chsdbacks Chapter 308 The Emperor's Sword Enters the Eastern Palace
Chapter 308 The Emperor's Sword Enters the Eastern Palace
Chapter 308 The Emperor's Sword Enters the Eastern Palace
After expressing his loyalty, Eunuch Wei respectfully withdrew.
He knew in his heart that the first thing he had to do to help Li Xijun enter the Eastern Palace was to prove his loyalty, and he had to do it perfectly and gloriously, without allowing any mistakes.
Upon returning to the Eastern Depot, he immediately and swiftly issued a series of orders, mobilizing the depot's guards and beginning to send out clear signals, both overt and covert, that he was siding with "Prince" Li Xijun.
In fact, for many discerning people in the capital, this was not an unexpected move.
In such ancient dynasties, the four words "legitimate and justified" carried immense weight.
As long as Li Xijun, this "prince," demonstrates sufficient strength and potential, and is willing to accept him, it would be logical, and even the best, choice for eunuchs like Wei Gonggong, who are dependent on imperial power, to surrender immediately.
However, Wei Gonggong's series of undisguised actions, in the turbulent capital, were like a ladle of cold water poured into a boiling oil pan, instantly provoking a violent reaction.
Countless eyes are focused on this situation, and all parties are reassessing the situation and adjusting their strategies.
The already complex waterways of the capital were completely stirred up, forming a fierce and dangerous whirlpool.
Meanwhile, Madam Mu returned from the palace and went straight to the reception room where Li Xijun and Mu Wanqiu were.
"Mother, how is it?" Mu Wanqiu asked immediately when she saw her mother return.
Madam Mu took her seat with elegance, and Li Xijun personally poured her a cup of hot tea.
She took the teacup, took a small sip, and then slowly said, "I met her in the palace. Her Majesty the Empress did indeed show goodwill, praising hope Jun highly and believing that appointing you as the Crown Prince would be the best choice to stabilize the court."
Li Xijun listened quietly, waiting for what was to come.
Madam Mu paused, her brows furrowing slightly, and continued, "However, the meeting originally scheduled for this afternoon has been rescheduled to tomorrow by a last-minute message from the Empress."
"Rescheduled?" Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqiu raised her eyebrows slightly, revealing a hint of confusion. "Why the sudden rescheduling? Could there be some unforeseen event?"
Li Xijun's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment's thought, she calmly said, "It's alright, we can just wait and see. What's meant to happen will happen."
Madam Mu nodded and said, "Eunuch Wei's actions are quite significant. Many people in the capital have been alarmed, and the atmosphere is very oppressive."
As the head of the Mu family, she was extremely perceptive of the political climate in the capital.
Mu Wanqiu also sensed the invisible pressure and replied, "Yes, it feels like a storm is brewing."
Just then, Madam Mu suddenly changed the subject, her gaze sweeping over her daughter and Li Xijun, her tone carrying an undeniable air:
"That's precisely why the situation is so unpredictable. It's hard to guarantee that someone won't resort to desperate measures. Wanqiu, from this moment on, you must protect Xijun closely, never leaving his side. Tonight—the same applies."
When Li Xijun heard "It's the same tonight," she instinctively wanted to politely decline.
He knew that Mu Wanqiu, the Vermilion Bird Venerable, was charming on the outside but cold and arrogant on the inside. Although she liked to tease him with words in the Star Palace, the two of them always maintained a clear boundary and there was almost no physical contact between them.
He assumed that Mu Wanqiu would definitely object.
However, to his surprise, Mu Wanqiu did not immediately refute or show displeasure as usual. She simply paused slightly in her teacup, then lowered her head, her gaze falling on the rippling tea, and softly hummed in response.
Seeing this, Li Xijun swallowed back the words that were about to come out.
That night, Mu Wanqiu indeed stayed in Li Xijun's room as promised.
However, under the current circumstances, there are naturally no scandalous stories to tell.
Inside the room, although the two were indeed lying side by side on the same bed, they were both sitting cross-legged, concentrating on their cultivation to prepare for the storm that might come tomorrow.
The only sounds in the room were long, drawn-out breathing and a faint glow of flowing spiritual energy; the atmosphere was tranquil yet subtly enigmatic.
The next day.
For an entire day, the capital was shrouded in an eerie calm and oppression.
From day to night, as the sky darkened, even the servants of the Mu family, as well as well-informed wealthy merchants and ordinary people outside, couldn't help but start discussing and speculating about when "Prince" Li Xijun would officially step into the palace.
As night fell and the lanterns were lit, a grand procession of extremely high rank and imposing ceremonial guards, under the watchful eyes of countless people, marched from the direction of the palace and finally stopped in front of the Mu residence.
However, when the curtain of the magnificent phoenix palanquin, symbolizing the empress's status, was lifted, the one who stepped out was not the empress in her phoenix coronet and embroidered robes that everyone had expected.
She was a young girl wearing a pale yellow dress and carrying a sword.
She was tall and slender, with a cool and aloof face and sharp, sword-like eyes. She was like an ancient sword drawn from its sheath, exuding an aloof and fierce aura that kept strangers at bay. She was like a silent, solitary lotus in a snowy mountain, or a peerless swordsman ready to devour anyone at any moment.
Ignoring the astonished looks around her and bypassing the guidance of the Mu family steward, she went straight to the backyard reception room where Li Xijun was.
Almost before Li Xijun and the others could speak, she spoke directly, her voice clear and cold, her words fast and firm, as crisp and decisive as a sword strike:
"Today, I come on behalf of Her Majesty the Empress and others."
Her gaze was like a sword, piercing straight at Li Xijun:
"There's no need for further words. According to Your Majesty, your ability to subdue Wei Jinzhong already proves many things."
She got straight to the point, her attitude was extremely assertive.
Seeing her attitude, Mu Wanqiu was displeased and secretly released a wisp of her spirit, like an invisible tentacle, to test her strength.
However, the moment that wisp of spiritual perception approached the woman in the pale yellow dress, it was as if it had crashed into an invisible wall of swords, and was instantly severed by a sharper and purer will.
Mu Wanqiu was startled, and her gaze toward the woman immediately became solemn. This woman's primordial spirit and sword intent were so terrifying!
But the woman in the pale yellow dress seemed to have merely brushed away a speck of dust, not even glancing at Mu Wanqiu. Her gaze remained fixed on Li Xijun as she asked directly, her voice like the ringing of a sword:
"Now, I have come...with only one question to ask Your Highness."
"There are two swords," which one would you like to choose?
Li Xijun asked curiously, "Which two?"
The woman's expression was solemn, and a faint sword intent rose from her body as she spoke:
"A sword, its edge sharpened by imposing momentum, its guard made of metal, its spine by courage, its hilt by unwavering resolve, and its very being its frame. It can sever necks and cleave livers; in a fit of rage, blood will splatter five paces away, and within arm's reach, enemies will be everywhere! To exact swift revenge and roam the world freely—this is the swordsman's sword!"
She paused, her sword intent intensifying as if to pierce the heavens:
"The other sword, with the sharpest warrior as its edge, the most upright official as its guard, the most virtuous and wise as its spine, the most loyal and holy as its hilt, and the most heroic as its clasps! It is unparalleled in its straightness, unsurpassed in its height, unsurpassed in its depth, and unhindered in its movement! It embodies the roundness of heaven above, in accordance with the three luminaries; it embodies the squareness of earth below, in accordance with the four seasons; it harmonizes the will of the people, in order to bring peace to the four corners of the land! When this sword is used, it is like the thunder's roar; within the four borders, all submit and obey the ruler's commands! This is the sword of the monarch!"
Her gaze was intense, fixed intently on Li Xijun:
"Your Highness, have you decided which one you wish to choose?"
As she spoke, a vast and boundless sword intent, seemingly containing the righteous energy of heaven and earth and supreme authority, spread out, causing Madam Mu and Mu Wanqiu beside her to feel a stinging sensation on their skin. Instantly, they realized that the other party was a Dharma Aspect Grandmaster with extremely strong sword cultivation.
However, Li Xijun, who had cultivated the "Heavenly Cycle of Life and Death Sword Chapter" and whose sword intent had already surpassed the ordinary realm and touched the essence of reincarnation and death, remained unmoved by this sword intent.
Not only was he unaffected, but with a thought, an even deeper, more domineering, and terrifying sword intent that seemed capable of severing reincarnation and reversing life and death erupted from his body.
This sword intent was not confrontational, but rather like an invisible wheel that, with a gentle turn, encompassed and dissolved the magnificent sword intent of the "Monarch's Sword" into nothingness!
Why choose?
Li Xijun's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness: "These two hands of mine will naturally grasp both swords together!"
Seeing that Li Xijun not only easily broke through her sword intent pressure, but also released such a terrifying sword intent that was astonishing and pointed directly to the cycle of life and death, the woman in the pale yellow dress finally showed obvious changes and emotions on her usually calm face for the first time.
She carefully sensed the unique rhythm of the "Heavenly Cycle of Life and Death Sword Chapter," and after recalling something, her eyes flashed with astonishing brilliance as she exclaimed in amazement:
"The Yin-Yang Reincarnation Sword—you actually managed to comprehend the 'Heavenly Reincarnation of Life and Death Sword Chapter' from it? I never imagined there truly were people in this world with such extraordinary talent!"
She took a deep breath, her gaze towards Li Xijun now completely different, filled with a hint of expectation: "Very well, with your extraordinary talent, perhaps—you truly can wield these twin swords, unlike the previous emperor."
She said no more, stepped aside to make way, and spoke with a clear, resonant voice, her hand resting on her sword:
"In that case, Your Highness, please depart!"
"The capital is in turmoil and under the spotlight. There must be danger ahead, and the road ahead is fraught with peril."
"However, to wield these two swords, one must cut through countless obstacles and use their sharpness to pave the way forward!"
After speaking, she took the lead and drew her sword, her posture resolute, as if she had already cut the first thorn in front of Li Xijun.
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