Chapter 711: Chapter 422: The New Emperor
Inside the great hall.
Golden dragon columns cast twisted shadows in the sunlight, as the Xia Emperor’s fingers turned pale, gripping the armrests of the Dragon Chair.
The incense mist from the bronze censer was disrupted by two powerful and opposing auras, revealing his forehead covered in fine sweat.
The Vast Qi of the four Confucian Semi-Saints descended like waves thousands of pounds heavy, forming web-like cracks on the jade steps in front of the hall.
The anger on his face gradually transformed into fear.
His court, his courtiers, all stood against him. He once could disregard the four Confucian Semi-Saints, but apart from the Left and Right Prime Ministers, the Li Family father and son are not ordinary people!
Within Li Nuo, there are three strands of Semi-Saint power.
And Li Xuanjing, his aura is even stronger. Just standing there imposed great pressure on him.
How could this be?
How could this be!
The situation today was beyond his control alone; he turned his head, looked at a certain place within the hall, and said solemnly, "How long do you three intend to continue watching?"
Three elderly figures slowly emerged from the corners of the great hall.
The State Preceptors eyed the figure at the front of the hall with undisguised admiration and appreciation, but looking at the three Confucian Semi-Saints behind him, especially the young man, their expressions instantly turned solemn.
To become a saint in Confucianism is not easy, yet each Semi-Saint has the power to overwhelm those in the same realm.
Even with their Peak cultivation from the School of Cross and Vertical, they had to treat them seriously. If life and death were at stake, even if they could defeat them, the three would be gravely injured if not dead.
Assessing the situation, they quickly made a choice.
Exchanging glances, the State Preceptor of Chu Country eventually spoke first, bowing to the Xia Emperor and Li Xuanjing, saying, "This is Xia’s internal affair; we shall not interfere. Farewell!"
After speaking, the three figures gradually faded away.
The Xia Emperor’s expression changed; damn it, the School of Cross and Vertical is unreliable indeed, helping only those who win!
As Emperor, being publicly defied and humiliated by his courtiers, something assumed to be foolproof turned into an indelible disgrace of his life during the Great Court Meeting!
The Xia Emperor closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and withdrew his aura, squeezing words out from between his teeth: "The Left and Right Prime Ministers’ words are reasonable. Regarding the reinstatement of the old laws, it was my mistake. Do not mention it again in the future..."
As his words fell, his once straight back also bent at that moment, decades of imperial dignity vanished completely.
Countless courtiers sharply inhaled; the Minister of Justice deceived the Emperor, the Right Prime Minister called the Emperor by his name and accused him of rebellion, and yet the Emperor endured it all, saying nothing about what happened.
This meant that despite being so humiliated, the Emperor still chose to retreat.
With this retreat, he might only become an Emperor within the Imperial Palace, losing control over the court entirely.
The Left and Right Prime Ministers looked at Li Xuanjing, who nodded slightly and said, "Withdraw the court."
The voice was soft, yet struck like a heavy hammer in the hearts of the courtiers, and also in the heart of the Xia Emperor.
He turned and left the great hall, followed by the Left and Right Prime Ministers, with the crowd of officials promptly following.
"Xuanjing..."
From the front of the great hall came a voice.
Li Xuanjing’s steps paused slightly but did not turn back, slowly walking out of the hall.
In an instant, only three members of the Royal Family remained in the great hall.
"Xuanjing!"
"Xuanjing..."
King Chun’s outstretched hand halted mid-air, his expression dejected while seated.
The Xia Emperor suddenly spat a mouthful of fresh blood, supported himself against the Dragon Chair, appearing older than before, with his back fully hunched.
He glanced at King Chun, saying indifferently, "Do you think Li Xuanjing truly wants you to be Emperor? You’ve seen it; he wants to rebel, wants to become Emperor himself. For so many years, we’ve been toyed with by him!"
King Chun suddenly stood, bloodshot eyes, saying, "I don’t believe it; I will go ask him myself!"
With that, he quickly walked towards the outside of the hall!
Outside the great hall, the Right Prime Minister looked at Li Xuanjing and asked, "Why not seize the opportunity just now..."
Li Xuanjing shook his head, saying, "It’s useless. If the Emperor wants to leave, no one can stop him. Moreover, if we force him to that point, many will die today. Better to leave him some dignity; his days are numbered..."
The Right Prime Minister, hearing this, said no more.
If the Emperor wants dignity, he doesn’t mind giving him a dignified exit either.
At that moment, a figure pursued them from behind, King Chun, looking pale, gazed at Li Xuanjing, pressed his lips, and asked, "Xuanjing, are you going to rebel?"
Li Xuanjing looked at him but did not speak.
King Chun gritted his teeth, raging, "Have you been deceiving me all these years?"
Li Xuanjing remained silent.
"Hahaha!"
King Chun stared intently at him, silent for a long while, suddenly laughed wildly and even shed tears, then he abruptly pulled out the sword from a guard outside the hall, and in a hoarse voice said, "Li Xuanjing, this king treated you sincerely, yet you treat this king like this. Today, the years of friendship between us are severed!"
Slash!
He swung the sword, cutting the hem of his robe, not looking back at Li Xuanjing, leaving without turning his head.
Li Xuanjing looked ahead, whispering, "Let’s go..."
Li Nuo turned back to glance, sighing in his heart.
The great hall remained deathly silent, with only King Chun’s heavy breathing audible.
After an unknown time, the Xia Emperor finally spoke, "They want to rebel, want to usurp the Imperial Throne of our Li Family. It’s not that easy. Although I can’t sit long on the throne, you can. Tomorrow, I will pass the throne to one of you. When you are strong enough, be sure to kill all these rebels to avenge the shame they inflicted on our Imperial Family today!"
