Chapter 101: Ganwu Hall

Li Qingqiu was indeed very interested in Li Yang’s Dragon Soul. He asked Li Yang to demonstrate it and found that the Dragon Soul could enhance Li Yang’s physical strength and Origin Qi, providing at least a threefold boost in combat effectiveness.

As Li Yang’s cultivation continued to improve, the power of the Dragon Soul would also strengthen, giving him unlimited potential.

After much consideration, Li Qingqiu decided to teach the Heavenly Thunder Steps to Li Yang.

The Heavenly Thunder Steps is balanced in both offense and defense, offering infinite practical uses in combat. Even if Li Yang’s lightning Aptitude was not strong enough, simply mastering it would still enhance his strength.

Half an hour later.

Li Yang left feeling completely satisfied.

Li Qingqiu then waved at Chai Yunshang. Chai Yunshang walked over, her expression complicated.

She had just witnessed Li Yang’s Cultivation session and had to admit that her Aptitude was far inferior to his.

She suddenly felt that seeking the Sect Leader for practice might be wasting the Sect Leader’s time, and delaying the Qingxiao Sect.

The Sect Leader’s time was precious, and the Qingxiao Sect had many Geniuses; she shouldn’t allow herself to waste such resources.

Just as she was about to speak, Li Qingqiu said, “Your potential is far more than this. I can see that your natural talent has not truly undergone Awakening. Given time, you might become the strongest person in the School.”

As soon as he said this, Chai Yunshang’s eyes widened, and a huge surge of power instantly swelled in her heart.

Her sense of loss was swept away, replaced by excitement.

She trusted Li Qingqiu’s judgment. Everyone in the Sect knew that the Sect Leader could see through people’s hidden Natural Talent, and several Disciples he had unearthed had gone on to achieve great things.

Afterward, Li Qingqiu continued teaching her the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle… The setting sun hung on the horizon, and the Zhengyang Imperial City in the cold winter possessed a unique Concept.

Inside the Crown Prince’s Residence.

Crown Prince Yan Lan stood before a portrait. The portrait depicted Emperor Gaozu of the Great Li Dynasty, dressed in Dragon Robes, holding a precious sword, and followed by the founding civil and military officials.

At this moment, figures wearing Official Robes stood behind Yan Lan. They were all high-ranking officials of the Imperial Court. Standing at the very front were two elders; although they were frail with age, their brows still exuded the strong oppressive aura of high-status individuals, and the brown spots on their faces only added to their dignity.

“Your Highness, what are you still waiting for? Now, besides the Imperial Palace, the other Government Offices within the Zhengyang Imperial City are under our control. We only need your command, and we will follow you into the Palace to meet His Majesty!”

A middle-aged man with a dignified face spoke up. As soon as he spoke, the other officials echoed his sentiments.

“We cannot delay any longer. If we drag this out, we fear complications.”

“Your Majesty is obsessed with evil techniques and neglects Governance. We can afford to wait, but the common people cannot, nor can the soldiers on the Frontier!”

“That’s right. The Northern Barbarians are eyeing us covetously, and the Southern Foreign Tribes frequently descend from the mountains. The Great Li Dynasty seems powerful and unshakable, but in the eyes of the foreign tribes, we are already a piece of fat meat waiting to be carved up.”

“For the sake of the Nation and Dynasty, Your Highness must not remain indecisive!”

The officials inside the room grew more agitated the more they spoke. More than a month had passed since they decided to launch the Uprising, yet Yan Lan was still unwilling to act, which they found absurd.

Today, even if Yan Lan refused to Rebel, they would not agree to stop.

Yan Lan slowly turned around. The twilight glow shone into the room, and he happened to be standing in the shadows, his expression hidden.

“Pass down the order: mobilize the army. Attack the main gate of the Imperial Palace at the Hour of Xu (7-9 PM), and head straight for Ganwu Hall!”

Yan Lan’s voice rang out, his tone icy.

As soon as he spoke, all the officials showed expressions of wild joy and quickly accepted the order.

Yan Lan then stepped out from the shadows, his face cold, his eyes revealing resolute Killing Intent.

All the officials followed closely, stepping out of the threshold together. Snowflakes swirled up, like a calm water surface being exploded.

The setting sun gradually disappeared behind the western City Wall, and the Zhengyang Imperial City plunged into darkness.

Cavalry clad in Armor galloped through the streets, quickly heading toward the Imperial Palace. Along the way, common people and merchants tightly shut their doors and windows, knowing that the fate of the Great Li Dynasty was about to change.

When the morning sun first rose, the Great Li Dynasty would usher in a massive upheaval.

Boom—

The Imperial Palace gate was blasted open, and cavalry holding Long Spears poured in like migrating fish. The sound of hooves hitting the ground shattered the peace inside the Imperial Palace.

Figures dressed in white appeared on the Inner City Wall ahead. Each had a Horizontal Saber hanging from their waist, and they wore Silver Masks. Seeing the cavalry charge in, they all drew their swords.

“Impudence! Forcing entry into the Imperial Palace is a capital offense! If you persist in your delusion, your entire nine generations will be executed!”

One of the figures in white shouted loudly, his voice like a thunderclap echoing across the night sky of the Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, the cavalry did not stop at all and continued their charge.

Seeing this, all the figures in white on the Inner City Wall leaped up, descending like White Cranes and sweeping forward like a white tide.

Hundreds of cavalry quickly clashed with these white-clad figures, and the sounds of colliding weapons quickly plunged the Imperial Palace into chaos.

Yan Lan walked out from beneath the Imperial Palace gate. He had changed into a Purple Brocade Robe, with a Precious Sword hanging from his waist. Soldiers clad in Golden Armor hurried past on both sides of him, each holding a torch. Following behind Yan Lan were the officials.

“Li Si!”

Yan Lan spoke as he advanced.

“Present!”

An official behind him immediately responded, his voice resounding clearly.

“Have your men advance through the Left Imperial Forest Path, and allow no one to escape the Imperial Palace!”

“Your Subordinate Official accepts the order!”

“Luo Yujiang!”

“Present!”

“Have your City Guard advance through the Right Imperial Forest Path, inspect every Palace Courtyard, and find the imprisoned children and Martial Forest prisoners!”

“Your Subordinate Official accepts the order!”

Yan Lan strode forward powerfully, issuing orders continuously. Behind him, a steady stream of people poured into the Imperial Palace, their footsteps growing louder.

Soon, he reached the chaotic long street of the Imperial Palace. He ignored the surrounding fighting; even when blood splattered onto him or a severed hand fell by his feet, his gaze remained unchanged.

Just as he passed through the inner city palace gate, a figure descended from the sky, holding a Long Sword, intending to decapitate him.

A sword light flashed, and another figure charged out from behind Yan Lan, striking upward. The Sword Qi soared, sending the attacker flying, and even carving a shocking crack into the Inner City Wall.

Heaven Protection Guards appeared behind him. They wore Dark Brocade Robes, carried swords in their hands, and had Horizontal Sabers hanging from their waists. They quickly rushed to both sides, slaying the enemies ahead for Yan Lan.

Yan Lan’s gaze looked toward the incomparably majestic palace in the distance—the highest palace within the Imperial Palace grounds, where officials met His Majesty.

Ganwu Hall!

Under the cover of night, snowflakes fell. Ganwu Hall, in the darkness, seemed like a terrifying Demon entrenched there, utterly oppressive.

Imperial Guards and mysterious experts constantly attacked, but no one could get close to Yan Lan. Hundreds of Heaven Protection Guards guarded him, escorting his advance.

Jia Yi was among them. At this moment, his face was grim, and his heart was filled with regret.

“This operation must succeed, or the consequences will be unimaginable…”

Jia Yi thought this through gritted teeth, quickly swung his saber, and killed a Eunuch.

Yan Lan’s pace was not fast, but not slow either. Every step was powerful, unlike his usual sickly appearance. However, after walking nearly a li, he couldn’t help but cough.

Despite coughing, he did not stop walking, and the officials behind him did not show concern for his health, closely following his steps.

Passing through various Palace Gates, their vision suddenly broadened. Ahead was a huge square, with a Long White Stone Staircase standing upon it. At the top of the staircase was Ganwu Hall.

Nine figures stood in front of Ganwu Hall, all dressed in black, wearing Ghost Masks, and wielding different weapons.

Jia Yi recognized the identity of those nine people, causing his expression to change drastically.

Jin Wu Guards!

“Kill!”

A rank a Heaven Protection Guard shouted in a deep voice, then quickly charged forward. The other Heaven Protection Guards did the same, rushing up the Long White Stone Staircase like a shower of arrows.

In the distance.

On the rooftop eaves of a tall building in the city, two figures in black stood side by side. They wore bamboo hats and Black Scarves over their faces, revealing only their eyes. Judging by their figures, they were clearly one male and one female.

The man held a precious sword, and so did the woman, except she had a Stick-like Object wrapped in black cloth on her back.

They were Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning.

Following their gaze, the Imperial Palace in the distance was already ablaze with firelight, and the streets surrounding the Palace were completely blocked by soldiers.

“The scale of the operation is truly massive. It seems the Crown Prince will win.”

Xu Ning said, her voice calm.

Jiang Zhaoxia replied, “The Crown Prince has blockaded the Imperial Palace for a month. The Emperor has been slow to counterattack. He is either suffering from Qi Deviation or planning something. We had better enter the Imperial Palace to take a look.”

Xu Ning nodded. It had been a long time since she had taken a mission from her Master, and this one must be completed.

The two leaped down, disappearing into the vast darkness of the night… Boom—

The gate of Ganwu Hall was smashed open. A Jin Wu Guard flew in from outside, tumbling in mid-air. When he landed, he thrust his sword into the ground, but still slid backward two zhang.

Heaven Protection Guards rushed in one by one, followed closely by Yan Lan. The bright moon hung high above his head, stretching his shadow into the hall.

The Jin Wu Guard got up again, panting heavily, his hand gripping the Broadsword trembling.

Yan Lan ignored the Jin Wu Guard and looked toward the darkness behind him. In the darkness, a figure sat on the Dragon Throne, their body slightly rising and falling.

“Imperial Father, your son has come to take your Throne and help you become the first Retired Emperor since the founding of the Dynasty!”

Yan Lan spoke, his tone indifferent, yet strong.

He stopped walking. Dozens of Heaven Protection Guards lined up in front, forming three rows. Behind him were a group of officials and the Retainers and Guards they brought with them.

A faint gasp emerged from the darkness, like an Evil Dragon Awakening.

“Very good. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. The current you is very much like the me of yesteryear. Back then, I also broke into Ganwu Hall just like you, forcing my Imperial Brother to abdicate.”

A hoarse voice came from the darkness.

Hearing these words, Yan Lan frowned. That piece of history, in his view, was a disgrace. Fratricide would surely be a stain on the Zhao family’s record in future historical texts.

“At that time, Imperial Brother advised Me to turn over a new leaf, but he had actually set up numerous ambushes inside this hall.”

The Emperor’s voice rang out again. Immediately afterward, Jin Wu Guards walked out from the darkness on both sides of the main hall.

Mysterious Duke even appeared on the steps in front of the Dragon Throne. His eyes flashed with cold light in the darkness.

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Third update!