"Pass my order: martial law in the entire city!"
With a single command from Lu Yang, the Imperial City Division responded immediately. Soon, cultivators of the Incense Offering Divine Dao were seen driving streaks of light, beginning to blockade the inside and outside of Tianwu City.
This wasn't him acting recklessly.
It was an order issued directly by Emperor Jiayou through the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws]. It seemed Emperor Jiayou still valued him highly, but Lu Yang smelled a crisis.
The Imperial City Division was established less than half a year ago. It was originally only responsible for public security within Tianwu City, at most occasionally raiding the mansions of a few corrupt officials. Now suddenly being asked to blockade the entire city... although it looks like a grand display of power, it actually scatters limited strength like a tray of loose sand.
This was dividing the Incense Offering cultivators of the Imperial City Division to suppress them easier.
If I enter the palace at this moment, I'm afraid Emperor Jiayou will immediately strip me of my official position, and the Imperial City Division and the Incense Offering Divine Dao will be reorganized along with it...
This wasn't hard to understand.
After all, if Emperor Jiayou were still around, his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation would be enough to suppress all chaos. No matter how powerful the Imperial City Division became, it would be nothing more than the moon in the water or flowers in the mirror.
But once Emperor Jiayou, and even the Three Dukes, all disappeared, the Imperial City Division—which could quickly mass-produce Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators using Incense Offering divine power and was controlled by the True Dragon Clan—would become a source of turmoil. Although it wouldn't go so far as to overthrow the Dao Court, it would definitely exacerbate the chaos in Jiangdong. This could not be tolerated.
However, Lu Yang didn't panic.
While heading to the Tianwu Hall, a wisp of Lu Yang's divine thought had already secretly sent out Daoist Hong Yun's Grotto-Heaven fragment, handing it to a fellow official traveling with him on the road.
He had secretly controlled this official with [Marionette] long ago.
His name was Chen Yuanli, from the Capital Skies Division. Like the Capital Skies Division Commander Ning Haohe, he was a disciple of one of the Three Dukes, the Grand Preceptor, with mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.
It's up to you...
The next second, Lu Yang activated [Marionette], opening the Grotto-Heaven fragment through this puppet Chen Yuanli and contacting [Sky-Shrouding]'s divine thought.
Soon, [Sky-Shrouding] sent a response:
"Fellow Daoist... good methods."
The birth of [Heaven of Carefree] clearly affected [Sky-Shrouding] in the [Netherworld] as well, making him feel an indescribable, bone-chilling coldness.
At this moment, he had only one thought: Thank goodness my reaction was fast!
[Heaven of Carefree] taking away the Perfected Lords of the world, combined with Lu Yang falsely holding [Overturned Lamp Flame]... If he hadn't taken [Silted Sand Earth] and [White Wax Gold] in advance to ensure he could maintain his late-stage realm even if the Chen Earth was reversed, he would probably be fish meat on the chopping block by now!
What a terrifying scheme!
With this thought, [Sky-Shrouding]'s dread of Lu Yang instantly climbed to the peak, and he became even more suspicious: Could this person really be the World Honored One?
The more he looked, the more it seemed like it!
On the other side, Lu Yang had no time to care about what [Sky-Shrouding] was thinking and said directly, "Senior, remember our agreement? It's time for you to act."
Lu Yang spoke rapidly, quickly stating his request: "At this moment, Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes of the Dao Court are gathered in one place, about to go into seclusion. I need Senior to use that sword you hid on them, ensuring they can't leave a single sentence behind. Ideally, inflict heavy injuries on them."
"..."
In a flash of lightning, [Sky-Shrouding] understood Lu Yang's thoughts: Such great ambition! Is this deliberately creating chaos to usurp the Dao Court?
If I act, this blame will be on me.
Even so, [Sky-Shrouding] didn't waste words and said bluntly, "What's in it for me?"
"What does Senior want?"
"Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature!"
[Sky-Shrouding] put forward his condition. Ultimately, he didn't need Lu Yang's help to trigger [Overturned Lamp Flame]; the key lay in Daoist Hong Yun.
As long as I can get Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature, he can't falsely hold [Overturned Lamp Flame] and can't threaten me. And with Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature, I can figure out a way to use it myself to draw [Overturned Lamp Flame] into the [Netherworld]. The key to everything is Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature. Getting it means I won't lose out.
The next second, Lu Yang gave his answer:
"Agreed!"
Decisive, without hesitation... Yet [Sky-Shrouding] sneered upon hearing it: "Who do you think I am? You agree with empty words and I just believe you?"
"How can Senior be made to believe?"
"Hand over the goods first..."
"Impossible!"
Lu Yang also sneered. "Senior looks down on people too much. Do you think I'd believe your promise? I think you definitely plan to take the item and run!"
Both sides fell into a stalemate.
But soon, [Sky-Shrouding] offered a new proposal: "Leave Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature in a location. After I slash out that sword, I will retrieve it."
This wasn't a transaction.
This was a battle of wits: With Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature placed elsewhere, both sides would rely on their own means. Whoever took it away first would be the winner of this contest.
"Agreed!"
Lu Yang agreed directly without hesitation, but sneered in his heart: Still want Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature? Wait until you slash out that sword; I will immediately extinguish your divine thought inside the Grotto-Heaven fragment. By then, it will be hard for you to interfere with the mortal world again. Even if Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature is placed right in front of your eyes, you won't have the ability to take it...
"It's a deal!"
On the other side, [Sky-Shrouding] also sneered in his heart: Use that sword to slash Emperor Jiayou and the Three Dukes? How could a sword from a late-stage Golden Core be wasted like that?
The transaction was just a cover. [Sky-Shrouding]'s true target was Lu Yang's main body!
Since he dares to plot to seize the Dao Court, he must hold a high position and power. In that case, when Emperor Jiayou summons the officials before going into seclusion, his main body will definitely be present!
At that time, I'll kill him with one sword.
And once the person is dead, whether there is Daoist Hong Yun's Golden Nature or not naturally doesn't matter.
Harboring their own ulterior motives, the two entered the Tianwu Hall like this. Soon, everyone saw four figures at the head of the hall becoming increasingly illusory.
As soon as he entered the palace, Lu Yang sensed Emperor Jiayou's gaze upon him.
Without any hesitation, Lu Yang strode forward directly, then bowed in a grand salute: "Subject Du Huan greets His Majesty. Please, Your Majesty, take back this subject's official position!"
Striking first again.
Emperor Jiayou was clearly stunned upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Lu Yang to speak up voluntarily before he even mentioned it. Could this person truly be a great loyal subject?
However, Emperor Jiayou quickly regained his composure.
Loyal or not, once he and the Three Dukes went into seclusion, the Dao Court could not have a True Dragon in a high position. He would not leave such a hidden danger for the Dao Court.
Of course, hearts still needed to be appeased.
After all, they were just going into seclusion, not actually dying.
And Lu Yang's attitude was indeed very good. So although Emperor Jiayou decided to strip Lu Yang of his official position, he still feigned magnanimity:
"Do you know what loyalty and devotion to the country means?"
"This is loyalty and devotion to the country!"
After the praise, Emperor Jiayou planned to strip Lu Yang of his official position. However, before the words left his mouth, Lu Yang contacted [Sky-Shrouding] using [Marionette].
"Do it!"
The next second, the Capital Skies Division official Chen Yuanli, controlled by [Marionette], stood up. Then, under the astonished gazes of countless officials around him:
"For the Crown Prince!"
Clang!
With a sword cry, inside the Grotto-Heaven fragment in Chen Yuanli's hand, [Sky-Shrouding]'s divine thought activated, releasing that sword light he had hidden earlier.
In an instant, the sword light submerged everything!