Chapter 1077

"Hmm! This matter is entrusted to you and Zhang Jianzhi alone."

"Investigate the rebellion of Xuanwu Army swiftly; if evidence is conclusive, proclaim it to the realm, then immediately mobilize troops to exterminate the Xuanwu Army."

Wu Zhao acted decisively, entrusting Di Renjie with authority over this matter, thereby definitively framing its nature.

"Your servant understands!"

Di Renjie immediately accepted the order.

Yet he knew that after the Heavenly Bloom List was announced, Zhu Wen would surely destroy all evidence.

To send men to gather evidence himself was harder than climbing to heaven.

Fortunately, Shi Yao possessed abundant evidence of Zhu Wen's intent to rebel.

If they could find Shi Yao, not only could Zhu Wen's guilt be sealed, but other advantages would follow.

"Enough, I am weary. Yuan Wang, Di Qing, Zhang Jianzhi, and Grand General Su remain; the rest may withdraw!"

After discussing this matter, Wu Zhao added.

"Yes! Your servant takes his leave."

Yet all Tang court officials and elite attendants saw clearly: it was not the Empress who was weary, but rather that she had important matters to discuss with these key ministers.

After bowing, they filed out in orderly succession.

Soon, the vast Ming Hall was left with only Wu Zhao, Chahatai, Di Renjie, Zhang Jianzhi, and Su Dingfang—the five of them.

Even the palace maids led by Zhang Wuxia had withdrawn beyond the Ming Hall.

When Wu Zhao called his name, Chahatai's heart skipped.

Upon careful reflection, none of these men had noticed his earlier change of expression!

Then why had she kept him behind?

"Di Ge Lao, ask your question."

Wu Zhao knew full well that Di Renjie would surely wish to question Chahatai, so she had created the opportunity for him.

Di Renjie immediately rejoiced, bowing to Wu Zhao in gratitude.

Then he bowed to Chahatai, respectfully addressing him as Yuan Wang, before asking,

"Your Highness Yuan Wang, what is the Longsheng Tian Shengong?"

"Hmm?"

Chahatai was first stunned—he had not expected this.

He exhaled slowly, pondered at length, then said,

"Given your wisdom, Di Ge Lao, how could you not already know what the Longsheng Tian Shengong is?"

Chahatai first flattered Di Renjie, then continued,

"My knowledge of the Longsheng Tian Shengong is truly limited.

I only know this divine art was left behind by our people's deity, Longsheng Tian, exclusively for the Great Khan to cultivate.

The power and details of this art are known only to each generation's Great Khan.

Since my father ascended the throne, he has never displayed martial skill, so none of us ever knew what the Longsheng Tian Shengong truly was.

Yet I never imagined my father, so fond of my younger sister, would give her this exclusive Khan's art to prevent her from taking her own life."

Chahatai spoke at length, rambling.

Yet in summary, it amounted to nothing more than ignorance.

The only useful information was that this Longsheng Tian Shengong was exclusive to the Great Khan.

Added to that was the deity of the various grassland peoples—Longsheng Tian.

Di Renjie grew curious: did gods truly exist in this world?

Yet he immediately recalled how the Great Dragon Head had slain one hundred thousand Qixie soldiers with a single sword.

That kind of sword art, defying heaven itself, had long transcended mortal limits, bordering on divine miracle.

Perhaps gods did exist after all!

"Now that Princess Hua Zheng has received this divine art, what impact will it have on the Great Yuan?"

Su Dingfang had spent his life viewing the Great Yuan as a formidable enemy; to him, since this divine art belonged exclusively to the Great Khan,

Princess Hua Zheng's exposure might once again stir upheaval.

"This…"

Chahatai's face twisted into a bitter smile, then he said,

"General, your guess is correct: among the steppe tribes, the true object of worship is not Ming Wang Si, but Longsheng Tian.

Now that my younger sister has been revealed as possessing this divine art and is called the Daughter of Longsheng Tian,

many within the Great Yuan will likely support her ascension."

"What? Will the Great Yuan also have a female emperor?"

Zhang Jianzhi's face showed complex emotions.

Tang's emergence of a female emperor had been fraught with immense turmoil.

Fortunately, Empress Wu Zetian, though a frail woman and not of the Li Tang bloodline,

excelled in both civil governance and martial prowess, worthy of praise.

The entire realm's scholars and commoners had turned their hearts to her.

"This… I do not know…"

Chahatai wore a bitter smile.

He inwardly resented Tie Muzhen.

If you gave this Longsheng Tian Shengong to my sister Hua Zheng, why then pass the throne to that beast, Ogedei?

In this case, it's hard to imagine the Yuan Empire won't descend into chaos.

Thinking of the hidden agents he had planted within the Yuan Empire and the maneuvers of all sides, Chahatai felt even greater dread for the Yuan's future.

"Then let it be this way! Prince Yuan, go in person to Jibei, find your younger sister, and speak with her."

"If she has any interest, I, Daoist Zhen Yuan, am willing to mobilize the full strength of the Tang Empire to place her upon the throne of the Yuan Empress."

Wu Zhao found this quite intriguing—why must the world be controlled by men alone?

Since this Princess Hua Zheng now not only possesses the Longevity Heaven Divine Art, exclusive to the Khan, but is also called the Lady of Longevity Heaven.

In the images, many steppe herders were going to pay homage to her as if on pilgrimage.

Clearly, this Princess Hua Zheng already wielded considerable influence.

If she truly has the will, Wu Zhao had no objection to using the Tang Empire's power to fulfill her ambition.

It's not entirely to disrupt the Yuan Empire—it's also to pave the way for more women to ascend to positions of power.

"Your Majesty speaks wisely. Will Prince Yuan be willing to go?"

Di Renjie also felt this was exactly right, and immediately asked Chahatai.

"Very well! I dare not defy Your Majesty's request."

Chahatai did not wish to meet Princess Hua Zheng, but now he had no choice.

Just as Chahatai had agreed, a voice suddenly rang from outside the Ming Hall,

"Jin Guang Sect Master and Yuan Shoucheng request audience."

It was the Jin Guang Sect Master and Yuan Shoucheng who had arrived.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhao immediately said,

"Immediately invite the two gentlemen in."

For other subjects, the word "summon" may be used.

But Jin Guang is the Master of the Xuanxinzheng Sect, a guest advisor to the Tang Empire.

Yuan Shoucheng is even more esteemed as the State Tutor, Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and Tang Empire's Guardian Offering.

These two men, of course, must be invited.

"Your Majesty summoned me—what is the purpose?"

After paying respects, Jin Guang asked respectfully.

Since he had developed his own hidden affliction, he dared not remain far from the Tang Empire's Guardian Secret Realm.

Daily, he relied on the Tang Dragon Qi to temporarily suppress his affliction.

Yet the Tang Empire's Guardian Secret Realm is isolated from the world.