6: Eight Princes Simultaneously Launch Coup

More than twenty days later.

Inside the Lingxiao Heavenly Palace, the Ceremonial Eunuch announced loudly, "His Majesty has arrived!"

The Civil and Military Officials knelt in unison, their voices rising like a tide, "We welcome Your Majesty! May Your Majesty shine as bright as the sun and moon, and may your imperial legacy endure forever!"

Di Yan took his seat on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the officials below. "You may rise."

The officials said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

As they rose, Zhang Qian and Li Yao discreetly exchanged a look, both of their eyes filled with doubt.

Zhao De, who was usually by Di Yan's side, was nowhere to be seen today.

Before they could think further, the Ceremonial Eunuch announced loudly, "By His Majesty's decree, present your petitions if you have any; otherwise, the court is dismissed!"

As the words fell, the entire Lingxiao Heavenly Palace fell into an eerie silence.

Di Yan looked down at the officials below the hall, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching the corners of his mouth.

Zhang Qian peeked up and saw that Di Yan's expression was as usual, easing his tense nerves slightly.

Remembering the trump card in the Prince Zhan's hands and His Majesty's increasingly fading presence, he steeled his heart and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I... have a petition to present."

Di Yan fixed his gaze on him, a faint smile playing on his lips. "What important matter does Beloved Minister Zhang have? Feel free to speak."

This calm tone greatly reassured Zhang Qian, and he immediately declared loudly, "Your Majesty, now that the country is prosperous and the people are at peace, and all within the four seas have submitted, I earnestly request that Your Majesty appoint a Crown Prince soon to strengthen the national foundation and reassure the people. I beg Your Majesty's divine judgment!"

Di Yan's lips curled slightly. "Beloved Minister Zhang is very thoughtful. In your opinion, then, who is worthy of this heavy responsibility?"

Seeing Di Yan's expression grow even gentler, Zhang Qian struck while the iron was hot:

"I believe the Prince Zhan is the most suitable!"

"He has guarded the borders for many years, resisting the Yao Race, and has achieved illustrious military merits. He holds extremely high prestige in the army and is a steady man."

"If he is appointed Crown Prince, he will surely intimidate all directions and stabilize the foundation of our Taiyan Dynasty!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Yao stepped out from the side and bowed in agreement, "Your Majesty, I second the motion!"

Immediately after, several ministers stepped out one after another, echoing in unison, "We second the motion!"

In an instant, a burst of whispering broke out in the court.

At this moment, Yang Yun, the Minister of War, stepped forward with a jade tablet in hand. "Your Majesty, I believe what Prime Minister Zhang said is inappropriate!"

The entire Lingxiao Heavenly Palace suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes focused on Yang Yun.

Di Yan raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at him with interest. "What brilliant insight does Beloved Minister Yang have? Let's hear it."

Yang Yun bowed and said, "Although the Prince Zhan has outstanding military achievements, he has been stationed at the border for years and has limited understanding of court affairs and the people's livelihood."

"The position of Crown Prince concerns the nation's foundation; it depends not only on military merit but even more on the ability to govern the country."

He paused and raised his voice, "I believe His Highness the Spirit King is exceptionally talented, benevolent, and kind. He has implemented new policies in his fief, allowing the people to live and work in peace, and his political achievements are remarkable."

"If he is appointed Crown Prince, he will surely inherit Your Majesty's benevolent rule and bless all living beings!"

As soon as he finished, a chorus of agreement immediately rang out in the court.

"I second the motion!"

"His Highness the Spirit King is indeed the best candidate!"

"The Spirit King's benevolence is known to all under heaven!"

Zhang Qian's face turned ashen, and he was about to retort.

Only to see another person stand up, "Your Majesty, I believe neither the Prince Zhan nor the Spirit King is suitable..."

Immediately after, another person stepped out, "Your Majesty, I feel none of them are suitable..."

In the blink of an eye, nearly seventy percent of the officials had stood up, arguing strongly for the princes they supported.

Only Xiao Heng, the left prime minister, kept his eyes closed to rest his mind, as if he had nothing to do with this dispute.

Now that he had broken through to the Saint King Realm, he was used to his elderly appearance and had not changed it.

He knew very well what kind of fate awaited those who stood up today.

Just then, a bone-chilling cold suddenly enveloped the entire Lingxiao Heavenly Palace, and everyone couldn't help but shiver.

The officials immediately fell silent and looked up at Di Yan on the dragon throne.

"The princes you all recommended are all quite good," Di Yan's voice was calm. "This makes things very difficult for me."

"Your Majesty!" A flash of determination crossed Zhang Qian's eyes as he said loudly, "You have already shown the signs of the Five Signs of Celestial Decay; why force yourself to hold on!"

"For the sake of the Taiyan Dynasty's land and state, I ask Your Majesty to follow the will of heaven and abdicate soon!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire court was in an uproar.

This was no longer a request to appoint an heir, but a blatant attempt to force an abdication!

Li Yao immediately followed up, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zhang is right. You... should abdicate."

Yang Yun also echoed, "Your Majesty, for the sake of the Taiyan territory, please abdicate."

Then dozens of people echoed in unison, "Please abdicate!"

The court fell silent; a few neutral ministers looked at each other, at a loss.

Di Yan's lips curled slightly, a cold glint flashing through his eyes for a moment.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the Lingxiao Heavenly Palace.

A city-guarding general rushed into the hall and knelt to report urgently, "Your Majesty! Disaster has struck! The eight princes, including the Prince Zhan, Spirit King, Prince Jing, and Kang King, have joined forces to raise an army and are transporting troops outside the city through Void Realm Teleportation Arrays!"

"What?!"

"The eight princes are raising an army at the same time?"

"This... this is a total upheaval!"

The court fell into an uproar once again, in total chaos.

Seeing this, Zhang Qian immediately straightened his back, his face no longer showing any respect. "Your Majesty, those who understand the times are wise! If you abdicate now, you can still enjoy your later years in peace!"

Li Yao also mocked, "Di Yan, your era should come to an end!"

Yang Yun also said, "Your Majesty, the armies of the Eight Kings are pressing upon us. Your Lifespan is nearing its end, and your vital energy is exhausted. You have no chance of winning!"

For a moment, the officials who were just arguing incessantly about appointing an heir all changed their faces. Their words were full of sarcasm and threats, and the arrogance of forcing the abdication grew even more rampant.

Xiao Heng suddenly opened his eyes and shouted angrily, "Presumptuous! This is treason!"

Di Yan's gaze swept over the officials, his voice icy. "Good, very good."

"Since you all hold these princes in such high regard, I will let you see with your own eyes how they meet their utter defeat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, various phenomena appeared in the sky.

Purple Qi surged for ten million miles in the east, golden lotuses bloomed across the sky in the west, a Phoenix cried out in the south, and a Xuanwu trod on the waves in the north.

The entire Imperial City was enveloped in endless auspiciousness, the sounds of the Dao roared incessantly, and Law runes manifested in the Void Realm, sacred and majestic.

A palace maid rushed into the hall and knelt excitedly to report, "Your Majesty! Her Majesty the Empress is about to give birth!"

A sharp light flashed in Di Yan's eyes, and he laughed loudly, "Good! Good! Good! Today, I shall both purge the rebels and welcome my Legitimate Heir. It is truly a double blessing!"

Before his voice faded, he had already disappeared from the spot, leaving only his voice echoing, "Xiao Heng, take these rebellious ministers to the city walls and let them watch with their own eyes as the various kings are annihilated."

"I obey your decree!" Xiao Heng replied in a deep voice.

The Imperial Guards had already surrounded the rebellious ministers.

Xiao Heng coldly ordered, "Seize them!"

Zhang Qian's face was distorted with rage, and he sneered, "Xiao Heng, with His Majesty away, you and I are both at the Peak of the Saint Realm. On what grounds do you think you can seize me?"

Xiao Heng took a step forward, and the majestic Aura of the Saint King Realm erupted with a boom. "On these grounds."

Zhang Qian's pupils constricted, his face full of disbelief. "Impossible! Your vital energy was also declining; how could you have achieved a Breakthrough?"

"By the grace of His Majesty's bestowed pill." Xiao Heng flicked his sleeve, his tone cold. "Zhang Qian, surrender now!"