《Puppet Emperor, the Empress Wields All Power and Calls a Deer a Horse》


 Chapter 1 - Ascending to the Throne as Emperor! System Activation!

    Chapter 1 Ascending to the Throne as Emperor! System Activation! The Great Zhou Dynasty


    At the break of dawn, a deafening and solemn bell rang from deep within the imperial palace, reverberating throughout the capital. In that instant, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty was shaken, and the expressions of civil and military officials were filled with shock and dread.


    The mighty bell sounded again and again, echoing through the entire imperial city.


    The bell sounded nine times ¡ª the emperor had passed away. The empire was thrown into chaos, and the nation was plunged into mourning.


    ¡°By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, Gu Qiangu have looked upon the annals of history. Since my ascension a hundred years ago, I have ruled with diligence and dedication. Now, as my time has come to an end, I pass the throne to the Ninth Prince, Gu Changsheng. May he be a wise and just ruler, frugal and kind to the people. This is my decree!¡±


    With this decree, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty was thrown into turmoil.


    Everyone in the court knew of the emperor¡¯s nine sons, all of them prodigies, extraordinary talents of their time. However, the Ninth Prince, Gu Changsheng, was born with a crippled body and had been regarded as a failure ¡ª unable to cultivate and progress in martial arts. Eighteen years had passed, and Gu Changsheng had barely entered the innate realm, only just stepping onto the path of cultivation.


    No one had expected the late emperor, upon his death, to decree that the throne be passed to the crippled Ninth Prince, Gu Changsheng. The court and the entire dynasty were left in shock. It was certain that turbulent times lay ahead for the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    ¡­


    At the same time, the scene shifted.


    In the grand, luxurious palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, inside a magnificently ornate and comfortable bedchamber, Gu Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, his face full of confusion. He looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings, his head spinning, and muttered, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Did I travel through time after waking up?¡±


    Suddenly, memories began flooding into his mind.


    Gu Changsheng furrowed his brows as he absorbed the memories belonging to this body. He quickly understood his situation ¡ª he had transmigrated into a mystical world and become the Ninth Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Gu Changsheng. The former emperor, Gu Qiangu, had passed away, leaving behind a decree naming him the new emperor. Soon, he would ascend the throne, ruling over the vast lands of the Great Zhou Dynasty with immense power.


    Ordinarily, starting off as the emperor of a mighty dynasty, with a harem of three thousand beauties and unrivaled authority, would be an immediate rise to power. However, after fully absorbing the memories, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression became cloudy.


    The names of familiar characters popped into his mind: Emperor Gu Qiangu, Empress Lin Yaoji, Eldest Prince Gu Chengdao, Second Prince Gu Wuqing¡­


    ¡°Are you kidding me? These people are characters from the novel ¡®Sovereign of the Divine Dao¡¯!¡±


    ¡°Not only have I transmigrated, but I¡¯ve transmigrated into a fantasy novel!¡± Gu Changsheng¡¯s face froze, and he couldn¡¯t help but curse out loud.


    From the memories, he was certain that he had transmigrated into the world of a novel he had once read. According to the novel¡¯s plot, this world was called Shen Zhou, home to countless races, with numerous dynasties, sacred lands, and sects. The Great Zhou Dynasty was one of the four great dynasties, supported by a saint-level expert and boasting vast territories and countless powerful warriors. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The former emperor, Gu Qiangu, was a figure of unfathomable strength, having reached the peak of the Semi-Saint level. A semi-saint at the pinnacle of power was a supreme existence, feared and respected across Shen Zhou.


    However, due to his eagerness to break through to the Saint level and failing in his attempt, Gu Qiangu was gravely injured by a backlash, leading to his supposed death. He left behind a decree, passing the throne to his Ninth Prince.


    To the outside world, both the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the many powers of Shen Zhou believed that Gu Qiangu had succumbed to his injuries. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have issued a decree to pass on the throne.


    But Gu Changsheng, familiar with the plot, knew the truth. He was fully aware that Gu Qiangu had only faked his death. In a few years, he would break through to the Saint level and emerge once more to take back control of the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    The reason Gu Qiangu passed the throne to the Ninth Prince was part of a larger scheme. Among the emperor¡¯s nine sons, Gu Changsheng was the only one who was considered a waste, unable to cultivate, while the other princes all possessed divine or saintly bodies, each an unparalleled genius. If any of them were to inherit the throne, their cultivation would be greatly boosted by the dynasty¡¯s fortune, reaching unimaginable heights within a few years.


    In such a scenario, when Gu Qiangu returned, reclaiming the throne would be far more difficult, as his sons would have grown too powerful. This was not in Gu Qiangu¡¯s best interest.


    Therefore, Gu Changsheng, the crippled Ninth Prince, was the perfect pawn ¡ª an emperor who posed no threat to his father¡¯s eventual return.


    Following the plot of the novel, the original Gu Changsheng successfully ascended the throne and became the new emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    Arrogant and ambitious, he sought to expand and strengthen the empire. But little did the new emperor know that shortly after the former emperor¡¯s ¡°death¡±¡­


    The entire imperial court was immediately seized by the Empress Dowager, who held overwhelming power and had complete control. Although Gu Changsheng was now the official emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he had no real authority, as the Empress Dowager had completely sidelined him, manipulating him as a mere puppet.


    The other princes, seeing the situation, distanced themselves from the imperial capital and retreated to their fiefdoms, where they quietly built their power. Gu Changsheng, who knew the storyline, was well aware that the Empress Dowager Lin Yaoji was actually a demon queen from the demonic sect. She was ruthless, cruel, and wouldn¡¯t hesitate to kill.


    In the original storyline, the new emperor repeatedly tried to take back power but was no match for the Empress Dowager, who was a demonic sect master.


    If it weren¡¯t for the ancient rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which forbade women from becoming emperors under penalty of death by the empire¡¯s united forces, the Empress Dowager would have already declared herself ruler and eliminated him.


    Though his life wasn¡¯t immediately threatened, he had become the most powerless emperor in the dynasty¡¯s history, entirely under the control of the Empress Dowager.


    Years later, when the former emperor, Gu Qiangu, broke through to the Saint level and returned, he eliminated the Empress Dowager and reclaimed power, gradually stabilizing the empire.


    The new emperor thought his good days had come, but instead, Gu Qiangu issued a decree exiling him to a distant fiefdom. The original Gu Changsheng agreed to the decree, but he was assassinated on the way to the fief, dying young.


    Gu Changsheng knew this was all orchestrated by the former emperor, and all the court officials tacitly understood the situation. This marked the end of his role in the story.


    From that point onward, the ¡°child of destiny¡± appeared¡ªZhao Hao, the crown prince of the Great Li Dynasty. He rose rapidly, swept across the land of Shen Zhou, unified the realm, and became the sovereign of Shen Zhou. Even the other prodigious princes of the Great Zhou Dynasty became stepping stones for Zhao Hao¡¯s rise.


    However, Zhao Hao¡¯s meteoric rise and victories over countless enemies were all tied to a hidden boss in Shen Zhou. According to the original plot, shortly after Gu Changsheng ascended to the throne, the Crown Prince of the Great Li Dynasty, Zhao Hao, would marry the Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, forming an alliance between the two dynasties.


    This marriage was seen as a major boon for the Great Zhou Dynasty. By giving away a princess, they could secure an alliance with the powerful Great Li Dynasty.


    Despite Gu Changsheng¡¯s strong opposition, the Empress Dowager had all the power, and he had no choice but to reluctantly agree to the marriage.


    But what Gu Changsheng didn¡¯t expect was that the true identity of the Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty was the reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress, the Empress of Shen Zhou from ten thousand years ago. Once she awakened her past memories, she would help Zhao Hao, ensuring his rise to dominance.


    What followed was straightforward: with the help of the Red Lotus Empress, Zhao Hao would sweep across Shen Zhou, unify the realm, and establish the Great Li Divine Dynasty, becoming the ruler of Shen Zhou.


    Eventually, Zhao Hao would reach the cultivation level of Great Emperor, leading the countless cultivators of Shen Zhou into ascension to the divine realm.


    At this point, the plot of the fantasy novel came to an end.


    After carefully reviewing the plot, Gu Changsheng couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated. Even though he had started as the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it didn¡¯t bring him any joy.


    Although he knew the plot and could plan ahead, this was a world of fantasy, where the strong could pluck stars and seize moons with ease. All schemes and tricks were useless in the face of overwhelming power.


    Thinking about this, Gu Changsheng wasn¡¯t sure what to do.


    The original Gu Changsheng¡¯s mother had died in childbirth, leaving him without any strong backing. He had been raised by eunuchs and palace maids, without any powerful supporters. Compared to the other princes, his life hadn¡¯t been good, but at least he didn¡¯t lack food or clothing.


    Now, as he was about to ascend the throne, with no strong warriors or forces under his command, how could he contend with the Empress Dowager or his father, who had faked his death and would soon break through to become a Saint?


    Suddenly, Gu Changsheng thought of something, and a flash of excitement appeared in his eyes.


    The biggest hidden boss in Shen Zhou, the Red Lotus Empress, had yet to awaken her past memories. Currently, her reincarnation was the Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty¡ªhis imperial sister.


    If he could build a strong relationship with the reincarnated Red Lotus Empress, while pretending to cooperate with the Empress Dowager and figure out a way to stop the marriage alliance between the Great Li Dynasty and the Great Zhou Dynasty, then once the Red Lotus Empress awakened her memories, he would have a powerful ally in the hidden boss of the story.


    This might even allow him to change his fate and become a strong cultivator himself.


    [Detected the host¡¯s desire to change the plot!].[Activating the God-level Plot System!].[Congratulations, host! You have successfully bound to the God-level Plot System. By changing the plot, you can obtain various divine abilities, cultivation techniques, treasures, and powerful followers from the system store!].

 Chapter 2 - Novice Gift Pack! Take Off Right Away!

    Chapter 2 Novice Gift Pack! Take Off Right Away!Suddenly, a cold mechanical voice echoed in Gu Changsheng¡¯s mind.


    Gu Changsheng was momentarily stunned but soon recovered, a smile spreading across his face.


    ¡°As expected, internet novels didn¡¯t deceive me. How can a transmigrator be one without a system?¡±


    He quickly asked eagerly inwardly, ¡°System, explain your abilities.¡±


    [This is the God-Level Plot System. When the host changes the original novel¡¯s plot, plot points will be awarded!].[Plot points have two main uses!].[First, the host can directly exchange plot points for various divine skills, treasures, and powerful figures from the system store.].[Second, the host can use plot points to draw randomly from the system store. The more points spent, the richer the rewards will be.].


    As the system explained, Gu Changsheng grasped the system¡¯s purpose.


    Simply put, by changing the plot, he could earn plot points to either exchange or consume 10,000 plot points to draw treasures, skills, or powerful figures from the system store. The exchange was straightforward, while the drawing method relied entirely on luck.


    Feeling relieved that he had options, Gu Changsheng began thinking about his next move. His primary goal was to stabilize his position as the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty and escape the Empress Dowager¡¯s control.


    Achieving this would not be easy or quick. He would need to continuously alter the plot, amassing a large number of plot points to develop his strength.


    While he was planning, a character panel appeared before him:


    [Host: Gu Changsheng].[Age: 18].[Identity: Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty].[Cultivation: Innate Realm].[Plot Points: 0].


    ¡ª


    In this world of fantasy, cultivation was divided into seven realms:


    Innate Realm, Profound Realm, Divine Sea Realm, Life and Death Realm, King Realm, Great Expert Realm, and Saint Realm.


    It was said that above the Saint realm, there were the mythical Emperor-level powerhouses, but for the past 100,000 years, no one in Shen Zhou had reached that level.


    Without an Emperor, Saints reigned supreme.


    For ordinary people, reaching the Innate Realm meant they could dominate the mortal world. But for Gu Changsheng, being the Ninth Prince of the Zhou Dynasty, Innate Realm was as insignificant as an ant. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was rumored that the weakest prince, the Sixth Prince, was already in the King Realm, and the strongest, the First Prince, was on the verge of breaking through to the Great Expert Realm, ranking among the top three prodigies in Shen Zhou.


    That was why Gu Changsheng, in the eyes of the imperial court, was considered a talentless waste.


    If it had been the old Gu Changsheng, he might have panicked and given up. But now, with the system on his side, he had no reason to fear the Empress Dowager or his brothers.


    [Ding! A novice¡¯s gift pack has been detected. Would the host like to open it?].


    Gu Changsheng smiled slightly. He didn¡¯t expect there would be an unexpected surprise.


    He was just worried about not having plot points, drawing treasures, and being strong.


    The free novice gift package was delivered to his door.


    ¡°Open it!¡± he commanded without hesitation.


    [The novice¡¯s gift pack is opening!].[Ding! Congratulations, host, for obtaining the Emperor¡¯s Divine Physique!].[Ding! Congratulations, host, for obtaining the Heavenly Son¡¯s Qi Observation Technique!].[Ding! Congratulations, host, for obtaining a Peak Great Expert Experience Card¡ª10 minutes duration!].[Ding! Congratulations, host, for obtaining 3,000 Royal Shadow Guards!].[Ding! Congratulations, host, for obtaining the Xuanling Pill, can be consumed to break through to Profound Realm without any side effects!].


    ¡­


    Listening to the stream of notifications, Gu Changsheng was filled with excitement. The rewards from the novice¡¯s gift pack were beyond generous!


    A surge of terrifying imperial majesty rose from his body, radiating with overpowering authority and strength. This was the Emperor¡¯s Divine Physique, granting him an invincible aura and a body immune to all techniques.


    Just possessing this divine physique meant he was a natural-born ruler.


    Next, he checked the other rewards. The Heavenly Son¡¯s Qi Observation Technique allowed him to perceive the fate and loyalty of those around him, letting him discern between the loyal and the treacherous at a glance.


    There was also the Peak Great Expert Experience Card, a lifeline for emergencies. The card would grant him the power of a peak Great Expert for 10 minutes, a trump card to be used only at the most critical moment.


    As for the 3,000 Royal Shadow Guards, they were a timely gift. Although he was the emperor, his current power was fragile. But now, with 3,000 Royal Shadow Guards under his command, he finally had a reliable force.


    These elite soldiers were formidable, with even the weakest being in the Divine Sea Realm, and hundreds in the Life and Death Realm. The four commanders¡ªQinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu¡ªwere at the peak of the Marquis Realm.


    This newfound power gave him the confidence to face the Empress Dowager.


    Lastly, there was the Xuanling Pill, which could directly elevate his cultivation to the Profound Realm.


    Without any hesitation, Gu Changsheng sat down, consumed the pill, and prepared to break through.


    As the pill melted in his mouth, warmth flooded his body, cleansing his limbs and bones. He closed his eyes, focusing his mind. His robes fluttered as his energy surged, his cultivation rising steadily.


    Breaking through from the Innate Realm to the Profound Realm required condensing true energy into qi cyclones within one¡¯s body, the number of which determined future potential.


    However, when Gu Changsheng looked within, he was shocked to find no cyclones but a vast ocean of true energy swirling into a massive vortex.


    Moments later, his aura skyrocketed, and with a loud crack, he shattered through his limits. He had finally entered the Profound Realm.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the Profound Realm, and I feel hundreds of times stronger,¡± Gu Changsheng murmured, astonished by the sheer power coursing through him.


    Unbeknownst to him, his Emperor¡¯s Divine Physique had granted him far more strength than any ordinary cultivator, making him a unique existence.


    ¡°Your Majesty, it¡¯s time for the morning court. The officials are waiting in the Tai Chi Hall.¡± a hoarse voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts as the palace door slowly creaked open.

 Chapter 3 - The Treacherous Ministers Are Confusing Right and Wrong! Calling a Deer a Horse?

    Chapter 3 The Treacherous Ministers Are Confusing Right and Wrong! Calling a Deer a Horse? An elderly eunuch with a frail, emaciated body and graying hair walked in. His expression was respectful as he slightly bent forward, clasped his hands, and bowed in salute to Gu Changsheng.


    The old eunuch looked at Gu Changsheng, his pupils narrowing slightly as he sensed the overwhelming imperial aura emanating from him. His face was filled with shock, and inwardly, waves of astonishment surged.


    The Ninth Prince seemed to have changed.


    ¡°Chief Steward Xia!¡±


    Gu Changsheng squinted his eyes slightly, staring expressionlessly at the old eunuch before him. A simple character panel floated in front of him.


    [Name: Xia Wudao][Identity: Chief Eunuch][Cultivation Level: King Realm, Seventh Heaven][Loyalty Level: 100]


    His mother had once saved Xia Wudao¡¯s life.


    After her passing, Xia Wudao had become his personal eunuch from a young age, completely loyal to him, with a loyalty level of 100.


    Over the years, Xia Wudao had always remained devoted.


    In the original storyline, Xia Wudao had reached the Seventh Heaven of the King Realm. In the absence of powerful figures, he was considered a strong figure, having intervened multiple times to help Gu Changsheng avert crises.


    But in the end, to protect him, Xia Wudao tragically fell victim to the Empress Dowager¡¯s poison.


    Given such loyalty, Gu Changsheng certainly did not plan to treat his loyal chief eunuch poorly.


    One day, he would help Xia Wudao break through his cultivation level and rise even higher.


    ¡°Rise!¡± S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression softened as he suppressed his inner emotions and spoke calmly.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    As soon as Gu Changsheng¡¯s words fell, the pressure on Xia Wudao¡¯s body immediately lifted. He stood up with a solemn expression, deep in thought.


    As the person closest to Gu Changsheng, Xia Wudao was well aware that, over the years, Gu Changsheng had no talent for cultivation and had always appeared mediocre, never receiving attention from the late Emperor.


    But now, Gu Changsheng, just by his aura, had made Xia Wudao, a King Realm expert, feel a hint of pressure.


    At this thought, a smile appeared on Xia Wudao¡¯s face, filled with relief. Yet, there was a trace of worry in his heart.


    After the late Emperor¡¯s death, the political situation in the Zhou Dynasty had drastically changed, with the Empress Dowager seizing complete control of the court.


    Even though His Majesty might have remarkable strength, he had no powerful supporters or influence under his command, making him no match for the Empress Dowager.


    If His Majesty were to reveal his strength and make the Empress Dowager feel threatened, it could very well put His Majesty¡¯s life in danger.


    ¡°Your Majesty, with the late Emperor gone,¡± Xia Wudao hesitated for a long time before finally speaking up cautiously.


    ¡°The Empress Dowager now controls the court, with immense power in her hands. We have neither powerful allies nor influence. If we wish to reclaim power, we must plan carefully and lie low for now. Otherwise, the consequences could be disastrous¡­¡±


    Despite being shaken by Gu Changsheng¡¯s recent display, Xia Wudao could not bear to see him take risks.


    The Empress Dowager was too powerful, dominating the court.


    Now was not the time to act against her.


    Of course, if Gu Changsheng insisted on opposing the Empress Dowager, Xia Wudao was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect him.


    As if reading Xia Wudao¡¯s mind, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression remained calm. He smiled slightly and said nonchalantly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    Gu Changsheng was no fool. He knew that, with his current resources, he was far from being able to contend with the Empress Dowager.


    At the moment, he only had three thousand Royal Shadow Guards, and the strongest of his four commanders was merely at the peak of the King Realm.


    Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager held absolute power over the court, her influence vast and her subordinates numerous.


    The disparity in strength between them was staggering.


    There was no way he could defeat the Empress Dowager at this point.


    However, the Empress Dowager needed him to legitimize her control over the court, so for the time being, she wouldn¡¯t act against him.


    This period would be his chance to develop.


    As long as he kept altering the plot, accumulating storyline points, and drawing treasures and powerful figures to his side, his strength would grow.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long before he could eliminate the Empress Dowager and secure his position on the throne of Great Zhou Dynasty.


    Seeing the confidence on Gu Changsheng¡¯s face, Xia Wudao felt a sense of relief. The worry on his face gradually faded.


    Perhaps the late Emperor had left His Majesty some hidden trump card to deal with the Empress Dowager.


    That would explain His Majesty¡¯s confidence.


    Gu Changsheng smiled knowingly, as if he had guessed Xia Wudao¡¯s thoughts, but said nothing.


    The late Emperor could indeed serve as a convenient cover for his future actions.


    No matter what forces or experts he revealed later, he could always attribute them to the late Emperor¡¯s arrangements, making the Empress Dowager and the entire court even more wary of him.


    ¡°System, can I hide my cultivation level?¡± Gu Changsheng suddenly remembered something and silently asked in his mind.


    He didn¡¯t intend to reveal his true strength, avoiding unnecessary attention from the Empress Dowager and the court.


    [Ding! The host¡¯s cultivation level has been hidden. No one below the level of an Emperor can see through the host¡¯s true strength!]


    Hearing the system¡¯s prompt in his mind, Gu Changsheng was overjoyed.


    Now, unless he chose to reveal it himself, no one could detect his cultivation level.


    To the outside world, he would still appear to be the Ninth Prince, a worthless failure.


    As he thought about his upcoming ascension to the throne and the confrontation with the Empress Dowager, Gu Changsheng began to recall the storyline in his mind.


    It seemed that soon, there would be a dramatic scene in the court.


    The new emperor would ascend the throne, but the Empress Dowager, with her overwhelming power, would manipulate the emperor like a puppet. Corrupt officials would distort the truth, making false claims and reversing right and wrong.


    The emperor¡¯s authority would be trampled, his dignity lost.


    Thinking of all these events, Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flashed in his gaze as a surge of anger rose within him.


    This time, he wanted to see how things would unfold, now that he knew all of the Empress Dowager¡¯s plots in advance.

 Chapter 4 - The Court Is in a State of Confusion! Empress Dowager Is Plotting!

    Chapter 4 The Court Is in a State of Confusion! Empress Dowager Is Plotting!The grand palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty stood tall, radiating majesty.


    Inside the Tai Ji Hall, the civil and military officials of the court were arrayed in their respective positions, wearing their formal robes according to rank.


    On the gilded, resplendent platform, the Empress Dowager Lin Yaoji sat with a lazy demeanor. Despite her seemingly indifferent posture, her aura remained noble and graceful. She was seated to the left of the vacant Dragon Throne.


    As her eyes briefly flickered toward the empty throne, a subtle heat flashed in her gaze, and her breath quickened for a moment.


    When the late emperor passed away, he left a decree stating that the throne of Great Zhou would pass to the Ninth Prince, Gu Changsheng.


    This unexpected development had left both the Empress Dowager and the entire court in shock. None had anticipated that the late emperor would choose Gu Changsheng, a prince who had long been dismissed as insignificant.


    However, to the Empress Dowager, this was a stroke of great fortune.


    In her eyes, Gu Changsheng was nothing more than a useless prince. Even if he ascended to the throne, he would be a mere puppet, easily manipulated by her, allowing her to maintain full control of the court.


    For Lin Yaoji, the Zhou Dynasty belonged to her, and her alone.


    The officials of the court wore complex expressions. Some looked contemplative, while others appeared troubled.


    Since the death of the previous emperor, the Empress Dowager had consolidated immense power. Her influence was such that many in the court felt compelled to align themselves with her, knowing full well that Gu Changsheng, without any foundation or power, would be no match for her.


    As Lin Yaoji¡¯s cold gaze swept over the officials, a trace of indifference settled on her face. If anyone dared to defy her today, they would soon find out just how ruthless she could be.


    Suddenly, a booming voice resounded through the Tai Ji Hall.


    ¡°His Majesty, the Emperor, arrives!¡±


    The civil and military officials were startled, their faces reflecting various degrees of surprise and disbelief.


    Gu Changsheng, dressed in his imperial dragon robes and adorned with a crown, strode forward with a commanding presence. His steps were steady, and his bearing radiated authority. His expression was solemn and imperious as he approached the Dragon Throne.


    Within moments, Gu Changsheng stood before the throne. With a graceful sweep of his sleeve, he seated himself with regal poise.


    His eyes were cold, his demeanor proud, as his gaze swept across the entire court. A powerful aura of sovereign authority surged from him, enveloping the hall with an overwhelming sense of imperial might.


    The grand hall fell into a deathly silence. Not a sound could be heard.


    The officials, who moments earlier had harbored their own thoughts, now stood frozen in shock. Their gazes were locked on the newly ascended emperor.


    In the entirety of the Zhou Dynasty, everyone knew of the Ninth Prince. Over the span of eighteen years, he had barely achieved the status of an Innate Realm cultivator and was widely regarded as a talentless failure.


    His reputation as the ¡°useless prince¡± had spread across the entire land, becoming a source of ridicule.


    Yet today, as he ascended to the throne, his bearing and authority were entirely out of sync with that reputation.


    If that were the case, then Gu Changsheng¡¯s cunning was beyond terrifying. Such depth of strategy would be chilling.


    The officials¡¯ expressions became even more complicated. They realized that the man before them might not be as simple as they had assumed. Many who had thrown their lot in with the Empress Dowager suddenly began to reconsider their position.


    In the face of such a drastic shift, the atmosphere in the hall became uneasy. Some ministers began to grow visibly anxious.


    Sensing the shift in the court¡¯s mood, Empress Dowager Lin Yaoji¡¯s brow furrowed ever so slightly. Her frosty gaze locked onto Gu Changsheng, a glint of surprise flashing in her eyes.


    His behavior today was unexpected, and more than a few ministers appeared to have been shaken by his presence. However, the Empress Dowager had long prepared for this day.


    Regardless of how the Ninth Prince performed, she had already devised a plan to strip him of power and fully control the court. Once her plan was set in motion, no one in the court would dare stand against her.


    Seated upon the Dragon Throne, Gu Changsheng remained composed. His eyes, like stars piercing through the darkness, scanned the assembly of officials. Beneath his calm demeanor, a quiet fury simmered within him.


    The loyalty of the officials was laid bare before him. Aside from a handful of elderly ministers whose loyalty remained acceptable, a shocking seventy percent of the court held loyalty scores below 60.


    Such a score indicated that these officials had no respect for him as their emperor.


    The power of the Empress Dowager in the court was indeed vast. Seven out of ten officials had chosen to align themselves with her.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s gaze briefly shifted to the Empress Dowager, and an image appeared before his eyes.


    [Name: Lin Yaoji][Identity: Empress Dowager of Great Zhou, Demon Queen of the Demon Sect][Age: 30][Cultivation: Semi-Saint]


    Seeing her true identity revealed, Gu Changsheng was not surprised. After all, he had already known from the original story that she was no ordinary woman.


    In terms of strength, there was no one in the entire Great Zhou who could rival her, aside from the late emperor and the Zhou Dynasty¡¯s saintly ancestor.


    However, Gu Changsheng was not one to act rashly. He had no intention of confronting her head-on, at least not yet. Instead, he planned to unsettle her, to make her realize that he was not as easy to control as she had believed.


    After all, the Empress Dowager still needed him as the legitimate emperor to maintain her grip on power. As long as she believed she could manipulate him, she would not move against him openly.


    Without further hesitation, Gu Changsheng glanced at his loyal eunuch, Xia Wudao, who caught the silent command and nodded respectfully before stepping forward to read the imperial edict of succession.


    ¡°Since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty under the reign of the Emperor Shenwu, countless emperors have ruled, spanning over ten millennia and hundreds of dynasties¡­¡±


    ¡°Now that the previous emperor has passed away, the world is in poverty, the king¡¯s power is not established, the five latitudes are in disorder, and other auspicious signs are seen. Those who speculate on numbers, considering the ancient ways, all think that it is the calendar of heaven!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The ceremony continued, and when the edict was finally read in full, the entire court knelt and chanted in unison, ¡°Long live His Majesty, the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!¡±


    At that moment, Gu Changsheng officially ascended to the throne, becoming the sovereign of the Great Zhou.


    ¡°Rise,¡± Gu Changsheng said, his voice authoritative as it echoed through the hall.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡± the court chorused as they stood, but many of their eyes immediately darted toward the Empress Dowager rather than toward their new emperor.


    This scene did not go unnoticed by the older, more experienced ministers, who sighed in silence. They knew well enough that the young emperor lacked a firm foundation. The officials clearly viewed the Empress Dowager as the true power behind the throne.


    Even those loyal to Gu Changsheng found themselves hesitating, for to defy the Empress Dowager would not only cost them their lives but also endanger their families and clans. Thus, they could only remain neutral, unwilling to risk everything.


    The eunuch Xia Wudao stepped forward once more, his voice loud and clear as he asked, ¡°If there are matters to report, speak now. If not, court is dismissed.¡±


    One official, dressed in his formal robes, stepped forward. His demeanor was haughty as he bowed slightly to Gu Changsheng and spoke in a righteous tone.


    ¡°Your Majesty is still young. Should we not follow the traditions and allow the Empress Dowager to act as regent, ruling on behalf of the Emperor?¡±


    The moment those words were spoken, the expressions of the court officials shifted slightly, though none were surprised. Everyone knew that this was the Empress Dowager¡¯s plan to seize power, and many had already resigned themselves to the outcome.


    Some of the loyal ministers clenched their fists in anger, feeling a deep sense of regret for their emperor. Gu Changsheng had shown great potential today, and if he were allowed to grow and strengthen his position, the future might have unfolded differently.


    But now, with the Empress Dowager¡¯s move, the outcome seemed all but sealed.


    As the tension in the hall mounted, Empress Dowager Lin Yaoji remained impassive, her gaze cold as it settled on Gu Changsheng. To her, he was still just a puppet prince, a mere obstacle to be swept aside. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now, she wanted to see how he would respond to this crisis.

 Chapter 5 - Great Zhou Ancestral Tradition! Taking power!

    Chapter 5 Great Zhou Ancestral Tradition! Taking power!Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression remained indifferent as he observed the scene unfolding in the imperial court. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze finally settled on the middle-aged official who had spoken.


    [Name: Li Yang].[Identity: Minister of Revenue].[Age: 36].[Cultivation: Seventh Tier of King Realm].[Loyalty: 0].


    The middle-aged official, named Li Yang, was the Minister of Revenue, a second-rank official, holding significant power. He was a trusted supporter of the Empress Dowager and a loyal lackey. He had no loyalty to the emperor of the Zhou Dynasty.


    Without the Empress Dowager¡¯s backing, someone like Li Yang, at his age, would have found it hard to reach the position of Minister of Revenue. Relying on the Empress Dowager¡¯s support, he had ruthlessly suppressed loyal officials in the court, eliminating dissent and securing his position.


    Such a treacherous and malicious person needed to be eradicated today. More importantly, the position of Minister of Revenue was too crucial to be left in the hands of the Empress Dowager.


    As Gu Changsheng considered the situation in court, a calculating look flickered across his face. His expression hardened, and he cast a cold glance at Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, before sneering, ¡°Minister of Revenue, were you implying just now that I, being young, am unfit to bear the great responsibility and unworthy of being the Emperor of Zhou?¡±


    ¡°Minister of Revenue, you are truly audacious!¡±


    ¡°Not only are you questioning me, but you are also doubting the late Emperor¡¯s final decree.¡±


    ¡°Minister of Revenue, are you intending to defy the imperial edict?¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s gaze grew icy as he stared intently at Li Yang. A powerful and unprecedented imperial aura slowly emanated from him, sweeping across the entire Tai Ji Hall. His voice deepened.


    At his words, the entire court fell into silence. The civil and military officials were dumbfounded, their expressions revealing shock. They hadn¡¯t expected Gu Changsheng to be so domineering, directly invoking the late Emperor¡¯s decree. With this, who would dare oppose the Emperor?


    Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, felt the overwhelming imperial pressure emanating from Gu Changsheng. His face grew tense, and his breathing became rapid, as though he were suffocating.


    In his eyes, Gu Changsheng had always been a worthless prince at the innate level of cultivation. But now, the imperial aura emanating from Gu Changsheng was so terrifying that it made Li Yang feel a slight pang of fear.


    It was important to note that although he was a civil official, his cultivation was not weak, having reached the seventh tier of the King Realm.


    Among the ranks of the Zhou Dynasty, in the absence of greater powers, he could be considered strong. Yet now, facing Gu Changsheng, he felt an unprecedented pressure, and his body involuntarily trembled slightly.


    Seeing Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, cowering and appearing disheveled under Gu Changsheng¡¯s intimidation, the Empress Dowager frowned with displeasure.


    She had not anticipated Gu Changsheng invoking the late Emperor¡¯s decree to counter Li Yang¡¯s challenge, nor had she expected such imperial authority from someone so young.


    However, the Empress Dowager was not overly concerned. Nearly seventy percent of the officials in the court were loyal to her. Gu Changsheng had no real power or influence, so he couldn¡¯t cause much trouble.


    After a while, Li Yang¡¯s complexion slowly recovered. He looked up at Gu Changsheng, who was seated on the dragon throne, his heart filled with frustration. He, the grand Minister of Revenue, had just been intimidated by the newly ascended ¡°useless¡± emperor, embarrassing himself in front of the entire court.


    After a moment of thought, Li Yang glanced at Gu Changsheng, then made his plan and spoke humbly but firmly:


    ¡°Your Majesty, this old minister is not defying the late Emperor¡¯s decree.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just that Your Majesty is still young and has just ascended the throne. I fear it may be difficult for you to manage state affairs.¡±


    ¡°Thus, I respectfully request that Your Majesty follow proper protocol and allow the Empress Dowager to take charge of state affairs temporarily.¡±


    As soon as these words fell, almost seventy percent of the officials stepped forward from their ranks, bowing slightly toward Gu Changsheng, expressing their support:


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Minister of Revenue speaks wisely.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty is still young and may find it difficult to handle state affairs. We humbly request that Your Majesty follow protocol and allow the Empress Dowager to take charge of state affairs temporarily.¡±


    ¡°We humbly request that Your Majesty follow protocol and allow the Empress Dowager to take charge!¡±


    Seventy percent of the court officials spoke in unison, their voices echoing through the hall. These ministers knew that by doing this, they were fully antagonizing the new emperor.


    However, being loyal to the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction, they were not afraid of future retribution from the emperor.


    The Empress Dowager smiled coldly as she watched the scene, entirely disregarding Gu Changsheng.


    If Gu Changsheng knew his place, things would remain peaceful. If not, there were nine other princes in the Zhou Dynasty. She wouldn¡¯t hesitate to replace him.


    As more and more ministers stood to support the Empress Dowager taking power, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression grew colder. His eyes swept over the court with indifference as he sneered, ¡°You all make a valid point.¡±


    ¡°According to the ancestral teachings of the Zhou Dynasty, when a new emperor is young and under eighteen, the Empress Dowager may take charge of state affairs.¡±


    The officials looked confused by these words, unable to understand why Gu Changsheng¡¯s attitude had suddenly shifted. Just moments ago, he had seemed defiant, and now he was yielding. This unexpected change puzzled the court.


    ¡°But have you all forgotten?¡±


    ¡°I turned eighteen half a month ago.¡±


    ¡°If the Empress Dowager wishes to take charge of state affairs, I¡¯m willing to comply.¡±


    ¡°But, do you ministers know the price of defying the ancestral teachings of the Zhou Dynasty?¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression remained calm and indifferent as his mocking voice echoed through the hall.


    The court officials were stunned, their expressions darkening. There was indeed such a rule in the Zhou Dynasty. Their previous reasoning, that Gu Changsheng was too young and that the Empress Dowager should take charge, was completely invalid.


    If Gu Changsheng had been under eighteen, they might have had ways to deal with him. But in the face of the ancestral teachings, neither the emperor nor the ministers could defy them.


    If the Empress Dowager continued to insist on taking charge, it would be a violation of the ancestral teachings. If that happened, the reclusive Saint Ancestor of the royal family might intervene personally, with unimaginable consequences. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For a moment, the court fell silent, unsure how to respond.


    Seeing the ministers stumped, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face grew dark. She took a deep breath to calm herself, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Gu Changsheng. She hadn¡¯t expected the young emperor to so easily turn the situation to his advantage.


    ¡°Since the new emperor has reached eighteen, I will, of course, not overstep or violate the ancestral teachings of Zhou.¡±


    ¡°From today, the Zhou Dynasty will be ruled by the new emperor, who will handle state affairs.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s voice was cold as it echoed through the hall. She had hoped to manage state affairs legitimately, but she couldn¡¯t defy the ancestral teachings. Her concern wasn¡¯t the teachings themselves but the reclusive Saint Ancestor.


    With the Empress Dowager¡¯s statement, the ministers had no choice but to agree, ceasing their opposition.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression remained mocking, a cold smile playing on his lips.


    Although his power and influence still couldn¡¯t compare to the Empress Dowager¡¯s, this was the first step toward seizing control.


    In the original timeline, he had been toyed with by the Empress Dowager until his death, never gaining true power.


    Seeing the smug look on Gu Changsheng¡¯s face, the Empress Dowager¡¯s expression turned icy, a frosty gleam flashing in her eyes.


    [Ding! The host has ascended to the throne and taken control of state affairs, altering the original plot. Reward: 20,000 Plot Points!].

 Chapter 7 - Power of the Court! Calling a Deer a Horse!

    Chapter 7 Power of the Court! Calling a Deer a Horse!As the voice trailed off.


    For a moment inside the Tai Ji Hall.


    The entire hall fell silent and not a single sound could be heard.


    The civil and military officials in the court were shocked, dumbfounded, and raised their heads to look at Gu Changsheng, who sat calmly on the dragon throne.


    Even the left prime minister, the right prime minister, and the empress dowager couldn¡¯t help but widen their eyes in shock as their pupils slightly contracted, staring fixedly at Gu Changsheng.


    The new emperor had ascended the throne, intending to create the Royal Shadow Guards and make a grand move.


    They naturally understood this.


    But the power of these Royal Shadow Guards was simply too great!


    The emperor¡¯s special authorization allowed them to act first and report later.


    They would monitor the entire realm, gather intelligence, and eliminate all corrupt officials, traitors, demons, and evil cultivators within the Zhou Dynasty.


    This meant that once the Royal Shadow Guards were established, a blade would hang over the heads of the civil and military officials, with the possibility of their heads falling at any moment.


    At that time, it would be the situation where the emperor orders his ministers to die, and they would have no choice but to obey.


    In an instant, all the officials realized this, and their faces showed panic, not knowing what to do.


    ¡°His Majesty¡¯s proposal is quite good. If the Royal Shadow Guards is to be established, I will fully support it.¡±


    At this moment, the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes gleamed with a rare smile as she voiced her approval of Gu Changsheng¡¯s proposal.


    With these words, the court was in an uproar.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s faction among the civil and military officials could no longer sit still.


    Especially the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, whose heart instantly filled with fear upon hearing the Empress Dowager¡¯s words.


    Today, he had completely offended the new emperor in court.


    If the Royal Shadow Guards were established, the emperor would certainly settle the score with him first.


    By then, he feared that he would lose his head.


    The Empress Dowager squinted her eyes, seeing the panicked expressions of the officials, but she did not offer any explanation.


    The Royal Shadow Guards would monitor the realm, with the emperor¡¯s special authorization allowing them to act first and report later.


    They would eliminate all corrupt officials, traitors, demons, and evil cultivators within the Zhou Dynasty, wielding immense power.


    But it all depended on who controlled the Royal Shadow Guards in the end.


    In the Empress Dowager¡¯s view, if Gu Changsheng wanted to establish the Jinyiwei, he would naturally need many powerful figures to join.


    But Gu Changsheng had a shallow foundation, with neither forces nor strong individuals under his command.


    In this case, who would be inserted into the Royal Shadow Guards would be up to her.


    By that time, wouldn¡¯t the Royal Shadow Guards fall into her hands?


    Therefore, the Empress Dowager voiced her support for Gu Changsheng¡¯s creation of the Royal Shadow Guards.


    None of the court officials were fools. At first, they were simply shocked by Gu Changsheng and hadn¡¯t reacted.


    But after seeing the Empress Dowager¡¯s move, these astute ministers quickly realized that things were not as simple as they seemed.


    Royal Shadow Guards


    Seeing the situation in court,


    Xue Wuyan, the Left Prime Minister of the Zhou Dynasty, remained expressionless, taking a deep breath, feeling somewhat helpless.


    He could naturally see that Gu Changsheng¡¯s intention in creating the Royal Shadow Guards was to deal with the Empress Dowager and regain power.


    But in the end, it was too hasty.


    The court was filled with the Empress Dowager¡¯s people.


    The new emperor¡¯s creation of the Royal Shadow Guards was nothing short of giving the Empress Dowager a great gift.


    It seemed, faced with the Empress Dowager, who held supreme power, the new emperor had no chance of winning, destined for failure.


    However, at this moment, Gu Changsheng wasn¡¯t panicked at all. He had long seen through the Empress Dowager¡¯s schemes and found it somewhat amusing.


    He had three thousand Royal Shadow Guards under his command and didn¡¯t need to recruit strong individuals from the Zhou Dynasty.


    In this way, the Empress Dowager¡¯s attempt to interfere with the Royal Shadow Guards was nothing but a foolish dream.


    [Ding! Host has created the Royal Shadow Guards, monitoring the realm and changing the plot, earning 10,000 plot points!]


    At this moment, the system notification sounded.


    Seeing the smile on Gu Changsheng¡¯s face, the Empress Dowager¡¯s expression remained indifferent, but she sneered inwardly.


    Royal Shadow Guards


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s expression turned cold, her eyes faint as she glanced at the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang.


    Seeing the Empress Dowager¡¯s look, Li Yang nodded slightly, immediately understanding something. He stepped forward from the ranks, bowing respectfully to Gu Changsheng on the dragon throne, and said with a respectful expression:


    ¡°Today, Your Majesty has ascended the throne.¡±


    ¡°This old minister has prepared a generous gift to present to Your Majesty.¡±


    Hearing this, the civil and military officials were filled with confusion, looking at Li Yang in astonishment.


    ¡°Oh! I wonder what this generous gift is that the Minister of Revenue speaks of. I¡¯m rather curious.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he feigned curiosity.


    He was familiar with the plot.


    He naturally knew what would happen next.


    In the original plot, a major event would soon take place in court.


    Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, would openly reverse right and wrong, calling a deer a horse.


    The emperor would lose face, being manipulated by the civil and military officials and the Empress Dowager.


    But now, he was ready to use this opportunity to eliminate the Minister of Revenue, so he didn¡¯t mind playing along.


    ¡°Your Majesty, I have gone to great lengths to find a Red Flame Dragon Horse, which contains the bloodline of a True Dragon, from the wilderness.¡±


    ¡°The Red Flame Dragon Horse, even as a young one, possesses the cultivation of a King realm. When fully grown, it is comparable to a mighty expert and can travel a million miles in a day. It is a rare mount in this world.¡±


    ¡°Today, I present this Red Flame Dragon Horse to Your Majesty!¡±


    Li Yang sneered with a meaningful expression.


    As soon as he spoke!


    The civil and military officials couldn¡¯t help but gasp in shock.


    The True Dragon was the most powerful creature in the Shen Zhou. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even a King wouldn¡¯t dare to easily provoke a True Dragon.


    And the Red Flame Dragon Horse, containing a trace of the True Dragon¡¯s bloodline, could compare to a mighty expert when fully grown and travel a million miles in a day, making it an extremely rare and precious beast.


    For Li Yang to offer such a treasure to please the new emperor was truly extravagant.


    But soon, when the so-called Red Flame Dragon Horse appeared in the court,


    The civil and military officials¡¯ faces changed, their eyes wide with shock, unable to recover for a long time.


    The creature before them had antlers on its head, brown fur covered with red plum blossom-like spots.


    Li Yang had audaciously committed the crime of deceiving the emperor.


    ¡°Minister of Revenue, are you certain that this creature is the Red Flame Dragon Horse and not just an ordinary deer?¡±


    Left Prime Minister Xue Wuyan frowned, his gaze cold as he glanced at Li Yang, immediately understanding his intentions.


    He had initially thought that Li Yang was showing goodwill to the emperor.


    But it turned out that his intentions were sinister, aiming to humiliate the emperor in court.


    ¡°With antlers and spots like plum blossoms.¡±


    ¡°Minister of Revenue, this is no Red Flame Dragon Horse with a True Dragon¡¯s bloodline, but clearly an ordinary sika deer. Are you perhaps blind in your old age?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    As the Left Prime Minister spoke, many other officials chimed in.


    But the civil and military officials were no fools and quickly realized that this situation wasn¡¯t as simple as it seemed.


    Sure enough, in the next moment, Li Yang confidently patted his chest and said with conviction:


    ¡°This old minister has gone through great pains to find this Red Flame Dragon Horse from the wilderness. How could it possibly be an ordinary sika deer?¡±


    At this point, the civil and military officials were no fools.


    They quickly realized that a coup was taking place. But the smart ones, like Xue Wuyan, already understood that this matter was not so simple. They were treading on very thin ice!


    Even if some old ministers were angry and want to defend your majesty.


    But due to the Empress Dowager¡¯s power, they dare not stand up to speak for Gu Changsheng.


    Looking at the scene in the court.


    Gu Changsheng had no expression on his face, his face was very calm, without a ripple.


    For what was happening now. He had anticipated this and had come up with a plan.


    However, Gu Changsheng did not immediately launch an attack to eliminate the Minister of Revenue Li Yang.


    He wanted to see if there would be any ministers among the civil and military officials in the court who would stand up and speak for him, or if they were all traitors.


    For a moment there was dead silence in the Tai Ji Hall.

 Chapter 9 - The Royal Shadow Guards of the Great Zhou! The Minister of Revenue is dead!

    Chapter 9 The Royal Shadow Guards of the Great Zhou! The Minister of Revenue is dead!However, the next moment, the faces of the entire court turned astonished, their eyes wide with surprise, suddenly looking outside the hall.


    At that moment, a sound of footsteps echoed outside the Taiji Hall.


    Three men and one woman, wearing phoenix-winged helmets, dressed in flying fish robes, with embroidered spring knives at their waists, entered the great hall with an imposing presence.


    Soon, the three men and one woman arrived at the center of the Taiji Hall, their expressions respectful. They slightly bent their waists and clasped their fists in salute to Gu Changsheng:


    ¡°The four great commanders of the Royal Shadow Guards: Qinglong, Zhuque, Xuanwu, and Baihu, pay their respects to Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°No need for such formalities!¡±


    ¡°Convey my decree: the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor in the court, a crime that is unforgivable.¡±


    ¡°The Royal Shadow Guards shall immediately take down the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang!¡±


    Gu Changsheng spoke coldly, his expression unchanging.


    Watching the scene unfold in the court, Li Yang was utterly panic-stricken and completely at a loss.


    The officials of the court felt even more puzzled, staring at the four Royal Shadow Guards who had appeared out of nowhere.


    The entire court of officials felt a chill run through them.


    The new emperor¡¯s cunning was truly unfathomable; even the Empress Dowager had been outmaneuvered.


    At this moment, the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, turned pale, his body collapsing in the great hall, looking at the Empress Dowager with a pleading gaze.


    He truly did not expect that, in the end, he would become a mere clown, with the new emperor exterminating his entire clan.


    ¡°Cough, cough.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this time, the Empress Dowager could no longer sit still. She lightly coughed, slightly turned her gaze to Gu Changsheng, and admonished:


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, has always been loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty. Such treatment is, in my opinion, inappropriate.¡±


    Although, in her eyes, Li Yang was merely a dispensable pawn, if she didn¡¯t save him, this would undermine her prestige in the court.


    It was highly likely that the officials would start to fawn over her outwardly while opposing her inwardly.


    Most importantly, the position of Minister of Revenue must be firmly in her grasp and could not be taken away by Gu Changsheng.


    Thus, she must save the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang.


    However, as the Empress Dowager pleaded for mercy, the four great commanders of the Royal Shadow Guards completely ignored her, dragging the collapsed Li Yang out of the Taiji Hall.


    Unless Gu Changsheng personally issued an order, they would not stop.


    In their eyes, the Empress Dowager counted for nothing.


    Watching this scene, Empress Dowager frowned deeply, enraged and embarrassed, deliberately emphasizing her tone to threaten:


    ¡°Your Majesty, do you truly wish to proceed like this?¡±


    ¡°Empress Dowager, the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, a crime that is unforgivable.¡±


    ¡°If the Empress Dowager continues to plead for mercy, I shall regard you as an accomplice.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face was contemptuous, disregarding the Empress Dowager¡¯s threat as he coldly spoke:


    Seeing the emperor treat her this way, Empress Dowager¡¯s expression instantly turned to one of rage and embarrassment, wanting to say something.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, save me!¡±


    However, before the Empress Dowager could speak, a tragic scream echoed from outside the Tai Ji Hall, reverberating through the court.


    Hearing that sound, the faces of the entire court changed slightly, realizing that the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, had been executed by the emperor.


    The Empress Dowager cursed inwardly, gritting her teeth.


    She had completely underestimated Gu Changsheng¡¯s audacity.


    She did not expect that Gu Changsheng would directly order the Royal Shadow Guards to execute the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, outside the Tai Ji Hall.


    At this moment!


    After the death of the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, a notification sound from the system echoed in Gu Changsheng¡¯s mind.


    [Ding! The Empress Dowager deceives the emperor, the host resolves the crisis, eliminates the treacherous minister, alters the plot, and gains 20,000 plot points!]


    Gu Changsheng maintained an expressionless face but couldn¡¯t help but smile inside.


    This time, the Royal Shadow Guards under his command caught the Empress Dowager off guard.


    Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have been so easy to remove the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang.


    ¡°Your Majesty, Li Yang is dead. I wonder who among the ministers should take over the position of Minister of Revenue.¡±


    The Empress Dowager forcibly suppressed her inner fury, her expression quickly returning to normal, not lingering on the matter of Li Yang.


    The deceased Li Yang, in her eyes, had lost all value and was of no use anymore.


    Now, her primary goal was to place her own confidant in the position of Minister of Revenue.


    In this way, even if Li Yang was dead, it wouldn¡¯t have much of an impact on her.


    ¡°Li Yang is dead. The position of Minister of Revenue shall be taken over by Deputy Minister of Revenue, Gao Yuan.¡±


    Gu Changsheng smirked coldly, knowing the Empress Dowager¡¯s intentions.


    He didn¡¯t give the Empress Dowager a chance to speak and directly appointed Gao Yuan as Minister of Revenue.


    ¡°Your Majesty, this action is inappropriate.¡±


    ¡°Deputy Minister Gao Yuan is quite advanced in age; he may find it difficult to take on the role of Minister of Revenue.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s expression changed slightly, and she quickly spoke up to dissuade.


    Gao Yuan was a veteran of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the former Minister of Revenue.


    She had previously tried multiple times to win him over, but had no success.


    In the end, she resorted to schemes to frame Gao Yuan, allowing Li Yang to ascend to the position of Minister of Revenue.


    Now, With Li Yang dead, Gao Yuan was reinstated.


    He certainly would not side with her.


    If that¡¯s the case, she would lose control over the Ministry of Revenue, and her authority in the court would plummet.


    ¡°Your Majesty entrusts me with an important task; the old minister will surely dedicate himself wholeheartedly until death.¡±


    Suddenly, at that moment, an elderly voice echoed in the hall.


    The Deputy Minister of Revenue, Gao Yuan, stepped out from the ranks, his expression respectful as he looked at Gu Changsheng, cupping his hands and speaking in a powerful tone.


    Earlier, in the court, he had spoken in support of the new emperor, offending the Empress Dowager, already resigned to his fate.


    But he did not expect that luck would turn in his favor.


    The new emperor, with his deep scheming and strategic planning, had outmaneuvered the Empress Dowager, removing the treacherous Minister of Revenue, Li Yang.


    Gao Yuan understood very well that the new emperor¡¯s actions were to take control of the Ministry of Revenue.


    At this moment, he had to step forward to support His Majesty.


    ¡°Gao Yuan, I have high hopes for you, don¡¯t disappoint me.¡±


    Seeing Gao Yuan step forward, Gu Changsheng smiled, his words laden with meaning.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the old minister will certainly live up to your grace!¡±


    Gao Yuan slightly nodded, affirmatively responding.


    He clearly understood the hidden meaning behind the emperor¡¯s words.


    From now on, Gao Yuan would swear absolute loyalty to the emperor and never betray him.


    Watching Gao Yuan pledge allegiance to Gu Changsheng, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly, her expression displeased.


    If it weren¡¯t for the sudden appearance of the Royal Shadow Guards, which had left her momentarily unable to react, how could the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, have been eliminated by Gu Changsheng?


    Those three men and one woman, claiming to be the commanders of the Royal Shadow Guards, were all at the peak of the King realm, about to step into the Great Expert Realm.


    The Empress Dowager was full of doubt, utterly perplexed.


    Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s heart sank. Her beautiful eyes narrowed as she stared deeply at Gu Changsheng, as if trying to see through him completely.


    Soon, under Gu Changsheng¡¯s imperial decree, Gao Yuan was naturally reinstated to the position of Minister of Revenue for the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    [Ding! The loyalty value of Minister of Revenue Gao Yuan reached 100, altering the plot, and gaining 10,000 plot points!]


    At that moment, the system¡¯s notification sounded.


    Gu Changsheng was very satisfied.


    After the struggle in the court, his plot points had reached a total of 60,000.


    Taking advantage of the Empress Dowager¡¯s weaknesses was indeed gratifying.


    Most importantly, the loyalty value of Minister Gao Yuan had directly reached 100, meaning he had become a loyal supporter.


    With the loss of the Ministry of Revenue, Empress Dowager¡¯s control over the court weakened considerably.


    However, Gu Changsheng did not let this make him overly complacent.


    Knowing the plot well, he understood that the Empress Dowager¡¯s true identity was the Demon Queen, backed by the Demon Sect and possessing countless powerful subordinates.


    The forces he could currently control included only the Royal Shadow Guards and the Minister of Revenue, Gao Yuan.


    This was still not enough to contend with the Empress Dowager.


    Of course, Gu Changsheng believed that it wouldn¡¯t be long before he could eliminate the Empress Dowager and truly take control of the Great Zhou.


    ¡°Dismiss the court!¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s gaze was indifferent as he surveyed the entire court of officials, glancing at the Empress Dowager before standing up, waving his dragon robe, and turning to leave the Tai Ji Hall.


    ¡°We respectfully send off Your Majesty!¡±


    The officials of the court slightly bent their bodies, lowering their heads and shouting loudly.


    Once Gu Changsheng¡¯s figure disappeared, the officials slowly stood up, their expressions still shocked, unable to regain their senses.


    Today in the court, the new emperor¡¯s ascension to the throne could be described as triumphant, with even the Empress Dowager defeated by him.


    For a moment, many ministers had different thoughts, secretly contemplating their futures.


    If there ever comes a day when the new emperor removes the Empress Dowager and seizes power, then they, as ministers, would need to plan ahead.


    However, for now, they did not dare to openly betray the Empress Dowager or openly support Gu Changsheng.


    Therefore, these ministers planned to wait and observe the situation before making any moves.


    The expressions of the court officials were all noted by the Empress Dowager, her demeanor darkening and her expression icy.


    Watching the direction in which Gu Changsheng had left, the Empress Dowager¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze flickering with a chilling light, causing unease and fear.


    For Gu Changsheng to wish to compete with her, he was simply courting death.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10 Extracting the Peak of Great Expert RealmGreat Zhou Dynasty, the majestic imperial palace.


    In the Imperial Study.


    After the morning court session, Gu Changsheng returned to the Imperial Study, completely uninterested in reviewing the memorials on the table. His mind was busy pondering his next plans.


    Just now, in the court, he not only thwarted the Empress Dowager¡¯s schemes but also completely eliminated the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, placing the Ministry of Revenue firmly in his grasp.


    With this, the Empress Dowager would surely grow wary of him, placing even more importance on her actions.


    Fortunately, he had finally taken the first step towards success.


    In the original plot, after ascending to the throne as the new emperor, Li Yang openly reversed black and white in the court, calling a deer a horse. The emperor was merely a puppet, manipulated at will by the Empress Dowager, without any power to resist.


    However, the current situation in the court was completely different.


    With the three thousand Imperial Guards under his command and control of the Ministry of Revenue in his hands, he had finally built a solid foundation for himself.


    Yet, relying solely on this was still insufficient to contend with the Empress Dowager.


    Thinking of this, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression grew serious, and he couldn¡¯t help but sigh internally.


    His enemies were not just the Empress Dowager but also several other princes.


    In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the other princes commanded territories filled with powerful individuals and armies, each one formidable in their own right.


    But he knew he must take things one step at a time.


    His primary objective now was to eliminate the Empress Dowager. As for the other princes, he planned to deal with them later.


    Gu Changsheng cast aside the distractions in his mind and decided to draw his rewards.


    He wanted to see if he could obtain any treasures or powerful allies to reverse the current situation.


    There were two modes for consuming plot points.


    The first mode allowed for the direct exchange of plot points for powerful beings, supernatural powers, and treasures from the system¡¯s shop.


    The second mode allowed for drawing random powerful beings, supernatural powers, and treasures from the system¡¯s shop by spending plot points.


    ¡°System, open the system shop!¡±


    Gu Changsheng silently thought, eager to see what powerful beings and treasures were available in the system shop.


    If he could directly exchange for an emperor or King, he wouldn¡¯t need to hide his strength anymore; he could soar straight to the top.


    [Ding! System shop opened!].


    At that moment, a notification echoed in Gu Changsheng¡¯s mind, and soon a light screen appeared before him.


    The system shop was divided into nine major categories: supernatural powers, techniques, elixirs, treasures, powerful beings, bloodlines, physiques¡­


    Looking at the various categories, Gu Changsheng couldn¡¯t help but click his tongue in awe.


    He had originally thought that with 60,000 plot points, he could indulge a bit!


    But indeed!


    His perspective had been too small.


    He decided to check the category for powerful beings first.


    As for supernatural powers and techniques, he, as the Emperor of the Great Zhou, wasn¡¯t lacking.


    Quickly, with a thought, the light screen shifted.


    When he saw the powerful beings listed in the system shop, his heartbeat quickened, and his breathing became rapid, filled with helplessness.


    Lin Tiandi: 10 billion plot points


    Ye Tiandi: 10 billion plot points


    Donghuang Empress: 10 billion plot points


    Great Success Overlord Body: 10 billion plot points


    ¡­


    What the hell!


    His perspective had truly been too small.


    In the system shop, any one of these powerful emperors could sweep through the entire Shen Zhou.


    But the starting price was a staggering ten billion plot points.


    Gu Changsheng, though tempted, didn¡¯t dwell further and quickly swiped past the first page to check the prices of Kings and powerful beings.


    Soon, the prices for powerful beings in the system shop changed.


    Taiyi King: 10 million plot points


    Yuhua King: 10 million plot points


    Yaochi King: 10 million plot points


    ¡­


    Sword One Great Expert: 5 million plot points


    Haoyu Great Expert: 5 million plot points


    Nameless Great Expert: 5 million plot points


    ¡­


    Upon seeing the prices for the Kings and great beings, Gu Changsheng frowned slightly, feeling rather displeased.


    Currently, he only had sixty thousand plot points, which was entirely insufficient.


    ¡°This amount of plot points? To exchange for a King or great being? It¡¯ll take ages.¡±


    Gu Changsheng twitched his mouth and muttered to himself.


    While it¡¯s true that he could easily acquire more plot points, the prices in the system shop were simply too exorbitant.


    By the time he saved enough to exchange for a King or great being, he¡¯d likely have already been crushed by the Empress Dowager, with weeds growing three meters high on his grave.


    Having offended the Empress Dowager earlier in the court, his situation would now be precarious, facing the Empress Dowager¡¯s retaliation at every turn.


    Gu Changsheng had intended to spend his plot points to exchange for powerful beings to counter the Empress Dowager.


    It seemed that wouldn¡¯t be possible now; he could only gamble on luck through a draw.


    Just then, Gu Changsheng noticed that at the very bottom of the system shop, there was another section.


    Limited Time Purchase, Discount Flash Sale!


    Every so often, the system shop would randomly showcase items at discounted prices, including powerful beings, supernatural powers, and techniques, all available for lower-tier purchases.


    Without a second thought, Gu Changsheng opened it, and a light screen appeared before him.


    ¡­


    Innate Divine Demon Body


    Original Price: 100 million plot points


    Limited Time Price: 1 million plot points


    ¡­


    Ten Thousand Year Enlightenment Tea


    Original Price: 1 million plot points


    Limited Time Price: 10,000 plot points


    ¡­


    Nameless Great Being


    Original Price: 5 million plot points


    Limited Time Price: 50,000 plot points


    ¡­


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression turned somewhat disappointed.


    However, when he saw that the nameless great being, which originally required 5 million plot points, was available for a limited time at only 50,000 plot points, he couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    He was currently in dire need of a powerful being to protect him.


    If he could exchange for a great being, his safety would surely be secured.


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Gu Changsheng consumed 50,000 plot points to exchange for the nameless great being.


    The next moment, in the Imperial Study, an old man dressed in a gray robe, thin and gaunt, with a long sword at his waist and an astonishing aura, slowly appeared before Gu Changsheng.


    ¡°Nameless, pays respect to Your Majesty!¡±


    The gray-robed old man¡¯s eyes flickered as he looked at Gu Changsheng, his expression respectful as he bowed.


    ¡°No need for such formality.¡±


    Gu Changsheng waved his hand, speaking nonchalantly.


    At the same time, he squinted his eyes and seriously assessed the nameless individual, causing a light screen to appear before him. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Name: Nameless].


    [Age: 100].


    [Physique: Supreme Sword Body].


    [Cultivation: Peak Great Expert].


    [Description: From the myriad worlds, Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sacred Land, adept in sword techniques, unparalleled among equals.].


    [Loyalty Level: 100].

 Chapter 11 - Execute the Entire Clan! Annihilate the Whole Family!

    Chapter 11 Execute the Entire Clan! Annihilate the Whole Family!Gu Changsheng didn¡¯t expect that the nameless one he summoned would be at the pinnacle of Great Expert.


    The key factor was the system¡¯s introduction: Invincible at the Same Level!


    This meant that although the Nameless was merely at the pinnacle of Great Expert, his strength could likely rival that of a half-saint.


    ¡°System, how is the talent of the Nameless? After summoning, can he still improve his cultivation?¡±


    Gu Changsheng wondered curiously.


    This was crucial.


    If Nameless could break through from the pinnacle of Great Expert to become a saint, then with a saint under his command, he could easily sweep through the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Empress Dowager would no longer be a threat.


    [Ding! Produced by the system, the summoned powerhouse comes with cultivation techniques and divine powers that can be trained; the host need not worry!].


    The system¡¯s notification rang out.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes lit up, and he felt delighted.


    According to the system¡¯s explanation, the summoned strong figures from the system shop possessed exceptional talent throughout the myriad realms, equipped with their own physique and techniques, requiring no effort on his part.


    Nameless, currently at the pinnacle of Great Expert, could easily break through to become a saint; it was just a matter of time.


    He struck it rich this time. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By merely consuming fifty thousand plot points, he exchanged for Nameless Great Expert, potentially securing a future saint.


    Moreover, the three thousand elite guards he summoned earlier and the four commanders¡ªQinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu¡ªwere all at the peak of King realm but were destined to break through to Great Expert sooner or later.


    Thinking of this, Gu Changsheng smiled widely, feeling very satisfied.


    Now, with Nameless as a Great Expert protecting him, unless the Empress Dowager or a saint personally intervened, he would remain safe.


    He just needed to keep altering the plot, accumulating plot points, and developing his own power.


    Before long, the Empress Dowager would be nothing in his eyes.


    Earlier in the court, he had hinted at the might of the elite guards, making the Empress Dowager and the officials feel a sense of mystery and fear.


    The Empress Dowager was extremely suspicious, and she would surely perceive the elite guards as a trump card left by the late emperor.


    During this time, before she could ascertain his true abilities, she would certainly refrain from acting rashly.


    This perfectly gave Gu Changsheng the time to develop his influence.


    ¡°Nameless, you will now be in the shadows, responsible for my safety.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes sparkled as he looked at the gray-robed elder before him, speaking in a low voice.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡±


    The gray-robed elder responded respectfully, nodding his head, and his figure silently vanished into the void, secretly protecting Gu Changsheng.


    At this moment, Gu Changsheng recalled that he still had ten thousand plot points.


    He didn¡¯t intend to save them; instead, he directly opted for a lottery draw.


    ¡°System, consume ten thousand plot points for a lottery draw, draw once.¡±


    Gu Changsheng silently commanded.


    [Ding! Consuming ten thousand plot points, drawing in progress¡­].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining one Shenyuan Pill.].


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face turned gloomy, feeling very unsatisfied.


    However, when he learned that the Shenyuan Pill could enable a Profound Realm cultivator to directly break through to the Divine Sea Realm, his expression finally relaxed.


    This Shenyuan Pill was precisely what he needed.


    In the next moment, with a thought, a golden pill emanating a fragrant aroma appeared in his palm.


    Without hesitation, Gu Changsheng sat cross-legged, slightly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and swallowed the pill.


    Almost instantly after consuming the pill, Gu Changsheng¡¯s momentum surged wildly, an unprecedented, terrifying imperial might enveloped the entire study.


    Profound Realm First Level, Profound Realm Second Level, Profound Realm Third Level¡­


    Profound Realm Ninth Level.


    Pinnacle of Profound Realm.


    The next moment, a vast celestial imperial might surged skyward, as if Gu Changsheng had shattered some kind of shackle, directly reaching the Divine Sea Realm.


    Gu Changsheng sensed his own realm and slowly opened his eyes, a glint shining within them, his face filled with smiles.


    Today, before the court session, he had just broken through to Profound Realm.


    After the court session, not long passed before he advanced to the Divine Sea Realm.


    At this rate, it seemed he wouldn¡¯t need much longer to surpass the other princes.


    Gu Changsheng was even confident that before the supposedly deceased late emperor emerged from seclusion, he could achieve the saint realm.


    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what the late emperor, Gu Qiangu, would think when he broke through to the saint realm and found the prince he least valued had already reached that level.


    Of course, those were all matters for the future.


    For now, Gu Changsheng was still clear about the current situation.


    In the court, his foundation was still shallow; he wasn¡¯t yet a match for the Empress Dowager and could only proceed slowly.


    ¡°Chief Xia!¡±


    Suddenly, Gu Changsheng thought of something and spoke coldly towards the door of the study.


    After a while, the chief eunuch, Xia Wudao, slowly pushed open the door to the study, bowed slightly, and respectfully said,


    ¡°Your Majesty, do you have any important orders?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Gu Changsheng nodded, his face stern and cold as he said,


    ¡°The Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, has committed treason against the Emperor today in court and should have his entire clan executed and annihilated.¡±


    ¡°Immediately issue an edict for the elite guards to carry out the execution!¡±


    As he said this, a fierce killing intent emanated from Gu Changsheng, and a surge of rage welled up within him.


    The Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, was a treacherous minister, a loyal lackey of the Empress Dowager.


    His family behind him was no good either; they frequently committed atrocities in the capital, burning, killing, and looting.


    He certainly didn¡¯t intend to let them off easily and planned to eradicate them completely.


    ¡°Your Majesty, although the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, is dead, his family has deep ties with the Empress Dowager¡­¡±


    Xia Wudao¡¯s expression turned grave as he hesitated to speak.


    He believed the emperor would understand what he meant.


    Although Li Yang was dead now, his family¡¯s connections would surely provoke the Empress Dowager¡¯s protection.


    If the emperor wanted to eradicate the Li family, it would inevitably lead to conflict with the Empress Dowager.


    ¡°Rest assured, I have already devised a strategy.¡±


    Gu Changsheng replied with indifference, his confidence apparent.


    He wasn¡¯t afraid of the Empress Dowager¡¯s intervention; he even hoped she would step in to stop him, allowing him to gather plot points.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡±


    Seeing Gu Changsheng¡¯s resolute decision, Xia Wudao did not press further, bowed, and left the study.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, his expression disdainful.


    He knew that eradicating the Li family would likely provoke the Empress Dowager to intervene, even dispatching powerful figures to stop the elite guards, testing his limits.


    But Gu Changsheng had already anticipated all of this.


    Now, with Nameless, a peak Great Expert at his side, even if the elite guards were unable to cope, Nameless would be sufficient to handle the Empress Dowager¡¯s probing.


    Moreover, revealing a peak Great Expert behind him would only increase the Empress Dowager¡¯s wariness of him, deterring her from acting rashly.


    Next, Gu Changsheng wanted to see how the Empress Dowager would intervene to protect the Li family.

 Chapter 12 - The New Emperor Is a Hero! Empress Dowager Plots!

    Chapter 12 The New Emperor Is a Hero! Empress Dowager Plots!Great Zhou Dynasty, Ci Ning Palace*.


    The Empress Dowager sat upright in the main seat. Thinking about the events that had just unfolded in the court, her face turned as cold as ice, and a surge of anger rose uncontrollably within her.


    Below the throne, dozens of the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction members gathered together, exchanging glances but remaining silent.


    They clearly understood why the Empress Dowager was upset!


    Earlier in the court.


    The new emperor, Gu Changsheng, had proven himself to be deeply scheming and strategically wise, managing to outmaneuver even the Empress Dowager.


    Even Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, had been executed by the new emperor.


    In this power struggle within the court, the Empress Dowager had suffered a crushing defeat.


    ¡°It seems I have always underestimated the new emperor.¡±


    ¡°Do you think the new emperor can be controlled by me?¡±


    After a long silence, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face regained its composure, but her eyes flashed with cold light as she scanned the dozens of ministers present, her voice low and grave.


    As soon as she spoke, a middle-aged official with a dark expression, dressed in a black robe, stepped forward and coldly said:


    ¡°The Ninth Prince, in the eyes of both the civil and military officials of the court and even the late emperor, was always regarded as a useless prince, barely noticeable.¡±


    ¡°However, today, the Ninth Prince ascended the throne and declared himself emperor. His performance in the court, along with the revealed presence of the Royal Shadow Guards, proves otherwise.¡±


    ¡°I am certain the new emperor has been hiding his true talents all these eighteen years, deceiving everyone in the court.¡±


    Pausing for a moment, the black-robed official¡¯s expression turned even colder as he continued with murderous intent:


    ¡°The new emperor is unfathomable and ambitious; he will not willingly be manipulated.¡±


    ¡°I propose that to prevent any long-term complications, we strike first and eliminate the new emperor to remove all future threats.¡±


    As soon as these words fell, the faces of the dozens of ministers present changed dramatically. They looked at the black-robed official in horror.


    The Right Minister¡¯s courage was too great!


    He was actually suggesting directly eliminating the emperor.


    This black-robed middle-aged official speaking was none other than Liu Wu, the Right Minister of the Great Zhou, whose strength was profound and immeasurable.


    His prot¨¦g¨¦s and loyal followers were spread throughout the court.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s overwhelming power in court could not have been achieved without the contributions of the Right Minister.


    Upon hearing the Right Minister¡¯s proposal, the Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, then shook her head:


    ¡°The late emperor left a will, passing the throne to the Ninth Prince of the Great Zhou.¡±


    ¡°The new emperor, upon ascending the throne, dared to act so boldly, even executing the Minister of Revenue in court. He must have some cards left to play, left by the late emperor.¡±


    ¡°Until we fully understand the new emperor¡¯s hidden resources, we cannot act rashly.¡±


    Hearing these words, the faces of the dozens of ministers turned grave, each quietly reflecting.


    ¡°What should we do now, Empress Dowager?¡±


    A minister, his face showing fear, couldn¡¯t help but stand up and ask in a low voice.


    ¡°Useless fool, why panic!¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s face showed mild anger, and she coldly snorted at the minister, speaking with confidence. ¡°Though the new emperor has shown some skill, the strongest of his forces are only peak-level King realms, which are nothing to me.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the minister felt a wave of relief and quickly regained his composure.


    The reason they feared Gu Changsheng so much was the concern over the hidden cards left for him by the late emperor, making them hesitant to act rashly.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes darkened, lost in thought.


    Suddenly, a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a blue robe rushed in, his expression anxious, as he reported to the Empress Dowager in a panic:


    ¡°Your Grace, something terrible has happened!¡±


    ¡°The emperor has issued an edict to execute the entire Li family. The Royal Shadow Guards have already been dispatched to carry it out.¡±


    ¡°How dare he!¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face turned furious, her eyes flashing with cold light as she spoke in a frigid tone.


    Instantly, the hall fell into a dead silence.


    The dozens of ministers present, including the Right Minister, were shocked by the new emperor¡¯s ruthlessness.


    Not only had he removed Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, in court, but he was also wiping out the entire Li family.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, Li Yang was guilty of deceiving the emperor. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, the punishment for such a crime is the execution of his entire clan.¡±


    ¡°We have no reason to interfere in this matter, which makes things difficult.¡±


    The Right Minister, Liu Wu, frowned, his face heavy with concern.


    If they were to intervene to save the Li family, they would be violating the laws of the Great Zhou.


    They had no standing in this situation, no grounds to oppose the new emperor. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I must intervene in this matter.¡±


    ¡°You understand why, Right Minister.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s voice was cold, echoing through the hall.


    The Right Minister, Liu Wu, was quick to grasp the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°If the Empress Dowager intends to act, then we must act decisively, using overwhelming force to make the new emperor submit.¡±


    Liu Wu pondered for a moment, then smirked coldly, saying with mockery:


    ¡°The strongest force under the new emperor¡¯s command is only peak-level King realms.¡±


    ¡°So we will send more powerful forces to stop the Royal Shadow Guards, and in doing so, we can also test whether the new emperor has any hidden cards.¡±


    He paused, then sneered in contempt:


    ¡°If the new emperor can counter powerful forces, we will tread carefully in the future.


    ¡°If he cannot, then the new emperor is no threat.¡±


    ¡°Brilliant plan, Right Minister. Truly, you are wise beyond measure.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s charming face curled into a deep, meaningful smile, sending chills through the room.


    Now, she was eagerly looking forward to seeing whether Gu Changsheng had any hidden cards left.


    If they could use this opportunity to probe Gu Changsheng¡¯s true strength, then even if the Li family were executed, it would be worth it for the Empress Dowager.

 Chapter 13 - The Li Family Is Destroyed! A River of Blood!

    Chapter 13 The Li Family Is Destroyed! A River of Blood!In the streets near the imperial city of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a tense and dangerous confrontation was unfolding.


    At this moment, the mansion of Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, was completely surrounded by hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards, elite imperial guards exuding an aura of menace.


    ¡°Audacious! You vermin!¡±


    ¡°How dare you surround the residence of the Minister of Revenue? Are you courting death?¡±


    A furious voice echoed, and from the mansion, a young man dressed in opulent golden robes, with a cold and sinister expression, strode out. He approached the commander of the Royal Shadow Guards, Qing Long, and started berating him.


    This young man was Li Yu, the son of Li Yang. Relying on his father¡¯s power and influence within the court, Li Yu had grown arrogant and reckless. Never in his life had he been humiliated like this. Now, seeing his family mansion besieged by a band of audacious men, his rage knew no bounds.


    ¡°Silence!¡±


    ¡°Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor during court proceedings, a sin beyond forgiveness. His Majesty has decreed his immediate execution, and his family will be executed to the ninth generation!¡±


    The cold gaze of Qing Long remained fixed on Li Yu as he spoke with unwavering determination, exuding an overwhelming killing intent.


    Upon hearing these words, sweat dripped from Li Yu¡¯s forehead, and his body trembled uncontrollably. His face reflected disbelief as he shouted,


    ¡°Impossible! Do you not know that falsely transmitting an imperial edict is punishable by death?¡±


    ¡°I demand to see my father! I must speak to the Empress Dowager and get to the bottom of this!¡±


    Li Yu¡¯s face was contorted with fury and disbelief. He was certain the decree was false.


    ¡°Minister Li Yang has already been executed for deceiving the emperor. Rest assured, you will soon join him in the underworld.¡±


    With a chilling smile, Qing Long raised his voice and bellowed,


    ¡°By the decree of His Majesty, we are to execute all traitors and rebels to the ninth degree.¡±


    ¡°Royal Shadow Guards, kill them all!¡±


    At his command, the hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards unsheathed their blades in unison, their terrifying aura filled the air as they prepared to carry out the massacre.


    Faced with the overwhelming killing intent, Li Yu¡¯s face turned ashen, and his legs gave out, leaving him slumped on the ground.


    ¡°Stop! Fighting is forbidden under the shadow of the imperial city! Cease this at once, or face my wrath!¡±


    At that moment, a thunderous voice rang out.


    A tall and imposing middle-aged man clad in black armor with a sword at his waist approached the scene. Behind him, several thousand black-armored soldiers marched in unison, their fearsome presence quickly surrounding the Royal Shadow Guards.


    Li Yu¡¯s face lit up with hope as he scrambled to his feet and hurried to the man, shouting,


    ¡°Commander Chen, you¡¯ve arrived just in time! These men have dared to falsify an imperial edict! Seize them immediately!¡±


    This middle-aged general was none other than Chen Zhan, the commander of the City Defense Force, a seventh-level powerhouse, and a trusted ally of the Empress Dowager.


    Seeing Chen Zhan¡¯s intervention, Li Yu felt a glimmer of hope. He knew that the Empress Dowager would never stand idly by and watch his family be slaughtered.


    ¡°Rest assured, as long as I am here, no one will dare touch the Li family,¡± Chen Zhan declared with an arrogant sneer, his eyes sweeping over the hundreds of Commander Chen, though he couldn¡¯t help but feel a hint of wariness. These imperial guards were no ordinary force; the weakest among them were at the Divine Sea Realm, with several even in the Life and Death Realm.


    However, Chen Zhan himself was a seventh-level master, far stronger than anyone present, including Qing Long. His mission today was clear¡ªhe was sent by the Empress Dowager to test whether the new emperor had hidden any further powerful forces beyond these elite guards.


    Chen Zhan harbored some resentment toward this task, feeling it beneath him to handle such a matter personally. But the Empress Dowager¡¯s influence was too great, and he had no choice but to obey.


    Clearly, the Empress Dowager had become apprehensive after witnessing the emperor¡¯s tactics in court earlier.


    ¡°The Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, has committed treason, and according to the laws of Great Zhou, his family is to be executed to the ninth generation.¡±


    ¡°We are acting under the direct order of His Majesty. Commander Chen, are you prepared to defy an imperial decree?¡±


    Qing Long¡¯s face remained cold and stern as he met Chen Zhan¡¯s gaze, unafraid of the formidable opponent before him. Before carrying out the mission, His Majesty had already anticipated the Empress Dowager¡¯s interference and ordered the powerful hidden figure, Nameless, to stay close by.


    If Chen Zhan dared to defy the decree, he would face certain death.


    ¡°And who do you think you are to speak to me like that?¡± Chen Zhan sneered in disdain, his gaze fixed on Qing Long. With a wave of his hand, the black-armored soldiers behind him drew their swords and pointed them toward the Commander Chen.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care who issued this decree; no one touches the Li family today¡ªnot even the emperor himself.¡±


    The entire Great Zhou knew that the Empress Dowager wielded immense power, overshadowing even the emperor. Chen Zhan didn¡¯t think much of the decree or the Commander Chen standing before him.


    ¡°Insolence!¡±


    ¡°Commander Chen Zhan, how dare you defy an imperial edict? By the order of His Majesty, I shall execute you!¡±


    Suddenly, a cold and merciless voice filled with killing intent echoed through the sky. In the next moment, an old man in a gray robe appeared, seemingly out of thin air. His aura was terrifying, a presence so overwhelming that it left everyone in shock.


    Chen Zhan¡¯s expression changed instantly. His heart pounded as he stared at the old man who had just appeared.


    The mysterious old man in front of him had an aura as deep as the sea, unfathomable, and even he couldn¡¯t see through it.


    ¡°Humph¡±


    ¡°Sir, do not be too arrogant.¡±


    ¡°Your strength is not bad, but I am no weakling either.¡±


    ¡°I have thousands of soldiers behind me. Once we unleash the battle formation, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t gain any advantage.¡±


    Chen Zhan¡¯s face was calm and collected as he looked at the old man in gray robes before him. He couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly and sneer.


    Although he couldn¡¯t discern the mysterious old man¡¯s cultivation level, he didn¡¯t believe the other¡¯s strength could surpass his own.


    Even if it did, with the Empress Dowager backing him, he didn¡¯t believe that the Emperor would dare to kill him.


    Moreover, as the commander of the City Defense Camp, his cultivation had reached the seventh level of the Great Expert Realm, and he had thousands of soldiers backing him, ready to unleash a battle formation that would boost his own power.


    Even against someone at the eighth level of the Great Expert Realm, he could hold out for a while.


    Therefore, Chen Zhan¡¯s expression was full of arrogance, utterly fearless.


    ¡°Heh heh!¡±


    The gray-robed elder¡¯s face remained calm, as if he saw through Chen Zhan¡¯s little scheme, and he sneered.


    As soon as his voice fell!


    In an instant, the gray-robed elder took one step forward, and in a flash, he appeared right in front of Chen Zhan.


    The terrifying pressure of his power spread freely, and the laws of heaven and earth enveloped the entire space, causing the void to solidify.


    ¡°Peak of the Great Expert Realm!¡±


    Sensing the old man¡¯s aura, Chen Zhan was filled with terror, losing all will to fight. In an instant, he crossed thousands of miles of empty space, trying to flee.


    ¡°Trying to escape?¡±


    The gray-robed elder¡¯s expression was one of contempt. Without even drawing the sword at his waist, he slowly extended a hand. It transformed into a giant palm that ripped through the sky, crashing toward Chen Zhan¡¯s chest.


    In an instant!


    Chen Zhan¡¯s entire body exploded, his flesh and blood scattering. He plummeted from the sky, crashing into the ground and forming a massive crater. His appearance was miserable and utterly pathetic.


    Seeing this scene, thousands of black-armored soldiers present were shocked, their eyes wide open. They couldn¡¯t help but take a sharp breath.


    Their commander, Chen Zhan, was a powerful expert at the seventh level of the Great Expert Realm.


    Yet in front of this gray-robed elder, he didn¡¯t even have a chance to resist.


    ¡°Peak of the Great Expert Realm, how is this possible?¡±


    ¡°How could the new emperor have such a powerful figure by his side?¡±


    Chen Zhan¡¯s eyes were filled with fear as he looked at the gray-robed elder. A bitter smile appeared on his face, and he begged in a low voice:


    ¡°Spare me.¡±


    After realizing the elder¡¯s overwhelming strength, Chen Zhan completely abandoned any thought of resistance.


    A peak-level Great Expert expert.


    Even if he unleashed the battle formation to enhance his power, he couldn¡¯t possibly be a match.


    ¡°Defying the imperial edict is a crime punishable by death.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too late to beg for mercy now.¡±


    The gray-robed elder¡¯s expression remained emotionless as he ignored Chen Zhan¡¯s plea. With one step, he appeared before him.


    In an instant, he threw a punch, as powerful as a collapsing sky and splitting earth.


    Chen Zhan¡¯s eyes were vacant as he watched the overwhelming fist energy descend upon him. His face was filled with horror, and he couldn¡¯t react in time.


    In the next moment, Chen Zhan¡¯s entire body exploded into pieces, his bones and flesh scattered, and he was reduced to a cloud of blood mist drifting in the air.


    A Great Expert Realm expert at the seventh level had fallen.


    Witnessing this scene, countless cultivators and soldiers present were dumbfounded, unable to process what had just happened.


    A Great Expert Realm expert had fallen just like that.


    ¡°The rest is up to you.¡±


    The gray-robed elder slowly retracted his aura, folding his hands behind his back. His gaze landed on Qing Long, the commander of the Royal Shadow Guards, and he said calmly.


    As for the thousands of black-armored soldiers under Chen Zhan¡¯s command. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He did not bother to deal with them.


    These soldiers were indeed loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    But unfortunately, they followed the wrong leader.


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    Commander Qing Long nodded, a cold smile appearing on his face. His gaze fell upon the residence of the Minister of Revenue, filled with killing intent:


    ¡°By the decree of His Majesty, exterminate the nine generations of the traitor¡¯s clan!¡±


    ¡°Royal Shadow Guards, attack!¡±


    With those words, hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards, their expressions cold and their swords drawn, charged into the residence, beginning their slaughter.


    Without further interference from the Empress Dowager sending more strong fighters.


    Moments later at the Minister of Revenue¡¯s residence.


    Blood flowed like a river, and not a single person was left alive.

 Chapter 14 - An Army of Three Thousand King Realms

    Chapter 14 An Army of Three Thousand King RealmsThe Great Zhou Dynasty, Imperial Study.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression was stern as he reviewed the memorials in his hand. He had just received the news of the Li family¡¯s extermination, but his face showed no emotion.


    In the past, he had given Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, a chance in the imperial court. Unfortunately, the other party did not cherish it.


    Therefore, he could not be blamed for being ruthless and merciless in his actions.


    He intended to use this matter as a warning to the officials of the court, to make an example of them and deter the entire court.


    The Empress Dowager held great power, dominating the political landscape, but he was not someone to be trifled with either.


    In the future, if the officials continued to oppose him, they would have to carefully weigh the consequences.


    As he thought of the Minister of Revenue, Li Yang, and his tragic fate¡ªhis entire clan executed due to their crimes¡ªGu Changsheng remained calm.


    Suddenly, a notification from the system rang in his mind:


    [Ding! The Li family has been exterminated, causing a shock in the imperial court, changing the plot. Host receives 10,000 plot points!].[Ding! The death of Chen Zhan, commander of the City Defense Force, has caused the Empress Dowager to feel threatened, changing the plot. Host receives 10,000 plot points!].


    Hearing this, Gu Changsheng was stunned, his face filled with surprise.


    He hadn¡¯t expected that eliminating Li Yang and the Li family would bring such an unexpected reward¡ªtwo batches of plot points.


    In the original storyline, the Minister of Revenue Li Yang and his family were only eliminated after the former emperor came out of seclusion.


    Now that Gu had acted early to exterminate the Li family, he had effectively altered the plot.


    As for the death of Chen Zhan, commander of the City Defense Force, this was a rare opportunity for him.


    With Chen Zhan dead, the position of commander in the City Defense Force was now vacant.


    This was his chance to intervene and seize control of the military power of the City Defense Force.


    It was important to note that the City Defense Force, with its hundreds of thousands of soldiers, was responsible for guarding the imperial city.


    These soldiers were the most elite in the Great Zhou Dynasty. When compared to ordinary troops, they could easily fight one against a hundred.


    One could imagine the importance of the City Defense Force.


    With this thought, Gu Changsheng began to calculate his next move.


    In the original storyline, Lu Tao, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force, was a righteous and loyal man, dedicated to the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    However, due to Chen Zhan¡¯s frequent suppression, Lu Tao¡¯s position had not been easy.


    Gu Changsheng thought that he could pull Lu Tao to his side to counterbalance the Empress Dowager.


    Thinking of the 20,000 plot points he had just gained, Gu Changsheng decided to use them and see if he could draw any treasures.


    [System, spend 20,000 plot points for two draws.].


    Gu silently commanded in his heart, and soon the 20,000 plot points were consumed. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Ding! 20,000 plot points consumed. Beginning the draw¡­].[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Imperial Path Technique!].[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Noble Army!].


    In the next moment, a stream of golden text appeared in Gu Changsheng¡¯s mind. He immediately closed his eyes and began to carefully comprehend it.


    After some time, Gu Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, his face brimming with joy.


    The Imperial Path Technique, a divine-level cultivation method, was perfectly suited to complement his Emperor¡¯s Divine Physique, as if it was tailor-made for him.


    He already possessed the Emperor¡¯s Divine Physique, which allowed him to cultivate by leveraging the fortunes of the dynasty.


    Now, with the Imperial Path Technique, his cultivation speed would increase exponentially.


    With his heaven-defying physique combined with the Imperial Path Technique, even if he followed the usual pace of cultivation, it would take only a few years for him to break through to the King Realm.


    To put it into perspective, for even the most prodigious talents, breaking through to the King Realm usually took centuries.


    The enormity of Gu Changsheng¡¯s talent was unimaginable, and the news would shake countless powers across the Shen Zhou.


    Aside from the Imperial Path Technique, he also drew the Noble Army.


    According to the system¡¯s introduction, the Noble Army consisted of 3,000 men, all nobles in their own right, and their leader was a mighty expert from a high-level martial world.


    The 3,000 noble soldiers were the elite of the elite in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, and no other army could rival them.


    Furthermore, if these 3,000 nobles worked together and unleashed their battle formation, even a peak expert of the Great Expert Realm would be forced to retreat.


    Currently, the Imperial Guard and the military power of the City Defense Force were both under the Empress Dowager¡¯s control.


    But now that Gu Changsheng had the Noble Army, he was confident in his position.


    The most important thing was that, like the Royal Shadow Guards, the 3,000 noble soldiers could also cultivate.


    Given enough time, these 3,000 noble soldiers could become 3,000 powerful experts, and even 3,000 Kings in the future.


    By that time, if Gu Changsheng wanted to sweep across the Shen Zhou, no one could stand in his way.


    However, Gu Changsheng didn¡¯t let pride cloud his judgment. He knew that even though the Noble Army was strong, the Shen Zhou was vast, full of hidden talents and powerful figures.


    He still needed to bide his time and continue building his power.


    Now that he had the Noble Army, Gu Changsheng planned to replace the Imperial Guards with his own men.


    At that moment, with a single thought from Gu Changsheng, a tall, burly middle-aged general in golden armor appeared in the Imperial Study.


    ¡°Greetings, Your Majesty!¡±


    The general saluted respectfully, cupping his fists towards Gu Changsheng.


    Gu took a look at him, and a stream of information appeared before his eyes:


    [Name: Zhao Lei].[Age: 33].[Physique: Heaven Calamity Body].[Cultivation: Seventh level of the Great Expert Realm].[Introduction: Commander of the Noble Army, capable of leading 3,000 nobles into battle, their combined power rivaling that of a peak Great Power expert!].[Loyalty: 100].


    The combined battle strength of the 3,000 noble soldiers was comparable to a peak-level expert in the Great Expert Realm.


    Gu Changsheng smiled with satisfaction, unable to contain his joy.


    ¡°Zhao Lei, from now on, you will lead the Noble Army to replace the Imperial Guards and protect the palace. Eliminate all of the Empress Dowager¡¯s spies within the palace.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression was solemn as his gaze fell on Zhao Lei. He gave the order earnestly.


    Currently, the eunuchs, maids, and even the Imperial Guard in the palace were all the Empress Dowager¡¯s spies.


    His every move was under her watchful eye.


    Now that he controlled the Noble Army, Gu Changsheng would not sit idly by. He planned to strike back, clearing the palace of spies and planting his own loyalists.


    At this point, even if his actions were drastic and attracted attention, the Empress Dowager wouldn¡¯t dare to act rashly until she fully understood his power.


    The more strength he revealed, the more mysterious and daunting he would seem in her eyes.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡±


    Zhao Lei bowed respectfully, accepted the order, and withdrew.


    Watching Zhao Lei¡¯s departing figure, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression remained deep in thought as he lightly tapped the armrest of his dragon throne.


    Now that he had the Noble Army, the Empress Dowager¡¯s plan to control the palace through the Imperial Guard was effectively thwarted.


    However, Gu Changsheng knew that to consolidate his power, he still needed to gain control over both the Imperial Guards and the City Defense Force.


    Military power was not something the Empress Dowager could be allowed to control.


    With this in mind, Gu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile full of amusement and calculation. His gaze deepened as he looked in the direction of Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.

 Chapter 15 - Emperor Dowager’s Speculation! The Power Behind Gu Changsheng!

    Chapter 15 Emperor Dowager¡¯s Speculation! The Power Behind Gu Changsheng!The Great Zhou Dynasty, Cining Palace.


    The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, her face dark and cold, gripping a piece of information in her hand, emanating a chilling aura that filled the hall with unease. Below her, dozens of her loyal ministers were silent, heads bowed in fear.


    The events that had unfolded on the streets of the Imperial Capital had already caused a huge stir throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, spreading rapidly across the capital. These officials had naturally received the news.


    The Li family had been exterminated, all nine clans executed. But what was even more crucial was that the Empress Dowager had sent Chen Zhan, commander of the City Defense Force, to test the new emperor¡¯s strength. Unexpectedly, Chen Zhan had been killed by the Emperor.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s cold eyes swept across the dozens of ministers in the hall as she spoke in a frosty tone, ¡°I truly didn¡¯t expect that the new emperor would have a peak Great Power expert at his side, someone strong enough to kill Chen Zhan.¡±


    ¡°It seems we have underestimated the strength of the new emperor.¡±


    From the Empress Dowager¡¯s perspective, Chen Zhan, as the commander of the City Defense Force and a powerful figure at the seventh level of Great Power, should have been enough to test Gu Changsheng¡¯s strength.


    However, the outcome was beyond expectation. They had learned of Gu Changsheng¡¯s hidden power, but in exchange, Chen Zhan had been killed by the Emperor¡¯s great expert.


    With Chen Zhan¡¯s death, not only had the Empress Dowager lost a trusted ally, but also control over the City Defense Force.


    ¡°The mysterious elder who killed Chen Zhan possesses peak Great Power cultivation. Looking across all of Shen Zhou, such a figure wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed.¡±


    ¡°But despite sending spies, we¡¯ve found no trace of this expert.¡±


    ¡°If this strong man is the trump card left by the late emperor for the ninth prince, we can definitely find a clue.¡±


    Liu Wu, the Right Prime Minister, said with a grim face, filled with apprehension.


    Any cultivator who reached the Great Expert level would be a prominent figure in Shenzhou. Especially a peak Great Expert, who would be an undeniable force. It seemed impossible for such a person to appear out of nowhere.


    If this mysterious expert were truly left behind by the late Emperor, there should have been some clue or record. Yet, they had found none.


    Moreover, the same was true of the mysterious Royal Shadow Guards, who seemed to have appeared from thin air.


    Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s beautiful eyes narrowed, and she began to suspect something. ¡°According to what you¡¯re saying, the mysterious expert and the Royal Shadow Guards behind the new emperor may not be left by the late emperor?¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°In that case, there might be a hidden power supporting the new emperor, one whose origins we can¡¯t trace.¡± The Empress Dowager said with growing suspicion, her expression turning cold, laced with killing intent.


    In her original plan, Gu Changsheng was to ascend the throne as a mere puppet under her control, completely at her mercy. But now, things had spiraled out of her control. They still hadn¡¯t figured out the origins of the Royal Shadow Guards or the peak Great Expert behind Gu Changsheng. Until they uncovered these secrets, the Empress Dowager dared not act rashly.


    ¡°If the mysterious expert and the Royal Shadow Guards truly were the late Emperor¡¯s secret forces, yet we¡¯ve found no trace of them, then the late Emperor¡¯s methods were far more terrifying than we imagined.¡± Liu Wu murmured with a furrowed brow, his voice filled with concern.


    At these words, the Empress Dowager¡¯s pupils shrank slightly, her face growing cold. She didn¡¯t speak, but inwardly, she understood very well the extent of the late Emperor¡¯s power.


    Even though she herself was a former demonic queen of the Demon Sect, she had always feared the late Emperor, Gu Qiangu. Only he could have trained forces as formidable as the Royal Shadow Guards and the mysterious Great Expert.


    In the Empress Dowager¡¯s mind, it was clear that if Gu Qiangu had arranged for Gu Changsheng to ascend the throne, he would have left powerful means to ensure Gu Changsheng¡¯s control. Thus, all the forces that had emerged behind Gu Changsheng were most likely left by the late Emperor.


    The Empress Dowager shared her suspicions with her ministers. The dozens of loyal courtiers nodded in agreement. Gu Changsheng had kept a low profile for 18 years, enduring the scorn of others, revealing a depth of cunning beyond measure. Now, as soon as he ascended the throne, his first moves were enough to outmatch even the Empress Dowager.


    The key problem, however, was that no one knew how many more cards the Emperor still had up his sleeve.


    With Gu Changsheng¡¯s current position, it seemed that the power struggle between him and the Empress Dowager would now tilt in his favor.


    But just then, a cold smirk appeared on the Empress Dowager¡¯s face. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with icy light, and she chuckled lightly, seemingly amused by a thought.


    Relaxing into her chair, the Empress Dowager¡¯s expression grew more languid, her eyes dismissive of Gu Changsheng. She had long prepared her own plans, using Gu Changsheng to seize control of the Great Zhou Dynasty. If she had wanted, she could have had him killed long ago.


    ¡­


    At the same time, the news of Li Yang¡¯s execution, along with the extermination of his entire clan, spread like wildfire across the Great Zhou Dynasty, causing an immense shockwave.


    The court was shaken.


    No one had expected that the Ninth Prince, newly ascended as emperor, would immediately unleash such ruthless measures. Not only had he removed Li Yang, the Minister of Revenue, but he had also eradicated the entire Li family.


    In this first clash between the Empress Dowager and the new emperor, it was the Empress Dowager who suffered a significant defeat. The court officials, their minds filled with uncertainty, began to reflect on their own positions.


    The new emperor had shown cunning and ruthlessness in his methods, outmaneuvering the Empress Dowager and eliminating Li Yang.


    While the Emperor seemed to have the upper hand in this contest for power, the Empress Dowager¡¯s influence remained vast, her hidden strength formidable.


    It was clear that the battle between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager had only just begun.

 Chapter 16 - Lu Tao, Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force!

    Chapter 16 Lu Tao, Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force!The Great Zhou Dynasty.


    Inside a military tent at the City Defense Force.


    At this very moment.


    Lu Tao, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force, was listening to the reports from the soldiers beside him. His thoughts were complicated, and his face was full of solemnity.


    Chen Zhan, the commander of the City Defense Force, defied the imperial edict and was executed by the emperor.


    Now, as the deputy commander, he would naturally take over the leadership of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force.


    Logically speaking, this should be a good thing for him.


    But Lu Tao could not feel any joy in his heart.


    The situation in the imperial court was now incredibly complex.


    Both the new emperor and the Empress Dowager were engaged in a power struggle, trying to seize control of the City Defense Force¡¯s military power.


    Right now, the position of the commander of the City Defense Force was like a hot potato.


    ¡°Commander, Chief Steward Feng is here.¡±


    At that moment, led by a young soldier, a middle-aged eunuch dressed in blue robes, holding a horsetail whisk, and looking arrogant, entered the military tent.


    Seeing the middle-aged eunuch.


    Lu Tao¡¯s eyes slightly darkened, and he recognized the man¡¯s identity.


    Feng Yu, the close eunuch of the Empress Dowager, wielded immense power in the court, and no one dared to offend him.


    Lu Tao showed a faint smile as he looked at the middle-aged eunuch and curiously asked:


    ¡°I wonder what important matter has brought Chief Steward Feng here?¡±


    Feng Yu was backed by the Empress Dowager and held great power.


    He usually committed various wrongdoings in the court, bullying others with his authority, and both civil and military officials harbored resentment against him.


    Naturally, Lu Tao also despised him.


    But under the eaves, one has no choice but to lower their head.


    As the Empress Dowager¡¯s trusted confidant, Feng Yu was not someone he could afford to offend.


    ¡°Commander Lu, I¡¯m here specifically to congratulate you.¡±


    ¡°Chen Zhan, the commander of the City Defense Force, defied the imperial edict and was executed by the emperor.¡±


    ¡°But the commander¡¯s position cannot remain vacant. The Empress Dowager has decided to appoint you as the new commander of the City Defense Force.¡±


    ¡°Commander Lu, shouldn¡¯t you quickly thank the Empress Dowager for her kindness?¡±


    Feng Yu¡¯s expression was haughty, his gaze resting on Lu Tao, his voice indifferent.


    Hearing this, Lu Tao¡¯s expression changed slightly. He didn¡¯t immediately agree and began to ponder deeply.


    However, Lu Tao was loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty, and naturally, he didn¡¯t want to serve the Empress Dowager. With a smile, he politely refused:


    ¡°Chief Steward Feng, the position of commander of the City Defense Force is of great importance. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not up to such a heavy responsibility!¡±


    ¡°I kindly ask the Empress Dowager to choose someone else for the position of commander.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Feng Yu was momentarily stunned. Then, realizing what had just happened, his eyes narrowed, and he glared at Lu Tao angrily:


    ¡°Commander Lu, you¡¯d better think carefully before answering!¡±


    ¡°The Empress Dowager¡¯s favor is something many people seek but cannot obtain, and yet you dare to refuse it.¡±


    In Feng Yu¡¯s view.


    Lu Tao would not have the courage to support the new emperor and oppose the Empress Dowager.


    ¡°Chief Steward Feng, I have thought it through. Please convey my gratitude to the Empress Dowager, but also my thanks for her understanding.¡±


    Lu Tao clearly recognized the threat in Feng Yu¡¯s words, his face looking grim, and his voice low.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    ¡°Commander Lu, farewell. You better not regret your decision today.¡±


    Feng Yu¡¯s expression turned icy as he couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly. He waved his whisk and turned to leave the military tent. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Watching Feng Yu¡¯s figure disappear, Lu Tao suppressed the anger in his heart, his face full of disdain.


    If Feng Yu weren¡¯t the Empress Dowager¡¯s trusted confidant.


    He would have long since slapped him to death, not allowing him to act so arrogantly.


    However, after this event, Lu Tao knew that refusing the Empress Dowager¡¯s goodwill would make his future situation even more difficult.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, the scene shifted.


    After leaving the City Defense Force, Feng Yu quickly arrived at Cining Palace to report the situation to the Empress Dowager.


    Inside the grand hall, the Empress Dowager lazily sat, looking dignified and noble as she glanced at Feng Yu before speaking indifferently:


    ¡°Did Lu Tao agree?¡±


    After the fall of Chen Zhan, the former commander of the City Defense Force.


    The Empress Dowager didn¡¯t immediately seek revenge against Gu Changsheng.


    She intended to first gain control of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force before dealing with Gu Changsheng.


    That¡¯s why she had sent her close eunuch, Feng Yu, to win over Lu Tao, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force.


    ¡°Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I couldn¡¯t persuade Commander Lu. I beg for your punishment!¡±


    Feng Yu trembled, bowing low, trembling with fear as he spoke, his face full of anxiety.


    Hearing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her once dignified and lazy demeanor instantly turned cold. Gritting her teeth, she said:


    ¡°Useless thing, you can¡¯t even handle a simple task.¡±


    ¡°Tell me exactly what happened.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Feng Yu felt relieved and dared not hide anything. He recounted the entire conversation that took place between him and Lu Tao at the City Defense Force.


    After hearing everything, the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression naturally imposing, and she coldly sneered:


    ¡°How ungrateful!¡±


    ¡°If Lu Tao refuses to pledge allegiance to me, then he must die!¡±


    The Empress Dowager knew Lu Tao¡¯s character¡ªupright and loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty, unlike Chen Zhan, who was easy to control.


    This was the reason that Chen Zhan had been able to serve as commander of the City Defense Force, while Lu Tao remained only a deputy.


    Now that Chen Zhan was dead and Lu Tao was unwilling to serve her, the Empress Dowager could only eliminate Lu Tao and find someone else to take his place as the commander.


    At that moment, Feng Yu suddenly thought of something and eagerly said:


    ¡°Your Majesty, I have a plan.¡±


    ¡°If persuasion won¡¯t work, then coercion certainly will. That will make Lu Tao obedient and loyal to you.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes flashed with surprise. She glanced at Feng Yu and raised an eyebrow, speaking faintly:


    ¡°What plan do you have?¡±


    If Lu Tao could be made obedient and pledge allegiance to her, that would be the best outcome.


    Feng Yu¡¯s face darkened with malice as he said meaningfully:


    ¡°Your Majesty may not know, but Lu Tao has a daughter named Lu Xuanxuan.¡±


    ¡°Lu Tao loves and dotes on her greatly.¡±


    ¡°If we can take control of Lu Xuanxuan, Lu Tao will surely obey and pledge loyalty to you.¡±


    ¡°This is a good plan!¡±


    The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her voice cold as she said:


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave this matter in your hands.¡±


    ¡°If Lu Tao still refuses to cooperate, then eliminate his daughter as well.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Feng Yu¡¯s face paled with fear, and he couldn¡¯t help but shudder.


    He realized that the Empress Dowager had made up her mind to kill both Lu Tao and Lu Xuanxuan.


    If he botched this task, he would suffer dire consequences, even if he managed to stay alive.


    Thinking this Feng Yu smiled obsequiously and said with confidence:


    ¡°Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s expression remained cold as she nodded slightly.

 Chapter 17 - Gambling! Scheming Against Empress Dowager!

    Chapter 17 Gambling! Scheming Against Empress Dowager!At the same time, within the imperial palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, inside the imperial study, Gu Changsheng sat solemnly on the dragon throne, his face expressionless as he reviewed a letter sent by the Great Li Dynasty.


    The letter¡¯s contents were straightforward: in half a month, an envoy from the Great Li Dynasty would arrive in the Great Zhou to discuss a marriage alliance between the two dynasties.


    Gu Changsheng, familiar with the original plot, knew what would happen next. After he ascended to the throne as emperor, the Great Li Dynasty would seek to form an alliance with the Great Zhou Dynasty through marriage.


    The proposed marriage would be between the crown prince of the Great Li Dynasty and the tenth princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    ¡°The tenth princess of the Great Zhou is the reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress, a figure from ten thousand years ago,¡± Gu Changsheng mused. ¡°In the original plot, the crown prince of Great Li, Zhao Hao, was able to ascend to the rank of Emperor and establish the Divine Li Dynasty thanks in large part to the Red Lotus Empress.¡±


    Contemplating the significance of this event, Gu Changsheng realized that this alliance was a pivotal point in the original story, involving two key figures: the protagonist, Crown Prince Zhao Hao of Great Li, and the tenth princess of Great Zhou, who was the reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress.


    If he could alter this plotline, prevent the marriage alliance between the two dynasties, he would likely earn many plot points. Moreover, the tenth princess¡¯s identity as the Red Lotus Empress made her valuable to Gu Changsheng as well. He wasn¡¯t about to hand her over to the Great Li Dynasty.


    What intrigued him further was whether, without the support of the Red Lotus Empress, Crown Prince Zhao Hao could still rise to power, become an Emperor, and found the Divine Li Dynasty.


    As Gu Changsheng was deep in thought, the eunuch chief, Xia Wudao, quietly entered the imperial study and bowed, announcing, ¡°Your Majesty, Commander Qing Long of the Royal Shadow Guards requests an audience.¡±


    ¡°Let him in.¡± Gu Changsheng replied calmly.


    Soon, a middle-aged man, exuding a powerful aura and dressed in the distinctive flying fish robes of the Royal Shadow Guards, entered. Bowing respectfully, he greeted, ¡°Commander Qing Long of the Royal Shadow Guards greets Your Majesty.¡±


    Gu Changsheng nodded slightly, studying the man before him with a hint of admiration. Qing Long had recently broken through to the rank of a powerful figure, reaching the peak of King realm.


    ¡°It seems it won¡¯t be long before the other commanders of the Royal Shadow Guards break through as well.¡± Gu Changsheng thought. ¡°When that happens, the Royal Shadow Guards will have four powerful commanders, making them a formidable force in the Great Zhou.¡±


    ¡°Qing Long, what brings you here today?¡± Gu Changsheng asked.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Royal Shadow Guards has uncovered important information,¡± Qing Long began. ¡°After the execution of Chen Zhan, the former commander of the City Defense Force, the Empress Dowager has sent her trusted eunuch, Feng Yu, to win over Deputy Commander Lu Tao of the City Defense Force.¡±


    ¡°This matter is of great significance, and I dare not delay in reporting it to Your Majesty.¡±


    Gu Changsheng had anticipated this development and had already begun making arrangements to win Lu Tao over and gain control of the City Defense Force. In the original plot, Lu Tao was portrayed as a righteous man, loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty, and unwilling to pledge allegiance to the Empress Dowager.


    Even when the emperor was merely a puppet with no real power, Lu Tao still refused the Empress Dowager¡¯s offers, choosing instead to align himself with the new emperor.


    However, the Empress Dowager, seeing that Lu Tao could not be swayed by bribes, resorted to threats, using Lu Tao¡¯s daughter as leverage.


    In the end, Lu Tao was forced to submit, and the new emperor was crushed by the Empress Dowager¡¯s ruthless methods, losing his will to fight.


    Recalling this part of the story, Gu Changsheng formulated a plan. He knew the Empress Dowager¡¯s attempt to win over Lu Tao would fail, and she would eventually resort to threatening his daughter¡¯s life, just as in the original plot.


    But this time, Gu Changsheng was prepared. He ordered the Royal Shadow Guards to secretly protect Lu Tao¡¯s daughter. Once Lu Tao discovered that the Empress Dowager was behind the plot to harm his family, he would naturally become loyal to Gu Changsheng out of gratitude. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With that, Qing Long bowed and departed to carry out his orders.


    Meanwhile, Xia Wudao, the chief eunuch, couldn¡¯t suppress his outrage and asked, ¡°Your Majesty, would the Empress Dowager really stoop so low as to harm Commander Lu¡¯s daughter? Such methods are truly despicable!¡±


    Gu Changsheng smiled, his eyes sharp as he replied, ¡°Chen Zhan¡¯s death left Lu Tao in command of the City Defense Force, which controls hundreds of thousands of troops. If the Empress Dowager cannot win him over with promises, she will certainly resort to more underhanded tactics to ensure his obedience.¡±


    ¡°But her plans will fail.¡± Gu Changsheng added with a confident smirk.


    Xia Wudao might not have anticipated the Empress Dowager¡¯s full ruthlessness, but Gu Changsheng, knowing the original plot, understood exactly what was about to unfold. Now that the Royal Shadow Guards was in position, the Empress Dowager¡¯s plot to threaten Lu Tao with his daughter¡¯s life would be foiled, and Lu Tao would willingly turn to Gu Changsheng.


    At that point, Gu Changsheng would control the Royal Shadow Guards, the elite 3,000-strong Wanghou army, and the powerful City Defense Force¡ªgiving him enough strength to stand against the Empress Dowager.

 Chapter 18 - The Imperial Palace Defense! Legion of Three Thousand Kings!

    Chapter 18 The Imperial Palace Defense! Legion of Three Thousand Kings!In the deep, quiet courtyard of Cining Palace within the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Empress Dowager and Right Prime Minister Liu Wu sat opposite each other, sipping tea and chatting casually.


    ¡°The position of commander for the City Defense Force is now vacant.¡± Liu Wu remarked quietly after taking a sip of tea. ¡°The Emperor will surely try every means to seize control of the military power. Empress Dowager, you must make plans in advance.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Prime Minister.¡± the Empress Dowager responded with a knowing smile. ¡°I already have a suitable candidate in mind for the position of commander¡ªI¡¯m planning to appoint Lu Tao.¡±


    Liu Wu looked confused, his expression reflecting his puzzlement. ¡°Lu Tao is an upright man, loyal to the Great Zhou Dynasty. There¡¯s a high chance he will side with the new Emperor. Empress Dowager, if you let him take command of the City Defense Force, aren¡¯t you raising a threat?¡±


    If Lu Tao were made commander and chose to ally with the new Emperor, it would spell trouble for them.


    The City Defense Force, with its hundreds of thousands of soldiers guarding the imperial capital, was key. Whoever controlled the City Defense Force held control over the imperial city. The military power of the Force could not fall into the Emperor¡¯s hands.


    The Empress Dowager chuckled softly. ¡°Naturally, I have a way to make Lu Tao obedient. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t let him take the position of commander.¡±


    Her words caused Liu Wu¡¯s face to light up with sudden understanding. The Empress Dowager planned to use Lu Tao¡¯s daughter as leverage, threatening her to force Lu Tao into submission. Although the method was disgraceful, as long as it allowed them to control the City Defense Force¡¯s military power, it was worth it.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, has there been any recent activity on the Emperor¡¯s side?¡± Liu Wu casually inquired, as his thoughts shifted to Gu Changsheng, the newly enthroned Emperor.


    Since the Ninth Prince ascended the throne, he had been decisive and ruthless in his actions. The Royal Shadow Guards, the mysterious powerful protector, and other unknown factors surrounding him still puzzled them. All of these indicated that Gu Changsheng was far more cunning than he appeared, and it was crucial to monitor his every move.


    ¡°Rest assured, Prime Minister.¡± the Empress Dowager said lazily, her voice cold but regal. ¡°In this palace, from the Imperial Guards to the eunuchs and maids, everyone is under my watch. The new Emperor¡¯s every move is being monitored closely by my spies.¡±


    In her view, although Gu Changsheng controlled the Royal Shadow Guards and had a mysterious, powerful protector, his foundation was still weak. He was not yet qualified to compete with her.


    However, at that very moment, a middle-aged general in black armor hurried into the courtyard, his expression urgent as he called out loudly, ¡°Empress Dowager, something terrible has happened!¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± The Empress Dowager¡¯s face darkened as she let out a cold snort. ¡°How dare you act so panicked, is the sky falling?¡±


    She glared at the general, her eyes narrowing slightly as she rebuked him in a frosty tone.


    Right Prime Minister Liu Wu recognized the man as Xu Hao, commander of the Imperial Guards and a trusted subordinate of the Empress Dowager. Seeing Xu Hao so flustered gave Liu Wu a sinking feeling.


    Frowning, Liu Wu couldn¡¯t suppress his concern and asked, ¡°Commander Xu, has something major occurred in the palace?¡±


    Xu Hao nodded gravely. ¡°Reporting to the Empress Dowager and the Prime Minister, a mysterious army suddenly appeared within the palace today, acting under the Emperor¡¯s orders. They have replaced the Imperial Guards in protecting the palace. My men and I have completely lost control over the palace defenses.¡±


    Hearing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face tightened with displeasure. She cast a cold glance at Xu Hao and snapped, ¡°Incompetent fool! The Imperial Guards are the most elite soldiers of the Great Zhou Dynasty. As their commander, how could you not resist and allow the new Emperor to seize control of the palace defenses so easily?¡±


    The Imperial Guards were responsible for the palace¡¯s defenses and held immense importance. By controlling them, the Empress Dowager effectively controlled the imperial palace, making the court officials wary of her power. But now, with the guards replaced by Gu Changsheng¡¯s mysterious army, she had lost her hold on the palace.


    Her control was slipping away.


    The Empress Dowager was so enraged by the situation that it took her some time to calm down after venting her anger.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, the mysterious army that appeared in the palace is small in number, but every soldier has the cultivation of a marquis, and their commander is stronger than me.¡± Xu Hao explained, trembling as he sensed the Empress Dowager¡¯s fury. ¡°I led the Imperial Guards in resistance, but we were no match and suffered a significant defeat. That¡¯s why I came to report this matter to you.¡±


    Xu Hao¡¯s face was full of fear, but it wasn¡¯t entirely his fault. While the Imperial Guards were elite, they stood no chance against an army of three thousand marquises. If he hadn¡¯t been pragmatic and avoided an all-out clash with them, he might not have lived to bring the news to the Empress Dowager.


    Seeing Xu Hao¡¯s terrified and defeated expression, the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes filled with displeasure, and she felt a deep dissatisfaction.


    At the same time, she began to feel a sense of dread regarding this mysterious army. She knew that the weakest Imperial Guard soldier was at the Divine Sea level, with many others at the Life-and-Death and King realm. Xu Hao, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was a Seventh-Level Grandmaster, a powerful individual. Yet, they had been completely outmatched.


    Right Prime Minister Liu Wu, realizing the situation, frowned and said warily, ¡°It seems we¡¯ve underestimated the forces under the Emperor¡¯s command. Not only does he have the Royal Shadow Guards and a mysterious peak-level expert, but now he has this mysterious army in the palace. The late Emperor truly spared no effort, leaving so many hidden cards for the new Emperor.¡±


    Liu Wu couldn¡¯t help but sigh under his breath. From the Royal Shadow Guards, the mysterious protector, and now this army, he believed all these forces were left by the late Emperor to secure Gu Changsheng¡¯s throne.


    It astonished him that the late Emperor had cultivated so many secret forces without anyone noticing.


    However, Liu Wu was unaware that the late Emperor had left no such cards for Gu Changsheng¡ªeverything was Gu Changsheng¡¯s doing.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± The Empress Dowager scoffed with disdain.


    ¡°So the Emperor has his Royal Shadow Guards and a mysterious army? Well, I have the Dragon Guards and the Imperial Guards. The number of grandmasters under my command is countless. How can the new Emperor hope to compete with me?¡±


    Though Gu Changsheng had taken over the defense of the imperial palace with his three thousand Kings, Empress Dowager was only slightly irritated.


    She didn¡¯t take Gu Changsheng seriously, as she had control over the Dragon Guards, a force personally established by the late Emperor at great cost.


    While small in number, every soldier in the Dragon Guard was a grandmaster, making them one of the hidden aces of the Great Zhou Dynasty. After the late Emperor¡¯s death, the Empress Dowager had bribed the commander and taken control of the Dragon Guards. Furthermore, her true identity was that of the Demon Queen, giving her access to countless experts from the demonic sects.


    Because of this, the Empress Dowager did not see Gu Changsheng as a real threat. What she feared was how many more hidden cards the late Emperor had left for him that had yet to surface.


    ¡°I won¡¯t pursue your failure this time.¡± the Empress Dowager said coldly, glancing at Xu Hao. ¡°From now on, keep a close watch on the Emperor¡¯s every move.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Empress Dowager!¡± Xu Hao, relieved, responded respectfully.


    ¡°Dismissed!¡± The Empress Dowager waved her hand impatiently, and Xu Hao quickly withdrew.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, it¡¯s time we start planning.¡± Liu Wu said in a low, sinister voice, his eyes glinting with murderous intent. ¡°If necessary, we may need to take drastic measures and eliminate the Emperor to avoid future trouble.¡±


    His words caused the Empress Dowager to frown, her expression uncertain as she pondered the suggestion.


    Her original plan had been to control the Ninth Prince Gu Changsheng, using him as a puppet Emperor while she secretly wielded power over the Great Zhou Dynasty. Once she solidified her control, she would deal with the other princes.


    However, Gu Changsheng had proven to be far more cunning and capable than she had anticipated, making it impossible to turn him into a puppet.


    But if she moved to kill him now, the other princes would undoubtedly realize it was her doing and would unite against her. After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager shook her head and replied softly, ¡°For now, we won¡¯t move against the new Emperor. If we act, the other princes will band together to oppose me.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± Liu Wu conceded, understanding her concern. If Gu Changsheng were killed, the other princes might unite against them, and they would be hard-pressed to withstand that assault.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, the Imperial Guards have already been replaced by the Emperor¡¯s mysterious army. We must ensure that the Emperor doesn¡¯t gain control of the City Defense Force, or the consequences will be dire.¡±


    Thinking of recent events, Liu Wu grew increasingly wary of Gu Changsheng and reminded the Empress Dowager of the importance of preventing him from seizing the City Defense Force.


    ¡°Rest assured, Prime Minister. I will secure control of the City Defense Force at all costs.¡± the Empress Dowager said confidently. ¡°As long as we have Lu Tao¡¯s daughter as leverage, he will have no choice but to submit.¡±


    Hearing this, Liu Wu¡¯s unease began to fade. His eyes narrowed as he looked in the direction of the imperial study. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time, they were fully prepared. If the new Emperor managed to seize control of the City Defense Force, they would have no choice but to take drastic measures and eliminate him at all costs.

 Chapter 19 - The Shocked Late Emperor Gu Qiangu!

    Chapter 19 The Shocked Late Emperor Gu Qiangu!At the same time, as Gu Changsheng and the Empress Dowager secretly vied for control over the city¡¯s military forces, deep within the imperial palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, in a hidden chamber, a majestic and authoritative middle-aged man dressed in a dragon robe sat cross-legged. His entire being exuded an unprecedented and terrifying imperial might.


    If the civil and military officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty were present, they would instantly recognize this man as the late Emperor, Gu Qiangu.


    Despite the fact that the entire court, including the Empress Dowager, believed he had died, Gu Qiangu was very much alive.


    ¡°Shadow One, not long ago, I passed the throne of the Great Zhou to the Ninth Prince, Gu Changsheng,¡± Gu Qiangu said with a calm and imposing expression, his hands behind his back, exuding a powerful aura. ¡°And now, the court is under the control of the Empress Dowager, is it not?¡±


    Ever since Gu Qiangu abdicated the throne to Gu Changsheng, he had anticipated that Gu Changsheng would serve as nothing more than a puppet emperor for the Empress Dowager, Lin Yaoji.


    But this was exactly what he wanted. If he had allowed one of his more ambitious sons to take the throne, they would have fought the Empress Dowager for power, leading to internal strife that could have torn the dynasty apart.


    Thus, Gu Qiangu had chosen Gu Changsheng, the weakest and least likely to challenge the Empress Dowager, hoping that by the time he emerged from his secluded cultivation, all he would need to do was deal with the Empress Dowager to reclaim control.


    As he was about to enter seclusion to break through to the Saint realm, he left his trusted aide, Shadow One, to keep tabs on the outside world.


    ¡°Your Majesty, it is not the Empress Dowager who controls the court but the Ninth Prince, Gu Changsheng.¡±


    A mysterious figure dressed in black robes, whose face was obscured, suddenly appeared from the shadows of the chamber and reported in a hoarse voice.


    This was Shadow One, a peak Great Expert and the only person in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, apart from the Saint Ancestor, who knew that Gu Qiangu¡¯s death had been faked.


    ¡°The Ninth Prince controls the court? Has the Empress Dowager suddenly become soft-hearted and spared the boy?¡± Gu Qiangu was visibly taken aback. He knew the Empress Dowager well ¡ª ruthless, ambitious, and always seeking control.


    Shadow One proceeded to recount the recent events within the court: Gu Changsheng¡¯s ascension to the throne, the Empress Dowager¡¯s attempt to usurp power, Gu Changsheng¡¯s creation of the Royal Shadow Guards, his removal of the Minister of Revenue, and the appearance of a mysterious peak Great Expert by his side.


    After listening to the whole account, Gu Qiangu frowned deeply, his expression full of disbelief.


    The most troubling question was the origin of the Royal Shadow Guards and the mysterious expert by Gu Changsheng¡¯s side. The entire court believed these were forces left behind by Gu Qiangu himself to aid Gu Changsheng, but Gu Qiangu knew otherwise.


    This possibility filled Gu Qiangu with unease and suspicion.


    ¡°Shadow One, who exactly is backing the Ninth Prince? Could it be the Li Dynasty, the Yan Dynasty, or even one of the Holy Lands or sects?¡± Gu Qiangu¡¯s eyes darkened as he considered these possibilities, each of them alarming.


    ¡°Your Majesty, it is highly likely that the Ninth Prince is being supported by an outside power from the Shen Zhou,¡± Shadow One suggested. ¡°Do you wish to intervene?¡±


    ¡°No, I cannot come out of seclusion until I have broken through to the Saint realm,¡± Gu Qiangu responded after a moment of reflection. ¡°Keep a close eye on the court, and find out exactly where these mysterious forces are coming from.¡±


    ¡°As you command, Your Majesty.¡± Shadow One nodded, then vanished into the shadows as silently as he had appeared.


    As Shadow One disappeared, Gu Qiangu¡¯s eyes narrowed, burning with anger. If Gu Changsheng was truly colluding with external powers, he had crossed a line that would cost him dearly. Once Gu Qiangu emerged from seclusion as a Saint, he vowed to make Gu Changsheng and his backers pay a heavy price.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, in the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s imperial palace, inside the imperial study:


    ¡°Zhao Lei, is the task I gave you complete?¡± Gu Changsheng asked, his tone calm yet commanding.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the palace guards have been completely replaced by soldiers from the Marquis Army.¡± a tall and imposing middle-aged general dressed in golden armor replied respectfully. ¡°Additionally, all the eunuchs and maids planted by the Empress Dowager have been removed.¡±


    This general was Zhao Lei, commander of the three-thousand-strong Marquis Army and a formidable expert at the seventh level of the Great Expert realm.


    ¡°Excellent.¡± Gu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.


    With the palace¡¯s defenses firmly under his control and the Empress Dowager¡¯s spies eliminated, he now had the upper hand in the palace.


    Waving Zhao Lei away, Gu Changsheng turned to Qinglong, the commander of the Royal Shadow Guards, and asked, ¡°Has the Empress Dowager made any moves against Lu Xuanyuan?¡±


    Lu Xuanyuan was the daughter of Lu Tao, the general whose support both Gu Changsheng and the Empress Dowager were vying for to secure control of the city¡¯s military camp.


    ¡°Rest assured, Your Majesty. I have dispatched several hundred Jinyiwei to protect her in secret. The Empress Dowager will not succeed in harming her.¡± Qinglong replied solemnly.


    ¡°Good.¡± Gu Changsheng nodded, relieved.


    Although mobilizing so many Royal Shadow Guards to protect a single woman seemed excessive, Lu Tao¡¯s allegiance was crucial to gaining control of the city¡¯s forces, and the effort was worth it.


    Just then, a system notification rang in Gu Changsheng¡¯s mind:


    [Ding! Detected that the late Emperor Gu Qiangu harbors killing intent toward the host. The plot has been altered. You have gained 10,000 plot points!].


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes flickered coldly as he smirked. It seemed that his actions had already attracted Gu Qiangu¡¯s attention, disrupting the former emperor¡¯s plans. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Gu Changsheng wasn¡¯t worried. He knew that Gu Qiangu was currently focused on breaking through to the Saint realm and would not leave seclusion prematurely.


    In the original storyline, it took Gu Qiangu several years to complete his breakthrough, and by that time, Gu Changsheng was confident he would be even more powerful, perhaps even surpassing Gu Qiangu.


    For now, his priority was to continue growing his strength and influence while maintaining a low profile.


    The most immediate goal was to win over Lu Tao and secure command of the city¡¯s military forces.


    With that, Gu Changsheng prepared for the next phase of his plans, knowing that his destiny, and that of the entire dynasty, lay in the balance.

 Chapter 20 - The Girl in the Purple Dress!

    Chapter 20 The Girl in the Purple Dress!The Great Zhou Dynasty.


    At this very moment. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On the bustling streets of the imperial city, a young girl dressed in a purple long dress, with a delicate face and a mischievous, lively demeanor, was wandering aimlessly.


    Behind her, several hundred Royal Shadow Guards concealed their presence in the shadows, closely protecting the girl ahead.


    ¡°Commander Qing Long, who is this girl? What makes her worth mobilizing hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards for protection?¡±


    A curious voice rose from the darkness, and the hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards, equally puzzled, began to discuss among themselves.


    ¡°Shut up! Some things are not for you to ask!¡±


    Qing Long¡¯s face was stern, and he did not explain, coldly silencing them.


    He naturally knew the identity of the girl before him; she was Lu Xuanxuan, the daughter of Lu Tao, Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force.


    Currently, both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager were vying for control of the City Defense Force¡¯s military power.


    His Majesty had dispatched hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards to protect Lu Tao¡¯s daughter, presumably as a move to win over Deputy Commander Lu Tao.


    Suddenly, at that moment, the girl in front appeared flustered as a middle-aged eunuch, dressed in a blue robe and with a sinister expression, intercepted her path, accompanied by hundreds of fierce guards.


    ¡°Miss Lu, the Empress Dowager has summoned you.¡±


    The blue-robed middle-aged eunuch, Feng Yu, smiled coldly, his gaze fixed on the girl before him.


    The plan to abduct Lu Tao¡¯s daughter had succeeded unexpectedly easily.


    Upon recognizing the identity of the blue-robed eunuch, Lu Xuanxuan¡¯s eyes showed a trace of panic as if she had realized something.


    Having lived under the shadow of the imperial city for so many years, though still young, she had witnessed much deceit and betrayal.


    Knowing that the Empress Dowager¡¯s request to see her was far from well-intentioned, she surmised that she might be used as leverage to coerce her father, Lu Tao, into committing some unspeakable crime.


    With this in mind, a glimmer of cunning flashed in Lu Xuanxuan¡¯s eyes as she smiled at Feng Yu and said, ¡°Eunuch Feng, I must inform my father first before going to see the Empress Dowager. What do you think?¡±


    Feng Yu smirked, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips.


    He hadn¡¯t expected Lu Tao¡¯s daughter, though young, to be so clever and to guess his intentions.


    ¡°No need. I will inform Commander Lu myself.¡±


    ¡°Miss Lu, please, do not keep the Empress Dowager waiting.¡±


    Feng Yu¡¯s face darkened, and he stopped being polite. With a wave of his hand, hundreds of fierce guards stepped forward and took control of Lu Xuanxuan.


    At that moment!


    The commotion instantly attracted the attention of numerous cultivators on the streets of the imperial city, who began gathering to watch and discuss.


    ¡°Clear out!¡±


    Feng Yu, growing irritated, shouted coldly, releasing a terrifying aura that instantly dispersed the surrounding cultivators. He was about to take Lu Xuanxuan away.


    ¡°Eunuch Feng, what an impressive show of power.¡±


    ¡°Daring to be so arrogant and brazen, abducting a girl under the very nose of the imperial city in broad daylight.¡±


    ¡°If this matter reaches His Majesty¡¯s ears, Eunuch Feng, your life might be in jeopardy!¡±


    Just as Feng Yu was about to take Lu Xuanxuan away, a mocking voice suddenly rang out beside him.


    The next moment, the Commander of the Royal Shadow Guards, Qing Long, with a cold expression, appeared on the streets of the imperial city, accompanied by hundreds of terrifying Royal Shadow Guards, surrounding Feng Yu and his men.


    Such a large-scale operation by the Royal Shadow Guards had naturally been ordered by Gu Changsheng to secretly protect Lu Xuanxuan.


    What Qing Long had not expected was that this fool Feng Yu would be so brazen as to make a move on Lu Xuanxuan in broad daylight.


    However, all of this depended on one condition: Lu Tao¡¯s daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, could not fall into the Empress Dowager¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Royal Shadow Guards, what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Get out of my way! If you delay my task, you won¡¯t be able to bear the consequences.¡±


    Feng Yu¡¯s expression darkened as his gaze fell on Qing Long, his voice cold and threatening.


    As the Empress Dowager¡¯s personal eunuch, Feng Yu held little regard even for the newly crowned Emperor, Gu Changsheng, let alone the Royal Shadow Guards in front of him.


    Thus, despite the hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards surrounding him, Feng Yu remained arrogant and dismissive.


    ¡°Heh!¡±


    Qing Long narrowed his eyes, a murderous intent flashing within, and coldly said, ¡°Eunuch Feng, are you aware that kidnapping a girl in the imperial city is punishable by exile at best, and death at worst?¡±


    ¡°Today, the Royal Shadow Guards have witnessed this crime.¡±


    ¡°So Eunuch Feng, you¡¯ll have to accompany us to the prison.¡±


    With that, hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards drew their swords in unison, their terrifying killing intent directed at Feng Yu.


    In an instant!


    Feng Yu felt an overwhelming sense of death pressing down on him, and his heart immediately began to race in panic.


    He recalled how these Royal Shadow Guards had dared to execute a high-ranking court official, the Minister of Revenue Li Yang, right outside the Tai Chi Hall.


    If he didn¡¯t cooperate today, these Royal Shadow Guards might actually kill him.


    However, Feng Yu was not so easily intimidated. He quickly regained his composure, his face returning to calm.


    ¡°If the Royal Shadow Guards want to take me to prison, you¡¯ll first have to prove that you have the capability.¡±


    ¡°The hundreds of guards behind me are not to be trifled with.¡±


    Feng Yu¡¯s face contorted in rage as he shouted furiously.


    Lu Xuanxuan was the Empress Dowager¡¯s key leverage over Lu Tao, and there was no way he would allow the Royal Shadow Guards to take her easily.


    With a wave of his hand, hundreds of his guards, faces cold and imposing, raised their weapons toward the Royal Shadow Guards.


    In an instant!


    The tension between the two sides reached a breaking point, ready to explode into violence.


    At that moment, even the heavens and earth seemed to fill with a terrifying killing aura, the surrounding air trembling.


    Seeing this, the countless cultivators watching from the sides of the imperial city streets were horrified and quickly retreated, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.


    ¡°Heh!¡±


    Qing Long sneered with disdain. In an instant, his body erupted with an unprecedentedly terrifying aura, shaking the very heavens and earth.


    The ground shook, and the air trembled.


    Feng Yu¡¯s face paled in terror as he sensed the looming threat of death.


    The hundreds of fierce guards behind him turned pale, trembling in fear, as they struggled to breathe, entirely unable to resist.


    ¡°How could this be? You¡¯ve reached the level of a Great Expert!¡±


    Feng Yu¡¯s body trembled, and his voice quivered as he spoke.


    He remembered that Qing Long had only recently been at the peak of the King realm, yet in just a few short days, he had broken through to the level of a Great Expert.


    If Qing Long had still been at the King realm, Feng Yu, also a peak King and the Empress Dowager¡¯s personal eunuch, would not have feared the Royal Shadow Guards.


    But a Great Expert was beyond the ability of him and his guards to contend with.


    At this realization, Feng Yu¡¯s face turned ashen. He prayed that the Empress Dowager would quickly become aware of the situation and send reinforcements.


    ¡°Royal Shadow Guards, seize Eunuch Feng!¡±


    Qing Long, seeing through Feng Yu¡¯s thoughts, coldly ordered his men to take action.


    In an instant, Feng Yu and his hundreds of guards, with no ability to resist, were swiftly apprehended by the Royal Shadow Guards.


    As for Lu Xuanxuan, Qing Long personally planned to escort her to the City Defense Force.


    Once Lu Tao learned of this, he would owe His Majesty a favor and would know how to choose his allegiance.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s plan to use Lu Xuanxuan to threaten Lu Tao had ultimately been thwarted.

 Chapter 21 - Lu Tao Returns to His Heart! Red Lotus Flame!

    Chapter 21 Lu Tao Returns to His Heart! Red Lotus Flame!The Great Zhou Dynasty.


    At this moment.


    In a military tent at the City Defense Force, Deputy Commander Lu Tao was dealing with military affairs.


    Suddenly, a young officer in black armor rushed into the tent, his expression urgent, and shouted loudly:


    ¡°Commander Lu, something terrible has happened!¡±


    ¡°Your daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, has been taken away by the eunuch Feng Yu, who serves the Empress Dowager.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Upon hearing this, Lu Tao¡¯s expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly, filled with rage.


    ¡°Did you personally witness Feng Yu taking my daughter away?¡±


    Lu Tao suppressed his inner fury, quickly regaining his composure, and asked the young officer before him in a deep voice.


    ¡°Commander Lu, I personally saw that eunuch Feng Yu, leading hundreds of guards with great force, took your daughter away.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I came quickly to inform you.¡±


    The young officer in black armor spoke respectfully, without concealing anything, recounting everything he had seen on the streets of the imperial city. Of course, because he had rushed to report the situation to Lu Tao, he hadn¡¯t witnessed the later arrival of the Royal Shadow Guards, who rescued Lu Xuanxuan.


    After listening to the report.


    Lu Tao¡¯s face darkened. He remained silent for a moment before letting out a sigh:


    ¡°I understand. You may leave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Commander!¡± The young officer nodded and left the tent.


    Alone in the tent, Lu Tao paced back and forth, his expression shifting between anger and contemplation.


    He understood the purpose behind the Empress Dowager¡¯s actions. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She wanted to use Lu Xuanxuan to coerce him into obeying her and pledging his loyalty.


    For now, it seemed that his daughter¡¯s life was not in immediate danger.


    But if he continued to refuse the Empress Dowager¡¯s advances, given her ruthless nature, not only might he be eliminated, but even his daughter could meet a grim fate.


    ¡°Do I have no choice but to submit to the Empress Dowager?¡±


    Lu Tao¡¯s face remained silent as he hesitated, thinking it over for a long time. Gritting his teeth, he prepared to head to the palace.


    However, just then, a familiar and gentle voice came from outside the tent.


    ¡°Father, I¡¯ve returned.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lu Tao¡¯s expression turned to joy, and he hurriedly stepped outside the tent to find his daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, standing safely before him.


    But as Lu Tao looked at his daughter, he noticed the presence of a middle-aged man next to her, wearing a phoenix-crested helmet, the distinctive flying fish robe, and carrying an embroidered spring knife at his waist, exuding a fierce aura. Lu Tao immediately understood what had happened.


    As the Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force, he naturally recognized the middle-aged man before him as Qing Long, the Commander of the Royal Shadow Guards.


    It was likely that the Royal Shadow Guards had intervened to rescue his daughter from the Empress Dowager¡¯s clutches.


    ¡°Many thanks to the Royal Shadow Guards for your assistance,¡± Lu Tao said with a smile, cupping his hands in gratitude to Commander Qing Long.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for formalities, Commander Lu. I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡±


    Commander Qing Long nodded slightly, returning the gesture, before turning and departing from the City Defense Force.


    Watching his figure disappear into the distance, Lu Tao was filled with gratitude. He understood that this was His Majesty¡¯s way of showing goodwill toward him.


    After Commander Chen Zhan had defied an imperial decree and was executed by the Emperor, the tens of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force had all come under Lu Tao¡¯s command.


    Thus, both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager sought to win him over.


    After this incident, Lu Tao had witnessed the Empress Dowager¡¯s shameless tactics and naturally would never pledge his loyalty to her.


    Moreover, without the Emperor¡¯s intervention, his daughter, Lu Xuanxuan, might have fallen into the Empress Dowager¡¯s hands, leaving him at her mercy for the rest of his life.


    With these thoughts, Lu Tao made up his mind.


    After settling his daughter, he would go to the palace to personally thank the Emperor and, in doing so, secure a powerful patron.


    ¡­


    The Great Zhou Dynasty, the majestic imperial palace.


    In the imperial study.


    Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, expressionless, reviewing the memorials in his hand.


    [Ding! The host has rescued Lu Tao¡¯s daughter from the Empress Dowager, altering the course of the plot, earning 10,000 plot points!].[Ding! Lu Tao, Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force, has developed a sense of loyalty toward the host, earning 10,000 plot points!].


    At that moment, the system notifications rang out consecutively.


    With 20,000 plot points earned, Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile.


    The system¡¯s rewards meant that the Empress Dowager¡¯s scheme to abduct Lu Xuanxuan and use her to threaten Lu Tao had completely failed.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long before Lu Tao would come to him of his own accord.


    He would then be able to seize control of the City Defense Force¡¯s military power.


    Not long after, Commander Qing Long slowly opened the door to the imperial study, stepped inside, and reported the results of the mission.


    ¡°Your Majesty, I have completed everything you instructed. The Empress Dowager¡¯s eunuch, Feng Yu, has also been imprisoned in the Great Zhou dungeon, awaiting your decision.¡±


    Qing Long bowed respectfully to Gu Changsheng as he reported.


    ¡°Well done, you have not disappointed me.¡±


    Gu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.


    Had it not been for the Royal Shadow Guards, secretly protecting Lu Xuanxuan all along, the Empress Dowager¡¯s plot might have succeeded.


    As for Feng Yu, although he was the Empress Dowager¡¯s personal eunuch, Gu Changsheng did not consider him a significant threat. This incident was a convenient opportunity to get rid of him.


    However, Gu Changsheng knew that by intervening and dispatching the Royal Shadow Guards to rescue Lu Xuanxuan, he had foiled the Empress Dowager¡¯s plan, and she would undoubtedly retaliate fiercely in the future.


    This realization stirred a sense of danger within him, and he knew he could not afford to let his guard down.


    At present, his foundation was still shallow, and he could not afford to completely break with the Empress Dowager.


    Fortunately, by thwarting the Empress Dowager¡¯s scheme and rescuing Lu Xuanxuan, he had gained Lu Tao¡¯s loyalty.


    Soon, he would be able to take control of the City Defense Force¡¯s military power.


    Gu Changsheng waved his hand, dismissing Commander Qing Long.


    Next, he checked his accumulated plot points, which had reached 30,000!


    ¡°System, use 30,000 plot points for three draws!¡±


    Without any hesitation, Gu Changsheng mentally commanded the system. Soon, the 30,000 plot points were cleared.


    [Ding! 30,000 plot points have been used. Beginning the draw¡­].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea!].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Constitution of Immunity to All Poisons!].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Red Lotus Flame!].

 Chapter 22 - The Reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress!

    Chapter 22 The Reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress!¡°F*ck!¡±


    Looking at the treasure he had drawn, Gu Changsheng¡¯s face was full of smiles, and his heart was filled with joy.


    This round of the lottery felt like being blessed by the luck of a European Emperor*¡ªeverything he drew was excellent.


    The Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea, a heavenly treasure, allowed cultivators to comprehend the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, making its value immeasurable. Across the entire Shen Zhou, only saints possessed some.


    This Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea was not only extremely useful to Gu Changsheng, but he could also use it to win over the ministers in court.


    Especially the Left Prime Minister, Xue Wuyan, who held great power and influence, with cultivation at the peak of the Great Expert Realm.


    If Gu Changsheng presented the Left Prime Minister with this Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea, helping him improve his cultivation further, Xue Wuyan would undoubtedly be grateful.


    Sometimes, winning over ministers didn¡¯t require force or coercion. As the saying goes, to win someone¡¯s heart, one must understand human relations and offer benefits that the other cannot refuse. In turn, the goal would naturally be achieved.


    For example, the Empress Dowager planned to use Lu Tao¡¯s daughter as leverage to control him. Such dishonorable methods could never win Lu Tao¡¯s genuine loyalty, and might even backfire if mishandled.


    The Empress Dowager was essentially ¡°trying to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice.¡±


    Without thinking further, Gu Changsheng inspected the second reward he had drawn: a constitution immune to all poisons.


    ¡°Open attacks are easy to defend against, but hidden ones are not.¡±


    With this constitution, he no longer feared being poisoned or harmed secretly.


    However, when Gu Changsheng saw the third reward¡ªRed Lotus Flame¡ªhis face lit up with surprise.


    In the original story, Red Lotus Flame was powerful enough to burn everything in existence, and it was the most formidable weapon of the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago. Even emperors feared it.


    Now, this Red Lotus Flame had fallen into his hands.


    With a thought, Gu Changsheng summoned a scorching, golden-red lotus-shaped flame into his palm.


    As soon as the flame appeared, the surrounding space in the Imperial Study seemed on the verge of evaporating.


    This flame was none other than the Red Lotus Flame.


    In the original story, the Red Lotus Empress, whose real name was Luo Qingyue, lived 100,000 years ago in Shen Zhou.


    Mastering the Red Lotus Flame, she became one of the most powerful emperors, earning the title of Red Lotus Empress, with overwhelming power.


    Suddenly, Gu Changsheng thought of another issue.


    Shaking his head to clear these thoughts, Gu Changsheng focused on his status.


    [Host: Gu Changsheng].[Identity: Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty].[Age: 18].[Cultivation Level: Divine Sea Realm].[Constitution: Emperor¡¯s Divine Body].[Skills and Treasures: Emperor¡¯s Qi Observation Technique, Emperor¡¯s Path Technique, Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea, Red Lotus Flame¡­].


    ¡°If only my cultivation level were higher!¡±


    Looking at his system panel, Gu Changsheng smiled while toying with the Red Lotus Flame in his hand, muttering to himself.


    He was somewhat dissatisfied with his current cultivation level being only at the Divine Sea Realm.


    If anyone else knew his thoughts, they would undoubtedly feel envious.


    In just a few days, he had broken through two major realms from the Innate Realm to the Divine Sea Realm¡ªyet he was still not satisfied?


    ¡­


    At the same time, when Gu Changsheng drew the Red Lotus Flame from the system¡¯s store, at the Tenth Princess¡¯s residence in the Great Zhou Dynasty, a young girl with an indistinct yet terrifying aura sat cross-legged in a secluded courtyard.


    She slowly opened her deep eyes, gazing in the direction of the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, murmuring softly:


    ¡°Why is the aura of the Red Lotus Flame appearing in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace?¡±


    ¡°Before my reincarnation, the Red Lotus Flame was sealed in the Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons. There¡¯s no way it could appear in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace.¡±


    The girl, dressed in a red celestial robe, had a youthful and tender face, but the aura surrounding her was incomprehensibly vast and terrifying.


    What was most shocking was that countless laws and immortal lights swirled around her, shining brightly.


    She seemed not of this mortal world but rather transcendent, like an empress descended from the heavens, commanding all of heaven, earth, and the creatures of Shen Zhou to bow before her.


    This girl was none other than the Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Gu Ningshuang.


    But her true identity was the reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress, who lived 100,000 years ago.


    In her previous life, she was known as Luo Qingyue, one of the emperors of Shen Zhou, titled the Red Lotus Empress.


    At five, she began cultivating. By six, she reached the Innate Realm.


    At seven, she broke through to the Profound Realm. At eight, she attained the Divine Sea Realm.


    At eighteen, she became a saint and was known as the most monstrous talent in Shen Zhou, walking the path of the emperor, invincible across the world. She swept through countless geniuses and peers.


    As a woman, she reached the rank of emperor before the age of one hundred and became the Red Lotus Empress of Shen Zhou.


    Yet, even as an emperor, undefeated and commanding the submission of billions, she had a lifespan of only ten thousand years and would eventually fall.


    Throughout history, countless cultivators have sought immortality through cultivation.


    No matter how exceptional or radiant a genius was, in the end, none could resist the passage of time, turning to dust and bones.


    For this reason, she ventured into the Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons, the most terrifying place in Shen Zhou, where even emperors dared not tread lightly.


    After enduring countless hardships and paying the price of her life, she found the answer to immortality within the Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons.


    Beyond the realm of the emperor, immortals were eternal and undying, witnessing the rise and fall of ages and epochs, untouched by the cycle of reincarnation.


    In addition, she obtained a cultivation technique called ¡°The Immortal Dao Reincarnation Technique¡± from the Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was precisely because of this technique that she was able to reincarnate after her death and continue her journey.


    Those who practiced this technique, even if they perished, could continually reincarnate through the cycle of life, achieving immortality.


    At first, she hadn¡¯t believed it, but after successfully reincarnating into the Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, she now knew how terrifying ¡°The Immortal Dao Reincarnation Technique¡± truly was.


    Even the scriptures of emperors paled in comparison to it.


    ¡°This lifetime, my name is Gu Ningshuang.¡±


    ¡°I have nine older brothers and am the Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, possessing the Phoenix Divine Body and exceptional talent.¡±


    ¡°At fifteen, I am at the peak of the Life and Death Realm!¡±


    The girl¡¯s expression remained indifferent as she recalled the memories of her current body and found herself relatively satisfied.


    At the age of fifteen, to have reached the peak of the Life and Death Realm was quite impressive, though still far from her achievements in her previous life.


    However, by the standards of Shen Zhou, she could be considered an exceptional genius.


    ¡°Still, why is the aura of the Red Lotus Flame appearing in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace?¡±


    ¡°Could it be that a powerful figure of the Great Zhou Dynasty entered the Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons?¡±


    Gu Ningshuang frowned slightly, her face filled with solemnity as she murmured to herself.


    The Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons, an ancient place, could claim the lives of even emperors.


    ¡°It seems there is a secret within the Great Zhou Imperial Palace. If I can acquire the Red Lotus Flame in advance¡­¡±


    ¡°Even if my strength hasn¡¯t fully recovered, I will have a means of protecting myself.¡±


    Gu Ningshuang¡¯s face remained cold as she thought about her current situation, feeling somewhat frustrated.


    Her identity now was no longer that of the unrivaled Red Lotus Empress but rather the Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with cultivation at the peak of the Life and Death Realm.


    Though her strength in the younger generation was respectable, in the grand scheme of Shen Zhou¡¯s many powerful figures, she was insignificant.


    She needed to improve her strength as quickly as possible.


    If she could obtain the Red Lotus Flame earlier, with her previous life¡¯s techniques, she could protect herself, even against saints.


    As these thoughts passed through her mind, Gu Ningshuang¡¯s gaze deepened as she looked in the direction of the Imperial Palace, her thoughts unknown.

 Chapter 23 - Late Night Assassination! Peak Great Expert powerhouse!

    Chapter 23 Late Night Assassination! Peak Great Expert powerhouse!


    The Great Zhou Dynasty, Cining Palace.


    The Empress Dowager had a grim expression as a figure cloaked in black reported everything that had transpired on the main streets of the imperial city.


    ¡°Feng Yu, that fool, is truly incapable. He can¡¯t accomplish anything and only makes matters worse.¡±


    ¡°I instructed him to abduct Lu Tao¡¯s daughter, but he couldn¡¯t even manage that, and now he¡¯s been imprisoned by the Royal Shadow Guards.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s face was filled with restrained fury, and her heart surged with overwhelming anger. She couldn¡¯t help but curse.


    She truly hadn¡¯t expected it.


    ¡°Your Majesty, please calm down.¡±


    ¡°We can only think of another way now to gain control of the military power of the City Defense Force.¡±


    In the grand hall, Liu Wu, the Prime Minister on the right, furrowed his brows slightly and sighed.


    But of course, Liu Wu knew.


    The Emperor must have been secretly paying attention to this matter.


    Otherwise, the Royal Shadow Guards wouldn¡¯t have appeared out of nowhere on the streets of the capital to stop Feng Yu.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    ¡°Since things have come to this, we have no choice but to eliminate Lu Tao and replace him with someone more suitable to command the City Defense Force.¡±


    The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, her eyes flashing with killing intent as she spoke in an icy tone.


    After this incident, Lu Tao would undoubtedly side with the Emperor.


    To the Empress Dowager, the military power of the City Defense Force could not be allowed to be in Gu Changsheng¡¯s hands.


    Thus, she had no choice but to eliminate Lu Tao and appoint someone else as the commander of the City Defense Force.


    ¡°Your Majesty, eliminating Lu Tao won¡¯t be that simple.¡±


    At this moment, Prime Minister Liu Wu spoke indifferently.


    He was well aware that if Lu Tao refused to be swayed by the Empress Dowager¡¯s offers, there could only be one outcome.


    Death!


    But Lu Tao, as the deputy commander of the City Defense Force and a cultivator at the seventh level of the Great Realm, would not be easy to deal with.


    Moreover, the Emperor was also trying to win over Lu Tao and would not stand idly by while the Empress Dowager made her move.


    This would make it difficult to eliminate Lu Tao.


    The Empress Dowager was shrewd, and she could guess Liu Wu¡¯s cautious thoughts. Her expression remained indifferent as she sneered:


    ¡°The new Emperor may wish to protect Lu Tao, but he must first prove that he has the strength to do so.¡±


    In terms of the number of powerful individuals.


    She didn¡¯t think much of the Royal Shadow Guards under Gu Changsheng¡¯s command.


    There was only that mysterious peak-level cultivator who caught her attention.


    But a single peak-level cultivator wasn¡¯t enough to pose a real threat.


    ¡°Haha, it seems the Empress Dowager is confident in her plans to eliminate Lu Tao. I shall wait for the good news!¡±


    Liu Wu squinted, a smile on his face, though a hint of trepidation flickered in his eyes.


    ¡ª


    Late at night.


    The moon hung high, its light sparse.


    At the residence of Lu Tao, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force, within the Great Zhou Imperial City.


    In the main hall. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lu Tao sat at the head of the table, conversing with a mysterious figure in black robes, his face dark and grim.


    ¡°Commander Lu, as long as you¡¯re willing to side with the Empress Dowager, you¡¯ll be granted promotions, wealth, and endless glory.¡±


    ¡°But if you stubbornly refuse and fail to recognize this opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Both you and your daughter will die tonight.¡±


    The black-robed figure¡¯s face twisted into a sinister smile, his voice laced with threats.


    At those words.


    Lu Tao¡¯s face turned furious, his gaze cold and deep as he glared at the figure before him, his tone filled with murderous intent:


    ¡°The Empress Dowager has gone too far! Does she truly think I, the deputy commander, am so easy to bully?¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking.


    A terrifying aura erupted from Lu Tao¡¯s body, enveloping the entire hall as he decisively struck out at the black-robed figure before him.


    ¡°Commander Lu, since you refuse to cooperate, you leave me no choice but to kill you.¡±


    The black-robed figure sneered, releasing a vast pressure akin to the might of the heavens as he prepared to strike.


    A violent collision resounded.


    Lu Tao¡¯s black armor shattered, and he was left in a pitiful state, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he was sent flying.


    ¡°A peak-level cultivator!¡±


    Lu Tao¡¯s face grew grave as he clutched his injured chest, struggling to stand, his eyes filled with shock as he stared at the black-robed figure.


    He had never expected that the Empress Dowager would go so far as to send a peak great expert level cultivator to kill him.


    Such powerhouses were few and far between in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, completely beyond his ability to resist.


    ¡°Unwise. Had you pledged loyalty to the Empress Dowager, you wouldn¡¯t be facing death now.¡±


    ¡°Die!¡±


    The black-robed figure¡¯s gaze turned icy as he extended his hand, preparing to strike Lu Tao¡¯s head.


    But at that moment.


    Suddenly, a figure¡ªfrail and clad in gray robes, with a sword at his waist¡ªappeared silently in the courtyard, effortlessly neutralizing the black-robed figure¡¯s power.


    Seeing this,t he black-robed figure¡¯s expression darkened, and he hesitated to strike further.


    He recognized the gray-robed elder as the mysterious peak-level cultivator who stood by the new Emperor Gu Changsheng¡¯s side.


    With him here, killing Lu Tao was clearly out of the question.


    With this realization, the black-robed figure exchanged a glance with the gray-robed elder, then vanished from the scene in an instant.


    ¡°Thank you, elder, for your help.¡±


    Lu Tao, filled with gratitude, approached the gray-robed elder and bowed respectfully.


    He knew that if this elder hadn¡¯t appeared tonight.


    He would undoubtedly be dead.


    ¡°Commander Lu, there¡¯s no need to thank me. His Majesty was aware of your danger and sent me to protect you.¡±


    The gray-robed elder waved his hand, suppressing the terrifying aura that had emanated from him. His expression remained cold as he spoke calmly.


    At these words.


    Lu Tao¡¯s gratitude deepened. He hadn¡¯t expected Gu Changsheng to send such a powerful figure to protect him. Overcome with emotion, he said:


    ¡°I will never forget His Majesty¡¯s life-saving grace. I must go to the palace immediately to thank him in person.¡±


    ¡°Commander Lu, perhaps you should heal your wounds first before meeting with His Majesty.¡±


    The gray-robed elder¡¯s gaze was indifferent as he noted Lu Tao¡¯s injuries.


    ¡°This is nothing but a scratch. It won¡¯t hold me back.¡±


    Lu Tao¡¯s voice was booming as he patted his chest, seemingly unaffected by his earlier injuries.


    Seeing this,t he gray-robed elder remained expressionless and said nothing more.


    Soon after.


    Led by the gray-robed elder.


    Lu Tao arrived at the palace unimpeded. As he approached, he noticed that the palace was surrounded by soldiers clad in golden armor, exuding a terrifying presence. He was perplexed.


    Before Lu Tao had time to process this, he was ushered by the gray-robed elder to the entrance of the imperial study.


    ¡°Your Majesty, Commander Lu has arrived!¡±


    The gray-robed elder¡¯s tone was respectful as he stood outside the imperial study, his demeanor humble.


    Seeing this, Lu Tao¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, astonished by what he was witnessing.


    This gray-robed elder was a peak-great expert level cultivator, yet he was showing such deference to the Emperor¡ªit was truly astounding.

 Chapter 24 - The Empress Dowagers Calculations! Conspiracy!

    Chapter 24 The Empress Dowager¡¯s Calculations! Conspiracy!


    ¡°Let him in!¡±


    At this moment, a dignified voice echoed from within the imperial study, interrupting Lu Tao¡¯s thoughts.


    Lu Tao didn¡¯t dare to delay. He took a deep breath, gently pushed open the door of the imperial study, and slowly walked in.


    Inside the study, Gu Changsheng sat expressionlessly on the dragon throne, reviewing the memorials in his hands.


    After a short while, Lu Tao arrived in front of Gu Changsheng, his expression respectful. He slightly bent over, clasped his fists, and saluted, saying:


    ¡°Your humble servant, Lu Tao, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Rise.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face remained stern, his voice low. His sharp gaze fell on Lu Tao, and suddenly a panel appeared before him.


    [Name: Lu Tao].[Position: Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force].[Cultivation: Seventh Layer of Great Expert Realm].[Loyalty: 90].


    Seeing Lu Tao¡¯s loyalty score of 90, Gu Changsheng¡¯s face showed a hint of satisfaction. His efforts to win over Lu Tao had not been in vain.


    ¡°What a terrifying imperial presence.¡±


    Lu Tao stood stiffly, feeling immense pressure. Under Gu Changsheng¡¯s gaze, it felt as though he was being completely seen through.


    It seemed that His Majesty was far more complex than he appeared.


    Apparently, all this time, the Ninth Prince had been concealing his true abilities, pretending to be a useless prince. Now that he had ascended to the throne, he no longer intended to maintain the facade.


    If not, there was no other explanation for why the Ninth Prince seemed like a different person after becoming emperor.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life tonight.¡±


    ¡°If Your Majesty does not disdain me, I am willing to pledge my life to Your Majesty, and will not hesitate to charge through fire and water.¡±


    At this moment, Lu Tao made up his mind. He knelt down on one knee, clasped his fists, and with sincere devotion, spoke to Gu Changsheng.


    Earlier in the streets of the imperial city, had His Majesty not sent the Royal Shadow Guards, the Empress Dowager would have long since abducted his daughter.


    Furthermore.


    Tonight, had His Majesty not dispatched experts to save him, he would have already fallen victim to the Empress Dowager¡¯s schemes.


    Lu Tao had always been loyal to the Zhou Dynasty. With Gu Changsheng¡¯s kindness on top of that, he made no hesitation and expressed his unwavering loyalty to the emperor, swearing to serve him unto death.


    [Ding! Lu Tao, Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force, has pledged absolute loyalty to the host, altering the plot, and earning 10,000 plot points!].


    At this moment, the system prompt sounded.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curled into a smile. His voice softened as he spoke:


    ¡°Commander Lu, rise quickly!¡±


    ¡°I have great expectations for you. Tomorrow, I will issue an imperial decree in court, appointing you as the Commander of the City Defense Force.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡¯s kindness is boundless. Your humble servant will not disappoint Your Majesty.¡±


    Lu Tao stood up respectfully, his eyes resolute as he spoke to Gu Changsheng.


    Hearing this, Gu Changsheng nodded in satisfaction.


    ¡­


    In the Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Ci Ning Palace.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, the mission has failed.¡±


    A black-robed figure knelt on one knee, head lowered, not daring to look directly at the Empress Dowager, fear evident on his face.


    ¡°Useless! With your strength, eliminating Lu Tao should have been a simple task. And yet, you failed such a small matter?¡±


    At the head of the hall, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face turned furious upon hearing this, speaking in an enraged tone.


    Lu Tao was merely at the Seventh Layer of Great Expert Realm. The assassin she had sent was a peak Great Expert Realm, yet still failed?


    ¡°Please calm your anger, Empress Dowager.¡±


    The black-robed figure broke into a cold sweat, hastily explaining:


    ¡°The reason I failed to assassinate Lu Tao was that at the critical moment, the new emperor¡¯s peak Great Expert intervened.¡±


    ¡°Otherwise, Lu Tao would be dead without a doubt.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes narrowed, filled with murderous intent. Her breathing became rapid as she gritted her teeth and said:


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°Once again, the emperor has thwarted my plans!¡±


    This time, in order to eliminate Lu Tao, she had sent a peak Great Expert, planning to strike before Gu Changsheng could react and remove Lu Tao. Then place her confidant as Commander of the City Defense Force to seize control of the military.


    But she never expected Gu Changsheng to react so quickly. He had anticipated her move and sent experts to protect Lu Tao in secret.


    The failed assassination meant that her scheme had fallen through once again.


    It was clear that in this round of political maneuvering, she had lost to the new emperor, Gu Changsheng.


    Sensing the Empress Dowager¡¯s inner rage, the black-robed figure¡¯s eyes flickered as he spoke in a low tone:


    ¡°Empress Dowager, even though we didn¡¯t eliminate Lu Tao, there is still a way to seize control of the City Defense Force.¡±


    ¡°After all, Lu Tao is still only the Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force, temporarily in charge of the tens of thousands of troops.¡±


    After a brief pause, the black-robed figure continued, his tone sinister and filled with amusement:


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, tomorrow at the morning court, the emperor will certainly issue a decree appointing Lu Tao as the Commander of the City Defense Force.¡±


    ¡°When that happens, the Empress Dowager can oppose the decree, sending a strong warrior to defeat Lu Tao and take command of the City Defense Force.¡±


    ¡°In this way, even the emperor would have no argument, for in military affairs, the strong have always held authority.¡±


    The black-robed figure¡¯s voice was calm, and after hearing it, the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. A smile of delight appeared on her face.


    This plan was indeed excellent.


    The military power of the City Defense Force had not yet fully fallen into Gu Changsheng¡¯s hands, so there was still a chance for her to turn the tables.


    In the imperial court, her power was deeply entrenched, and her influence extended far and wide.


    If the new emperor wanted Lu Tao to command the City Defense Force and its tens of thousands of troops, he would need her approval.


    She would like to see which officials dared to support such a move without her consent.


    Even if Lu Tao had pledged his loyalty to the new emperor, without control of the City Defense Force, a mere Seventh Layer Great Expert posed little threat to her.


    With that thought, the Empress Dowager leaned back lazily, a cold smile on her charming face, filled with disdain. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It seemed Gu Changsheng was still no match for her.


    Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, the Empress Dowager¡¯s gaze fell on the black-robed figure before her, and she curiously asked:


    ¡°Earlier, you mentioned that when trying to eliminate Lu Tao, you were stopped by the new emperor¡¯s peak Great Expert.¡±


    ¡°If you were to fight this expert, how confident are you of victory?¡±


    The Empress Dowager was wary of the mysterious experts who had suddenly appeared by Gu Changsheng¡¯s side, including the Royal Shadow Guards and the Three Thousand Noble Guards. Especially concerning was the unnamed peak Great Expert.


    Though a peak Great Expert Realm wasn¡¯t much in front of her, as a half-saint, she couldn¡¯t risk exposing her true strength. Doing so would arouse suspicion among the officials and the royal family¡¯s holy ancestor.


    If that happened, it would spell trouble.


    Thus, to deal with Gu Changsheng¡¯s strong allies, she had to rely on her own experts.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the strongman behind the emperor is also at the peak of Great Expert.¡±


    ¡°In a fight between us, it would be difficult to determine a winner without a life-or-death struggle.¡±


    Recalling the mysterious peak expert who had intervened against him, the black-robed figure spoke with a grave tone, his expression tinged with fear.


    Hearing this, the Empress Dowager remained unbothered. In her eyes, a peak Great Expert was no more than an ant compared to her half-saint power.


    Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t expose her true strength, or Gu Changsheng wouldn¡¯t even be a concern.

 Chapter 25 - Execution of the Empress Dowager’s Personal Eunuch!

    Chapter 25 Execution of the Empress Dowager¡¯s Personal Eunuch!


    Time passed.


    The next day, early morning.


    In the Great Zhou Dynasty, at the Tai Chi Hall.


    The court officials, all dressed in their official robes, stood in two lines according to their ranks.


    Gu Changsheng, clad in his imperial dragon robe and crowned with a ceremonial headdress, sat solemnly on the dragon throne. His expression was indifferent, yet his aura was overwhelming, exuding an imposing presence as he gazed down upon the hall.


    Beside him, the head eunuch, Han Wudao, shouted loudly:


    ¡°Commence the court!¡±


    ¡°We greet Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!¡±


    All the officials slightly bowed, paying their respects in unison.


    ¡°Rise.¡±


    Gu Changsheng spoke coldly.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    The officials straightened and thanked the Emperor.


    Han Wudao, scanning the assembly, then shouted loudly, ¡°Present your petitions, or court is adjourned!¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I have something to report!¡±


    Stepping out of the ranks was the commander of the Royal Shadow Guards, Qing Long, who bowed slightly to Gu Changsheng and said loudly.


    Gu Changsheng, still expressionless, responded:


    ¡°Oh? What is it that Commander Qing Long wishes to report?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I accuse the head eunuch of the Cining Palace, Feng Yu, of committing crimes in broad daylight at the foot of the imperial city walls¡ªburning, looting, and abducting women!¡±


    ¡°Feng Yu has already been apprehended by the Royal Shadow Guards and imprisoned. I ask Your Majesty for judgment!¡±


    Qing Long¡¯s voice echoed through the hall.


    Upon hearing this!


    Suddenly!


    The Tai Chi Hall fell into complete silence.


    All the officials looked shocked, their eyes wide as they gazed at Gu Changsheng on the dragon throne, feeling a rising sense of danger.


    The officials speculated in their hearts, feeling a bad premonition rise.


    ¡°How bold.¡±


    ¡°A mere eunuch dares to ignore the laws of the Great Zhou, committing murder and tyranny at the foot of the imperial city!¡±


    ¡°If he is not severely punished, what will become of the law and order?¡±


    ¡°Pass my decree: Feng Yu is to be executed immediately!¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s tone was icy, his expression stern as he scanned the assembly with murderous intent.


    With that declaration, the officials knew something was wrong.


    And indeed, the next moment¡­


    A cold voice echoed through the hall.


    ¡°Wait, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°Feng Yu has been with me for many years. He has always been diligent and loyal, and how could he possibly commit such heinous crimes under the imperial city walls?¡±


    ¡°This matter requires further investigation before any decisions are made!¡±


    ¡°What do the ministers think?¡±


    The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows, anger rising in her heart, as she spoke coldly to the officials.


    With her words, the officials looked helpless, sighing internally.


    The struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor¡­


    It was like gods fighting, and they were the mortals caught in between!


    Her words were a thinly veiled threat, forcing the officials to take sides.


    These officials were all seasoned politicians, and they could easily grasp her meaning. They began weighing their options.


    Recently, the new emperor had risen to power, making bold moves. He had eliminated the Minister of Revenue with swift action and executed Chen Zhan, the commander of the city defense force.


    This had dealt a significant blow to the Empress Dowager, causing her to lose two of her most trusted subordinates.


    However, the Empress Dowager¡¯s influence remained deeply rooted in the court, and the Emperor was still not strong enough to be a match for her.


    Considering this, aside from the neutral officials, nearly seventy percent of the ministers had already made up their minds. They stepped forward and echoed:


    ¡°The Empress Dowager is right!¡±


    ¡°The matter of Feng Yu needs to be thoroughly investigated before a decision is made!¡±


    ¡°Please, Your Majesty, investigate the truth before deciding.¡±


    Seeing the ministers¡¯ response, the Empress Dowager nodded slightly in satisfaction.


    Although Gu Changsheng had ascended to the throne and wielded the power of the Great Zhou Dynasty, his methods had instilled fear in many ministers, causing them to grow rebellious at heart.


    But as it stood, none of the ministers dared to betray her.


    As for Feng Yu¡¯s life, the Empress Dowager didn¡¯t care. She only intervened to prevent his death from strengthening the Emperor¡¯s prestige.


    ¡°Your Majesty, everything should be based on evidence.¡±


    ¡°In my opinion, it would be better to release Feng Yu from the dungeon first and investigate the matter thoroughly before making any decisions.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s expression was cold as she looked at Gu Changsheng, her tone mocking.


    If the new emperor wanted to eliminate Feng Yu, it wouldn¡¯t happen without her permission.


    Gu Changsheng remained indifferent, as though he had anticipated her actions. He responded meaningfully:


    ¡°The Empress Dowager is correct¡ªeverything must be based on evidence. I would never wrong a loyal minister of the Great Zhou!¡±


    ¡°Commander Qing Long, you accused Feng Yu of committing crimes at the foot of the imperial city walls. Do you have evidence?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Royal Shadow Guards has collected evidence of Feng Yu¡¯s crimes. I was just about to submit it to you!¡±


    Qing Long stepped forward, holding a memorial, and responded loudly.


    ¡°Read it aloud.¡±


    Gu Changsheng ordered coldly.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡±


    Qing Long nodded, unfurling the memorial, and began reading aloud in the hall:


    ¡°Three months ago, Feng Yu, head eunuch of Cining Palace, violated numerous laws of the Great Zhou by causing havoc on the streets of the imperial city, resulting in three deaths and dozens of injuries¡­¡±


    ¡°Two months ago, Feng Yu took a fancy to the daughter of Mr. Chen of the Chen household. When the girl refused him, the entire Chen family was massacred. After investigation by the Royal Shadow Guards, it was confirmed that Feng Yu was responsible¡­¡±


    ¡°Half a month ago¡­¡±


    Qing Long continued reading, listing multiple heinous crimes committed by Feng Yu over the past few months, including the deaths of dozens and injuries to hundreds.


    All of it had been confirmed by the Royal Shadow Guards, leaving no room for doubt.


    Instantly, the Tai Chi Hall fell into dead silence.


    The officials wore heavy expressions, silent, their heads bowed.


    As for the evidence presented by the Royal Shadow Guards, the ministers were well aware of Feng Yu¡¯s deeds. They could not refute the truth.


    Not only Feng Yu, but many of these ministers also had skeletons in their closets that could not withstand investigation by the Royal Shadow Guards.


    Realizing this, the ministers who had sided with the Empress Dowager began to feel uneasy, fearing that Gu Changsheng might soon turn his attention to them.


    ¡°How dare he!¡±


    ¡°I never expected a mere eunuch to dare to take the lives of hundreds of innocents.¡±


    ¡°Royal Shadow Guards, take Feng Yu to the execution grounds immediately and execute him!¡±


    Gu Changsheng slammed his hand on the dragon throne, his face filled with fury. A terrifying imperial pressure exploded from him, sweeping across the entire hall.


    In an instant!


    The officials trembled, their faces pale with fear:


    ¡°Your Majesty, please calm down!¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, please calm down!¡±


    ¡­


    Seeing the ministers trembling in fear, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face stiffened. She spoke, her voice tinged with frustration:


    ¡°Your Majesty, I believe there may be some misunderstanding in this matter¡­¡±


    ¡°Empress Dowager, the evidence is conclusive. Are you still trying to plead for Feng Yu?¡±


    Before the Empress Dowager could finish speaking, Gu Changsheng interrupted her sharply.


    Witnessing this exchange, the ministers felt cold sweat running down their backs, their hearts pounding with fear.


    Whenever the Empress Dowager and the new emperor clashed in court, it was always the ministers who suffered.


    Truly, their lives were miserable!


    Seeing Gu Changsheng dare to interrupt her, the Empress Dowager suppressed her anger and gritted her teeth, saying in a low voice:


    ¡°Since the evidence is conclusive, then I leave the matter in Your Majesty¡¯s hands.¡±


    The Empress Dowager knew that at this point, Gu Changsheng was determined to remove Feng Yu.


    And to her, Feng Yu was just a pawn, not worth much.


    There was no need to continue arguing with Gu Changsheng over him.


    Seeing the Empress Dowager relent, Gu Changsheng remained expressionless, though inwardly he was laughing.


    With the evidence irrefutable, even if the Empress Dowager wanted to exonerate Feng Yu, she had no way to do so.


    And the reason he had gone to such lengths to eliminate Feng Yu was, of course, for the plot points.


    In the original storyline, although Feng Yu was just a eunuch, as the Empress Dowager¡¯s confidant, he held immense power, and no one in the court dared to challenge him.


    It wasn¡¯t until the previous emperor, Gu Qiangu, broke through to the Saint realm that Feng Yu was finally removed.


    Now, by eliminating Feng Yu ahead of time, he was sure to earn plot points!


    [Ding! The host takes action in advance to eliminate Feng Yu, the confidant of the Empress Dowager, and changes the plot, and gets 10,000 plot points! ].


    Sure enough.


    After a while, the system prompt sounded.


    S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 26 - Overt Conspiracy! GU Changsheng’s Way to Break the Impasse!

    Chapter 26 Overt Conspiracy! GU Changsheng¡¯s Way to Break the Impasse!


    10,000 plot points received!


    The corners of Gu Changsheng¡¯s mouth lifted slightly, and he couldn¡¯t help but reveal a smile.


    Empress Dowager naturally noticed it. Her face showed restrained anger, and her eyes narrowed, with a faint hint of killing intent deep within them. She no longer had the mind to continue attending court.


    Originally, she had planned to control Gu Changsheng, using him as a puppet emperor to secretly manage the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    But Gu Changsheng¡¯s tactics and everything he revealed made her feel a sense of crisis.


    Her face remained unchanged, but inside, her killing intent surged. She planned to find an opportunity to eliminate Gu Changsheng.


    Then, she would replace him with another prince to inherit the throne of the Great Zhou.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression stiffened as he suddenly sensed the killing intent emanating from the Empress Dowager beside him, and his heart sank slightly.


    It seemed that his recent actions had already stirred her murderous intent.


    However, Gu Changsheng wasn¡¯t worried.


    The Empress Dowager would still hesitate to act as long as she hadn¡¯t fully figured out his hidden strengths. She wouldn¡¯t strike too quickly.


    During this time.


    It would be his chance to develop his power.


    With a playful look in his eyes, Gu Changsheng stared deeply at the Empress Dowager before sweeping his gaze over the officials, his expression stern as he said:


    ¡°Not long ago, Chen Zhan, the commander of the city defense force, disobeyed the imperial decree and was executed for his rebellion!¡±


    ¡°The position of commander of the city defense force cannot remain vacant.¡±


    ¡°I issue my decree: from today onward, Lu Tao will serve as the commander of the city defense force!¡±


    As soon as this decree was issued, the court officials looked surprised, but many seemed to have expected it.


    Chen Zhan had defied the imperial decree and was executed by the Emperor!


    Lu Tao, being the deputy commander, naturally ascended to the position of commander of the city defense force.


    This was, something that none of the court officials had any significant objections to.


    However, with this imperial decree.


    It also hinted that Lu Tao might have secretly aligned himself with the Emperor. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For a moment.


    The court officials were deep in thought, and many of their eyes shifted toward the Empress Dowager.


    ¡°Your Majesty, in the military, strength has always been respected.¡±


    ¡°The position of commander of the city defense force is of great importance. With Lu Tao¡¯s level of skill, I fear he may not be up to the task.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile as she spoke righteously.


    Upon hearing this, the court officials remained silent, quietly observing the dynamics within the court.


    It appeared that there would be another conflict between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager in the court today.


    But who would ultimately control the position of commander of the city defense force¡ªthe Empress Dowager or the Emperor?


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    ¡°According to the Empress Dowager, do you have a suitable candidate in mind?¡±


    Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, expressionless. He narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the Empress Dowager, his voice low and deep.


    The Empress Dowager remained indifferent and nodded:


    ¡°General Liu Yu, the Loyal and Brave General of the Great Zhou, is highly skilled and adept in military strategy. He is well-suited to be the commander of the city defense force.¡±


    ¡°However, in the military, strength is paramount.¡±


    ¡°If Lu Tao can defeat Liu Yu, and take up the position of commander, I believe the court officials would not object.¡±


    ¡°What does Your Majesty think?¡±


    ¡°Liu Yu?¡±


    Upon hearing the Empress Dowager mention this name, Gu Changsheng pondered and immediately recalled Liu Yu¡¯s background.


    Liu Yu, the Loyal and Brave General of the Great Zhou, was the son of the right minister, Liu Wu.


    Most importantly, Liu Yu, despite his young age, had already reached the eighth stage of the Great Expert Realm in terms of cultivation.


    On the other hand, Lu Tao¡¯s cultivation had barely reached the seventh stage of the Great Expert Realm.


    The difference in their realms was one full stage.


    For Lu Tao to defeat Liu Yu, there was little chance of success.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s intention was clear.


    She aimed to have Liu Yu defeat Lu Tao and take the position of commander of the city defense force.


    This would nullify all the efforts Gu Changsheng had made in recruiting Lu Tao.


    Gu Changsheng furrowed his brows slightly, realizing he had underestimated the Empress Dowager¡¯s tactics.


    The control of the city defense force was of critical importance, safeguarding the entire imperial city. It could not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Empress Dowager.


    However, Gu Changsheng knew this was an open plot by the Empress Dowager.


    His only way to break the deadlock was for Lu Tao to defeat Liu Yu and justifiably assume the role of commander of the city defense force.


    At that point, none of the court officials would have any reason to object.


    But with Lu Tao¡¯s current cultivation, the chances of him defeating Liu Yu were slim.


    As Gu Changsheng pondered, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face showed a faint sneer, and she coldly asked:


    ¡°Your Majesty, have you made up your mind?¡±


    ¡°In my opinion, the position of commander of the city defense force is best suited for General Liu Yu.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the court officials nodded in agreement, supporting the Empress Dowager.


    Liu Yu¡¯s cultivation was indeed superior to Lu Tao¡¯s, making him a more fitting candidate for the role of commander of the city defense force.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, that¡¯s not true!¡±


    ¡°In the military, strength is indeed respected. Therefore, let Lu Tao and Liu Yu engage in a duel. The winner shall become the commander of the city defense force.¡±


    After some thought, Gu Changsheng made his decision, smiling as he spoke.


    It was impossible for him to allow the Empress Dowager¡¯s ally to control the tens of thousands of soldiers in the city defense force.


    Otherwise, all of his previous efforts would have been in vain.


    Moreover, just now.


    Gu Changsheng had opened the system¡¯s shop and found a way for Lu Tao to defeat Liu Yu.


    [Realm-Breaking Pill: When consumed by a cultivator, it can greatly enhance one¡¯s cultivation, with a seventy percent chance of breaking through the current realm. Only effective for those in the Great Expert Realm!].


    Price: 20,000 plot points!


    Seeing the price, Gu Changsheng frowned slightly. A single pill costing 20,000 plot points seemed a bit steep.


    Currently, he had just accumulated 20,000 plot points.


    However, to resolve the current crisis.


    His only hope was for this pill to help Lu Tao enhance his cultivation and defeat Liu Yu, thereby thwarting the Empress Dowager¡¯s scheme.


    Plot points could be earned again but the control of the city defense force must not fall into the hands of the Empress Dowager.


    With an expressionless face, Gu Changsheng glanced over the court officials and said in a cold tone:


    ¡°Proceed to the martial arts arena!¡±

 Chapter 27 - Pill Emperor Palace? The Power Behind Gu Changsheng?

    Chapter 27 Pill Emperor Palace? The Power Behind Gu Changsheng?


    At this moment,


    In the Great Zhou Dynasty, within the imperial palace,


    At the Martial Arts Arena!


    Civil and military officials of the court were gathered together, discussing who would emerge victorious in this great battle.


    Gu Changsheng and Empress Dowager sat at the high seats of the Martial Arts Arena in silence.


    The Martial Arts Arena was a platform specially built by the Great Zhou Dynasty for royal family members to spar and enhance their skills.


    Now, it was being used to determine the winner of the duel between Lu Tao and Liu Yu.


    At this time, Lu Tao, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force, stood behind Gu Changsheng, his face full of worry. He said anxiously:


    ¡°Your Majesty, General Liu Yu of the Great Zhou Army is far superior in cultivation compared to me.¡±


    ¡°In this duel, I have no chance of winning and fear that I will disappoint Your Majesty¡¯s expectations.¡±


    Lu Tao frowned deeply, clenching his fists tightly, his expression extremely grim.


    He desperately wanted to win this battle, but with his level of cultivation, he was no match for Liu Yu.


    ¡°Commander Lu, why worry?¡±


    ¡°I dared to agree to this duel because I have faith in you.¡±


    ¡°This pill is called the ¡®Breakthrough Pill.¡¯ It will allow your cultivation to soar, breaking through your current limits.¡±


    ¡°By then, you and Liu Yu will be at the same level, and he will surely not be your opponent.¡±


    Gu Changsheng spoke calmly, his expression serene. In his hand, a pill of deep purple-red color, emanating a medicinal fragrance, appeared out of thin air.


    Lu Tao, full of doubt, reached out and took the pill from Gu Changsheng¡¯s hand, unable to comprehend it.


    His cultivation had been stuck at the seventh level of the Great Expert Realm for several years.


    Ordinary rare herbs and elixirs had no effect on his cultivation.


    Of course, Lu Tao trusted Gu Changsheng. There was no reason for him to be deceived.


    Without any hesitation, Lu Tao swallowed the Breakthrough Pill.


    As soon as the pill entered his stomach,


    Lu Tao¡¯s expression changed dramatically as he felt a surge of pure and terrifying energy flooding his body. His previously stagnant cultivation began to loosen. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His entire being seemed to be undergoing an unimaginable transformation.


    In an instant, Lu Tao¡¯s aura surged, skyrocketing as the roaring sound of power from within his body echoed like thunder, breaking through some unseen barrier.


    In that moment, Lu Tao¡¯s cultivation advanced directly to the eighth level of the Great Expert Realm.


    ¡°Hiss!¡±


    ¡°Did I really break through?¡±


    Lu Tao, sensing his own cultivation with his mind, couldn¡¯t help but gasp in astonishment. His face was filled with shock as he exclaimed.


    It was simply unbelievable.


    Lu Tao¡¯s breakthrough to the eighth level of the Great Expert Realm naturally caused a commotion, drawing the attention of the entire court. Their faces were filled with shock and disbelief.


    Especially Empress Dowager, who was seated close to Gu Changsheng. She had witnessed everything and was deeply shaken, her pupils contracting in shock.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, I have heard of a pill that can make someone break through from the seventh level of the Great Expert Realm.¡±


    ¡°However, such a pill is incredibly valuable, worth more than cities. Throughout all of Shen Zhou, only the Pill Emperor Palace possesses it.¡±


    ¡°For His Majesty to give such a rare pill, it is likely that he has a deep connection with the Pill Emperor Palace.¡±


    Right Minister Liu Wu, his expression serious, stood beside the Empress Dowager and spoke in a low voice.


    Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager¡¯s expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. Her gaze towards Gu Changsheng became filled with deep wariness.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s face darkened, her heart brimming with murderous intent.


    It seemed she would have to eliminate Gu Changsheng at any cost.


    Suddenly, Gu Changsheng felt a chill down his spine, sensing the killing intent emanating from the Empress Dowager. He couldn¡¯t help but grumble inwardly.


    The Empress Dowager truly lived up to her reputation as the Demon Empress, ruthless and filled with such intense killing intent.


    Gu Changsheng had no idea that by casually giving out a Breakthrough Pill,


    He had caused the Empress Dowager and the Right Minister to overthink and tie the matter to the Pill Emperor Palace.


    In reality, Gu Changsheng had only ever heard of the Pill Emperor Palace in passing and had no actual connection to it.


    At that moment, a tall and imposing young general dressed in black armor appeared in the Martial Arts Arena with a defiant expression.


    ¡°Liu Yu greets the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty!¡±


    The young general respectfully cupped his fists and bowed slightly to the Empress Dowager seated at the high platform.


    However, when saluting Gu Changsheng, his attitude was perfunctory and lacked proper respect.


    Seeing this, Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, suppressing his anger but saying nothing.


    At the same time, a light screen appeared before his eyes:


    [Name: Liu Yu][Title: General of Great Zhou Zhongwu Army][Cultivation: Great Expert Realm, Eighth Level][Loyalty: 10]


    It seemed Gu Changsheng would have to find a way to get rid of Liu Yu and weaken the power in the Empress Dowager¡¯s hands.


    But this matter could not be rushed.


    As Gu Changsheng pondered, Lu Tao suddenly appeared in the Martial Arts Arena, confronting Liu Yu. The two stood off against each other, swords drawn and tense.


    Seeing this, Gu Changsheng remained calm and spoke with a commanding voice that echoed across the arena:


    ¡°Begin!¡±


    ¡°Today, the winner between the two of you will become the commander of the City Defense Force!¡±


    As soon as the words fell, in the Martial Arts Arena, Lu Tao and Liu Yu stood suspended in the air, their cold gazes locked in confrontation.


    In an instant, two overwhelming and terrifying auras erupted in the sky, colliding with each other with an immense force that covered the heavens.


    The civil and military officials watching turned pale, their scalps tingling. They quickly distanced themselves from the Martial Arts Arena.


    They knew all too well that a battle between Great Experts could level mountains with a single move.


    Aside from the military generals, most of the officials were civil servants with uneven cultivation, unable to withstand the might of two supreme Great Experts clashing.


    Luckily, in the next moment, a dazzling golden barrier appeared above the Martial Arts Arena, stretching between heaven and earth, isolating the energy of the two battling Great Experts.


    The officials¡¯ complexions gradually recovered as they focused their full attention on the battle.


    They knew this duel was of great importance, tied to the struggle between the Empress Dowager and the new Emperor.


    If the Empress Dowager won, she would regain control over the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force, and the new Emperor would never rise again.


    But if Gu Changsheng won, he would gain command of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the City Defense Force and would finally have the strength to challenge the Empress Dowager.


    As time passed, the court officials watching the battle grew increasingly tense.


    At this very moment, in the Martial Arts Arena.


    Lu Tao and Liu Yu, both supreme Great Experts, fought with no reservations. Armed with Great Expert artifacts, they clashed with earth-shattering momentum, their killing intent blotting out the sky.


    Watching the battle between the two, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression turned serious, his heart slightly shaken.


    He hadn¡¯t expected that a battle between Great Experts would carry such an awe-inspiring might with every move.


    Then, what level of strength must a Half-Saint or a Saint possess?


    However, Gu Changsheng was not discouraged.


    He also had confidence.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long before his own cultivation would reach an unimaginable height, and breaking through to the Saint level wouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    ¡°How is this possible?¡±


    ¡°Is Liu Yu losing ground?¡±


    Suddenly, Empress Dowager, seeing that Liu Yu was nearly defeated and about to be knocked off the platform by Lu Tao, rose from her seat in astonishment.


    Her elegant and composed face was now full of shock and disbelief.


    This scene also shook the civil and military officials watching the battle, as their faces changed in astonishment.


    They couldn¡¯t believe that Lu Tao had gained the upper hand.


    Suddenly, at this moment, watching the martial arts field, Liu Yu was almost defeated by Lu Tao and fell off the stage.


    Empress Dowager¡¯s face grew darker, and her gaze filled with increasing killing intent.

 Chapter 28 - A Burst of Luck! Three Thousand Shadow Guards!

    Chapter 28 A Burst of Luck! Three Thousand Shadow Guards!


    This duel concerned the control over the City Defense Force¡¯s military power.


    If Liu Yu is defeated, the power of the City Defense Force will fall into the hands of the Emperor.


    Thinking of this, Empress Dowager¡¯s face darkened, her expression growing increasingly unpleasant.


    Had it not been for Gu Changsheng pulling out a crucial pill at the key moment, allowing Lu Tao to break through his cultivation and reach the eighth level of the Great Power Realm, Liu Yu would not have lost.


    She could have smoothly gained control over the City Defense Force¡¯s military power.


    However, judging from the current battle, Liu Yu¡¯s defeat seemed inevitable.


    Watching the fight in the Martial Arts Arena, Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile. His gaze, filled with amusement, landed on the Empress Dowager as he nonchalantly remarked:


    ¡°Empress Dowager, it seems your judgment is a bit lacking!¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    The Empress Dowager let out a cold snort, her face showing anger as a cold and oppressive aura surged towards Gu Changsheng.


    ¡°Your Majesty, don¡¯t be too quick to celebrate.¡±


    ¡°Even if you control the hundreds of thousands of troops in the City Defense Force, opposing me will be like a mayfly shaking a tree¡ªan act of overestimating your abilities.¡±


    ¡°I advise you to surrender early, lest you suffer needlessly.¡±


    ¡°Hehe!¡±


    Gu Changsheng completely ignored the Empress Dowager¡¯s threat, his face remaining dignified as he responded coldly:


    ¡°I am the Emperor of Great Zhou, the supreme sovereign, with countless strong warriors under my command and millions of troops awaiting my orders.¡±


    ¡°Has the Empress Dowager considered the price of opposing me? Let it not be said I didn¡¯t warn you!¡±


    As his words fell, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression turned domineering, and an unprecedented, vast and terrifying emperor¡¯s aura erupted from him, enveloping the area like a tidal wave.


    It clashed with the aura emanating from the Empress Dowager, and the two forces confronted each other from a distance.


    Witnessing this scene, Empress Dowager¡¯s face was full of shock, and her heart was in turmoil.


    The emperor¡¯s aura that Gu Changsheng exuded could actually contend with her own.


    Although she wasn¡¯t using her full strength, it was still not something Gu Changsheng should have been able to resist.


    The Empress Dowager was tempted to strike Gu Changsheng down then and there.


    But doing so would expose her true identity, and years of careful planning would be ruined.


    Thinking of this, Empress Dowager forcibly suppressed her anger and withdrew her aura, as if it were receding like the tide.


    Seeing the Empress Dowager retract her aura, Gu Changsheng maintained his indifferent expression, with a trace of a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth, his eyes flashing with an almost imperceptible cold gleam.


    It appeared that the Empress Dowager still didn¡¯t dare reveal her true strength to attack him.


    At that moment, a deafening explosion erupted from the Martial Arts Arena, interrupting Gu Changsheng¡¯s thoughts.


    In an instant, the vast platform of the Martial Arts Arena began to shake violently. The surrounding void shattered inch by inch, and countless cracks appeared, with dust filling the air.


    Watching this scene, Gu Changsheng¡¯s face grew serious, his eyes fixed on the Martial Arts Arena.


    When the dust finally settled, revealing the scene before him, Gu Changsheng¡¯s face lit up with a smile, and he breathed a sigh of relief.


    Lu Tao had not disappointed his expectations.


    At this moment, as the dust cleared, the civil and military officials also saw everything that had transpired in the Martial Arts Arena. Their eyes flickered, their expressions changed slightly, and no one knew what was going through their minds.


    In the Martial Arts Arena, the deputy commander of the City Defense Force, Lu Tao, stood with his armor in tatters, his expression disheveled and exhausted, but his grip on his longsword remained firm. It was planted in the ground, supporting his body and keeping him from collapsing.


    On the other hand, Liu Yu¡¯s body was covered in blood, his flesh mangled beyond recognition. He could no longer stand, and his body had collapsed to the ground, unconscious.


    Seeing this, Gu Changsheng immediately understood.


    Lu Tao must have fought with a resolve to die in order to defeat Liu Yu.


    Otherwise, both sides would not have paid such a heavy price.


    As the battle came to an end, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression remained calm but commanding, as his voice rang out across the arena:


    ¡°From this day forth, Lu Tao will serve as the commander of the City Defense Force!¡±


    With those words, Gu Changsheng rose to his feet, flicked his dragon robe with a wave of his sleeve, and turned to leave the Martial Arts Arena.


    Watching Gu Changsheng¡¯s departing figure, the civil and military officials were filled with complicated emotions, and none dared to voice any opposition.


    Empress Dowager¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze cold as she stared at the direction in which Gu Changsheng had left, her heart boiling with murderous intent.


    ¡­


    In the towering imperial palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, within the Imperial Study.


    [Ding! Deputy Commander of the City Defense Force, Lu Tao, has been appointed as Commander of the City Defense Force, loyal to the host. Plot altered, 20,000 plot points awarded!][Ding! The Empress Dowager harbors murderous intent towards the host. 10,000 plot points awarded!]


    As the system notifications rang out, Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression was filled with delight and a bit of surprise.


    He hadn¡¯t expected his plan to work so smoothly.


    Not only did he gain control over the military power of the City Defense Force, but he also earned 30,000 plot points.


    With this, his power had surged tremendously.


    It should be noted that the City Defense Force, with its hundreds of thousands of soldiers, guarded the imperial capital.


    Whoever controlled the City Defense Force essentially held the Great Zhou imperial capital in their hands.


    Moreover, inside the palace itself, his three thousand noble guards had already replaced the Imperial Guards.


    Now, for him, both the Great Zhou Imperial Palace and the capital were under his control.


    Next, he felt highly confident about dealing with the Empress Dowager.


    ¡°System, consume 30,000 plot points and draw three times!¡±


    Gu Changsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, silently ordering in his mind.


    [Ding! Drawing¡­][Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Hundred-Year Sword Dao Enlightenment Inheritance!][Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Emperor-Tier Sword Technique ¡®Ten Thousand Swords Technique¡¯!][Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining 3,000 Shadow Guards!]


    ¡°Hiss!¡±


    Gu Changsheng couldn¡¯t help but take a deep breath upon seeing the rewards, his face filled with excitement.


    With his Emperor Divine Physique, combined with the assistance of his divine-level cultivation technique, Heavenly Son¡¯s Qi Observation Technique,


    Gu Changsheng dared to say that in the entire Shen Zhou, even some holy sons or saintesses from powerful factions couldn¡¯t match his cultivation speed.


    Although his cultivation speed was fast, he was still young and lacked experience in combat and killing.


    However, with the Hundred-Year Sword Dao Enlightenment and the Emperor-Tier Sword Technique ¡®Ten Thousand Swords Technique¡¯, his shortcomings in the art of war were fully compensated.


    ¡°System, extract the Hundred-Year Sword Dao Enlightenment Inheritance!¡±


    Gu Changsheng silently commanded in his mind.


    As soon as the words fell, a wave of pain surged through his head, causing his body to tremble slightly as an overwhelming amount of sword dao comprehension flooded his mind.


    ¡°Hiss!¡±


    Gu Changsheng gritted his teeth, his face filled with discomfort, feeling as if his head was about to explode.


    Fortunately, as time passed, the pain gradually subsided.


    A massive transformation was occurring within Gu Changsheng¡¯s body. His eyes narrowed, emitting a terrifying sword intent.


    In the next moment, his body trembled, and an unprecedented, vast, and boundless sword intent erupted from him, engulfing the entire palace and drawing the attention of countless experts in the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    As this sword intent spread, Gu Changsheng¡¯s robe fluttered, and his cultivation surged wildly, breaking through from the Divine Sea Realm to the Life and Death Realm.


    He hadn¡¯t anticipated that the Hundred-Year Sword Dao Enlightenment Inheritance would not only grant him formidable killing techniques but also help him directly break through a major realm.


    From his ascension to the throne until now, it had only been a matter of days. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet his cultivation had skyrocketed from the Innate Realm, breaking through multiple realms to reach the Life and Death Realm.


    If news of this breakthrough speed spread, it would shock the countless factions across Shen Zhou and cause a massive uproar.


    ¡°Now, even if I face a King Realm expert, I can fight them.¡±


    Gu Changsheng felt his incredible progress, his eyes gleaming with confidence.


    With the Hundred-Year Sword Dao Enlightenment Inheritance and the Emperor-Tier Sword Technique ¡®Ten Thousand Swords Technique¡¯, even though he had just entered the Life and Death Realm, he wasn¡¯t afraid to face King-level experts.


    However, the enormous commotion caused by his breakthrough likely had already attracted the attention of numerous powerful figures in the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    After pondering for a moment, Gu Changsheng shook his head.


    The strong figures of the Great Zhou Dynasty, no matter how they guessed, would never suspect that the source of the terrifying sword intent was none other than their Emperor.


    At most, they would speculate it came from the powerful being backing him.


    Gu Changsheng then turned his attention to the final reward¡ªthe 3,000 Shadow Guards.


    [3,000 Shadow Guards: Originating from a high-martial world, they are experts in assassination, intelligence gathering, and group attack techniques.]


    Reading the system¡¯s description, Gu Changsheng felt a surge of excitement.


    These 3,000 Shadow Guards were even more terrifying than his 3,000 noble guards.


    The leader of the Shadow Guards was a peak Great Expert Realm, and the rest were at least King-level experts, with several hundred of them in the Great Expert Realm.


    That was several hundred Great Expert Realms!


    From what he knew, across Shen Zhou, only superpowers like Holy Lands and Empires could gather several hundred Great Experts.


    Of course, this didn¡¯t mean that having several hundred Great Expert Realms under his command made him equal to those superpowers.


    Superpowers like Empires and Holy Lands often had saints watching over them, with some even possessing more than one.


    Thus, even though he now commanded several hundred Great Expert Realms, he still couldn¡¯t match the strength of an empire or a holy land.


    ¡°With the number of Great Experts I control now, even if I tear off the mask and confront the Empress Dowager, I stand a fighting chance.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face lit up with a smile as he muttered softly.


    Recently, he had been planning to eliminate the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction and replace the officials in the court to consolidate all power into his own hands.


    With the addition of the 3,000 Shadow Guards, he now had even greater confidence in his plan.


    ¡°Once I clean out the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction in court, the next step will be to deal with her directly.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression turned icy, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips. His eyes grew deep as he gazed through the grand hall of the Imperial Study, looking in the direction of the Cining Palace.

 Chapter 29 - The Whole Imperial City! A River of Blood!

    Chapter 29 The Whole Imperial City! A River of Blood!


    In the Great Zhou palace, inside the Cining Palace:


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that the emperor actually managed to take control of the military power of the City Defense Force.¡±


    ¡°Prime Minister, today your son, Liu Yu, disappointed me greatly in the martial arts arena.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s expression was cold as she spoke in a detached tone.


    Below the throne, Prime Minister Liu Wu humbly responded:


    ¡°Your Majesty, please calm your anger.¡±


    ¡°Today¡¯s competition in the martial arts arena was lost because my son is incapable. I beg for Your Majesty¡¯s punishment.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    The Empress Dowager took a deep breath to calm herself, then waved her hand dismissively and said in a cold tone.


    Prime Minister Liu Wu¡¯s influence in the court was vast, with disciples and subordinates spread throughout the Great Zhou empire. His power was significant.


    As the prime minister¡¯s son, Liu Yu was naturally not someone she could openly punish, lest it stir discontent in the prime minister¡¯s heart.


    Clearly, her earlier words were just expressions of frustration.


    ¡°Since the emperor ascended to the throne, I have been humiliated in front of the court time and time again.¡±


    ¡°If this continues, one day, I will fall to the emperor¡¯s hand.¡±


    Thinking of how Gu Changsheng constantly opposed her, a cold glint flashed in the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes, revealing her killing intent.


    Prime Minister Liu Wu¡¯s eyelid twitched at her words, and he immediately understood her meaning.


    It seemed that the Empress Dowager could no longer tolerate the emperor and was preparing to take action.


    ¡°The emperor is surrounded by numerous powerful experts, and there¡¯s a peak-stage great expert protecting him.¡±


    ¡°If we want to eliminate the emperor, we need to plan carefully.¡± Prime Minister Liu Wu said with a solemn expression.


    Though the emperor was young, his political maneuvering in the court, combined with the powerful figures surrounding him, made even the prime minister cautious.


    Moreover, now that the emperor had gained control of the military forces of the City Defense Force, his power had grown substantially. No one could be sure just how many experts the emperor had under his command.


    If they were to recklessly strike at Gu Changsheng, and fail, the consequences would be unimaginable.


    Even if they did succeed in removing Gu Changsheng, the entire Great Zhou empire would descend into chaos. The other princes would certainly unite against the Empress Dowager.


    At that point, regaining control of the court would not be easy for her.


    Liu Wu expressed his concerns, which caused the Empress Dowager to frown. She knew all too well the chaos that would follow the emperor¡¯s removal.


    But she couldn¡¯t shake the ominous feeling in her heart. If she let Gu Changsheng continue unchecked, she feared her own downfall at his hands.


    After a brief moment of silence, a cold smile appeared on the Empress Dowager¡¯s face as she got an interesting idea.


    ¡°Recently, chaos has broken out in Great Zhou. Cultivators are rebelling, and demons are running rampant, causing great suffering to the people.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow, we¡¯ll bring this matter up in court. Given the emperor¡¯s temperament, he won¡¯t sit idly by.¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At these words, Prime Minister Liu Wu¡¯s eyes darkened as he considered her plan, then said knowingly:


    ¡°Your Majesty intends to leverage the chaos caused by these rebellious cultivators and demons to force the emperor into sending his forces to suppress them.¡±


    ¡°When his experts are away, we¡¯ll strike and eliminate him, ensuring there are no loose ends.¡±


    ¡°Precisely.¡± Empress Dowager nodded, her expression icy.


    ¡°This time, I¡¯ll personally oversee the plan. The emperor must be eliminated.¡±


    Liu Wu¡¯s eyes gleamed with cunning, and he chuckled softly.


    ¡°It seems the new emperor won¡¯t escape death this time.¡±


    He knew well that the chaos within Great Zhou wasn¡¯t a mere coincidence. The Empress Dowager had likely orchestrated it.


    With such a carefully laid trap, the emperor was bound to die.


    Little did they know, while the Empress Dowager and the prime minister were scheming to eliminate Gu Changsheng, the emperor himself was also plotting a grand scheme of his own.


    ¡­


    Within the grand Great Zhou palace, inside the imperial study:


    Gu Changsheng, dressed in imperial robes, sat majestically on the dragon throne, reviewing official documents.


    Suddenly, a figure cloaked entirely in black, with an aura as deep as the abyss, silently appeared before him. It was impossible to see the person¡¯s face.


    ¡°Dark One, at your service, Your Majesty,¡± the figure said respectfully, bowing slightly before Gu Changsheng.


    ¡°No need for formalities,¡± Gu Changsheng responded with a calm demeanor, setting aside the document in his hand.


    The figure was none other than Dark One, the leader of the three thousand Shadow Guards, a peak-stage great expert.


    ¡°Your Majesty, according to the Shadow Guards¡¯ intelligence, the prime minister and the Empress Dowager were plotting something major in Cining Palace. After several hours of discussion, Prime Minister Liu Wu returned to his residence.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, numerous rebellious cultivators and powerful demon sect members have been seen heading toward Qingzhou.¡±


    ¡°As for their exact objectives, the Shadow Guards have yet to uncover them. I await Your Majesty¡¯s punishment.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Gu Changsheng listened without showing any emotion. His face remained impassive, betraying no surprise.


    For the Empress Dowager to conspire with Liu Wu at this time, her intentions were clear¡ªshe was targeting him.


    At the same time, the movements of the rebellious cultivators and demon sect members in Great Zhou, all heading toward Qingzhou, undoubtedly involved the Empress Dowager¡¯s machinations.


    But no matter what she had in mind, Gu Changsheng would be prepared.


    With both the Royal Shadow Guards and the three thousand Shadow Guards gathering intelligence, nothing in Great Zhou could escape his notice. Every minor disturbance was laid bare before him.


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s every move was under his watchful eyes.


    ¡°Since the Empress Dowager is planning to act against me, I won¡¯t let her off so easily,¡± Gu Changsheng thought coldly.


    ¡°Notify the City Defense Force and Royal Shadow Guards. Tonight, we will act according to plan.¡±


    As Gu Changsheng envisioned the events about to unfold, a cold smile crept onto his face.


    ¡°A moonless stormy night, it¡¯s perfect for murder.¡±


    ¡°Tonight, the imperial city will be drenched in blood.¡±


    ¡­

 Chapter 30 - The Empress Dowager’s Followers Are Executed!

    Chapter 30 The Empress Dowager¡¯s Followers Are Executed!


    Late at night.


    The moon was bright, and stars were sparse. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the Great Zhou Dynasty, inside the military camp of the City Defense Force.


    Lu Tao, clad in black armor, sat at the head of the table, looking solemnly at the list in his hand. He spoke gravely:


    ¡°Commander Qing Long, is His Majesty truly planning to eliminate all the officials on this list?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, Commander Lu. Just proceed as planned.¡±


    Across from him, a middle-aged man with a commanding aura, wearing the iconic flying fish robe and carrying an embroidered spring knife, nodded seriously and instructed.


    ¡°Understood. Tonight¡¯s matter will not disappoint His Majesty. I only hope the Royal Shadow Guards will fully cooperate.¡±


    Lu Tao put down the list, his expression deeply serious.


    He knew that every official on the list held high-ranking positions and was a staunch loyalist of the Empress Dowager. If these officials were eliminated, the Empress Dowager¡¯s influence in court would significantly weaken. At that point, His Majesty would gain the upper hand in court.


    ¡ª


    Meanwhile, the scene shifts!


    At the mansion of the Vice Minister of Revenue in the imperial capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the place was brightly lit, hosting a grand banquet. Dozens of officials gathered at the feast, drunk and merry, exchanging toasts and engaging in lively conversation.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Empress Dowager is planning to remove Gao Yuan soon. Before long, sir, you might take his place as Minister of Revenue.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! That old fool Gao Yuan, how dare he recklessly side with the new emperor, openly defying the Empress Dowager? He¡¯s simply courting death.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, sir, your position is bound to rise!¡±


    The officials lifted their wine cups, flattering the Vice Minister of Revenue, Lei Yu, who sat at the head of the table.


    Lei Yu, enjoying the compliments, laughed heartily. ¡°The new emperor is just a wet-behind-the-ears child. What abilities could he possibly have?¡±


    ¡°As long as you remain loyal to the Empress Dowager, wealth and glory will be yours!¡±


    ¡°Haha, the Vice Minister is right!¡±


    ¡°Everyone knows the court belongs to the Empress Dowager. The emperor is just a puppet. Even with control over the City Defense Force, opposing the Empress Dowager is nothing but seeking death.¡±


    The officials, all loyal to the Empress Dowager, ridiculed and belittled the emperor. They eagerly anticipated the day when the Empress Dowager would eliminate the emperor, allowing them to rise in rank and fortune.


    Suddenly, a loud explosion interrupted the festive atmosphere.


    The officials were startled, anger quickly replacing their shock, and they cursed aloud.


    ¡°Who dares to cause trouble at my residence? Do they have a death wish?¡±


    Lei Yu¡¯s face twisted with rage as he stormed toward the mansion¡¯s entrance, followed closely by the furious officials.


    However, the moment they stepped outside, Lei Yu¡¯s eyes widened in shock. His drunkenness vanished, and he nearly collapsed in fear.


    Outside the mansion, thousands of black-armored soldiers stood cold and motionless, surrounding the entire estate. Their expressions were deadly, and their killing intent was palpable.


    But that wasn¡¯t all.


    Beside the soldiers were hundreds of fierce Royal Shadow Guards, their faces filled with murderous intent.


    Seeing this scene, Lei Yu¡¯s anger dissipated. The officials behind him, once full of arrogance, were now trembling in terror.


    ¡°Lu Tao, what is the meaning of this? How dare you bring troops to surround my residence! Aren¡¯t you afraid of punishment from the court, or of the Empress Dowager¡¯s wrath?¡±


    ¡°Withdraw now, and I may let this slide. If not, I will gather these officials and report you to the Empress Dowager, charging you with a grave crime!¡±


    Lei Yu forced himself to appear tough, glaring at Lu Tao, the commander of the black-armored soldiers, trying to buy time for the Empress Dowager to intervene.


    ¡°Vice Minister Lei Yu, you¡¯ve accepted bribes from the Jin Dynasty, committed treason, and betrayed the Great Zhou. By His Majesty¡¯s order, your entire clan will be executed.¡±


    ¡°The officials present, being your accomplices, are to be killed without mercy!¡±


    Lu Tao¡¯s cold gaze swept over Lei Yu and the terrified officials. His voice was filled with killing intent.


    The officials had committed numerous atrocities, and in the power struggles of the court, standing on the wrong side could lead to death.


    ¡°Baseless accusations! This is slander! I demand to see the Empress Dowager¡ªshe will bring justice!¡±


    Lei Yu roared in fury, his eyes narrowed, glaring at Lu Tao. The other officials, filled with fear, shouted alongside him.


    ¡°Heh, you won¡¯t get that chance.¡±


    ¡°Kill them all!¡±


    Lu Tao¡¯s expression was indifferent. With a wave of his hand, he gave the merciless order.


    Instantly, the sound of swords being drawn echoed through the night. Thousands of black-armored soldiers and hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards charged into the mansion, initiating a massacre.


    In no time, the mansion was soaked in blood. The screams of the dying filled the air but soon fell silent.


    Lei Yu, along with the dozens of Empress Dowager¡¯s loyalists, were executed, their heads rolling on the ground.


    This scene was not limited to Lei Yu¡¯s mansion.


    That night, hundreds of officials¡¯ residences throughout the imperial capital were similarly attacked, their clans wiped out in blood.


    All these officials were loyal to the Empress Dowager, and many had engaged in treasonous acts.


    This night was meticulously planned by Gu Changsheng, with irrefutable evidence supporting his actions.


    Even if the Empress Dowager sought to accuse him, Gu Changsheng had sufficient justification, ensuring his unassailable position.

 Chapter 31 - Public Opinion of Imperial City! Tyrant!

    Chapter 31 Public Opinion of Imperial City! Tyrant!


    Great Zhou Dynasty!


    The majestic imperial palace, imperial study.


    [Ding, mission completed: Eliminate the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction, causing shock among all civil and military officials. The host receives 20,000 plot points!].


    The system¡¯s notification rang.


    Gu Changsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted, his face full of smiles.


    After tonight.


    With this event, Empress Dowager¡¯s faction had suffered heavy losses, and their control over the court would be greatly diminished!


    ¡°System, consume 20,000 plot points, and draw twice!¡±


    Gu Changsheng silently commanded in his heart.


    [Ding, System is drawing¡­].[Ding, Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Tongshen Pill!].[Ding, Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Heaven-Defying Nine Steps (Emperor-level divine ability)!].


    After spending the 20,000 plot points, Gu Changsheng inspected the items he had drawn.


    [Tongshen Pill: A pill for those in the Life and Death Realm. After consumption, it can significantly enhance cultivation, reaching the rank of a King!].


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes lit up.


    The timing of this pill was perfect.


    Without hesitation, Gu Changsheng directly swallowed the pill, instantly feeling a surge of pure energy flooding his body.


    After a while, Gu Changsheng had fully refined the pure energy within, and an unprecedented, vast aura erupted from his body.


    His cultivation level skyrocketed, breaking through several minor realms from the Life and Death Realm, reaching the King realm.


    A King-level expert was not considered weak, even within the Great Zhou Dynasty. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As far as he knew.


    Among his several elder brothers, except for the Crown Prince, who had reached the level of a Great Expert, the rest were all in the King Realm.


    ¡°Heaven-Defying Nine Steps, an Emperor-level divine ability!¡±


    The corners of Gu Changsheng¡¯s mouth lifted into a smile. He hadn¡¯t expected to draw an Emperor-level divine ability.


    Heaven-Defying Nine Steps, an Emperor-level divine ability. This technique could be used not only to escape but also to engage in combat.


    It was practically tailor-made for him.


    With a century of Hundred-Year Sword Dao Enlightenment and mastery over the Emperor-level sword technique ¡®Ten Thousand Sword Technique¡¯, he had no flaws in his offensive abilities.


    But when it came to movement techniques, he had been lacking.


    Now, with the Heaven-Defying Nine Steps, this Emperor-level divine ability, his shortcomings were completely filled.


    Just as Gu Changsheng was pondering, the head eunuch, Xia Wudao, slowly approached and respectfully bowed, speaking in a low voice:


    ¡°Your Majesty, Commander Lu Tao of the City Defense Force requests an audience outside the imperial study.¡±


    ¡°Let him in.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression remained indifferent as he responded coolly.


    Soon, a middle-aged general clad in black armor, with a solemn expression, entered the imperial study. He cupped his fists and bowed deeply, saying:


    ¡°Your humble servant, Lu Tao, greets Your Majesty. Long live the emperor!¡±


    ¡°At ease.¡±


    Gu Changsheng, as if expecting Lu Tao¡¯s arrival, nodded slightly.


    ¡°Was tonight¡¯s mission successful?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, your humble servant did not disappoint. Hundreds of officials who betrayed the empire and colluded with the enemy have all been eliminated!¡±


    ¡°Well done, Commander Lu. You¡¯ve worked hard tonight!¡±


    Gu Changsheng smiled, full of praise.


    Even he hadn¡¯t anticipated that tonight¡¯s operation would go so smoothly, wiping out hundreds of the Empress Dowager¡¯s loyalists.


    It was clear that the Empress Dowager had not taken him seriously at all.


    Otherwise, when he deployed the City Defense Force and the Imperial Guards, the Empress Dowager would have intervened to stop it.


    At that point, it would not have been so easy to eliminate these treacherous officials.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the deaths of hundreds of officials have caused a significant stir.


    The Empress Dowager will surely retaliate once she realizes what has happened,¡±


    Lu Tao said with a serious expression, issuing a reminder.


    Even he hadn¡¯t expected such decisive action from the emperor, wiping out hundreds of the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction members in one night.


    With this incident, Empress Dowager¡¯s influence in the court had been severely diminished, and she would undoubtedly be furious.


    Next, they would face her fierce retaliation.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face was filled with cold indifference and pride. A subtle, mocking smile played on his lips as he said:


    ¡°These hundreds of officials were all guilty of heinous crimes, and under the laws of the Great Zhou, they deserved to die many times over.¡±


    ¡°As long as I present the evidence, even if the Empress Dowager wants to retaliate, she will have nothing to say!¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty is wise!¡±


    Lu Tao smiled humbly, full of admiration.


    It seemed the emperor had anticipated everything.


    Seeing Lu Tao¡¯s flattery, Gu Changsheng smiled but said nothing, waving his hand to dismiss him.


    Tonight, he could finally sleep soundly.


    But surely, the Empress Dowager wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep!


    ¡­


    Great Zhou Dynasty!


    The majestic imperial palace, Cining Palace!


    ¡°Useless! A bunch of useless fools!¡±


    ¡°Tonight, hundreds of officials in the imperial city were killed.¡±


    ¡°Why am I only hearing about this now?!¡±


    Empress Dowager Lin Yaoji¡¯s face was filled with rage as she sat on the phoenix throne, her cold eyes narrowing as she stared at the dozens of ministers present, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    At her words!


    The dozens of ministers present trembled, drenched in sweat, and lowered their heads in fear, not daring to speak.


    None dared to utter a word and risk further angering the Empress Dowager.


    They had all received news of tonight¡¯s events.


    Hundreds of officials had been ruthlessly slaughtered, and their families exterminated.


    Tonight, the imperial city was a river of blood, with corpses strewn everywhere!


    The fact that all of this had been orchestrated by the new emperor filled the ministers with terror, causing their scalps to tingle.


    The new emperor¡¯s methods were far too ruthless.


    At the same time.


    Some ministers felt fortunate that the new emperor had not targeted them.


    Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to gather here in Cining Palace to discuss the matter!


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Seeing the ministers¡¯ dejected looks, Empress Dowager was deeply displeased. She snorted coldly, gritting her teeth and saying:


    ¡°A bunch of useless, good-for-nothing drunks! You¡¯re all a waste!¡±


    ¡°Please calm down, Empress Dowager. Tonight¡¯s event unfolded too quickly. We didn¡¯t even have time to react.¡±


    ¡°Otherwise, these hundreds of officials wouldn¡¯t have died.¡±


    At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in black court robes, with a sinister expression, stood up and respectfully said.


    This middle-aged man was Liu Wu, the Right Prime Minister.


    He too had been shocked by the emperor¡¯s audacious move tonight.


    Hundreds of officials in the imperial city had been slaughtered, their families exterminated.


    As the Right Prime Minister of the Great Zhou, he hadn¡¯t received the news in time.


    This incident clearly showed that the emperor, Gu Changsheng, controlled a terrifying intelligence network that had evaded their spies.


    In the political game at court, intelligence was crucial.


    With that in mind, Right Prime Minister Liu Wu felt a growing sense of crisis and murderous intent. He must quickly ally with the Empress Dowager to eliminate the new emperor.


    Only then would his position remain secure.


    Seeing the Right Prime Minister speak up, Empress Dowager forcibly suppressed her rage, her expression softening as she said in a low voice:


    ¡°Hundreds of officials have been eliminated by the emperor, leaving many vacancies in the court. We must quickly place our loyalists in those positions.¡±


    ¡°I understand!¡±


    Right Prime Minister Liu Wu nodded slightly.


    The loss of hundreds of officials was a significant blow to the Empress Dowager, but if they could swiftly replace them with their own people, they could buy themselves some time.


    After all, in the eyes of both the Empress Dowager and the Right Prime Minister, the lives of these dead officials were of no importance.


    What mattered was the power these officials wielded in the court.


    ¡°This loss, I won¡¯t swallow easily!¡±


    ¡°Spread the word about tonight¡¯s events! Let it be known that the new emperor, in his foolishness and tyranny, has massacred hundreds of the empire¡¯s most loyal ministers. He is nothing but a tyrant, ruling with violent oppression¡­¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s face was icy as she sneered mockingly.


    At her words.


    The dozens of ministers present immediately understood her intentions.


    Before long.


    Even if Gu Changsheng was not truly a tyrant, in the eyes of the people and the empire, he would be one!

 Chapter 32 - You Want Me to Issue an Edict of Repentance?

    Chapter 32 You Want Me to Issue an Edict of Repentance?


    Late Night.


    The imperial city of the Great Zhou Dynasty was brightly lit.


    Around the streets of the imperial city, fearsome black-armored soldiers and Royal Shadow Guards patrolled back and forth, exuding a murderous aura.


    The wails and cries of officials echoed through the entire imperial city, lingering for a long time before fading away.


    Once everything had completely quieted down, the civil and military officials of the court received the news immediately. Horrified, they looked toward the depths of the imperial palace, trembling with fear.


    ¡°This involves hundreds of officials, yet His Majesty dared to do this!¡±


    ¡°After tonight, the Great Zhou Dynasty is likely to undergo a drastic change!¡±


    Countless ministers were filled with terror, feeling their scalps tingle.


    They had never imagined that Gu Changsheng¡¯s methods would be so ruthless.


    Hundreds of officials, along with their entire families, were executed without mercy.


    While the court¡¯s civil and military officials feared they might be the next to be purged by the new emperor, a wave of public opinion began to quickly spread through the imperial city, drawing the attention of the entire court.


    ¡°The new emperor has ascended the throne, but he is muddle-headed and tyrannical. In just a few short days, he has slaughtered hundreds of Great Zhou¡¯s most loyal ministers.¡±


    ¡°How can such a cruel tyrant ascend to the throne and rule over Great Zhou? This is a misfortune for the dynasty, a tragedy for the people.¡±


    ¡­


    For a time, the news that the new emperor was foolish and tyrannical, mercilessly killing hundreds of loyal officials, spread like wildfire.


    Like a storm, this rumor swept through the imperial city, causing a great commotion.


    Even though it was late at night, the entire imperial city, from the highest-ranking officials to the common people, received the news.


    ¡°Sigh!¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The struggle between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager is like a battle of gods, and we mortals are the ones who suffer!¡±


    The faces of the court officials were filled with gloom, and they all remained silent about the events of the night, deeply avoiding any discussion.


    Compared to the commoners, who knew nothing, these ministers naturally understood what had happened.


    Tonight, hundreds of officials were executed, their families implicated.


    This was a power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the new emperor.


    By the time of the morning court session, it was likely that the new emperor and the Empress Dowager would be at each other¡¯s throats again!


    ¡­


    In the palace.


    Late at night.


    Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, while Commander Qing Long was reporting something by his side.


    ¡°Your Majesty, tonight¡¯s events have stirred up a great deal of public opinion.¡±


    ¡°Many cultivators and commoners in the imperial city are slandering and defaming you.¡±


    ¡°According to investigations by the Royal Shadow Guards, the mastermind behind this is the Empress Dowager.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, should we step in and stop all of this?¡±


    Commander Qing Long spoke in a low, grave tone.


    ¡°No need.¡±


    ¡°If I dared to take action against these hundreds of officials, it means I have sufficient evidence in my hands.¡±


    ¡°By the time we convene the court session, the crisis of public opinion will naturally be resolved.¡±


    Gu Changsheng remained calm and indifferent, completely unconcerned about the rumors circulating in the imperial city.


    He knew very well that all of this was orchestrated by the Empress Dowager.


    In fact, the Empress Dowager would love for him to send out enforcers to suppress the rumors and thereby lose the support of the people.


    However, as long as he could present the evidence of these officials¡¯ crimes in court, the Empress Dowager would have no grounds to challenge him.


    At that point, the rumors and slanders circulating in the imperial city would collapse on their own.


    ¡­


    The Next Day!


    The Hour of Mao!


    Tai Chi Hall.


    At the head of the hall, Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, wearing a dragon robe and a crown, his expression stern and dignified. His aura was commanding and awe-inspiring, intimidating all who beheld him.


    To his left, the Empress Dowager sat in her chair, her demeanor noble and elegant, adorned with a splendid crown, her expression cold and lazy.


    Below them, the civil and military officials stood in two lines, arranged according to their ranks.


    ¡°Morning court is in session!¡±


    At this moment, the chief eunuch, Xia Wudao, stepped forward and called out loudly to the assembled officials.


    ¡°Hail His Majesty! Long live the emperor!¡±


    The civil and military officials bowed slightly, their expressions respectful as they all knelt and greeted him in unison.


    ¡°Rise, my ministers.¡±


    Gu Changsheng spoke coldly, his tone filled with authority.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    The officials straightened up and expressed their gratitude in unison.


    After the formalities were concluded, the chief eunuch, Xia Wudao, took a deep breath and called out,


    ¡°Those with matters to report, speak now. If you don¡¯t, the court is dismissed.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I have a matter to present!¡±


    At this moment, an elderly man in black court robes, his hair white, stepped forward from the ranks of civil officials. He cupped his hands in a bow and spoke loudly.


    When his voice fell, the civil and military officials glanced at the old man with changing expressions but said nothing.


    This man was Zhao Ze, the Imperial Censor, a high-ranking official who had made many enemies at court.


    If not for the protection of the Empress Dowager, Zhao Ze¡¯s tomb would likely be covered in grass by now.


    At this moment, Zhao Ze stepping forward was certainly a sign that he was acting under the Empress Dowager¡¯s orders.


    The civil and military officials were not fools. They could all guess that this was related to the events of the previous night.


    Recalling what had happened, the officials felt a chill in their hearts, choosing to remain silent in fear.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, then he looked at Zhao Ze with feigned curiosity and asked, ¡°Pray tell, Imperial Censor, what do you wish to report?¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Ze took a deep breath, straightened his back, and, in a loud and upright voice, said, ¡°I am here to impeach Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡°When a new emperor ascends, he should appoint the wise, work hard for the country, and care for the people.¡±


    ¡°Yet Your Majesty, just after ascending the throne, has wantonly slaughtered loyal officials, harming the backbone of the Great Zhou Dynasty.¡±


    ¡°The imperial city is now filled with fear. Countless cultivators and commoners are discussing Your Majesty¡¯s cruelty, calling you a tyrant, heartless and ruthless.¡±


    ¡°I implore Your Majesty to issue a decree acknowledging your mistakes, make an official announcement to the people, and quell the public¡¯s resentment!¡±

 Chapter 33 - Unpardonable Crime! Execution by Slow Slicing!

    Chapter 33 Unpardonable Crime! Execution by Slow Slicing!


    ¡°Hiss!¡±


    As soon as the Imperial Censor Zhao Ze spoke.


    In the Tai Chi Hall!


    In an instant, the entire court was in an uproar!


    The faces of all the civil and military officials changed drastically, and they couldn¡¯t help but draw in a cold breath, their eyes filled with shock as they looked at Imperial Censor Zhao Ze.


    Zhao Ze dared to say such words, unafraid of angering the emperor.


    Even though Zhao Ze held a high position and had the Empress Dowager backing him, it seemed unlikely he could escape death today.


    Everyone knew that the struggle between the new emperor and the Empress Dowager was like a battle between gods, where ordinary people suffered.


    In the past, all the officials would have undoubtedly sided with the Empress Dowager.


    But now, it was clear that the new emperor was not as simple as they had imagined.


    Thus, for the court officials, silently observing the court¡¯s power struggle was the best choice.


    All of the officials¡¯ reactions were clearly observed by Gu Changsheng, who remained expressionless, though inwardly, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh coldly.


    It seemed that last night¡¯s events had effectively served as a warning.


    His methods had instilled fear and apprehension among the court officials.


    Otherwise, at this moment, it wouldn¡¯t have just been Zhao Ze standing up to accuse him.


    As for demanding he issue a proclamation of self-admonishment and confess his faults to the world.


    What a joke.


    If he were to issue such a proclamation, wouldn¡¯t that cement his reputation as a tyrant?


    Sitting calmly on the dragon throne, Gu Changsheng lightly tapped his fingers, his face showing neither joy nor anger. He ignored Zhao Ze and instead turned his gaze towards the Minister of Justice, speaking indifferently:


    ¡°Minister of Justice, according to the laws of Great Zhou, what is the punishment for a subordinate who publicly slanders and defames the emperor in court, showing contempt for imperial authority?¡±


    The Minister of Justice, Yang Ping, cursed inwardly when the emperor called his name. His face showed hesitation, and he didn¡¯t dare to speak for a long time.


    Slandering and defaming the emperor, showing contempt for imperial authority, were crimes punishable by death, including the extermination of one¡¯s entire family.


    If he dared to declare such a thing, Zhao Ze would undoubtedly die.


    The emperor clearly wanted to use him to get rid of Imperial Censor Zhao Ze.


    In doing so, he would offend the Empress Dowager.


    It was well known that he was a neutral party in court and dared not offend the Empress Dowager.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Gu Changsheng snorted coldly, squinting his eyes, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yang Ping, his tone filled with restrained anger:


    ¡°Yang Ping, as the Minister of Justice, are you unaware of the laws of Great Zhou?¡±


    ¡°In my opinion, it¡¯s time to replace the Minister of Justice.¡±


    At these words, Yang Ping¡¯s face changed drastically, and his heart instantly became resolute. He cupped his hands and bowed deeply, saying:


    ¡°Your Majesty, according to the laws of Great Zhou!¡±


    ¡°A subordinate who defames and slanders the emperor in court, showing contempt for imperial authority, has committed the crime of great disrespect, an unforgivable offense.¡±


    ¡°The guilty party is to be executed by slow slicing, and their entire family is to be exterminated!¡±


    After saying this, the Minister of Justice, Yang Ping, breathed a sigh of relief. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He knew that by making such a statement, he had completely offended the Empress Dowager and could only align himself with the new emperor in the future.


    [Ding! Minister of Justice Yang Ping has developed a sense of allegiance towards the host, earning 10,000 plot points!]


    Gu Changsheng remained expressionless, listening to the system prompt in his mind, somewhat surprised.


    He hadn¡¯t expected to gain some plot points from this situation, an unexpected bonus.


    Seeing Yang Ping¡¯s actions, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly, feeling displeased, but she said nothing more.


    At this moment, Imperial Censor Zhao Ze¡¯s face showed some regret, and he glanced at Gu Changsheng¡¯s unfathomable figure, taking a deep breath, a bad premonition rising within him.


    In the next moment.


    Gu Changsheng squinted his deep eyes, scanning the court, his cold voice echoing through the hall:


    ¡°Imperial Censor Zhao Ze, for your blatant defamation and slander of the emperor in court, showing contempt for imperial authority, your crime is unforgivable!¡±


    ¡°Where are the Royal Shadow Guards? Arrest Imperial Censor Zhao Ze immediately and throw him into the imperial prison, where he will be executed by slow slicing.¡±


    Before the words had even finished.


    The pupils of the civil and military officials shrank, their faces filled with shock.


    Before the officials could react.


    The sound of footsteps echoed outside the Tai Chi Hall.


    Soon, the Royal Shadow Guards¡¯s Commander Qing Long, radiating an imposing aura, entered the hall with several cold-faced officers, all armed with embroidered spring knives.


    Seeing the Royal Shadow Guards appearing to execute Imperial Censor Zhao Ze.


    At this moment, the Empress Dowager¡¯s expression darkened. She glanced coldly at Gu Changsheng and said icily:


    ¡°Your Majesty¡¯s actions seem somewhat unjust!¡±


    ¡°Although Imperial Censor Zhao Ze¡¯s words earlier were overly harsh, his intention was to admonish the emperor, and his crime does not warrant death.¡±


    ¡°If you execute the Imperial Censor here in court today, won¡¯t that confirm what the people are saying about you being a tyrant?¡±


    ¡°Oh, really?¡± Gu Changsheng smiled coldly, showing no emotion as he said:


    ¡°Could it be that the Empress Dowager agrees with Imperial Censor Zhao Ze¡¯s earlier words and believes that I am a tyrant?¡±


    ¡°Last night, Your Majesty unjustly killed hundreds of Great Zhou¡¯s loyal ministers, turning the imperial city into a river of blood.¡±


    ¡°This matter has shaken the Great Zhou dynasty. Your actions were too childish.¡±


    ¡°As for whether Your Majesty is a tyrant, the people of Great Zhou have already made up their minds.¡±


    The Empress Dowager narrowed her beautiful eyes, gazing deeply at Gu Changsheng, a cold smile of mockery forming at the corner of her mouth as she ridiculed him.


    The astute court officials naturally picked up on the Empress Dowager¡¯s disdain and mockery toward the emperor in her speech at these words.


    ¡°Heh!¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face showed restrained anger as he slapped the armrest of the dragon throne, his gaze filled with meaning as he looked at the Empress Dowager, speaking coldly:


    ¡°Last night¡¯s events were clearly an act of removing treacherous ministers.¡±


    ¡°But now, according to the Empress Dowager, I am a tyrant, foolish and corrupt, and have slaughtered the loyal ministers of Great Zhou.¡±


    ¡°Could it be that the rumors circulating in the imperial city were spread by the Empress Dowager in secret?¡±


    Hearing this.


    The expressions of the civil and military officials grew strange as they looked at the emperor sitting on the dragon throne, unable to suppress their laughter.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s face was as cold as ice, and she snorted, showing no acknowledgment of Gu Changsheng¡¯s words. She said icily:


    ¡°Your Majesty claims that last night¡¯s events were about removing treacherous ministers. Can Your Majesty present any evidence?¡±


    ¡°If not, it will be difficult to silence the rumors in the realm based on Your Majesty¡¯s word alone.¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s face was filled with disdain, a cold smile lingering on her lips.

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34 The Evidence Is Irrefutable! Emperor Dowager Has Lost All Face!Empress Dowager could not believe that Gu Changsheng would be able to produce evidence.


    One must understand that among the hundreds of ministers who perished last night, it was impossible for all of them to have been traitors and treacherous officials!


    ¡°Heh!¡±


    Gu Changsheng smiled faintly and said calmly:


    ¡°If the Empress Dowager wants evidence, naturally I can provide it.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face showed surprise and disbelief, and she immediately retorted.


    Gu Changsheng ignored the Empress Dowager, lightly tapping the dragon throne with his fingers. He turned to the head eunuch, Xia Wudao, and said in a deep voice:


    ¡°Chief Eunuch Xia, read it aloud!¡±


    ¡°Read aloud the deeds of the so-called pillars of the Great Zhou that the Empress Dowager speaks of, and let everyone see whether I am a tyrant or not!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty!¡±


    The head eunuch, Xia Wudao, respectfully nodded, then reached into his robe and pulled out a thick memorial. Taking a deep breath, he loudly read it out in front of the entire court:


    ¡°Vice Minister of Revenue, Lei Yu, accepted bribes from the Jin Dynasty, colluded with the enemy, and committed treason. He is to be sentenced to death, and his entire family executed!¡±


    ¡°Vice Minister of Works, Hu Yun, secretly colluded with the barbarian beast tribes, smuggling military supplies of Great Zhou. He is to be sentenced to death, and his entire family executed!¡±


    ¡°Lieutenant General Qi Feng, abused his power in the military, forming cliques and embezzling soldiers¡¯ pay, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. He is to be sentenced to death, and his entire family executed!¡±


    ¡°Vice Minister of Justice, Zhao Feng, is in fact a demonic cultivator from the Demon Sect. During his years in office, he set up illegal private punishments, abused his power, and harmed officials of Great Zhou. He is to be sentenced to death, and his entire family executed!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Xia Wudao¡¯s loud voice echoed throughout the court. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For half an hour, he read out the crimes of hundreds of officials before finally stopping.


    The crimes of the officials listed in the memorial were thoroughly investigated by the Royal Shadow Guards, with irrefutable evidence, leaving no room for denial.


    Upon hearing the crimes of these hundreds of officials, the entire court was in shock, staring wide-eyed and speechless.


    They could never have imagined that in the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty, so many treacherous officials and traitors were hiding.


    Especially the Minister of Justice, Yang Ping, who trembled all over and turned pale with sweat when he heard that his subordinate, Zhao Feng, was a demonic cultivator.


    One must understand that Zhao Feng was under his jurisdiction, and if Zhao Feng¡¯s true identity was exposed, Yang Ping would be implicated.


    Fortunately, from the look on His Majesty¡¯s face, he seemed lenient and had no intention of taking action against him.


    Only then did Yang Ping begin to relax.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, do you believe that the officials listed here are treacherous traitors or the pillars of the Great Zhou?¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face grew cold, and his eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at the Empress Dowager with a mocking smile.


    The hundreds of officials on the list were all from the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction, and their crimes were enough to sentence them to death and have their families executed.


    It was no exaggeration to say that none of the officials eliminated last night were wrongly killed.


    Had it not been for the irrefutable evidence, he would never have taken action so easily, giving the Empress Dowager any excuse to use against him.


    Upon hearing Gu Changsheng¡¯s inquiry, the Empress Dowager did not answer, as waves of disbelief surged in her heart.


    The crimes of the hundreds of officials that Chief Eunuch Xia Wudao had just read out were so thoroughly detailed that even she had not uncovered them all.


    Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s expression became resigned, and she remained silent for a long time.


    With the evidence overwhelming, her accusations that the emperor was muddle-headed and cruel towards ministers no longer held any weight.


    In the next moment, under the Empress Dowager¡¯s gaze, the Imperial Censor, Zhao Ze, collapsed in fear within the hall and was immediately dragged out of the Tai Chi Hall by several Royal Shadow Guards guards.


    Witnessing this, the Empress Dowager¡¯s hands slowly clenched, her lips pressed together as if she wanted to speak, but before she could say anything, Gu Changsheng waved her off.


    ¡°Imperial Censor Zhao Ze, for his offense of insulting the emperor in court and defaming the imperial authority, cannot be spared!¡±


    ¡°If he is not executed, where will the dignity of the Great Zhou imperial family be?¡±


    ¡°Empress Dowager, if you wish to plead for the Imperial Censor, I advise you to remain silent.¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I leave it to Your Majesty to decide.¡± the Empress Dowager snorted in frustration, her tone betraying her anger.


    She had calculated everything, but she had never expected that Gu Changsheng would truly have such clear evidence of the crimes of hundreds of officials, leaving no loophole for her to exploit.


    Today, in front of the entire court, she had once again lost face.


    ¡°Your Majesty, with the removal of these treacherous officials and traitors, many official positions in the court are now vacant. This is a serious matter and must be swiftly addressed by selecting capable individuals to fill these positions and stabilize the court!¡±


    ¡°I, your humble servant, am willing to assist Your Majesty in this task.¡± Right Prime Minister Liu Wu suddenly stepped forward, slightly bowed, and made a formal gesture of respect.


    Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng¡¯s face remained impassive, though internally, he couldn¡¯t help but sneer.


    What a joke. He had gone through so much trouble to eliminate the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction in order to install his own people.


    There was no way he would agree to the Right Prime Minister¡¯s request.


    ¡°The matter of the court vacancies does not require your concern, Right Prime Minister.¡±


    ¡°Minister of Personnel, select capable individuals as soon as possible and draft a list. Once the task is completed, present it to me for review.¡±


    Gu Changsheng seemed to have already made up his mind. His gaze fell on the Minister of Personnel, and he spoke earnestly.


    The reason he entrusted this matter to the Minister of Personnel was because the Minister belonged to the Left Prime Minister¡¯s faction.


    He wanted to use this opportunity to gauge the Left Prime Minister¡¯s attitude¡ªwhether or not he would support him.


    Moreover, the final list of officials would still need his approval, leaving no room for the Empress Dowager to interfere.


    Once everything was dealt with, Gu Changsheng, looking somewhat weary, glanced at the court officials and said indifferently:


    ¡°Court dismissed!¡±


    With a wave of his hand, Gu Changsheng stood up and left the Tai Chi Hall.


    ¡°May Your Majesty live long!¡±


    The entire court bowed slightly, paying their respects.


    After Gu Changsheng¡¯s figure completely disappeared, the court officials stood up and exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.


    Today in court, the Empress Dowager had once again lost in her power struggle against the new emperor.


    Watching Gu Changsheng leave, the Empress Dowager¡¯s face turned icy, her eyes narrowed, and a cold aura emanated from her, sending chills down one¡¯s spine.


    Today was supposed to be the trap she had set for the emperor.


    In the end, Gu Changsheng had easily defused it.


    She had indeed underestimated the emperor.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35 Qingzhou Is in Turmoil!After the court session ended, the events that transpired in the court were widely spread. With Gu Changsheng¡¯s push, the crimes of hundreds of officials were exposed and spread throughout the imperial city, causing a massive uproar.


    In no time, countless cultivators and commoners in the Great Zhou imperial city began to curse these officials.


    ¡°Bah!¡±


    ¡°If His Majesty hadn¡¯t exposed the crimes of these ministers, we would have been kept in the dark.¡±


    ¡°A bunch of treacherous villains, traitors and scoundrels¡ªthey deserve death!¡±


    ¡°His Majesty eradicated the corrupt, bringing peace to the people. How could he be a tyrant? He¡¯s clearly the wise ruler in the hearts of Great Zhou¡¯s citizens.¡±


    ¡­


    Countless cultivators and commoners vented their anger, and at the same time, they felt guilty for having previously wronged and slandered the emperor as a tyrant.


    In just half an hour, public opinion in the Great Zhou imperial city shifted dramatically. Gu Changsheng became the righteous ruler in the eyes of the cultivators and the common folk.


    ¡­ S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, in another part of the palace¡­


    The Empress Dowager had just returned to Cining Palace from the court session and hadn¡¯t even had a chance to sit down when she received disturbing news from her spies.


    ¡°Damn it! I never expected that public opinion in the imperial city would be resolved so easily by the emperor!¡±


    Upon hearing that the public sentiment had shifted, with rumors even spreading that the Empress Dowager had been framing and defaming the emperor as a tyrant, her expression turned furious.


    ¡°Calm yourself, Empress Dowager. This is simply the new emperor¡¯s retaliation,¡± Right Prime Minister Liu Wu spoke humbly, quickly offering comfort. ¡°It¡¯s just public opinion. We don¡¯t need to concern ourselves with it!¡±


    ¡°Of course, I know that.¡± the Empress Dowager replied, taking a deep breath and soon regaining her composure. The gossip in the city was of little concern to her now. Her primary objective was to eliminate Gu Changsheng.


    ¡°Right Prime Minister, is the plan in Qingzhou ready?¡±


    A gleam flashed in the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes, and her lips curved into a cold smile as she spoke meaningfully.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, everything is ready. This time, we will surely take this opportunity to get rid of the new emperor. Then, the court will still be under your control.¡±


    Liu Wu patted his chest in assurance, confident in his words.


    Empress Dowager nodded slightly, a sinister look appearing on her beautiful face as she coldly and mercilessly said, ¡°Very good! As long as we lure the emperor¡¯s powerful followers to Qingzhou, it will be the new emperor¡¯s death day!¡±


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, in the imperial study¡­


    ¡°Your Majesty, as expected, everything happened just as you predicted!¡±


    The head eunuch, Xia Wudao, reported, ¡°Once the crimes of those hundreds of officials were exposed, public opinion in the Great Zhou imperial city instantly shifted, completely dismantling the Empress Dowager¡¯s scheme!¡±


    Gu Changsheng remained expressionless as he listened, a cold smile appearing on his lips.


    At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed.


    The commander of the Royal Shadow Guards, Qing Long, appeared in front of Gu Changsheng with an anxious expression. He clasped his hands and bowed, saying, ¡°Your Majesty, a large number of cultivators and demonic sect members are causing chaos in Qingzhou.¡±


    ¡°At the same time, Royal Shadow Guards has uncovered another piece of information: the barbarian beast tribes are making moves, and millions of barbarian beast warriors are preparing to invade Qingzhou. The rebellious cultivators and demonic sect members in Qingzhou are very likely colluding with the barbarian beast tribes.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s face turned solemn upon hearing this. He remained silent for a long time.


    Qingzhou was extremely important, serving as the barrier protecting Great Zhou from the barbarian beast tribes.


    If Qingzhou fell, the consequences would be disastrous, allowing the beast tribes to invade the heart of Great Zhou unimpeded.


    In the original storyline, there was a plot where the cultivators in Qingzhou rebelled, demons ran rampant, and Qingzhou eventually fell.


    Millions of barbarian beast warriors invaded Great Zhou, leading to unimaginable suffering and countless deaths.


    Several months later, the Great Zhou dynasty managed to defeat the beast army and quell the rebellion, but the price was devastating: hundreds of powerful cultivators perished, and even Left Prime Minister Xue Wuyan, the hero who helped subdue the rebellion, was gravely injured, nearly dying.


    At that time, the entire court believed the chaos in Qingzhou was an accident. But in reality, it had all been part of the Empress Dowager¡¯s conspiracy, intended to eliminate Xue Wuyan and consolidate power in the court, ultimately to overthrow Great Zhou.


    Realizing this, Gu Changsheng understood everything.


    The rebellious cultivators and demonic sect members were all part of the Empress Dowager¡¯s plan.


    Now, being aware of the storyline in advance, Gu Changsheng¡¯s smile deepened. He had no intention of letting the Empress Dowager¡¯s conspiracy succeed.


    Instead, he planned to use this opportunity to lay a trap in Qingzhou and wipe out the rebels and demonic sect members in one fell swoop.


    A few days later, in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace¡­


    Gu Changsheng sat on the dragon throne, his expression serious as he looked at the intelligence report from the shadow guards.


    The report revealed a significant piece of information: Lin Lei, the governor of Qingzhou and a member of the Empress Dowager¡¯s faction, had been secretly colluding with demonic sect members and barbarian beast warriors for a long time.


    Filled with rage, Gu Changsheng could barely suppress the urge to tear Lin Lei apart.


    Suddenly, a deep, deafening bell rang from the depths of the palace, shaking the entire imperial city and alarming all the officials. The palace bell could not be rung lightly. Once it tolled, it signified that a major event, one that would affect the fate of the dynasty, was unfolding.


    Before long, the entire court received shocking news: Rebellious cultivators and demonic creatures were running rampant in Qingzhou, and millions of barbarian beast warriors were invading. Qingzhou was on the verge of collapse!


    Upon hearing this, the officials were thrown into a frenzy. The rebellion of cultivators and the presence of demonic creatures were manageable, as Great Zhou could easily deploy military forces to suppress them.


    But the invasion of millions of barbarian beast warriors was an event that shook all of Shen Zhou. If Qingzhou fell, the beast army would sweep into the heart of Great Zhou, leaving countless lives in peril and rivers of blood.


    If not handled properly, this crisis could plunge the entire Great Zhou dynasty into chaos.


    ¡°How is this happening? The barbarian beast tribes have been peaceful for hundreds of years. Why are they suddenly invading Qingzhou?¡±


    ¡°With rebellious cultivators inside and millions of beast warriors outside, Qingzhou¡¯s fall is only a matter of time.¡±


    ¡°The new emperor is young and inexperienced. How can he possibly handle this turmoil in Qingzhou?¡±


    The major factions and powerful figures across Shen Zhou received news of the chaos in Qingzhou and began discussing the situation, observing from the shadows. Clearly, many were preparing to take advantage of the situation for their own gain.


    To them, the barbarian beast invasion was an opportunity, with some factions even hoping for Great Zhou¡¯s downfall.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36 The Left Prime Minister¡¯s Shocked!At this moment, in the grand Tai Chi Hall of the Great Zhou imperial palace, the entire court of civil and military officials had gathered, faces filled with concern as they deliberated on how to address the unrest in Qingzhou.


    The hall was noisy with discussions, until the emperor, Gu Changsheng, sitting solemnly on the dragon throne, spoke with an aura of authority:


    ¡°A disorderly court! Is this what you¡¯ve become?¡± His voice carried a hint of anger, silencing the officials immediately.


    Once the hall had quieted, Gu Changsheng¡¯s fingers gently tapped the armrest of the throne as he gazed over the court, his tone calm but firm:


    ¡°The Qingzhou unrest is of great importance. Does anyone among you have a solution? Speak freely.¡±


    A gaunt old man, dressed in official robes, stepped forward from the ranks of civil officials, bowed, and spoke with a loud voice:


    ¡°Your Majesty, the unrest in Qingzhou is critical. With rogue cultivators causing havoc within and the barbarian army of millions threatening from without, we must act swiftly. I suggest the court gather its forces and send troops and experts to quell the chaos in Qingzhou and resist the barbarian invasion. Moreover, Your Majesty could issue an imperial decree, ordering the local princes and royal sons to dispatch reinforcements to ease the court¡¯s burden.¡±


    This was Liu Wu, the Right Prime Minister. His proposal caused many officials to nod in agreement.


    Gu Changsheng, however, remained expressionless. He knew all too well that a mere decree would hardly prompt the regional princes and royal heirs to willingly send troops for such a dangerous mission.


    Nevertheless, the Qingzhou chaos had to be resolved swiftly; if not, other forces in the realm might seize the opportunity to undermine the Great Zhou court, leaving the empire vulnerable.


    After a long pause, his eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke in a low voice:


    ¡°Very well, we shall proceed as the Right Prime Minister suggests. The court will soon dispatch troops and experts to quell the unrest in Qingzhou, and I shall issue a decree commanding the local princes and royal sons to immediately send reinforcements to defend against the barbarian invasion.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty is wise!¡± echoed throughout the hall as the officials voiced their unanimous approval.


    Even the Empress Dowager, who usually opposed Gu Changsheng, remained silent, her expression cold and detached. Her beautiful eyes flashed with a strange light, causing an uneasy stir among those who noticed.


    Gu Changsheng inwardly smirked at this. He knew that the Empress Dowager was the mastermind behind the Qingzhou unrest, but her plans would not come to fruition this time.


    As he pondered, the Empress Dowager¡¯s icy voice suddenly cut through the air:


    ¡°Your Majesty, I wonder which minister you deem fit to take on the heavy responsibility of quelling the Qingzhou unrest?¡±


    Her words shifted the focus of the entire court, all eyes falling on the two prime ministers, Liu Wu and Xue Wuyan.


    Qingzhou¡¯s rebellion was of great significance, and only a seasoned official like one of the prime ministers could handle such a task.


    Already aware of the Empress Dowager¡¯s schemes, Gu Changsheng did not hesitate. He turned to Left Prime Minister Xue Wuyan and spoke softly:


    ¡°Left Prime Minister, I shall entrust you with this mission.¡±


    Xue Wuyan was momentarily stunned but quickly composed himself. He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and proclaimed, ¡°Your Majesty, I shall not fail your trust.¡±


    The court observed quietly, but the Empress Dowager¡¯s heart filled with cold laughter. She planned to eliminate not only Gu Changsheng¡¯s forces but also Xue Wuyan during the Qingzhou campaign. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once her plan was executed, she would remove Gu Changsheng and install a new emperor from among the princes. By then, the entire Great Zhou dynasty would be under her control.


    However, she knew she had to act covertly, ensuring that even the old saint residing in seclusion within the imperial palace would not suspect her involvement.


    ¡°Dismissed!¡± Gu Changsheng stood and swept out of the hall, indifferent to the dangerous glint in the Empress Dowager¡¯s eyes.


    As he left, the ministers bowed and called out in unison, ¡°Long live Your Majesty!¡±


    Once Gu Changsheng¡¯s figure disappeared, the ministers began to disperse.


    As Xue Wuyan prepared to leave, he was stopped by the leader of the secret guard, Commander Qing Long.


    ¡°Left Prime Minister, His Majesty has summoned you.¡±


    Understanding that this must be related to the Qingzhou situation, Xue Wuyan nodded and followed the commander.


    ¡­


    Guided by Commander Qing Long, Xue Wuyan soon arrived at the doors of the imperial study. He was greeted by rows of soldiers clad in golden armor, their formidable presence indicating their strength as warrior-princes.


    These were not the Empress Dowager¡¯s imperial guards, which startled Xue Wuyan.


    The emperor had clearly gained full control of the palace, with even the commander of the city defenses, Lu Tao, now in his service. This meant that the entire royal city was under Gu Changsheng¡¯s command.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Left Prime Minister has arrived!¡± the commander announced at the entrance.


    ¡°Let him in.¡±


    A deep, authoritative voice echoed from within.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    The commander replied, opening the grand doors to the imperial study.


    Xue Wuyan stepped inside and found Gu Changsheng seated on the dragon throne, radiating imperial majesty. The aura of authority surrounding him was vast, as deep and unfathomable as the sea.


    The sight of such power caused Xue Wuyan to tremble inwardly. If he hadn¡¯t known better, he would have mistaken the man before him for the late emperor, Gu Qiangu.


    It was clear¡ªhe had greatly underestimated this young emperor.


    ¡°Minister Xue Wuyan greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!¡±

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37 Ten Thousand Years-Enlightenment Tea! Shadow Guards Appeared!Xue Wuyan squinted his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on Gu Changsheng. He bent forward slightly and cupped his hands in a formal salute.


    ¡°No need for such formalities, Left Prime Minister!¡±


    Gu Changsheng waved his hand and smiled lightly.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty!¡±


    Xue Wuyan straightened up, his expression kind, and asked,


    ¡°Your Majesty, is the reason you summoned this old minister here related to the Qingzhou rebellion?¡±


    ¡°The Qingzhou rebellion¡ªI already have a solution.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s expression was calm, as he gestured for Xue Wuyan to come closer and smiled warmly.


    ¡°Left Prime Minister, why not first sit down and have some tea, then we can discuss the matter of the Qingzhou rebellion.¡±


    ¡°Since Your Majesty insists, this old minister shall accept the invitation.¡±


    Xue Wuyan was full of surprise and curiosity.


    Without further thought, Xue Wuyan saluted and sat opposite Gu Changsheng. Reaching out, he picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a small sip.


    As soon as the tea entered his stomach¡ª


    In an instant!


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s expression changed slightly as he felt a pure energy surge within him. His aging body seemed to have been cleansed and revitalized, and even his cultivation advanced significantly.


    ¡°The Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea!¡±


    Sensing the changes in his body, Xue Wuyan looked at the tea in his hand, his face filled with amazement as he murmured to himself.


    Just one cup of this tea had given him, a peak-level master, such immense benefits. This tea must be the legendary Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea, with such remarkable effects.


    However, this tea was an incredibly rare treasure, with only a few remaining in the hands of some sages of Shen Zhou.


    Although he held the prestigious title of Left Prime Minister of the Zhou Dynasty and was a peak-level master, he had only had the good fortune of tasting it a few times in his life and didn¡¯t possess any himself.


    ¡°If the Left Prime Minister finds this tea to his liking, I have more and would be happy to gift you some.¡±


    Suddenly, Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curled into a subtle smile as an ancient jade box appeared in his hand out of nowhere, which he then offered to Xue Wuyan.


    ¡°Your Majesty, this old minister is deeply grateful.¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s gaze flickered, and after hesitating for a moment, he finally reached out to accept the jade box.


    As the Left Prime Minister of the Zhou Dynasty, Xue Wuyan naturally understood the principle of ¡®softened by favors, bound by gratitude¡¯.


    He wanted to refuse the emperor¡¯s gift, but the Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea had too much value to him¡ªhe simply couldn¡¯t turn it down.


    [Ding! Left Prime Minister Xue Wuyan has developed a sense of loyalty to the host, altering the course of events, and earning 10,000 plot points!]


    At that moment, the system¡¯s notification rang in Gu Changsheng¡¯s mind. He remained silent, but inwardly, he couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Xue Wuyan was the representative of the neutral faction in court. If he could win over the Left Prime Minister, the entire neutral faction of ministers would surely follow.


    Offering a small amount of Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea in exchange for Xue Wuyan¡¯s gratitude and allegiance was a profitable trade for him.


    ¡°Your Majesty, regarding the Qingzhou rebellion, do you already have a solution?¡±


    After savoring the Enlightenment Tea, Xue Wuyan placed the cup down and looked at the calm expression on Gu Changsheng¡¯s face, asking thoughtfully.


    ¡°I do have a plan, but I would first like to hear what the Left Prime Minister suggests.¡±


    Gu Changsheng lightly sipped his tea, his eyes gleaming as he smiled.


    Upon hearing this, Xue Wuyan pondered for a moment and then said in a deep voice:


    ¡°In order to quell the Qingzhou rebellion, the Zhou Dynasty must quickly dispatch powerful forces and troops to first eradicate the rebellious cultivators within Qingzhou. After stabilizing the internal unrest, we can rely on Qingzhou¡¯s defensive formations to withstand the millions-strong beast army from the barbarian wilderness for half a month, giving time for the various regional princes and lords to send reinforcements. By then, the barbarian army will surely retreat.¡±


    Gu Changsheng listened with a smile, his tone meaningful as he said,


    ¡°That is indeed a good plan, Left Prime Minister. But the success of your strategy hinges on the assumption that the regional princes and lords will send troops to reinforce Qingzhou and help resist the barbarian beast army. If these princes and lords are unwilling to assist, then Qingzhou¡¯s fall would be inevitable.¡±


    Hearing this, Xue Wuyan furrowed his brows, his expression heavy with concern.


    Indeed, he had overlooked this critical point. If the regional princes and lords refused to lend aid, relying solely on the imperial court¡¯s forces would lead to tremendous losses in pacifying the Qingzhou rebellion. After all, the barbarian beast army numbered in the millions¡ªa threat the Zhou Dynasty could not afford to underestimate and one that required careful consideration.


    At that moment, Gu Changsheng spoke again, a cold smile appearing on his face:


    ¡°The Qingzhou rebellion is no accident. According to my investigation, Lin Lei, the governor of Qingzhou, has long been secretly colluding with the Demon Sect and the barbarian beast clans. I¡¯ve also uncovered news that Lin Lei plans to abandon the city and flee, leaving Qingzhou to its fate.¡±


    ¡°How can that be possible?¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s pupils contracted, his face paling in disbelief. He knew Lin Lei¡¯s background very well.


    sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This is bad. If what Your Majesty says is true, and Lin Lei betrays the empire, then Qingzhou is in grave danger. Even if the Zhou Dynasty mobilizes its armies and sends strong reinforcements now, it will be too late.¡±


    Suddenly realizing the severity of the situation, Xue Wuyan¡¯s expression darkened.


    ¡°Your Majesty, we must act quickly and prepare for the worst, making plans for Qingzhou¡¯s fall and minimizing the losses.¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s face turned grim.


    ¡°Prime Minister, since I am already aware of everything, how could I possibly allow Qingzhou to fall?¡± Gu Changsheng smiled faintly, his eyes landing on Xue Wuyan¡¯s worried face.


    Hearing this, Xue Wuyan was taken aback. After a moment, realization dawned, and his heart filled with excitement.


    ¡°Deploying troops and generals takes time. By the time reinforcements arrive in Qingzhou, Lin Lei would have already fled, and the city would be lost.¡± Gu Changsheng said. ¡°I plan to send the Shadow Guards and go with you to Qingzhou immediately. We will eliminate the traitor Lin Lei, quell the rebellion, and secure control of Qingzhou.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xue Wuyan was curious about the Shadow Guards¡¯ capabilities. ¡°Your Majesty, how powerful are these Shadow Guards?¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, Prime Minister. The Shadow Guards are more than capable of quelling the rebellion in Qingzhou!¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s tone was commanding as he called out, ¡°Shadow Guards, assemble!¡±


    As soon as the command was given, Xue Wuyan¡¯s expression changed, and he turned his gaze toward the void as if he sensed something.


    The next moment, ripples spread through the air around the Imperial Study. Figures in black robes, their faces cold and their auras terrifying, emerged from the void. Their identities were concealed, but their presence was overwhelming.


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    Xue Wuyan muttered, his eyes narrowing. ¡°All these figures in black¡­ they¡¯re all experts at the pinnacle of cultivation!¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s heart raced in disbelief.


    Xue Wuyan speculated, then quickly dismissed the thought.


    ¡°These hundreds of Shadow Guards will accompany you to Qingzhou to suppress the rebellion.¡± Gu Changsheng said, his gaze meaningful. ¡°I trust you will not disappoint me.¡±


    It was clear to Xue Wuyan that Gu Changsheng had intentionally revealed his strength to him. The Emperor¡¯s demonstration of power was a calculated move, aimed at winning Xue Wuyan¡¯s loyalty in the ongoing political struggle.


    ¡°Your Majesty, I will not fail your trust!¡± Xue Wuyan, brimming with confidence from the support of the Shadow Guards, bowed deeply, his tone filled with newfound resolve. With such powerful allies, he had no doubt that they could suppress the rebellion in Qingzhou.


    As Xue Wuyan left the Imperial Study with the Shadow Guards, Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes gleamed coldly. He murmured to himself, ¡°Empress Dowager, this time your schemes will not succeed.¡±


    In the original storyline, Qingzhou was lost, allowing the barbaric beast tribes to invade the heart of the Great Zhou Empire, causing untold suffering.


    Xue Wuyan was gravely injured in his attempt to quell the rebellion and nearly lost his life.


    But now, Gu Changsheng had prepared carefully. The Empress Dowager¡¯s plot was destined to fail.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38 The Feudal Princes of Various Places Want to Rebel! Qingjun Side!The turmoil in Qingzhou and the invasion by the barbaric beast tribe¡¯s massive army spread across all of Shen Zhou, causing an uproar.


    Soon, various regional princes and imperial sons of the Great Zhou Dynasty received the news, gathering secretly to discuss the unrest in Qingzhou.


    ¡­


    In the fief of Wang Liang, at the mansion of the eldest prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a grand and opulent palace stood, where eight imperial sons gathered, seated across from one another.


    The eldest prince, Gu Chengdao, wearing a python robe, sat solemnly in the main seat, his expression stern as he scrutinized the other princes. Beside him was the second prince, Gu Wuqing, with a rebellious expression and cold, unsettling eyes.


    Compared to them, the third prince, Gu Wudi, was tall and heroic, exuding a domineering aura, like a king.


    Aside from these three, the remaining five princes were also extraordinary figures, each regarded as peerless geniuses among the younger generation of Shen Zhou.


    At this moment, all eight imperial sons wore serious expressions, discussing the turmoil in Qingzhou.


    ¡°The court has just issued an imperial decree, commanding the regional princes of Great Zhou to send troops to Qingzhou to suppress the rebellion. What do you think, should we go?¡±


    The eldest prince, Gu Chengdao, asked in a low voice, his face expressionless.


    Upon hearing this, the other princes exchanged glances and shook their heads.


    Sending their armies to Qingzhou to confront the massive army of the barbaric beast race would lead to great losses, even if they were victorious. Ultimately, they would be doing the court¡¯s bidding at their own expense.


    None of them were willing to send their forces.


    ¡°If none of us lend a hand, it will be hard for the ninth brother to suppress the unrest alone. The entire Great Zhou Dynasty could fall into chaos.¡± Gu Chengdao said with concern as he frowned, seeing the other princes¡¯ reluctance.


    ¡°Heh, that¡¯s exactly what I want.¡± Gu Wuqing sneered coldly.


    ¡°It will show the ninth brother that the throne of Great Zhou is beyond his reach. I still can¡¯t understand why, after Father¡¯s death, the throne was passed to him.¡±


    Thinking about their father¡¯s will, Gu Wuqing felt resentment. He had no intention of helping his ninth brother in this crisis.


    The other princes also remained silent, their expressions unpleasant, as they shared the same dissatisfaction with the late emperor¡¯s decision to pass the throne to the ninth prince, Gu Changsheng.


    ¡°The emperor was wise throughout his life. He must have had his reasons for passing the throne to the ninth brother. He¡¯s not as simple as we thought.¡± Gu Chengdao said gravely.


    ¡°For eighteen years, he hid under the guise of a useless prince, but as soon as he ascended the throne, he demonstrated a commanding presence, opposing even the Empress Dowager.¡±


    The other princes frowned at his words. They had always considered the ninth prince to be a non-entity, a mere shadow.


    But after ascending the throne, his intelligence and tactics became clear, making him unpredictable and dangerous. Even the powerful Empress Dowager had suffered several defeats at his hands.


    ¡°Given his ability to keep such a low profile for eighteen years, he¡¯s far more dangerous than we thought.¡± Gu Chengdao said, his tone tinged with apprehension.


    ¡°This unrest in Qingzhou might be an opportunity for us,¡± Gu Wuqing interjected. ¡°If Qingzhou falls, the beast tribe will invade the heart of Great Zhou, and the ninth brother will be seen as an incompetent ruler. That¡¯s when we can raise our armies, march to the capital, and purge the court.¡±


    The room fell silent, the faces of the princes darkened, and they gasped in shock. Gu Chengdao glared at Gu Wuqing.


    ¡°Are you suggesting rebellion?¡± he asked, his voice low.


    Gu Wuqing scoffed, ¡°Rebellion? Brother, you misunderstand me. If the court is in chaos, and the emperor is incompetent, it¡¯s our duty to restore order. How is that rebellion?¡±


    The other princes remained silent, but it was clear that the throne of Great Zhou tempted them all. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The throne belongs to the most capable. Let¡¯s eliminate the ninth brother first, and then we can fight for it fairly.¡± Gu Wuqing said, looking around at the others.


    The third prince, Gu Wudi, nodded in agreement. ¡°The throne should go to the strongest. I¡¯m ready to fight for it.¡±


    The other princes exchanged glances and, one by one, agreed. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with the ninth brother first, then compete for the throne.¡±


    As for Qingzhou, they decided to only send a token force to appease the imperial decree.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, the movements of the regional princes were quickly reported to the Empress Dowager in the Cining Palace.


    As the news arrived, the Empress Dowager, Lin Yaoji, lazily reclined on her phoenix chair, a cold smile playing on her lips. Her trusted minister, Prime Minister Liu Wu, spoke humbly beside her.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡¯s prediction was correct. The new emperor¡¯s decree to send troops to Qingzhou has been met with only token efforts from the regional princes. Qingzhou¡¯s fall is inevitable.¡±


    The Empress Dowager sneered, ¡°Let¡¯s see if the emperor can turn things around this time.¡±


    Her eyes gleamed with a cold light. ¡°When the emperor sends his strongest to suppress the rebellion, we¡¯ll strike. I trust you¡¯ll be ready, Prime Minister?¡±


    Liu Wu nodded solemnly. The plan was clear: once the emperor sent his forces to Qingzhou, leaving him unprotected, they would make their move.


    ¡°We must lure him out of the palace first.¡± Liu Wu advised.


    The Empress Dowager agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure he leaves the safety of the palace. Then we¡¯ll act.¡±


    They both knew that striking within the palace could risk alerting the reclusive elders of the imperial family, so the right moment was crucial.


    Once Gu Changsheng left the palace, it would be the perfect opportunity to eliminate him.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39 Red Lotus Empress! Condition of three tasks!In the grand palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    Within the Imperial Study.


    Gu Changsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his face shifting between light and shadow as he read reports from the various vassal lords and princes.


    He had issued an imperial decree, ordering them to send troops to Qingzhou to quell the unrest.


    But instead of a decisive action, each of the vassal lords and princes had dispatched only 10,000 troops each, a clear attempt to brush off his decree, showing no respect for him.


    Luckily, Gu Changsheng hadn¡¯t expected these vassal lords and princes to sincerely help him from the start.


    His gaze deepened as he put down the reports, contemplating his next moves. After the unrest in Qingzhou was resolved, his first priority would be to deal with these vassal lords and princes within the Great Zhou Dynasty. Otherwise, one day, they might cause him great trouble.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Tenth Princess Gu Ningshuang requests an audience.¡± Xia Wudao, the chief eunuch said, entering the study and bowing slightly before Gu Changsheng.


    Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng¡¯s eyes flickered, his expression serious.


    The Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Gu Ningshuang, was in reality the reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago.


    Lately, Gu Changsheng had been preoccupied with dealing with the Empress Dowager and hadn¡¯t even had a chance to meet his younger imperial sister.


    Now that she had come to the palace in person, could it be that she had some important matter?


    ¡°Let her in.¡± Gu Changsheng said with a nod, his voice calm.


    Not long after, led by Xia Wudao, a young girl in a red dress, regal and cold, with skin as fair as snow, walked into the study.


    Her delicate, youthful face contrasted with the terrifying aura she exuded. It was as if the entire room froze the moment she entered.


    Seeing this, Gu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening as he carefully observed the girl in front of him. She was no ordinary person.


    The Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou in the past never had such a frightening aura. Judging by the current situation, Gu Ningshuang had already awakened her past life memories.


    The person standing before him was none other than the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago.


    Had this been when he first transmigrated into this world, Gu Changsheng might have tried every means possible to curry favor with the Red Lotus Empress. But now, his plans had changed.


    After all, while the Red Lotus Empress had regained her memories, her power hadn¡¯t returned to its former glory. She was only at the peak of the Life and Death Realm.


    ¡­


    [Name: Gu Ningshuang][Identity: Tenth Princess of the Great Zhou, reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago][Age: 15][Cultivation: Peak of Life and Death Realm][Physique: Phoenix Divine Body, Reincarnation Divine Body, Eternal Immortal Demon Body][Divine Abilities: Nine Turns Nirvana Art, Immortal Reincarnation Art¡­]


    Looking at the information panel of the Red Lotus Empress, Gu Changsheng couldn¡¯t help but sigh. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Being familiar with the original plot, Gu Changsheng knew that this technique had a huge backstory, originating from the Forbidden Land of Gods and Demons, and it was an immortal-level technique.


    The son of destiny, Crown Prince Zhao Hao of the Great Li Dynasty, relied heavily on this immortal technique in the original story to ascend to the position of Emperor.


    However, now that Gu Changsheng knew everything in advance, he naturally intended to seize the son of destiny¡¯s opportunities. In doing so, who knows how many plot points he might be able to collect?


    ¡°Imperial Sister, what brings you to the palace today?¡± Gu Changsheng¡¯s gaze fell upon Gu Ningshuang, his tone casual and full of humor.


    ¡°Hm?¡± Gu Ningshuang¡¯s eyes narrowed, her gaze flashing with surprise as she scrutinized Gu Changsheng.


    It seemed that her ninth imperial brother, the current emperor of the Great Zhou, only had a mere Innate Realm cultivation.


    Her first instinct was that Gu Changsheng was concealing his true strength from her. But with her vision as a former emperor, even a saint couldn¡¯t hide their cultivation from her. How was Gu Changsheng able to do it?


    Clearly, her ninth imperial brother was not as simple as he seemed.


    ¡°Brother, not long ago, while I was cultivating, I sensed the aura of a strange flame within the palace.¡± Gu Ningshuang said without hesitation. ¡°The Phoenix Divine Body I possess makes such flames invaluable to me. I wonder if my imperial brother would be willing to part with it?¡±


    ¡°My imperial brother has no need to worry. I am willing to offer a Saint-level cultivation technique in exchange.¡±


    Hearing this, Gu Changsheng was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. He recalled that not long ago, he had drawn the Red Lotus Flame from the system. It seems the flame¡¯s aura had leaked, and the Red Lotus Empress had sensed it.


    Gu Ningshuang was even willing to trade a Saint-level technique for the Red Lotus Flame in his possession. Had it been anyone else, they would likely have agreed without hesitation.


    But the technique he cultivated was the Emperor¡¯s Dao Art, a divine technique from the system, capable of reaching the Emperor Realm. What use would he have for a mere Saint-level technique?


    Besides, the Red Lotus Empress was currently seeking his help. Not taking this opportunity to extract more benefits from her would be foolish.


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curled into a playful smile. ¡°You are indeed generous, Imperial Sister, offering a Saint-level technique in exchange for a mere flame. However, I already have a suitable technique and have no need for another.¡±


    Gu Ningshuang¡¯s expression darkened upon hearing this.


    She could offer an Emperor-level technique, but doing so would raise questions she couldn¡¯t answer. She even considered forcibly taking the Red Lotus Flame from him, but quickly dismissed the idea.


    The palace was filled with powerful figures, and she could sense that a Sword Dao Great Expert was secretly guarding Gu Changsheng.


    With her current strength, even if she obtained the flame, she wouldn¡¯t be able to escape.


    ¡°What would my imperial brother need in exchange for the flame?¡± Gu Ningshuang asked, taking a deep breath to steady herself.


    Gu Changsheng smiled again, his tone light but full of meaning. ¡°How about this? I don¡¯t need any treasures from you, but if you swear an oath to the heavens to help me with three tasks once you¡¯ve regained your strength, I¡¯ll give you the Red Lotus Flame.¡±


    Gu Ningshuang hesitated, conflicted.


    She was ready to refuse when Gu Changsheng added, ¡°I also happen to have some Ten Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea, which I can give to you along with the flame.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Gu Ningshuang¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    If she could obtain both, it would shorten the time needed to restore her Emperor-level strength by several years. After a brief moment of contemplation, she finally made her decision.


    She swore the oath to the heavens and agreed to Gu Changsheng¡¯s terms.


    Seeing her agreement, Gu Changsheng smiled, and with a thought, a scorching, golden-red lotus-shaped flame appeared in his hand.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40 Get the Wool From the Red Lotus Empress!When Gu Changsheng saw the Red Lotus Flame in his hand, Gu Ningshuang¡¯s face revealed some excitement. She reached out to take the Red Lotus Flame, then sat cross-legged right there in the Imperial Study, beginning to refine it.


    Watching the excited young girl in front of him, Gu Changsheng found it somewhat amusing.


    To be honest, this Red Lotus Flame might be a treasure in the Red Lotus Empress¡¯s heart, but in his eyes, it wasn¡¯t that remarkable.


    As long as he had enough plot points, there was no celestial treasure he couldn¡¯t redeem from the system¡¯s store.


    Suddenly, at that moment, Gu Changsheng sensed a huge commotion inside the Imperial Study.


    Gu Ningshuang, sitting cross-legged and refining the Red Lotus Flame, was rapidly increasing in power, as if there were no constraints.


    She advanced directly from the peak of life and death, breaking through several levels in a row:


    Peak of life and death realm!


    First stage of King Realm!


    Second stage of King Realm!


    ¡­


    More than half an hour passed.


    The disturbance in the Imperial Study finally calmed down.


    Gu Ningshuang¡¯s cultivation had reached the seventh stage of the King Realm.


    Seeing this rapid cultivation progress, Gu Changsheng narrowed his eyes, seemingly unsurprised, his expression calm.


    After all, the young girl in front of him was the reincarnation of the Red Lotus Empress from 100,000 years ago.


    Having such a cultivation speed was perfectly normal.


    At that moment, Gu Ningshuang sensed her newfound power and smiled. She stood up, giving Gu Changsheng a deep, meaningful look before walking out of the Imperial Study.


    Though she had come to the palace today and gained the Red Lotus Flame, she had also agreed to fulfill three conditions for Gu Changsheng.


    As a result, Gu Ningshuang wasn¡¯t happy at all.


    To think that she, who in her past life was the esteemed Empress of the Divine Continent, the Red Lotus Empress, had never been so manipulated.


    Just as Gu Ningshuang was about to step out of the Imperial Study, Gu Changsheng smiled slightly and produced a simple, ancient jade box in his hand, teasing, ¡°Dear royal sister, don¡¯t you want the Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea?¡±


    Before he finished speaking, he noticed the jade box containing the Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea had disappeared from his hand.


    At the same time, Gu Ningshuang¡¯s figure vanished from the Imperial Study.


    Seeing this, Gu Changsheng chuckled.


    At that moment, the system prompt sounded in his mind:


    [Ding! The Red Lotus Empress has agreed to do three things for the host. Plot altered, 10,000 plot points gained!].[Ding! The Red Lotus Empress feels gratitude towards the host. Plot altered, 10,000 plot points gained!].


    Hmm! To think he had easily earned 20,000 plot points.


    As expected, harvesting plot points from a hidden boss in the original storyline seemed much easier.


    Earlier, he had already accumulated 20,000 plot points, and now with the 20,000 points contributed by the Red Lotus Empress, that made a total of 40,000 plot points.


    ¡°System, consume 40,000 plot points to draw four times!¡±


    Gu Changsheng silently chanted in his mind, his expression filled with anticipation.


    [Ding! 40,000 plot points consumed. Drawing rewards¡­].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining 10,000 supreme-grade spirit stones!].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Heavenly-Iron from Beyond the Heavens!].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea!].[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Emperor¡¯s Sword!].


    ¡­


    A series of system notifications sounded.


    ¡°The rewards this time are a bit underwhelming.¡± Gu Changsheng muttered in frustration.


    The 10,000 supreme-grade spirit stones and the Heavenly-Iron from Beyond the Heavens¡ªthese items were practically useless for someone of his status, the Emperor of the Great Zhou. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thankfully, the last two draws were decent.


    The Ten-Thousand-Year Enlightenment Tea¡ªsuch a rare treasure¡ªwas something only a Saint might possess across the entire Shen Zhou. He could never have too much of it.


    ¡°The Emperor¡¯s Sword!¡±


    Gu Changsheng whispered, and a mysterious, ancient sword exuding an aura of royal authority appeared in his hand.


    According to the system¡¯s explanation, the Emperor¡¯s Sword was currently only a King-level weapon, but its grade would rise along with its master¡¯s cultivation. If, in the future, Gu Changsheng proved his path as an Emperor, then this sword would become an imperial weapon.


    ¡°Proving the Emperor¡¯s path¡ªthat day will come.¡±


    Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he murmured to himself.


    With the Emperor¡¯s Sword tightly gripped in his hand, a boundless imperial majesty emanated from him, as if a true Great Emperor had descended upon the mortal world.


    ¡­


    In the Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s Cining Palace.


    The Empress Dowager, looking graceful and noble, sat in her seat lazily. She scanned the secret report sent by her spies and spoke in a low voice, ¡°The Left Prime Minister went to the Imperial Study; he must have gone to discuss the unrest in Qingzhou.¡±


    ¡°But why has the Emperor remained silent for so long?¡±


    The Empress Dowager frowned, unable to comprehend it.


    With the Qingzhou unrest, Gu Changsheng should have promptly mobilized the military and dispatched strong forces to suppress the turmoil in Qingzhou.


    However, according to the intelligence from her spies, the Great Zhou¡¯s military, experts, the Emperor¡¯s Royal Shadow Guards, the city defense forces, and even the mysterious King-level troops guarding the palace¡ªnone of them showed signs of being mobilized.


    ¡°Could it be that the Emperor intends to abandon Qingzhou?¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s face darkened as she spoke coldly.


    She had worked hard to instigate the unrest in Qingzhou, intending to force Gu Changsheng to send strong troops and armies there to quell the chaos.


    At that moment, when the Emperor was surrounded by fewer powerful figures, she could then attempt to assassinate him.


    But now, Gu Changsheng had been holding back his forces all this time¡ªwhat was he planning?


    ¡°Empress Dowager, could it be that the Emperor has already realized the unrest in Qingzhou is a trap we set?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps the Emperor, for his own safety, is preparing to abandon Qingzhou.¡± Right Prime Minister Liu Wu said, pondering for a moment before speaking in a low voice.


    Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager shook her head and said coldly, ¡°We were very careful with Qingzhou, so the Emperor definitely won¡¯t suspect that it¡¯s a trap we set. Order the spies to keep a close eye on the Emperor¡¯s every move.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Empress Dowager!¡±


    Right Prime Minister Liu Wu responded solemnly with a nod.


    Little did they know that while the Empress Dowager was preparing to send out spies to monitor Gu Changsheng, the Left Prime Minister, along with hundreds of secret guards sent by Gu Changsheng, had already arrived in Qingzhou.

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41 The Situation in Qingzhou! Officials Want to Abandon the City and Flee!At this moment!


    In the Great Zhou Dynasty, within Qingzhou.


    Rebellions broke out among the cultivators across Qingzhou, and demons ran rampant. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking around, the scene was one of devastation.


    Countless lives were lost, corpses littered the land, and destruction was everywhere.


    However, the scene shifted.


    Inside the majestic and grand hall of the Qingzhou state government, there was a scene of indulgence and revelry.


    Numerous Qingzhou officials were holding a grand banquet, exchanging toasts and cups, enjoying themselves without a care.


    It was as if they were completely oblivious to the chaos in Qingzhou, the rampaging demons, and the countless lives being lost.


    At the head of the banquet sat Lin Lei, the governor of Qingzhou. He raised his cup, his face flushed with intoxication.


    ¡°Governor, the barbarian beast tribes have now besieged us with an army of millions.¡±


    ¡°The imperial reinforcements have yet to arrive. With only Qingzhou¡¯s defensive formations and a few strong cultivators, I¡¯m afraid we cannot resist their overwhelming numbers. Shouldn¡¯t we hold fast and defend Qingzhou to the last?¡±


    One of the Qingzhou officials spoke with a grave expression.


    Hearing this, Lin Lei put down his cup and sneered coldly, bursting into curses:


    ¡°Hold fast? Hold fast for what?!¡±


    ¡°Do you really want to die at the hands of the barbarian beast tribes¡¯ million-strong army?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow, we shall abandon Qingzhou and retreat to the capital!¡±


    Upon hearing this, the faces of the Qingzhou officials changed drastically.


    They gasped in shock and fearfully said:


    ¡°My lord, you mustn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°His Majesty¡¯s edict commands us to hold Qingzhou and wait for reinforcements.¡±


    ¡°If we flee, and His Majesty finds out, we will face execution, and our families will be wiped out.¡±


    The officials trembled as they spoke, their voices filled with panic.


    ¡°Fools!¡±


    ¡°The edict is just a scrap of paper. It¡¯s the Empress Dowager who holds power in court now. What does the Emperor matter?¡±


    ¡°If you follow me, I promise you¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    Lin Lei arrogantly patted his chest, smiling confidently.


    The Qingzhou officials might not have understood that the chaos in Qingzhou had been orchestrated by the Empress Dowager herself.


    As the governor of Qingzhou and a trusted confidant of the Empress Dowager, Lin Lei knew everything.


    He only needed to carry out the Empress Dowager¡¯s plan and return to the capital.


    Promotion, wealth, and endless luxury awaited him.


    As for the lives of the Qingzhou officials?


    He cared not in the slightest.


    His only goal now was to convince the officials to abandon the city with him, let Qingzhou fall, and complete the Empress Dowager¡¯s scheme.


    Of course, these were thoughts Lin Lei would never voice in front of the other officials.


    Seeing Lin Lei¡¯s confidence, the officials made up their minds to flee as well.


    If they stayed, with the imperial reinforcements delayed and the beast army at their gates, death was certain.


    Escaping to the capital was their only hope for survival.


    ¡°To serve the Emperor and fulfill one¡¯s duty!¡±


    ¡°You bunch of cowardly traitors, do you still consider yourselves officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty?¡±


    Suddenly, from the corner of the hall, a cold, furious voice rang out.


    A stern-faced, middle-aged official in official robes stood up and slammed his cup to the ground, startling the others.


    ¡°I thought we gathered here to discuss strategies to defend against the barbarian beast tribes¡¯ army.¡±


    ¡°Instead, you conspire to abandon the city and flee. You are nothing but treacherous rebels and despicable scoundrels.¡±


    The middle-aged official¡¯s icy gaze swept over the other officials, his face full of disdain.


    ¡°How dare you, Chen Wuya!¡±


    ¡°Do you still think you¡¯re the top scholar personally chosen by the late Emperor?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just a minor official in Qingzhou now, and you dare to speak against me!¡±


    ¡°Guards, arrest Chen Wuya at once and throw him in the dungeon. He will be executed on another day!¡±


    Lin Lei¡¯s face twisted in anger. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, glaring at Chen Wuya with murderous intent.


    This middle-aged official was Chen Wuya, the secretary of Qingzhou.


    But his background was far from ordinary.


    Chen Wuya had once been the top scholar of the Great Zhou Dynasty, personally chosen by the late Emperor, a brilliant talent and a capable statesman.


    But in the court, his upright nature earned him many enemies, and he was eventually framed by treacherous officials and exiled to Qingzhou to serve as a lowly secretary.


    Witnessing the scene, the other officials could only shake their heads and look at Chen Wuya with pity.


    Once the Emperor¡¯s chosen top scholar, with a bright future ahead of him,


    Yet he now faced such a miserable fate ¡ª it was truly tragic.


    In the next moment, several Qingzhou guards clad in black armor, towering and intimidating, stormed into the hall, ready to drag Chen Wuya to the dungeon.


    ¡°Haha, I never expected to see such a good show while coming to Qingzhou to quell the unrest. This trip was not in vain.¡±


    At that moment, a mocking voice echoed through the hall.


    A frail old man in a gray robe had appeared out of nowhere.


    Seeing the old man, several officials recognized him, their faces paling as they lowered their heads, not daring to speak.


    Lin Lei¡¯s eyes darkened upon seeing the old man. Internally, he cursed.


    ¡°Haha, Prime Minister, you¡¯ve come at the perfect time. We were just discussing how to quell the unrest in Qingzhou!¡±


    Lin Lei, with a beaming smile, quickly approached Xue Wuyan, bowing humbly.


    Though Lin Lei was the governor of Qingzhou, his rank was far below that of the Left Prime Minister of Great Zhou.


    As the saying goes, one must bow when under another¡¯s roof.


    Xue Wuyan stroked his beard, his gaze cold and fixed on Lin Lei as he sneered:


    ¡°I saw everything from the shadows. No need to explain, Governor Lin.¡±


    ¡°In Qingzhou, rebellions run rampant, demons wreak havoc, and countless lives are lost.¡±


    ¡°Yet you, Governor Lin, sit idly by, neglecting your duties, and plan to abandon the city.¡±


    ¡°From this moment, I hereby remove you from your position as Governor of Qingzhou and order your immediate imprisonment to await His Majesty¡¯s judgment.¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s voice was cold, showing no mercy to Lin Lei.


    Before coming to Qingzhou, Xue Wuyan had already learned from the Emperor that the Qingzhou governor was secretly colluding with demonic sects and the barbarian beast tribes.


    Lin Lei¡¯s plan to abandon the city only confirmed his treachery.


    As for the other officials who dared to conspire with Lin Lei, they too were unforgivable.


    However, Qingzhou still needed them to maintain stability for now.


    Once the unrest was resolved, they would be dealt with in due time.


    ¡°Prime Minister, removing a governor requires an imperial decree.¡±


    ¡°Even as the Left Prime Minister, you cannot overstep the law to dismiss me.¡±


    Lin Lei was panicking now. If he lost his position and failed the Empress Dowager, his death was certain.


    ¡°Prime Minister, I have the Empress Dowager¡¯s backing. Let¡¯s forget about today¡¯s events, and you will be richly rewarded.¡±


    Mentioning the Empress Dowager gave Lin Lei some confidence, as he straightened his back and smiled.


    ¡°Abandoning the city is punishable by death!¡±


    ¡°Unless His Majesty personally issues a pardon, you had best surrender quietly.¡±


    Xue Wuyan coldly glanced at Lin Lei, unmoved by his threats, and spoke with righteousness.


    ¡°Prime Minister, are you really not going to give me any face?¡±


    ¡°Qingzhou is my territory. Do you really think I fear you?¡±


    Lin Lei¡¯s face twisted with fury, his eyes narrowing dangerously as killing intent radiated from him.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42 Battle of Qingzhou! The Fall of the Demon Sect¡¯s Giant!¡°Oh! To dare say such words to me¡ªLin Lei, it seems the cards in your hand are not insignificant!¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s face was full of disdain. He casually smiled, completely indifferent.


    ¡°You¡¯re seeking death!¡±


    Lin Lei gritted his teeth, suddenly shifting his gaze to the surrounding void, shouting:


    ¡°Everyone, show yourselves!¡±


    ¡°Today, we shall join forces and kill the Left Prime Minister of Great Zhou right here!¡±


    ¡°Hehe, rest assured, Lord Lin. With us here, you will be fine.¡±


    Just then, ripples suddenly appeared in the void, accompanied by a cold, sinister laugh echoing through the grand hall.


    In the next moment¡ª


    Dozens of figures with cold expressions and terrifying auras, clad in black robes, appeared out of thin air behind Lin Lei. These black-robed figures exuded a chilling presence, with the weakest among them being at the level of great expert.


    Especially the leading black-robed elder, whose robe fluttered in the air as Demon might surged around him. His presence was as deep and unfathomable as the ocean.


    ¡°Blood Poison Demon Lord!¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s true, Lin Lei of the Qingzhou Prefecture¡ªyou¡¯re already secretly in league with the powerful members of the Demon Sect.¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, His Majesty discovered this in time. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s eyes narrowed as he carefully observed the dozens of black-robed figures that had appeared, silently contemplating. He was well aware of these people¡¯s backgrounds.


    These dozens of powerful figures were notorious across the Shen Zhou, infamous criminals wanted by all major forces, cultivators of the Demon Sect.


    Among them, the Blood Poison Demon Lord was a prominent figure within the sect, a pinnacle great-power cultivator with a terrifying strength.


    As the group of Demon Sect experts appeared before their eyes, the officials of Qingzhou looked on in shock, utterly dumbfounded.


    They had never imagined that Lin Lei, the governor of Qingzhou, would dare collude with such figures from the Demon Sect. It was utterly reckless, as if he had a death wish.


    According to the laws of Great Zhou, any official found conspiring with the Demon Sect would be treated as a traitor, punished by having their entire family and clan executed.


    ¡°Prime Minister, do you regret this now?¡±


    Lin Lei laughed heartily, his tone dripping with mockery.


    ¡°If the Left Prime Minister had given me some face earlier, I wouldn¡¯t have been forced to reveal my cards.¡±


    ¡°None of you here today will leave alive.¡±


    A sinister expression clouded Lin Lei¡¯s face as murderous intent filled the air, his cold and merciless voice echoing throughout the grand hall.


    Upon hearing this, the officials of Qingzhou paled, instantly realizing Lin Lei¡¯s intentions. He planned to silence everyone, even killing the Left Prime Minister.


    Thinking of this, the officials swiftly distanced themselves from Lin Lei and rushed to the Prime Minister¡¯s side.


    Watching this unfold, Xue Wuyan frowned but ignored the officials, his eyes flickering with calculation as he focused on Lin Lei. He then spoke meaningfully:


    ¡°So, your trump card is these dozens of Demon Sect powerhouses?¡±


    ¡°Of course! Just these dozens of great powers are enough to kill you, old fool.¡± Lin Lei said confidently.


    Not only did he have the backing of the Blood Poison Demon Lord, a pinnacle great-expert, but also several dozen other powerful members of the Demon Sect.


    With so many strong individuals, even if the Left Prime Minister had exceptional skills, escaping would be nearly impossible.


    ¡°Lin Lei, do you not realize that His Majesty has long been aware of your secret dealings with the Demon Sect? He was simply waiting for you all to show yourselves so he could capture you in one fell swoop.¡±


    ¡°Seal the void. Kill all the Demon Sect members here, no exceptions.¡±


    As Xue Wuyan¡¯s words fell, the entire world seemed to freeze.


    A golden barrier suddenly materialized, extending through the sky and completely sealing the void.


    In the next moment, countless cold and powerful figures clad in black robes, filled with murderous intent, emerged from the void.


    One!


    Two!


    Three!


    ¡­


    The sky became densely packed with black-robed figures¡ªhundreds of them.


    Witnessing this scene, Lin Lei and the dozens of Demon Sect great powers were utterly shocked, their faces filled with disbelief.


    Hundreds of black-robed figures¡ªwhat was even more crucial was that the weakest among them was a great expert.


    Especially the leader, whose overwhelming aura filled the sky, exuding an incomparably terrifying and fearsome presence.


    It was clear that this was a pinnacle great expert.


    ¡°No! We¡¯ve fallen into a trap!¡±


    ¡°Lin Lei, you¡¯ve ruined us!¡±


    The dozens of Demon Sect members burst out in furious curses.


    Upon seeing this, they finally understood everything.


    The Great Zhou Dynasty¡¯s forces had set up a massive net in Qingzhou, waiting to capture them all in one go. And they had foolishly walked right into the trap.


    The leader of the Demon Sect, the Blood Poison Demon Lord, was utterly horrified. As he gazed at the hundreds of black-robed figures in the sky, waves of terror surged in his heart.


    Had he known earlier that Great Zhou had dispatched hundreds of great powers to quell the rebellion in Qingzhou, he would have hidden long ago. He certainly wouldn¡¯t have shown up here seeking death.


    But what puzzled the Blood Poison Demon Lord the most was that, despite his numerous encounters with Great Zhou¡¯s experts, he found all of these black-robed figures to be completely unfamiliar. He didn¡¯t know any of them.


    ¡°Left Prime Minister, we will retreat immediately and swear to never again be enemies of Great Zhou.¡±


    ¡°Spare our lives¡ªwhat do you think?¡±


    The Blood Poison Demon Lord spoke humbly, completely disregarding his dignity, as he begged for mercy.


    As a prominent figure in the Demon Sect, a pinnacle great-expert, there was a chance he might one day break through to the Saint level. He certainly didn¡¯t want to perish here in Qingzhou today.


    ¡°Blood Poison Demon Lord, why beg for mercy from Great Zhou¡¯s forces? We should fight our way out.¡±


    Upon hearing the Blood Poison Demon Lord¡¯s offer of surrender, Lin Lei¡¯s face changed drastically, and he hastily tried to dissuade him.


    Lin Lei had already completely offended the Left Prime Minister and betrayed the Great Zhou Dynasty. Even if he surrendered, death was certain.


    He could only urge the dozens of Demon Sect great powers to fight their way out, hoping for a slim chance of survival.


    ¡°You¡¯re courting death! If not for you, I wouldn¡¯t have fallen into this trap in the first place.¡±


    The Blood Poison Demon Lord¡¯s expression instantly twisted in fury.


    Thinking of this, Blood Poison Demon Lord¡¯s expression darkened, a cruel smile appearing on his face, his killing intent spreading all over. He stretched out a hand, shattering the heavens and earth, directly piercing through Lin Lei¡¯s chest.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Lin Lei¡¯s pupils constricted, his gaze fierce as he looked at Blood Poison Demon Lord, his brilliance slowly fading from his eyes, his body collapsing directly to the ground.


    Seeing this scene, the officials from Qingzhou were sweating profusely, their faces filled with terror, their hearts shivering with fear.


    ¡°Minister Zuo, what are you considering?¡±


    ¡°Spare our lives, and we are willing to swear an oath to heaven that we will no longer be enemies of the Great Zhou Dynasty.¡±


    Blood Poison Demon Lord looked at the deceased Lin Lei, finally releasing his pent-up anger, and then humbly spoke to Xue Wuyan.


    Hearing that Blood Poison Demon Lord was still begging for mercy,


    Xue Wuyan wore a scornful expression and coldly retorted,


    ¡°You reckless fools have committed heinous acts, causing countless lives in Qingzhou to suffer and lie in a sea of corpses.¡±


    ¡°Wanting me to spare you? That¡¯s just a pipe dream.¡±


    ¡°Kill all the members of the Demon Sect present!¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s expression turned furious, his killing intent palpable, releasing an overwhelming aura as he stepped forward, engaging in battle with Blood Poison Demon Lord.


    At the same time, in the sky, hundreds of figures in black robes stood in the void, their powerful aura unabashedly released, surging forward toward the dozens of Demon Sect powers present.


    In an instant!


    The heavens shook and the earth cracked, the void collapsing.


    The simultaneous release of energy from hundreds of powers was terrifying, as if the entire world was trembling and quaking.


    Seeing this scene, the dozens of Demon Sect powers looked grim, steeling themselves as they prepared to fight their way out.


    In an instant, the hundreds of powers clashed with the dozens of strong Demon Sect members.


    This was an unprecedented, earth-shattering battle.


    The hundreds of powers fought among themselves in the heavens and earth, each movement carrying tremendous might.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t escape!¡±


    The dozens of Demon Sect powers felt despair, blood dripping from their bodies, struggling to deal with the enemies around them.


    The fierce battle in the sky was still ongoing but was quickly nearing its end.


    Finally, accompanied by a thunderous explosion, the dozens of Demon Sect powers fell one after another.


    Only the final powerful figure of the Demon Sect, Blood Poison Demon Lord, was still fighting against Minister Zuo Xue Wuyan.


    ¡°Minister Zuo of the Great Zhou, do you truly intend to kill us all?¡±


    At this moment, Blood Poison Demon Lord stood in the void, his expression ferocious, covered in blood, with broken limbs, looking quite wretched.


    ¡°Hehe, Blood Poison Demon Lord.¡±


    ¡°When you were wreaking havoc in Qingzhou, wantonly slaughtering the creatures of my Great Zhou Dynasty, did you ever think about today¡¯s outcome?¡±


    Xue Wuyan¡¯s expression was cold, standing in the void with his robe billowing, his gaze icy as he stared fixedly at Blood Poison Demon Lord.


    Looking at this scene, Blood Poison Demon Lord felt his heart turn to ashes, coughing up blood from the corner of his mouth, his anger difficult to suppress.


    He knew this time he was completely done for.


    The powers sent by the Great Zhou Dynasty had exceeded his expectations.


    Hundreds of experts, plus two peak great experts, were simply beyond his capability to contend with.


    What puzzled him was, why the Demon Sect¡¯s enchantress did not relay this news to him.


    Otherwise, how could dozens of powerful Demon Sect members fall in Qingzhou?


    ¡°Since I cannot escape death today, I shall perish together with you!¡±


    Blood Poison Demon Lord¡¯s expression became mad, and he let out a long howl toward the sky. The aura that had previously diminished suddenly surged, becoming more terrifying than ever.


    The next moment!


    Blood Poison Demon Lord was enveloped in demonic energy, transforming into a ball of pitch-black flames, rushing directly towards Xue Wuyan.


    In an instant, a thunderous explosion rang out, deafening.


    An unimaginable and overwhelming wave of destruction recklessly spread, tearing apart the entire heavens and earth.


    Fortunately, at this crucial moment, the Qingzhou defensive array activated just in time. In the sky, a dazzling golden barrier appeared, blocking out the sun and suppressing the overwhelming wave of destruction.


    Otherwise, under the self-detonation of a peak power, the entire Qingzhou would suffer a heavy blow.


    With the fall of Blood Poison Demon Lord, the dozens of powerful members of the Demon Sect were completely annihilated.


    The internal turmoil in Qingzhou was thoroughly quelled.


    ¡°Spread the news of the dozens of powerful members of the Demon Sect falling.¡±


    ¡°I want to see who else is fearless enough to continue causing chaos within the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty.¡±


    ¡°Also, immediately report what happened in Qingzhou back to the imperial city, informing His Majesty that the internal turmoil in Qingzhou has been resolved.¡± S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°After we defeat the millions of savage beast troops, the turmoil in Qingzhou will be completely settled.¡±


    At this moment, Xue Wuyan¡¯s figure appeared, his gaze sharp as he scanned the dozens of surviving Qingzhou officials present, speaking coldly.


    He indeed wanted to directly eradicate these officials.


    But currently, Qingzhou still needed officials to stabilize the situation.


    Once they repelled the millions of savage beast troops, it wouldn¡¯t be too late to settle the scores.

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43 Gu Changsheng Is Suspected to Be the Reincarnation of the Great Emperor? Shen Zhou Is Shocked!Very soon, with the Qingzhou officials fanning the flames, a piece of news spread like a hurricane throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty, sweeping across all of Shen Zhou and stirring up a huge storm.


    The Qingzhou rebellion has been quelled!


    Dozens of powerful figures from the Demon Sect have all perished, none survived.


    Even the great figure of the Demon Sect, Blood Poison Demon Lord, was killed by the experts of the Great Zhou Dynasty, forced to self-detonate, leaving no remains.


    Once this news broke, the entire Shen Zhou was shaken, and the world was in an uproar!


    The four great dynasties, various sacred lands, and sects all sent spies to Qingzhou to verify the truth.


    After all, whether it was the fall of dozens of powerful figures or the death of the Blood Poison Demon Lord, these were events that could shake all of Shen Zhou.


    At the same time, those cultivators causing trouble within the borders of the Great Zhou Dynasty also received the news.


    Fearing a purge by the Great Zhou Dynasty, they all became cautious and refrained from showing themselves.


    If even dozens of the Demon Sect¡¯s powerful figures were slain by Great Zhou¡¯s experts, then at this moment, any of them daring to cause trouble within the territory of Great Zhou would simply be seeking death.


    ¡­


    The news of the Qingzhou rebellion being quelled and the fall of dozens of the Demon Sect¡¯s powerful figures spread like wildfire across Shen Zhou.


    The entire court of the Great Zhou Dynasty received the news immediately and was in shock, utterly incredulous.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on in Qingzhou?¡±


    ¡°The court hasn¡¯t even mobilized its troops or sent experts, and yet the Qingzhou rebellion has already been quelled?¡±


    The civil and military officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty were all dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.


    They knew very well that the Great Zhou Dynasty hadn¡¯t yet had the chance to send any experts.


    But suddenly, out of nowhere, news came from Qingzhou that the Demon Sect¡¯s dozens of powerful figures had fallen, and the rebellion had been quelled.


    No matter how hard they thought, they couldn¡¯t figure out who could possibly have such great abilities to silently wipe out dozens of the Demon Sect¡¯s powerful figures and quell the Qingzhou rebellion.


    Meanwhile, in the Cining Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty:


    ¡°The Qingzhou rebellion has been quelled, and dozens of powerful figures from the Demon Sect have fallen. How is this possible?¡±


    The Empress Dowager looked grim, staring at the intelligence report from Qingzhou in her hand, her fingers clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh as she spoke in disbelief.


    To orchestrate the Qingzhou chaos, she had directly mobilized dozens of powerful figures from the Demon Sect to cause turmoil within Qingzhou.


    At the same time, she had painstakingly arranged for a massive army of the wild beast tribes to invade Qingzhou.


    Logically speaking, under such internal and external pressures, the fall of Qingzhou was merely a matter of time.


    However, the news from Qingzhou had completely exceeded her expectations.


    At this thought, the Empress Dowager¡¯s expression wavered, and her suspicion towards Gu Changsheng deepened.


    She had originally planned to wait until Gu Changsheng sent Great Zhou¡¯s experts to quell the Qingzhou rebellion before taking the opportunity to assassinate him.


    But now, with the forces revealed behind Gu Changsheng, they seemed unfathomably deep.


    Her chances of sending experts to eliminate Gu Changsheng were now slim.


    Unless she, a semi-saint herself, took action personally.


    However, if she did that, her true identity would be exposed, ruining her entire plan.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, the news of the fall of dozens of the Demon Sect¡¯s powerful figures has been verified.¡±


    At that moment, the Right Prime Minister, Liu Wu, entered Cining Palace and solemnly said to the Empress Dowager:


    ¡°According to the spies from Qingzhou, Left Prime Minister Xue Wuyan, along with several hundred mysterious powerful figures, suddenly appeared in Qingzhou and wiped out all of the Demon Sect¡¯s powerful figures.¡±


    ¡°Several hundred powerful figures? Right Prime Minister, surely you¡¯re joking!¡±


    The Empress Dowager was astonished, a mocking smile forming at the corner of her mouth as she laughed in disbelief.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, this information indeed comes from the spies in Qingzhou. As for its accuracy, I also find it hard to believe.¡± Liu Wu said with a faint smile, agreeing with the Empress Dowager.


    He did not believe that the Emperor had several hundred powerful figures at his disposal.


    If Gu Changsheng had that many experts, he would have taken action against the Empress Dowager the moment he ascended the throne, not waited until now.


    Of course, for the Emperor to silently quell the Qingzhou rebellion and wipe out dozens of the Demon Sect¡¯s powerful figures, it was clear that the Emperor had backing from a terrifying force they were unaware of.


    This thought made Liu Wu¡¯s face grow serious, and he felt a deep sense of unease.


    ¡°The Governor of Qingzhou, Lin Lei, is he still alive?¡±


    At that moment, the Empress Dowager¡¯s cold voice rang out.


    Liu Wu nodded and said in a low voice,


    ¡°Lin Lei, the Governor of Qingzhou, is already dead.¡±


    ¡°However, his secret collusion with the Demon Sect and the powerful figures of the wild beast tribes will not escape the Emperor¡¯s notice.¡±


    ¡°If the Emperor investigates thoroughly, he will certainly uncover Lin Lei¡¯s connection to us.¡±


    Pausing for a moment, Liu Wu¡¯s tone became even more serious:


    ¡°At that time, the Emperor will undoubtedly suspect that the Qingzhou rebellion is related to us.¡±


    ¡°If the civil and military officials find out, the consequences will be disastrous.¡±


    If the officials learned that the Qingzhou rebellion had been orchestrated by the Empress Dowager and the Right Prime Minister behind the scenes, they would surely condemn them, and many would likely defect to the Emperor¡¯s side.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Even if the Emperor discovers that we were behind the Qingzhou rebellion, he still needs evidence before the officials will believe him.¡±


    ¡°Without proof, even if he knows I am the mastermind, what can he do about it?¡±


    The Empress Dowager¡¯s expression was indifferent as she spoke calmly.


    She did not believe the Emperor had the ability to trace the Qingzhou rebellion back to her.


    Of course, what the Empress Dowager didn¡¯t know was that Gu Changsheng, knowing the plot inside out, was already aware of the full truth.


    Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager, the Right Prime Minister, and others were still under the illusion that their role in the Qingzhou rebellion remained hidden.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, now that the Qingzhou rebellion has been quelled, should we secretly send our forces to join with the wild beast tribes in invading Qingzhou?¡±


    ¡°We could take this opportunity to weaken the Emperor¡¯s forces.¡±


    At that moment, the Right Prime Minister, Liu Wu, had a sinister expression and sneered.


    As soon as he spoke, the Empress Dowager squinted her eyes, her face cold and indifferent, instantly understanding Liu Wu¡¯s intention.


    ¡°This matter will be handled by you, Right Prime Minister.¡±


    ¡°Do it discreetly, and don¡¯t let the Emperor catch any evidence that could tarnish my reputation.¡± Empress Dowager coldly said, her gaze deep as she looked at Liu Wu with a meaningful expression.


    Liu Wu, understanding her implication, smiled and nodded.


    ¡°Rest assured, Empress Dowager, I know my limits.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible for the Emperor to trace this back to us!¡±


    ¡­


    In the towering Great Zhou Palace, within the Imperial Study.


    Gu Changsheng, with a stern face, sat upright on the dragon throne. Listening to his shadow guards report on the situation in Qingzhou, his expression was calm and unchanging.


    The rebellion in Qingzhou had been quelled.


    Dozens of powerful figures from the Demon Sect had fallen.


    All of this was within his expectations.


    After all, to quell the unrest in Qingzhou, he had deployed hundreds of powerful figures, including the Great Zhou¡¯s Left Prime Minister.


    With such a terrifying lineup, wiping out dozens of Demon Sect experts causing chaos in Qingzhou was a simple task.


    ¡­


    [Ding! Dozens of powerful figures from the Demon Sect have fallen, altering the storyline. Host gains 10,000 Plot Points!].[Ding! The rebellion in Qingzhou has been quelled early, altering the storyline. Host gains 10,000 Plot Points!].


    The system notifications rang out one after another.


    Without hesitation, Gu Changsheng immediately used his points for the draw. The 20,000 points were instantly cleared.


    [Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained a Peak Great Expert Experience Card, valid for ten minutes!].[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have obtained an army of one million Life and Death Realm soldiers!].


    ¡°A Peak Great Expert Experience Card, now that¡¯s something valuable!¡±


    A smile tugged at Gu Changsheng¡¯s lips as he murmured softly to himself.


    When he first transmigrated, he had obtained a Peak Great Expert Experience Card from his beginner¡¯s gift package.


    Now he had drawn another one, giving him two life-saving trump cards.


    Of course, with the many powerful figures now under his command, his current situation was much different, and he probably wouldn¡¯t need to act personally. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°An army of one million Life and Death Realm soldiers¡ªI¡¯m afraid the entire Great Zhou Dynasty couldn¡¯t muster that!¡±


    Gu Changsheng pondered for a moment, refraining from summoning the army directly.


    Such a grand commotion would attract unnecessary attention.


    As things stood, with this million-strong army and the hundreds of powerful figures in Qingzhou, even if the Barbarian Beast Tribe sent an army of billions to invade, he could still repel them.


    But this war must end quickly.


    If the Great Zhou Dynasty fought the Barbarian Beast Tribe for too long, other factions in Shen Zhou would surely take advantage of the situation.


    Especially the Great Li Dynasty, which was supposedly preparing to form an alliance with the Great Zhou through marriage.


    However, Gu Changsheng had no intention of agreeing to such a union.


    There would inevitably be a war between the Great Zhou Dynasty and the Great Li Dynasty.


    ¡°System, open the attribute panel!¡±


    Without further thought, Gu Changsheng silently commanded, and a screen appeared before him.


    [Host: Gu Changsheng].[Identity: Emperor of Great Zhou].[Age: 18].[Cultivation: King Realm].[Constitution: Emperor¡¯s Divine Body].[Divine Abilities, Techniques, and Treasures: Peak Great Expert Experience Card 2, Heavenly Son¡¯s Qi Observation Technique, Imperial Dao Technique, Ten Thousand Swords Technique, Nine Heaven-Defying Steps, Ten thousand years-Enlightenment Tea¡­].[Forces: Three Thousand Shadow Guards, Three Thousand King Legion, Three Thousand Royal Shadow Guards, One Million Life and Death Realm Army¡­].


    Looking at his system panel, Gu Changsheng was very satisfied.


    Now that he had reached the King Realm, he believed it wouldn¡¯t take long before he could break through to the Great Expert Realm or even the Saint Realm.


    Once that happened, he could completely eliminate the Empress Dowager and fully seize control of the Great Zhou Dynasty.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, at the Tenth Princess¡¯s residence.


    In a quiet and deep courtyard, a young woman in a red flowing dress stood, exuding nobility and coldness, her skin like jade. She looked at the intelligence report about Qingzhou in her hands and muttered softly:


    ¡°The Great Zhou Left Prime Minister and hundreds of powerful figures have appeared in Qingzhou, quelling the rebellion. Dozens of Demon Sect experts have fallen.¡±


    ¡°To be able to deploy hundreds of great experts¡­ it seems that my imperial brother is indeed hiding a great secret.¡±


    When Gu Changsheng had casually gifted her the Red Lotus Flame and the Ten Thousand Years Enlightenment Tea, both rare and priceless treasures, Gu Ningshuang had already begun speculating about her brother¡¯s hidden depths.


    She had even specifically gathered intelligence on Gu Changsheng¡¯s life over the past eighteen years.


    But the content of this information left her stunned.


    For eighteen years, Gu Changsheng had always been seen as a useless prince by the ministers and officials of the Great Zhou, barely existing in the imperial court.


    However, after ascending to the throne, his methods were decisive, his mind unfathomable¡ªhe seemed like a completely different person.


    Most importantly, he now commanded numerous powerful figures whose origins were completely unknown.


    Piecing it all together, Gu Ningshuang¡¯s expression grew solemn, and a terrifying thought crept into her mind.


    She began to wonder if her ninth brother, Gu Changsheng, like her, was also a reincarnated Emperor.