Chapter 470: Division of Authority! Chu Yang Returns! The Two Faces of the Great Xia Empress?

Central Continent, Great Xia Empire, Imperial Capital.

In the Golden Throne Hall, Tang Huo’er sat on the Dragon Throne, wearily rubbing her temples.

“Why must Itachi handle every matter yourself?” A soft voice suddenly echoed, followed by a figure appearing in the hall.

Tang Huo’er blinked, then smiled bitterly: “Master’s aunt, my teacher entrusted the entire Great Xia Empire to me and paved the way—I can’t let him down?”

Yun Yun, clad in a white robe with an elegant aura, shook her head and smiled: “Itachi know very well his heart isn’t on this continent.”

“Whether helping the Yunlan Sect rise or establishing the Great Xia Empire, it was all to prepare for our future advance into the ‘Heaven Beyond Heaven.’”

“If Itachi let this slow your cultivation, aren’t Itachi putting the cart before the horse?”

Tang Huo’er’s beautiful eyes flickered with mischief: “Aunt Yun, why don’t Itachi become Regent? Don’t worry—I guarantee no one will dare utter a single word of protest!”

Yun Yun rolled her eyes, exasperated: “If not for your teacher needing Huahua Sect to boost the empire’s prestige, I wouldn’t have even taken over as Huahua Sect’s leader!”

“Ever since what happened with Yunlan Sect, I’ve lost all interest in managing a sect, let alone an entire empire!”

Tang Huo’er pouted; since Chu Yang entered seclusion, she had grown close to Yun Yun, calling her “Aunt Yun” yet treating her like an older sister.

Only in front of a handful of people did she ever drop the title “I, the Emperor,” shedding her imperial demeanor.

Seeing Tang Huo’er’s helpless expression, Yun Yun felt a pang of pity. After a moment’s thought, she suddenly said: “Itachi might consider appointing capable administrators and dividing the empire into two branches.”

“Oh?” Tang Huo’er paused, then her eyes lit up: “Itachi mean… separating the empire’s strongest cultivators into their own management?”

Yun Yun nodded. Even though this wasn’t the first time she’d witnessed Tang Huo’er’s brilliance, she couldn’t help but be impressed.

No wonder Chu Yang entrusted her with the Great Xia Empire—Tang Huo’er wasn’t just gifted; she was sharp-witted. Yun Yun had merely mentioned it in passing, and Tang Huo’er instantly grasped the full implications.

“This is an excellent idea. Then I’d only need to manage the empire’s top cultivators!”

Tang Huo’er’s eyes grew brighter still: “I’ll select trustworthy individuals and delegate authority to them—so long as the core power remains in my hands, the empire’s foundation won’t be shaken!”

She grew more enthusiastic: “The alchemists can be separated too—entrust them to Elder Lin. He’s inseparable from my teacher and utterly trustworthy!”

“What’s so amusing?” A tinkling laugh suddenly rang out.

The two women looked up to see Nalan Yanran entering, dressed in a short skirt, her long legs sheathed in black stockings.

“What kind of attire is this?” Yun Yun frowned, finding her disciple vastly inferior to Tang Huo’er.

Nalan Yanran stuck out her tongue, teasing: “This is fashion! Teacher, don’t think I don’t know!”

“Itachi’ve already secretly put on panties and a bustier!”

Exposed in front of Tang Huo’er, Yun Yun’s face flushed crimson; Tang Huo’er covered her mouth and giggled.

In the vast Great Xia Empire, the two people closest to her were Yun Yun—who had fully relinquished her power in Huahua Sect and become a hands-off manager—and Nalan Yanran—who had passed on her sect leadership to Akatsuki Akatsuki and come to the empire to live freely.

The three women would gather every few days to watch dramas via the Black Tower.

They’d also experiment with the outfits, novel ideas, and new things they saw in the dramas.

But Tang Huo’er, as Empress, and Yun Yun, as a teacher and former Supreme Leader of Yunlan Sect, both held back their dignity—only Nalan Yanran, unrestrained, spent her days obsessing over fashion.

As for their motive, everyone knew…

It was merely a way to “please” a certain man!

“Aunt Yun, Aunt Yun, rest here—I’m going to court!” Tang Huo’er, consumed by thoughts of shedding some burdens, spoke to them and hurried out of the hall.

…………

In court, ministers argued noisily.

The Empress had just proposed a division-of-power system—leaving many utterly stunned.

What did it mean? Power delegation!

But if authority was no longer centralized in the Empress’s hands, and someone among the new rulers developed disloyalty, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Even if it didn’t shake the empire’s foundation, it would cause massive disruption.

Seated on her wheelchair, clad in a dragon robe, Tang Huo’er looked down as the supporters and opponents grew more heated, nearly ready to brawl. She furrowed her delicate brows.

She waved her hand lightly—a terrifying pressure instantly engulfed the entire hall.

Six-Star Dou Sheng!

In just one year, Tang Huo’er’s cultivation had undergone a revolutionary transformation! If Chu Yang were here, he’d instantly see she had fully mastered the Taiji True Meaning.

On the surface, Tang Huo’er’s breakthrough speed even surpassed Chu Yang’s.

But in truth, Chu Yang had devoted all his energy to assimilating the Bodhi Tree’s spirit, delaying his own cultivation.

This year-plus of advancement came entirely from the Yuan Jue’s unique “Yuan Breathing,” which operated autonomously at all times.

Though its autonomous cultivation was fast, without celestial treasures to fuel it, energy limitations had restricted her to only Eight-Star Dou Sheng.

Otherwise, not even a year—half a year would have been enough for Chu Yang to break into Dou Di!

The hall fell utterly silent. Though some senior ministers were stronger than Tang Huo’er, none dared challenge the Empress’s authority.

“I’m not consulting Itachi—I’m issuing an order!”

At this moment, Tang Huo’er radiated an aura of natural majesty.

All ministers bowed their heads, silent.

Tang Huo’er continued: “Tomorrow, establish the Regency Council. From now on, all court affairs will be decided by the Regency Council.”

“For matters too critical for the Regency Council to decide, submit them directly to me!”

“Also, no marquises may leave their fiefs without my decree—each fief governs its own affairs, entirely independent of the Regency Council!”

“Princes and dukes are the same, but they retain the right to enter the palace and meet me.”

Here, Tang Huo’er paused, watching the surprise and delight in the eyes of the dukes, princes, and marquises. She narrowed her beautiful eyes and added: “I grant Itachi independence from the Regency Council—but that doesn’t mean Itachi can act lawlessly!”

“I will set a standard: contact Yunlan Sect and have them send a delegation of elders to inspect the empire annually.”

“If any territory fails to meet the standard, or disobeys my imperial orders behind my back, I will strip your titles or princely status!”

“Also, don’t even think of bribing Yunlan Sect’s elders—if I find out, I’ll execute your entire clan!” Tang Huo’er blinked, pulling out a Black Tower in her palm.

Chu Yang had left her a Black Tower, identical to Yunlan Sect’s.

Yunlan Sect’s tower was now in Akatsuki Akatsuki’s hands—which was precisely why Nalan Yanran had come to the palace, using Tang Huo’er’s tower to watch dramas…

Moments later, Akatsuki Akatsuki’s clear voice suddenly echoed from the Black Tower.

“I am the Yunlan Sect’s Sect Leader. Any elder of this sect who reports a bribery attempt with solid evidence shall be rewarded a cultivation art surpassing Heavenly Rank!”

As her words ended, the Black Tower trembled slightly and dissolved in Tang Huo’er’s hand.

The hall fell silent. The marquises and princes who had been smug moments ago now sweated profusely.

A cultivation art surpassing Heavenly Rank lay before them—a treasure they could never obtain!

It was obvious: if they dared bribe, Yunlan Sect’s elders would go to any lengths to gather evidence and submit it to the Sect Leader.

The Sect Leader would then pass it to the Empress—and their punishment would be total annihilation. No one was foolish; no Yunlan Sect elder would trade a sesame seed for a melon.

Tang Huo’er and Akatsuki Akatsuki’s move had utterly eliminated any possibility of deception from the fiefs.

She then detailed the management of alchemists and the division-of-power system before declaring court dismissed.

She had always been decisive, and the ministers were long accustomed.

But as the ministers knelt on one knee and Tang Huo’er rose to leave, a figure appeared silently in the hall.

Amid the sea of kneeling figures, this figure stood out starkly.

“D—” Tang Huo’er’s personal maid was about to shout, but recognized the figure’s face, shuddered, and clapped her hand over her mouth.

Tang Huo’er froze in place, displaying unprecedented unsteadiness before the ministers.

When she regained her composure, her eyes grew slightly red. Without regard for propriety, her golden-red dragon robe fluttered like a brilliant butterfly as she rushed toward the figure.

Chu Yang embraced Tang Huo’er, seeing the Weiqu and exhaustion on her face, and soothed her gently like a child: “Master has only been gone a year—hardly a long separation. Itachi’re acting like this—don’t make people think we have some unnatural relationship…”

Tang Huo’er, eyes swollen, looked up slightly and glared at the ministers: “Who dares?”

The ministers shuddered, bowing their heads even lower.

“Come, tell Master—who made Itachi so heartbroken Itachi rush to cry the moment Itachi see me?”

Chu Yang’s gaze turned icy; a terrifying aura instantly engulfed the entire hall!

Everyone turned pale; their single-knee bows became full prostrations, trembling violently.

Tang Huo’er wiped her tears and laughed: “Master… stop scaring them!”

“Rise, my ministers! I’ve seen your past deeds!”

“Don’t betray my expectations—or I won’t spare Itachi out of old affection!”

Her words clearly targeted the marquises, dukes, and princes.

Seeing Chu Yang appear, and merely his aura making even the Dou Sheng peak elders tremble, who dared harbor secret thoughts? “Your Majesty! Emperor Chu! We take our leave!” Once Chu Yang withdrew his aura, they scrambled to their feet and backed out of the hall, bowing deeply.

Tang Huo’er released her grip on Chu Yang, glanced at his damp robe, and blushed.

The maid had already wisely withdrawn—now only the master and disciple remained in the hall.

Seeing the Empress, who moments ago had been so dignified and decisive, now weeping like a wounded girl, Chu Yang shook his head with a wry smile.

“Before coming here, I wandered through the Great Xia Empire. Itachi’ve done well—better than I expected.”

He ruffled Tang Huo’er’s hair, teasing: “Even when emotionally stirred, Itachi still used my reputation to intimidate the ministers. Itachi’re finally acting like a true Empress.”

Tang Huo’er looked embarrassed, lowering her head: “Master, don’t tease me. Even as Empress of Great Xia, I’m still the disciple who used to wash your feet, rub your back, and serve your tea…”

Chu Yang blinked, frowning: “When did I ever make Itachi wash my feet or rub my back?”

He glanced sideways toward the hall’s entrance, exasperated: “If Itachi’re here, why hide?”

Nalan Yanran stepped in, smirking: “Well well! Little brother! Treating your disciple like a servant!”

Tang Huo’er covered her mouth and giggled—no trace of her earlier pitiful demeanor.

But Chu Yang smiled. Tang Huo’er’s growth brought him great satisfaction.

…………

Nightfall, before the Golden Throne Hall.

The maids and guards stared at the barbecue grill set up before the grand hall, and at the six people with grease dripping from their mouths, none knowing where to look.

If I’ve seen something like this, won’t they kill me to silence me?

Sitting around the barbecue grill right now are some of the most powerful and authoritative beings on the entire continent!

Besides Master Chu Yang and his disciple, as well as Yun Yun and her disciple, Akatsuki Akatsuki and Dan Tong had also come to join the fun.

Notably, Akatsuki Akatsuki’s current cultivation level had reached the peak of Dou Sheng, and her strength rivaled that of a “Half-Emperor.”

In comparison, the cultivation advancement of Yun Yun, Nanlan Yanran, and Tang Huo’er was actually slower than that of most high-ranking officials of the Great Xia Empire and the Yunlan Sect.

This was not due to insufficient talent or inferior cultivation techniques, but because each of them had chosen a path unlike any other.

For others, Dou Di was the ultimate peak—even with the connection between the Grand World and the Dou Qi Continent, to break through to Earth Supreme in one’s lifetime was already considered lucky. But for these three women, Dou Di was merely a beginning! Before breaking through to Dou Di—before condensing the Supreme Sea—they needed to lay a solid, unshakable foundation.

In contrast, Akatsuki Akatsuki and Dan Tong: one had evolved into a fourth-generation peak beast body with a transformed bloodline, a supreme demonic beast.

The other’s true form was a pill—there was simply no need to worry about foundational stability.

“Itachi may all leave now!”

Seeing the nervous guards and maids, Tang Huo’er smiled and waved her hand.

Since His Majesty was smiling so happily, the crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly bowed and withdrew.

In truth, even setting aside Master Chu Yang and his companions’ strength, there was absolutely no need for protection within the imperial palace—no one dared to cause trouble in the Great Xia Imperial Palace.

The reason these people had been kept around earlier was purely because Nanlan Yanran and Tang Huo’er wanted to show off for Chu Yang, having the guards and maids assist with the barbecue… (End of Chapter)