Chapter 306: Executed by Heaven's Decree, Imperially Ordained (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader Old World Calamity and Lord of Twili

If one observed closely, one would discover that this golden giant dragon appearing in the sea of clouds was actually not golden.

It merely emitted golden light, therefore it looked golden.

But a true dragon descending into the world exists only in legend; who would dare gaze directly at such a mythical being with divine might like a prison?

The entire Central Capital was shrouded in the dragon's might that spread unchecked.

Zhao Yan's body was trembling, impossible to tell whether from fear or excitement.

The Emperor has always borne the title True Dragon Son of Heaven, yet who has ever truly seen a dragon?

Was it because he, this Emperor, possessed the Mandate of Heaven that a true dragon appeared, or was it……

The Imperial Guards, the blade-bearing attendants, and the servants, palace maids, and eunuchs — under the terrifying dragon's might, they could no longer stand.

Coupled with the constant understanding that a true dragon represents the supreme.

Soon the first person took the lead and knelt; then, as if cutting straw, one after another, a large patch knelt down in unison.

The cultivators of the Longya Dao Gate naturally recognized this true dragon dancing in the sea of clouds as Master Xuanzang's mount from that day.

But compared to that day, this dragon now truly displayed the awe and terror belonging to a "thing of legend."

Under the dragon's might, these Dao cultivators all felt breathing somewhat difficult, couldn't help but retreat, lower their heads, not daring in the least to meet its edge.

The only ones still able to stand on the field were Tang Luo.

And the Great You Ren Dao Co-Lord, Zhao Yan, protected by dragon-shaped Xuan Qi.

"Ha!"

Zhao Yan opened his mouth, a short laugh, "We are the True Dragon Son of Heaven!"

The dragon's might only affected him at first sight; now Zhao Yan felt no pressure whatsoever.

This golden true dragon had come for him, this Great You Emperor!

The true dragon's appearance truly gave Zhao Yan the courage to face, to confront Tang Luo.

"Xuanzang Monk, disrespectful to We……" Zhao Yan spoke, addressing Tang Luo; the Son of Heaven's wrath, blood flows a thousand li!

"I am the Heavenly Dao's envoy, conveying the Heavenly Dao's will!"

Grand and awe-inspiring, like heavenly sounds, the words came from the sky, cutting off Zhao Yan's speech; the massive dragon head protruded slightly, golden pupils admonishing Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan's body shook; immense fear instantly seized his heart.

At this moment, Zhao Yan suddenly felt like a frog stared down by a venomous snake, a rabbit before a ferocious wolf.

"Heavenly Dao has decreed: Great You's Zhao Yan acts contrary to the Way, slaughters blood kin, lacks benevolence and virtue, persists in delusion, dies unrepentant, committing towering sins."

Little White Dragon Ao Yulie spoke, not making Zhao Yan's "sins" overly complex, striving for concise clarity.

The commoners of the Central Capital, even those who didn't know a single character, completely understood what the golden dragon in the sky meant.

"Heavenly Dao does not tolerate!"

"Therefore We reclaim your position as Human Dao Lord."

Speaking, a massive dragon claw descended, covering the top of Zhao Yan's head.

"Boom!"

A thunderous boom.

The earth seemed to shake twice; the giant claw pressed onto the ground, quickly withdrawing.

A not-too-deep claw print appeared on the ground; Zhao Yan lay prone within it.

The protective Xuan Qi had been blasted away by Ao Yulie; his body itself suffered no injury, but the incomparably majestic five-clawed golden dragon robe he wore was already tattered.

The imperial crown he wore had also fallen to the ground; his hair was a mess.

Where was there even a shred of the Son of Heaven's dignity? Calling him a prisoner at the foot of the steps would not be an overstatement.

"Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life, unwilling to create more killing karma."

"Let Master Xuanzang act in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven, pass judgment on Zhao Yan, execute justice on Heaven's behalf!"

Finished speaking, the dragon head protruding from the clouds retreated; the golden dragon body also began to turn indistinct, submerging into the sea of clouds, only scattered scales and half-claws surfacing, fading away into nothingness as the mist gradually dissipated.

Zhao Yan somewhat dazedly propped himself up, half-kneeling in the claw-print pit, blankly looking around.

Above his head, a patch of shadow enveloped him.

Tang Luo had already stood before him.

"We——" Zhao Yan seemed to still intend a final resistance, but Tang Luo's hand had already pressed onto the top of his head, lightly shaking.

Fresh blood flowed from mouth and nose; Zhao Yan's eyes widened, his body tilted, and he fell to the ground.

"Sinner Zhao Yan executed; Heavenly Dao is clear, cause and effect repaid." Tang Luo pressed palms together, eyes closed, voice like a great bell, "Amitabha."

Finished speaking, he was about to leave.

"Master!"

"Master!"

At this moment, shouts came from the other side; the protective formation formed by the Imperial Guards was brutally torn apart by someone.

Those Imperial Guards lowered their heads and retreated to the side.

Because the ones tearing them apart were the court's civil and military officials, at the forefront several dynasty elders, glaring fiercely, no one could stop them.

Moreover, as the Son of Heaven's personal troops, the Son of Heaven was judged by Heavenly Dao right before them, now executed; where did the Imperial Guards still have the strength to speak?

Including the blade-bearing attendants in the palace, the eunuchs were all souls lost and spirits scattered.

"Master!"

The Left and Right Chancellors stepped forward from the crowd, speaking, "The guilty Emperor is dead, but the state cannot be without a ruler for a single day; please, Master, mind the Great You commoners' suffering, select a wise ruler."

Behind the Imperial Guards, the unseen Kong Ming revealed a smile.

Rest was impossible; Tang Luo made such a big commotion, he knew he had to do something.

Fortunately this was a feudal dynasty; the idea of the True Dragon Son of Heaven was deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

To appear in the form of a true dragon's body, to judge the Son of Heaven on behalf of Heaven, is something everyone agrees upon.

Then, for Xuanzang, who follows the heavenly mandate and acts in accordance with the Dao, to designate the next Son of Heaven is natural and reasonable.

Of course, even if a selection is made, it cannot be arbitrary.

The emperor must also be a member of the Zhao family; Heaven's Way merely punishes Zhao Yan, not the entire Zhao clan.

The princes who had been timidly watching the spectacle now all puffed out their chests, wishing they could rush to Tang Luo's side, embrace his leg, and call him father.

However, there are exceptions.

The Eighth Prince, Zhao Guang, wore a miserable expression—he suffered greatly, seeing his brothers aspire to the throne, and he too began to ponder it.

Before he could do anything, his father dragged him away for a beating, giving him no chance to defend himself.

Then, his own father left him utterly ruined.

Compared to the deceased princes, Zhao Guang is still fortunate, but among the living princes, he is undoubtedly the most unfortunate.

"Very well." Tang Luo naturally would not refuse; his gaze swept over the several princes who had approached, then he turned and looked toward Zhao Guang.

"I am not..." Zhao Guang froze, instinctively speaking: "I am wronged!"

"Let it be him." Tang Luo said, "Prince Zhao Guang is sincere and guileless, devoid of scheming—he is a man of fortune, capable of being a capable ruler."

Zhao Guang froze—what situation is this? Fortune has come too suddenly.

Was he just appointed emperor like this?

Sincere, guileless, fortunate? Wait—is this not a roundabout way of saying he's foolish?

The two chancellors exchanged glances without a word—yes, such a person is indeed suitable to be emperor, ensuring a stable transfer of power, preventing turmoil in the Great You.

Replace him with someone deceitful and scheming, and they would surely cause trouble as soon as they took office.

"Thank you, Master, for selecting a wise ruler." The Left and Right Chancellors, leading the civil and military officials, bowed in unison—announcing the birth of the new emperor and acknowledging Zhao Guang's legitimacy.

Meanwhile, Zhao Guang remained immersed in the joy of unexpected fortune, smiling foolishly.

"Your Majesty!"

Qinglang's voice interrupted Zhao Guang's smile: "Remember past events to guide future ones; I urge Your Majesty not to forget past lessons, lest you repeat past mistakes."

Speaking, he nodded to a group of people, then, accompanied by the disciples of the Longya Dao Sect, rose into the air and departed.

Representing the Longya Dao Sect's stance, they acknowledged Zhao Guang's imperial position—no matter what, the Longya Dao Sect is also a major force within the Great You.

They have never held power before, but that does not mean they cannot influence court affairs.

Qinglang's words also caused the Left and Right Chancellors, whose hearts had been tense, to fully relax—the situation is settled, the Great You need fear no further turmoil!

"Pay respects to Your Majesty!"

The commander of the Imperial Forest Army, General Wang, is no fool; leading the Imperial Forest Army, he bowed in unison, and those princes had no choice but to follow suit.

In such a setting, should they show any dissent, they would certainly not receive gentle advice—but rather death, possibly collapsing on the spot.

"Amitabha." Tang Luo uttered a Buddhist invocation, turned, walked to Afei's side, seized Afei, and departed—seemingly slow, yet vanishing into the distance of the street within a few breaths.

The Left and Right Chancellors rose to their feet; in the coming days, some would be busy.

The sinful emperor has been overthrown, the new emperor has ascended the throne.

Zhongdu is bustling with activity, a scene of widespread celebration.

To the common people, what the previous emperor did or how he died is actually of no concern to them.

Even if a true dragon proclaimed the news to the world, it would merely add another topic of gossip.

For Tang Luo and those like him who walk among gods and demons, this shift in imperial succession has no impact on their mission.

At least not a major one—just extending the final countdown from five days to ten days, nothing more.

Ao Yulie's performance was flawless; Kongming's final assistance perfectly resolved the entire matter.

Staying here for an additional five days is, for everyone, not a bad thing.

"Your fate fragment."

Tang Luo produced the fate fragment and placed it before Afei.

When He Yishan died, Tang Luo, standing beside her, reclaimed the fate fragment.

However, that equipment, which appeared sinister and malevolent, was destroyed by He Yishan and cannot be restored or recovered.

"No need, Master—you keep it." Gazing at the fate fragment before him, Afei smiled slightly, shook his head, and said.

"Not take it?"

"Yes." Afei nodded seriously, "Although I no longer have the fate fragment, I am confident I can retrain in martial arts and cultivate inner strength. Master Fu once taught me a single-armed sword technique; I find it now better suits me than Afei's swift sword, and I wish to combine the two, forging a new path."

"Very well." Tang Luo naturally would not argue with Afei, nor force the fate fragment upon him.

Afei departed; not long after, Kongming approached and said: "Fengxue Fu, alas..." He sighed softly.

"By the way, his sword is with me." Tang Luo said, "Does Fengxue Fu have any old friends wishing to reclaim it? I can offer it at eighty percent of its value."

"No matter—when the time comes, you can simply list it on the trading information board." Kongming said.

In the legends of the martial world, there is no rule requiring the equipment of deceased members to be surrendered.

Whoever obtains it may dispose of it as they wish.

"I will keep Ao Yulie's matter confidential." Kongming said.

Besides him, others only know that Ao Yulie is Tang Luo's disciple, but they have not linked him to the dragon that appeared.

At most, they speculate whether that dragon was something Tang Luo managed to produce.

No one would imagine that Tang Luo raised a dragon as a disciple and intends to take him away!