Chapter 6: The Grand Ceremony Arrives

Soon, Dong Zhuo and his party arrived at the gate of the Imperial Palace.

"Later, follow me to attend court; Hua Xiong, you and the others must secure the Imperial Palace, no one may go in or out, and anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!!!"

"Son‑in‑law, you take people to watch over the young emperor; also arrange for people on the Chen Liu side to keep control; remember, not a single mistake may occur." Dong Zhuo said gravely to the crowd.

"Yes!!!" the crowd hurriedly replied.

Inside the Grand Hall of the Imperial Palace, Liu Bian sat upright on the Dragon Bed, a dense chill evident in his brows; his gaze lifted slightly, revealing the Dragon Robe and Imperial Crown that signified imperial status.

"Dragon Robe, Imperial Crown!" Liu Bian stared intently, his eyes blazing with heat.

"Today I have wronged you, but after today you will become the most honored beings of this day, and moreover, after today I will no longer refer to myself as 'I', but as Emperor!!! The past humiliations will from now on disappear completely."

Liu Bian gazed at the Dragon Robe and Imperial Crown, thinking boldly in his heart.

"Dong Zhuo, Li Ru, you should be here by now!"

After donning the Dragon Robe and Imperial Crown, Liu Bian quietly sat on the Dragon Throne, his sharp gaze fixed on the gate, awaiting Li Ru's arrival.

Bang!

Suddenly, the tightly shut palace gate was kicked open; Li Ru, with a grim face, led several Xiliang Army soldiers whose faces were full of murderous intent into the Grand Hall, advancing toward Liu Bian.

Huh! What's going on? Is this still that useless emperor?

Li Ru saw Liu Bian's attire, then looked at the aura surrounding him; such an aura could not belong to a useless emperor.

In an instant, Li Ru sensed the might on Liu Bian; even on Dong Zhuo he had never felt such an aura, this soul‑level impact was so strong that Li Ru felt a compulsion to bow his head, a chill surged to his brain, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"This… how is this possible? In just three days, how has this useless one changed so drastically!"

For a long while, Li Ru hadn't recovered from the astonishment Liu Bian caused; compared with three days ago, they looked like two different people, as if worlds apart—how could one person change so much in just three days!

If Liu Bian could hear Li Ru's inner thoughts, he would surely say to him:

"Lord Li, you don't understand the world of Hang B; you can't control this kind of person!!!"

"Sir, the Prime Minister is still waiting for us in the Court Hall." A Xiliang Army soldier whispered into Li Ru's ear.

Upon hearing the soldier's words, Li Ru felt a sudden jolt, and only then snapped back to his senses, his gaze at Liu Bian turning icy.

"This damned thing, even at the brink of death it still dares this attire, actually making me lose so much face!"

Angry, Li Ru immediately wanted to strike, but thinking of Dong Zhuo's grand plan for the Han, his inner fire melted like summer fire meeting ice:

"Enough, first let this guy live a little longer; even if he doesn't survive today, after the abdication we will finish him!"

"Liu Bian, let's go, it's time for the court; don't think about playing tricks, otherwise you'll die a terrible death!"

Li Ru, with no respect and a mocking face, warned Liu Bian.

Liu Bian rose, gave Li Ru a faint glance, his expression unchanged:

"This old fool truly can endure; I thought this guy would lose control and act, but you damn it, if you had dared to act just now, I would have eliminated you now; forget it, let this dog thing live a bit longer!"

Although both appeared fine on the surface, in their hearts they had already marked each other for certain death.

Liu Bian rose slowly, clasping his hands together, exuding a strong Imperial Might; even without actively releasing his aura, his body already possessed a fate‑defying constitution.

Combined with the changes brought by Cultivation, it was beyond what ordinary mortals could endure; this was the result of his own restraint—if he were to actively release it, no one in this world could withstand it.

Even Lü Bu couldn't stand it; the gap was simply too great.

Liu Bian slowly walked toward the outside of the Grand Hall; after seeing his departing silhouette, several Xiliang Army soldiers gradually came to their senses.

The few subconsciously rubbed their eyes, exchanged glances, and each saw disbelief in the other's eyes.

This… is this still the useless emperor they once saw? In the past, that useless emperor would tremble and bow meekly; compared to now, it's a completely different person.

Now, Liu Bian appears to them like an emperor of the Nine Heavens, unviewable.

"Damned bastard, this useless one, how can he have such aura? Could it be that something truly changed? But how could that be? In these three days no one entered, he couldn't have gone out; what is happening?"

Li Ru stared at Liu Bian's departing silhouette, his face turning black, staring intently, trying to discern the problem, but no matter how he examined, he saw nothing; he was completely at a loss.

Indeed, Li Ru was merely an ordinary mortal; unless Liu Bian spoke, he could not know that such a system‑like powerful existence existed in this world.

After stepping out of the palace gate, Liu Bian, having just traversed, saw the outside of the Grand Hall for the first time.

What came into view were the orderly arranged palace buildings, towering and majestic, their imposing presence showcasing the noble and awe‑inspiring authority of ancient emperors.

On both sides outside the Hall stood fully armed Xiliang Army soldiers; palace maids and eunuchs hurried by, all reflecting the tense atmosphere of the Imperial Palace.

"Presenting myself to Lord Li, presenting… presenting to His Majesty."

As Liu Bian strode forward, the eunuchs and palace maids along the way all bowed in succession,

However, what made Liu Bian feel aggrieved was that these people first paid homage to that treacherous Li Ru, not to him, the true emperor.

This shows how feeble this emperor is; likely the common folk outside now only know the local Marquis and no longer care about the Han Dynasty.

If I hadn't obtained the system, the Han Empire's four hundred years of state would have remained as in history; fortunately I have the system, and after today everything will change.

Liu Bian's thoughts whirled, and in no time he arrived at the Court Hall, where the officials had already been waiting inside for a long while.

"Quickly go in; the Prime Minister has been waiting for a long time; remember not to entertain any improper thoughts, otherwise no one can protect you!"

Li Ru turned his head and scolded Liu Bian, then turned and entered the Grand Hall.

"Alas! Everyone, look, it's that Li Ru fellow, he has led His Majesty here."

"I, the Han lineage, am about to end, former emperor, ancestors of the Han, open your eyes and see, our Han is about to end, Old Minister helpless…"

"Sigh, it's the misfortune of our Han Empire: first the Yellow Turban Rebellion, then eunuchs and consort families usurping power, now Dong Zhuo and his thieves run rampant, sigh…"

When Liu Bian's figure appeared outside the Hall, most of the officials shook their heads and sighed, also expressing anger toward Dong Zhuo and the Xiliang Army.

Even though the Han seems on the brink of collapse, most ministers remain loyal to the Han, the influence of four hundred years still lingers.

However, they dare not reveal these emotions, for once exposed, they would face the slaughter of Dong Zhuo and the Xiliang Army, not only for themselves but also for their families.

After all, in the hands of Dong Zhuo and the Xiliang Army, death would be hard to achieve; for their lives, they have no choice.

At minimum, endurance can preserve the family, though the days ahead will be hard; rebellion would mean certain death, a truth they understand.