Chapter 101: Qianwu Hall
Li Qingqiu was indeed very interested in Li Yang’s Dragon Soul.
He had Li Yang display it once, and found that the Dragon Soul could enhance Li Yang’s physical strength and Vital Energy, granting at least threefold effectiveness in real combat.
As Li Yang’s cultivation continued to improve, the power of the Dragon Soul would also grow stronger—its potential was limitless.
After much thought, Li Qingqiu decided to pass down the Heavenly Thunder Step to Li Yang.
The Heavenly Thunder Step was both offensive and defensive, endlessly versatile in combat.
Even though Li Yang’s lightning attribute aptitude was not especially strong, simply grasping its basics could still enhance his strength.
Half an hour later.
Li Yang left in satisfaction.
Li Qingqiu then beckoned to Chai Yunshang, who walked over with a complicated expression.
She had just witnessed Li Yang’s cultivation progress and had to admit that her own aptitude was far inferior.
She suddenly felt that seeking instruction from the Sect Master might only be wasting his time and holding back the Clear Sky Sect.
The Sect Master’s time was precious; there were many geniuses within the Clear Sky Sect, and she should not waste such a valuable resource.
Just as she was about to speak, Li Qingqiu said, “Your potential is far from exhausted. I can see that your natural talent has not truly awakened. Given time, you may become the strongest person within the sect.”
Upon hearing this, Chai Yunshang’s eyes widened, and an immense power surged from within her heart.
Her sense of loss vanished completely, replaced by newfound vigor.
She trusted Li Qingqiu’s judgment.
Who within the entire sect did not know that the Sect Master could see through the hidden talents of others? Several disciples had already been discovered by him and had since shone brilliantly.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu continued teaching her the Ghostly Immortal Needle of Rejuvenation.
……
The setting sun hung at the edge of the heavens, and under the chill of winter, the Zhenyang Imperial City exuded a special sense of grandeur.
Within the Crown Prince’s Manor.
The Crown Prince, Yan Lan, stood before a portrait—the portrait depicted the Great Li Dynasty’s Imperial Ancestor Emperor, wearing a dragon robe and holding a treasured sword, with the founding civil and military officials standing behind him.
At this moment, several figures in official robes stood behind Yan Lan.
They were all high-ranking officials of the imperial court.
Standing at the forefront were two elderly men—though age had bent their backs, the pressure radiating from their brows still carried the oppressive might of those long accustomed to power.
The brown spots on their faces only made their dignity more striking.
“Your Highness, what are you still waiting for? Now, within the Zhenyang Imperial City, aside from the palace itself, the other government offices have all fallen under our control.
As long as you give the order, we shall follow you into the palace to face His Majesty!”
A stern-faced middle-aged man spoke up.
As soon as he did, the other officials followed in support.
“We can’t delay any longer. If we do, something unforeseen may occur.”
“His Majesty indulges in heretical arts, neglecting the court’s affairs. We can endure this, but the people cannot—and neither can the soldiers defending the borders!”
“Yes! The northern barbarians eye us covetously, and the southern tribes grow restless. Though the Great Li Dynasty appears powerful and unshakable, in the eyes of foreign races, we have long been a fat piece of meat waiting to be divided.”
“For the sake of the empire, Your Highness must not hesitate any longer!”
The officials’ voices grew more impassioned with every word.
Since they had resolved to rise in rebellion, more than a month had passed, yet Yan Lan still refused to act—this seemed absurd to them.
Today, even if Yan Lan refused to rebel, they would not agree to stand down.
Yan Lan slowly turned around.
The twilight glow shone into the room, yet he stood entirely in shadow, his expression unreadable.
“Pass down the order—assemble the troops. At the hour of Xu, attack the main gate of the imperial palace and seize Qianwu Hall directly!”
Yan Lan’s voice rang out, cold and sharp.
At these words, joy spread across the faces of all the officials—they bowed in acknowledgment.
Yan Lan then stepped out from the shadows.
His face was icy, his gaze filled with deadly resolve.
The officials followed behind him, stepping over the threshold together.
Snow was stirred into the air, like calm water suddenly struck apart.
The setting sun disappeared beyond the western walls, and Zhenyang Imperial City fell into darkness.
Warhorses clad in armor galloped down the streets, charging toward the imperial palace.
The townsfolk and merchants along the way shut their doors and windows tight—they knew the heavens of Great Li were about to change.
When the morning sun rose, the Great Li Dynasty would face a great upheaval.
Boom——
The palace gates burst open.
Cavalrymen with long spears poured in like a river in flood, the thunder of hooves shattering the silence of the imperial grounds.
On the inner city wall ahead, figures in white robes appeared—each wore a silver mask and carried a horizontal blade at their waist.
Seeing the invading cavalry, they drew their weapons.
“Presumptuous! Forcing entry into the palace is a capital crime! If you refuse to turn back, your nine clans will be executed!”
One of the white-clad figures shouted loudly, his voice booming like thunder through the night sky over the palace.
Unfortunately, the cavalrymen did not stop—they continued their charge.
At this sight, all the white-robed figures leapt from the inner wall like descending cranes, surging forward like rolling waves.
Hundreds of cavalrymen clashed with the white-clad guards—the clash of steel and screams quickly threw the palace into chaos.
Yan Lan emerged from beneath the palace gate, now clad in a purple robe with a sword at his waist.
Armored soldiers carrying torches rushed past him on both sides, while the officials followed closely behind.
“Li Si!”
Yan Lan called out as he strode forward.
“Here!”
An official behind him immediately answered with a firm voice.
“Lead your men along the left imperial path. Do not allow anyone to escape the palace!”
“Understood!”
“Luo Yujiang!”
“Here!”
“Send your City Guard along the right imperial path. Search every palace courtyard—find the imprisoned children and martial captives!”
“Understood!”
Yan Lan advanced with a powerful, tiger-like stride, issuing commands one after another.
Behind him, an endless stream of people poured into the palace, their footsteps echoing ever louder.
Soon, he reached the chaotic long street within the imperial compound.
He ignored the slaughter around him—even as blood splashed upon him and severed limbs fell at his feet, his expression remained unchanged.
Just as he stepped through the inner palace gate, a figure descended from above, sword in hand, aiming to behead him.
A flash of sword light—another figure emerged from behind Yan Lan, cleaving upward.
Sword Qi surged skyward, striking the attacker and sending him flying.
Even the inner wall behind him split open with a terrifying crack.
A host of Imperial Guardian Army soldiers appeared behind Yan Lan.
Dressed in dark brocade, wielding swords and short blades, they fanned out to both sides, slaughtering enemies in his path.
Yan Lan’s gaze fixed upon the grand palace in the distance—the highest hall within the imperial grounds, the very hall where ministers once paid homage.
Qianwu Hall!
Under the night sky, as snow descended, Qianwu Hall loomed like a monstrous demon crouched in darkness, radiating oppressive might.
Waves of palace guards and mysterious experts attacked, yet none could approach Yan Lan.
Over a hundred Imperial Guardians surrounded him, escorting him forward.
Jia Yi was among them.
His face was pale, filled with regret.
“This operation must succeed… otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable…”
Gritting his teeth, Jia Yi swung his blade, cutting down a eunuch.
Yan Lan’s pace was steady—not fast, yet not slow.
Every step carried force; the frail appearance he once had was gone.
But after walking for nearly a mile, he could not help coughing.
Even so, he did not stop.
The officials behind him ignored his condition and kept pace.
Passing through several palace gates, their vision suddenly widened.
Ahead lay a vast square with a white stone stairway rising before them—the Qianwu Hall stood at its summit.
Before Qianwu Hall stood nine figures, all dressed in black, wearing Evil Ghost Masks, each holding a different weapon.
Jia Yi recognized them immediately—his face turned ashen.
The Forbidden Martial Guards!
“Kill!”
A Grade-A Imperial Guardian roared and charged.
The others followed like a storm of arrows, rushing up the white stone steps.
In the distance—
Atop the roof of a tall tower within the city, two black-clad figures stood side by side.
They wore bamboo hats and black veils, revealing only their eyes—clearly a man and a woman.
Both held swords.
The woman also carried a long staff bound in black cloth upon her back.
They were Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning.
Following their gaze, the distant palace was already ablaze.
The streets surrounding it were packed with soldiers, not a gap left.
“Quite the spectacle. It seems the Crown Prince might just win.”
Xu Ning spoke calmly.
Jiang Zhaoxia replied, “The Crown Prince sealed off the palace for over a month. Since the Emperor has yet to respond, he’s either lost his mind to madness or is plotting something. We’d best enter the palace and see for ourselves.”
Xu Ning nodded.
It had been a long time since she last received a mission from her Master—this one must be completed.
The two leapt into the night and vanished into the boundless darkness.
……
Boom——
The great doors of Qianwu Hall burst open.
A Forbidden Martial Guard was flung inward, flipping midair before landing heavily, his sword braced against the floor as he slid several paces back.
The Imperial Guardians stormed in, followed closely by Yan Lan.
The bright moon hung overhead, stretching his shadow deep into the hall.
The Forbidden Martial Guard struggled to his feet, panting heavily, the hand gripping his broadsword trembling uncontrollably.
Yan Lan ignored him, his gaze fixed upon the darkness beyond—within that darkness sat a figure upon the dragon throne, his chest faintly rising and falling.
“Father Emperor, your son has come to claim your throne—to help you become the first Retired Emperor since the founding of the dynasty!”
Yan Lan spoke calmly, but his tone brimmed with authority.
He halted.
Dozens of Imperial Guardians formed three lines before him, while behind him stood the officials and their retainers and guards.
A faint, heavy breathing echoed from the shadows—it sounded like a slumbering dragon awakening.
“Good… I have long awaited this day. You are much like I once was. Back then, I too stormed into Qianwu Hall and forced my elder brother to abdicate.”
A hoarse voice came from the darkness.
Hearing this, Yan Lan frowned.
To him, that chapter of history was a disgrace—a stain of fratricide that would forever tarnish the Zhao family’s legacy.
“At that time, my brother urged me to turn back, yet he laid traps within this very hall.”
The Emperor’s voice sounded again.
Then, from both sides of the great hall, countless Forbidden Martial Guards emerged from the darkness.
Xuan Gong appeared atop the steps before the dragon throne, his eyes gleaming coldly in the dark.