Thus, the Empress Dowager led the Emperor, flanked by a large contingent of imperial guards, and stepped out from within the palace.
'All you esteemed ministers, you are doing very well, truly excellent!' the Emperor gritted his teeth as his gaze swept across the civil and military officials standing in the plaza in front of the palace. He never imagined so many ministers had secretly been won over by Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima. It wasn't until today that he finally knew.
Seeing the Emperor emerge, those ministers felt somewhat awkward, lowering their heads one after another, not daring to meet his gaze.
'Your Majesty, Young Master Xiaoyao and these other distinguished young talents have graced our Great Qin Empire. This is a great fortune for our Empire! Your Majesty, you have been somewhat discourteous.' As soon as Chancellor Xiao saw the Emperor, he spoke up. Standing aloft in the air, looking down from above, his gaze locked on the Emperor with a faint hint of mockery. There wasn't the slightest aura of a subordinate anymore!
'Your Majesty, don't blame me for not reminding you. Among the inner disciples of the Huangtian Sect, Young Master Xiaoyao is ranked seventh. His status is extremely exalted. Your Majesty, it is best not to show discourtesy. Otherwise, angering Young Master Xiaoyao is something our entire Great Qin Empire cannot afford!' Grand Marshal Sima suddenly spoke as well, his voice booming.
Hiss! Hearing Grand Marshal Sima's words, countless people within the Imperial City couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
It must be known that the Eastern Region's territory was boundless. It was said that an ordinary mortal couldn't walk the entirety of the Eastern Region even over several lifetimes. The number of young people in the Eastern Region numbered in the hundreds of millions, not just tens or hundreds of millions. The Huangtian Sect, as a major sect of the Eastern Region, recruited disciples from the entire region, yet only had a few tens of thousands of disciples under its banner. Therefore, even an ordinary disciple of the Huangtian Sect held a lofty status.
This Xiaoyao Gongzi was actually ranked seventh among the Huangtian Sect's inner disciples! It was truly astounding! Even the Empress Dowager lightly furrowed her brows, revealing a hint of apprehension.
'Chancellor Xiao, General Sima, please do not talk nonsense. His Majesty harbors no disrespectful intent towards these distinguished young talents of the Huangtian Sect. The Emperor long ago prepared a grand banquet within the palace to welcome and honor them,' the Empress Dowager stated, sweeping her gaze over Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima.
'Distinguished young talents of the Huangtian Sect, please follow Us into the palace, so We may fulfill Our duty as your host,' the Emperor declared in a clear voice as well.
'Hmph! Some bullshit Emperor. In this Young Master's eyes, you are no more than mere ants. How dare you show discourtesy upon My arrival. Enough! You no longer need to be Emperor. Let it be this way: from this moment on, the Emperor of the Great Qin Empire will be replaced. As for who will replace him... Xiao Wushang, you decide.' Suddenly, that Xiaoyao Gongzi spoke coldly, his voice arrogant, indifferent, carrying a tone that brooked no argument. It seemed as if his words were an immutable edict.
Given Xiaoyao Gongzi's strength, his faint words, laced with power, were enough to spread throughout the entire Imperial City, allowing everyone to hear him clearly.
'What?! This Xiaoyao Gongzi wants to replace the Emperor of our Great Qin Empire? This...' Everyone was dumbfounded, shaken to the core. The replacement of an Emperor for a nation, a dynastic change, was an event of utmost gravity and seriousness. Yet, this Xiaoyao Gongzi uttered a casual, flippant phrase and demanded the Emperor of Great Qin Empire be replaced!
'Hehe, Young Master Xiaoyao, your wisdom is clear!' Xiao Wushang immediately showed a fawning smile.
'Enough! Who becomes Emperor is an internal matter of the imperial family. Outsiders have no right to interfere! Xiaoyao Gongzi, even if you are an inner disciple of the Huangtian Sect, you have no authority to intervene!' The Empress Dowager frowned and spoke coldly, a note of discontent in her voice.
Swoosh! Before the Empress Dowager's words had fully faded, a streak of white light, swift as a galloping steed, instantly arrived before her. It was that Xiaoyao Gongzi.
Boom… Xiaoyao Gongzi's right hand shot directly towards the Empress Dowager's skull. His fingers were hooked like claws, blue smoke swirling from their tips. A violent surge of energy erupted, producing terrifying sizzling sounds like the roaring of ocean waves or the thunderous charge of a thousand armies.
Feeling the Spiritual Power pressure released by Xiaoyao Gongzi, the Empress Dowager's face drastically changed. Caught off guard, she clapped a palm forward, colliding with Xiaoyao Gongzi's attack.
Bang! The Empress Dowager's body shot backwards like a cannonball, crashing into the ground in the distance with a loud impact, gouging out a large crater. The Empress Dowager continuously spat blood, her face deathly pale.
Defeated in a single move! Everyone knew the Empress Dowager had recovered her cultivation base. They never thought she would be defeated in one move by this Xiaoyao Gongzi.
Everyone was utterly shaken.
'Mother!' the Emperor cried out in alarm, rushing over to help the Empress Dowager up.
'Hmph! Merely someone who just recovered from a serious injury. Early Late Stage Profound Realm cultivation. Your Spiritual Power is unstable, your foundation is not yet steady. How dare *you* question My decision?' Xiaoyao Gongzi sneered coldly. He had seen through the Empress Dowager's condition at a glance.
Swoosh! His figure returned to the carriage like lightning, where he stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
'Very well, Xiao Wushang. Who will become Emperor is for you to decide. Appoint someone,' Xiaoyao Gongzi said indifferently.
'Wushang Gongzi, I am the Eldest Prince! Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima had long ago agreed and discussed supporting my accession to the throne to replace the Emperor!' At that moment, an excited voice rang out from the ground.
One could see it was the Eldest Prince, mounted on a tall steed, surrounded by a large contingent of people from his Residence. Before Xiao Wushang's return, Chancellor Xiao had told him many times that he would support his ascension as Emperor. So, at such a time, the Eldest Prince immediately stepped forward, looking extremely excited.
'Oh? You want to become Emperor?' Xiao Wushang shot a disdainful glance at the Eldest Prince.
'Haha… Eldest Prince, if you were to become Emperor, wouldn't the Great Qin Empire's throne still fall into the hands of your Qin Family? I think you're overestimating things,' Grand Marshal Sima suddenly burst into loud laughter.
'Grand Marshal Sima, what do you mean by that?!' The Eldest Prince couldn't help but feel a shock, an ominous premonition rising within him.
'My meaning is quite clear. The person most suitable to become Emperor of our Great Qin Empire is only one person: Chancellor Xiao!' Grand Marshal Sima declared with a great laugh.
'Indeed. Indeed, only my father is worthy of becoming Emperor of the Great Qin Empire,' Xiao Wushang stated.
'Chancellor Xiao! Grand Marshal Sima! That's not what you told me before! You always said you would support me as Emperor!' The Eldest Prince exclaimed, both shocked and furious.
'Haha, Eldest Prince, that was just to trick you so you could gather news about the Emperor and Empress Dowager at any time, and to use your status to win over court ministers! You actually believed it? A descendant like you truly brings shame to the Qin Family!' Grand Marshal Sima roared with laughter.
'You…!' Hearing this, the Eldest Prince felt fury, shame, and regret.
'Alright. By the name of the Huangtian Sect, I hereby proclaim that from this moment on, the Emperor of the Great Qin Empire shall be Chancellor Xiao! Those who do not submit: die!' That Xiaoyao Gongzi said calmly. His imperious voice, amplified by Spiritual Power, spread throughout the entire Imperial City like thunder.
For a time, the entire city fell into dead silence. No one dared to step forward in opposition. After all, the name Huangtian Sect was too terrifying, making everyone incapable of rousing the will to rebel.
'What kind of dog-shit thing are you? Who becomes Emperor of the Great Qin Empire is a matter for all the officials and people of the Empire! When is it your place, you lowly wretch, to interfere? If you have any sense, get lost immediately! Disappear from before My eyes! Otherwise, I'll beat you until you regret it!' Amidst the entire Imperial City's atmosphere of deathly silence, a voice dripping with thick contempt suddenly rang out.
Everyone hurriedly traced the source of the voice. They saw a figure standing high upon the tile-covered ridge of a palace roof, his robes fluttering and snapping in the wind.
'Ye Yunfei! It's you!' Chancellor Xiao and Grand Marshal Sima exclaimed in shock simultaneously.