As Xu Qian An prepared to confront injustice, numerous golden gongs, members of the Directorate of Celestial Monitoring, and friends from Chunfeng Hall gathered to support him. Standing among them, Xu Qian An publicly exposed the crimes of Duke Cao and Que Yongxiu, then personally executed them by beheading, displaying their severed heads as a warning.
After eliminating these two heinous criminals, Xu Qian An threw away his night watchman badge, apologizing to Wei Yuan and announcing his resignation from public service. Wei Yuan, deeply moved, remarked: “To be an official is to remain honest before the heavens and accountable to the people below. Yet, how many can truly achieve this once they step into the political arena?”
Suddenly, Xu Qian An felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Zheng Xinghuai, appearing as he did when they first met. Zheng Xinghuai, speaking on behalf of the citizens of Chuzhou, expressed his gratitude. Xu Qian An smiled in relief, knowing Zheng Xinghuai could now rest in peace.
Soon after, Emperor Jing arrived with soldiers and crossbows, intent on killing Xu Qian An. However, the attempt failed. As a flash of golden light erupted, Xu Qian An swung his blade, and in an instant, both he and the light vanished. A mysterious figure employed celestial magic, causing everyone to forget Xu Qian An’s existence.
Months Later
In the capital, storytellers entertained crowds with tales of the Chuzhou case, crediting the exposure of the truth to an anonymous watchman. Wei Yuan held a court assembly, urging officials to speak with conscience. During the morning session, Emperor Jing berated Wei Yuan for defying imperial authority, but Wei Yuan presented a sacred carving, compelling the emperor to issue a self-criticism decree. The ministers unanimously supported this, leaving the emperor speechless.
As the Witch God Cult grew increasingly arrogant, Wei Yuan personally led an army to eradicate it. After a series of intense battles, he perished heroically, leaving the state under the care of the Prime Minister, who managed governmental affairs with the help of Xu Xinnian. Now a celebrated figure, Xu Xinnian worked tirelessly to uphold justice and fulfill his long-held ambitions.
Xu Qian An’s Return
Xu Qian An quietly returned home, bringing candied hawthorn skewers for his younger sister, only to find that neither she nor his family recognized him. Even Xu Pingzhi and his cousins had no memory of him. Feeling a pang of regret, Xu Qian An resolved to use his time wisely. He wrote down his alchemy principles in a booklet and sent it to the Directorate of Celestial Monitoring.
Walking through Chunfeng Hall, he observed his former colleagues continuing to punish wrongdoers. Nearby, members of the Heavenly Enlightenment Society gathered, laughing and enjoying noodles. Chu Yuanchen’s sword scabbard still bore a poem gifted by Xu Qian An. Yet, everyone seemed to sense an absence but couldn’t recall who was missing.
Princess Lin An frequently visited the lakeside pavilion, feeling a persistent longing for someone she couldn’t identify. One day, she received a poetry collection filled with brilliant verses. Reading it, she vaguely remembered the poet who had brought joy to her life. She recalled once asking why his gift contained only the first halves of poems, to which he had replied: “Because giving you the whole collection means I can’t stay by your side for long.” Realizing this person had returned, Lin An rushed outside to find him but was too late.
A New Path
Xu Qian An wandered along sunlit paths, observing a reunited Zheng Xinghuai and his family. Life had returned to its simple joys, with only Xu Qian An missing from the picture. He rested under a large tree, dozing off, and was later led to Yunzhou by a mysterious figure.
The figure, clad in black and masked, had appeared many times in Xu Qian An’s memories. He revealed that Xu Qian An bore the fate of the Great Feng dynasty, as the celestial observer sought to elevate the dynasty’s fortune through Xu Qian An. Finally, the masked man unveiled his identity—Xu Qian An’s father, Xu Pingfeng. With a heartfelt declaration, he proclaimed: “The essence of life is simplicity, and the fate of Great Feng has always rested on us.”
