My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

Taiji Palace, Liangyi Hall.

The heavy, carved doors were tightly shut, and the atmosphere inside the hall was unusually somber.

Li Shimin sat on the large dragon throne, his face still bearing the lingering lividity of his previous anger.

Whenever he closes his eyes, the crisp words of Xiao Sizi, "Follow Lao Deng back to the palace," involuntarily echo in his mind.

He, the mighty Khan of the Great Tang Dynasty, was actually called "Old Deng" by his own daughter!

If this gets out, what will become of Li Shimin's reputation?

"You unfilial son... one day I will tear down your palace!"

Li Shimin gritted his teeth, cursed inwardly, then took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his anger.

The reason I've summoned my trusted ministers today is because I have important business to attend to.

Below the main hall stood the core civil and military officials of the Tang Dynasty.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, and the military generals Li Jing, Cheng Yaojin, and Yuchi Jingde.

Seeing the emperor's unpredictable expression, these people kept their eyes down and didn't dare to breathe loudly.

"cough."

Li Shimin cleared his throat, his resentful expression vanished, and his eyes instantly sharpened like knives, unleashing the overwhelming pressure of the greatest emperor of all time.

"My beloved ministers, I have summoned you here today in secret because there is a matter of great importance concerning the fate of the Tang Dynasty that needs to be arranged in advance."

Li Shimin picked up a bright yellow imperial edict that had been prepared long ago from the dragon desk and glanced at the assembled officials.

"Tomorrow at noon, a true immortal will descend upon the sky above Chang'an, triggering a heavenly tribulation!"

This statement came out.

A collective gasp suddenly filled the quiet Liangyi Hall.

"A true immortal descending to earth? A heavenly tribulation?!"

Cheng Yaojin was the first to lose his temper, his large, bell-like eyes widening as he exclaimed, "Your Majesty, are there really gods in this world who get struck by lightning?"

"Knowing one's place, one must not be disrespectful to an immortal!"

Li Jing rebuked him in a deep voice, then turned to look at Li Shimin with a furrowed brow.

"Your Majesty, if there really is an immortal who has triggered a tribulation of lightning over Chang'an, the power of heaven and earth would likely cause panic among millions of people."

"If someone with ulterior motives were to seize this opportunity to incite unrest, claiming that this is divine retribution for the court's misconduct, Chang'an would surely descend into chaos!"

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction; Li Jing's concerns were precisely the problem he needed to solve.

"That's why I want you to do it immediately!"

Li Shimin stood up, waved his hand, and made a resounding gesture.

"By imperial decree, immediately draft and issue an imperial edict to proclaim this to Chang'an and the entire realm!"

"This immortal undergoing tribulation is none other than a true guardian immortal protecting the fate of our Great Tang Dynasty! The heavenly tribulation is not divine punishment, but an auspicious sign that the immortal has attained enlightenment and the Great Tang Dynasty is destined for prosperity!"

"From today onwards, the Imperial Guards and Patrol Battalions of the Northern and Southern Offices of Chang'an City shall be under martial law. If the tribulation of lightning descends the day after tomorrow, anyone who dares to take the opportunity to cause trouble or spread rumors, whether commoner or noble family, shall be executed without mercy!"

The courtiers were all terrified upon hearing the murderous imperial decree.

Fang Xuanling stepped forward, his expression respectful yet tinged with curiosity and a hint of probing.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to ask, is this True Immortal who is about to undergo tribulation the same white-haired old immortal who saved Her Majesty the Empress in the Imperial Garden?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's ears perked up.

They had witnessed the old immortal's charisma firsthand that day.

Fang Xuanling, because of a piece of advice from the old immortal, went home and beat Fang Yi'ai to death, and even threw the monk Bianji into the Wei River.

Seeing the awe in the eyes of his trusted ministers, Li Shimin felt extremely pleased.

A mysterious smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"no."

"Huh?" The courtiers were taken aback.

"That old immortal has been traveling the world and has long since disappeared."

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, his tone filled with intense pride, "The one who will undergo tribulation the day after tomorrow is the direct disciple of that old immortal! As for who he really is..."

Li Shimin paused deliberately, keeping everyone in suspense.

"You'll find out in time."

……

In less than half a day.

Bright yellow imperial edicts were posted all over the city gates and bulletin boards of Chang'an.

The yamen runners, beating gongs and drums, loudly proclaimed the imperial decree in the east and west markets.

"A celestial being graced the Tang Dynasty, bringing blessings to all people!"

"At noon the day after tomorrow, a heavenly tribulation of lightning will descend. This is an auspicious sign of a true immortal who has attained enlightenment, protecting the nation. All citizens of the Great Tang Dynasty, do not panic. Stay at home peacefully and sincerely pray for blessings..."

The moment the imperial edict was issued, the entire city of Chang'an was in an uproar.

In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, everyone was discussing this extraordinary event.

"A true immortal undergoing tribulation? My God, I can't believe I'm witnessing a living deity ascend to immortality in my lifetime?"

"No wonder the Yellow River floods receded so quickly a few days ago; it turns out there really were divine beings protecting our Great Tang!"

"Quickly! Go back and tell your wife to buy more incense and candles. We'll kowtow to the gods in the yard the day after tomorrow!"

The ordinary people were mostly excited and in awe, and even full of anticipation.

But the atmosphere is completely different in those aristocratic families with deep roots and grand mansions.

In a secret room of the Cui family mansion in the south of the city.

Several patriarchs and elders from the Cui family of Qinghe, the Lu family of Fanyang, and the Wang family of Taiyuan were sitting around a long table, their faces extremely gloomy.

"A true immortal who protects the nation? Li Shimin certainly has an arrogant tone!"

An elder of the Wang family snorted coldly and crushed the teacup in his hand.

"What gods and immortals? They're probably just some kind of magic trick concocted by the imperial court to appease the people!"

"We must not be careless."

The head of the Cui family shook his head, his eyes flashing with greed and fear.

"The news coming from the palace is that the Empress was on the verge of death a few days ago, and was indeed saved by someone using extraordinary methods."

"Moreover, not only has Crown Prince Li Chengqian recently recovered from his leg ailment, but he has also become incredibly strong, beating Li Tai to a pulp in the Prince of Wei's residence."

"There must be some mysterious force behind this that we don't know about supporting the royal family."

The Lu family representative narrowed his eyes: "What does the patriarch mean..."

"Whether this deity is real or not, this power that transcends worldly affairs must not be allowed to be possessed by Li Shimin alone!"

The head of the Cui family slammed his hand on the table, his tone chilling.

"If imperial power truly has divine protection, would there still be a place for aristocratic families like ours in the world?"

"Send a message to the Shadow Guards: tonight, send their most elite assassins to dig three feet into the ground inside Chang'an!"

"Even if it means death, we must find out the whereabouts of this so-called immortal. If we can seize such immortal techniques, who knows who will rule this world!"

……