I'm a magnetic field madman

September 10th, the Mid-Autumn Festival...

This is supposed to be a festival of reunion and celebration, but at this time, Daxing in Luoyang is devoid of any festive atmosphere.

Because Li Mi's army from Wagangzhai had already approached the outskirts of Luoyang, and after breaking through Huiluo Granary, they cut off Luoyang's grain supply. The Wagang army now numbered a staggering 200,000...

It is said that Li Mi was preparing to convene a grand meeting to announce the ten major crimes of the Sui Emperor, completely humiliating the Sui Dynasty.

Rumors spread throughout the city. Some said the tyrannical emperor had fled to Jiangdu... some said the Sui emperor was preparing to abdicate... some said the world would soon belong to the Li family.

But whether they were aristocratic scholars or ordinary people, they seemed to suddenly realize that they hadn't seen the emperor for a long time.

Dugu Mansion

The Dugu Mansion, which occupies half of the neighborhood, is the Dugu family's "detached residence" in Luoyang.

Looking across the entire city of Luoyang, only the Yuwen family's old residence was larger than theirs.

The Dugu family was undoubtedly one of the most powerful clans of the time... because Yang Guang's mother was named Dugu Jialuo, because the Dugu family had once been one of the Eight Pillars of State, and because the Dugu family was born into nobility.

No matter who becomes emperor, the Dugu family's position will remain unshakeable. Everyone in the Dugu family, including the young Dugu family's "number one expert," Dugu Ce, agrees with this.

Since Yang Guang, like a decaying tree, was nearing its end, the Dugu family would naturally no longer rely on this soon-to-be-lost locust tree.

Dugu Ce was an arrogant man, so when Yang Guang cowered in Luoyang for many days...

When Yang Guang announced that he would discuss moving the capital to Jiangdu with various loyal ministers and powerful figures that day, all that remained for him was contempt for this incompetent ruler.

Look at that thing, it looks just like a dog.

Nevertheless, the Dugu family still needed to maintain a respectable public image. Faced with an invitation from the imperial palace, the Dugu family had to demonstrate sufficient sincerity.

The matriarch of the Dugu family, You Chuhong, and the clan leader, Dugu Feng, were going to the palace, accompanied by Dugu Ce. The eldest daughter, Dugu Feng, was also supposed to go, but she gave up because the little girl had secretly slipped out of Luoyang.

But even if it's a bit impolite, so what?

The Yang family no longer deserves the respect of the Dugu family. So what if they are "relatives"? The only respect they can offer is a choice between a white silk ribbon and a bowl of poison.

But Yang Guang only brought this upon himself; his current state is simply a case of courting death!

Who told him to try and let a bunch of poor peasants climb over their noble family!

Such reckless behavior deserves to be punished!

But who would have thought that this foolish emperor would be so stubborn, launching three campaigns against Goguryeo, and the three failures brought the dynasty to the brink of collapse. But it didn't matter, it didn't matter!

Their aristocratic families will remain standing; those who have died are merely insignificant commoners!

And their family lineage will continue for thousands of years!

And the emperor? He's just a scapegoat, like Yang Guang.

Now everyone in the world only knows him as a tyrannical and perverse ruler, a tyrant comparable to Jie and Zhou, a beast whom countless people in the world wish they could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.

He survived not because of the Imperial Guard's experts, but because the powerful clans allowed him to live.

Even a dog should be used up until it has last value before it dies, right?

Even the emperor is no exception.

As the sun began to set, the courtyard of the Dugu family, strewn with fallen leaves in this late autumn, appeared particularly desolate. Sometime later, Yang Guang's close attendant arrived, and he spoke softly to Dugu Feng and Dugu Ce beside him…

"You must all attend His Majesty's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet tonight."

"Hmph, I know." Dugu Ce arrogantly flicked his sleeve, his eyes filled with nothing but disgust as he looked at Wei Lianxiang...

"Get out of here, you eunuch! Don't defile my Dugu family's place!"

Dugu Feng's eyes flickered, seemingly displeased with his son's rude behavior. But he neither stopped him nor offered any rebuttal to his words…

Wei Lianxiang didn't care. He only glanced at the mansion and said quietly...

"I heard that Miss Dugu left Luoyang alone the day before yesterday? What a pity, what a real pity..."

After saying that, Wei Lianxiang turned around and slowly left the Dugu family mansion. Her soft, unsettling voice gradually faded into the distance.

Soon, as night fell, many ministers had gathered outside the imperial city.

The officials who remained in Luoyang at this moment, if not the most loyal ministers and generals... at least still had some attachment and resentment towards the Sui Dynasty.

Or perhaps they simply knew that once they left this place, they would no longer be high-ranking officials or close associates of the emperor; once they left, they would be nothing more than lowly commoners.

Outside the palace walls, the ministers chatted excitedly, seemingly trying to persuade the emperor to heed their "loyal advice."

Moving the river was necessary, and relying on powerful clans was also necessary... If possible, the emperor should do nothing and let virtuous and capable men like Guan Zhong and Le Yan save this country in crisis.

Of course, aside from these "virtuous and capable men," the entire court was roughly divided into two camps.

The former capital of Northern Zhou, which had submitted to the Yuwen clan, was close to the Dugu clan, a group of upright officials led by Pei Yun and Su Wei, relatives of three emperors.

Of course, there are still spies from Buddhism, Taoism, and the Demonic Sect who have infiltrated this place.

Looking at these people, one can see the fact that the Sui Dynasty was already worm-eaten from the root.

Perhaps it is because Yang Jian's acquisition of the country was illegitimate that he ended up in such a predicament, which is only natural.

With a heavy thud, the vermilion gates of the imperial city slowly opened, and the soldiers of the Twelve Guards stood silently on both sides...

Dugu Feng glanced strangely at Yuwen Shang, who remained silent beside him, his brows furrowed.

Although I heard that Yuwen Huaji was killed by a group of outlaws in Yangzhou, I never expected that Yuwen Shang would be the one to take his place.

I also heard that the Yuwen family's pursuit of those wandering Jianghu outlaws seems to have encountered an accident.

Dugu Feng was unaware of all this, because it would take time for the news to reach Luoyang.

Sometimes, information in the martial arts world is readily available, while at other times it is extremely limited.

Dugu Feng took a step forward, his son supporting his trembling grandmother beside him. They and Yuwen Shang, like the head of all officials leading the court, entered the magnificent Luoyang Palace.

After passing through the magnificent palace and the golden dragon pillar that takes five people to encircle, the officials readily took their places... and on the high dragon throne sat the "master" of this country.

On the Dragon Platform, Yang Guang sat motionless on the dragon throne. His face was no longer pale, and his expression was no longer filled with anger and resentment. He wore the golden dragon robe, just like the spirited emperor he had been ten years ago.

In an instant, Dugu Feng actually felt that Yang Guang had regained his former majesty.

"My beloved ministers, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, yet I still have to invite you to the palace to gather with me. I feel deeply ashamed that you have wasted the time you would have spent with your families."

Looking down at the pillars of the nation below, Yang Guang unfurled his dragon robe and chuckled lightly...

"Especially my two beloved ministers, Yuwen and Dugu, the two pillars of the Sui Dynasty must be extremely busy with state affairs."

"Your Majesty is too kind. This humble subject has always been a subject of inquiry," Dugu Feng said calmly, bowing slightly.

"Since you have nothing else to do, how about you do me a favor?" Yang Guang stroked his chin, a cruel and mocking smile spreading across his face...

"I have heard that Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chan Temple possess the lost He Shi Bi jade... and are preparing to select an emperor in Luoyang today to uphold justice and quell the chaos. Why don't you go in my place?"

Dugu Feng cursed inwardly, thinking that those bald nuns were really up to no good.

If Yang Guang had been willing to return to Daxing last year, that would have been fine; he could have even taken a dragon boat to Jiangdu. The problem is, Yang Guang remained in Luoyang, and those nuns dared to "choose an emperor" at the Jingnian Temple!

They are utterly arrogant! It's not so bad to oppose this incompetent ruler, but as long as he's on the throne, he's still the emperor. For these bald men to choose a new emperor right under his nose is beyond stupid!

"Your Majesty is too kind. They're just a bunch of arrogant and conceited bald men," Dugu Feng tried to brush it off, after all, even the Dugu family didn't want to provoke Buddhism...

"Ha, choosing an emperor right under the emperor's nose, this is no ordinary bald man," Yang Guang sneered.

"Never mind, since Dugu Qing is unwilling to help, I will not force him."

"Your Majesty, I have important matters to report!"

Before Yang Guang could finish speaking, a sharp and shrill voice rang out as Minister Yu Shiji stepped forward from the ranks, clasped his hands together in a respectful gesture towards Yang Guang, and sternly declared…

"Your Majesty, I wish to submit a memorial to the throne!"

As soon as Yu Shiji said this, many ministers around him immediately distanced themselves from this reckless fellow.

Although Yang Guang's power has waned, as long as he remains on the throne, he still has the power of life and death over these upright officials!

"Ha, does my subject wish to impeach me? That's quite novel. Well then, speak frankly."

However, Yang Guang's behavior was utterly astonishing. This emperor, who seemed to have been incompetent for half his life, laughed heartily, looking at his Grand Master of Ceremonies, and said with a smile...

"Your Majesty's difficulties are well understood. The failures of the three campaigns against Goguryeo were not due to a lack of military prowess. However, Your Majesty's fault lies in initiating the civil service examination system! We are incompetent and lack the virtue of our ancestors, yet the way of the sages cannot be reversed!"

The world is in turmoil, and the people are alienated!

"It's all Your Majesty's mistake in initiating the imperial examination system! The officials in the court are all men of extraordinary talent. With virtuous and learned men from powerful families governing the country, Your Majesty could rule with ease, and the world would be peaceful and prosperous. Even villains like Li Mi and Du Fuwei wouldn't have met such a fate!"

Yu Shiji's words were met with nods of approval from many ministers in the court, with Dugu Feng and Dugu Sheng nodding repeatedly as if they were the words of a sage.

"Hahaha, I understand now! You mean that the Great Sui Dynasty has fallen to this state because I started the imperial examinations and recruited scholars from poor families?"

Yang Guangda smiled as he looked at the serious-looking Yu Shiji and those so-called loyal ministers and generals, almost unable to suppress the murderous intent in his heart...

"Well said, very well said! I finally understand. The biggest traitors to the country in this court are you upright and loyal ministers who serve the country and its people!"

Yang Guang laughed, laughed wildly, laughed as if he were about to suffocate, laughed as if he were about to die on the spot!

His words undoubtedly caused an uproar among the officials below. The next moment, You Chuhong, standing beside Dugu Feng, suddenly opened her eyes!

"Since you all like to follow the teachings of Confucius so much, then I would like to trouble you to go and keep him company!"

20. Slaughter the entire court and burn Luoyang.

Ancient emperors referred to themselves as "孤" (gu, meaning "I, the lonely one"). However, from the time of Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng), the emperor began to refer to himself as "朕" (zhen, meaning "I, the imperial emperor").

However, in reality, compared to the title "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I") that Ying Zheng created for himself as emperor to distinguish himself from other kings, the title "孤" (Gu, meaning "I, the Lonely") better reveals the essence of a monarch.

Emperors are often lonely figures. The higher one climbs, the colder it gets; at the summit, no one offers support. They stand alone at the pinnacle of power.

Yang Guang once believed that being a solitary ruler was a symbol of the pinnacle of power, and that those who wield power need no sharers. But now, Yang Guang has a new understanding.

The so-called lonely person...

"Even if I were alone, I would be enough to slaughter all of you traitors and villains!"

With Yang Guang's unrestrained roar, an extremely terrifying aura of majesty and righteousness burst forth from his body, pressing down on the entire hall!

That extremely terrifying righteous energy had completely achieved the effect of reversing the opposite of what it was meant to be.

The so-called righteous path, at its most extreme, is no different from the evil path or the demonic path!

Yang Guang laughed wildly and grabbed Yu Shiji in his palm. Looking at his former Grand Master of the Palace, Yang Guang, amidst Yu's utter terror, channeled the power he had obtained from the Heavenly Crystal into his body!

The true spirit of benevolence, justice, and magnanimity was driven by Yang Guang's extremely distorted mind. Under an extremely concentrated and terrifying suppression, it surged into Yu Shiji's body, mind, and soul!

He shrieked and "melted" in the horrified gazes of countless ministers. The man's appearance was completely distorted, all his features were gone, leaving only a gaping, blood-red mouth that stretched to his ears. His blank flesh was eerily long and slender, a terrifying and unsettling sight, yet it carried an aura of righteous indignation that only a great Confucian scholar could possess.

"Since you, my dear minister, are so fond of the words of the sages, then go and do it!"

As Yang Guang laughed wildly, the monster that Yu Shiji had transformed into unleashed its righteous aura and loudly recited the Analects... Its mutated limbs, sharp as blades, directly killed many ministers beside it!

Confucius said: "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening!"

"This evil creature deserves to die!!"

Unable to bear this horrific scene, Dugu Ce roared and charged out, using the secret Biluo Hongchen sword technique of the Dugu family, drawing a beautiful sword arc as he attacked the monster that Yu Shiji had transformed into!

However, the sharp blade that could cut through steel only left a very shallow white mark on the monster's terrifying skin.

Dugu Ce's expression changed drastically, but before he could speak, the pale, mutated limbs pierced his mouth and tore out of his lower body!

Confucius said: "While your parents are alive, do not travel far; if you must travel, you must have a fixed destination."

The monster that Yu Shiji transformed into dragged along a piercingly sharp voice that caused excruciating eardrums, reciting the Analects of Confucius, yet committing incredibly cruel atrocities.

"Ce'er!!"

Enraged, Dugu Feng's eyes widened in fury, and he almost rushed forward to fight Yang Guang to the death. But You Chuhong held her son back tightly, her aged face looking at the laughing Yang Guang with utmost solemnity!

"Since you all are loyal to me, then you may become my sword slaves."

Yang Guang looked at the trembling ministers and laughed loudly...

"You tyrant, your perverse ways will not end well!" Su Wei pointed at Yang Guang, his finger trembling as he shrieked...

"Ha, I know I won't have a good end. But before I go to hell, I'll definitely take all of you down with me." Yang Guang grinned.

"I am all alone and need no one else. I only need myself, and that is enough."

At this moment, Dugu Feng and his clan were preparing to force their way out of the main hall, but the next moment they heard the sound of soldiers clashing. It turned out that the Yuwen clan had led a team to surround the main hall!

Dugu Feng's expression was solemn but he also breathed a sigh of relief. Although being surrounded by the Yuwen family's troops was not a good thing, it was at least much better than facing this strange and terrifying demon lord!

However, a terrifying scene unfolded once again.