Wei Tianlin was the first to know the news outside the palace.
He was originally playing chess with the Paradise Sect Leader at his residence, and when he heard that Yan Tingshan was coughing up blood and had fainted, he was initially stunned, then immediately exchanged a glance with the Paradise Sect Leader, and they both burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, good, it seems that the Dragon and Tiger Yang Transformation Pill you gave me is truly extraordinary. In such a short time, Yan Tingshan has already been drained." Wei Tianlin said with a broad smile.
The Paradise Sect Leader was even more pleased, "This is all thanks to you, Patriarch Wei, otherwise this foolish emperor couldn’t have fallen so quickly."
"How long do you think he can hold on?" Wei Tianlin asked.
"It’s hard to say, but even if he’s in good health, after these days of nonsense, he’s utterly ruined, and now that he’s coughing up blood, I estimate at most half a month, as quickly as seven or eight days, he will surely perish."
"Good, once he dies, the court will be in chaos immediately. Yan Sifu will definitely fight for the throne, and when he and those Great Yan royals are locked in a deadly struggle, we will strike from within and without, and the great plan will be accomplished."
"At that time I will seize power, ascend the throne and proclaim myself emperor, and Sect Leader, you shall become the national teacher of a country, enjoying supreme honor."
The Paradise Sect Leader hesitated, "But what about the secret imperial army that has always been hidden?"
To ensure their imperial power, every generation of Great Yan emperors holds a private army.
This army is well-equipped, powerful, and hidden in the shadows, answering only to the Great Yan emperor.
This is also the force most feared by the many powerful families in Yan Capital City.
"According to Great Yan’s usual practice, after the old emperor’s death, the throne will temporarily remain vacant, and in such a situation, this private army can only stand down and wait for the new emperor to ascend."
"And Yan Tingshan has no heirs, which brings about a succession problem. To become emperor, Yan Sifu and others could fight each other bloody, so it won’t be resolved quickly. Even if this private army is strong, it’s just a sheathed sword at this time." Wei Tianlin chuckled.
The Paradise Sect Leader then turned worry into joy, "Then let’s anticipate the success of our great undertaking."
"It will certainly succeed, this Great Yan’s throne has been occupied for too long, it’s time for someone with the surname Wei to take it." Wei Tianlin said casually.
The second person to know the news was naturally Yan Sifu.
When he learned that Yan Tingshan was coughing up blood and had fainted, although he put on an appearance of heavyheartedness, inwardly he was overjoyed.
If anyone in the Great Yan most wished for Yan Tingshan’s death, it was none other than him.
Because based on royal bloodlines, Yan Sifu was closest to the throne.
As soon as Yan Tingshan died, he would have the hope of ascending the throne.
However, Yan Sifu also knew that smoothly ascending the throne was not an easy matter, not to mention the court officials, just the pressure from within the Great Yan royal family was not to be underestimated.
But he was prepared for this long ago, soon changed into regular clothes, then quietly slipped out from the back door in a small blue sedan.
He was on his way to visit those respected elders within the Great Yan royal family.
As long as he gained their consent, his plan would be halfway complete.
And just as he was busily preparing this in secret,
the court officials also learned the news.
Their reactions varied.
Some were regretful, some puzzled, others secretly sneered, thinking it was entirely Yan Tingshan’s own fault.
The Capital Prefecture.
Shang Jingchuan was among the last to know the news.
Despite holding both positions of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Capital Prefect,
due to having no foundation in the court, he appeared quite isolated and unsupported.
Knowing this, Shang Jingchuan rarely went to the Ministry’s office and stayed in the Capital Prefecture.
When he heard about Yan Tingshan coughing up blood and falling unconscious, his fate uncertain, Shang Jingchuan was immediately stunned.
To say he was incredibly loyal to Yan Tingshan was not the case at all.
His loyalty was only to the Great Yan court itself.
And now with the sudden misfortune befalling Yan Tingshan, along with the lack of heirs, it was sure to bring turmoil to the court.
Just as he was worrying, Shang Luoluo, dressed in gentleman’s clothing and in male attire, also hurried over upon hearing the news.
Since Zhao Ya left, she had been bored at home, so she changed her appearance and accompanied her father to the Capital Prefecture every day.
Don’t underestimate her, due to her intelligence and quick wit, she quickly became a great help to Shang Jingchuan, who would always consult her on matters.
After understanding what happened, Shang Luoluo frowned slightly, pondering silently.
"Luoluo, what do you think if I go to the palace to visit His Majesty now?" Shang Jingchuan asked.
Shang Luoluo shook her head, "No, there’s something fishy about this; it’s definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface."
"What do you mean?" Shang Jingchuan was puzzled and quickly asked.
"His Majesty is in his prime, and no hidden illnesses were ever heard of before. Now suddenly he’s vomiting blood and unconscious; I think there’s some undisclosable secret behind it." Shang Luoluo said solemnly.
Shang Jingchuan was shocked and even got goosebumps.
"You’re saying... you’re saying..."
He repeated this twice, not daring to finish the sentence.
Because it was too horrifying to say.
"That’s right, it must be intentionally done by someone, so going to the palace to visit now, not to mention whether you can see His Majesty, it could easily bring you trouble."
Shang Jingchuan was filled with fury, pacing back and forth in the room, his face alternating between green and white, muttering uncontrollably.
"Outrageous, truly outrageous, to go so far as to murder the emperor, who could be so boldly reckless?"
Actually, Shang Luoluo had her suspicions but did not say them aloud.
Seeing her father in such a rage, she couldn’t help but advise.
"Father, at this point, you shouldn’t go to the palace to visit. Instead, go to the Yun Family immediately, seek Elder Yun’s assistance, then mobilize the troops of the Capital Prefecture to suppress the area, maintaining the security of Yan Capital City to prevent those with ulterior motives from causing trouble."
These words awakened Shang Jingchuan from his stupor, and he immediately nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, good, I’ll go do that now."
Watching her father’s departing figure, Shang Luoluo stood silent for a moment, then said, "Mr. Mo, please stay close to protect my father during this time."
Mo Qi poked his head out from under the eaves, "Miss Luoluo, are you worried about your father’s safety?"
Shang Luoluo sighed, "Yes, since ancient times, the struggle for the throne has always been extremely brutal. One slight mistake and heads could roll. My father is too straightforward, and I’m afraid someone might take the opportunity to scheme against him."
"Alright, but Miss Luoluo, on your side..."
"I will write a letter to request protection from the Golden Saber Institute."
Zhao Ya had told Shang Luoluo before leaving that if she encountered danger, she should immediately seek help from the Golden Saber Institute.
At this moment, Shang Luoluo felt that it was time.
Moreover, in this turmoil, the Three Sects, Two Institutes, and One Manor were all likely to be swept into it, with no one spared.
......
Wanshou County.
The residence purchased by Song Linqing was quite spacious, enough to accommodate Zhao Ya and his entourage upon their arrival.
As dawn was just breaking, Zhao Ya had already risen and was practicing in the back garden.
The night before, after returning from the Weapon Workshop, Song Linqing had the kitchen prepare a full table of dishes, and then had a good drink with Zhao Ya, his sister Song Peiwan, Zui’Er, Tan Dong, and others.
Tan Dong drank himself into unconsciousness, Song Linqing fared a bit better but was still thoroughly drunk.
Zhao Ya, however, felt nothing throughout and was able to wake up early for practice the next morning.
Although Zhao Ya was finding it increasingly hard to progress in his martial arts practice, he never slacked off for a single day.
Like the saying goes, "water drops can pierce stone, kung fu is developed little by little."
After finishing his practice, Zhao Ya stood in the pavilion, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his Qi and blood and practice the Star-Devouring True Power Technique.
After two days of nurturing, the starlight in Zhao Ya’s dantian had become somewhat brighter.
Although still faint, it was no longer as if it might extinguish at any moment.
This rate of progress made Zhao Ya very excited.
If he continued at this pace, it wouldn’t be long before he could solidify the Foundation of True Power and then begin opening the meridians.
If others knew about this, they’d probably be shocked.
After all, Zhao Ya had not long advanced through the Fifth Realm, and yet he was already beginning to challenge the next realm.
Imagine, reaching the Meridian Opening Realm at just twenty or twenty-one, how terrifying that would be.
Even beyond in the lands Beyond the World, he’d be an exceptional existence.
As Zhao Ya was slowly nurturing the True Power Seed in his dantian, a subtle sound of footsteps interrupted his meditation.
Zhao Ya looked up and saw Song Peiwan, hand in hand with Zui’Er, entering the back garden with a sword in hand.
"What are you up to...?"
"Practicing, can’t you see?" Song Peiwan shook the sword in her hand, smiling.
"What suddenly inspired you to practice?" Zhao Ya chuckled.
"Look at you saying that. If you can wake up early to practice, why can’t we? Don’t forget, I have martial arts skills too."
With that, Song Peiwan casually twirled the sword, her movements quite pleasing to the eye.
"Good swordsmanship!" Zhao Ya praised.
Unexpectedly, Song Peiwan took it seriously, leaping to an open space and starting to practice her swordsmanship earnestly.
Honestly, though her swordplay was visually pleasing, to Zhao Ya it seemed like a child’s play, without any merit whatsoever.
Of course, Zhao Ya would never say such things out loud.
He could only watch with a smile, applauding and cheering occasionally.
Just as the practice was getting lively, someone suddenly came forward to report.
"Second Miss, someone from the clan has arrived."
"Oh? Who has come?" Song Peiwan paused her practice, asking curiously.
"It’s the wife of Fourth Uncle Song Yuanrui. She said she was passing by the front gate, learned you were here, and came to take a look."
Song Peiwan instinctively felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
Moreover, she was a senior from the family, so Song Peiwan said, "Was my brother informed?"
"He was, but the patriarch drank too much last night and is still groggily asleep."
"Alright, I’ll go take a look then," Song Peiwan said.
The conversation between Song Peiwan and the servant was heard clearly by Zhao Ya, but he paid it no mind at first.
After all, this was family business and had nothing to do with him.
However, when he heard that the wife of Song Yuanrui was passing by and decided to drop by, he couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart.
It was only seven or eight in the morning; some people who were late risers hadn’t even gotten up yet.
How was this so-called ’Fourth Aunt’ so leisurely, passing by so early in the morning?
But on the outside, Zhao Ya showed no sign of this, until Song Peiwan followed the servant away, and then he said to Zui’Er,
"Come, let’s go see what’s happening."
When Song Peiwan arrived at the front hall, this ’Fourth Aunt’ from the clan was sitting in a chair sipping tea.
Though called Fourth Aunt, she was actually old enough to be Song Peiwan’s grandmother.
Despite maintaining herself well, her corpulent body and bloated features made her appear quite unrefined.
Behind her stood a rather unremarkable man.
He wore a brand-new set of clothes, his sparse hair was neatly combed, but his swarthy skin and ordinary looks rendered all his efforts futile.
Song Peiwan didn’t think much of it.
But from a distance, Zhao Ya, upon seeing this man, his eyes narrowed.
Because he sensed a faint familiar aura from this man.