Chapter 458: Oppression, Incident

The smoke and dust lingered for a long time, only slowly dissipating after about the time to burn an incense stick.

The explosion's aftermath completely settled; many were killed by the blast's chaotic spiritual energy, their strength insufficient, even fleeing became a luxury—it was all too sudden, and most could not react.

Those at the Golden Core stage could react instantly and thus escape disaster; those below Golden Core were not so fortunate.

Among the fallen corpses, many had their souls shattered by the explosion's energy surge and died outright; others were swept away by the turbulent flow and died; the ground lay littered with many corpses.

The smoke-and-dust-covered hall had long become ruins, the blast also affecting the surrounding area; inside the palace, one-third of the area was pulverized into ruins.

The formations could not protect those halls; without some formations, the entire palace would likely shatter as well.

"Cough cough."

Jing Yuheng walked out of the ruins, coughing violently; those around him emerged one after another—the white wolf and azure dragon were unharmed, while the other Black Dragon Guards suffered only light injuries, not serious; the self-detonation of a Golden Core expert was overwhelmingly powerful.

They outside the hall were in such a sorry state; what about those inside the hall?

"Your Highness."

Jing Yuheng extended his spiritual sense to seek the Eldest Princess's silhouette; the white wolf and azure dragon behind him raised their hands, ready for battle; the hall's struggle for the heir had ended—who would be the final victor would determine whether this fight could continue.

The azure dragon and white wolf exchanged a glance, both heavy-hearted, naturally hoping the Eldest Princess would win the final victory, rather than…

Jing Yuheng rushed forward, entered the hall's area, began digging at a spot; those behind him followed, digging for a while until a person was uncovered; Jing Yuheng exclaimed joyfully, "Your Highness."

"Your Highness."

The unconscious Qi Ruohua was still alive; Jing Yuheng overjoyed, she quickly produced a pill and stuffed it into the Eldest Princess's mouth.

Preparing to lift the Your Highness and leave this place, the white wolf said, "Commander, there is still another person alive."

Jing Yuheng lowered his head and saw the Fifth Prince, Qi Mingyu, still alive.

"White Wolf, take him."

He and the Your Highness together—that means they are our own.

"Yes, Commander."

The white wolf and the azure dragon vice-commander took the opportunity to exchange a glance, both nodding deeply.

In this battle, they were victorious; the Eldest Princess ultimately became the victor.

They had bet correctly.

That's correct.

The Eldest Prince, Qimingtian, indeed could not believe it; in the end, he would surely capsize.

He, overly confident, considered himself… above everyone else; in the end, he might die.

As expected, the Eldest Prince Qimingtian died, and the other princes also died.

Even the Qihuang died.

Only two people remained alive at the scene.

"Jing Yuheng, you cannot leave." Sima Da led people out to block the way.

They too were in a sorry state, faces covered in dust; this explosion caused them countless casualties.

Reacting immediately, Sima Da led people forward.

The Eldest Princess had won, but she also suffered grave injuries and lost consciousness; at such a moment, it was most suitable to strike.

We cannot let them leave the palace; all the Qi family members must die.

The Eldest Prince failed, their wager failed; therefore, others cannot live either.

Once the Eldest Princess successfully takes that position, controlling all the power of the Great Qi Dynasty, she will act against them; only then will it be true despair.

Either do nothing, or act decisively in advance.

Originally, they did not believe Qimingtian could win; he was merely their pawn.

All members of the Qi family must die.

That is what Sima Da thinks.

Wang Chu also thinks so.

Bai Potian, naturally, also thinks so.

Zhang Dongguo does not intend to let all the Qi family members leave the palace.

The distant National Preceptor walked forward, no longer the previous laziness and ease.

His eyes filled with killing intent, he stared at the unconscious Eldest Princess and Fifth Prince Qi Mingyu; these two are the Qi family's greatest hope, these two talents cannot be allowed to live.

They need pawns, not geniuses, nor a wise ruler.

If so, then let them all die, and redistribute the Great Qi Dynasty.

"Sima Da, are you rebelling?"

Jing Yuheng, upon arriving, immediately labeled them; actually, he was anxious inside, wanting to leave quickly, and after the Eldest Princess wakes up, then make plans.

The Eldest Princess's injuries need treatment; Qimingtian's self-detonation caused her severe harm; they cannot delay.

That pill can only maintain the Eldest Princess's condition, preventing her injuries from flaring up.

But it cannot cure the Eldest Princess's injuries; she naturally knows what Sima Da and his ilk think—these people want to rebel and overthrow the Qi family's rule.

These great clans have long harbored ill intentions.

Jing Yuheng has long known this, but because the Great Qi Dynasty is not yet stable, he cannot act against them.

"Hahaha, Jing Yuheng, what are you? Merely the leader of a Black Dragon Guard, yet you dare be so presumptuous?"

"I am a senior official of the Great Qi Dynasty, a person trusted by the late emperor, and also someone entrusted by the late emperor with his orphan."

"Qi Ruohua, you murdered the late emperor, patricide and fratricide, an unforgivable sin; hand over this criminal Qi Ruohua, otherwise Jing Yuheng will be deemed a rebel minister and killed without pardon."

Wang Chu said, "Jing Yuheng, those who understand the times are outstanding; do not misjudge yourself."

Bai Potian: "Jing Yuheng, also the white wolf and azure dragon vice-commander, you must understand one point: the Qihuang is dead, and those two cannot survive either."

In the struggle of interests, for each other's sake, Qi Ruohua must die.

Otherwise, give her a moment to catch her breath, and it will be their doom.

Zhang Dongguo said coldly, "Jing Yuheng, if you persist in your delusion, don't blame us for being impolite."

They stepped forward to press, and the soldiers behind them all surged forward to press as well.

Each side's experts came out into the open.

The experts of the Sima, Wang, Bai, and Zhang families had already surrounded the Wanggong inside and out.

While waiting, they were not idle.

At this moment, everything is laid bare.

Jing Yuheng's expression changed; these people are indeed ambitious.

"You really intend to rebel?"

"My family's the Highness is heaven-ordained; this rule was set by you, and now you want to break it?"

Sima Da heard this and gave a cold smile: "Rules? Jing Yuheng, are you joking? Only the strong have the right to set rules; those rules are meant to bind the weak, not the strong."

"Today, they will both die."

"Hand over Qi Ruohua and Qi Mingyu, or else you will die alongside them."

Sima Da and the others didn't want to linger; they raised their hands, and the people behind them bristled with killing intent.

Dragging things out will lead to change.

End everything early to avoid any mishap.