You're Strong But Now You're Mine-Chapter 539 - 537 Sacrifice

Interestingly, this is the first time Ming Shuiyun has stepped into the White Box Library.

It's not that she doesn't love reading, nor does she dislike the atmosphere of libraries; it's just that she's usually too busy: attending classes, doing homework, playing Wushuang Sha, having fun with classmates, gathering intel on her roommates' armies... Every moment of her life is so packed that she naturally doesn't have time to dive into the ocean of knowledge of the White Box Library.

Okay, truthfully, she doesn't actually love reading; but which earnest student really loves reading? Not leisure reading, but those textbooks filled with technical jargon. Even Lin Xue, Kuinian Ruo, and Qian Yuya, who rank highest in their grades, only tolerate textbooks; they are far from liking them.

There's a long way between tolerating and liking.

The library doors slowly closed, and several brocade-armored warriors stood guard at the staircase's main path in the White Box, directing Ming Shuiyun upstairs.

The vast library only echoed with the sound of her footsteps. She was wearing the same steel-bottomed boots as Qin Le Yin, each step sounding melodious and clear. It's said that these are the usual boots for operatives from the Statistical Department, such that the symphony-like clang could make one's heart tremble... She also wanted to make someone's heart tremble.

There were even more brocade warriors on the third floor, almost shoulder to shoulder... They stood on both sides of the passage, their expressions calm and eyes straight ahead, like living tombstones. Ming Shuiyun used to fear this group of gold-clad warriors who followed orders to the letter, but now she found it trivial—living like a tool was easy, truly living was the real challenge.

Outside the curator's office, Ming Shuiyun saw Yu Ke in ragged clothes. The once-mighty armor of the heavenly human was now shattered beyond recognition, but Yu Ke had no intention of taking it off, merely adding a cloth robe inside, reducing some style but increasing the sharpness of a battle-hardened warrior.

Simply put, his flamboyance turned into subtle showiness.

Yu Ke respectfully saluted Ming Shuiyun without a word and opened the door to the curator's room. As Ming Shuiyun stepped in, she heard a young voice: "Sit down."

When Ming Shuiyun came to her senses, she was already seated on one of the only eight chairs in the office. Naturally, the other six chairs were occupied by her dormitory sisters—

Ming Shuangli was sitting properly, unlike her usual lively self, with a blood-red fang mask on her lap;

Ming Dailan looked somewhat uneasy; it was the first time Ming Shuiyun saw her unadorned face outside;

Ming Chaoyan was dozing, while Ming Taolang was silent. Ming Yueyan's eyes were red and swollen, evidently from heavy crying—the moment when the scabbard Qianmian died, she already sensed it, but she couldn't even find Qianmian's body.

Most notably, Ming Qingyun was embracing a small leopard cat. This type of almost wild beast usually detests humans and is hard to tame, yet it was quite docile in Ming Qingyun's arms, kneading and purring away, unwilling to leave her embrace.

Aside from those seated, more people were standing in this small curator's room.

Cha Huan was notable without mention, still clad in the most flamboyant white robe with gold trim, his white hair straightened and combed, though with a glaring bald patch on the right.

Beside Cha Huan stood an equally old man in a purple robe, contrasting Cha Huan in every regard: while Cha Huan stood tall and straight, the old man slightly hunched; while Cha Huan's hair was straightened, the old man casually wore a scarf; while Cha Huan's hair was silver-white, the old man's was gray-black and dirty; while Cha Huan's demeanor was upright and unruly, the old man appeared gentle yet somber.

Behind him stood several officials in purple robes. Aside from their purple robes, they each carried a golden jade mace at their waists, making their identities obvious—they were all Cabinet Ministers of Real Power!

Purple robes denoted high-ranking court officials, and the golden jade mace signified the Cabinet Scholars. The combination meant they were Cabinet Ministers of Real Power. Many assumed Cabinet Scholars wielded the full court power, but distinctions existed. If one were only a Cabinet Scholar without concurrent roles in the Six Ministries, they were termed as 'Illustrious Capitals,' who only had influence when the emperor was willing to listen; otherwise, they were mere mascots in court.

In contrast, those serving concurrently as Ministers of the Six Ministries with the title of Cabinet Scholar were called Cabinet Ministers of Real Power, equipped with both political and administrative powers, and naturally held decision-making authority when the emperor was not involved—such as now.

Standing beside Cha Huan, the old man in the purple robe was indeed the current Grand Scholar of the Central Palace and Minister of Personnel, the Chief Minister, Ling Jiangli!

Yet in front of Cha Huan and Ling Jiangli stood an old lady.

Her attire was unassuming, just regular winter brocade clothes; her appearance wasn't overly refined, just an ordinary kind, elderly face. At a glance, she seemed like an ordinary old lady passing by.

Noticing Ming Shuiyun's gaze, she mischievously winked at her and waved lightly, prompting Ming Shuiyun to quickly bow in respect.

The highest leader of today's imperial family, Glorious Empress Dowager, Ning Yulian!

At this moment, Ming Shuiyun suddenly realized a problem: the Glorious Empress Dowager, the Chief Minister, and the principal of the Imperial Academy were standing, but she and her six sisters were seated!

Putting aside the difference in status, even just by age, this was highly disrespectful!

Thinking this, Ming Shuiyun intended to stand up, but her bottom seemed glued to the chair; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't rise!

"Alright, just sit quietly; no one here has more right to sit than you all."

Ming Shuiyun looked over and realized it was the young person seated in the curator chair of the eighth seat speaking. And on the curator's desk lay a dazzling long sword, upon seeing which, anyone's mind would conjure the same name—Holy Sword Huiyao! 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

She realized something and asked softly, "Sword Holder?"

"Just holding the Holy Sword Huiyao makes one the Sword Holder? Why not the Sword Taker?" Cha Shiyin raised an eyebrow.

"Laiya once told me that if you, as the curator, are not a treacherous hero in chaotic times, then you are a saint in the world with the heart for the world."

"Sometimes, I think the reason Laiya has impaired vision is that heaven wants to weaken her in order to care for the other ignorant mortals." Cha Shiyin sighed and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's begin. Whatever it is you wish to discuss, you cannot ignore these kids."

"It is only rightful." The Empress Dowager nodded and looked at Ling Jiangli.

Ling Jiangli stepped forward and said, "Nanming Pass has fallen, the defending general Tong Xianye is dead. The Blood Source Army and Linhai Army launched a night attack on Changge and Chuanqin prefectures, which will fall within a day; Beichen Pass has fallen, the defending general Ming Zhandao fled to join the five camps, and is now establishing a defensive line in the northern three prefectures to intercept the rebels, but the defending army suffered heavy losses during the demon-changing night and can hardly hold for three days."

"This is a critical moment of life and death." The Empress Dowager said, "Within days, fifty thousand rebels will launch a surprise attack on Yanjing. However, Yanjing is currently short on troops and can hardly resist their assault. The millennium-old capital is about to be engulfed in war, devastated by military disaster!"

"With the turbulent waves overturning and the situation crumbling, the Aijia has no choice but to request the Sword-holding Lineage to save Yanjing from peril for the sake of the world!"

Saying this, the Empress Dowager bent over in a bow toward Cha Shiyin, along with the other Cabinet Ministers of Real Power: "Please, for the sake of the world, Sword-holding Lineage!"

Ming Shuiyun and the others, although still unable to stand, bowed in their seats. The only one who didn't stoop his back was Cha Huan, who glanced at Cha Shiyin, "It was you who said you wanted to be my distant nephew."

"I can't afford your bow, Principal." Cha Shiyin laughed and looked at everyone. "I understand your intentions, but let's not mention whether I will agree; even if I do agree—"

"Have you chosen a candidate for the sacrifice of the Holy Sword Huiyao?"