Chapter 692

The next moment, above the void, the portal of transmigration opened.

Golden light converged, and a golden dragon appeared in the sky, eventually taking the form of Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Hail, Grand Ancestor Your Majesty!"

"Hail, Grand Ancestor Your Majesty!"

As Zhu Wushi bowed, the soldiers on the ground followed suit.

Especially the imperial guards who had surrendered their weapons, each bowing faster than the last.

They did not recognize the figure in the sky, nor were they certain it was Zhu Yuanzhang.

But to hover in midair and transform into a golden dragon—this was surely a being of the immortals.

If not now, when else would they pay homage?

Moreover, this bow would let them become Zhu Wushi's subordinates without needing any excuse.

They were not defecting, nor were they lacking backbone—they were simply yielding to heavenly fate.

"This…" Zhu Houzhao stared in shock. "Could it truly be Grand Ancestor descending?"

"Six-four-zero," Cao Zhengchun trembled; Zhu Yuanzhang's unhidden aura filled him with mortal peril, leaving not a shred of will to resist.

"Your Majesty, we should bow too!" Cao Zhengchun whispered. "This man cannot be defeated!"

Zhu Houzhao snapped back to his senses and bowed as well, proclaiming loudly: "Hail, Ancestor!"

Seeing Zhu Houzhao bow, the civil and military officials followed suit.

If the Emperor had accepted it, their resistance would be meaningless.

This bow signified it was the Zhu family's internal affair.

This was the power of having a just cause.

"Zhu Houzhao, though you have merits, you acted recklessly. Come with me back to the Immortal Realm to cultivate."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao nearly leapt out of his skin.

He had expected to be deposed, stripped to commoner status, or even executed—yet the outcome was to cultivate in the Immortal Realm.

Was this punishment?

This was a reward.

"For now, assist Zhu Wushi in ascending the throne and ruling the Great Ming."

With that, he descended straight into the palace, beginning to admire the later Great Ming imperial garden.

"Yes, Ancestor!" Zhu Houzhao joyfully accepted the decree and bowed in thanks, turning to Zhu Wushi. "Uncle, you've done well. If you'd just said going to the Immortal Realm was possible, why would we have fought at all?"

Cao Zhengchun looked utterly speechless.

You could summon someone from the Immortal Realm—why didn't you say so earlier? Why make me suffer such terror?

What if something had gone wrong? Wouldn't I have died a glorious death?

"If I'd said so earlier, you wouldn't have believed me."

Zhu Wushi laughed heartily. "Still, Houzhao, there is one matter now that could elevate you further. Would you like to hear it?"

"What is it?" Zhu Houzhao asked curiously.

"Do you know where our Zhu family's cultivation art and elixirs originated?" Zhu Wushi asked with a mysterious smile.

At these words,

Not only Zhu Houzhao leaned in, but even the civil and military officials strained to listen.

"I humbly ask for Uncle's guidance," Zhu Houzhao said, playing the dutiful nephew.

Zhu Wushi bowed toward heaven, his expression reverent: "They come from the Supreme Primordial Tai Xuan Dao Jun. This Dao Jun dwells in the Tai Xuan World, seated atop the Great Luo Heaven, a being of boundless divine power. Just recently, he hosted the Jade Pool Immortal Banquet and bestowed peaches that extend life by tens of thousands of years."

Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao gasped for breath.

The civil and military officials were stunned; several elderly ministers nearly fainted from excitement.

"Did Uncle go?"

Zhu Wushi looked regretful and shook his head. "I was just one thread short of fortune—I didn't make it. But Grand Ancestor did."

Zhu Houzhao looked envious: "Those peaches—tens of thousands of years of life! Grand Ancestor truly has great fortune. But Uncle, why bring up this Dao Jun?"

"If this were about building a temple, my throne would already be yours—you could build it yourself. Why come to me?"

Zhu Wushi shook his head. "Temples must be built, but this is not urgent—I'll handle it myself. What I mean is a way to connect with the Dao Jun. I've noticed Yun Luo Princess has considerable talent; she could be sent to Great Luo Heaven to serve as a handmaiden to the Dao Jun."

"If the Dao Jun accepts the princess, then—you too would be connected to the Dao Jun. Next time there's an Immortal Banquet, it will be your chance."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao gasped again.

Then he thought better of it and shook his head. "Yun Luo is my sister, but I cannot force her."

Zhu Wushi smiled. "How is this forcing? This is offering her fortune. In Great Luo Heaven, she gains eternal life, boundless freedom—isn't that far better than being a mere princess in the mortal world?"

At this, Zhu Houzhao fell silent.

"You may discuss this with Yun Luo and see her opinion," Zhu Houzhao said, waving his hand. "In that case, I too will send Guan Haitang to Great Luo Heaven. If Yun Luo agrees, let them go together—they can look out for each other."

"Guan Miss is to be sent too?" Zhu Houzhao exclaimed in shock.

Zhu Wushi nodded. "Sending her to Great Luo Heaven is far better than leaving her in the mortal world."

With that, the two turned to serious matters and began the handover.

The ministers exchanged glances, each eye flickering with hidden delight.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has a granddaughter of heavenly beauty—she may be offered to the Immortal Lord!"

"My household also has a daughter, gentle and refined—she may be presented to the Immortal Lord!"

What was meant to be a handover ceremony had turned into a daughter-offering festival, orchestrated by civil and military officials.

Zhu Wushi waved his hand. "This matter can be discussed later. Sending someone there is not so simple—I must first report to the Dao Jun before deciding."

Upon hearing this, the ministers fell still.

In his heart he kept roaring: "Someone surnamed Zhu, you just don't want to share the benefits, you want to keep them all in your own hands, don't you?"

Although inwardly shamed into fury, the ministers did not dare show it.

This one was the new emperor — he could not be offended.

In Jingcheng.

Gu Santong and his family of three had originally been strolling the streets in warm contentment.

Whether it was Gu Santong or Su Xin, neither had seen their son in many years, and wanting to make it up to Cheng Feifei, they indulged him in everything.

Suddenly.

Gu Santong raised his head to look at the sky, his eyes bulging wide.

Cheng Feifei and Su Xin also looked up.

Not just them — at this moment, everyone in the entire capital looked up at the sky, and then saw Zhu Yuanzhang descend, depose Zhu Houzhao, and pass the throne to Zhu Wushi.

"I said why Zhu Tiedan was in such a hurry — turns out he went to take over the throne." Gu Santong came back to himself. "His strength has become so powerful — has he also gotten in with the immortals?"

Su Xin murmured to herself: "There really are immortals?"

Cheng Feifei, shocked: "Daddy, that sworn brother of yours is really impressive. Shouldn't we try to cozy up to him?"

"Pa!"

Gu Santong slapped his son across the face — version 3.0 — and scolded: "Keep your distance from him. Even your old man can't outplay him — do you really think you can?"

"That's becoming an immortal though." Cheng Feifei muttered, but seeing Gu Santong's stern expression, he could only nod. "Fine, no contact then. But Daddy, the Divine Marquis has usurped the throne — should we do something about it?"

"Fei'er!" Su Xin chided gently. "This is the Zhu family's own household matter — let's not get involved."

Gu Santong spread his hands and sighed: "Besides, your father doesn't have the ability to meddle either. Your mother's right — this is the Zhu family's own household matter. We're outsiders, why go and stick our necks out!"

Su Xin nodded: "As long as our family is safe and together, that's enough. The great affairs of the realm can be left for the Zhu family to worry about."