145: Chapter 145 The Struggle for the Throne

The group moved into the inner hall. Ye Jing waved his hand to dismiss the attendants, leaving only father and son sitting across from each other.

Ye Xuan recounted everything that had happened by the Emperor's side over the past few days from beginning to end.

He hid nothing, explaining how the old Emperor had used a bizarre Medicinal Pill in a Heaven-Defying attempt to extend his life by attempting Possession on him, and how he had broken the situation and committed regicide with a single sword strike.

After listening, the ripples in Ye Jing's eyes vanished, leaving only deep coldness and determination: "You did the right thing."

He said slowly, "That old Emperor has been on the throne for so long, imposing exorbitant taxes and making life unbearable for the people. Your sword strike today was truly satisfying!"

Over the years, Ye Jing didn't know how much he had worried over the Tax Silver. He had long found that dog Emperor eyesore, so it was good that he was killed.

"However, while killing the Emperor is good, the veteran officials of Chaozhou, the vassal kings, and the other princes will inevitably use this incident to cause trouble. The Yan State will fall into chaos," Ye Xuan said with some concern.

"The Xuanyou Sect is watching like a tiger, and then there's the Qingyun Sect's side; it might be difficult to give them a satisfactory explanation."

Hearing this, Ye Jing knew his eldest son wanted to consult him on how to clean up this mess. He gave a calm smile and said, "Without an Emperor to guard the realm, we, the Ye family, can simply support a new Emperor to take the throne."

"Father, are you going to take charge of this?" Ye Xuan asked in surprise.

He thought Ye Jing would sit idly by, but he hadn't expected his father to support a new Emperor's ascension.

"Take charge? Of course I will," Ye Jing smiled faintly. "If the Emperor of the Yan State is one of our own, won't the Yan State become a part of my Ye family? When the time comes, we can use the resources of the Yan State to properly develop our family business and also intimidate that Xuanyou Sect!"

Ye Jing nodded and then said, "Xuaner, go and assemble the army first to block the other princes outside the palace. I will follow shortly!"

"Yes!" Ye Xuan immediately responded upon hearing his father's command.

Seeing him leave, Ye Jing stood up and muttered to himself, "It's time to meet an old friend!"

At this time in Yanggu County, Zhao Yuanyi, as the Heir Apparent of the Yan State, had already heard the news of the Emperor's sudden death and was looking anxious.

He was the Heir Apparent of the Yan State and considered a member of the imperial family. Now that such a major event had occurred, he was restless.

Dark clouds covered the sky and a strong wind rose; it looked like it was about to rain.

While he was waving his fan in a frustrated mood, a sudden gust of wind blew outside the house, and a figure drifted in.

Zhao Yuanyi looked over and saw a familiar face.

He immediately cried out, "Patriarch Ye?!"

His face was full of astonishment, and he even thought it was a hallucination; this old man hadn't shown his face for several years.

Ye Jing stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a snow-white robe. He had white hair but a youthful complexion, and spiritual light faintly flowed around his body.

This caused Zhao Yuanyi to immediately tighten his grip on his fan and become involuntarily respectful. He bowed to Ye Jing and said, "Immortal Master Ye, it has been a long time."

The current Ye Jing was no longer that ordinary old Martial Artist from a few years ago. With this body of strange power, how could Zhao Yuanyi fail to recognize him?

Shocking waves rose in his heart; this old man had truly found the path to immortality and become a Cultivator!

Ye Jing walked forward with a smile, his robes flapping loudly in the wind. "Heir Apparent Zhao, there is no need for such formalities. I have come this time to discuss a matter of great fortune with you."

This familiar way of discussing business, however, made Zhao Yuanyi no longer dare to chat and laugh with him as calmly as before.

He only asked cautiously, "Immortal Master Ye, what major matter do you wish to discuss with me?"

Ye Jing stroked his beard, his eyes still peaceful, but his words became shocking: "I wonder if the Heir Apparent of the Yan State has any yearning for the throne?"

"The throne?"

Zhao Yuanyi felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He gripped his folding fan tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He looked up at Ye Jing, his eyes full of disbelief, mixed with panic and a hint of excitement.

The wild wind swept withered leaves against the window, making a whistling sound. Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, stretching the shadows of the two men long and short.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, bowed his head, and spoke with a tone of reverence and testing: "Immortal Master Ye, the late Emperor has suddenly passed away. Naturally, the court officials, the various prince uncles, and the princes will discuss it. I am but a mere Heir Apparent; how could I dare to have such improper thoughts?"

These words were the truth, and half for self-preservation.

Although he was the Heir Apparent, he was not favored. His mother's clan was weak, and he had no soldiers or power in his hands. In the past, he only sought to live a stable life and never coveted that Supreme position.

More importantly, he couldn't figure out Ye Jing's intentions. Was this old man, who had already become a Cultivator, testing him, or did he have something else in mind?

Ye Jing looked at his feigned humble appearance, the smile on his lips unchanging. He walked slowly to the main seat in the room and sat down. His spiritual power was slightly restrained, yet he still exuded a pressure that made people dare not look directly at him.

"Improper thoughts?" He stroked his beard, his voice not loud but every word clear. "Does the Heir Apparent know that the late Emperor did not die of illness, but was slain by my son, Ye Xuan, with a single sword strike?"

Zhao Yuanyi's whole body trembled, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

Seeing Ye Jing state this so frankly, his Adam's apple bobbed for a long time, but he couldn't find any words to say.

Ye Jing glanced at him indifferently and simply asked, "I wonder what the Heir Apparent of Yan thinks?"

Zhao Yuanyi immediately stood up straight and said to Ye Jing, "Immortal Master, Yuanyi is willing to inherit the Great Succession! In the future, I will certainly be of one heart and mind with the Ye family to jointly protect the Yan State!"

Hearing this, Ye Jing nodded with satisfaction: "Good! I have not misjudged you! Go and arrange for a carriage and horses to accompany me to the Imperial City of the Yan State. Once we arrive, you can ascend the throne and be proclaimed Emperor!"

Hearing this, Zhao Yuanyi naturally did not dare to have the slightest doubt and arranged a carriage to rush to the Imperial City with Ye Jing.

At this time, the Imperial City of the Yan State was already in a state of chaos.

The news of Ye Xuan's regicide had spread throughout the palace. Princes, some generals, and officials all began to lead their troops into the Imperial City, hoping to use this to seek the throne.

On the palace walls, Ye Xuan looked indifferently at the large number of troops gathered below.

As a Cultivator, it took him less than half a day to control the Imperial City. Now he only needed to stand atop the palace and lead his troops to guard it.

In less than two days, many princes and soldiers had gathered below.

Several men wearing python robes were shouting curses, which amounted to nothing more than calling him a rebellious subject and a traitor who disrupted the national order.

But none of them dared to step forward. For no other reason than the spiritual power flowing around Ye Xuan; as a Cultivator, no matter how noble the people below were, they were just Mortals.

The wind made the banners on the palace walls flap loudly. Ye Xuan's gaze swept over the flushed Mortals below who dared not cross the line, looking at them like mere ants.

The Third Prince, Zhao Yuanqi, who had been shouting the most fiercely just now, had his python robe and jade belt skewed due to his agitated mood.

He looked at the high-and-mighty Ye Xuan, his eyes full of resentment, yet he dared not raise his head under that indifferent gaze.

"Ye Xuan! You have committed regicide and brought disaster to the country; you are a rebel unacceptable to heaven and earth!"

Suddenly, an old general in the crowd drew his sword. It was Zhou Tai, the Grand Protector General personally appointed by the late Emperor, with white hair and beard.

"Today, I shall lead the National Guard to purge the court and execute this scoundrel!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers behind him raised their halberds in unison, their battle cries shaking the sky, yet not a single person dared to be the first to charge forward.

After all, the might of a Cultivator was definitely not something a Mortal could contend with.

Ye Xuan sneered, and spiritual power suddenly flicked from his hand. That wisp of spiritual power streaked through the air. Before Zhou Tai could even react, his face instantly turned pale and he fell to the ground, his breath completely gone.

With just one move, he was killed silently. This caused all the shouting soldiers to fall silent, no longer daring to curse.

Several princes also shrank into the crowd in fear, not daring to breathe loudly, for fear of becoming Ye Xuan's next target for punishment.

Amidst the standoff, a rapid sound of horse hooves came from afar. A group of black-clad soldiers escorted a carriage galloping toward them. The carriage was surrounded by spiritual power protection, clearly indicating a Cultivator was presiding over it.