both the court and the populace.

Many in the court hoped His Majesty would follow the traditional principle of favoring the legitimate heir and quickly name the younger prince as crown prince to prevent potential conflicts. However, His Majesty seemed to have other thoughts and has been slow to express his stance.

He was a grand emperor whose influence and authority were unmatched. Just a few years earlier, he had defied opposition to launch an unprecedented campaign into the heart of the northern frontier.

General Chen had fulfilled his mission, breaking through the northern frontier territories, destroying the grasslands, and achieving an unparalleled military feat. This had further solidified His Majesty’s unassailable authority.

Now, he resembled an aged dragon—clearly nearing the end of his life, yet still exuding such overwhelming presence that even those who knew his days were numbered dared not breathe too loudly in his presence.

As for the Emperor’s thoughts, the City God, a divine protector of Changjing, could only shake his head and say, “He is a remarkable ruler. For decades, he has held the nation firmly in his grasp, ensuring stability and prosperity. Even the invincible tribes of the northern frontier were repelled under his rule. He revels in the sense of control, addicted to the feeling that everything is within his grasp.

“Even at the end of his life, Great Yan can only be under his control. But he has forgotten one thing: he is old.”

Song You found the City God's perspective quite intriguing.

“I must ask, City God, do you know when the

jianghu

woman who lived next door left?”

“About two or three months ago.”

“And what about Miss Wanjiang of Hexian Pavilion? Is she still in Changjing?”

“It seems she is still in the capital.”

“Still in Changjing...” Song You murmured.

“Yes.”

The City God, unsure why Song You seemed surprised by Wanjiang’s continued presence, answered truthfully nonetheless.

The two conversed late into the night before the City God took his leave.

“Your two paintings are still kept safely in my temple. If you wish to retrieve them, I can send them over immediately.”

“I will come to visit your temple in a few days.”

“That will do.”

The City God rose, bowed to Song You, and, accompanied by his two assistants, stepped out into the night. After another polite bow at the door, they disappeared into the darkness.

The young girl turned her head to look at Song You.

“Close the door,” he said.

“Got it!”

With a soft

creak,

the door was shut.

The Daoist began ascending the stairs. The girl tilted her head up to watch him, waiting thoughtfully until he was halfway up before blowing out the oil lamp. Transforming back into her cat form, she dashed quickly after him.

Back in Changjing, Song You couldn’t help but think—there was still much to do.

In Changjing alone, there were many old acquaintances to consider: the fox demon who once invited him to roam the river and bid him farewell at the long pavilion; Prefect Yu, who gifted him wool rugs and blankets; Magistrate Liu, whom he had a good impression of when they met again in Hezhou; and perhaps even Dr. Cai—if he had returned from the north.

There was also the possibility of needing to visit Mount Beiqin, and should the State Preceptor return to the capital or the Emperor hear of his presence, they might either come to see him or summon him by decree.

But as General Chen had mentioned, with Song You’s leisurely temperament, having walked tens of thousands of li to return to Changjing, he would certainly take a few days to rest and ignore the affairs of the outside world.

These thoughts accompanied him as he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, he woke to find the sun already high in the sky. Opening his eyes, he saw that Lady Calico had already opened the window. Outside, the sky was a brilliant blue, with a few clouds drifting by. A swallow perched on the windowsill, grooming its feathers.

The willow tree outside was bare, its branches now devoid of leaves. Sunlight poured in, illuminating the room, which was spotlessly clean. The polished wood reflected the light.

The Daoist’s mood immediately brightened.

A room with bright windows and clean furnishings truly feels like home.