Eternal Saber-Chapter 386 - 97: Sword Drawn from East Mountain

"The Shen Dun rebellion had far-reaching effects, even Emperor Yuan was imprisoned by Shen Dun and eventually died in melancholy."

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "However, during this time, Layman Chilong always stood by the Xia Dynasty royal family, not siding with Shen Dun despite being of the same clan, and after the death of Emperor Yuan, he assisted the second Emperor Ming in succeeding to the throne."

"Later, as the Shen Dun rebellion settled, thanks to Layman Chilong, the Shen Clan managed to maintain their position in Nanxia. With the death of Layman Chilong, the influence of the Shen Family greatly declined, and most of the descendants served in the Court, with no strong figures holding military power."

"But even so, the Langya Pavilion Shen Clan remains one of the largest Gate Valves in Nanxia."

Chen Tang had an epiphany, saying, "The line of Shen Che on Celestial Cauldron Island, are they descendants of Shen Dun?"

"Correct."

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "After the Shen Dun rebellion, Shen Dun’s lineage, including many rebels, were purged and hunted. Fortunately, Layman Chilong had planned ahead, finding a way out for Shen Dun’s descendants, sending them eastwards across the sea to settle and take root on Celestial Cauldron Continent."

"During this period, the two branches of the Shen Clan occasionally maintained contact. Later, during the Battle of Xiajiang, when I was gravely injured and fell into the river, Shen Han, who had just arrived in Nanxia, coincidentally rescued me."

Chen Tang sighed.

Within this was such an intricate story.

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "Emperor Ming reigned for three years, dying at the age of twenty-seven, succeeded by the third Emperor Cheng, with his mother, Empress Dowager Yu, acting as regent. Due to the Shen Dun rebellion, the Shen Family faced suppression and suspicion, allowing the Yu Clan to rise during Empress Dowager Yu’s regency."

"During this period, another rebellion occurred in Nanxia, which was suppressed by Layman Chilong in alliance with the Yu Clan. Subsequently, Layman Chilong passed away. It is said that, on his deathbed, Layman Chilong greatly favored two young talents in Nanxia, believing they could become pillars of the state in the future."

"One of them was named Han Wen. The Han Clan, one of the four great Gate Valves of Nanxia, rose to prominence under his leadership, reaching its peak of influence, and even today, the Han Clan remains the most powerful force in Nanxia, stationed in Jingzhou."

"The other is the current Nanxia Sword Sect, Ye Anshi!"

"Ah!"

Chen Tang exclaimed.

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "Nanxia has four great Gate Valves: the Shen Clan, the Han Clan, the Yu Clan, and the Ye Clan. Over the past century, they’ve experienced rises and falls, flourishing and declining. But when it comes to Nanxia, the most renowned and influential must be the Nanxia Two Pavilions."

Chen Tang said, "One of them should be the Langya Pavilion Shen Clan."

"Correct."

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "The other is the East Mountain Sword Pavilion in Huiji County of Wu State! The Nanxia Sword Sect is the Pavilion Master of the East Mountain Sword Pavilion."

"The East Mountain Sword Pavilion holds a very special position in Nanxia. Unlike the other three great Gate Valves, the East Mountain Sword Pavilion is part of the Jianghu forces, rarely involving itself in Court affairs. The Ye Clan of the Sword Pavilion even deliberately avoids entering the Court, staying away from political struggles."

"This also relates to the Sword Sect’s character, known as an immortal in the mortal world, a romantic scholar indifferent to fame and fortune, who takes the greatest pleasure in the company of friends, immersed in nature." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"For a century, the Nanxia Court has experienced chaos and turmoil, with schemes and intrigues, undergoing ten different emperors. Meanwhile, the Jianghu forces represented by the East Mountain Sword Pavilion mostly remained detached from these conflicts."

Chen Tang clicked his tongue silently.

Within a century, Nanxia had changed ten emperors, revealing the tumultuous danger within.

Ming Yue Wanderer continued, "In a hundred years, the Sword Sect only intervened twice, and each time it changed the course of the Nanxia Court and even the world!"

"During the reign of the seventh Emperor Fei of the Xia Dynasty, after years of accumulating and settling, Han Wen waged wars on all sides, pacifying Yizhou, with the momentum of three northern expeditions, holding great military power, unrivalled in rank and position, with no force in the Court able to match him."

"As Han Wen aged, harboring different aspirations for a long time, after three northern expeditions, he occupied Yuezhou, leading troops straight to the Capital City, falsely accusing Emperor Fei of being impotent and unable to produce heirs, removing Xia Yanling from the throne, and putting Emperor Jianwen on the throne, marking the eighth emperor of the Xia Dynasty."

Chen Tang was alarmed, saying, "Han Wen is so domineering to act arbitrarily in deposing and enthroning; isn’t the next step to seize power himself?"

Ming Yue Wanderer smiled and continued, "Han Wen’s actions caused the entire Nanxia Court and officials to tremble in fear and anxiety."

"At that time, His Majesty was indifferent to this, believing that his continual wars, including two major defeats, had left the people of Nanxia in distress, yet he did not repent to the people, and deposing a monarch was against the norm, predicting his doom."

Chen Tang could tell that the ’His Majesty’ mentioned by Ming Yue Wanderer referred to the then-Emperor Wu.

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "After Han Wen’s deposition and enthronement, he began to suppress and purge dissent within the Court, forcing even some royal family members of the Xia Clan, who were sealed as kings, to confess to treason and be reduced to commoners."

"The Yu Clan, one of the four great Gate Valves, originally strong and influential with many clan members as high-ranking officials in Court, suffered heavy blows during this period, with great casualties and never recovered."

"Emperor Jianwen reigned for only half a year, worried about being deposed by Han Wen, distressed every day, and eventually died. Before his death, he summoned Han Wen to assist in governance, issuing four decrees in a day and night, which Han Wen all declined, forcing the Court to grant him nine nobles."

"Han Wen did not come, and the ministers were so frightened that they even dared not to establish a Crown Prince, believing Han Wen should make the decision."

Upon hearing this, Chen Tang sighed inwardly.

The imperial power of Nanxia had declined to this point.

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "Later, it was a descendant of the Shen Family named Shen Wendu who stood up, arguing with reason to enthrone a new emperor, the ninth Emperor Xiaowu of Nanxia."