Chapter 826
The One-Word King Stands Shoulder to Shoulder, Emerging from Seclusion!
The Hall of Mental Cultivation.
indoor.
The windows were tightly closed, with only dappled sunlight filtering in, making the room somewhat dim. Emperor Changning's expression shifted between light and shadow, his face looking quite grim.
Jiang Ning was deeply moved by what he saw.
The actions of the Northern King just now were undoubtedly disrespectful.
But in this world where great power belongs to individuals, it is clear that Emperor Changning has no way to deal with the King of Beicang.
At the pinnacle of first-class martial arts, ranking among the strongest in the world, the Northern Cang King can be so arrogant based solely on his personal strength.
Not to mention that the Northern Cang King guards the northern border of the Great Xia Dynasty, governs a province, and commands 100,000 Tianxiong soldiers and 300,000 regular elite troops.
After a few breaths of silence, Emperor Changning broke the tranquility with a cough.
"Father, are you alright?" Ji Mingyuan immediately stepped forward, and Chief Steward Hai also took two steps forward.
Emperor Changning waved his hand: "Go and guard the gate."
"Yes!" Upon hearing the decree from Emperor Changning once again, Ji Mingyuan looked helpless and then left the room.
When he stepped out of the room, he saw the Crown Prince of Beicang waiting outside and couldn't help but smile.
Then the Crown Prince of Beicang gestured to him before leaving.
at the same time.
indoor.
"Hai Dahe, bring out the Saint King Pill," Emperor Changning said wearily.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Chief Steward Hai replied in a low voice, then handed the wooden box in his hand to Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning took the wooden box and opened it. There lay three pills, each the size of a longan, pure white, wrapped in a transparent cinnabar robe, with faint golden patterns flowing on them, on the velvet.
Even though there was a red robe separating them, the rich medicinal fragrance instantly filled the air, making the indoor air feel fresher.
"This pill can help you increase your energy and spirit, strengthen your muscles and bones, and briefly enter a state of transcendence. It should have a certain effect in alleviating your curse. The Saint King Pill was extremely important for me to last so long before," Emperor Changning advised Jiang Ning.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jiang Ning closed the wooden box and carefully put it away.
Emperor Changning nodded, then looked at Chief Steward Hai.
"Hai Dahe, go and fetch the Imperial Uncle. The wolfish ambitions of this Northern Cang King are obvious. He cannot be allowed to interfere with the succession of the throne."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Chief Steward Hai replied respectfully to Emperor Changning, then bowed his head and slowly pushed the carriage out of the room. Only after exiting the room did he turn and leave. Throughout the entire process, he never once looked up to peek at Emperor Changning's face.
at the same time.
Jiang Ning's heart skipped a beat.
Emperor Changning's uncle!
At this moment, he needed to bring out a corresponding being, and a corresponding being immediately came to mind.
Ji Xuan, a king who stands shoulder to shoulder with his peers.
Below the current Martial Saint, the five strongest top-tier martial arts experts in the world.
He was ranked second in the world, alongside the leader of the Yellow Heaven Sect, the abbot of Qingxu Temple, and the head of Jingang Temple.
Most importantly, he has a fundamental conflict with this king who is on par with him.
Lin Qingyi was a fruit arranged by this king who was on par with her.
Given his current relationship with Lin Qingyi, he cannot simply ignore it.
"Marquis of Dongling." After Chief Steward Hai left the room, Emperor Changning looked at Jiang Ning and said, "Little Seventeen, I'll leave you in charge for now!"
Jiang Ning nodded: "Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Then, at Emperor Changning's signal, Jiang Ning left the room.
indoor.
"Help me up!" Emperor Changning said to the palace maids waiting beside him.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the palace maid replied respectfully.
With the combined support of two palace maids, Emperor Changning slowly walked to the window.
He trembled slightly, then straightened his back and slowly pushed open the closed window.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air blowing in from the window, and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Your Majesty!" An aged voice rang out beside him.
Then a figure shrouded in black robes appeared behind him.
"Elder Ji, how much longer can my body hold out?" Emperor Changning asked.
"No different from before," the aged voice rang out again.
Emperor Changning nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "So, the day I wake up next time will be the day the battle for the throne is finally settled?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the aged voice said.
"Elder Ji, how is the secret guard being managed?" Emperor Changning asked again.
"As per His Majesty's request, all the secret guards are now under my command," the aged voice continued.
"Then I entrust everything to Elder Ji. The strength of the Dark Guard must not be lost! The struggle for the throne is a trial, but a puppet must never be allowed to inherit the throne. This is my bottom line," Changning said.
Upon hearing this, the aged voice behind him remained silent for a moment before continuing.
"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that by handing the Dragon Soaring Token to that Marquis of Dongling, he might use his control over the Shadow Guards and the Imperial Guards to install a puppet prince on the throne? The power this young man can wield is not to be underestimated. He pacified Guangning Prefecture, and Marquis Xiaoyao Jing Wuming and Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai have all been subdued by him. Moreover, he can now influence the actions of the Imperial Preceptor. In addition, his current status in the Martial Saint's Mansion is extraordinary, and he has gained the favor of the Martial Saint. He can easily persuade Martial King Xiang Yuan, as well as Xiao Wuque, and even the Martial Saint's eldest disciple, Divine Might King Li Tianwen. If he has such intentions, with the manpower he can mobilize, plus the Dragon Soaring Token bestowed by Your Majesty as a symbol of his status, he can completely put a prince on the throne."
Upon hearing these words, Emperor Changning smiled faintly, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"I thought Professor Ji had always been taciturn, but I never expected him to say such things today."
He was met with silence from behind.
"I have already considered Elder Ji's problem," Emperor Changning said calmly. "I am nearing my end due to the curse of the immortals. This Marquis of Dongling is also like me, afflicted by the curse of the immortals. With my abilities and the resources I can mobilize, I cannot withstand the curse of the immortals. How long can he withstand it?"
At this point, Emperor Changning paused, and then continued.
"The Marquis of Dongling has a considerable network of connections at his disposal, but he is on the verge of death, and Xiao Wuque and the others are intelligent people, so why would they follow in his footsteps?"
"And no matter how many princes he supports to the throne, it will all be for naught when the prince dies."
Emperor Changning sighed again.
"Giving him the Dragon Order is both a way to protect the Seventeenth Prince and a way to give the Eighth Prince Minghao a glimmer of hope. I am not a truly cold-hearted person; how could I not leave him a little hope?"
After hearing these words, the silent figure behind him broke his silence and asked the question that had been bothering him.
"Since Your Majesty is certain that this Marquis of Dongling cannot hold out for long, why did you leave the Seventeenth Princess by his side? I am capable of protecting the Seventeenth Princess myself. Is Your Majesty not afraid of tarnishing your reputation by leaving the Seventeenth Princess by the Marquis of Dongling's side?"
Upon hearing these words, Emperor Changning chuckled softly twice.
Cough cough--
The laughter then turned into a low cough.
He didn't speak again until the coughing stopped.
"What is your opinion of Marquis Dongling, Elder Ji?"
"Such extraordinary talent, rarely seen throughout history!" said the aged voice behind him.
"That's it!" Emperor Changning said calmly, "With such extraordinary talent, how could his descendants be any less? Letting Little Seventeen stay by his side will not only fulfill Little Seventeen's wishes and satisfy her desires, but also see if Little Seventeen can give birth to a son or daughter. If the Ji clan wants to truly control the world, it still needs an absolutely invincible powerhouse to emerge from the Ji clan, someone who can rival that person."
"In the end, this world belongs to the strong."
"In the face of absolute power, scheming and plotting are laughable."
As Emperor Changning finished speaking, his tone was filled with deep emotion. Meanwhile, on the other side…
Jiang Ning, Ji Mingyue, and Su Qingying walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Then they saw the Fifth Prince, Ji Mingyuan, guarding outside the palace.
"Little Seventeen, I wonder what Father Emperor said just now?" Upon seeing Ji Mingyue's appearance, Ji Mingyuan couldn't wait to come up.
“Father didn’t say anything.” Ji Mingyue shook her head.
"Seventeenth Prince, don't try to fool your elder brother. Father Emperor sent me away specifically because he must have said something I shouldn't hear," said the Fifth Prince, Ji Mingyuan.
"Since Fifth Brother knows he shouldn't listen, why ask any more questions?" Ji Mingyue said indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyuan's eyes darkened slightly, but his face still wore a gentle smile: "It is because I am anxious, brother. However, you have also seen what the King of Beicang did today. At this time, instead of guarding the north, he has abandoned his post and come to the capital. He must be interested in the struggle for the crown prince. Given his influence in the court, if he supports one of my brothers to take the throne, he will only become his puppet."
"I am filled with worries and my heart is always uneasy. Therefore, I hope to get some information about Father's arrangements from Little Seventeen so that I can feel at ease."
Ji Mingyue shook her head.
"Since Father did not tell Fifth Brother about his arrangements, it means that Father does not want Fifth Brother to know. Why should Fifth Brother go to great lengths to find out?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyuan's smile froze slightly. He could tell that Ji Mingyue was determined not to say more, and although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to give up.
He turned to Jiang Ning, his tone tinged with a hint of probing: "Lord Dongling's methods in extending my father's life today were truly miraculous. But I wonder what your opinion is on the situation in the capital?"
Jiang Ning met his gaze and said calmly, "All I ask for now is to live a peaceful life and protect those around me. As for the turmoil in the capital, it is beyond my control, and I have no intention of getting too involved."
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyuan knew that asking any further questions would be pointless.
He cupped his hands in greeting: "In that case, I won't bother you any longer. Little Seventeen, if you need anything, you can come to me anytime."
"As your elder brother, I will fulfill my duties as an elder brother."
"Thank you, Fifth Brother," Ji Mingyue nodded in response.
The three then boarded the carriage and set off.
The wheels rolled over the palace road, making a regular rumbling sound.
The carriage was quiet. Ji Mingyue looked out the window at the palace walls and halls rushing past, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
What she saw and heard today weighed heavily on her heart.
The Emperor's life was nearing its end, the King of Northern Cang was arrogant, and the brothers each harbored their own thoughts.
at the same time.
Jiang Ning also felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
The arrival and arrogance of the Northern Cang King prompted the awakened Emperor Changning to send someone to awaken Ji Xuan, the Prince of Yi Zi Bing Jian, who was in seclusion.
This news was undoubtedly very bad news for him.
Ji Xuan's strength, comparable to that of a king of equal rank, is known to all.
The pillars of the royal family, the five highest mountains in the world.
Any martial arts master would be in awe of him.
No one would feel pressured if they were to be their enemy.
Although he had never met Ji Xuan, they had already become enemies.
Now that Ji Xuan has emerged from seclusion, he must know about Lin Qingyi's situation.
At that time, he will directly face this pillar of the Great Xia royal family.
Although he did not witness the prince's emergence from seclusion in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he knew that with the arrival of the Northern Cang Prince in the capital, Emperor Changning would send Chief Steward Hai to the Prince's residence, which would surely allow the Prince of Yizi Bingjian to emerge from seclusion.
As he frowned and pondered.
“Brother Jiang Ning,” Ji Mingyue suddenly spoke softly, breaking the silence, “Father entrusted the Dragon Soaring Token to you and specifically entrusted me to you. Is there really no hope for him?”
Jiang Ning looked at her slightly red eyes, remained silent for a moment, and finally shook his head.
"The power of the curse has long since eroded his internal organs and penetrated his soul, becoming inextricably intertwined with it. What I did today was merely to stimulate the life force within him through special means, allowing him to barely awaken. Such an effect is tantamount to a final burst of energy before death. After a day and a night, he will once again fall into a deep slumber due to the damage to his soul, and it is highly likely that he will never wake up again."
Ji Mingyue bit her lower lip, her eyes slightly reddening.
After a moment of silence, he looked at Jiang Ning again.
"Thank you!"
Jiang Ning smiled but didn't say anything more.
Normally, at this time, children should be by their side, enjoying their last moments of family affection.
But clearly, Emperor Changning still had many things to do, so he asked him to take Ji Mingyue away and protect her properly.
Thinking of this, he reached into his robes and gripped the Dragon Soaring Token.
With this order, 30% of the Shadow Guards can be mobilized.
However, Emperor Changning did not say that this decree represented the Emperor's personal presence.
Holding this decree means that your words represent an imperial edict.
At the same time, the Imperial Guards can also be mobilized.
At this critical moment, the Dragon Soaring Token has too much power to leverage and too many things to accomplish.
He gripped the Dragon Soaring Token and stored it in a mustard leaf.
At this moment, Su Qingying glanced at Jiang Ning, then at Ji Mingyue, her expression calm and serene.
The carriage drove out of the Vermilion Bird Gate and through the bustling streets of the capital.
Although it was daytime, the atmosphere on the street was subtly tense.
Pedestrians hurried by, and there seemed to be more whispering in teahouses and taverns than usual.
Clearly, nothing stays hidden forever.
The recent changes within the royal family have already stirred up undercurrents in the capital.
Upon returning to the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Jiang Ning spoke a few words to everyone before heading straight to his own courtyard.
Even now, he dares not carry anything with him.
Even if he were to leave the capital now, it would be of no use.
Because he was a king of equal rank, Ji Xuan left the pass.
He picked Ji Xuan's fruit. Once Ji Xuan comes out of seclusion and learns of this, he will surely come looking for him.
Although he is confident enough now, he is not sure if he can face Ji Xuan.
Thinking of this, he looked at the courtyard where Lin Qingyi was.
Since returning to the capital, Lin Qingyi has been in seclusion.
Since his return, he has yet to meet Lin Qingyi.
Then, he withdrew his gaze and took out the wooden box bestowed upon him by Emperor Changning.
The wooden box was opened, revealing three pills that were as white as jade and faintly tinged with gold.
"The Saint King Pill!" he murmured softly.
As the wooden box was opened, the rich aroma of medicine slowly diffused even through the red robe.
Smelling the medicinal fragrance, the dormant blood and qi within him stirred slightly.
"Three Saint King Pills should significantly increase my strength, and also allow me to accumulate a considerable amount of the Origin Points I lack," he thought to himself. (End of Chapter)