Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Chapter 501: Commanding the Officials with the Crown Prince in Hand!

The absolute authority that had ruled the Dao Court for centuries had vanished.

On this day, the entire Tianwu City was thrown into great upheaval. The last edict issued by Emperor Jiayou before summoning the officials became his final decree:

【Order the Imperial City Department to impose martial law on the entire city】

This was originally an edict Emperor Jiayou intended to disperse the forces of the Imperial City Department, making it easier to suppress them at any moment. Now, however, it became the golden badge of honor upon Lu Yang.

After all, Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes had vanished into seclusion without leaving a word. Naturally, the decree issued before his seclusion served as the standard of reference. Let alone the fact that just before going into hiding, he had praised Lu Yang in front of all civil and military officials, calling him “loyal to the nation and devoted to the court.” What more was there to say?

All righteousness was now with Lu Yang.

That day, the incense gods under the jurisdiction of the Imperial City Department swept out in full force, beginning to arrest “suspected assassins of Emperor Jiayou” from among the All-Heaven Department officials throughout the city.

At the same time, in the Crown Prince’s residence of Tianwu City—

The legitimate eldest son of Emperor Jiayou, the current Crown Prince Wu Longxing, was seen pacing anxiously within the study, his face filled with confusion and dread about the future.

“How could this happen… how could this happen…”

The emperor had been attacked, and the Three Dukes had gone into seclusion.

This should have sounded like a very pleasing phrase. However, after learning the details of the assassination, Crown Prince Longxing nearly fainted on the spot, eyes rolling back.

The reason was simple:

“The assassin shouted they did it for me???”

After receiving a secret message from an inner palace eunuch, the Crown Prince was utterly dumbfounded, then immediately burst into a rage: This was clearly someone trying to frame him!

“Your Highness, Your Highness! The people from the Imperial City Department have arrived!” A eunuch attendant rushed into the study, his tone urgent.

At those words, Crown Prince Longxing’s expression immediately darkened: “What does that demon dragon mean? Does he really think I secretly colluded with the Jiangbei Demonic Sect and sent someone to assassinate my father?”

Despite his tough tone, his panic was hard to conceal. After all, the words had come from the assassin’s own mouth. Whether true or false, it would bring him immense trouble. At the very least, Emperor Jiayou’s other sons—his so-called “good brothers”—would be dying to pin this black pot on his head!

At this thought, Crown Prince Longxing gritted his teeth and strode out.

Meanwhile, outside the Crown Prince’s residence—

Over eighty percent of the incense gods from the Imperial City Department had already gathered there. Not only the Prince’s estate, but even the surrounding streets had been completely cleared.

At the front stood Lu Yang, solemn and commanding.

“What are you trying to do?!”

Two streams of escaping light landed in front of the estate—none other than the current Grand Guardian and Grand Tutor. Their gazes toward Lu Yang were filled with suspicion and vigilance:

“Surrounding the Crown Prince’s residence—do you demon cultivators plan to rebel?!”

At those words, Lu Yang narrowed his eyes slightly but did not respond.

In the next moment, the demon cultivator Xiaoshan, who had been standing behind Lu Yang, stepped forward coldly and said, “Why have the two esteemed lords appeared here at this moment?”

“According to Lord Du Huan’s martial law decree, all officials who participated in the court assembly are suspects in the assassination attempt on His Majesty. Until the matter is thoroughly investigated, they are to remain within their residences and await notice. Yet the two of you act without authorization and even come to the Crown Prince’s estate—what is your true intent?”

“You! Insolence!”

Grand Guardian Li Taian’s face darkened with anger. He had heard the hidden meaning in Xiaoshan’s words—was he accusing them of also being suspects and coming here with ulterior motives?

In an instant, an official rank appeared:

【Grand Guardian of the Eastern Palace】

The official rank activated the enforcement of the 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】. The completed Foundation Establishment-level rank pressure blanketed the scene, five divine abilities blazing like the sun in the sky, ready to erupt at any moment.

But then—“Boom!”

Xiaoshan remained calm. Divine light of incense erupted from him, and though it carried no divine ability blessings, his rank was forcibly elevated to the Foundation Establishment completion stage. Behind him, several leaders of the Imperial City Department also radiated powerful auras—all of them Foundation Establishment-level incense deities!

Though the strength of incense gods was far below true Foundation Establishment completion cultivators—

In an actual battle, Xiaoshan and company would definitely not be able to defeat Li Taian alone—but in terms of confrontation, they still appeared formidable.

“Lord Grand Guardian, please do not hinder the Imperial City Department’s investigation.”

Xiaoshan took another step forward, prompting the incense gods behind him to move in unison. As they stepped forward, Li Taian’s expression grew increasingly grim.

“Demon cultivators… truly harboring ill intent!”

Just as a battle between the two sides was about to break out—

The gates of the Crown Prince’s residence slowly opened, and Crown Prince Longxing stepped out with deliberate pace:

“Stand down—ALL OF YOU!”

With those words, a brilliant divine light burst forth. The rank of 【Heir to the Mandate and Successor to the Throne, Crown Prince Longxing】 emerged, sweeping like a gentle breeze.

In an instant, the 【Grand Guardian】 rank atop Li Taian’s head dissipated, and the divine abilities faded. After all, this was the Crown Prince. Aside from Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes, no one’s rank surpassed his. If all went smoothly, after the emperor’s seclusion, he would take over the Dao Court—it was only natural.

But this time was different.

The Crown Prince’s rank suppression fell upon the incense gods of the Imperial City Department—yet had no effect at all. Their divine rank remained untouched.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince’s expression immediately shifted.

At that moment, Lu Yang finally spoke. He looked directly and calmly at Crown Prince Longxing and said:

“Du Huan of the Imperial City Department pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Even before his words finished, the surrounding cultivators of the Imperial City Department seemed to have received a signal. They instantly withdrew their auras, stepped back, and placed a hand to the side of their heads:

“LOYAL! DEVOTED!”

This display immediately improved the Crown Prince’s complexion. He said in a deep voice: “Du Huan… why have you surrounded my home with the Imperial City Department’s forces?”

“Reporting to Your Highness,” Lu Yang replied solemnly, “With the drastic changes in the realm, His Majesty summoned the officials but was instead assaulted by the All-Heaven Department Vice Commander Chen Yuanli. Before he struck, he even shouted that it was for Your Highness—which is extremely suspicious. I came here to protect Your Highness.”

At those words, Crown Prince Longxing froze:

“Protect me?”

Weren’t you here to arrest me?

“Of course!”

Lu Yang raised his voice: “It is well known that the assassin Chen Yuanli colluded with the Jiangbei Demonic Sect. How can his words be believed? He was clearly trying to slander Your Highness!”

He then turned to Li Taian with a sincere expression: “As for why the officials are confined to their residences, it is because we cannot rule out the possibility that more assassins remain among them. If any target Your Highness, I truly fear you may fall victim to treachery.”

“Of course, the Grand Guardian is surely innocent.”

Then Lu Yang turned to Xiaoshan and sternly ordered: “The Grand Guardian is a disciple of the Three Dukes. Even if he broke protocol to come to the Crown Prince’s estate, how could he have malicious intent?”

“Apologize to the Grand Guardian immediately!”

Without hesitation, Xiaoshan turned to Li Taian and deeply bowed: “I lost my temper and offended you, my lord. I humbly beg your pardon.”

His words were intentional—and someone listened.

Li Taian hadn’t reacted yet, but Crown Prince Longxing’s gaze subtly shifted. One must understand—the Emperor and the Three Dukes had always been in competition.

A strong Emperor meant imperial power ruled.

Strong Dukes meant prime ministers held sway.

Lu Yang’s earlier words, calm though they were, had one key sentence: As a disciple of the Three Dukes, the Grand Guardian was, strictly speaking, a potential rival to Crown Prince Longxing!

And Lu Yang?

Thinking of this, Crown Prince Longxing’s thoughts began to turn: “The Imperial City Department has no true power base and cannot compete with me for authority.”

After all, you don’t even have an official rank—what would you fight with?

At the same time, Lu Yang looked at Crown Prince Longxing. When facing him, the talent 【Does Not Bow to Others】 lit up again in his mind, and a deep smile flashed in his eyes.

He then straightened his expression and said to Li Taian:

“The court is in turmoil. This humble servant, with only a heart to save the nation, ordered martial law across the city. I ask for your understanding, Lord Grand Guardian.”

He then turned to Crown Prince Longxing:

“Now that His Majesty has gone into seclusion, the nation cannot go a day without a ruler. I implore Your Highness, for the sake of the world, to enter Tianwu Hall and assume leadership—only then can the hearts of the people be steadied.”

Was he… supporting me?

For a moment, Crown Prince Longxing looked at Lu Yang with changed eyes. No wonder his father had favored this True Dragon so greatly—he truly was loyal to the court and devoted to the nation!

Even Li Taian at the side was a little surprised.

Had he… misunderstood?

Was this demon dragon really without selfish motives?

Only Lu Yang laughed coldly in his heart at the sight: ‘The Imperial City Department now holds the Nine Gates Command. Once you enter Tianwu Hall, cut off from the outside… you will no longer have a say.’

That was Lu Yang’s plan.

He knew very well—with his current position in the court, seizing the Dao Court by force was nearly impossible. So he had to borrow—borrow the status of Crown Prince Longxing.

Commanding the Officials with the Crown Prince in Hand!