Chapter 499 500: Hold the Crown Prince Hostage to Command the Officials!
Chapter 500: Holding the Crown Prince Hostage to Command the Officials!
The absolute authority that had governed the Dao Court for centuries vanished overnight.
On this day, the entire Tianwu City was thrown into unprecedented turmoil. The final decree Emperor Jiayou issued before summoning his officials became his last imperial edict:
[Order the Imperial City Bureau to enforce martial law across the capital]
Originally intended to disperse the Imperial City Bureau's forces for easier suppression, this edict now became Lü Yang's golden shield.
With Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes vanishing without a word, naturally, the last imperial decree issued before their seclusion became the reference standard. Moreover, just before his seclusion, the emperor had publicly praised Lü Yang before the civil and military officials, calling him "loyal and devoted to the state." What more needed to be said?
Righteousness was entirely on Lü Yang's side.
That day, the incense-offering deities under the Imperial City Bureau's jurisdiction swarmed out, arresting officials from the All-Heaven Department suspected of "attempting to assassinate Emperor Jiayou."
Meanwhile, within the Crown Prince's residence in Tianwu City...
Crown Prince Wu Longxing, Emperor Jiayou's legitimate eldest son, paced anxiously in his study, his face filled with confusion and terror about the future.
"How could this happen... How could this..."
His father assassinated. The Three Dukes vanished into seclusion.
On the surface, these words sounded favorable. Yet when Crown Prince Longxing learned the details of the assassination attempt, he nearly fainted on the spot.
The reason was simple:
"The assassin shouted during the attempt that it was for my sake???"
After receiving secret reports from palace eunuchs, Crown Prince Longxing was dumbfounded, then immediately cursed aloud—someone was clearly trying to frame him!
"Your Highness! Your Highness! The Imperial City Bureau's men are here!" A eunuch attendant hurried into the study, his voice urgent.
Hearing this, Crown Prince Longxing's expression darkened: "What does that demonic dragon mean by this? Does he truly believe I conspired with the Jiangbei Demon Sect to assassinate my father?"
Beneath his seemingly resolute demeanor lay unconcealable panic. Regardless of its veracity, the assassin's declaration would bring him immense trouble. At the very least, his "dear brothers"—Emperor Jiayou's other sons—would be eager to pin this crime on him!
With this thought, Crown Prince Longxing gritted his teeth and strode outside.
Simultaneously, outside the Crown Prince's residence...
Over eighty percent of the Imperial City Bureau's incense-offering deities had gathered here. Not only was the Crown Prince's residence surrounded, but even the neighboring streets had been completely cleared.
At the forefront stood Lü Yang, imposing and unyielding.
"What is the meaning of this!"
Before the Crown Prince's gates, two beams of light descended—the current Junior Guardian and Junior Preceptor. Their gazes at Lü Yang were filled with suspicion and wariness:
"Surrounding the Crown Prince's residence—do you demonic cultivators intend to rebel?"
Lü Yang narrowed his eyes slightly but remained silent.
In the next moment, Xiao Shan, the demonic cultivator who had been standing behind Lü Yang, stepped forward coldly: "Why have you two lords come here at this time?"
"According to the martial law decree issued by Commander Du Huan, all officials who attended the court assembly are suspects in the assassination attempt against His Majesty. Until the investigation is concluded, everyone must remain in their residences awaiting notification. For you two lords to act without authorization and come to the Crown Prince's residence—what exactly are your intentions?"
"You! How dare you!"
Junior Guardian Li Taian's face flushed with anger as he grasped Xiao Shan's implication: they too were suspects, and their visit to the Crown Prince's residence was ill-intentioned?
Instantly, an official position manifested above him.
[Junior Guardian to the Eastern Palace Crown Prince]
The position invoked the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes], bestowing the authority of Foundation Establishment Perfection that pressed down upon the scene. Five divine abilities shimmered like rising suns, poised to erupt at any moment.
Yet in the next instant—
"Boom!"
Xiao Shan stood firm, his body radiating divine light from incense offerings. Though lacking divine abilities, his cultivation level inexplicably rose to Foundation Establishment Perfection. Behind him, several Imperial City Bureau captains similarly released their auras—all Foundation Establishment Perfection incense deities!
While incense deities paled in comparison to true Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators in actual combat, for a standoff, these incense deities were intimidating enough.
"Junior Guardian, please do not obstruct the Imperial City Bureau's investigation."
Xiao Shan took another step forward, and the incense deities behind him echoed in unison, advancing as one. Li Taian's expression grew increasingly grim.
"Demonic cultivators... Truly harboring sinister designs!"
Just as the two sides reached an impasse, on the verge of conflict, the gates of the Crown Prince's residence slowly opened. Crown Prince Longxing emerged with measured steps:
"Cease this at once!"
As his voice rang out, a brilliant radiance burst forth. The position of [Crown Prince Longxing, Successor to the Mandate] manifested, sweeping over the scene like a gentle breeze.
Immediately, Li Taian's [Junior Guardian] position faded, its divine abilities dissipating. After all, aside from Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes, the Crown Prince held the highest-ranking position. Under normal circumstances, his succession to the Dao Court after Emperor Jiayou's seclusion would be a matter of course.
But this time was different.
The Crown Prince's positional suppression had no effect on the Imperial City Bureau's incense deities—their divine abilities remained undiminished.
Witnessing this, Crown Prince Longxing's expression shifted subtly.
At this moment, Lü Yang—who had remained silent until now—finally spoke. His gaze was steady and unwavering as he addressed the Crown Prince with apparent sincerity:
"Du Huan of the Imperial City Bureau pays respects to Your Highness."
Before his words faded, the Imperial City Bureau cultivators seemed to receive some signal, swiftly retracting their auras and stepping back with hands raised in salute:
"Loyalty!"
This display immediately improved Crown Prince Longxing's demeanor. He said solemnly, "Du Huan... Why have you surrounded my residence with the Imperial City Bureau's forces?"
"Reporting to Your Highness." Lü Yang maintained his earnest expression. "Amidst the empire's upheaval, His Majesty summoned the officials, only to be attacked by Vice Commander Chen Yuanli of the All-Heaven Department. Before striking, the assassin shouted that it was for Your Highness's sake—a most malicious scheme. This subject came to protect Your Highness."
These words stunned Crown Prince Longxing:
"Protect me?"
Not to arrest me?
"Of course!"
Lü Yang raised his voice. "As all know, the assassin Chen Yuanli conspired with the Jiangbei Demon Sect. How can his words be trusted? He was clearly slandering Your Highness!"
Then he turned to Li Taian with sincere concern: "As for confining officials to their residences—it's because we cannot rule out other assassins among them. Should any target Your Highness... This subject fears Your Highness might fall victim to vile schemes."
"Naturally, the Junior Guardian is above suspicion."
Lü Yang then reprimanded Xiao Shan: "The Junior Guardian is a disciple of the Three Dukes. Even if he violated the decree to visit Your Highness, how could he harbor ill intent?"
"Apologize to the Junior Guardian at once!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Shan bowed deeply to Li Taian: "This lowly official spoke rashly in the heat of the moment. I beg your forgiveness, my lord."
The speaker had intentions; the listener caught meanings.
While Li Taian remained oblivious, Crown Prince Longxing's eyes flickered with realization—historically, the emperor and the Three Dukes had always been in competition.
When the emperor was strong, imperial authority prevailed.
When the Three Dukes were strong, the prime ministers governed.
Lü Yang's carefully weighted words carried one crucial implication: as a disciple of the Three Dukes, the Junior Guardian was, strictly speaking, the Crown Prince's potential rival!
Compared to him, what was Lü Yang?
With this thought, Crown Prince Longxing's mind grew active: 'The Imperial City Bureau has no foundation and couldn't possibly contend for power with me.'
After all, without an official position, what could they compete with?
Meanwhile, Lü Yang observed the Crown Prince, noting how [Not Under Others] had activated once more in his presence. A profound smile flickered in his eyes.
Then, adopting a solemn expression, he addressed Li Taian:
"The court stands at a precarious juncture. This lowly official acts only out of loyalty to save the nation by enforcing martial law. I beg the Junior Guardian's understanding."
He then turned back to Crown Prince Longxing:
"With His Majesty in seclusion, the nation cannot lack a ruler for even a day. For the empire's sake, I implore Your Highness to preside in Tianwu Hall and calm the hearts of officials and people alike."
Was this... supporting his ascension?
Instantly, Crown Prince Longxing's gaze toward Lü Yang transformed. No wonder his father had favored this true dragon so much recently—he was truly loyal to the state!
Even Junior Guardian Li Taian seemed taken aback.
Had he misjudged?
Did this demonic dragon harbor no selfish motives?
Only Lü Yang chuckled inwardly: 'With the Imperial City Bureau controlling the Nine Gates, once you enter Tianwu Hall, isolated from the outside world, you'll have no choice.'
This was Lü Yang's plan.
He knew full well that given his standing in the court, usurping the Dao Court was nearly impossible. Thus, he had to borrow—borrow the Crown Prince's identity.
Holding the Crown Prince hostage to command the officials!