Chapter 825
The Northern Cang King Appears!
The Imperial Palace.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Emperor Changning's gaze slowly swept over the Shouyang ginseng that Ji Mingyuan had handed over.
He then stretched out his hands, his thin arms trembling slightly, clearly showing that he had no strength left in his hands.
But the outstretched hand remained steady.
He took the thousand-year-old Shouyang ginseng from Ji Mingyuan, took a bite, and chewed it slowly.
Then, a touch of color returned to Emperor Changning's face, and his expression improved considerably.
He looked at Jiang Ning, then at Ji Mingyue, and finally at Ji Mingyuan.
"Yuan'er, go outside and stand guard. No one is allowed to enter without my decree."
Ji Mingyuan paused for a moment, glanced at Jiang Ning and Emperor Changning, and then nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Father!"
After speaking, he glanced at Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue again, turned around and left the inner room, gently closing the door behind him.
"Seventeenth Prince, where is Hai Dahe?" Emperor Changning asked.
"I don't know!" Ji Mingyue shook her head: "I just returned to the city with the Marquis of Dongling today. We came all the way from the palace to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but we didn't see Chief Steward Hai. The one guarding outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation was Chief Steward Fu. Chief Steward Fu tried to stop the Marquis of Dongling and me from coming in to visit my father."
Emperor Changning nodded and continued to slowly chew the Shouyang ginseng in his mouth. His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and then an abnormal flush appeared on his ashen face, and his eyes became a little clearer.
"Hai Dahe is not here, so Fu Dayu is guarding the gate, hehe—" Emperor Changning chuckled twice.
"Lord Dongling, how long can I maintain this condition?" he asked Jiang Ning again.
“About a day and a night,” Jiang Ning said.
"One day and night?" Emperor Changning murmured, "Not bad, it's like getting it for free."
He then looked at Ji Mingyue.
"Little Seventeen, you really shouldn't have come back."
"Father, this is my last chance to see you. I don't want to have any regrets for the rest of my life," Ji Mingyue said earnestly.
"You've got a good heart!" Emperor Changning sighed, a hint of relief on his face, then a wry smile as he looked outside. "It's better to have daughters. When you have sons, all you think about at this point is fighting for power. Is this throne really that addictive?"
As he spoke, he slowly straightened his back.
Upon seeing this, Ji Mingyue stepped forward, intending to help him up.
"No need!" Emperor Changning slowly shook his head at Ji Mingyue, his gaze firm.
Sensing Emperor Changning's attitude, Ji Mingyue immediately stopped in her tracks.
Emperor Changning immediately smiled with satisfaction and gradually adjusted his posture, straightening his back.
"Lord Dongling, do you think what I just said is correct?"
Jiang Ning smiled but didn't say anything more, nor did he respond to Emperor Changning's words.
The so-called sentiments were only expressed by Emperor Changning, who had received them.
If he hadn't reached this position, and had only fathered daughters, he would have gone mad long ago.
Through these days of interaction, he had come to a general understanding of what kind of person Emperor Changning was.
"Lord Dongling, who do you think is most qualified and capable to take my place after I pass away?"
Seeing that Jiang Ning was unwilling to answer the previous question, Emperor Changning asked again.
"This is His Majesty's family background. His Majesty has his own plan regarding who is suitable and who is not."
Emperor Changning sat upright and slowly shook his head.
"If I had the best candidate in mind, I would have already established the position of heir apparent."
"Father!" Just then, Ji Mingyue couldn't help but speak up: "Father, the position of Crown Prince is currently uncertain, which will inevitably lead to brothers killing each other and staining the palace with blood."
“I know!” Emperor Changning nodded, then said with a firm gaze, “They were born into the royal family, that is their destiny! Now that the Great Xia is in turmoil, I cannot choose who is suitable to inherit this position. Since that is the case, let them fight and kill, let the fittest survive, and the one who ultimately wins will surely be capable.”
As he spoke, Emperor Changning looked out the window.
Patches of sunlight streamed into the room through the window lattice.
"This vast empire is terminally ill. Entrusting it to a mediocre person would only hasten its collapse."
He took another deep breath, as if to suppress the pain in his body: "During my years on the throne, I have been diligent and conscientious, and have never been negligent, but the general trend is hard to defy and the mandate of heaven is hard to reverse."
"The Yellow Heaven Sect wreaked havoc, sects and aristocratic families carved up the regions, and factional strife raged in the imperial court."
"All of this requires a strong and clear-headed successor to put things in order."
at this time.
Hearing Emperor Changning's words, Ji Mingyue's lips trembled slightly.
"Father, what you're doing is too cruel!"
Emperor Changning said calmly, "This is their fate! Sitting in this position, they are destined to be lonely and deprived of family affection."
Then, Emperor Changning's gaze fell on Jiang Ning, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
"Lord Dongling, you used a secret method to extend my life today, and I am grateful for your kindness. Just tell me what you need, and I will do my best to satisfy you."
“I need a treasure that can help me cultivate,” Jiang Ning said.
"Alright, I'll make the arrangements later." Emperor Changning nodded, reached out and took out a dark gold token from under his pillow. The token was engraved with a coiled dragon pattern, and the back had an ancient "Ji" character.
"This is the Dragon Soaring Token. Seeing this token is like seeing me in person. With this token, you can mobilize 30% of the Imperial Guards in the palace and a hundred-man Shadow Guard squad of the royal family." Emperor Changning handed the token to Jiang Ning: "I am giving you the Dragon Soaring Token not so that you can get involved in the struggle for the crown prince, but so that you can protect Little Seventeen for me."
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyue's eyes reddened: "Father, Marquis Dongling is already cursed, he can no longer participate in the fighting and killing."
Emperor Changning raised his hand to stop her: "I understand."
He then looked at Jiang Ning and said, "Lord Dongling, I hope you can agree to this. Normally, protecting Little Seventeen doesn't require your help."
Just then.
Jiang Ning suddenly turned his head to look to one side.
A dark shadow appeared in the room, then coalesced into a human figure.
The newcomer was dressed in black, wielding a dark black longsword. His face was covered by a dark black metal mask, which concealed his entire face except for his jet-black eyes.
The visitor bowed to Emperor Changning, then stood aside without saying a word.
"Lu Jiu, go and deal with Fu Dayu!" Emperor Changning said.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiu, whose entire body was shrouded in black, took a step out and entered the shadows of the room, then disappeared.
"These are the Shadow Guards, the personal guards of my current position. With the Dragon Order just now, you can mobilize 30% of the Shadow Guards, and Lu Jiu will obey your orders."
Emperor Changning noticed Jiang Ning's confusion and explained to him.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning nodded.
He had already heard of the secret guards and shadow guards.
These are the two most mysterious teams in the royal family, and they only obey the person on the throne.
And he can mobilize a portion of it using the Dragon Soaring Token in his hand.
next moment.
He then heard a noise outside. A moment later.
The shadow guard who had just left reappeared in front of them. He bowed to Emperor Changning and then stood aside silently.
"Go and fetch Hai Dahe, and have him bring three Saint King Pills with him," Emperor Changning added.
"Yes!" The shadow guard bowed to Emperor Changning and then turned to leave.
"Lord Dongling, how about we wait a moment?" Emperor Changning looked at Jiang Ning again, and then continued, "The three Saint King Pills are your reward for waking me up today."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jiang Ning cupped his hands, feeling somewhat pleased.
He also knew something about Saint King Dan.
This item is not circulated outside the royal family; it is a unique product of the royal family. It is a elixir refined by a group of alchemists trained by the royal family over many years using an ancient secret formula.
The Saint King Pill, once taken, will transform a person completely, increasing their essence, energy, and spirit. The person will briefly enter a state called transcendence and sainthood, with the opportunity to enter a state of enlightenment and progress rapidly.
"Can you still use that method again?" Emperor Changning glanced at Jiang Ning and asked.
Jiang Ning shook his head.
“This method is intended to stimulate the body’s vitality, but His Majesty’s body is already on its last legs. Forcing it would be like draining the pond to catch all the fish. If we force it further, His Majesty’s remaining energy will be exhausted instantly, and there is a risk of him dying on the spot,” Jiang Ning replied calmly and truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Changning showed no disappointment, but rather a hint of relief.
He slowly leaned back against the soft pillow, his gaze falling on the regular, flat sky outside the window, cut off by the palace walls: "One day and night is enough. It's like getting it for free. At least I can see Little Seventeen a few more times."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on Ji Mingyue.
"Father." Ji Mingyue's lips trembled slightly, her expression sorrowful.
Just then, a slight noise came from outside.
next moment.
Ji Mingyuan appeared in a hurry.
"Father!" He immediately bowed to Emperor Changning on the dragon bed.
Emperor Changning's expression darkened: "What happened outside?"
"Father, the King of Beicang has come to see you!" Ji Mingyuan lowered his head even further.
He understood the meaning of the words "King of the Northern Cang" at that moment.
at the same time.
Emperor Changning's face immediately darkened, and the atmosphere in the room instantly froze.
Tread-
Two footsteps broke the silence of the room.
Then, a tall figure slowly stepped in.
The newcomer was about fifty years old, dressed in a black dragon robe with a jade belt around his waist. He had a square face, and his eyes were sharp and restrained, exuding the majesty of someone who had long held a high position.
This man is none other than the King of Northern Cang, who was enfeoffed as a king by force, and whose most famous force is the 100,000-strong Heavenly Hero Army.
He guarded the northern barrier and resisted the northern barbarians. He was ranked alongside the King of Zhenbei as one of the two kings of the north, a true veteran king.
As the King of Northern Cang stepped into the room, his gaze first swept across Emperor Changning's face, and then over Jiang Ning, Ji Mingyue, and the others.
Although he emanated no aura, he instantly silenced the room.
Behind the King of Northern Cang was a handsome man.
The man entered the room and his gaze immediately fell on Ji Mingyue, before turning to Jiang Ning.
at the same time.
The King of Northern Cang's gaze fell upon Emperor Changning, who was on the dragon bed.
"When I heard that His Majesty was seriously ill and in a coma in the north, I rushed to the capital day and night. Just now, the Fifth Prince even tried to stop me from seeing His Majesty outside the gate, saying that His Majesty needed to rest. Now it seems that the Fifth Prince is clearly putting His Majesty under house arrest and not allowing outsiders to visit him."
As they spoke, the King of Northern Cang's gaze fell on Ji Mingyuan, who was standing to the side.
Ji Mingyuan immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
"King of Beicang, you've gone too far!" Emperor Changning's voice was firm and resounding.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was worried about Your Majesty's safety!" King Beicang bowed.
Then he smiled and said, "Judging from the current situation, His Majesty is still in good health and is not seriously ill and in a coma as rumored outside."
"What an arrogant attitude!" Jiang Ning thought to himself as he looked at the Northern Cang King.
On his very first visit to the palace, a series of unexpected events allowed him to witness the turbulent waves involving imperial power.
"King of Beicang, you need not worry about my health. The safety of the North is more important than my health right now," said Emperor Changning.
“Your Majesty’s meaning is clear to me. Before coming to the capital, I had already spoken with the Prince of Zhenbei. Now that he is in charge of the northern barrier, there is no need to worry for the time being! Compared to the north, Your Majesty’s health is a more important matter right now!” The Prince of Beicang spoke, taking a step forward: “If Your Majesty does not mind, I can examine Your Majesty’s body. I have reached the pinnacle of the human realm. Even if I cannot help Your Majesty resolve the curse of the immortals, I can still help Your Majesty improve your health.”
"No need!" Emperor Changning waved his hand: "I know my own body! Now that the northern barbarians are frequently causing trouble, what the King of Beicang should do is return to the north and guard the northern barrier."
“Your Majesty is worried about the North, I know. However, Your Majesty needs people by your side right now, otherwise if something like today happens again, it will shake the foundation of the Great Xia Kingdom. I am now planning to rest in the capital for ten days to half a month. It has been a long time since I have visited the capital. If Your Majesty needs anything, you can send someone to find me,” said the King of Beicang.
His gaze then swept over Su Qingying.
"I hope the Imperial Advisor has been well these days!"
"And who is this?" He then looked at Jiang Ning.
“Father, this is the Marquis of Dongling!” the man behind the King of Beicang reminded him.
"So it's the recently famous Marquis of Dongling." King Beicang smiled faintly and said no more.
Just then.
Footsteps could be heard outside again.
next moment.
A middle-aged man with a prosperous appearance and a round face appeared before the crowd.
"This old servant greets Your Majesty!" Upon seeing Emperor Changning, the portly man's eyes immediately reddened: "This old servant has brought the things."
Emperor Changning looked at the wooden box in Chief Steward Hai's hand and nodded.
"What has General Hai brought?" King Bei Cang's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked at the wooden box in General Hai's hand.
"Greetings, King of the Northern Cang!" Chief Steward Hai said, then continued, "I cannot disclose the details of this matter."
The King of Northern Cang smiled faintly, then looked at Emperor Changning.
"Your Majesty, the matter of the Crown Prince should be decided as soon as possible, lest unscrupulous people take the opportunity to cause trouble."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Jiang Ning, then over Su Qingying, before he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Emperor Changning: "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now! I will remain in the capital for some time, at Your Majesty's command."
Leaving these words behind, before Emperor Changning could speak, the King of Beicang walked outside.
Seeing this, the man behind the Northern Cang King followed in his footsteps.
As he walked out, he glanced at Ji Mingyue and Jiang Ning one last time before disappearing from sight.
The room fell silent immediately.
Only the clear breathing of Emperor Changning could be heard. (End of Chapter)