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

Chapter 660 The Heart of the Emperor
royal palace.

As night fell as dark as ink, palace lanterns were lit one after another, illuminating the vermilion walls and golden tiles of the imperial palace as if it were daytime.

The new emperor ascended the throne and held a grand banquet for his officials.

Inside the jade steps and golden palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the lanterns shone brightly.

The officials, dressed in their finest attire, sat in order, with delicacies laid out on the table and glass cups filled with fine wine.

Musicians played their melodies, singers sang sweetly, and dancers' sleeves fluttered in the breeze, creating a magnificent scene of a prosperous era.

On the Nine Dragon Throne, the new Emperor Zhao Yu held a golden cup, a faint smile on his face.

He was bulky and sat upright like a mountain of flesh. Although his embroidered dragon robe was specially made by a skilled craftsman, it was still stretched taut.

Every subtle movement seemed clumsy and labored, and the sound of panting could be faintly heard in the brief silence.

Fortunately, the palace maids on both sides were well-trained and had excellent eyesight.

As soon as Zhao Yu's eyebrows twitched, someone stepped forward lightly; his lips parted slightly, and fine wine was brought to his lips; his gaze shifted slightly, and the delicacies were placed perfectly on the plate.

The palace maids and eunuchs seemed to be his extensions, serving him meticulously and following him like a shadow.

The officials below the stage recited poems and composed odes to praise the emperor's achievements.

A torrent of effusive praise poured in, all lauding Zhao Yu's virtues and extolling his great achievements, which he had yet to accomplish.

Zhao Yu listened quietly, his smile unchanged.

All of this was new and interesting to him.

He only needed to utter a single word, and palace servants would rush about like a tide, afraid of falling behind.

He raised his cup, and the civil and military officials hurriedly rose to echo him, like waves of wheat swaying in the wind.

He smiled, and the hall was instantly filled with joyful chatter, as if spring had returned.

He composed himself, and a moment later all fell silent; even the candlelight seemed to freeze.

This is what it feels like to be a monarch.

No matter when or where, he is always the center of heaven and earth, the focus of all living beings, and the sole master of this vast land!
He didn't even need to speak; with just a glance or a glance, someone would present his thoughts to him.

The taste is truly...

It was so exquisitely beautiful that it made you feel like you were in a trance!
Zhao Yu was of imperial blood and a prince. He once thought that the emperor and a prince were only different in terms of power.

But once one sits on the dragon throne and is in the highest realm, one is shocked to realize that the difference between the two worlds is like heaven and earth.

An emperor is an emperor, and a prince is just a prince.

Just as he was basking in the pleasure brought by this supreme power, a minister at the banquet suddenly stood up and spoke loudly:
"Your Majesty, although the songs and dances in the palace are beautiful, they are still somewhat inferior."

Her clear voice successfully drew Zhao Yu's attention.

Although the minister was a man, he was exceptionally handsome.

His almond-shaped eyes were full of spring, his peach-blossom cheeks were smiling, and his skin was as white as snow. If he dressed as a woman, he would surely be a beauty that could topple kingdoms.

Even now, dressed in court attire, her alluring charm is undeniable.

Zhao Yu recognized him.

Dong Xiu was a favorite minister of the late emperor.

In the past, when the late emperor was on the throne, he listened to this person's every word and favored him to the extreme. They were almost inseparable, eating and sleeping together.

The late emperor not only bestowed generous rewards upon him, but also granted him special permission to enter and leave the Forbidden City without any restrictions.

The absurd memories of his past with the late emperor flooded Zhao Yu's mind like a tide: the late emperor had once opened a brothel in the palace, ordering palace maids to act as prostitutes, while he and his favorite ministers pretended to be customers seeking pleasure; he had also once created a market in the forbidden garden, ordering palace servants to act as merchants, while the emperor and his close ministers strolled around, shopping and playing around without restraint.

Most of these ideas came from Dong Xiu, who looked like a woman.

Zhao Yu's lips curled slightly, a smile that wasn't quite a smile:
"In your opinion, where is the best place for singing and dancing?"

When Dong Xiu saw that the emperor had spoken to him, he thought the emperor was interested, and immediately his spirits lifted, and he raised his voice:

"This is the new house!"

"The new residence built by the late emperor gathers the essence of songs and dances from all over the world, the wonders of silk and bamboo instruments, and houses the most beautiful women from all corners of the land!"

"The wine is fragrant and mellow; drinking it can make one forget worries and sorrows, as if ascending to a fairyland."

"The magic tricks there are especially amazing, they are like the work of gods! The performers there can even invite celestial beings to celebrate His Majesty's birthday."

At this point, he bowed solemnly, his voice earnest:
"Your Majesty, the new residence is now without an owner. The beauties gaze at the palace with tearful eyes all day long, hoping for Your Majesty's visit; the artists are also depressed and saddened, lamenting that their talents have been wasted."

"We earnestly hope that Your Majesty will have mercy and grace us with your presence at the new residence, so as to satisfy the people's expectations."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

All the ministers held their breath, secretly observing.

Who doesn't know that the late emperor was so engrossed in his new residence that he neglected court affairs for many years, causing the Great Qian Dynasty to decline day by day?
If the new emperor repeats the same mistakes, then the world will surely be in danger!

Zhao Yu slowly put down the luminous cup in his hand. The bottom of the cup touched the jade table and made a crisp sound, which was particularly jarring in the silent hall.

He chuckled:
"I...I have heard that the new residence is extremely luxurious, with musicians, actors, exotic beasts, monks and Taoists, you name it."

"Music, dance, acrobatics, somersaults, and animal taming never cease day or night."

"When people enter it, they are so happy that they forget the world and are reluctant to leave."

The atmosphere in the hall grew even more tense, and the ministers looked at each other, unable to fathom the emperor's true intentions.

Dong Xiu, however, beamed with joy and strode forward:
"Your Majesty is wise! That is indeed the most carefree place on earth!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request to lead the way to your new residence tonight."

"Among them... I have prepared many surprises and await Your Majesty's arrival. I will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty!"

Zhao Yu slowly raised his hand and pointed at Dong Xiu, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Upon seeing this, Dong Xiu also smiled obsequiously.

The sudden death of the late emperor left him without any support. If he could not please the new emperor, all his wealth and honor would vanish.

Tonight will be the night that determines whether he can continue to enjoy the emperor's favor!

Although the officials had mixed feelings, they could only smile along.

Laughter erupted in the hall, creating a bustling atmosphere like a marketplace.

Sudden--

Zhao Yu's laughter stopped abruptly!

He suddenly grabbed the luminous cup from the table and smashed it hard against Dong Xiu!

"Oh!"

With a dull thud, the cup struck him squarely in the face!
Dong Xiu's forehead immediately split open, and blood gushed out, winding down his fair skin, a glaring red.

He stood there, stunned, clutching his forehead, utterly shocked.

The laughter of the courtiers froze on their faces, and they were at a loss for what to do.

Zhao Yu suddenly stood up, pointed at Dong Xiu, and angrily cursed:

"You treacherous minister!! What I hate most are flatterers like you! All you do is bewitch the emperor and lead him into debauchery, neglecting state affairs!"

"Now that I have ascended the throne, I am determined to govern diligently and restore the nation's strength. How can I allow you to utter such words of national ruin and disrupt my court?!"

"Could it be... that you want me to become a tyrant, infamous for eternity!?"

Dong Xiu was terrified and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for forgiveness.

He never expected that his flattery would backfire so badly.

The ministers' expressions also turned solemn, and their previous ease vanished.

Zhao Yu surveyed the crowd and solemnly declared:
"Now that I am the Son of Heaven, I shall naturally sit in the Imperial Palace and strive to govern well."

"Imperial edict to the Ministry of Works: Tomorrow, a plan for demolishing the new residence shall be discussed, and all treasures and valuables therein shall be confiscated and returned to the national treasury!"

"From this day forward, I will promote frugality in the palace and set an example by myself."

Finally, he pointed at Dong Xiu again and said sternly:

"Drag this treacherous official out! Remove him from office and reduce him to a commoner, never to be employed again!"

Two guards stepped forward and dragged Dong Xiu out of the main hall.

The sounds of pleas and struggles faded into the distance.

Seeing this, the ministers no longer hesitated, rose from their seats, knelt down, and shouted in unison:
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!!!"

Amidst the thunderous roar and the surging waves, there was only heartfelt admiration.

The nation is in decline and needs a leader to revitalize it.

Zhao Yu's statement undoubtedly gave a strong boost to the morale of the court and the public.

Zhao Yu looked down at the kneeling officials below him, his heart surging with emotion.

He could clearly feel the respect and the heavy expectations that everyone had for him.

He was determined not to fail the trust placed in him.

After the banquet tonight, he will stay up all night reviewing memorials and correcting long-standing abuses.

When he was a prince, he realized that many of the late emperor's policies were of no benefit to the country and that the court was riddled with deep-seated problems.

Now that I have ascended to the throne, I should cleanse the corrupt and reform the old ways.

He was determined to restore the Great Qian Dynasty to its former glory, bringing peace and prosperity to the country.

And he himself will become a holy ruler revered by all people and remembered in history!

He can definitely do it.

He will become a sage emperor whose glory will last for millennia!
Thinking of the future glory, Zhao Yu's heart surged with excitement, and he could hardly contain himself.

however--

The appearance of a figure shattered all his dreams in an instant.

The newcomer was Yu Zhuoqun, a former elder of the Xuanyuan Sect who aspired to enter officialdom. He was promoted to deputy commander of the imperial guards for his meritorious service in protecting the emperor last night.

The Xuanyuan Sect has always been the henchmen of the imperial court's martial arts world, with many of its disciples serving as officials in the court and also being among the imperial guards.

At this moment, Yu Zhuoqun was entering the main hall and heading straight for the throne.

He walked with a steady gait and remained expressionless.

Zhao Yu knew why he had come.

He has completed the task that Zhao Yu assigned him.

And that thing...

It was precisely the nightmare that Zhao Yu least wanted to recall in his life, yet which haunted his mind at all times!
He will be the future sage emperor!

He will shine brightly! He will be revered by all!
He should have been a perfect person.

however……

However, he has a painful past that he doesn't want to look back on!

Memories flooded back like a tidal wave, almost overwhelming him—

He was stripped naked, his bloated and ugly body completely exposed to the public eye.

He was once imprisoned in an iron cage and kept like livestock.

No, to be precise, it's a fat pig waiting to be slaughtered during the New Year!
The late emperor once jokingly called him "Pig King," which was extremely insulting, and even threatened to kill him, the "New Year Pig," during the New Year!
In order to survive, he had to feign madness.

He urinated and defecated in public, swallowed his own feces, and smeared his body with urine.

He suffered endless ridicule, mockery, humiliation, and torment...

That humiliation is etched into my bones and will never be erased!

Even though he was now above everyone else and basking in glory, the moment that dark memory resurfaced, he still felt ashamed and wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into and hide!

How could a sage ruler who shines throughout the ages have such a filthy and shameful past? Zhao Yu swayed slightly, his fat hands gripping the armrests of the dragon throne tightly, his knuckles turning white.

When he looked again at the kneeling officials at his feet, a sense of fear welled up in his heart.

Does a filthy, fat pig that has wallowed in excrement really deserve to be a saint or emperor?

at this time.

Yu Zhuoqun had already quietly walked to the throne and whispered:

"Your Majesty, those Imperial Guards... have been dealt with."

A flash of ferocity crossed Zhao Yu's eyes.

He was initially regarded as the "Pig King," imprisoned in a cage, and abandoned in a corner of the palace.

Who witnessed his most disgraceful moments?
Who witnessed all his humiliation?

It was those Imperial Guard soldiers who were responsible for guarding him!

They watched him day and night, witnessing his grotesque and unsightly behavior, seeing him eat excrement and drink urine, behaving like a beast...

Will they laugh at themselves behind their backs?

Will they spread the word among their friends and family?
Will they use their past embarrassing moments as a source of amusement for others?

meeting!!!
Definitely!!!

Because they thought they were keeping it a secret and would never be known to him!
But Zhao Yu is the future sage emperor!

How can we allow the world to ridicule us like this?

Every mention of his past humiliations is like a sharp knife piercing his heart!

He can tolerate those who know what happened to him but did not witness it firsthand, and who sympathize with him.

But he couldn't tolerate people who had been watching him live like a pig for a long time!
I cannot tolerate those eyes fixed on me! Unblinkingly witnessing every shameful detail of my actions!
Absolutely not!
and so……

Those people must die!

Only the dead can shut up forever.

"Are you sure everything is resolved?"

"Are you sure... there's nothing missing?"

Zhao Yu's voice was low and menacing.

Yu Zhuoqun coughed lightly, his face showing difficulty, as if he had something he couldn't say.

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Yu's eyes. He grabbed the man's collar and whispered menacingly:
"Speak! Who else?!"

Yu Zhuoqun had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer:

"And... there's also Commander Liang Jin."

Zhao Yu was taken aback, and his hand involuntarily loosened its grip.

Oh yes, and Liang Jin too...

The imperial guards who were originally stationed there were divided into two shifts.

A team of more than twenty people from the Yaf camp has been eliminated.

The other team came from Xiliu Camp, and consisted of only Liang Jin.

But Liang Jin... was his benefactor!

When he was starving and freezing, it was Liang Jin who gave him food and cotton clothes.

When he was sick, it was Liang Jin who brought him medicine.

When he needed to communicate with the outside world, it was Liang Jin who helped him send messages.

When he faced a series of assassination attempts, it was Liang Jin who stood in front of him!

If it weren't for Liang Jin's secret intervention, he would have already lost his life!

How could he possibly harbor murderous intent towards his benefactor?
But...didn't he already reward Liang Jin handsomely? Didn't he already repay him with high-ranking official positions and generous salaries?
It's time to repay the debt of gratitude, isn't it?
Do not--

How could he be such an ungrateful, despicable person?!

Zhao Yu was struck dumb, suddenly snapping back to reality, and glared fiercely at Yu Zhuoqun:
"Commander Liang is a loyal and virtuous minister; how can he be criticized?!"

"Get out!"

Yu Zhuoqun had no choice but to bow and take his leave.

He knew all along that Liang Jin was special and could not be touched, but the emperor forced him to speak, and after he spoke, the emperor became angry with him.

This made him realize that the wrath of the emperor is unpredictable, and that serving a ruler is truly like serving a tiger. He felt that it was much more carefree and joyful to be a martial artist.

Zhao Yu's mind was in turmoil, and all the previous joy had vanished.

The feast had come to an end, and the mood had cooled.

The banquet could no longer be held.

The officials, knowing their place, all took their leave.

Zhao Yu moved to the Imperial Study.

Since he was determined to be diligent in his duties, he should have spent the whole night reviewing memorials to put his words into practice.

Inside the imperial study, candlelight shone brightly.

The memorials on the desk were piled up like a mountain, and the scent of ink mixed with sandalwood wafted slowly through the air.

As soon as Zhao Yu was seated, a eunuch brought over some hangover soup and quietly informed him:
"Your Majesty, Wang Jin requests an audience."

Zhao Yu was taken aback upon hearing this, and hurriedly stood up:

"Why didn't you report this sooner? How could you keep Minister Wang waiting?"

"Summon him immediately! No! I will personally go to welcome him!"

Wang Jin has made a great contribution to the establishment of the new emperor this time.

Moreover, Zhao Yu still needs Wang Jin's support if he wants to secure his throne.

Zhao Yu didn't know how many of the ministers truly supported him, but he was certain that Wang Jin was currently on his side.

For this reason, he rewarded Wang Jin handsomely: he appointed him as the Grand Chancellor, allowing eunuchs to participate in politics; and he also took command of the Northern Imperial Guards, giving him control of the military in the capital.

Wang Jin now holds immense power in the eunuch, political, and military spheres, surpassing even the influence of the previous emperor.

Zhao Yu couldn't live without him, so he knew exactly how to face him.

A moment later, Zhao Yu personally welcomed Wang Jin into the imperial study.

"Your visit so late at night must be for something important?"

"Come, come, sit with me."

"These memorials also require your consideration by my esteemed minister."

He warmly grasped Wang Jin's hand, as if they were close friends.

Wang Jin bowed slightly, appearing somewhat humble.

He seemed quite satisfied with Zhao Yu's attitude, but his expression remained solemn:
"Memorials should be decided by His Majesty; how dare this old servant overstep his bounds?"

"You must never say such a thing again, lest you offend this old servant!"

"As for the purpose of this old servant's visit..."

As he finished speaking, he coldly swept his gaze over the eunuchs and palace servants in the room.

The palace maids and eunuchs hurriedly bowed to Wang Jin and then quickly left.

Zhao Yu's smile froze slightly.

He almost forgot that nowadays, the palace servants around him all respectfully address Wang Jin as "Grand Ancestor".

He did not order the palace servants to leave.

But Wang Jin only needed to give a single glance to clear out the staff of the Imperial Study.

Such power...

Zhao Yu's fingers dug slightly into his palm, but he was well aware of his current status and position.

Zhao Yu then asked, with a calm expression:

"What is it, my dear minister, that you keep it so secret?"

Wang Jin focused his attention on sensing his surroundings, and after confirming that no one was around, he slowly straightened his back.

He looked directly at Zhao Yu and said in a deep voice:
"Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne, this item should be handed over to Your Majesty."

After speaking, he slowly extended his hand from his sleeve, holding a seal in his palm.

The seal was a deep blue-green color, its material resembling neither jade nor stone, its depths as profound as the waves of a dark sea.

Its shape is simple and square, just like an imperial seal.

However, this is by no means an ordinary jade seal—

If you look closely, you can see that deep within the emerald-green seal, there seems to be a dark shadow, as thick as ink, imprisoned!
The shadowy figure moved slowly as if it were alive, occasionally seeming to struggle to break free, but was then bound by an invisible force.

Upon closer inspection, it sends a chill down one's spine, as if endless darkness is hidden within the ink-black color.

Zhao Yu looked surprised:

"Could this be... the Yin Seal?"

As a member of the royal family, he had naturally heard that there were two imperial seals of the Great Qian Dynasty.

The first is the Yang Seal, also known as the Jade Seal, which symbolizes legitimate imperial power and is a token of the emperor's authority.

The other is the Yin Seal, hidden in the darkness, its secret passed down only to the emperors and the chief eunuchs of each dynasty.

Wang Jin replied, holding the imperial seal:

"Exactly."

Zhao Yu's eyes flickered, then he smiled and said:
"Since this item has always been kept by you, my dear minister, you may continue to keep it."

"What use will I have for it?"

Wang Jin slowly shook his head:
"This item is of little use to this old servant."

"For His Majesty... he is the very foundation of imperial power!"

Zhao Yu looked surprised upon hearing this, and his expression turned serious.

Unexpectedly, the function of this Yin Seal was so important in Wang Jin's words.

Wang Jin continued:

"There are many martial artists in the world, and masters are as numerous as clouds. Even within the capital city, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

"It is not uncommon for major martial arts sects to abuse their power and break the law."

"How does Your Majesty intend to intimidate the capital and subdue the world?"

"Should we rely on imperial tactics and political maneuvering?"

"Without supreme martial power as a foundation, everything is ultimately just a mirage."

Zhao Yu's expression gradually became serious. He walked up to Wang Jin and examined the deep green seal closely.

He noticed that as his fingers approached the seal, the dark shadow inside seemed to flow faster, as if responding to his approach.

"Could this thing be able to...? How should it be used?"

Zhao Yu asked in a murmur, his eyes showing both curiosity and wariness.

Wang Jin lowered his head and replied:

"Your Majesty, please go to the mausoleum of Emperor Taizu, and everything will become clear."

"The carriage is ready; Your Majesty, please depart to pay homage at the mausoleum."

(End of this chapter)