Chapter 288: The Position of Emperor

The news of Zhu Wushi's rebellion was known to the entire Imperial Court, and even many martial arts experts had learned of the matter.

And as long as one paid the slightest attention to the situation of the current dynasty, one would know that the Emperor, Zhu Puzhao, had a very low chance of winning this battle, with almost no opportunity for victory.

The Divine Marquis not only controlled the world's troops and horses but was also a peerless expert himself. As for the young Emperor, aside from the Four Great Secret Agents, his forces were pitifully weak.

The disparity between the two sides was stark.

If not for this, when Zhu Wushi had ministers send memorials to the Dragon Protection Villa for him to review, there would not have been a large number of officials responding; only a small portion of officials would have claimed illness at home or directly resigned from office and left the capital.

But no one expected that the Emperor would actually win.

And win so quickly.

Now that the Divine Marquis is dead, the Ten Great Generals have been pardoned for their dereliction of duty and have returned to their respective armies to guard the border passes.

And within the Imperial Court, a new round of reshuffling is about to begin.

……

Fengtian Hall.

Jinluan Treasure Hall.

Covered with glazed gold tiles, built with double-eaved heavy ridges, and featuring vermilion-lacquered, gold-traced, and carved doors and windows, it emitted a brilliant radiance under the sunlight, a scene of carved beams and painted rafters.

The civil and military officials were arrayed in their places, the atmosphere solemn and heavy.

This was the first court session since Zhu Wushi's rebellion, and it held great significance.

The civil and military officials held their breath and focused their minds; during this period, they had received various rumors about His Majesty and dared not be careless.

It is said that the current Emperor is completely different from before, naturally overbearing and possessing great resolve.

In the minds of the civil and military officials, the current Sage was not considered foolish, but there was a significant gap between him and being wise and martial; he could only be described with the word "mediocre."

Of course, for many famous ministers and great generals in history, a mediocre monarch was exactly what they dreamed of.

In reality, none of those who could stand in the Imperial Court were simple; many officials had previously seen that the Sage was not as mediocre as imagined, and in the face of the two great malignant tumors, Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi, his methods of checks and balances were remarkable.

It was just that no one expected the Sage to have such thunderous means, resolving everything so swiftly.

Just then, a steady and powerful sound of footsteps rang out, echoing through the great hall.

Yu Liancheng, wearing the imperial crown and robes, calmly stepped onto the imperial dais, walking toward the dragon chair that symbolized the supreme and unparalleled power of the world.

Every step he took carried a strange power, as if he were treading upon the hearts of the ministers. Their heartbeats pulsed in rhythm with his footsteps.

Not until the Sage walked to the front of the dragon chair and stopped did the crowd of ministers seem to let out a heavy breath.

Yu Liancheng was already seated on the dragon chair.

His expression suddenly turned stern, and a terrifying light shot from his eyes.

In truth, this was not the first time Yu Liancheng had sat on this dragon chair. In his previous experiences, apart from seeing things from a higher vantage point, the dragon chair seemed to have little difference from other chairs.

But under the obeisance of the ministers, there was a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering change. In the dark, it felt as if a vast and majestic energy had descended, pressing in from all directions and pouring into his body.

At this moment, Yu Liancheng felt as if he were a God perched high in the clouds, looking down upon all living beings.

All the common people on this vast land were within his grasp, their fates changing according to his joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

If he wished, it felt as if he could crush any person or thing like an ant.

But Yu Liancheng understood that this strange feeling was merely an illusion.

From the moment he sat on the dragon chair, there was indeed a kind of prestige added to him. This addition felt omnipresent, yet it also felt like a phantom dream, making one unable to help but immerse oneself in it, unable to extricate oneself.

"Is this the Imperial Luck? Heh, in this martial arts world where supernatural powers are not manifest, it is merely icing on the cake. However, it also allows me to experience a different mindset of being above all living beings; perhaps I can create a supreme, overbearing martial art that dominates the world for this."

Yu Liancheng recited silently in his heart, while the court session proceeded in an orderly manner.

This morning court was destined to shake the officialdom.

Many officials were subsequently dismissed, exiled, or had their homes confiscated by Yu Liancheng.

These officials originally had many objections, but as soon as they met his eyes, their hearts trembled instantly, captured by that imperial aura, and they dared not say more.

These dismissed officials were all more or less involved in this usurpation; not having their entire families executed was already an act of grace.

A young eunuch stood by the jade pillar to the side; he slightly raised his head, looked at the majestic Yu Liancheng on the dragon chair, and felt a myriad of emotions in his heart.

This was naturally the real Zhu Puzhao.

Zhu Puzhao wanted very much to reveal Yu Liancheng's true identity in front of the ministers in the court, but he quickly suppressed this thought.

Not to mention whether his current status as a young eunuch could gain the recognition of the court lords, even if everyone knew that Yu Liancheng was an impostor, so what?

This person's martial arts had truly reached a shocking level; with the Imperial Uncle and Cao Zhengchun dead, there was no one left who could suppress him. If he wished, he could wash the Imperial Court in blood at any time.

Who could do anything to him?

Thinking of this, the young eunuch sighed in his heart.

He only hoped this person would keep his promise.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister has a matter to report."

A minister stepped forward and said: "Recently, 'Heaven Beyond Heaven' has invaded from the east, causing strife in the martial arts world, with constant slaughter and a bloody storm; should we send troops to intervene?"

Yu Liancheng waved his hand: "Edo matters are for Edo people to settle; there is no need to intervene."

"But..."

"Hmm!?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

The minister wanted to say more, but was swept by Yu Liancheng's gaze; he was instantly enveloped by a great pressure, his body trembled, and he wisely retreated.

Only then did the court officials become even more certain of the rumors.

The Sage was highly likely to be a disciple of that "First Heavenly Venerable," Yu Liancheng, and the reason he was able to quell this rebellion so swiftly also had everything to do with the First Heavenly Venerable.

Perhaps the Sage was a man of great talent and bold vision, with superhuman intelligence, wanting to use "Heaven Beyond Heaven" to firmly grasp the Imperial Court in his hands as well.

Once this thought occurred, no more ministers brought up the matter of dealing with "Heaven Beyond Heaven."

……

Yu Liancheng had been the Emperor for three months.

During these three months, he fully experienced the prestige and power of an emperor, which improved his state of mind significantly.

Under his vigorous governance, the Imperial Court and the country took on a brand-new look, presenting a state of flourishing growth and vitality.

On this day, he summoned a young eunuch into the Yushufang.

"I am, after all, not suited to be an emperor; it is too exhausting."

After finishing the last memorial, Yu Liancheng rubbed his brow, looked at the young eunuch, and smiled: "I am leaving, and I may live in seclusion hereafter, ignoring worldly affairs."

The young eunuch could not help but tremble.

Without waiting for the young eunuch to speak, Yu Liancheng continued: "I have been the Emperor for three months and am your nominal teacher, so I have left two secret manuals for you on the shelf in the Yushufang; if you practice diligently, you may well become a top-tier expert."

"How can one allow others to snore alongside one's bed? Now that 'Heaven Beyond Heaven' is growing ever larger, I know that once you sit back on this throne, you will very likely deal with 'Heaven Beyond Heaven'."

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly: "But I do not mind; in fact, I find it interesting. If you can truly destroy Heaven Beyond Heaven, I will feel gratified; at least my nominal disciple has some ability. Of course, if you cannot wipe it out in one stroke, you must bear the corresponding price."

He rose to his full height, his bones crackling and popping, and the muscles on his face twisted and shifted until he had restored his original physique and appearance.

Yu Liancheng's hard-body cultivation had reached the pinnacle, allowing him to alter his bones and adjust his muscles at will; he did not need disguise techniques to easily transform into the likeness of another person.

Following this, Yu Liancheng tapped the young eunuch's body, and with a surge of internal energy, the other person's body crackled: "Very well, I am leaving; take care of yourself."

Once these words fell, he stepped forward and walked calmly out of the Yushufang.

Zhu Puzhao turned his head, but he could no longer see Yu Liancheng's figure.

He stood there, not knowing what he was thinking, and after a long while, he suddenly revealed a faint smile and muttered to himself: "First Heavenly Venerable... Master, this disciple will not let you down."