Grand Tutor Lord Ye swept his gaze over the assembled officials, his eyes filled with worry as he looked towards the Emperor at the head of the hall.
He had been unaware that His Majesty had been drugged by that detestable woman, rendering him unable to channel his internal energy. For a cultivator, losing their martial arts was akin to being crippled. This knowledge had already filled him with anxiety. Now, faced with the current predicament, his unease only grew. He knew, with absolute certainty, that he would support His Majesty. Recently, many court officials had been aligning themselves with him.
Furthermore, a significant number of troops had been deployed for defense throughout the city, and the Minister of War, Lan Qinglun, was in his custody. By all accounts, there should be no cause for concern.
As Ye Qing Tian was contemplating this, an official stepped forward.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, His Majesty's health has been poor recently and he should avoid excessive exertion. His Majesty remains the foundation of the nation, and as yet there are no heirs. You must take care of your health, Your Majesty."
As soon as this minister finished speaking, a chorus of agreement arose from behind him. In the current court, most individuals dared not speak rashly, fearing they might inadvertently bring about misfortune.
Shangguan Yao finally opened his eyes, nodded slightly, and rose, preparing to adjourn the court.
The eunuch's voice rang out, "The court is adjourned."
All present knelt in unison, their voices ringing in a sonorous chorus, "Your humble servants respectfully see off His Majesty."
As this cry faded, countless shouts of battle erupted from outside the Guangming Hall. In the first rays of dawn, they were remarkably clear, resounding, and distant, piercing through the entire Golden Phoenix Hall.
In an instant, everyone in the hall stood up in shock, murmuring amongst themselves, "What is happening?"
"I don't know, what exactly is happening?"
Outside the hall doors, the sounds of combat were rampant. Soon, a portion of the Imperial Guards were killed – these were the ones Ye Qing Tian had replaced.
Those previously replaced by Lan Qinglun had allowed the attackers a smooth, unimpeded entry into the palace. However, the perimeter of the Guangming Main Hall had been entirely secured by Ye Qing Tian's trusted confidants, which was why the fighting had broken out.
Yet, Murong Chong and the members of the Dragon God Palace descended like fierce tigers from a mountain, utterly fearless.
Within the hall, Ye Qing Tian cried out, "Quickly, protect His Majesty! There are intruders charging in!"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the ministers changed drastically. They immediately positioned themselves in front of the Emperor, standing tall despite their fear, gazing towards the tempest of swords and rain outside.
Murong Chong swept his long sleeves, radiating killing intent. Several individuals who were near him were sent flying by the powerful air currents. He then leaped into the air, drifting towards the hall with the speed of lightning. Following him, Yun Mo and Sima Qingyun charged in.
As the three entered, a clamor swept through the hall, with people whispering to each other. Some ministers who were on good terms with Yun Mo and Sima Qingyun immediately cried out in alarm.
"Prince Yun, Prime Minister Sima, are you unharmed?"
"Yes, we are unharmed."
Yun Mo and Sima Qingyun nodded simultaneously, then with sharp gazes, they looked past the heads of the crowd and directly at Shangguan Yao on the dais, speaking with impassioned voices.
"Villain, you still occupy the throne? Do you truly believe you are still the Emperor?"
As these words were uttered, the Golden Hall erupted in an uproar. Shangguan Yao stumbled back a step, striving to maintain his composure as he addressed the court officials, "Guards, apprehend Sima Qingyun and Yun Mo."
Ye Qing Tian gestured with his hand, and several military officers in the hall leaped forward, lunging directly at Sima Qingyun and Yun Mo.
Yun Mo extended a hand, pulling Sima Qingyun back, and stepped forward to meet the attack himself.
Ye Qing Tian also lunged forward. In an instant, the hall descended into chaos, with flashes of swords and the glint of blades. The crowd had no idea what was transpiring.
Murong Chong's gaze swept over them. Shangguan Yao quietly retreated. His figure flashed, his white robes unfurling like a giant cloud floating in the air, drifting directly towards Shangguan Yao.
Seeing this, Ye Qing Tian immediately broke away from the general assembly and swiftly intercepted, his long sword unleashing a chilling sword qi. Murong Chong flicked his white robe, parrying the attack, and in the blink of an eye, a jade-green flute appeared in his hand, striking directly at Ye Qing Tian.
The immense air currents forced Ye Qing Tian back several steps, causing him unbearable pain in his internal organs. Murong Chong paid him no mind, raising his hand in a five-clawed grip and once again seizing Shangguan Yao, who was already fleeing towards the rear hall. He abruptly stood on the dais and shouted.
"Halt!"
A shout imbued with immense power caused everyone in the hall to feel their livers and gallbladders turn to ash.
They all ceased their attacks, turning their gazes towards the two figures on the dais.
Only then did everyone realize that these two men bore an uncanny resemblance. However, upon closer comparison, the man in the white robe was far more stunningly beautiful, and his features more closely resembled those of the Empress Dowager. What in the world was going on?
Murong Chong pointed a finger, sealing Shangguan Yao's acupoints, and gazed down at the ministers below with a heavy expression.
"Ye Jingyi, you too have a day like this?"
He would never forget this name until his death, for when he was drugged and struggling desperately, he had heard his mother speak in a gentle tone he had never heard directed at him: Jingyi, from now on, you will be the Emperor of Eastern Qin.
As Murong Chong contemplated all this, he began to laugh. His laughter was devoid of any warmth, filled with a bloodthirsty, murderous aura, as if he were a Shura from hell.
His large hand involuntarily reached out and caressed Shangguan Yao's neck, playing with it meticulously, as if it were a beloved object.
Shangguan Yao trembled and struggled, feeling the intense killing intent emanating from Murong Chong. It was clear that Murong Chong did not merely intend to kill him; he intended to grind him into a pulp, into dust, into powder.
In short, he would not grant him a swift death. He couldn't help but shiver, death felt so close.
He watched helplessly, waiting, yet utterly powerless.
Ye Qing Tian below had by now recovered. He glared furiously at Murong Chong on the dais and shouted down at the military officers and ministers, "Quickly! Protect His Majesty!"
But no one moved. Everyone was bewildered by what was happening, staring blankly at the scene before them.
Seeing that no one heeded him, Ye Qing Tian himself leaped up and lunged directly towards the dais, determined to fight Murong Chong to the death. However, Yun Mo had already leaped up from behind, striking directly at him. The two began to fight.
Amidst the flashes of swords and the glint of blades, many civil officials retreated, darting towards the sides of the hall.
The military officers, however, stood closer, watching the clash of swords and blades before them. They seemed to grasp something, yet completely disbelieved it, and could only watch.
Outside the Golden Phoenix Hall, Murong Chong's men had already slaughtered all the resisting Imperial Guards. The morale of the troops was now scattered, and those who surrendered were allowed to live.
Zhui Feng and Zhui Yue, leading their men, stormed in. The surrounding areas of the hall were immediately occupied by people from the Divine Dragon Palace.
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, not knowing what this man on the high seat truly intended.
Who was he?
He held the Emperor's neck in his hand so calmly, playing with it meticulously, while the Emperor's face turned from pale to paler, and finally, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
Murong Chong coldly and with disgust released his hand, and Shangguan Yao's body slumped to the ground.
In the Golden Phoenix Hall, eunuchs knelt on the ground, clueless as to how to handle the situation, trembling incessantly.
Although Ye Qing Tian possessed formidable martial arts, he had been previously injured by Murong Chong, and coupled with the overwhelming turn of events, his spirits were greatly affected. He was soon subdued by Yun Mo.