Chapter 126: The Reform Faction Emerges, United Against the Oppression of the Old Powers

"Who's there!" Lin Shiya let out a sharp cry, her gaze instantly turning piercing.

The group fell silent at once, a tense atmosphere spreading among them. Through a gap in the wooden planks, a shadow flickered past, skittish as a startled bird. Lin Shiya dashed to the door in a single stride and flung it open, but the area outside was empty. Only a few withered leaves, caught by the wind, swirled across the clearing.

"A false alarm," Master Fang said, stepping up to Lin Shiya to offer a gentle word of comfort.

Lin Shiya did not reply. Her brows were tightly knit, her eyes scanning the surroundings with sharp intensity. She felt, deep down, that things were not so simple.

In the days that followed, Lin Shiya became even busier. For the sake of the grand reform, she traveled everywhere, reaching out to more like-minded individuals. Her hurried footsteps left marks in every street and alley of the capital. During the dead of night, she would trim the lamp to study tax reform proposals, often catching only a brief nap before dawn. Fatigue eroded her body, yet the light in her eyes grew brighter—it was a light of hope, a light of conviction.

Meanwhile, Strategist Yuan was not idle. Well aware of the threat the reformists posed to the old guard, he pulled out all the stops to divide and win over their members. He spread rumors, sowed discord, and even used wealth and power to entice those with wavering wills. His methods were insidious and ruthless, making them impossible to guard against.

Some who had initially been active participants in the reform began to falter. They whispered among themselves, their words filled with hesitation and unease.

"Can this reform really succeed?" someone asked in a low voice.

"What if we fail? Wouldn't we be..." Another person's voice carried a hint of terror.

Scholar Hong sought out Lin Shiya, his face pale and his lips trembling. "My Lady, I... I have heard..."

Master Fang also sensed something amiss. He walked to Lin Shiya’s side and said in a low voice, "Lady Lin, something is not right lately." Lin Shiya nodded, her gaze fixed on the distance, where several officials who had originally joined the reformists were huddled together, looking furtive and seemingly plotting something.

"I know," Lin Shiya’s voice was low and firm. "What must come, will come." She turned to look at Master Fang.

Lin Shiya led Master Fang to a secluded teahouse, one of their secret meeting spots. The teahouse was furnished in a simple, antique style, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of tea. After they were seated, Lin Shiya went straight to the point: "Master Fang, what do you think those wavering people are truly afraid of?"

Master Fang pondered for a moment before speaking slowly: "Failure, the unknown, and the fear of a counterattack from the old forces. They fear the reform will fail, they fear being imprisoned, and they fear for the safety of their families."

Lin Shiya nodded. It was not that they did not want reform; they simply needed someone to point the way and provide them with confidence and support. She stood up, her gaze like a torch. "Let us go. We shall meet with them."

The two first found Scholar Hong, who was sitting alone in a corner, looking dejected, the teacup in his hand trembling slightly. Lin Shiya walked up to him, her tone calm and steady: "Scholar Hong, do you regret joining the reformists?"

Scholar Hong looked up abruptly, his eyes full of struggle. "I... I am just worried..."

Lin Shiya cut him off: "Worried about failure? Worried about the retaliation of the old forces? I know all of this. But I must tell you, the path of reform is never smooth. If you retreat because of fear, how can you succeed? Everything we do is for the sake of the people under heaven, for the masses. Would you abandon this great cause for your own safety?"

Hearing this, Scholar Hong shuddered, and a luster began to return to his eyes.

Lin Shiya then went to the other wavering members. Her tone was gentle yet every word was resonant—like a spring breeze melting snow, or the ringing of gold and stone—breaking through the doubts in their hearts one by one. She spoke of the significance of the reform, painted a blueprint for the future, and analyzed the weaknesses of the old guard, reigniting their hope.

In the end, all those who had wavered gathered once more, their faces radiating a renewed, firm light. A sense of unity and progress filled the air.

However, the counterattack of the old forces did not cease. Seeing that his strategy of division had failed, Strategist Yuan began spreading even more vicious rumors to slander the reformists. Rumors ran rampant in the streets. "Lin Shiya is a demoness sent to overthrow the court!" "The reformists are a bunch of rebels plotting to bring chaos to the world!" These rumors were everywhere, like an invisible net covering the entire capital.

In the teahouse, Lin Shiya and Master Fang sat opposite each other in a heavy atmosphere. The clamor outside filtered into their ears like thorns piercing their hearts. Master Fang knit his brows, worried. "Lady Lin, these rumors are intensifying, and the people are beginning to waver. If this continues, I fear..."

Lin Shiya tapped the tabletop, making a crisp sound. Her gaze was deep, her tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable firmness: "The fire of public opinion has been lit; we must fight back." She paused and said slowly, "Master Fang, tomorrow, we shall enter the palace together."

Lin Shiya took a deep breath, a sharp light flashing in her eyes. She stood up and pushed open the wooden door of the teahouse. The biting cold wind, carrying the roar of the streets, rushed toward her, blowing the stray hair on her forehead slightly upward. She did not retreat; instead, she stood even straighter. She would make sure everyone heard her voice.

The next day, outside the imperial city, countless people gathered to watch. Lin Shiya and Master Fang stood side by side, with Scholar Hong and other reformist members behind them. They were solemn and resolute, like unsheathed swords pointed directly at the hidden conspiracy.

Among the crowd, discussion was rampant, the noisy voices rising like a tide. Lin Shiya scanned the surroundings, her clear voice ringing out like a bell: "Everyone, rumors have been rampant in the capital recently, slandering the reformists and defaming us. Today, I, Lin Shiya, am here to clarify the facts!" She paused, her gaze like a torch. "The claims of a demoness sent to overthrow the court are all utter nonsense. What I, Lin Shiya, seek is peace for the world and well-being for the people!"

As her voice fell, the reformist members distributed prepared documents to the onlookers. The documents detailed the reform proposals, including tax adjustments, the selection of officials, and policies to support vulnerable groups. Every item addressed current abuses, and every clause was filled with concern for the people.

The people read carefully, their initial confusion gradually replaced by understanding and emotion. The discussion subsided into whispers filled with anticipation for the reform.

Someone in the crowd shouted: "Lady Lin, is all of this true? Can you really do it?"

Lin Shiya’s expression was steady. She raised her voice again, speaking with conviction: "I, Lin Shiya, stake my head on it! We will see this reform through to the end! Everything I do is to ensure that the people of this world can live a stable and prosperous life!" She swept her gaze over everyone, her words striking like iron. "We are not rebels; we act to change this decaying court and allow the Great Yan Dynasty to bloom with new vitality."

A thunderous round of applause erupted from the crowd, wave after wave, louder and louder. Those who had been misled by rumors were now completely moved by Lin Shiya's sincerity and determination. The prestige of the reformists reached its peak at that moment.

The sunlight spilled down, plating Lin Shiya in a dazzling luster. Master Fang looked at her, his eyes full of admiration. In that moment, he felt she was radiant and untouchable. They stood side by side, their fingers brushing accidentally before quickly pulling away. A faint, imperceptible blush appeared on both their cheeks, and a strange current flowed between them, the air thick with a subtle, intimate atmosphere.

By evening, the setting sun had dyed the horizon a deep orange. Lin Shiya and Master Fang sat in the study, with various documents scattered across the table. Lin Shiya rubbed her brow, fatigue showing on her face.

Master Fang handed her a cup of hot tea and said gently, "Lady Lin, you have worked hard."

Lin Shiya took the cup, her fingertips accidentally touching the back of Master Fang’s hand. She quickly retracted her hand, blushing, and whispered, "Master Fang, you have worked hard as well."

Master Fang looked at her, the gentleness in his eyes nearly overflowing. "It is my honor to strive for the future of the Great Yan Dynasty alongside you."

Lin Shiya looked up, meeting his gaze. She was about to say something when a frantic knocking came from the door. "My Lady, it is terrible!" Scholar Hong’s voice carried a hint of panic.

Lin Shiya and Master Fang exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion and a trace of unease in the other’s eyes.

Outside the door, Scholar Hong rushed in, his face anxious, his breathing ragged. "My Lady, the public granary in the outskirts of the capital has been set on fire! Most of the grain has been destroyed!"

Hearing this, the teacup in Lin Shiya’s hand jolted, the crisp sound of impact piercingly loud in the quiet study. She rose abruptly, and Master Fang’s expression darkened, the warmth in his eyes replaced by worry and indignation.

"The public granary?!" Master Fang asked in disbelief. "How could this be?"

Lin Shiya’s gaze was like a torch, her tone calm but carrying an unquestionable authority: "It seems the old forces have begun their counterattack. Seeing that their attempts at division failed, they now seek to shake our foundations."

She turned to Scholar Hong and said in a deep voice: "Notify everyone immediately to assemble in the conference hall. Furthermore, send people to the scene to investigate. We must find the arsonist and uncover the truth."

Night fell, and moonlight spilled through the latticed windows into the conference hall, casting mottled shadows on the floor. Lin Shiya sat at the head of the table, her posture upright and her gaze sharp as she scanned those present. They exuded a vibrant spirit, like the rising sun, radiating a dazzling light.

"Everyone," Lin Shiya’s voice echoed in the spacious hall, every word powerful and resonant, "Today, the old forces have provoked us. They burned the granary, hoping to shake us. Do they think this will make us retreat? Do they think we will abandon our grand plan for reform?"

"Never!" the group shouted in unison, their voices loud and deafening, their eyes filled with determination and fury.

"Very good!" Lin Shiya nodded with satisfaction. She stood up and walked toward them, her gaze firm and full of strength. "Everything we do is to ensure the people lead good lives and to change this corrupt court. The road of reform is destined to be full of hardships, but we will never retreat. We will not only bring the arsonist to justice, but we will also show everyone the resolve and strength of the reformists!"

She raised her arm high and shouted: "For the people! For Great Yan!"

"For the people! For Great Yan!" the group chanted together, their morale soaring, the sound wave after wave as if to break through the roof and reach the clouds.

Lin Shiya looked at the young, vibrant faces before her, a surge of heroic ambition rising in her heart. She knew the road of reform was long and that future challenges would only be more severe. But she also understood that as long as they remained united and firm in their faith, they could overcome all difficulties.

She took a deep breath and said slowly: "I need someone to help me with a task..." Her gaze fell upon Master Fang, carrying a profound meaning.

Master Fang’s brows furrowed slightly; he seemed to sense the hidden intention in Lin Shiya’s gaze. He stood up, about to ask, when he heard Lin Shiya’s meaningful voice: "Master Fang, come with me."