Chapter 494: What Will the Next Dynasty Be Called?

“Have you heard? Chen Ziyi has taken Changjing. Prince Shun refused to surrender and hanged himself above the royal throne in the Peace Palace. Chen Ziyi, gravely wounded, has sent word to Yizhou, requesting the return of the Crown Prince and the Emperor.”

“Is that so?” Song You did not stop walking, meeting the fox’s gaze.

A few simple words, yet they carried the weight of a shift in the entire world's fate.

Had they been in Changjing now, even if only standing on Mount Chang, gazing from a distance at the battle for the capital, the gravity of the moment would have been more tangible.

But here, on the roadside, hearing it from the mouth of a wild fox—one who was born and bred in this land, steeped in its hidden knowledge—the news felt oddly casual. As if it were nothing more than an anecdote plucked from a history book.

An offhand remark, yet it marked one of the grand turning points in the river of history.

“Yes,” the fox confirmed, still trotting alongside them. It never once looked ahead, yet it effortlessly avoided trees and stray branches, leaping over any stones that blocked its path.

“Prince Shun truly had some of the former emperor’s spirit. Oh, and by the way, the Emperor died on the road a few days ago by himself. Now, with things settled, the world has bought itself another ten or so years of peace before it falls into chaos again.”

“Only ten years?”

“I told you something, now you tell me something! Let’s trade! Exchange! How about it?”

“What is it you want to know?”

Song You asked calmly.

Meanwhile, the calico cat had been staring at the fox this entire time—watching its eyes, watching its paws, trying to figure out why it never needed to look at the road but never stumbled either.

“The thing you mentioned before!”

“I can tell you... but are you sure you have the guts to hear it?”

“Of course!”

“...”

Song You studied the fox for a while before finally asking in return,

“I’ve heard that wind foxes are unique creatures—there is only ever one in the world at a time. Is that true?”

“Of course it’s true. There’s only one at any given time.”

“How long did the last wind fox live?”

“Three hundred years.”

“And how did it die?”

“When the founding emperor of Great Yan unified the land, he heard about such a fox. He had skilled hunters track it down and burn it alive.”

“Then do you know how long you will live?”

“Eeek! Don’t scare me like that!”

The wind fox, however, didn’t seem frightened at all. Instead, it grinned mischievously.

“Life and death aren’t measured by years alone. There are countless gods in the heavens, and who knows how many spirits on earth? So many creatures cling desperately to life. But how many of them can compare to the mere few decades of a true heir of Hidden Dragon Temple?

“Now, hurry up and tell me! I only speak of things I’ve divined myself—I never repeat what others have told me.”

“...”

Song You withdrew his gaze and fell into a brief silence. Looking ahead to the road before him, his voice remained calm.

“The gods ruling the Heavenly Palace have fallen into great corruption—do you know this?”

“I know, I know.”

“Each generation must deal with its own affairs. Since I’ve happened to encounter this matter, I won’t leave it for the next.” Song You paused. “You are knowledgeable in both celestial and earthly matters. Do you have any advice for me?”

“Even Daoist Fuyang has tried that before!”

“Something like that...”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“Then why don’t you take a guess?”

“I guess...” The strange fox leaped lightly, clearing a thicket of brambles with ease—never once looking at the ground ahead, its eyes locked on the Daoist.

“You believe that the gods restrict the mortal world, so now mortals must restrain the gods?”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about the ancient times—the gods back then were fickle, always meddling in mortal affairs, demanding human sacrifices to appease them. Even so, they still imposed rules upon the human world.”

The fox added, “Now, the gods no longer eat humans. They have changed in many ways. But even so, they still control mortals. Isn’t that what you mean?”

“How did you manage to guess that?”

“I know the heavens above and the earth below. I can peer into the past and foresee the future. Everything—except my own fate—is within my knowledge,” the strange fox declared. Then, after a brief pause, it added, “And whenever there's something I don’t know, it’s like having lice crawling all over my body—it's unbearable! Absolutely unbearable!”

At Song You’s feet, the cat twitched her ears.

The fox’s analogy resonated with her on a deeply personal level.

“You should leave,” Song You said.

“Just tell me—yes or no—and I’ll leave!” the fox insisted. Then, as if to sweeten the deal, it added, “As compensation, I’ll tell you a secret.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know the surname of the next dynasty’s emperor?”

“...”

“It’s Chen! Hahaha!”

The strange fox threw back its head and let out a sharp, eerie laugh.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the mountains, rustling the trees and grass.

And just like that, the fox was gone.

Lady Calico immediately began whipping her head around, frantically searching for where it had disappeared to.

But Song You continued forward, silent and deep in thought.

Memories surfaced in his mind—two figures, two young princes. He had met them before.

Years ago, after returning from Mount Beiqin, he had passed through the Ghost Market outside Changjing and encountered them by chance.

Back then, they were still refined young noblemen, carrying themselves with grace. General Chen had accompanied them, and the two had gazed at Song You from the roadside with curiosity. Though they harbored their own ambitions, they had been at peace with each other.

That was over six years ago.

Now, he wondered what had become of those two young men.

***

At the prefect’s residence in Yidu City...

This place had now become the Crown Prince’s residence. It also served as the temporary palace from which the Crown Prince and the so-called Emperor sent secret decrees across the land.

Unlike his father, the Crown Prince lacked decisiveness and resolve.

Driven out of Changjing by his brother and forced into exile, he had the support of several southwestern prefectures, the scholar-official faction, and even some border commanders. Yet compared to his royal brother, he was still at a disadvantage.

In this state, even his usual scholarly elegance had crumbled—his composure shattered.

Now, he resembled nothing more than a panicked, frightened beast.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince still had the Prime Minister—and other capable people—by his side.

At this moment, he sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning against the wall, his vacant eyes staring ahead. But whatever was in front of him hardly mattered, for he was seeing nothing at all—just lost in the chaos of his own thoughts.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

“

Knock, knock

...”

The Crown Prince jolted in shock, his entire body trembling slightly.

“Who is it?”

“Your Highness, it is I—Miaohuazi.”

“Please, come in, Daoist Master.”

“

Creak

...”

The door swung open.

A Daoist priest, appearing to be in his early thirties, stepped inside and respectfully bowed.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“There is no need for such formalities, Daoist Master...”

“Judging by Your Highness's state, it seems you did not sleep well last night.”

“Not just last night...” The Crown Prince shook his head, finally forcing himself to sit up straight. He looked anxiously at the Daoist.

“Did you come with news this morning?”

His heart was caught between anticipation and fear—hoping for good news, yet dreading the bad.

“I bring one piece of good news... and one piece of bad news.”

Miaohuazi’s expression remained composed, just as the former State Preceptor had always been.

“Which would Your Highness like to hear first?”

“Daoist Master, please do not keep me in suspense!” The Crown Prince’s voice was already trembling with impatience.

“The bad news is... His Majesty’s whereabouts remain unknown. Last night, when I observed the celestial signs, I saw the Emperor’s star[1] suddenly lose its light. I fear His Majesty may have perished.”

As he spoke, Miaohuazi carefully observed the Crown Prince’s reaction. His own expression was calm, but inwardly, he felt a faint disappointment.

“The prefect of Yizhou is growing restless and insists on meeting with His Majesty. Your Highness need not worry. Once you hear the good news, I assure you, you will be overjoyed.”

“What good news?”

“As I predicted, Chen Ziyi accepted the imperial decree, led his army south, and advanced unimpeded. At every pass and fortress, the gatekeepers let him through without resistance. Outside Changjing, he crushed the tens of thousands of imperial troops under Li Chenghao’s command. Now, he has breached the capital.”

“Prince Shun has hanged himself in the palace. General Chen Ziyi has sent word—he wishes to restore the rightful heir. Your Highness... may now return to Changjing.”

“Is it true?” The Crown Prince immediately sat up.

“Once Your Highness returns to Changjing, you will be the sovereign ruler of this nation. How could I dare to deceive you?” Miaohuazi replied. “I have long advised Your Highness not to panic. All you needed to do was rest well.”

“Daoist Master, your divination is truly miraculous!” The Crown Prince was overjoyed. “Even your esteemed teacher in his lifetime may not have matched your foresight!”

“My master was the State Preceptor, a man who safeguarded the empire and aided His Majesty in forging a golden age. I dare not compare myself to him.”

“If I return to Changjing—if I can ascend the throne...” The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up as he spoke without hesitation, “You shall be the next State Preceptor!”

“Then I shall thank Your Majesty in advance.”

“Daoist Master! Mind your words!”

“...”

Miaohuazi continued to observe the Crown Prince carefully. He noted that the prince’s thoughts were consumed by his own triumph and had failed to grasp the gravity of Chen Ziyi’s growing power.

After a brief pause, he finally said, “In truth, I have one worse piece of news—and one better piece of news—for Your Highness.”

“Please, Daoist Master, speak!”

“...”

Miaohuazi glanced around, then stepped outside, instructing the guards at the door to move farther away before returning.

“As I mentioned earlier, Chen Ziyi marched south, crossing three key passes to reach Angzhou. Yet, not a single border general dared to stop him. Outside Changjing, he personally led ten thousand elite cavalry against forty thousand imperial troops—and crushed them in a single charge. His power has become unparalleled.”

Miaohuazi paused before continuing.

“Last night, I exhausted all my efforts and burned ten years of my lifespan to gain a chance to converse with the wind fox in a dream, seeking to ask about the future...”

“The wind fox?”

“It is a divine beast of heaven and earth, eternal and undying. It is capable of peering into the past and foreseeing the future.” Miaohuazi’s voice grew solemn. “At the end of the previous dynasty, a wind fox appeared, foretelling that the founding emperor would rise to found a new empire.

“Later, when the founding emperor ascended the throne, he sent men to hunt down the wind fox and burn it alive. But now, another wind fox has appeared—meaning their attempt to destroy it back then must have failed.”

Miaohuazi looked the Crown Prince in the eyes.

“And the wind fox told me—the next ruler to establish a new dynasty... will bear the surname Chen.”

“Chen?” The Crown Prince turned pale with shock.

“Your Highness need not worry. It only spoke of the surname Chen—that does not necessarily mean Chen Ziyi,” Miaohuazi reassured him. “Besides, Great Yan still holds the people's hearts, and Chen Ziyi is a man of unwavering loyalty. He would not rebel. Even if he did, his soldiers may not follow him. And more importantly, the people of the empire would never accept it.”

“Then... What is the good news?”

“The good news is...” Miaohuazi paused for a moment.

“It is said that during the siege of Changjing, Chen Ziyi was personally on the front lines. He was struck by a heavy crossbow bolt in a vital spot. He is gravely wounded... and will not live much longer.”

“This...” The Crown Prince’s eyes darted back and forth, filled with suspicion. “Could it be false?”

“Hahaha...” Miaohuazi let out a loud laugh before replying,

“Your Highness has been living in fear for too long—you have become like a startled bird!”

“Daoist Master, you mean to say...?”

“Chen Ziyi is not the kind of man who would resort to such schemes, even if he had treacherous ambitions. And even if he did intend to rebel, he certainly wouldn't act at this moment. Even if he rebelled now, he wouldn’t use such a method,” Miaohuazi said with a smile.

“Besides, I have already cast my divination—this event is true beyond doubt. Your Majesty should focus on returning to Changjing safely. And once there... you must set your sights on the future. Beware of other dangers.”

“The future...”

The Crown Prince muttered to himself, pondering the words.

Yet, before long, he cast these thoughts aside, drowning himself in the sheer joy of returning to Changjing.

1. In Daoist belief, every person has a corresponding star in the heavens. If that star falls, it signifies that the person’s life is nearing its end. Daoists observe celestial phenomena to predict major events in the world. ☜