260: Drive out the wolf and swallow the tiger, sneak into Chencang

After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, the imperial court was overturned overnight.

Apart from Princess Nangong Yan, who was outside, Nangong Ao was the only imperial Bloodline left within the Imperial City.

Everyone else was dead!

In the Golden Dragon Hall, Nangong Ao sat on the imperial throne, his left hand holding the Imperial Seal, his right hand gripping a long spear, his gaze fixed forward.

The surviving civil and military officials were all trembling with fear, because not long ago, a upheaval had occurred within the Imperial City.

It was a massacre, with heads rolling.

It was not a big deal that the civil and military officials died, but all the Princes and Princesses were completely wiped out, not one left, and not even their bodies remained.

They were all burned to ashes by the Ninth Prince on the platform.

Looking at the cowering civil and military officials below, Nangong Ao felt a bit bored; there wasn't a single one who dared to resist.

"Now I am going to ascend the throne and become Emperor. Who approves, and who opposes?!"

Silence fell below the platform.

Everyone lowered their heads, acting like ostriches.

At this moment, the Eunuch Chief, who had always followed Nangong Wuji, walked in from outside the hall, holding a gleaming imperial edict.

"The Imperial Edict has arrived!"

Upon arriving, he did not pay respects to Nangong Ao, but merely formally read out the Imperial Edict.

"By Imperial Decree, the Ninth Prince Nangong Ao has massacred his brothers and sisters, committing boundless slaughter in the Imperial City, a crime unforgivable. The civil and military officials shall punish him.

Furthermore, those harmed by the Ninth Prince are all the backbone of Great Wei. From imperial family members down to ordinary soldiers, all may be buried at the border of the Imperial Mausoleum, their bodies nourished by Great Wei Dragon Qi, and their descendants shall also be protected by Great Wei's national fortune.

A Dynasty cannot be without a ruler for a single day. The current Emperor is unwell. The officials shall seek out Princess Nangong Yan, and the Princess shall temporarily oversee the nation, Domination Six Ministries, and be granted Nine Bestowments.

By Imperial Order!"

As the Imperial Edict was issued, the Golden Dragon Hall fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone's gaze converged on Eunuch Wang, their faces filled with shock.

This old Eunuch was truly brave!

Didn't he see so many black-clad figures around? These were all ruthless characters who had followed the Ninth Prince and fought their way through Xuanwu Gate.

Was he really not afraid that the Ninth Prince would chop him up right here?!

At this moment, Nangong Ao, sitting on the Dragon Throne, also smiled. He truly hadn't expected Nangong Wuji to make a move so quickly.

"Burying everyone at the border of the Imperial Mausoleum, is he trying to inject fresh Blood into the Blood Lake? Haha, what a pity! I am not some useless Prince who has nothing!"

Nangong Ao sat on the Dragon Throne, making no movement, and the entire court of civil and military officials also made no movement.

Seeing this, Eunuch Wang roared, "Didn't you hear me read the Imperial Edict? Why aren't you acting!"

The entire hall remained silent. The civil and military officials all bowed their heads without speaking, but their peripheral glances at Eunuch Wang were like looking at a dead man.

"It seems you have all sided with the Ninth Prince. Good, good, good. Once I execute him, I will surely report to Your Majesty and have Your Majesty punish your crimes!"

With that, a powerful spiritual Qi erupted from Eunuch Wang's body; he was actually a Great Accomplishment Stage Cultivator.

This old Eunuch, who had always been subservient by the Emperor's side, was actually at the Great Accomplishment Stage?!

This greatly shocked the officials.

However, as soon as he made a move, a dark figure appeared behind him.

With a 'puff' sound.

A hand passed through his back, pulling out a still-beating heart, which was then violently crushed.

His life force rapidly dissipated. Eunuch Wang's face was filled with disbelief: "Nascent Soul..."

"Whoosh—!"

A large hand pressed down on his crown, then sharply pulled, extracting his Primordial Spirit, which was then tossed into a small banner.

"This..." The entire court of civil and military officials were again shocked. The Ninth Prince actually had a Tribulation Stage Cultivator under him.

There were only three such high-level experts in the Great Wei Dynasty: one was the Grand Preceptor, one was Wei Wuji, the eldest son of the current Imperial Uncle, and the other was the current ruler of Great Wei, Nangong Wuji.

A Dynasty with three Undergoing Tribulation Cultivators.

The Great Wei Dynasty was considered among the top tier of all Dynasties.

And the Ninth Prince had, without a sound, recruited a Great Undergoing Tribulation Cultivator to serve him.

If the father and son were united, with the terrifying foundation of Great Wei's four Undergoing Tribulation Cultivators, it would not be a problem to slowly annex other Dynasties and then unify the entire Xuanling Continent.

At this moment, the civil and military officials firmly chose to stand with the Ninth Prince Nangong Ao.

What if the Princess was at the Great Accomplishment Stage? If she hadn't reached the Tribulation Stage, it just wouldn't do!

If she reached the Tribulation Stage, and this family united, Great Wei would truly not know how to lose against other Dynasties.

After dealing with Eunuch Wang, the black-clad figure had, at some unknown point, disappeared into the darkness with the body.

Aside from the pervasive smell of Blood in the Golden Dragon Hall and the Bloodstains on the ground, everything seemed as if nothing had happened.

Nangong Ao gestured with one hand, and the Blood-stained Imperial Edict on the ground flew into his hand.

"You all heard the contents of this Imperial Edict?!"

"No, we did not! We did not hear it!"

The civil and military officials shook their heads like rattles, vehemently denying what had just happened.

"The Second Prince Nangong Tai conspired with Eunuch Chief Wang Zitao, attempting to launch a coup, massacring imperial family members and harming civil and military officials within the Imperial City, and even colluding with the Great Qian's Grand Preceptor to severely injure our Great Wei Emperor; his crime is punishable by death."

"Execute Wang Zitao's entire clan!"

"Strip Nangong Tai of his Prince status and expel him from the clan registry!"

"However, a Dynasty cannot be without a ruler for a day. I shall endeavor to take over the duties of the late Emperor and govern the nation. As Great Wei has suffered the loss of many pillars of state, those present are the last civil and military officials of our Great Wei. Therefore, your ranks shall be raised by three levels, and if there are talented individuals in your families, they may be recommended."

The officials were initially uninterested in the preceding words.

But the part about being promoted by three ranks and being able to recommend talented individuals from their families...

This, they were no longer tired of.

One by one, they knelt on one knee, shouting in unison.

"We are willing to go through fire and water for Great Wei, without hesitation! Long live His Majesty, long live, long long live!"

Looking at these bowing civil and military officials, Nangong Ao immediately commanded, "Since I have ascended the throne, I shall naturally strengthen our Great Wei. From today, we shall point our armies towards Great Qian. They dared to assassinate the late Emperor, so they should pay the price. Furthermore, draft a letter and send it to Xuanxiao Sect, ordering Princess Nangong Yan to go to the front lines to deal with Great Qian's Grand Preceptor!"

As he spoke.

An imperial decree had already been drafted.

The civil and military officials were stunned. War right after being promoted?!

"Your Majesty, absolutely not! Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the court is not stable..."

"Are you implying that you still have ulterior motives?" Nangong Ao stared intently at the minister who spoke.

The minister instantly fell silent.

"Since all are of one mind, what is there that cannot be conquered from Great Qian?! Issue a proclamation that the late Emperor was attacked and is recuperating in the Imperial Mausoleum. This grudge will not be left unavenged; Great Wei will never give up!"

Civil and military officials: "........."

Damn it, are you deliberately giving away information to the enemy, as if you're afraid the late Emperor won't die?!

They had also figured it out.

This young Emperor was intentionally using the neighboring Great Qian to eliminate dissidents.

But, wouldn't you be afraid of losing control and causing the downfall of Great Wei?!

At that time, how would you face your ancestors!

Nangong Ao did not offer an explanation, merely instructing the civil and military officials to follow his directions.

He already had a plan in his heart.