All Heavenly destiny reduced to ashes
Chapter 494 - 109: The Secret of the Imperial Court (3400)

Chapter 494: Chapter 109: The Secret of the Imperial Court (3400)

"So terrifying?"

Upon hearing this, An Jing was also slightly stunned. But he had actually anticipated this.

From a Commandery Princess of Imperial Blood who lacked Inner Strength and whose many privileges were restricted by the Imperial Court, the fact that she could escape to the northwest from the pursuit of a True Person of the Divine Repository just by leveraging a small permission opened by the ’Dragon Jade’ clearly shows how outrageously powerful the Imperial Blood of Da Chen is within the kingdom.

Although You Ruhui’s actions were allowed by Inspector Cao and protected by Gu Yunzhi, You Ruhui also faced great restrictions. According to her, if it were a complete Imperial Blood, once augmented by Inner Strength, it could activate incredible powers like ’Earth Escape Divine Ability’, ’Earth Pulse Protective Body’, ’Divine Weapon Protection’, ’Netherworld Traverse’, ’Short-range Teleportation’, and if the Law Altar were erected, it could even activate Divine Skill beyond its own level.

Inner Strength along with Martial Meridian?

Give Da Chen’s Imperial Blood a Linjiang City, and they could augment Inner Strength with war gods inside!

The Bright Mirror Sect, being an old power nearly of the same age as the Da Chen imperial dynasty, knew many secrets about the rise of empires. From the trajectory of the Holy Ancestor’s ascent, it was clear that before his rise, the Holy Ancestor had already received the necessary foundations and inheritances, and obtaining his own territory was merely his accelerator to soaring into prominence.

If he truly wished, the Holy Ancestor of Da Chen could have started in a remote area at the frontier and grown from there to gradually conquer half of the North Mysterious Sacrifice Continent.

Even, according to this theory, the entirety of the North Mysterious Sacrifice Continent wouldn’t be a surprise.

But... why hasn’t it?

"Is it not through lack of will, but rather inability? Perhaps the expansion of Da Chen’s national territory requires certain sacrifices, hence the inability for unlimited expansion? Or is it that the original Emperor Territory in Shenjing has something special about it, necessitating it to start from there?"

If not for these reasons, every emperor of Da Chen should have been a border-expanding maniac like the Late Emperor... yet the Late Emperor died suddenly, clearly suffering severe backlash...

An Jing speculated a few ideas. But as such speculations had undoubtedly been considered by others long ago, they were likely not the correct answer, at least not a complete one.

Therefore, Chenyinzi was puzzled – why was Da Chen uncharacteristically spitting out territories it had previously swallowed, showing unprecedented frailty... what exactly is wrong within this colossal entity forced into unity by Dust Li and the Five Sects?

"Dragon Qi... Is it because the Dragon Qi and the entire structure of Da Chen have been decoded?"

And An Jing knew more – within his body’s Demon Core and the Dragon Storing Bottle on him were additional strands of unclaimed Dragon Qi, clearly undermining the foundation of Da Chen.

But is this Dragon Qi really considered the root of Da Chen?

Now... it’s up to how Virtuous King views this.

An Jing turned his gaze towards the solemn ’Zheng Mo’: "Envoy Zheng, I entrust the negotiations with General Xing to you. I have some other matters to attend to."

Although it was only a brief confrontation, An Jing also recognized the strength of the Martial Army’s formation - to be honest, he felt most endangered when he was suppressed by the two military formations.

Such a formation was indeed not enough; he had to visit the Tianyuan Realm to see if Huo Qing had found new weapons.

On the surface, Zheng Mo accepted An Jing’s request, but in reality, he was frantically wondering in his heart what the Virtuous King thought he should do.

Under normal circumstances, the Virtuous King would surely instruct his one useful ’talent’ properly, but now, he was lost in thought.

"Sure enough, I’ve encountered such a bothersome affair."

With a long sigh, Virtuous King felt weary at heart.

As a core member of the Da Chen Imperial Court, even though he was previously a prodigal prince, Virtuous King’s understanding of the Dragon Qi system far exceeded any outsider. He knew well that while Dragon Qi is one of the core elements of the Da Chen Imperial Court, it is essentially just a high-quality Spiritual Fiend, used to operate some special Divine Skills and privileges. Moreover, each strand of Dragon Qi is unique, serving as an excellent anti-counterfeiting identifier.

In essence, it could not be considered the most critical point.

The Art of ’National Destiny National Character’ by the Talisman Granting Heavenly Official, the Art of ’Blood Divine Intent’ by Emperor Court Emperor Blood, the Art of ’Heavenly Sea Sculpting’ by Si You Control Heaven, the Art of ’Earth Reincarnation’ by Earth Pulse Xuan Network, the Art of ’Art of Replacing Heaven and Governing the World’ by Heavenly Sea Great Formation, the Art of ’Shifting Stars and Changing Directions’ by Circulation...

Not to mention, hidden in the Divine Wood of the Netherworld ’Immortal Candle Shining Immortal Tree’, lay the deepest secrets...

That secret, even he, as Town King, does not know, only knowing that it is the true core of the Imperial Court, the location where every generation of Emperor Xuantian must go for the ’Seal Granting Ceremony’.

These core secrets of Da Chen, each one a truly profound Great Dao, are much more secretive and important than the ’Heaven and Earth Dragon Qi Technique’ possessed by Ancestral Dragon Hall and other legitimate Dragon Blood powers. One might even say that Dragon Qi is just an ’illusionary diversion’ put out for people to decode!

Yet the creation of unclaimed Dragon Qi confirmed indeed that Da Chen was being targeted.

With a traitor within the Imperial Court, it’s certain that other key technologies of Da Chen’s Imperial Court are also gradually being deciphered.

"The death of Guangyun is closely connected to these individuals. A group of people is prying into the true secrets of our Imperial Court."

"One Town King has already perished, and evidently, other Town Kings were involved..."

Inside Zheng Mo, Virtuous King was invigorated: "It looks like I must report to His Majesty."

Da Chen Shenjing.

Torrential rain poured down, steamed moisture from the East Sea drawn by the Wind-Rain Masters, transformed into layers of dense clouds over the dome of Shenjing’s sky, showering incessantly on the most bustling buildings of the capital city, forming a suffocating curtain of water.

Heavy rain will continue for three days, replenishing the Earth Pulse Qi of Shenjing and filling its somewhat dried underground water veins. During the downpour, no one except the Water Army and certified officials are allowed to board the ships, causing all pleasure boats and lantern boats in the southwest of Shenjing to cease operations, leaving many scholars and warriors who wanted to enjoy the rain break sighing in disappointment.

Above the vast waters of the Grand Canal of Shenjing, which is broader than most of the real rivers in the world, a silhouette forms on an unremarkable Water Army boat, flickering with dark shadows.

[Oh? He won? Hmm, no surprise there.]

The dark shadow spoke with ease: [How long did it take? Ha, forced to use the Divine Skill within just two moves? What’s wrong with the people from the Song Family? Although it’s their family wastrel, it shouldn’t be that simple, right? A Divine Mandate inheritance, a body of Martial Meridian? Indeed, that’s troublesome; it must truly be at the level of an Emperor.]

[So, was there any reaction of Dragon Qi on him? None?]

Upon hearing this, the shadow seemed surprised and mused: [Really no reaction... It seems he hasn’t mastered the Civil and Military Formation Plate, merely using it to harness the Earth Pulse Qi.]

[Mingjing is not in the Bright Mirror Sect, nor in the Five Sects of Dust Li, nor by his side; where on earth has she gone?]

[That Dragon Qi was originally meant to lure my niece into a trap, yet it still did not work, what a pity...]

The shadow closed his eyes, still pondering.

In messages, the Song Family mentioned that someone was missing from their palace, and a position needed to be added in the Minhai Fleet; scouts from the Martial Army were also amazed by An Jing’s capabilities, finding it inadvisable to make secret moves, focusing purely on fighting the battles well.

A scout of the Heavenly Demon was captured, and spies lurking in the city were blocked. The sacrificial Song Family members were defended from accountability with the hard excuse of ’unannounced official position’. Especially since the Virtuous King (Guang Ge) was unexpectedly present at the scene.

"Seamless, indeed. What’s An Jing’s background? It’s one thing to be strong, but how is his experience so sufficient?"

Opening his eyes, the shadow took the form of a Mystery Armor Guard, shaking his head and sighing, "Great times have arrived, the younger generation is increasingly difficult to deal with."

"However, much has still been revealed through the probes—Annihilation Sword Intent? It appears that is the spoils left by Mingguang Dust after defeating that mysterious opponent. And that Natural Divine Weapon... must have been left by the Primordial Spirit Cave? Strange, did not Yue Ying take this item with him? The Demon Shedding didn’t stop him?"

"Besides, he likely still has several life-saving tactics, one or two Divine Skill tokens. Plus a Martial Meridian-grade physique which indeed makes it quite tricky."

Thinking of this, he could not help feeling very emotional—Is this what Divine Mandate is? If we were to just deal with An Jing per the intelligence from Kanming City, then it would be useless no matter how many are sent; even the Divine Repository might not be able to catch him if he decided to flee, let alone since the Bright Mirror Sect isn’t only idly watching, their trading caravans reaching Linjiang City despite numerous blockades, most likely the trump card of the Bright Mirror Sect is now in that young man’s hands.

"Interesting, he’s no longer a mere ant. That’s the frustrating part about Divine Mandate, how easily they grow and are difficult to control."

Shaking his head, the figure of the Mystery Armor Guard stepped forward, merging into the endless rain, and behind him, the small Water Army boat silently sank into the Grand Canal, turning into inconspicuous debris.

Inside the palace.

Emperor Xuan of Da Chen, Young Emperor Xuan Mingyu, seriously listened to the detailed report from the Virtuous King and couldn’t help but sigh deeply, almost genuinely saying, "So it is, unexpectedly, the imperial rebels had already deciphered the mystery of Dragon Qi and there are shadows of other Town Kings..."

"Alas, I can only rely on you now, Virtuous King."

The two discussed further details about the Northern Border until the projection of the Virtuous King vanished. His gentle gaze gradually grew indifferent and calm, and next to where the Virtuous King had been, another figure appeared.

"You’ve come."

Seeing this figure, Emperor Xuan softly said: "Indeed, worthy of being the Town King selected by the imperial court, Uncle Guang Ge really found the breakthrough. I think, having him and that Divine Mandate in front stand isn’t bad, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

The figure of the Mystery Armor Guard smiled and said: "I thought we could find some news about Princess Mingjing, but still no news. Also, Your Majesty, these are the recent private communications of the officials and the records from the Song Family, Bi Family, and Gao Family, all here."

"Though regrettable, it was as expected."

Emperor Xuan nodded, "It seems they are becoming more and more arrogant, let them delve deeper into the Dragon Qi... this can probably delay them for a decade or so."

"As for these families, it can only be said that they don’t understand the times. They think trusting Da Chen too much and taking a bit more does not matter, but they never thought that my leniency towards them, these noble clans, was hoping they would compete with the civil and military ministers, not to end up fools."

"Go remind them to think about whose rice they eat, whose position they stand on; if the rebels truly succeed, what would those nobles amount to?"

"By your command!"

After Prince Zhong also left, Xuan Mingyu remained sitting there, motionless, just closing his eyes, seemingly resting.

Ever since he took this position, he dared not rest for a moment, meticulously considering every word and planning countless times.

But all of this... whether it’s Prince Zhong or Virtuous King, whether they are nobles or civil and military ministers, whether they are Heavenly Demons or rebels... are just minor troubles.

The real key issue is only that one.

—Indeed, could it only be that one possibility?

In his heart, he softly muttered, his eyes emitting faint silvery glimmers: "Whether it’s Uncle Guangyun or Mingjing... indeed, are they both?"

"Endless Heavens..."