Chapter 502
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: The Crown Prince Takes the Dragon Throne
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In the Dao Court, within Tianwu Hall.
Under Lu Yang's escort, Crown Prince Longxing proceeded directly into the hall. Right away, he spotted the golden dragon throne positioned at the hall's head—the very seat he had daydreamed about for so long.
Crown Prince Longxing stared at it for quite a while before finally tearing his gaze away with difficulty.
The very next moment, however, Lu Yang's voice echoed faintly.
" Please, Your Highness, take your seat. "
" That wouldn't be right, would it? "
Crown Prince Longxing swallowed hard and hurriedly waved him off.
" Father Emperor has only stepped away temporarily for certain reasons. How could I commit such an outrageous act? No, I think not. "
Lu Yang lowered his voice at these words and let out a light chuckle.
" Your Highness... To tell the truth, this seat will be yours sooner or later. With His Majesty away for the moment, this is the perfect chance for Your Highness to stretch your wings. Do a good job of it, and will the seat go anywhere afterward? Consider an early sit-down as simply getting acquainted with it. "
Crown Prince Longxing's heart stirred violently.
That's right. I am the crown prince of the Dao Court—this dragon throne will be mine one day. Father Emperor isn't watching anyway, so what's the harm in sitting for a little while?
With that thought, Crown Prince Longxing shot another glance at Lu Yang.
" You... no more of this next time! "
He then carefully ascended the steps, turned around, and settled steadily onto the dragon throne. At once, a chill surged straight into his mind.
" Ah! "
Though no true mighty power descended upon it, Crown Prince Longxing still felt an unprecedented wave of exhilaration crash through his soul.
This was authentic overreach, after all. If word got out, even a crown prince would face certain impeachment. Only because Lu Yang had taken the initiative to suggest it—and because Crown Prince Longxing's own itch had grown unbearable—did he go along with the flow. Otherwise, he never would have dared.
But just then—
" My lord, Your Highness. "
Xiao Shan hurried in and bowed.
" Lord Shaobao is waiting outside Tianwu Hall, requesting an audience with Your Highness the Crown Prince. "
" What? "
That single sentence yanked Crown Prince Longxing back to reality. He instinctively started to rise, only for Lu Yang to press him firmly back down.
" Go relay the message: His Highness has just assumed control of Tianwu Hall and is feeling fatigued. He will not see him. "
Crown Prince Longxing found the words perfectly to his liking.
He was in the middle of savoring the moment—Li Tai'an barging in would only spoil it. No audience, no audience. There would be plenty of chances later; seeing him tomorrow changed nothing.
What pleased Crown Prince Longxing even more was that, though Lu Yang had issued the order outright, Xiao Shan did not move at once. Instead, he turned a respectful gaze toward him. Evidently, the Imperial City Division's officers still held him in their hearts, recognizing him as the true decision-maker and thus not daring to act rashly.
With that realization, Crown Prince Longxing gave a slight nod.
" Mm. Go and relay the order. "
Only then did Xiao Shan stamp his foot and stride out. Moments later, however, the Shaobao's voice rang out from beyond the doors.
" You dare bar my way? "
Boom!
A thunderous crash followed, and Crown Prince Longxing's face shifted dramatically. He scrambled up from the dragon throne, hurried down the steps, and smoothed his robes.
The next instant, Li Tai'an stormed in.
By now, he had pieced it together. Tianwu Hall lay entirely under the Imperial City Division's control now. For the crown prince to enter was like a lamb walking into a tiger's den?
Under such circumstances, Xiao Shan's obstruction of his audience with Crown Prince Longxing struck a raw nerve. He was convinced Lu Yang had forged the command and sealed off the hall. Otherwise, why would Crown Prince Longxing refuse to see a lofty Shaobao like him? Without hesitation, he forced his way in.
" Your Highness... thank goodness! "
Upon entering Tianwu Hall and confirming Crown Prince Longxing was unharmed, Li Tai'an exhaled in relief. He bowed deeply at once, then eyed Lu Yang with sharp suspicion.
This demon dragon—harboring the ambitions of a jackal!
Yet before he could voice his accusation against Lu Yang, Crown Prince Longxing's shout cut through the air.
" Insolent! "
Crown Prince Longxing was livid beyond measure by now. Li Tai'an's brute intrusion stood in stark contrast to the deference Lu Yang and the Imperial City Division had just shown.
If you force entry today, you'll rebel tomorrow!
Compounded by Li Tai'an's rank as Shaobao—and the Three Dukes' disciples in mind—Crown Prince Longxing's fury only swelled.
" I made it clear: I am fatigued today and do not wish to receive visitors. Yet you barge in by force. Do you still regard me at all? Get out! "
Li Tai'an was dumbfounded.
He glanced reflexively toward Lu Yang, only to meet an equally innocent look in return. Only then did the realization hit: no forgery—he truly did not wish to see him?
Impossible!
He could not fathom the reasoning. He even began to wonder, subconsciously, if the Crown Prince Longxing before him was some impostor planted by Lu Yang.
But soon enough, the suppressive force of the Dao Court's official hierarchy bore down. Li Tai'an grunted in discomfort and at last verified that this was indeed Crown Prince Longxing. His face drained of color in an instant. If this was all the crown prince's own intent, then he had just shown profound disrespect!
" This subject knows his crime! "
The thought left Li Tai'an with no room for defense. He dropped straight to his knees—only for Crown Prince Longxing to snap impatiently.
" I said get out! "
Li Tai'an wasted no time, bowing repeatedly as he backed out of the hall.
" Your Highness, please quell your anger. "
Only now did Lu Yang speak softly.
" Lord Shaobao meant only the best for the Dao Court. Though he overstepped with Your Highness, I am certain his intentions are pure. "
" For the Dao Court? "
Crown Prince Longxing narrowed his eyes, his tone icy.
" I don't see in him your steadfast loyalty, Duke Aiqing. Nor has Father Emperor ever praised him for selfless devotion to realm and sovereign. "
" Your Highness errs in that regard. "
Lu Yang shook his head.
" I and Lord Shaobao are cut from different cloth. "
" Oh? How so? "
" Lord Shaobao's loyalty is to the Dao Court—admirable, to be sure. But this subject has received boundless grace from His Majesty. If loyalty must be named, mine is not to the Dao Court. It is to Tianwu alone. "
The words rang sweet in Crown Prince Longxing's ears, resonating deeply within. Precisely! What use was "loyalty to the Dao Court"? In truth, it only ever harmed Tianwu royal interests for the greater good. He sought no such stern advisors loyal to the court—loyalty to the imperial house, that was the genuine article!
Seizing the moment, Lu Yang pressed on.
" One more matter, Your Highness—do stay vigilant. The assassins have secretly allied with the Demon Sect of Northern Jiang. They dared strike even at His Majesty. Your Highness may well be in peril too! "
The words reignited Crown Prince Longxing's tension.
He was no True Lord, after all. A strike calibrated to his level would spell certain death—even the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Regulations] could not shield him.
No prompting from Lu Yang was needed.
" Investigate! A thorough investigation! "
" Duke Aiqing, I command you: scrutinize every official. Those Dutian Division assassins came from the Dutian Division, did they not? Disband it entirely. Fold them all into the Imperial City Division! "
Crown Prince Longxing drew a deep breath.
" Moreover, I shall remain in Tianwu Hall for the coming days. At least the formations here offer protection—far safer. I must trouble you, Aiqing: station the Imperial City Division on constant alert. Admit no one without my express permission! "
" This subject understands. "
Lu Yang stamped his foot and bowed.
" Rest assured, Your Highness. So long as I helm the Imperial City Division, no harm shall befall you. Loyalty! Devotion! "
Only upon exiting Tianwu Hall did Lu Yang's smile emerge.
*Duke Townsouth Wu Tai'an's memories proved true after all. This Crown Prince Longxing truly lacks ambition—far simpler to handle than Emperor Jiayou.*
With Crown Prince Longxing's seal of approval, his maneuvers in the Dao Court now carried the banner of righteousness. Name and authority, both secured—many tasks would prove far smoother.
At the thought, Lu Yang glanced skyward, musing to himself.
*The Fruit Position's seclusion changes little for me. [Heavenly Fire] lacks an upholder in any case. Yet attuning a Fruit Position while secluded remains arduous. For now, at least, [Heavenly Fire] shows me no favor.*
The root cause: he had yet to fulfill the prerequisites for [Heavenly Fire]'s notice.
True, he now held the Dao Court's immediate landscape in hand.
Yet it extended no further than Tianwu City—not all Jiangdong. And the bloc of officials led by the Shifu, Shaobao, and Shaofu rejected him utterly.
*True mastery of the Dao Court, dominance over Jiangdong... still a road lies ahead.*
Lu Yang shook his head. He extended a hand then, palm upward. There, a golden glow bobbed and dipped—the golden essence of great fortune!
*As expected of [Angxiao].*
He had anticipated [Angxiao]'s treachery and prepared accordingly. [Angxiao], in turn, had foreseen his own foul play and fled with remarkable speed.
*Post-assassination, he slipped away amid the chaos via [Perception Obstruction].*
Luckily, foresight had been his ally. During the deal's negotiation, when releasing the great fortune's golden essence, he had stationed a [String Puppet]-controlled proxy on site.
The moment [Angxiao] struck, the proxy reclaimed the golden essence.
What was more, he had planted a trap at the original placement site. Had [Angxiao] reached for it, retribution would have struck at once.
Pity [Angxiao] never materialized.
*In truth, neither I nor [Angxiao] ever meant to honor the pact. Veteran Saint Sect True Lords are simply too cunning.*
That said, [Angxiao] now amounted to a mere thread of divine sense trapped in a Cave Heaven remnant—his worldly influence severely curtailed.
Lu Yang's focus lay elsewhere: his own prize.
" Attendant! "
He beckoned a young eunuch.
" Lead on. I am bound for the rear palace. "