Chapter 501
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: Unknown
Chapter Title: Commandeering the Crown Prince
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The absolute power that had ruled the Dao Court for hundreds of years vanished.
On this day, the entire Tianwu City plunged into massive turmoil. The final imperial edict issued by Emperor Jiayou before summoning the court officials became the ultimate decree:
[Order the Imperial City Department to impose a city-wide curfew]
This edict, originally meant to disperse the Imperial City Department's forces and facilitate suppression at any moment, now became Lu Yang's golden signboard.
After all, Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes had vanished into seclusion without leaving a single word. Naturally, his final decree before seclusion served as the standard. Moreover, right before vanishing, he had praised Lu Yang in front of the civil and military officials, calling him "a loyal servant devoted to the realm." What more was there to say?
The moral high ground belonged entirely to Lu Yang.
On this day, the incense fire gods under the Imperial City Department mobilized en masse, arresting "suspected assassins of Emperor Jiayou"—officials from the Capital Heaven Department—across the city.
Meanwhile, in Tianwu City, within the Crown Prince's residence.
Emperor Jiayou's legitimate eldest son, the current Crown Prince Wu Longxing, paced anxiously in his study, his face filled with bewilderment and terror about the future.
"How could this happen... How could this happen?"
His father assassinated, the Three Dukes in seclusion.
These words had initially sounded quite pleasing, but after learning the details of the assassination, Crown Prince Longxing nearly rolled his eyes and fainted on the spot.
The reason was simple:
"The assassin shouted upon striking that it was for me???!"
After receiving a secret message from a palace eunuch, Crown Prince Longxing was utterly dumbfounded. He immediately cursed aloud: This was absolutely someone plotting against him!
"Your Highness, Your Highness! The Imperial City Department is here!"
A attendant eunuch rushed into the study, his tone urgent.
Crown Prince Longxing's face darkened instantly.
"What does that demon dragon mean? Does he really think I secretly colluded with the Northern River Demon Sect to assassinate Father Emperor?"
Beneath his seemingly tough stance lay undisguisable panic. After all, the assassin had declared it himself—true or false, it spelled massive trouble for him. At the very least, Emperor Jiayou's other heirs, his "good brothers," would eagerly pin this black pot on his head!
With this thought, Crown Prince Longxing gritted his teeth and strode outward.
At the same time, outside the Crown Prince's residence.
Over eighty percent of the Imperial City Department's incense fire gods had gathered here. Not only was the residence surrounded, but the surrounding streets had been completely cleared.
At the forefront stood Lu Yang, imposing and unyielding.
"What do you think you're doing!"
At the gates of the Crown Prince's residence, two beams of escaping light descended. They were the dynasty's Junior Guardian and Junior Tutor, their gazes toward Lu Yang filled with suspicion and wariness.
"Besieging the Crown Prince's residence—are you demon cultivators plotting rebellion!"
Lu Yang narrowed his eyes at their words but said nothing.
The next moment, the demon cultivator Xiao Shan, who had been standing behind Lu Yang, stepped forward on his own.
"Why are the two lords here at this moment?" he asked coldly.
"According to Duke Du's curfew order, all officials who attended court are suspects in the assassination of His Majesty. Until the matter is clarified, they must remain in their residences awaiting notification. For the two lords to act without authorization—and come to the Crown Prince's residence—what exactly is your purpose?"
"You! Insolent!"
Junior Guardian Li Tai'an's face flushed with anger. He caught the implication in Xiao Shan's words: They too were suspects, and coming to the Crown Prince's residence was ill-intentioned?
In an instant, an official position manifested.
[Crown Prince's Junior Guardian]
The official position invoked the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] for empowerment. His late Foundation Establishment rank dominated the scene, with five divine abilities blazing like the midday sun, ready to erupt at any moment.
But the next second—
Boom!
Xiao Shan remained composed, a radiance of incense fire blooming from his body. Though lacking divine abilities, his rank inexplicably rose to late Foundation Establishment. Behind him, several Imperial City Department leaders also unleashed their auras—all late Foundation Establishment incense fire great gods!
Though incense fire gods paled far against true late Foundation Establishment cultivators.
In a real fight, Xiao Shan and the others wouldn't stand a chance against even one Li Tai'an. But for a standoff, these incense fire gods were quite intimidating.
"Junior Guardian, please do not obstruct the Imperial City Department's investigation."
Xiao Shan took another step forward. The incense fire gods behind him chorused in unison, advancing as one, turning Li Tai'an's expression increasingly ashen.
"Demon cultivators... Up to no good, as expected!"
Just as the standoff teetered on the brink of open conflict, the gates of the Crown Prince's residence slowly creaked open. Crown Prince Longxing strode out from within.
"Stand down, all of you!"
As his words fell, a brilliant halo erupted. The [Crown Prince of Inheriting Fortune and Succession, Longxing] official position appeared, like a gentle breeze sweeping through.
In that instant, the [Junior Guardian] position above Li Tai'an's head faded silently, its divine abilities dimming. After all, it was the Crown Prince—save for Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes, his official rank was the highest. If all went smoothly, he would seamlessly inherit the Dao Court upon the emperor's seclusion.
But this time was different.
Crown Prince Longxing's suppressive rank fell upon the Imperial City Department's incense fire gods—and had zero effect, failing to weaken their divine abilities or ranks in the slightest.
Seeing this, Crown Prince Longxing's expression shifted subtly.
The next second, Lu Yang—who had remained silent thus far—finally spoke. His gaze fixed evenly on Crown Prince Longxing, utterly candid.
"Imperial City Department Duke Du, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Before his words even finished, the nearby Imperial City Department cultivators seemed to receive a signal. They swiftly retracted their auras, stepping back and saluting with hands to their brows.
"Loyal! Sincere!"
This attitude instantly improved Crown Prince Longxing's mood. He said gravely,
"Duke Du... Why have you brought the Imperial City Department to surround my home?"
"In response to Your Highness," Lu Yang replied solemnly. "With the upheavals shaking the realm, His Majesty summoned the officials only to suffer assassination by Capital Heaven Department Vice Commander Chen Yuanli—who shouted upon striking that it was for Your Highness. The intent was utterly malicious. This subordinate came to protect Your Highness."
At these words, Crown Prince Longxing froze.
"Protect me?"
Not to arrest me?
"Of course!"
Lu Yang raised his voice. "Everyone knows the assassin Chen Yuanli colluded with the Northern River Demon Sect. How could his words be fully trusted? He was surely slandering Your Highness!"
He then turned to Li Tai'an beside him, utterly earnest. "As for keeping the officials in their residences, it is because we cannot rule out other assassins among them. Should one target Your Highness, this subordinate fears for your safety from villains."
"Of course, the Junior Guardian is undoubtedly innocent."
Lu Yang then turned to Xiao Shan, rebuking him. "The Junior Guardian is a disciple of the Three Dukes. Even if he violated the curfew to come here, how could he harbor ill intent?"
"Apologize to the Junior Guardian at once!"
Xiao Shan showed no hesitation, bowing deeply to Li Tai'an. "This official was momentarily impassioned and offended you, my lord. I beg your pardon."
The speaker had intent; the listener gleaned meaning.
While Li Tai'an was still processing, Crown Prince Longxing's eyes flickered. Emperors and the Three Dukes had long been rivals.
A strong emperor meant imperial authority reigned.
Strong Three Dukes meant the Chancellor dominated court.
Lu Yang's words struck just right—key phrase: As a disciple of the Three Dukes, the Junior Guardian was, strictly speaking, a potential rival to Crown Prince Longxing!
By comparison, what of Lu Yang?
At this thought, Crown Prince Longxing's mind raced. 'The Imperial City Department has no roots in court and cannot vie for power with me.'
After all, without an official position, what could they contend with?
Meanwhile, Lu Yang watched as [Refusing to Yield to Others] reignited in the face of Crown Prince Longxing, a deep smile flickering in his eyes.
He then composed himself, addressing Li Tai'an.
"With the court in turmoil, this official acts only from a heart devoted to saving the realm, hence the city-wide curfew by the Imperial City Department. I beg the Junior Guardian's understanding."
He turned to Crown Prince Longxing.
"Now that His Majesty has secluded himself, the realm cannot go a day without a sovereign. This subordinate beseeches Your Highness, for the good of all under heaven, to enter Tianwu Hall and assume governance—to steady the hearts of the realm's subjects."
This was...
Supporting my ascension?
In that moment, Crown Prince Longxing's gaze toward Lu Yang changed entirely. No wonder Father Emperor favored this true dragon so much lately—he truly was a loyal servant devoted to the realm!
Even Junior Guardian Li Tai'an nearby seemed surprised.
Had he misunderstood?
This demon dragon harbored no selfish motives?
Only Lu Yang sneered inwardly. 'The Imperial City Department now proxies the Nine Gates Commandant. Once inside Tianwu Hall, cut off from inside and out—you'll be at my mercy.'
This was Lu Yang's plan.
He knew full well that with his status in court, usurping the Dao Court outright was impossible. Thus, he had to borrow—borrow Crown Prince Longxing's identity.
Using the Crown Prince to command the officials!