Afterward, Lu Yang chatted and discussed the Dao with Empress Xiao for a while.
After all, since the two were colluding, they needed this kind of communication to deepen their understanding of each other. Thus, Empress Xiao did not refuse.
Both parties benefited greatly, and the conversation was delightful for both the host and the guest.
It wasn't until an hour later that Lu Yang walked out of the Four Treasuries Daoist Canon and left the Imperial Palace under Eunuch An's lead. Empress Xiao watched his retreating back.
"Your Majesty..."
A palace maid stepped forward softly. "This True Dragon is extraordinary and not so easily dealt with. Your Majesty's move... I fear it might be raising a tiger that will cause trouble."
Hearing this, Empress Xiao glanced at the palace maid. She was brought from her maiden home and had always been loyal, so the Empress didn't mind her slightly offensive remark. She said indifferently, "No need to worry. Although His Majesty left in a hurry without leaving a word, he didn't leave without any backup plans."
After speaking, she spread open her palm.
On that fair palm, warm and smooth like jade, a dazzling light floated, causing a profound sandalwood fragrance to waft through the surroundings.
[Seven Luminaries Heaven]!
"Before His Majesty left, he left this item in the Imperial Harem. With it, the Incense Offering Deities of the Imperial City Division are nothing to worry about. Their cultivation base depends entirely on my thought."
"So that Du Huan is nothing to worry about."
Speaking up to here, a look of longing appeared in the depths of Empress Xiao's eyes: Given time, if I can use this opportunity to perfect this embryonic Dao Fruit...
Perhaps there is hope for a Perfected Lord.
For this reason, Empress Xiao actually wished the Imperial City Division's influence would grow as large as possible. After all, the larger the Imperial City Division, the more incense offerings, and the more perfect the [Seven Luminaries Heaven] would become.
As long as she could achieve the stature of a Perfected Lord, Empress Xiao didn't care at all about the power and position in the Dao Court. If Du Huan wanted it, or Crown Prince Longxing wanted it, just give it to them.
Unifortunately, it's not perfect.
Thinking of this, Empress Xiao sighed in her heart. If it weren't a embryonic Dao Fruit but a perfect unorthodox Dao Fruit, it would have saved her a lot of effort.
...
After leaving the Tianwu Hall, Lu Yang returned immediately to the Imperial City Division's office, then went all the way down to the interrogation room located underground.
Whether it was the Capital Skies Division Right Commander Chen Yuanli who assassinated Emperor Jiayou, or the Capital Skies Division Commander Ning Haohe captured directly by Lu Yang as a rebel, both were detained here at this moment. Covered in wounds, they had clearly been tortured countless times, breathing out more than breathing in.
"My Lord!"
As soon as Lu Yang walked into the interrogation room, the Imperial City Division cultivators who were resting stood up one after another, bowing to him with solemn faces.
"What's the situation?"
Lu Yang pulled up a chair and sat in front of Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohe. "Did they remember how they assassinated Emperor Jiayou, and who their accomplices are?"
"This... they are very stubborn."
Several Imperial City Division cultivators lowered their heads in shame. "Especially that Ning Haohe, he refused to admit his crimes even unto death. We ask my Lord to punish us!"
After speaking, everyone prostrated directly on the ground, actively asking for punishment. After all, they had taken quite a few things from Lu Yang so far. To be honest, with this treatment, if Lu Yang didn't scold or beat them a bit, they would feel guilty and embarrassed taking it.
However, the next second, Lu Yang shook his head:
"Punish for what? If they can't remember and refuse to admit their crimes, that's their problem. You've worked hard. Go back and rest well."
As his voice fell, Lu Yang took out a thick stack of red envelopes.
"Everyone has been torturing prisoners here and hasn't cultivated for a long time. These are your subsidies. Take them; everyone gets a share."
At this moment, only one thought remained in everyone's mind—Lord Du Huan's kindness can never be repaid!
After sending away the group of Imperial City Division cultivators, Lu Yang looked at the dying Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohe. The latter also opened his eyes at this moment:
"Traitor... villain..."
"Keep cursing."
Lu Yang smiled slightly, not caring at all. "Cursing before death is the loser's only consolation... Besides, you won't have the chance to curse anymore."
As his voice fell, he gripped Ning Haohe's head.
[Marionette]!
Ning Haohe was a Rank 3 official, but not a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator. [Marionette] controlled him smoothly, instantly wiping away all resentment on his face.
"I speak, you write."
"This subordinate obeys!"
Soon, a confession personally written by the "assassin" Chen Yuanli and his "accomplice" Ning Haohe, bearing their divine sense imprints, was freshly baked.
It identified many high-ranking Dao Court officials as having connections with the Demonic Sect in Jiangbei, including the Commanders of the Five Imperial Military Camps, and large and small officials occupying many important positions in the Dao Court. It could be said that apart from the Junior Guardian, Junior Mentor, and Junior Preceptor at the very top whom Lu Yang didn't implicate, he didn't let off anyone else.
The content was absolutely authentic and could withstand any inspection.
Walking out of the interrogation room, Lu Yang handed the confession directly to Xiao Shan waiting outside, then said indifferently, "Make copies and send them to the mansions of the Junior Guardian and the others."
"Now, gather everyone. Arrest according to the names on the confession list."
"Move out!"
Not long after, Tianwu City fell into chaos.
Under Lu Yang's command, the Imperial City Division, which had just swallowed the Capital Skies Division and whose scale and morale were unprecedently high, turned out in full force, sweeping through the entire Tianwu City.
At first, many officials didn't realize what was happening. They even thought the Imperial City Division was rebelling—that the naturally evil demon cultivators wanted to revolt. So they actively stepped forward to scold them. The result, without exception, was being surrounded and beaten by the Imperial City Division cultivators holding court staffs.
One strike down, and the official would grin and bare their teeth in pain.
The Imperial City Division cultivators, eager to show loyalty to Lu Yang, became angry instantly upon seeing this: Damn it, you still dare to bare your teeth? This is no ordinary official!
Must strike hard!
First strike to the mouth to prevent begging for mercy, second strike to the legs to prevent escape, third strike to the head—all just to let Lord Du Huan see their hard work and high merit!
"Ah! Murder!"
"Stop hitting, stop hitting... I support the Imperial City Division! I'm one of you!"
For a time, voices like this rang out everywhere in Tianwu City.
But the officials weren't completely powerless to resist. Soon, a Rank 2 official finally couldn't hold back and brazenly deployed his official position:
[Minister of War]!
"Impudent! Demon cultivators rebelling..."
Boom!
Before his voice faded, an even louder boom drowned out his voice. At this moment, countless officials unconsciously looked up at the vault of heaven.
What met their eyes was a single person.
Lu Yang stood silently like a statue, forming hand seals. Rolling flowing fire surged from his sleeves, instantly covering the sky.
Amidst the sky-filling flowing fire, countless banners were raised, manifesting the image of gathering weapons and soldiers, the sound of neighing warhorses. It was clearly a shura battlefield, a scene of blood staining the mountains and rivers. A deep shadow was cast and smashing down from the sky, carrying a terrifying aura of destruction!
[Beacon Flame Yang Scripture]!
With the blessing of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], Lu Yang had quickly mastered this dao art. He had been hiding in the air, accumulating power for a long time, just waiting for the bird that sticks its head out.
At this moment, he naturally showed no mercy and went all out!
For a time, inside and outside the city trembled. Countless gazes looked at the flowing fire pouring down from the sky with terror, anger, or shock.
Bang!
Like a silver vase bursting and water splashing, iron cavalry charging with swords and spears clashing!
The next second, the acting [Minister of War], along with his entire mansion, was swallowed by the flowing fire. Only a scorched pit remained in place.
After doing all this, Lu Yang floated down:
"The assassin Chen Yuanli and accomplice Ning Haohe have confessed. The evidence is irrefutable. The Imperial City Division, acting on the Crown Prince's orders and the Empress's orders, arrests all involved officials."
"With ironclad evidence, the Minister of War still dared to come out and obstruct... Without a doubt, the treacherous official has jumped out himself!"
After speaking, Lu Yang reached out and grabbed, pulling the half-dead Minister of War directly from the pit. This was the result of him intentionally holding back.
[Marionette]!
After secretly controlling him, Lu Yang said indifferently, "Take this person back. Interrogate him well. Make him confess how many more accomplices there are!"