Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 658 The Emperor Has Passed Away!
Beijing.

The contest between the second-rank martial artists continues.

The booming sounds of colliding internal energy and the sharp screech of clashing weapons echoed throughout the capital like endless thunder.

Their fighting style was already terrifying; with every move they made, they released their inner energy, easily destroying entire streets and crushing sturdy houses into dust.

however.

What appears to be a cataclysmic scene is, in the eyes of those who truly stand at the pinnacle of the empire's military power, the result of extreme restraint.

Because they are second-rank martial artists!
Each one of them is a pillar of the nation who has endured countless hardships, possessed great fortune and perseverance to reach this level!

Each of them is a strategic force capable of influencing the global landscape!
Each one is as precious as a legendary divine weapon, and should not be easily damaged!

They all have a scale in their hearts.

Tonight's struggle is essentially a matter of choosing sides and redistributing interests under the change of imperial power.

Regardless of whether Zhao Xun or Zhao Yu ultimately sits on the dragon throne, this vast empire will still need them to support and protect it.

They can fight today and determine who is superior.

But we will never, and cannot, fight to the death.

The victor will naturally gain greater power, control more resources, and have a stronger voice.

The loser may temporarily lose some power and benefits, but their foundation remains, and they will still be a high-ranking second-grade Venerable, enjoying all their wealth and honor.

This is an unspoken, tacitly accepted rule among the top martial artists of the Great Qian Dynasty.

However, there are always exceptions!

There are always people who not only want to determine who is better or worse, but also... who want to fight to the death!

suddenly--

boom! ! ! !

In the depths of the distant night sky, without warning, several dazzling, eerie, and magnificent purple lights suddenly burst forth!
The light was so intense that it instantly illuminated that area of ​​the sky as if it were daytime!
The intense purple light even overwhelmed the moonlight and the firelight in the city, coating the entire capital and everything in it with an eerie purple hue!

Even the second-rank martial artists engaged in fierce combat within the city were shaken to their core, their movements momentarily halting as they stared in horror at the source of the purple light.

"It's a purple soul jade!"

"So many purple soul jades were used at the same time! Who is it?! Who is so crazy?! This is a fight to the death!!"

"Is it really necessary to risk your life like that? I just can't understand it!"

"Crazy! Absolutely crazy!"

……

Purple Soul Jade, how precious it is!
It is a treasure that uses a special secret method to seal the powerful attack of a second-grade martial artist!

It's practically the ultimate trump card for survival!
Logically speaking, a contest of this caliber tonight shouldn't have, and wouldn't have, reached the point where such a trump card needed to be used!
"Who on earth is fighting so desperately?!"

All the experts who were fighting involuntarily slowed down their movements and looked in surprise and uncertainty towards the heart-pounding purple light.

Even the eunuch Wang Jin and the constable Shen Wujiu, who were fighting each other high in the sky, couldn't help but temporarily separate and turn their solemn gazes to the center of the purple storm.

The brightest part of the light was now far from the core area of ​​the capital, in the sky above the suburbs.

Clearly, both sides were determined to settle the matter once and for all, which is why they deliberately stayed away from the capital to avoid interference from other experts and to prevent the aftermath from causing immeasurable damage.

Within that terrifying ball of light, which resembled several purple suns exploding simultaneously, the second-rank martial artists with exceptional eyesight could vaguely see three blurry yet oppressive figures colliding wildly!

One of them was slender, his bald head reflecting a faint light under the purple light, and his wide monk's robe billowing and surging in the violent energy flow.

It is a mixture of joy and sorrow!

And another one...

That has completely transcended the realm of humanity!
His body swelled up to be extremely tall, burly, and ferocious!
It has a pair of curved, sharp horns on its head, its arms have been transformed into terrifying claws covered with dark scales, and a thick dragon tail behind it!

Like an ancient demon god crawling out of the abyss, descending upon the world!
"It's Meng Xinghun!"

Many people who knew about the Western Desert recognized him instantly.

They had all received news of the chaotic battle between Meng Xinghun, Tu Xiewang, and Beihuan, and knew that the master of Qingyi Tower had cultivated the "Hundred Evil Body Technique" to an extremely evil degree, and would become such an inhuman form when he used it at full power.

Besides these two, there was a third figure!
Judging from the outline, it appears to be a humanoid figure completely covered in heavy, ferocious armor!
The armor was extremely aggressive in design, with four sharp blades on its back. Every part of its body, from the helmet and breastplate to the arm guards, leg armor, and boots, was covered with incredibly sharp plates and blades that could be considered deadly weapons!
This is simply a mobile mountain of knives, born for slaughter!
Anyone who gets close will be instantly torn to pieces!

The only thing visible through the gap in the mask was a pair of scarlet, bloodthirsty, and emotionless eyes!

The experts of the Great Qian Dynasty did not recognize this ferocious iron armor that was known to everyone in the Western Desert.

However, Wang Jin, who had been closely monitoring all intelligence from the Western Desert Green Robe Tower, narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered to himself:

"He's the armored man who rose to fame in the Battle of the Hidden Wind Valley in the Western Desert!"

"The Green Robe Pavilion even secretly brought him along on this trip to the Western Desert..."

"Meng Xinghun...it seems he's determined to eliminate Beihuan, this major threat, tonight!"

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, the purple light had reached its peak!

Only now did everyone realize that it was Sorrow and Joy who had simultaneously detonated several purple soul jades, creating this devastating energy storm!
He was burning these invaluable trump cards at any cost, attempting to annihilate the terrifying monster and the ferocious armored man before him in one fell swoop!
Each purple soul jade is equivalent to a full-force attack from a second-grade martial artist!
When several are fired at once, their combined power is simply devastating!
what does this mean?
It means that joy and sorrow... have been driven into a true dead end!

Only in the final moment of life and death would he be so reckless and unleash such a decisive and terrifying offensive!

This scene sent a chill down the spines of all the second-rank experts watching the battle.
"That Meng Xinghun... he actually managed to drive Bei Huan to this point?!"

"The last time they fought, Bei Huan lost a move but managed to escape unscathed."

"How long has it been? Meng Xinghun's strength... has actually grown to a level that makes Bei Huan feel despair and has no choice but to fight to the death?!"

Everyone was deeply moved and unable to contain themselves.

They even completely forgot about their fight, and stopped fighting at the same time, holding their breath and gazing at the life-or-death showdown outside the city.

The God of Arrest, Shen Wujiu, and the Eunuch, Wang Jin, also temporarily withdrew their auras from locking onto each other.

Shen Wujiu gazed at the purple storm of death, his voice calm yet carrying a hint of certainty:
"Eunuch Wang, it seems that the powerful reinforcements you brought from the Western Desert at great cost are... nothing special."

"Master Beihuan unleashed all three purple soul jades at once, along with his own full strength, which was equivalent to four second-grade martial artists launching a deadly attack simultaneously."

"Even if Meng Xinghun possesses extraordinary abilities, he will not escape this calamity."

Shen Wujiu could see clearly that although Meng Xinghun's aura was strange and powerful, his foundation was still at the third rank.

The armored man beside him was also only at the third rank.

It is astonishing that two Rank 3 individuals could force Bei Huan to use the Purple Soul Jade.

But under the crushing force of absolute power, there is no room for luck.

Upon hearing this, a subtle, enigmatic smile appeared on Wang Jin's pale, beardless face, and his voice became high-pitched:
"Really?"

"Lord Shen, if we continue to fight like this, it may be difficult to determine a winner even by dawn. If we end up both of us severely injured, it will only make it easier for some villains hiding in the shadows to take advantage of us."

"In my opinion, how about... we take this opportunity to have a bet?"

"Let the outcome of this battle between Master Beihuan and Master Meng determine the winner between us."

Shen Wujiu's gaze darkened, his eyes flashing with a sharp light:

"Does Eunuch Wang think so highly of Meng Xinghun that he dares to set up a trap for him?"

"But the odds of winning your bet are far too slim."

Wang Jin chuckled twice, her voice carrying a hint of reminiscence and resolve:

"Our family has climbed to where we are today by taking big risks that others dare not take."

“Having grown up in the palace, we learned one thing: those gambles with a very high chance of winning and guaranteed profits are simply not for a nobody like us to get involved in.”

"Only when the risk is so great that everyone else hesitates to take the plunge will our family dare to bet everything! If we win, we will get something that others wouldn't even dare to dream of!"

"We're definitely betting on Meng Xinghun!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Wujiu couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit.

Seeing Wang Jin's resolute decision, he no longer hesitated and said in a deep voice:
"Very well! Since Your Highness is in such a good mood, I, Shen, will gladly oblige!"

"If Master Beihuan wins, Eunuch Wang, you will remain the chief eunuch, but the Investigation Bureau must be disbanded immediately, and its authority will be taken over by our Six Doors!"

"If Meng Xinghun wins... then the Six Doors will no longer interfere in the matter of establishing or deposing a new emperor! No matter who from the imperial clan sits on the dragon throne in the future, I, Shen Wujiu, and the Six Doors will have no objections!"

This bet, which seemed to give Shen Wujiu the upper hand, actually involved a complex web of power shifts and balances of interests, which only the two of them truly understood.

Wang Jin answered almost without hesitation:
"A word is settled!"

The moment the two finished speaking—

The purple light in the distance suddenly expanded to its limit!

The dazzling light caused everything in the world to lose its color, leaving only an endless expanse of purple!
The terrifying energy fluctuations and intense light made it difficult for even second-rank martial artists to see the specific situation at the core. Their senses were even interfered with and obscured by the destructive energy surge!
Clearly, the several purple soul jades detonated by the sorrow and joy had at this moment completely released the terrifying moves belonging to different second-rank experts that were sealed inside them!
"Roar--!!!"

At the same time, a roar that seemed to come from a primordial beast shattered the sky!

That was Meng Xinghun's roar!

"Clang! Crack!"

Immediately following was a piercing screech of countless metals frantically rubbing, colliding, and tearing apart!
That's the armored man enduring a ferocious attack!

Above the sky, lightning bolts danced wildly, and thunder roared!

That space seemed unable to withstand this terrifying power, groaning and twisting under its strain!

The terrifying aftershocks of the battle spread wildly in all directions like a tangible tsunami, and when they hit the capital, they caused the roof tiles of countless houses to jump and shatter!
The entire city seemed to be trembling slightly!

Countless people, awakened from their sleep, looked out of their windows at the terrifying light that turned the night into day, and heard the roar that sounded like the wrath of the gods. They thought it was the end of the world and divine punishment was coming!

Terrified, they either hid under the bed trembling or rushed out to kneel in the street, frantically kowtowing to the sky and begging for divine forgiveness.

Even the most experienced second-rank martial artists in the capital turned pale at this moment, their eyes revealing deep apprehension.

They asked themselves, if they were in the eye of the storm, facing such an attack, they would probably be in grave danger!
Wang Jin and Shen Wujiu, whose perceptions are more acute, "see" far more than others!
For the first time, a clear look of surprise appeared on Shen Wujiu's usually calm and composed face:
"Such...such powerful martial intent!"

"This will... is condensed and pure, domineering and arrogant, as if it could tear the sky apart, like the light of dawn dispelling all darkness and obstacles!"

"This is clearly... the martial intent of the Netherworld Realm!"

"How could Meng Xinghun, who is so young, have honed his martial intent to such a level?!"

"In my entire life, I have never seen such a prodigious talent!"

Wang Jin didn't speak, but a look of disbelief and shock also flashed across his deep eyes.

He himself was a powerful martial artist who had reached the "Entering the Netherworld Realm" in martial intent, but it took him a full seventy years to achieve this!
He originally thought that the only person in the world who could surpass him in martial arts talent was Shen Wujiu.

Shen Wujiu took sixty years, which is ten years less than him.

If the two were the same age, he might not be a match for Shen Wujiu.

But now, a younger and more terrifying monster has appeared!
Meng Xinghun!
Judging from his bone age, he is clearly only in his early twenties!

To have reached the Netherworld Realm at such a young age... one's future potential is simply immeasurable!
It's not impossible that in my lifetime I might glimpse the legendary realm of "no edge"!
at this time--

The dazzling purple light that filled the sky and earth, breathtakingly bright, suddenly dimmed as if it had been extinguished by an invisible giant hand!
The light vanished in an instant, and darkness surged in again like a tidal wave, engulfing everything.

The stark contrast between light and dark caused many people to experience temporary visual persistence and blindness.

The dissipation of the purple light signified that the Soul Jade's energy had been completely exhausted. Wang Jin and Shen Wujiu could clearly sense that the earth-shattering battle had already been decided!

Their gazes, like four sharp swords, pierced the night sky that had returned to darkness!

Just as the last glimmer of purple light was about to completely disappear, they finally saw it clearly thanks to their extraordinary eyesight!
"what?!"

Shen Wujiu's pupils suddenly contracted to pinpoints, and his usually composed voice trembled slightly.

"How could this be...?"

His gaze was fixed on the horizon.

In the night sky outside the city, the most striking thing was that ferocious steel figure!

On the armor covered with sharp spikes and blades, the electric light dancing on the four curved blades on the back had not yet completely died down, and the blood on the blades was still warm and dazzling.

The armor itself had turned a bright red and scorching hot over most of its surface, as if it had just been taken out of a steel furnace!

Clearly, it withstood an unimaginable and terrifying attack, generating astonishing heat!

The violent shockwave from such an attack must have severely injured the pilot inside the armor.

The crimson eyes peeking out from the gaps in the armored human faceplate were now dim and scattered, like a candle flickering in the wind.

He was clearly in critical condition, or even on the verge of death.

Even so, apart from some slight deformation and dents in certain areas, the overall structure of this ferocious armor was still largely intact!
Its defensive capabilities are terrifying, simply astonishing!
Shen Wujiu instantly understood:
"It's this powerful battle armor! It withstood most of the destructive energy of the purple soul jade!"

"What material and what process were used to forge this armor? Its defensive strength is simply unheard of!"

"But... while the armor is strong, the person wielding it is rather weak. At only the third rank, they simply cannot withstand the penetration and shock of that terrifying impact..."

"Could it be... that this armored man is a... assassin trained by Meng Xinghun? Just to create an opportunity for him to deliver that fatal blow?!"

His gaze abruptly shifted to the even larger, more ferocious figure behind the armored man, radiating overwhelming malevolence—

Meng Xinghun!
That inhuman demonic body hovered proudly in the void, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.

One of his terrifying claws, covered in dark gold scales, was firmly gripping the teetering armored man.

And his other claw...

It had completely pierced through a person's chest!
It's a mix of joy and sorrow!
Bei Huan's withered body, like a broken doll, was lifted high into the air by Meng Xinghun's sharp claws and hung there!
His eyes were wide open, his face frozen in extreme shock, resentment, and fear, and the blood in his mouth had not yet dried.

But all hope of survival has been completely extinguished!
A second-rank martial artist, the revered head of the Wanfo Temple, and a pinnacle of the empire's martial prowess.

And so... he fell!
This scene was clearly reflected in the eyes of every second-rank martial artist gazing at this place.

hiss--! ! !
In an instant, a collective gasp seemed to echo across the night sky.

A chilling sense of shared sorrow and an indescribable shock welled up in the hearts of all the second-rank martial artists!

At their level, standing atop the empire, enjoying all glory and looking down upon all living beings, their lives are of utmost preciousness.

Tonight was supposed to be a brief, controlled power game.

But actually, death actually occurred!
No one expected that the conflict between Bei Huan and Meng Xinghun was not just a battle between factions, but also involved an irreconcilable personal grudge and deadly feud!
Ultimately, it led to such a tragic end!

Shen Wujiu gazed silently at the demonic figure in the distant sky.

After a long while, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his voice tinged with a complex mix of emotions:

"Talented people emerge in every generation..."

"It seems we... really are getting old."

"Eunuch Wang, you have won this round."

When Wang Jin saw the final result, the tension in her heart finally eased, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.

As he said, he was only about 10% or 20% confident that Meng Xinghun could win.

But he won his gamble again!

This high-stakes gamble earned him a crucial advantage!
A relaxed smile spread across his face, and his voice became more relaxed:
"Lord Shen, you flatter me. I dare not say anything else, but my eyes have never misjudged a person."

"Our ranks of talented young men aren't limited to just Master Meng. Take that kid Zhao Bao, for example; he's a prodigy with limitless potential. There's even another one..."

Wang Jin stopped abruptly at this point.

He originally meant to say Liang Jin.

That kid has a quality that even he can't figure out; his potential is astonishing.

But he could clearly sense that Liang Jin lacked reverence for imperial power at heart, was inherently rebellious, and was no ordinary person. He would never be willing to remain subservient to others forever and become a docile lackey in his hands.

Then Wang Jin changed the subject and smiled at Shen Wujiu:
"Most of the talents in the world today have fallen into the trap of my Investigation Bureau. Lord Shen, your Six Doors... it seems that your days are truly numbered. You should prepare for your disbandment as soon as possible, haha."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wujiu merely snorted coldly and did not dwell on the matter further.

His gaze remained fixed on the demonic figure in the distance. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke in a low voice, a hint of gravity barely perceptible in his tone:

"Meng Xinghun... is ultimately not a person of our Great Qian."

"His roots are in the Western Desert."

This single sentence caused Wang Jin's smile to freeze slightly, and her brows to furrow.

He immediately understood Shen Wujiu's implied meaning.

The Western Desert had long been free from the control of the Great Qian Dynasty and was practically independent.

As the master of the Green Robe Pavilion in the Western Desert, Meng Xinghun's foundation, power, and ambition all lie in the Western Desert.

Whoever controls the Western Desert will inevitably harbor ambitions of establishing their own power and dominating the region.

Now that he has demonstrated such terrifying strength and potential, if his power continues to expand in the future, it is hard to guarantee that he will not become a major threat to the southwestern border of the Great Qian Empire!

Shen Wujiu continued:
"Wanfo Temple will surely seek revenge against him."

"Then we'll see what Eunuch Wang decides."

Should we protect Meng Xinghun, or should we abandon him?

Shen Wujiu passed this difficult problem to Wang Jin.

At the same time, he was also trying to plant a seed of discord in Wang Jin's heart, a seed that could sow discord between Wang Jin and Meng Xinghun at any time.

Wang Jin remained silent.

He was well aware that Shen Wujiu was trying to sow discord.

However, these words are all true, and he will have to face them.

While the two were lost in their own thoughts, and all the spectators were still immersed in the immense shock of the fall of a second-rank cultivator—

"Something terrible has happened!! The Prince... the Prince has passed away!!"

"The Prince of Changshan is dead! Prince Zhao Xun has been assassinated!!"

"Your Highness! Your ambitions remain unfulfilled—!!"

"It's over...it's all over...waaaaaah..."

……

A series of shrill, terrified, and desperate cries and screams suddenly erupted from the direction of the Changshan Prince's Mansion, like a plague.

It instantly pierced the night sky of Beijing!

The tension that all the second-rank martial artists had just relaxed suddenly tightened again!

Almost instinctively, they straightened up and turned their horrified gazes toward the Changshan Prince's Mansion!
really!

Inside the palace, the lights were in disarray, and the figures were filled with panic. Many servants and guards were kneeling on the ground, beating their chests and stamping their feet, weeping bitterly!
A lifeless corpse dressed in a python robe was being frantically carried out of the room—who else could it be but Zhao Xun?!

hiss--! ! !
At this moment, all the second-rank martial artists felt an even deeper chill creep up their spines!

There are people!

While everyone's attention was drawn to the earth-shattering battle outside the city, he silently infiltrated the heavily guarded Changshan Prince's Mansion and successfully assassinated another of the most important contenders for the throne, Zhao Xun!
Throughout the entire process, not a single second-rank martial artist was alerted!
Who...who did this?!
What kind of terrifying and mysterious force is still hidden within the capital city?!
What is the purpose of this force?!

Everyone felt a mix of emotions: surprise, anger, fear, confusion... a complex blend of feelings.

But at this moment, they all lost the desire to continue fighting.

With Zhao Xun dead, the only prince in the capital who was qualified and had the right to inherit the throne was Zhao Yu, the Prince of Huaiyang, who lived deep in the palace!
Zhao Yu has clearly gained the support of Wang Jin, the eunuch.

The overall situation is decided!
High in the sky.

Shen Wujiu and Wang Jin's expressions also turned extremely ugly.

Zhao Xun's death was too sudden, too unexpected, and completely beyond their expectations and control!

Even Wang Jin, the biggest beneficiary, was not happy at all at this moment.

Because he sensed more clearly than anyone else that a powerful force, completely outside his control and even unfamiliar to him and frightening to him, was quietly rising in the capital.

And tonight, it has already determined the final outcome!

………………

far away.

Deep inside the palace.

In the bedroom.

The lights flickered, illuminating the entire area.

Everyone sat quietly, exhausted from excessive worry and tension.

Liang Jin, who had been sitting quietly with his eyes closed as if isolated from the outside world, suddenly opened his eyes slowly.

A calm gaze lingered in the depths of his eyes, as if he understood everything.

"The overall situation has been decided."

He suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it echoed clearly in the silent hall.

Zhao Bao, Zhao Yu, and Empress Mu Congshuang, who were standing to the side, were all taken aback, their faces showing doubt and surprise, and they all looked at Liang Jin.

They clearly didn't understand why he suddenly said that out of the blue.

Liang Jin did not explain. He stood up, straightened his robes, and slowly walked towards the closed doors of the palace.

He reached out and, with a creak, slowly pushed open the heavy palace door.

Outside the door, countless gazes, some bright and some dark, filled with anxiety, speculation, and awe, instantly focused on him.

There were agents from the intelligence agency, eunuchs and palace maids who dared not approach from afar, and even more deeply hidden spying individuals.

Liang Jin stepped over the high threshold and came to the outer corridor of the hall.

He raised his head to face the deepest darkness before dawn and countless gazes, took a deep breath, gathered his strength, and spoke in a clear, resonant voice that echoed throughout the entire palace:

"His Majesty has passed away!"

These words were like a tidal wave that swept through the palace, reaching every corner.

This intense impact spread rapidly throughout the capital, affecting everyone's mind and spirit!
(End of this chapter)