"This is impossible! My sister’s husband is a wise man of our nation, praised by the entire country. How could he commit treason? I must see my second sister and brother-in-law!"
At this moment, Empress Dowager Qi’s jade-like face twisted with anger, trembling with rage.
"Mother!"
At her knee, a child of seven or eight looked at her with some fear.
That was Wei Xian, the posthumous child of Emperor Jingwu.
Looking at Wei Xian, Empress Dowager Qi felt even more anxious.
Wei Yuan was the last emperor of Daqian, and as the last Empress Dowager, her future seemed bleak. If she were expelled from the palace, her prospects would be just as grim.
Even more worrying to Empress Dowager Qi was her young son, Wei Xian.
She originally thought she could rely on Madam Zhang, perhaps even helping Wei Xian replace Wei Yuan one day. Now, the dream was shattered, leaving her feeling a deep sense of loss.
She also attempted to enter Zhang Mansion to persuade them!
Then she left the palace, only to be stopped by Zhang Lu’s men. He said calmly, "Empress Dowager, please return to the palace. We have orders to close the gates today by the Emperor’s command. Without imperial decree, no one is allowed to come or go freely!"
Empress Dowager Qi’s face twisted in fury, pointing at Zhang Lu and cursing, "Zhang Lu, you dog slave, you’re just a servant of my brother-in-law, how dare you block my path?"
Zhang Lu raised an eyebrow at her words. Far from being ashamed, he felt proud, smiling smugly.
"Empress Dowager, since you remember that I’m from the Zhang family’s household, you should know that I can’t let you ruin my lord’s important matters. You should rest assured, serving the Emperor as a servant is a privilege not everyone has!"
"Brothers, wouldn’t you agree?"
He said, further flaunting himself to the Black-clothed Guards beside him.
Many Black-clothed Guards smiled mildly.
Some even laughed strangely, "General, we would like to serve you as family too. Would you give us a chance?"
Zhang Lu laughed heartily, "You are all my brothers, brothers in life and death, we are all family!"
This only infuriated Empress Dowager Qi more.
...
At the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Wang Wan visited once more, his face filled with joy.
"Prime Minister, Emperor Qi Yuan has issued another decree."
Zhang Jian remained unmoved, merely waving his hand.
"Decline it for me again!"
Wang Wan could only take the decree back once more.
Zhang Jian leaned over the desk at that time, with many characters and words displayed before him.
"Yan, Han, Xia, Qin, Shang, Chen..."
These were all potential country names, but most had already been rejected. His gaze lingered over the leading characters.
He had inherited the teachings of Ancestor Master Xia Yu, and in the future, he would forge the Nine Tripods, thereby naturally inheriting the legacy of Great Xia. Thus, using ’Xia’ was also fitting.
Immortal Xia?
There was still some hesitation in Zhang Jian’s eyes.
...
In Jingtai Hall, after Zhang Jian’s second refusal, Emperor Qi Yuan could only quietly listen as he faced Wang Wan.
"Remember, Your Majesty, we ministers have agreed that three days later is an auspicious time. At that time, you shall ascend the altar to personally bestow the decree, dispelling the doubts of the masses and silencing the world’s criticisms!"
"Once this is accomplished, Your Majesty’s descendants shall surely be blessed by this grace!"
Emperor Qi Yuan nodded lightly but couldn’t help wiping his tears as he listened.
Seeing this, Wang Wan sneered, "Why react like this, Your Majesty? Your situation is far better than that of Emperor Ai of Former Shu. When the Former Shu Palace fell, what fate did the Former Shu Royal Family and the various Shu Royal Clans face? As a member of the Daqian Royal Family, you should be well aware!"
Hearing this, Emperor Qi Yuan’s heart trembled lightly, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
...
At the Tongshan Dao Lineage, True Monarch Zhanmo was discussing the distribution of resources on Demon-slaying Peak with Sect Leader Jue Ming Daoist when she suddenly sensed something. A message arrived from beyond the heavens, transforming into a purple light and instantly landing in her hand.
After a brief glance, a peculiar look crossed her eyes.
Seeing her strange expression, Jue Ming Daoist couldn’t help but ask, "Junior Sister Zhanmo, what happened?"
True Monarch Zhanmo sighed softly upon hearing this: "Ah Yu intends to establish a New Dynasty and ascend the throne as Emperor. He wishes to appoint me as State Preceptor and designate the Sect as the National Religion. He wants me to inquire about the views of the Sect’s elders?"
Jue Ming Daoist’s eyes moved upon hearing this.
"Reached this step so soon?"
Jue Ming Daoist looked surprised and then laughed.
"This is great news, the fertile lands of East Continent hold magnificent destiny. Appointing a State Preceptor fills the last gap for Junior Sister, a Celestial Immortal is within reach!"
True Monarch Zhanmo replied: "To address the court with the Primordial Spirit Body, a Saint King is about to be born, but I’m afraid other great sects might harbor different intentions!"
Jue Ming Daoist laughed again.
"The Five Elements Immortal Sect can assist Prince Shun in ascending the throne, why would the Tongshan Dao Lineage be weaker than the Five Elements Immortal Sect!"
True Monarch Zhanmo nodded lightly, it was excellent that the Sect Leader was willing to offer support.
She also worried that Zhang Jian might not withstand the calamity of opening a new dynasty.
...
Three days later, before Dongling Square, gathered were civil and military officials, noble families, and also some Haojing Common People at the towering sacrificial altar measuring nine zhang high.
Tens of thousands of Imperial Guards encircled this area tightly, stationed every three steps, there were sentries every five, surrounding areas teemed with an atmosphere of grim severity.
The blazing vigor of blood soared into the heavens, scattering countless clouds.
Under the open sky before the sacrificial altar, a multitude of civil and military officials were already waiting; under the focused gaze of the masses, Emperor Qi Yuan, donned in a dark red Dragon Robe, was holding the Emperor’s Seal and the Imperial Decree, ascending step by step to the altar towering nine zhang high.
The nine zhang high sacrificial altar seemed to elevate him to the heavens, fortunately, there were Daoists from the Dong Shen Temple present providing support, preventing Emperor Qi Yuan from being embarrassed, though it made him tremble uneasily.
Upon the altar, Emperor Qi Yuan respectfully handed the Emperor’s Seal to Zhang Jian, who wore a Purple Robe, a Book Knife at his waist, and a Cloud Crown on his head. Zhang Jian casually accepted the Jade Disc and handed the Imperial Decree to Imperial Censor Wei Gui to read aloud, using Magical Power to amplify his voice, lest the altitude caused Qchanging commoners and scholars to miss the decree.
During the decree reading, a few Little Yellow Sect assistants helped Emperor Qi Yuan remove the Imperial Crown and Dragon Robe, delivering these items to Zhang Zhao.
With the completion of the decree reading, a sound like mountains crumbling and earth shattering echoed from the square below.
"Long live, long live, long live!"
Sounds of jubilation burst into the heavens, atop the sacrificial altar Emperor Qi Yuan beheld the scene, growing more somber, and he knelt beside, prostrating.
"Long live!"
Zhang Jian smiled lightly, manifesting the Magical Robe of Sheji Emperor on his body; around him, a golden-red Emperor’s Robe appeared, decorated with sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and Sheji on its surface, embroidered dragon patterns on large sleeves, swirling purple qi, Dragon Qi, and Emperor’s Qi no longer suppressed.
"Roar!"
A magnificent dragon’s roar resounded in the heavens as a Red Dragon emerged from behind him; he stepped into the air, descending step by step from the sacrificial altar.
At that moment, an immense Dragon Qi and Emperor’s Qi erupted centered around him!
Celestial Destiny manifested!
In the void, numerous Earth Cultivators from the Tongshan Dao Lineage nodded upon witnessing this!
Jue Ming Daoist laughed: "This is the visage of a Holy Emperor!"
Purple Qi thickened, causing great stars to fall!
This scene was akin to an Emperor from the depths of the universe descending upon the earth, grand sounds resonating throughout the heavens, reaching the ears of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
"Transmit the decree, grant amnesty to the world, change the reign from the eighth year of Qi Yuan to the first year of Saintly Virtue, with the national name as Great Xia!"
"The heavens do not contain two suns, the nation does not harbor two sovereigns, I hold the position of supreme authority, unwilling to further engage in slaughter, hence appoints Wei Yuan as Marquis Chang Le, residing in Fengyang Jixian County, not allowed to return to the capital without summons!"
On the Sealing Platform, as Zhang Jian issued decrees before tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, Wei Yuan finally calmed his anxious heart, with tears streaming, knelt in gratitude.
"Thank you, long live, thank you, long live!"
Meanwhile, as the sacrifice concluded, Zhang Jian was about to appoint others, when a sudden whirlwind swept from the ground, as if countless ghosts were wailing, yellow qi reaching the heavens, converging into a towering yellow storm.
This anomaly blocked the sun and shrouded the sky, instantly startling the ministers.
"Yinming Ghost Emperor...!"
Amongst the ministers, Jingming Daoist and others witnessed this scene, their complexions changing. That overwhelming yellow storm, the multitude of ghostly shadows, manifested scenes of Yinming collapsing, the shadows of Emperor Qi Yuan from numerous dynasties emerged from within.
In the void, Zhang Jian watched this spectacle and chuckled.
"A bunch of ghosts; you dare not be insolent even against me in life, let alone in death, retreat!"
Zhang Jian waved his hand, releasing a vast cyan holy brilliance, sending forth countless cyan lotuses, permeating the endless void, cleansing the heavens, and shortly after, countless yellow winds crumbled.
Simultaneously, above the skies, innumerable auspicious clouds and pure qi burgeoned, joining by dragons and phoenixes soaring through the heavens.