563: The King of Chu was about to die and summoned his ministers

Great Chu, Imperial Capital, Golden Luan Hall.

The Luck Golden Dragon above the Golden Luan Hall had already turned into a black Dragon, almost completely dissipated, and a thick Death Qi surged within the Hall.

The Chu Emperor lay on his Dragon Throne, his fingertips resting on the Dragon's head, trembling slightly. This peerless hegemon who had swept across the eight directions and dominated for a thousand years, was now at the end of his Lifespan.

An elegant, white-bearded old man in an Alchemist robe was taking the Chu Emperor's pulse, his expression growing increasingly solemn.

"Old Pill King, how is His Majesty's condition? How can we save him!"

Li Fangzhong, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, looked anxiously at the white-bearded old man.

Some time ago, the Chu Emperor's health had inexplicably and rapidly deteriorated. At first, he could consume some Heaven And Earth Treasure and Life-extending Divine Pills to maintain his life.

But later, it became more severe. To prevent the situation from leaking and causing panic, the Shadow Guard Commander secretly went to Medicine King Valley and invited the Old Ancestor of Medicine King Valley, Xuanhuang Alchemist.

Xuanhuang Alchemist was not only a first-rate Alchemist but also had superb medical skills, a Major Achievement of both.

"Lord Li, His Majesty's body is already on the verge of death, almost incurable, unless we find legendary Divine Medicines like the Nine-Bend Immortal Ginseng, Ten-Thousand-Year Peach, or Longevity Fruit… otherwise…" Xuanhuang Alchemist sighed slightly. The Chu Emperor's body had already deteriorated beyond repair. He had even consumed Grade Seven Heaven And Earth Treasure for extending Lifespan, but ordinary things were already ineffective on him.

"My Zhou Tian Life-Borrowing Art can only extend the Chu Emperor's Lifespan for three more days!"

"What?"

Li Fangzhong's face changed drastically upon hearing this, no longer able to remain calm.

"Old Pill King, you must still have a way, right!"

"The previous times, you saved His Majesty from the hands of death. This time, it will be the same. Please think of another way."

Li Fangzhong knelt in terror. Great Chu could not be without the Chu Emperor now. If the Chu Emperor died, the world would fall into chaos, with feudal lords vying for power, which would surely lead to the people suffering and threaten the stability of Great Chu.

The current stability of the world was barely maintained because the Chu Emperor was still alive. Even with low health, he was enough to deter the heroes of the world and prevent major chaos.

Li Xin, the Shadow Guard Commander, also said, "Old Pill King, where can I find these things you mentioned? I will go look for them immediately."

Xuanhuang Alchemist shook his head and said, "His Majesty has been cursed and is critically ill. Moreover, throughout the entire world, the only place that might possess such Divine Objects is probably the Divine Tomb, but…"

Li Xin and the others understood without him saying. Not to mention that the Eight Great Divine Jades were missing, even if they had them, they wouldn't dare to enter again.

The Divine Tomb held great terror and had already created seven world-shaking demon gods for Great Chu, like the Sword of Damocles, constantly hanging over the head of the Great Chu Dynasty.

In fact, after they discovered the Chu Emperor was cursed, they immediately invited relevant experts to investigate, but to no avail.

This curse could break the Luck Golden Dragon, indicating that the person behind it had extraordinary power.

Their strength was unfathomable.

They deliberately wanted the Chu Emperor to pass away to achieve their ulterior motives.

Inside the Golden Luan Hall, several people stood, all absolute trusted confidants of the Chu Emperor, their faces also filled with dismay.

"Enough, don't trouble Xuanhuang Alchemist anymore. Even if a True God descended now, it would be beyond salvation. Three days is already enough."

"Please ask the Alchemist to rest. His condition is not much better than mine. Li Fangzhong, take a few top-grade Origin Stones from the Imperial Treasury and give them to the Alchemist… cough cough!"

The Chu Emperor coughed lightly, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

Xuanhuang Alchemist, Ling Xuzi, Pill King's Revered Master, had little Lifespan left and could not stay outside for long.

"Your Majesty…"

Xuanhuang Alchemist had words on the tip of his tongue, but still did not offer comfort. He was an Emperor, and among all the monarchs of the past five thousand years of the founding of the Dynasty, he could be considered a generation's hegemon. He did not need anyone's pity.

This was not Xuanhuang Alchemist's first visit to the Imperial Capital. For this country, he was already exhausted, but there were always people trying to destabilize Great Chu, and even kill him.

He could guard against them for a while, but not forever.

"Li Fangzhong, issue an imperial decree, summon the Three Kings and all civil and military officials to the Golden Luan Hall!"

"Yes!"

Inside the Golden Luan Hall, these words, like a final testament, made people choke up, some even shedding tears.

They were all trusted confidants who had followed the Chu Emperor for over a thousand years. It was because of the Chu Emperor that they had achieved what they had today, and thus, their loyalty to him was unwavering.

Now that the Chu Emperor was about to pass away, they found it difficult to accept this reality.

When an Emperor falls, perhaps only these few people would truly shed tears for him.

The princes would only be excited.

The officials would only choose sides and support the New Emperor.

The common people would just have another topic of conversation and would not understand what a disaster it was to lose a brilliant and strategic monarch at the end of this Dynasty.

An Emperor is always lonely. No one understands his actions. He needs to withstand pressure from all directions. Without a strong heart, it is difficult to bear this pressure.

As soon as the imperial decree was issued, all directions were startled, stirring up a thousand waves.

Li Fangzhong personally delivered the imperial decree, summoning the Three Kings and all civil and military officials to the Golden Luan Hall.

This was a monumental event, and everyone looked tense.

Since the Chu Emperor returned severely injured eight hundred years ago, officials had held court in Jing Tian Hall.

The Golden Luan Hall had become the Chu Emperor's secluded place for healing.

Its activation today surely meant something major was happening.

Including Jixia Academy, Demon Suppression Division, and the chief commanders of the seven major camps of the Imperial Capital, all entered the court.

The Minister of War said, "Why would His Majesty suddenly summon all civil and military officials, the Three Kings, Jixia Academy, and the Demon Suppression Division, all to enter the Hall?"

Right Prime Minister Han Fei, Former Right Chancellor's expression was not good: "I fear His Majesty's end is near; otherwise, such a large-scale gathering would be impossible."

Almost all high-ranking officials from key departments were called.

Calling the Three Kings as well could not help but raise suspicions.

"His Majesty should still have two or three years. Why would his condition suddenly worsen?"

The Minister of War said, puzzled. Moreover, given the deteriorating situation in Great Chu, even if His Majesty passed away, it should be kept secret until the New Emperor was stable before announcing it to the world.

With His Majesty's brilliant strategy, he shouldn't make this mistake.

Although the imperial decree only summoned officials from critical departments, it might not be leaked, but there was still a risk.

"We'll know when we go. His Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune, and you all worry too much. Perhaps it's to establish a new Crown Prince and confirm the legitimate succession."

A middle-aged man in a scholar's robe appeared before everyone.

"Jixia Academy, the first of the Twelve Sages, the Sage of Strategy, Tao Wen!"

Everyone's expressions changed slightly. Even this person had come out. The Head of Jixia Academy had been missing for five hundred years, and now the Twelve Sages controlled Jixia Academy.

The representative of the Demon Suppression Division was still Zu Cang.

The Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet, Minister of Personnel, said, "Most likely, our His Majesty is going to make his final arrangements. We must strive to push Prince Qi onto the throne."

Officials from Prince Qi's faction nodded slightly, this was their make-or-break moment.

Prince Yans Mansion.

"Rushuang, this King has finally waited for this day. The old man is finally going to die, and the world of Great Chu will ultimately… fall into my hands!"

Prince Yan said excitedly. The old immortal finally couldn't hold on and was going to kick the bucket.

He had already made thorough preparations in advance. No matter who the old man passed the throne to, he would be the only one to ascend the throne.

"Your Highness, the closer it gets to the end, the less you can let your guard down."

Liu Rushuang's beautiful eyes flickered, her plain dress making her appear cool and refined.

"Don't worry, this King will play out this final act well."

Prince Yan said with a faint smile.

Then his figure flashed, and he left the Mansion to rush to the Imperial Palace, the Golden Luan Hall.

The entire Imperial Capital was surging with undercurrents, filled with treacherous and unpredictable Qi…