Chapter 512 513: Jiangdong Changes Hands, Heavenly Fire Draws Attention!
Chapter 513: Jiangdong Changes Hands, Heavenly Fire Above Takes Notice!
Outside Tianwu City, Jiangdong.
Dark clouds loomed over the city, revealing a majestic military formation stretching as far as the eye could see—a sea of people bristling with blades and spears. At its forefront stood a valiant man.
Prince Wu Tai'an of the South.
From receiving Junior Protector Li Taian's urgent letter to leading his troops swiftly to Tianwu City, Wu Tai'an's mood could only be described as triumphant.
Yet he kept these emotions well-hidden, maintaining a facade of grief and indignation on the surface. His divine sense swept over Tianwu City, now in chaos due to the martial arts tournament—a scene of bustling vitality and fierce competition. He sighed heavily before slapping his hands together:
"Damn it! How has the Dao Court fallen to such a state?"
Even as he reprimanded, Wu Tai'an couldn't help but silently cheer:
'Keep fighting! Don't stop!'
Though he now stood on the same side as the Junior Protector, Junior Mentor, and Junior Preceptor, he was still a member of the Tianwu royal family. A temporary alliance couldn't change his stance.
Thus, despite arriving early, he deliberately waited, estimating that about half the officials had already been beaten or crippled—just enough vacancies to install his own people into key positions. Only then did he leisurely order his troops to enter Tianwu City.
Yet the next moment—
Streaks of formation light shot into the sky, sealing off his path into the city. The sudden change immediately furrowed Wu Tai'an's brow.
"How audacious!"
Wu Tai'an's gaze sharpened, quickly spotting a familiar figure within Tianwu City's formations—Xiao Shan, the monstrous cultivator who had been the first to pledge allegiance to Lü Yang.
"What are you doing there? The Imperial City Bureau isn't responsible for city defenses, is it?"
Though inwardly delighted, Wu Tai'an maintained an air of righteous indignation: "Summon Du Huan to see me! Immediately! Cease the Imperial City Bureau's brutal actions at once!"
"The Imperial City Bureau acts impartially, all for the safety of the Dao Court," Xiao Shan replied with a faint smile. "Lord Du Huan is occupied with urgent matters. Might Your Highness remain outside the city and wait for him to explain?"
"Nonsense!"
Wu Tai'an erupted in fury, bellowing: "You fools with water in your brains! Do you think beating court officials is protecting the Dao Court?"
"You rebels—stay right where you are! I'll send every last one of you to the heavens with my divine abilities!"
As his voice fell, Wu Tai'an channeled his magic power. Divine abilities flared to life, and the military formation behind him began advancing—clearly preparing to force their way into the city.
But at that moment—
The bright formations enveloping Tianwu City trembled abruptly, their once-mighty aura collapsing like water without a source. Xiao Shan turned his head and saw three streaks of light swiftly approaching—the Junior Protector, Junior Preceptor, and Junior Mentor!
"Welcome Prince Wu Tai'an into the capital!"
Junior Protector Li Taian was the first to shout, and it was he who dismantled Tianwu City's formations—the most critical move, one that would decide the course of events.
'With the Imperial City Bureau and the Five Armies Battalion assaulting officials, that demonic dragon must have lost all credibility with the Crown Prince and Empress. Once Prince Wu enters the city and secures the Heavenly Son's Talisman, the situation will be settled. No matter how that dragon thrashes, it'll be a dead end!'
The thought filled Li Taian with excitement.
The next instant, his gaze turned icy as he glared at Xiao Shan and the Imperial City Bureau cultivators atop the wall: "Your Highness, please strike first and eliminate these traitors!"
Xiao Shan's expression hardened.
In the past, he might have dropped to his knees and begged for mercy. But after experiencing the authority of the Imperial City Bureau and receiving Lü Yang's generous subsidies and red envelopes—
His knees simply refused to bend.
If he were to kneel, it would only be before one person!
With this resolve, Xiao Shan roared: "Imperial City Bureau, heed the call of loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
A chorus of voices rose in response. Aside from a handful of cultivators who chose to flee, most remained steadfast.
Wu Tai'an's eyes flickered with surprise, quickly replaced by deeper killing intent.
Five divine abilities surged, poised to descend.
Yet at that moment—
"Imperial Decree arrives—!"
A shrill voice shattered the tense atmosphere. Everyone froze before turning toward the approaching procession.
"...A palace envoy?"
Junior Protector Li Taian was stunned, but when he saw the leader, his shock turned to horror—and an indescribable panic:
"Du Huan!?"
"Greetings, esteemed lords." Lü Yang smiled faintly, clasping his hands before nodding at Wu Tai'an. "Your Highness, it's been a while—"
Boom!
Before Lü Yang could finish, Li Taian struck without hesitation, divine brilliance engulfing him.
Instinct warned Li Taian—he couldn't let Lü Yang speak freely. If he did, everything he had painstakingly planned, the entire Dao Court, Jiangdong itself, would face upheaval! By then, not just him, but every official of the current court would be overturned!
But it was already too late.
Faced with Li Taian's divine ability, Lü Yang didn't even bother retaliating. Instead, he leisurely retrieved a radiant golden seal from his robes.
The Heavenly Son's Talisman!
Encircling the seal, the official positions of the Five Armies Commander linked like stars embracing the moon, forming an authority surpassing all present:
[Imperial Presence]!
Thud!
The next instant, the Junior Protector, Junior Mentor, Junior Preceptor, Wu Tai'an, and every Dao Court official present were forced to their knees!
Lü Yang smiled in satisfaction before unrolling a scroll.
"Empress's decree—ministers, heed the edict!"
The scroll unfurled, gleaming with golden light as a voice—exhausted yet alluring, as if fresh from battle—spoke:
"Everything has been settled, Junior Protector Li Taian."
Li Taian's eyes widened: "Empress! You—!?"
Without letting him continue, Empress Xiao's voice resumed: "Due to your selfish actions, blood was shed in the imperial city. This pains Our heart—"
Before she could finish, Lü Yang tapped the decree and whispered: "Be firmer."
"Oh, alright~"
Empress Xiao's voice paused briefly before turning stern: "We have reached an agreement with Lord Du. All officials are to return to their residences immediately."
"Furthermore, Li Taian, Zheng Pingyi, and Kong Xingxiao—from this moment, you are stripped of your titles as Junior Protector, Junior Preceptor, and Junior Mentor. Understood? Starting now, you are nothing! No longer disciples of the Three Dukes. All officials will follow the orders of the Imperial City Bureau and the Five Armies Battalion."
"And Prince Wu Tai'an of the South."
"Unauthorized troop movements into the capital constitute treason. Suspected of colluding with the Demon Sect north of the river—seize him at once and subject him to rigorous interrogation in the Imperial City Bureau!"
As her voice faded, the decree's glow dimmed.
Lü Yang grinned: "The Imperial City Bureau will obey Her Majesty's decree. The Junior Protector, Junior Preceptor, Junior Mentor, and Prince Wu are all spies of the Demon Sect."
"By decree—strip them of their official positions!"
With these words, the [Imperial Presence] above Lü Yang's head blazed like the sun, instantly revoking the official ranks of Li Taian and the others.
The situation was settled!
'So much effort... Finally, Jiangdong is entirely in my hands!'
At this moment, Lü Yang raised his head. In the sky above, the fleeting spark of starlight had grown to the brightness of a lantern's flame.
[Heavenly Fire Above]!
With Lü Yang's complete control over the Dao Court, this supremely selective Supreme Fruit Position finally cast upon him a gaze—weak, yet undeniably present!