The towering city walls of Luoyang were getting closer and closer. The official road was filled with traffic and pedestrians. There was even a long queue of several miles.
The old woman driving the carriage showed her token to the city guard and immediately allowed the carriage to enter Shendu City.
Rows upon rows of houses, bustling shops, flat and wide streets, and shouts and peddlers rose and fell.
Inside the carriage, Su Xuan sat quietly, occasionally looking out the window at the scenery outside.
As for Wu Yue 'er, she puffed up her cheeks and glared at him fiercely. She gritted her teeth so hard that they were about to shatter, as though she wanted to swallow Su Xuan whole.
"Those who don't know might think that there's some irreconcilable hatred between us.”
he teased.
"Humph."
Wu Yue 'er curled her lips." Don't think that the Shopkeeper Su who killed four Grandmasters at the crossing of the Great River and shattered 3,000 pieces of armor with a single sword strike is actually a coward."”
"Don't slander me. You were the one who asked me to leave.”
Su Xuan wasn't annoyed.
"Coward."
She muttered, lifted the curtain, and looked at the houses that kept retreating outside."This is the first workshop. You have to turn to the heavenly department and pass through seven workshops to reach the imperial city.”
"Let me tell you about the current situation in the court.
The First Prince Wu Wen's mother was from the Hedong Xu family. He had the support of the Hedong family, and the Ministry of Revenue was within his sphere of influence.
The Second Prince Wu Lie, whose birth mother was from a poor family, married the daughter of An Pingdong of the Dazhu Country. The An family was very influential in the military and was in charge of the Ministry of War.
The Third Prince Wu Dan's birth mother, Imperial Consort Ying, was from the Supreme Dao Sect. The current head of the Tongwen Dojo was the Supreme Dao Sect's Tai Wushuang.
The Fourth Prince was a martial artist. His mother was Noble Consort Lian, the daughter of the Lian family in Heshuo. The Lian family was a noble family in the Heshuo area. They controlled the three prefectures and were in charge of the Ministry of Personnel.
The Seventh Prince Wu Zhou, whose mother died early, became the disciple of the current Prime Minister Xin Jianqing. This person was a Celestial Phenomenon Grandmaster and was a fusion of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.
The other four princes are not worth worrying about."
"Xin Jianqing."
Su Xuan stroked his chin." Celestial Cultivation grandmaster. It's interesting to fuse the three religions into one."”
"This person became famous thirty years ago. Within a month, he defeated the three religions and eighteen sects.”
"His cultivation is unfathomable, and he's my greatest enemy."”
"Now that we've talked about their forces, shouldn't we talk about your forces?”
Su Xuan raised his eyebrows.
"Don't you know my power?”
She was surprised." What's there to say, granny? Ah Da, Ah Er, there are two thousand Xiliu Camp outside the city, and now there are five thousand Imperial Army soldiers.”
"And then?"
Two black lines appeared on Su Xuan's forehead.
"That's it."
Wu Yue 'er said matter-of-factly.
"With just this few people, you dare to have any ideas about the throne?”
Su Xuan's lips twitched." Think about it again. For example, does your mother have any power backing her?"”
"No, I haven't."
She shook her head." If I must say, my mother was born in a martial arts school in Qingzhou. A few years ago, I sent people to take a look. Now, the martial arts school is gone.”
"Tsk tsk, then how did Ah Da, Ah Er, and your mother-in-law come about?”
He curled his lips.
"Mother left it for me."
Wu Yue 'er blinked her eyes.
"You're not honest."
Su Xuan sneered.
"Alright then."
The corners of her lips curled up." I still have some power. I can't tell you much for the time being."”
"After you become the emperor, how do you plan to govern the country and pacify the world?”
He changed the topic.
"First destroy the six barbarians, expand the territory, then pacify the Song family, recuperate for ten years, and finally destroy the six countries in Shandong.”
"I'll be the first empress in history then," Wu Yue 'er continued.”
"Ahem."
Su Xuan coughed twice." Don't dream too early. If you want to sit on the throne, you can't leave any of the nine princes alive. You have to eliminate them all. The royal court has to be cleansed too. Only then can you succeed the throne legitimately.
At least two to three years, at most eight to nine years, Wuzhou was quelling the civil strife.”
"Not bad."
Wu Yue 'er smiled and said," You have some knowledge. I wonder if Manager Su is interested in becoming a prime minister under me in the future, just like Xin Jianqing."”
"Not interested."
Su Xuan shook his head.
The carriage passed through the bustling streets and slowly turned into the Heavenly Bureau Road, heading toward the Imperial City. Along the way, they would occasionally encounter patrolling soldiers of the Imperial City.
When the carriage entered a remote street, two arrows suddenly shot through the air. One was aimed at the horse pulling the carriage, and the other was aimed at the old woman driving the carriage.
"Bang!"
The old woman waved her walking stick and deflected the two arrows. However, at this moment, dozens of arrows suddenly shot out from the roofs on both sides of the carriage and aimed at the carriage.
"Whoosh!"
A dense rain of arrows shot through the air. The two arrows from before were just a feint to attract the old woman's attention.
The crossbow bolts fired by the crossbow were powerful and could penetrate standard armor within twenty steps.
Within ten steps, even a large shield could be pierced through. The roofs on both sides were within twenty steps of the carriage.
If it hit a human body, half of the arrow would not even enter the human body.
Su Xuan raised his brows. Just as he was about to move, he was pressed down by a fair palm.
"Don't attack."
Wu Yue 'er said.
As expected, the old woman's body movement was like a ghost. She tapped on the carriage's board and leaped into the air. She appeared on the roof of the carriage. She swung her iron crutch and swept it with surging true energy, repelling the incoming arrows.
The old woman's technique was exquisite. She used a clever force to hit back the crossbow bolts. In the blink of an eye, seven or eight black-clothed masked killers were pierced through and fell down.
He jumped and took two steps forward. A scream was heard. A moment later, more than twenty corpses were lying on the street.
"Miss, we were a step too late and didn't manage to leave anyone alive.”
"But judging from the weapons, they should be border guards," the old woman whispered beside the carriage.”
"Border troops?"
"It shouldn't be someone sent by the martial arts. Otherwise, it wouldn't have left such an obvious flaw." Wu Yue 'er shook her head.”
"Enter the palace first."
The carriage continued forward, and soon, the Imperial City Guards arrived.
The princess was attacked, and it was in an area close to the Imperial City. It was already under the jurisdiction of the Imperial City Department.
If such a thing happened, the patrolling soldiers would be severely punished.
The Imperial City Division governed the entire Shen 'du except for the Imperial Palace. It was responsible for guarding the city gates and arresting bandits.
The Imperial City was under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Army. The Imperial Army was directly under the Emperor, and the Imperial City Division was one of the three divisions in front of the palace.
Although it was also under the direct jurisdiction of the emperor, most of the time, it was under the command of the Ministry of War.
"It's easy to dodge an open spear, but difficult to defend against an arrow in the dark."
Wu Yue 'er chuckled." This is the imperial court. If you don't have some tricks up your sleeve, you won't even know how you died."”
"Greetings, Princess."
The Imperial Army soldiers guarding the gates of the palace knelt down on one knee before her carriage. The palace gates opened, and Wu Yue 'er brought Su Xuan into Wuzhou's palace so brazenly.
"Rumble! Rumble!"
"Rumble! Rumble!"
In the thick layer of clouds, purple lightning bolts roared and let out deafening roars.
The vast Shen 'du, the majestic city, stood tall under the dark clouds, shrouded in a hazy mist that swirled and rolled.
The carriage stopped in front of Daxing Palace. This was the emperor's sleeping quarters and was guarded by the Imperial Army. In the palace, Su Xuan could even sense several powerful auras that were faintly discernible.
"There are crouching tigers and hidden dragons in the imperial palace."
He muttered to himself and got down from the carriage first. Only then did Wu Yue 'er step on a stool and get down.
"Princess."
Liang Jiao, the commander of the Imperial Army, was the second best swordsman in the Zhou Dynasty. He had once split a river a thousand feet long with a single slash and had only lost three times in his life.
Liang Jiao was clad in black armor and had a three-foot-long saber strapped to his waist. He cupped his fists and bowed, his gaze lingering on Su Xuan for a moment.
However, his appearance was very different from his original appearance. With Su Xuan's control over his body, it was not difficult for him to change his appearance.
As such, Liang Jiao didn't recognize that this 18-year-old youth was Su Xuan, who had broken through 3,000 armor at the crossing of the Great River two months ago.
"Princess, the imperial palace is of great importance.”
Liang Jiao asked.
Su Xuan cupped his fists and smiled." I'm Ye Gucheng, a nameless itinerant cultivator. I've just joined the princess's tutelage, so I don't look familiar.”
"Nameless rogue cultivator."
Liang Jiao muttered to himself. After sensing the Vajra Realm cultivation in Su Xuan's body, he shivered slightly and decided to investigate this person's background when he returned.
"The person this princess brought in is naturally trustworthy.”
Wu Yue 'er said calmly," It's currently a troubled time. Undercurrents are surging inside and outside the Imperial City. It's dangerous. I believe that Commander Liang should be aware of it even without me saying it.
Ah Da and Ah Er will stay in the Imperial City to guard the Imperial House. Mr. Ye is now my personal guard.
Perhaps Commander Liang didn't know that just now, I was attacked by dozens of assassins.”
"There is actually such a thing, daring to assassinate the princess in broad daylight.”
Liang Jiao's expression was solemn.
"Would Bengong lie to you?"
Her expression turned cold." I don't trust the people of the Imperial City Department in this matter. Commander Liang, go and handle it. You must catch the mastermind behind this."”
"Yes!"
Liang Jiao retreated to the side, feeling helpless. These things had already exceeded the scope of his full responsibility.
At this time, there was no need to think about why he wanted to assassinate the princess.
Imperial Army Tiger Tally
"Mr. Ye, wait outside the door. I'll go in and see my father.”
Wu Yue 'er removed the sword from her waist and handed it to Su Xuan. Following which, she entered Daxing Palace under the guidance of the chamberlain.
"I've long heard of Commander Liang's fame.”
" I wonder when I'll be lucky enough to witness the commander's exquisite saber techniques." Su Xuan smiled.”
"Beep. Congratulations to the host for selecting the target Liang Jiao and activating the skill Cloud Probing Hand. Stealing failed, 3,500 martial arts points will be deducted.”
3,500 martial arts points were enough to show the strength of the second best saber technique in Great Zhou.
"Beep. Congratulations to the host for choosing Liang Jiao as the target. Activating the skill Cloud Probing Hand, stealing 50% of the Sword Dao talent. 3,500 martial arts points will be deducted.”
"Beep. Congratulations, host. You have selected your target, Liang Jiao. You have activated the skill Cloud Probing Hand and stolen the Wave Breaking Saber Technique. 3,500 martial arts points have been deducted.”
"Beep. Congratulations to the host for choosing a target, Liang Jiao. Activating the skill Cloud Probing Hand, stealing ten years of saber art comprehension. 3,500 martial arts points will be deducted.”
Ten years of saber art comprehension was a rare treasure, especially from a Profound Finger Sect master.
Looking at Su Xuan's grin, Flood Dragon Liang felt a chill run down his spine.
At this moment, a servant walked out of Daxing Palace."Your Majesty invites Commander Liang into the hall."
After a while, Liang Jiao came out of the hall with a straight face and left quickly.
Su Xuan stood in front of the railing outside the hall and looked down at the entire Shendu City. All the pavilions and pavilions were shrouded in a haze.
"Rumble! Rumble!"
"Rumble! Rumble!"
The lightning was getting more and more violent. One could vaguely see gray lines coming from the end of the distance, swallowing everything.
"Swoosh!"
"Swoosh!"
The curtain of rain connected the sky and the earth. In the blink of an eye, it drowned Shen 'du and covered the Imperial City. The torrential rain poured down.
Under this curtain of rain, there was no telling how much darkness and slaughter was hidden. The most ruthless imperial family, the father and son were heartless, and the brothers killed each other. Since ancient times, there had been as many as the hair on an ox.
Born in the imperial family, the heavens gave you wealth, but you didn't have the right to choose. If you didn't kill others, others would come to kill you.
If one did not fight for it, others would fight for it.
"Who are you? How dare you stay in the Imperial House?"
The sudden stern voice pulled Su Xuan back from his daydream. He turned around and saw a eunuch dressed in a servant's uniform glaring at him.
"Men."
The eunuch looked around but did not see any Imperial Army soldiers. The eunuch's face turned red as he pointed at the soldiers and cursed,""Don't you want your heads anymore? I want you to take him away.”
"Eunuch Li, this Mister Ye is the princess 'personal guard.”
An Imperial Army soldier whispered.
"Without His Majesty's permission, who would dare to bring an outsider into the palace, not even the princess.”
Eunuch Li's expression was extremely ugly.
"Eunuch Li, you're meddling too much.”
Wu Yue 'er walked out of Daxing Palace, not giving the old eunuch any face.""Imperial Father has already given special permission. Is Eunuch Li targeting bengong or questioning Imperial Father?”
With just one sentence, the old eunuch was given two big hats, scaring him so much that his limbs trembled. He hurriedly explained,"This old servant doesn't dare. This old servant is only worried that outsiders will enter the palace and disturb His Majesty's rest.”
"It's good that you don't dare."
Wu Yue 'er snorted coldly and brought Su Xuan onto the carriage. They left Daxing Palace. The heavy rain made the carriage slow, and rainwater dripped down from the roof.
"How's the situation?"
he said.
"Difficult."
She shook her head." I'm afraid it'll be in the next two days. Let's just sit tight and wait and see."”
With 5,000 Imperial Army soldiers guarding the Imperial City, it was equivalent to imprisoning the old Emperor. When the other nine Princes were determined, Wu Yue 'er would step forward and be the oriole.
As for the imperial edict, no matter what was written on it, it would only be her name in the end.
She had to first endure and then be ruthless. She didn't have a chance to do it again.
If she couldn't settle the situation in one fell swoop, then what awaited Wu Yue 'er would be eternal damnation.
"These few days, we will be staying at the Askheart Pavilion. The palace there was abandoned a long time ago. Later, my father gave it to me.”
With 5,000 imperial guards in her hands and the Imperial Palace under her control, she was already in an invincible position.
rain is still falling
The carriage stopped in front of the Askheart Pavilion. The courtyard was wide, with mountains, rivers, and ponds. It was obvious that someone had cleaned it up often.
Wu Yue 'er stayed in the main room while Su Xuan stayed in the room next door. After lunch, he returned to his room to cultivate.
He sat cross-legged and breathed in his zhenqi. He cultivated the eighth level of the Wedding Dress Technique. When he reached perfection, he would be able to deduce the ninth level of the mental cultivation technique.
He split some of his attention to deduce the third move of the Tyrant Sword Art in his mind, while the majority of his attention entered his sea of consciousness and opened the system space.
"Beep. Congratulations to the host for fusing with the ten years of saber art comprehension of Profound Finger Master.”
"Beep. Congratulations to the host for fusing the Wave Breaking Saber Technique."
The cards shattered one by one, turning into specks of starlight that entered his body. After absorbing Liang Jiao's ten years of comprehension, his saber technique realm was improving at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The rain became heavier and heavier, covering the vast night sky. The rain curtain stretched into lines, covering the sky and the earth. There was not even a bit of starlight. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Occasionally, lightning would tear through the night sky, making the ancient imperial palace even more majestic.
An uninvited guest stepped through the rain and arrived at the Askheart Pavilion.
The old woman knocked on the door.”
Wu Yue 'er walked out of the room in a plain white dress and said softly,""Where is it?"
"Wait in the main hall."
She came to the main hall and saw a man wrapped in a black robe with his back facing her.
"Seventh brother, why have you come to visit on a rainy night?”
Wu Yue 'er had a sweet smile on her face, like a little girl next door, full of playfulness and liveliness.
"Sister Yue, it's really not easy to see you.”
Seventh Prince Wu Zhou turned around, revealing a face that was as sharp as a knife.
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