Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 500: Chapter 500: Controlling the Crown Prince to Command the Officials

The absolute power that had controlled the Dao Court for hundreds of years had vanished.

On this day, the entire Celestial Wu City fell into great turmoil. The order Emperor Jia You had issued before summoning the Civil and Military Officials became his final Holy Decree:

[The Imperial City Department is to place the entire city under martial law.]

This Holy Decree was originally intended by Emperor Jia You to scatter the Imperial City Department’s forces, making it easier to suppress them at a moment’s notice. Now, however, it had become Lü Yang’s perfect justification.

After all, Emperor Jia You and the Three Ministers had gone into seclusion without leaving a single word, so naturally, the last Holy Decree issued before their departure was the standard to follow. Not to mention, right before he left, he had praised Lü Yang in front of all the Civil and Military Officials, calling him ”loyal and devoted to the state.” What more was there to say?

Lü Yang held the moral high ground.

On this day, the Incense Fire Gods under the command of the Imperial City Department mobilized in full force, detaining officials from the All Heaven Department across the city who were ”suspected of assassinating Emperor Jia You.”

「Meanwhile, inside the Crown Prince’s Mansion in Celestial Wu City.」

Emperor Jia You’s eldest legitimate son, the current Crown Prince Wu Longxing, paced frantically in his study, his face a mask of confusion and terror for the future.

”How could this happen... How could this happen...”

His Imperial Father had been assassinated, and the Three Ministers had gone into seclusion.

Ordinarily, that news would have been music to his ears. But when Crown Prince Longxing learned the details of the assassination, he nearly fainted on the spot.

The reason was simple:

’The assassin shouted that he was doing it for *me* when he made his move???’

After receiving a secret message from a palace eunuch, Crown Prince Longxing was dumbfounded. He immediately burst out cursing, ”This is definitely someone trying to frame me!”

”Your Highness, Your Highness! The people from the Imperial City Department are here!” an attendant eunuch burst into the study, his voice sharp with urgency.

Crown Prince Longxing’s expression darkened. ”What is that Demon Dragon playing at? Does he really think I secretly colluded with the Jiangbei Demon Sect and sent someone to assassinate my Imperial Father?”

Behind his seemingly tough attitude, however, was an unconcealable panic. After all, those were the assassin’s own words. Regardless of their truth, they would bring him immense trouble. At the very least, Emperor Jia You’s other sons, his so-called ”good brothers,” would be dying to pin this on him.

With that, Crown Prince Longxing gritted his teeth and walked outside.

「Meanwhile, outside the Crown Prince’s Mansion.」

More than eighty percent of the Imperial City Department’s Incense Fire Gods had already gathered here. Not just the Crown Prince’s Mansion itself, but even the surrounding streets and alleys had been completely cleared.

At the very front, Lü Yang stood, stern and imposing.

”What do you think you’re doing!”

Two streaks of Flying Light descended before the gates of the Crown Prince’s Mansion. They were none other than the current Young Protector and Junior Master, and their gazes, fixed on Lü Yang, were filled with suspicion and wariness.

”Surrounding the Crown Prince’s Mansion—are you Demon Cultivators trying to rebel?!”

Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed at their words, but he did not reply.

A moment later, the Demon Cultivator Xiao Shan, who had been standing behind Lü Yang, stepped forward and said coldly, ”Why are you two lords here?”

”According to the martial law decree issued by Lord Du Huan, all officials who attended the court assembly are suspected of assassinating His Majesty. Until the matter is fully investigated, they must remain in their residences and await notice. You two lords have acted without authorization, and moreover, you’ve come to the Crown Prince’s Mansion. What is your purpose?”

”You! How insolent!”

The Young Protector Li Taian’s face flushed with anger, for he understood Xiao Shan’s implication. ’Is he suggesting we’re also suspects, and that our coming to the Crown Prince’s Mansion is proof of ill intent?’

In an instant, an Official Position materialized above him.

[Counselor of the Crown Prince]

The Official Position drew upon the power of the Immortal Dao Law, and the Position of a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator bore down on everyone present. Five Abilities blazed like the midday sun, seemingly on the verge of erupting.

But in the next instant—

RUMBLE!

Xiao Shan, however, remained calm as a burst of Incense Fire Divine Light erupted from his body. Though he lacked the empowerment of any Abilities, his Position was nevertheless elevated out of thin air to the Foundation Establishment Perfection level. Behind him, several leaders of the Imperial City Department also unleashed their Qi traces—they were all Incense Fire Great Gods at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage!

Of course, the power gap between an Incense Fire God and a true Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator was enormous.

In a real fight, Li Taian could have easily killed Xiao Shan and the others single-handedly. But in a simple standoff, these Incense Fire Great Gods were still quite intimidating.

”Lord Protector, please do not obstruct the Imperial City Department’s investigation.”

Xiao Shan took another step forward, and the host of Incense Fire Gods behind him advanced in unison, their voices rising as one. The move instantly caused Li Taian’s expression to grow even more ashen.

”Demon Cultivators... a truly treacherous bunch!”

Just as it seemed neither side would yield and a great battle was about to erupt, the main gates of the Crown Prince’s Mansion finally swung open. Crown Prince Longxing strode out.

”All of you, stop this at once!”

As his voice fell, a brilliant Splendid Light burst forth. The Official Position of [Successor Crown Prince Longxing] materialized, its power sweeping over the scene like a gentle breeze.

Instantly, the [Young Protector] Official Position above Li Taian’s head vanished, and his Abilities faded. The Crown Prince was, after all, second in rank only to Emperor Jia You and the Three Ministers. Had things proceeded normally, it would have been perfectly natural for him to take control of the Dao Court following the Emperor’s seclusion.

This time, however, was different.

The suppression from Crown Prince Longxing’s Official Position fell upon the Imperial City Department’s host of Incense Fire Gods, yet it had no effect. It failed to weaken their Positions or Abilities in the slightest.

Seeing this, Crown Prince Longxing’s expression faltered.

A moment later, Lü Yang, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. His gaze was direct and unwavering as he looked at the Crown Prince with a frank expression.

”Du Huan of the Imperial City Department, greets Your Highness.”

Before his voice had even faded, the Imperial City Department Cultivators beside him acted as if on a signal. They swiftly retracted their Qi traces, took a step back, and placed their hands to their temples in a salute.

”Loyal! True!”

This attitude instantly improved Crown Prince Longxing’s expression. He said in a low voice, ”Du Huan... why did you bring the Imperial City Department to surround my home?”

”To answer Your Highness,” Lü Yang said, his expression grave. ”During this great upheaval, His Majesty summoned the Civil and Military Officials, only to be assassinated by Chen Yuanli, the Deputy Commander of the All Heaven Department. Before striking, he shouted that he was acting on *your* behalf, Your Highness. His motives were sinister beyond measure. I am here to protect you.”

At these words, Crown Prince Longxing froze.

”Protect me?”

’Weren’t you here to arrest me?’

”Of course!”

Lü Yang raised his voice. ”As everyone knows, the assassin Chen Yuanli was colluding with the Jiangbei Demon Sect. How can his words possibly be believed? He was clearly trying to slander you, Your Highness!”

Then, he turned to Li Taian at his side, his expression earnest. ”As for why the officials must remain in their residences, it is because we are uncertain if there are other assassins among them. What if there are, and what if they target the Crown Prince? I am simply worried that Your Highness will be harmed by these villains.”

”Of course, the Young Protector is certainly blameless.”

Lü Yang then looked at Xiao Shan and chided, ”The Young Protector is one of the Three Ministers’ Disciples. Even if he ignored the prohibition and came to the Crown Prince’s Mansion, how could he possibly harbor ill intent?”

”Apologize to the Young Protector at once!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Shan turned to Li Taian and bowed deeply. ”This subordinate was momentarily agitated and offended you, my lord. I beg for your forgiveness.”

The words were spoken with intent, and they were heard with purpose.

While Li Taian had not yet processed the remark, Crown Prince Longxing’s eyes shifted slightly. It was a well-known fact that the Emperor and the Three Ministers had always been rivals.

When the Emperor was strong, Imperial Authority was supreme.

When the Three Ministers were strong, they effectively ruled the Court.

Lü Yang’s recent words had been carefully measured, but the key point was clear: as one of the Three Ministers’ Disciples, the Young Protector was, strictly speaking, a potential rival to Crown Prince Longxing!

’And what about Lü Yang, in comparison?’

At this, Crown Prince Longxing’s thoughts began to race. ’The Imperial City Department has no real foundation. It’s impossible for them to compete with me for power...’

’He doesn’t even have an Official Position. With what could he possibly contend for power?’

Meanwhile, Lü Yang watched as the [Ambition] trait lit up once again in his view of Crown Prince Longxing, and a deep smile touched his eyes.

Then, his expression turned solemn as he spoke to Li Taian.

”The Court is in turmoil. This subordinate acted only with a heart bent on saving the country when I ordered the Imperial City Department to declare martial law. I hope the Young Protector can appreciate this subordinate’s sentiments.”

He then turned to Crown Prince Longxing.

”Now that His Majesty is in seclusion, the country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. I implore you, Crown Prince, for the sake of the realm, to enter the Celestial Wu Hall and preside over the government. Only then can the hearts of the people be put at ease.”

’Is he... endorsing my ascension?’

The way Crown Prince Longxing looked at Lü Yang changed completely. ’No wonder my Imperial Father favored this True Dragon so much recently,’ he thought. ’He truly is loyal and devoted to the state!’

Even the Young Protector, Li Taian, standing beside them, was taken aback.

’Could it be that I truly misjudged him?’

’Does this Demon Dragon truly have no selfish intentions?’

Only Lü Yang sneered inwardly. ’The Imperial City Department is currently acting in place of the Commander of Nine Gates. Once you enter the Celestial Wu Hall, you’ll be cut off from the outside world. Then, things will no longer be up to you...’

This was Lü Yang’s plan.

He knew full well that with his current standing in the Court, usurping the Dao Court was nearly impossible. Therefore, he had to borrow—borrow Crown Prince Longxing’s status.

Control the Crown Prince to command the officials!