Misty Rain of the Old Times

After Jiang Yuan uttered the slogan "Purge the court of corrupt officials," the old emperor ended the sacrificial ceremony the following day and went to the Fengtian Hall for inspection. The crown prince accompanied him, and officials from the Ministry of Rites and other departments vowed to protect him to the death.

Soon, the area around the main hall was surrounded by imperial guards, palace guards, and eunuchs, who formed two or three layers of protection.

The accompanying Crown Prince Zhou Chen was filled with shock and anger. A coup d'état by force! How could he not be furious? In peaceful times, with singing and dancing, how dare Jiang Yuan or his third brother, Prince Jiang? As for the shock, it was because if he was not careful, he would lose his position as Crown Prince and his fate would definitely be death!
If his third brother, Jiang Wang, succeeds in his coup, would he let him go?
After years of honest and diligent work, just when things were about to come to an end, this unexpected turn of events occurred. Was he going to repeat the mistakes of his previous crown prince brothers?

Even though his heart was in turmoil, fortunately, he had been taught by Emperor Shangxuan for many years and had a good temperament, so he could maintain a calm demeanor on the surface.

Upon arriving at the Fengtian Hall, he stood at the lower end, his face solemn as he cupped his hands and asked, "Father, Jiang Yuan is very powerful. He has commanded a large army for many years, with countless elite soldiers and generals under his command. This time, his actions are aggressive. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, I request that Your Majesty allow the Eastern Palace guards to come and protect you."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply, his expression sincere and earnest. However, no one noticed that as he lowered his head, a hidden ambition flashed in his eyes, which had been filled with shock and anger.

Jiang Wang Zhou Hong, together with Jiang Yuan, launched a military coup, creating an extremely critical situation. But in other words, isn't this also an opportunity for Zhou Chen? If handled well, a bad situation could very well turn into a good one.

Born into royalty, where family ties are weak, how could Zhou Chen, who has been able to hold the position of Crown Prince for so many years, not have some character and cunning? Did he really think that being obedient and compliant would guarantee his position?

Seated on the dragon throne, the old emperor remained calm, waving his hand and smiling, "This incident has happened so suddenly that, to avoid turmoil in the palace, the Crown Prince should not act rashly. Chen'er, do not worry too much; I have my own plan. Just watch and see."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen opened his mouth, then nodded and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Even though he had already begun to oversee the country and handle state affairs, and Emperor Shangxuan would often follow his advice, he did not insist on dispatching the Eastern Palace guards to rescue him at this moment.

He is ambitious, that's true, and he knows this is an opportunity, but that doesn't mean he's lost his mind. He's come this far, what's a little more trouble? If he's not careful, the consequences could be disastrous. It's always better to play it safe.

Based on his years of understanding of his father, the emperor, he never fought a battle he wasn't confident of winning, as if everything was under his control. This was the reason he had remained law-abiding for so many years; he simply dared not.

As Zhou Chen looked up, he saw Shang Xuandi's calm smile and for some reason felt a tightness in his heart, as if those eyes had already seen through him. So he obediently stood to the side, and cold sweat broke out on his back.

He wondered if his father had already guessed his thoughts. What would happen if he insisted on sending the Crown Prince's guards to protect him?
He didn't dare to gamble.

Turning his gaze away, the old emperor looked out of the hall, feeling both gratified and wistful. He was getting old after all; his children had all grown up and had their own ideas. Indeed, after sitting on this throne, he was now completely alone.

Thankfully, I still have Xiao Fuyao, and I can still experience the joy of family affection. Oh, and there's that kid too. Only when I'm with him do I feel like a normal person. Otherwise, I'd just be a heartless clay statue with the power of life and death in this temple.

He never minded that his children were ambitious and had ideas, after all, the position was to be passed down and he would eventually die. But he didn't want his children to be just ambitious fools without brains, because if the position fell into the hands of such a person, there would only be endless troubles.

'Is Chen'er getting anxious too? He's got some brains; he knows how to seize opportunities. What's even more commendable is his self-control and ability to maintain his position. I feel reassured entrusting this position to him. As for Hong'er, he's endured for many years and has shown both courage and capability, even managing to join forces with Jiang Yuan. I just wonder how far he can go, whether he can reach me?'

With this thought flashing through his mind, the old emperor spoke, "Grand Companion."

“Your Majesty, I am here,” Eunuch Wang immediately bowed and said.

With a smile, the old emperor held out his hand and said, "Give me the imperial seal. Also, let them begin."

"As you command," Eunuch Wang replied, handing the box containing the imperial seal to Emperor Shangxuan, while nodding to those nearby.

Placing the imperial seal on the table before him, the old emperor slowly opened it and said to Zhou Chen, "Chen'er, my days are numbered. There are some things I will give you gradually, but not now."

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Zhou Chen immediately knelt down and said, "Father is not old at all; he will surely enjoy a long and prosperous life."

At that moment, he felt a sudden tremor in his heart, realizing that his father was giving him a warning. He knew that some things were rightfully his and should be his. He could only take what his father gave him, and he couldn't take what his father didn't give him!

Shaking his head, Emperor Shangxuan ignored the nonsense about living forever and continued, "I don't have much left to teach you; you'll have to rely on yourself from now on. But today, I'll teach you something else, and you must remember it well."

"I hope Father will give his instructions. I will keep them in mind," Zhou Chen said with a sigh of relief, knowing that his father would not blame him.

With a smile, the old emperor held the imperial seal and said, "Chen'er, you must remember the saying, 'Be prepared for danger even in times of peace.' Just because something hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't happen. So you should think things through more often and prepare contingency plans for things that seem impossible. That way, you won't be caught off guard and forced to react passively when they actually occur."

"Your subject will remember," Zhou Chen nodded earnestly.

The old emperor, unperturbed, continued, "Also, never let anyone guess what you're thinking. It's always good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Don't let anyone know your true nature; that's how you earn their respect. Otherwise, respect is meaningless. And then, learn to use people effectively, not just based on their character. A person's character doesn't equal their ability. Good people and bad people, used well, can bring immense benefits; used poorly, even the best people can cause trouble. That's all."

"Thank you, Father Emperor," Zhou Chen said sincerely, understanding that his father was imparting the art of rulership to him personally. Although it was a superficial discussion, it contained profound knowledge upon closer examination.

Then the old emperor fell silent. In the blink of an eye, Rong Lao appeared silently in the hall, bowed respectfully, and asked, "Your Majesty, there are some troublemakers outside. Should this old minister take action?"

Shaking his head, the old emperor said calmly, "Thank you for your kind offer, Elder Rong, but there's no need to trouble yourself. I have my own plans."

"It is an overthinking of your old minister," Rong Lao nodded. He certainly wouldn't sit idly by in such a matter, but since His Majesty was so wise, it was inconvenient for him to interfere. In any case, it was a critical moment, and before he died, he would not let His Majesty suffer any mishap.

Then the old emperor asked, "Lord Rong, where are they?"

Looking into the distance, Rong Lao said, "Your Majesty, they are less than three miles from the foot of the mountain. At their speed, they will reach the palace in about a hundred breaths."

Upon hearing this, the old emperor nodded and said, "In that case, I would like to trouble Elder Rong to convey a message to them: it's not too late to back down before they go up the mountain. This is their last chance to change their minds."

"Your Majesty is too kind. It is my duty. I will go and convey the message to them now," said Rong Lao, bowing before disappearing.

He returned shortly afterward, reporting Jiang Yuan and the others' unwavering determination.

As expected, the old emperor was secretly pleased with his third son Zhou Hong's decisiveness, but also disappointed by his overzealous actions and lack of preparation.

If Jiang Wang truly had the courage and ability to successfully force the emperor to abdicate, the old emperor would be happy to see it happen, proving that his son had surpassed him and that he would feel at ease with the throne falling into his hands. However, according to the old emperor's understanding, they clearly did not possess such capabilities.

Without even preparing for an inside-outside attack, relying solely on external forces to break through? Success is virtually impossible, and it will ultimately just be a farce.

In fact, the old emperor had already lowered the difficulty for Prince Jiang and his group. He was clearly going easy on them on purpose, as a test. Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to enter the palace!

Ultimately, I'm still disappointed. I can only choose the best among the worst. Chen'er has ambition and means, but he can also control himself. I hope that after I die, he can protect this family business.

The old emperor waved his hand and said, "Rong, please go and rest. It's a misfortune for the family; I won't let you see this laughingstock."

"This old minister takes his leave," said Rong Lao after delivering the message. The old emperor had already said so, and since it was a family matter, he couldn't take the initiative to interfere.

Looking further into the distance beyond the main hall, where mist was faintly rising, the old emperor held the jade seal and said, "Chen'er, this jade seal is not only a symbol of power and status, but also the key to controlling the capital's grand formation. It is clearly just a beautiful seal, yet countless people covet it. Now, you will see what kind of power it can display. It will be entrusted to you in the future. I hope you will use it wisely, or better yet, not use it at all."

As Zhou Chen and the others watched with curiosity or avoided eye contact, the old emperor held the Impression and placed it on the table in front of him. No one could tell how he used it; it seemed as if he had simply covered it up.

But with this simple action, the entire capital city trembled slightly, as if divine wrath had descended!

Immediately afterwards, the grand formation of the capital city, which had been dormant for many years, began to operate, and the seven floating islands, which had been regarded as a magnificent sight by the world, revealed their true nature...

After quickly defeating the men in black, Chen Xuan took the little princess straight to the palace. On the way, he wondered where that guy got his hands on the evil sword and caused so much trouble. It didn't seem like he had the ability to forge the evil sword himself; he probably obtained it by accident.

The person was already dead, not even a trace remained, so there was no point in asking any further questions, and I stopped caring about it.

By the time the thick fog completely enveloped the palace, he had already brought the little princess to the palace grounds.

Surrounded by mist and observing the golden glow emanating from the buildings and the ground, Chen Xuan thought to himself that he was lucky he had run fast. The pillar of light that descended from the sky not only had an extremely strong defensive effect, but also sealed off the entire palace. If he had arrived a moment later, he would have been blocked outside the range of the pillar of light.

If he were blocked outside, he didn't know if he could break through the blockade to get in. He wasn't going against Old Deng, so there was no need to do such a thing. The reason he was certain the pillar of light still had a blocking effect was simple: hadn't he seen Jiang Yuan in the mist going berserk? With his Grandmaster-level cultivation, he was attacking wildly, attempting to destroy the formation, yet his terrifying power hadn't affected the capital city outside the palace in the slightest. Otherwise, with his strength, such actions would have caused unimaginable widespread disaster.

In short, the pillars of light from the capital's grand formation protected the palace and sealed off the area. Not only could it not cause much damage, but under the cover of the thick fog, the outside world could not see what was happening in the palace area.

Others might be affected by the mist array, with their vision and hearing limited, and their thoughts and senses interfered with, but Chen Xuan would not be, because the mist array flag was made by himself, so how could he be limited by something he made?
Even if he didn't leave any so-called back door, once he entered the fog's area, he quickly understood its operating rules after taking a look. After following the specific steps for a few steps, even the thickest fog was just a transparent veil in his eyes.

The mist formation will not affect the person who sets up the formation or controls it. When Chen announced the formation, his sensory range was only ten zhang. This was just to personally experience the effectiveness of the formation. After all, if you don't understand the formation, how can you use it to fight the enemy?

Holding the little princess, Chen Xuan didn't rush to find Old Deng. The old man was sitting high on the dragon throne, looking perfectly fine. Judging from his steady and unwavering posture, Chen Xuan suspected that despite his Grandmaster cultivation, if the old man were to focus all his efforts on dealing with him, he might be played like a grandson!

This was the first time Chen Xuan had experienced Lao Deng's character and methods from a third-party perspective. He had to admit that in terms of intelligence and tactics, he couldn't even come close to him. Apart from cultivation, he was probably nothing in front of him.

Fortunately, Old Deng wasn't an enemy and treated him like a junior. But when Chen Xuan thought about how Old Deng would go all out to deal with him, he figured he definitely wouldn't be able to withstand it. No matter how strong you are, you're not omnipotent. Besides, he had too many weaknesses, which Chen Xuan had to admit.

Those who rely on fists will never outwit those who use their brains. Whether others agree or not, Chen Xuan acknowledges it: no matter how powerful you are, a smart person will always find a weakness in you and exploit it.

Looking towards Jiang Yuan's direction, he and Zhou Hong were trapped in the fog, having lost their way, like headless flies.

Witnessing Jiang Yuan's actions and feeling his undisguised martial will, Chen Xuan had to admit that Jiang Yuan's cultivation level might not be as high as Wei Wuyai's, who died at his hands, but his combat strength was definitely above Wei Wuyai's!

As expected of the youngest Grandmaster in the Jing Kingdom, he had emerged from the battlefield. Even Chen Xuan was ashamed of his indomitable spirit. In comparison, Wei Wuyai had perhaps been pampered for many years and had lost that sharpness and courage.

However, no matter how strong Jiang Yuanqiang was, the palace was already protected and sealed by the formation. All the methods he used were absorbed by the formation and dispersed throughout the capital, so they could not cause much damage. Every plant, tree, brick and tile in the palace was like an impregnable fortress, and his destructive power was just like that of an ordinary person.

Of course, without the protection of the array, the entire palace would probably have been almost completely destroyed by him.

Silently watching Jiang Yuan, sensing his martial will, Chen Xuan realized that there were many things about him that Chen Xuan could learn from and absorb.

In Chen Xuan's perception, the place where Jiang Yuan was located seemed to have transformed into a bloody battlefield, with the setting sun like blood, smoke rising everywhere, and clashing swords and broken limbs. He himself had transformed into a commander leading thousands of troops, fearless in the face of death, ready to go even if there were millions of enemies.

'This is the pure path of slaughter, with no retreat, only invincibility, an unyielding will, and eternal invincibility…'

In just a short while, Chen Xuan benefited greatly. If he could digest and absorb the knowledge afterward, his strength would reach a new level.

He cultivates the Way of Nature, for the universe itself contains the Great Way, and the ability to embrace all things is the source of his progress.

Among Chen Xuan's skills was the Thunderous Dragon Spear Technique. He had used this technique once when he went north to Mo City, and he had already mastered it to a high level. However, due to his limited cultivation, he could not unleash its true power. But he had always felt that something was missing, and now he had found that missing point from Jiang Yuan.

Now that his weaknesses have been addressed, given some time, he will advance further in the Thunderous Dragon Spear Technique, reaching the extraordinary level of the Seven Revolutions Blazing Sun Palm, capable of unleashing power beyond his cultivation limits!
Just like when he observed Master Rong's martial arts, Chen Xuan also absorbed things that were useful to him from Jiang Yuan.

With such gains, the time it took him to reach the Tribulation Transcending Realm was shortened even further.

Like a trapped beast, Jiang Yuan had no idea that he was actually giving Chen Xuan martial arts instruction and experience; otherwise, he probably would have vomited blood.

This is because Chen Xuan's talent is too terrifying. Without specific training methods, martial arts moves, or internal energy cultivation techniques, he can gain something just by observing, which is simply unbelievable.

"Brother Xuan, how can there be such a thick fog at midday? Is this still my home? Will Father be alright after this happens?" The little princess, held in Chen Xuan's arms, asked anxiously as they entered the fog.

During the observation, Chen Xuan comforted her, saying, "Qianning, don't worry, your father-in-law will be fine. When have you ever seen him suffer a loss?"

"That's true, but it's Jiang Yuan's rebellion. I won't feel at ease until I see it with my own eyes," the little princess said worriedly. She knew Jiang Yuan's formidable reputation, so how could she not be worried? As for whether the thick fog would affect Jiang Yuan and his group, that was not within her consideration.

Having promised Old Deng not to reveal the matter of the Misty Array, and since the little princess hadn't asked, Chen Xuan didn't bring it up either. It wasn't exactly hiding anything, but rather he said, "In that case, let's go to my father-in-law's place."

Anyway, the fog formation couldn't block his vision; it was the same no matter where he looked.

"With such thick fog, Brother Xuan, can you tell which way is which? I grew up in the palace, and even now I don't know where I am," the little princess said worriedly, looking around in confusion.

To this, Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm here."

As they were about to head to the Fengtian Hall, Jiang Yuan's elite troops had already been mostly captured by the Dark Dragon Guard. The Drunken Spring Breeze was useless against Chen Xuan, and similarly, it was useless against Jiang Yuan, who was at the Grandmaster level.

Just then, Chen Xuan glanced at An Yi and raised an eyebrow slightly. He couldn't help but feel a little sad. Jiang Yuan was finished. A famous general and a master expert, he ended up like this. He didn't die on the battlefield, nor did he have a glorious ending. It was truly tragic and lamentable.

Who told him to embark on a path of no return? When he launched a violent coup, his fate was already sealed.

Chen Xuan recognized the object in An Yi's hand at a glance. Even though he had never seen it before, Old Liu was an expert in alchemy and weapon crafting, and had left him with a lot of valuable experience and information.

The porcelain bottle he was holding contained something called the 'Heart-Eating Curse,' which is somewhere between a hidden weapon and a poison, or a combination of both. It is a transparent, fine needle that is difficult to see with the naked eye. Its crafting process is extremely complex, and the materials are hard to find. Even if Chen Xuan wanted to craft it, it would be no easier than working on the Misty Array for several months.

That thing was launched using a special technique, with millions of tiny needles, invisible to the naked eye, disappearing into the air. It was practically invisible, colorless, and odorless, making it impossible to defend against. Forget about inhaling it; once surrounded by those countless needles, they could penetrate the body through the skin, leaving no opening. Once hit, even the strongest cultivator would become nothing more than fish on a chopping board. Forget about using your internal energy; even the slightest movement would cause excruciating pain, like being pierced by a thousand arrows. It didn't just affect the body; it also affected the mind. No matter how strong one's willpower, it couldn't withstand it!
Jiang Yuan was finished. When An Yi took out that thing, he had no chance to resist.

Chen Xuan was fully aware of the terrifying power of the Heart-Eating Curse. If he hadn't known beforehand, he wouldn't have been able to defend against it. Of course, even if he were to fall victim to it, there was a way to deal with it, but he would need the appropriate 'antidote'.

The fact that they've brought out things like "Drunken Breeze" and "Heart-Eating Curse" shows how unimaginable the depth of a nation's resources. Luckily, I'm not ambitious. If I relied on my abilities to do whatever I wanted, and someone was caught off guard, I probably wouldn't even know how I died.

In this fog, how could Jiang Yuan defend against the almost invisible and intangible Heart-Eating Curse? An Yi only needed to calculate the flow of air and follow it, and Jiang Yuan would be caught in the trap in a moment, rendering even his great strength useless...

"This kind of person doesn't deserve sympathy," Chen Xuan shook his head and led the little princess toward Fengtian Hall.

On the way, he thought for a moment and instructed, "Qianning, your father-in-law is dealing with important matters. We should just watch from the side. After all, I am a relative of the maternal family and it is not appropriate for me to interfere. Just make sure that he is safe and sound, okay?"

“Okay, Brother Xuan, I was just worried about Father. I’m relieved that he’s alright. But can two adults like us hide this place?” The little princess nodded.

With a smile, Chen Xuan said, "That's easy. Don't speak, don't make any rash moves, and leave the rest to me."

As they spoke, the two arrived at Fengtian Hall. This area was not covered by thick fog, and even if it were, it would not affect Chen Xuan.

When they arrived, the square outside the main hall was already filled with kneeling people, all of whom were the generals Jiang Yuan had previously led.

No sooner had he arrived than An Yi brought Jiang Wang Zhou Hong here. Mission accomplished, there was nothing more for him to do, so he wisely disappeared into the shadows.

At this moment, the thick fog began to dissipate rapidly. When Jiang Wang arrived, he saw Emperor Shang Xuan in the main hall ahead with an expressionless face, and his subordinates kneeling around him with despair in their hearts. He knew that all was lost.

But he was, after all, a man with the courage to launch a violent coup, and still had some backbone. Even now, he didn't weep and beg for mercy; instead, he sighed dejectedly, performed the rites of father and son, and said, "Your subject knows his crime and submits to your father's judgment."

The surroundings were completely silent; no one knew what Emperor Shangxuan was thinking at that moment.

The father and son stared at each other for a moment, and then Emperor Shangxuan said without any emotion, "If you had begged for mercy the moment you opened your mouth, I would have killed you without hesitation, you unfilial son. You still have some backbone. Now get out of my sight, kneel down and reflect on your actions and await your punishment!"

The victor is king, the loser is villain. Jiang Wang could only do as he was told with a dejected look on his face. From then on, that position was no longer within his reach. His dream of many years was dashed in an instant.

Seeing this from the shadows, Chen Xuan thought to himself that this was probably what they meant by "even a tiger won't eat its cubs." No matter how big a mistake a child makes, it's still their own child.

But is Lao Deng the kind of person who is bound by family ties and acts on emotion?
...(End of chapter)