50: Knock out the empress and take her away

At dawn the next day, as day broke.

The Xiao Prime Minister's Residence was shrouded in a solemn and chilling atmosphere.

All the maids, servants, and guards in the residence had been dismissed, each receiving a generous severance package.

On the open ground in front of the residence gates, eight hundred private soldiers personally trained by Xiao Heng stood in neat ranks.

They were dressed in light armor with sharp blades at their waists, their expressions solemn.

Although few in number, every one of them had sharp eyes and a powerful aura, clearly elites who had survived a hundred battles.

Dressed in his court robes and holding the imperial edict, Xiao Heng stood steadily on the steps.

His gaze swept across the young and resolute faces below, and he spoke in a deep voice:

“Brave warriors!”

“Today, by order of Your Majesty, I shall depart as an envoy to the Imperial Dynasty!”

“This journey is not for sightseeing, nor is it a common diplomatic mission. It is to carry out the will of the Supreme of our Taiyan Imperial Dynasty and to proclaim the national prestige of our Dynasty to that arrogant Tianjun Human Emperor!”

He held the imperial edict high, his voice resonant and powerful: “This is an imperial edict written by Your Majesty himself, containing Your Majesty's Supreme Emperors Might!”

“The road ahead is perilous. Are you afraid?”

“We are willing to follow the Prime Minister! We will face ten thousand deaths without regret!” The eight hundred private soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the clouds.

“Good!” Xiao Heng's beard and hair fluttered, his chest surging with heroic spirit. “Your Majesty has treated us with kindness as heavy as a mountain. Today is the time for us to repay his grace!”

“Even if what lies ahead is a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, we shall charge through! We will let the world see the unyielding character of Taiyan's men and the loyalty and courage of Taiyan's officials!”

“This journey is not for survival, but for a clear conscience! To leave our names in history! To spread our national prestige, today is the day!”

“Spread our national prestige! Spread our national prestige!” The eight hundred soldiers were stirred by Xiao Heng's words, their blood boiling and morale soaring to the Peak, their eyes burning with fanaticism and determination.

They did not know the specific contents of the imperial edict.

Nor did they know the true purpose of this journey.

But under Xiao Heng's infectious mobilization...

...they firmly believed they were carrying out a glorious and great mission.

For the glory of Dynasty, they would not hesitate to give their lives!

“Depart!”

Xiao Heng waved his hand and turned to board the carriage that had been prepared.

The eight hundred soldiers immediately guarded him on both sides, marching in unison as they left the Xiao Prime Minister's Residence and headed straight toward the capital's city gates.

On the official road, pedestrians gave way to Xiao Heng's convoy, their eyes filled with confusion.

With such a posture, those who didn't know better would truly think Prime Minister Xiao was heading to the battlefield.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Heng gently lifted a corner of the curtain. Watching the majestic Imperial Palace recede into the distance, his eyes involuntarily welled with tears.

Your Majesty, this official is leaving.

With this departure, I can no longer share your burdens, nor can I witness you rule over the world.

May I, in the next life, once again hold your horse and stool, and once again... serve you with the loyalty of a dog or a horse.

The procession faced the rising sun, carrying a tragic yet indomitable aura as they moved toward the distant Tianjun Immortal Imperial Dynasty, finally disappearing at the end of the long street.

Xiao Heng lowered the curtain, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and sighed softly: “It's a pity that in my whole life, I've never even taken a wife.”

Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly noticed an extra figure beside him. Startled, he looked up sharply, his voice trembling slightly: “Who... who are you?”

The newcomer was Wang Jian. He cupped his fists and said, “Wang Jian, Commander of the Imperial Guards, greets Prime Minister Xiao.”

Seeing the other party wearing the Imperial Guards' uniform, Xiao Heng's tense nerves relaxed slightly. He hurriedly returned the gesture: “So it is Commander Wang. I wonder, Commander Wang, have you come because Your Majesty has new arrangements?”

He had also heard about the recent reshuffling of the Imperial Guards.

On his way to the Imperial Study with Wei Zhongxian yesterday, he had felt that the auras of many Imperial Guards were unfathomable.

Therefore, he guessed that these people might be existences not inferior to the God Slaying Army.

Since this Commander Wang could hold this position, his cultivation must be high; he had to be at least at the Quasi-Emperor level.

Wang Jian said in a deep voice: “Your Majesty ordered me to accompany Prime Minister Xiao to the Tianjun Immortal Imperial Dynasty to deliver the edict.”

Hearing this, Xiao Heng sighed heavily: “Very well, at least I'll have a companion on the road.”

The companion he spoke of was, naturally, a companion on the road to the Yellow Springs.

Although a Quasi-Emperor was an existence he looked up to, the Tianjun Human Emperor had already become a Great Emperor.

Even if Commander Wang was at the Peak of the Quasi-Emperor realm, it would be impossible for him to turn the tide.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.

This was a Quasi-Emperor; surely Your Majesty wouldn't be so foolish as to send a Quasi-Emperor to his death?

If there were to be a war with the Tianjun Immortal Imperial Dynasty in the future, a Quasi-Emperor would be a key force on the battlefield.

Could it be... Your Majesty has another profound meaning?

He lowered his head in thought, and suddenly a flash of inspiration hit him as if he understood something.

It seems Your Majesty is truly determined to have that Consort Yue!

Immediately, he had a plan in mind.

Originally, he had given up on the idea of helping Your Majesty snatch Consort Yue away; after all, the few people he brought were nothing in the face of the Tianjun Immortal Imperial Dynasty.

But things were different now. This was a Quasi-Emperor; he could make some plans.

Immediately, a bold plan quietly sprouted in his heart.

Xiao Heng composed himself and looked at Wang Jian: “Commander Wang, in terms of rank, am I not higher than you?”

Wang Jian was stunned for a moment, then nodded: “Naturally.”

Xiao Heng was secretly delighted; there was a chance.

“In that case, while we are away on Your Majesty's business, shouldn't you follow my instructions for certain matters?”

He thought of Wei Zhongxian's reminder.

As the Prime Minister of Taiyan, he was below only one person but above ten thousand.

Even if the other person's cultivation was higher than his, he should not be afraid.

Looking at his slightly trembling legs and his forehead sweating from nervousness, Wang Jian smiled and nodded: “Naturally. While away, I should indeed obey Prime Minister Xiao's orders.”

Xiao Heng felt a sense of relief. His trembling legs stopped shaking, and the sweat on his forehead instantly vanished.

He let out a long breath and said in a deep voice: “Commander Wang, let's deploy a plan.”

Wang Jian cupped his fists: “Please speak, Prime Minister.”

A sharp light flashed in Xiao Heng's eyes as he lowered his voice:

“When we arrive at the Tianjun Capital, I will make a grand display and request an audience with the Human Emperor under the pretext of announcing the edict.”

“At that time, the eyes of all factions within the Tianjun court will surely be focused on me.”

“And you, Commander Wang, will take this opportunity to sneak into the Harem and find Consort Yue.”

He made a chopping motion with his hand and whispered even lower: “Knock her out and take her away.”

Wang Jian's eyebrows twitched slightly, appearing somewhat surprised, but he did not interrupt.

“Once Commander Wang succeeds, I will read the imperial edict on the spot.” A flash of determination crossed Xiao Heng's eyes. “The contents of this edict are enough to infuriate the Human Emperor.”

“At that time, I will take my own life to show my resolve and to buy time for Commander Wang to evacuate.”

“Remember, Commander Wang, you must return to Taiyan with Consort Yue at the fastest speed possible and deliver her to...” Xiao Heng paused, a meaningful smile appearing on his face, “...to Your Majesty's dragon bed, so that Your Majesty may favor her immediately.”

Xiao Heng became more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see the scene of the plan's success.

“As long as the rice is cooked, even if the Tianjun Human Emperor is enraged, there will be nothing he can do!”