Just as the old patriarch forced me to my death, I achieved the unity of Dao and fruition.

The devastating news of the crushing defeat at Chensha Plains, and the martyrdom of the Xuan King and his heir, shook the entire royal city.

The Xuanwang Mansion was the first to receive the news, followed by the various departments of the royal city, the garrison camps, and the noble families in the city.

Further on, streaks of spiritual light swept across the azure sky, flying towards the various prefectures of Beishuo, causing tremors in the hearts of the people wherever they passed.

"Defeated? How is that possible?!"

"That's a full 300,000 Pingni rebels! How could they possibly lose!"

"Aren't Lu Cheng'an's men just a bunch of refugees and rebels? How could they have such fighting power?!"

Ten days ago, Beishuo Prefecture was still waiting for the Xuan King's triumphant return.

Many prominent families in the state had even prepared congratulatory gifts in advance, waiting only for the news of victory in Shensha Plain to arrive before sending them to the Xuanwang Mansion.

But now, instead of good news, what we receive is the devastating news that 100,000 Northern Shuo Xuanjia soldiers have been wiped out, and that the Xuan King and his heir have died for their country!

If it were just an ordinary defeat, that would be fine, but that was 300,000 Xuanjia soldiers!

Among them is Gu Cangyue, the Xuan King who has been stationed in the northern border for many years, who personally leads the army!

Since Huang Tianjun was able to defeat them head-on at Chensha Plain, it means that this so-called righteous army has the real qualifications to compete with Dayin for the world.

In that instant, countless people had the same thought.

The world is truly in chaos!

In the capital city of Beishuo, atop the north gate tower, sat an old general with white hair and beard, clad in armor.

He looked very old, with age spots even appearing on his hands.

Yet, within that slightly hunched body, an aura as heavy as a divine mountain slowly circulated.

The soldiers guarding below the city gate were agitated by the military report.

He didn't utter a word of rebuke, but simply raised his head and looked at the azure sky that enveloped Beishuo Prefecture.

Over the years, the thirteen prefectures of the Great Yin Dynasty have been engulfed in war, plagued by natural disasters, foreign tribes, refugees, and rebel armies; the conflict has never truly subsided.

Unfortunately, now that Emperor Yin is old, instead of thinking about how to stabilize the world, he conscripts resources and manpower from various states to build the Nine Heavens Palace in Tianjing, attempting to borrow another lifetime from the heavens.

This was a taboo that no emperor in history dared to easily violate.

Heaven was born of dynasties.

An emperor can bear the weight of the heavens, but he cannot use all the fortune that the people of the world offer to the heavens to prolong his own life.

Once the old rules are broken, the hearts of the people will also be scattered.

The old general stared at the unhealed crack in the sky, remained silent for a long time, and then suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"Even the mighty heavens cannot suppress... the hearts of the people."

They simply turned their heads and looked into the depths of the royal city.

That place is the Xuan King's Mansion.

King Xuan and his crown prince died for their country, and it seems that the only one left to inherit the throne is the second prince, who has never been taken seriously by anyone.

But can that second young master really control Beishuo Prefecture now?

Nobody knows the answer.

Countless eyes are waiting.

Once the Xuanwang Palace selects someone capable of taking charge.

They were also waiting for that imperial edict that would cross the heavens and arrive from the capital.

…………

At this moment, the Xuanwang Mansion was already in complete chaos.

The mansion gates were closed, and all the array formations were activated simultaneously. Armored guards were stationed at the inner and outer gates, and anyone entering or leaving had to undergo three checks.

Even so, carriages continued to park outside the Prince's Mansion.

Elders from collateral branches of the Xuanwang lineage, officials of the royal palace, generals stationed in the army, and clan elders from various prefectures all entered the royal palace's council hall.

Gu Cangyue's legal wife had already passed away.

Over the years, the Crown Prince's wife, Lady Liu, has been in charge of the inner courtyard and various daily affairs of the Prince's residence.

Before Gu Cangyue and Gu Changming set off together, they left instructions for Liu to temporarily take charge of the palace.

Therefore, Lady Liu remained seated at the head of the council hall.

However, compared to usual, her face was pale, her eyes were red, and her hands, hidden in her sleeves, were trembling slightly.

She had no idea what had really happened in Chensha Plain.

She was unaware that her husband was not dead.

This grief is genuine and cannot be faked.

But she had managed the royal palace for many years after all.

Even though she was in a state of mental turmoil, she still managed to stay upright and not collapse.

"The remaining three thousand soldiers have not yet all returned to the city, and the bodies of the prince and the heir have not been found."

"The most urgent task is to first block the news, stabilize the camps, and then send people to Chenshayuan to investigate the situation."

As soon as Madam Liu finished speaking, an old voice rang out from below.

"Ascertaining the situation is naturally important."

"But the Xuanwang Mansion cannot be without a master for even a day!"

An elderly clan elder with gray hair and beard leaned on his cane, staring intently at Liu.

"Where is the second young master?"

"Now, only the Second Young Master remains as a male member of the Xuan King's main lineage. Given such a major event, why hasn't he appeared in the council hall yet?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Many people had shifty eyes.

They may not really think highly of Gu Changjin.

It is precisely because Gu Changjin has never been involved in political affairs and has no military connections that they want him to appear.

A new king without a strong foundation is far easier to control than Lady Liu, the crown princess who has held power for many years.

As long as we help him ascend to the throne first, we can naturally take away most of the Xuan King's power in the future as an elder and former official.

How could Lady Liu not see through these people's intentions?

"My second brother must also need time to calm down after hearing the bad news."

"Besides, the imperial decree from Tianjing has not yet arrived, and it is not up to us to decide on the matter of inheriting the title."

The elder sneered.

"He is the eldest son of the Gu family!"

"With the Prince and the Crown Prince absent, he should step forward to take charge. What are your true intentions in keeping him out?"

"you!"

Liu's eyes turned cold.

The auras of both sides rose simultaneously, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense, as if swords were about to be drawn.

However, no one knew that while they were arguing, the guards sent by Lady Liu to "invite" Gu Changjin had already set off.

Of course, she wouldn't let Gu Changjin hide forever.

However, she had complete control over when the second young master would appear, where he would sit, and what he would say.

Unfortunately, the guards stopped before they even reached the courtyard.

At the end of the corridor, a dark green military formation was slowly approaching.

Gu Changjin walked at the very front.

Chen Xiao was half a step behind.

Nearly a thousand plant soldiers followed silently, their energy intertwined, and wherever they passed, the entire corridor seemed to suddenly sink into an ancient forest.

At each strategic location they passed, more than ten of the herb and wood Taoist soldiers would break away from the army formation.

The inner gates, watchtowers, and communication stations—one after another, key locations within the royal palace—were swiftly taken over by these Taoist soldiers.

The guards originally stationed in these areas did not resist.

They were loyal to the Xuanwang Mansion.

Now that the Xuan King and the Crown Prince have died for their country, Gu Changjin is the only one who can inherit the throne.

Moreover, the aura emanating from those plant soldiers was terrifying, leaving them with virtually no choice.

After a brief hesitation, one guard after another knelt down on one knee.

"Greetings, Second Young Master!"

Gu Changjin did not stop.

He simply nodded casually as he passed by.

These people then took the opportunity to stand behind the Grass and Wood Taoist soldiers.

The team continued forward.

Before even reaching the council hall, most of the important parts of the Xuanwang Mansion had already silently changed hands.

Soon, Gu Changjin encountered dozens of guards sent by the Liu family.

The head of the guards glanced at the plant soldiers behind Gu Changjin and was clearly taken aback.

However, he suppressed his shock and stepped forward to clasp his hands in greeting.

"Second Young Master, the Crown Princess requests your presence."

"Please invite the Second Young Master to the council hall to discuss important matters concerning the Prince's Palace."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xiao took a step forward.

"How dare you!"

A sharp shout sent shivers down the spines of dozens of guards.

"The Xuan King and his crown prince died for their country, leaving only His Highness as the sole survivor of the Xuan King's main lineage!"

"You all receive salaries from the Xuanwang Mansion, practice its techniques, and wear its armor!"

"Who gave you the audacity to call yourselves 'Second Young Master'?"

Chen Xiao stared coldly at everyone.

"Never forget whom you truly serve!"

The expressions on the faces of the dozens of guards kept changing.

They glanced back at the council hall, then at Gu Changjin, who stood calmly before them, and at the endless dark green army formation.

Finally, the leader bowed his head.

thump!

He knelt on one knee.

"This humble general greets Your Highness!"

Without hesitation, dozens of guards behind him knelt down at the same time.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

The next moment, everyone stood up and lined up on both sides of the corridor.

Gu Changjin did not say a word from beginning to end.

He simply led Chen Xiao and nearly a thousand Grass and Wood Dao soldiers, slowly walking through the group of guards.

The council hall was already in sight. Inside, the various factions were still debating who should take charge of the Xuanwang Mansion.