176: Testing Zhou Yan

Chen Jingyuan had noticed Zhou Yan a long time ago. His deliberate approach now also carried an intent to test.

Though his expression was amiable, his heart was far from calm.

Soon, a Soul Transformation level Divine Sense invaded the other party's Sea of Consciousness.

Chen Jingyuan had expected the other party to turn pale and appear flustered, but “Zhou Yan” merely paused for a moment before recovering as usual, still looking at him with a smile.

“Duke Zhenguo, what's wrong?”

Chen Jingyuan's eyelids involuntarily twitched.

Even if his Divine Sense attainment wasn't top-tier, he was still an experienced Nascent Soul Cultivator. How could this young man, who had just reached Core Formation, recover so quickly?

“Haha, perhaps I've been too busy with affairs recently and was momentarily distracted. It seems this old man truly cannot deny his age.”

After speaking, he again wanted to pat “Zhou Yan's” shoulder to test his Physical Body cultivation.

However, Li Wenbo stepped in front of Zhou Yan first, and the palm landed on Li Wenbo instead.

“The Duke handles myriad affairs daily and indeed should rest well. Why not take this opportunity today to resign and retire?”

Sensing the hostility in Li Wenbo's tone, Chen Jingyuan couldn't help but feel surprised.

Why was this brat so forceful today?

In the past, although Li Wenbo belonged to the Sect faction and was arrogant towards others, he had never been so presumptuous in front of him as he was today.

“What Censor Li said is reasonable. It's just a pity there are no Juniors yet who can be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility, so this old man can only grit his teeth and hold on a bit longer.”

“Speaking of which,” Chen Jingyuan slightly turned and looked at “Zhou Yan” behind Li Wenbo, “Young man, are you interested in taking over for this old man? If you are willing, this position will be yours in the future.”

“How can a position bestowed by the imperial court be arbitrarily decided by a subject? When the Duke said this, did he ask for The Emperor's opinion?”

Seeing Li Wenbo already intervened, Zhang Feng also chimed in naturally.

Chen Jingyuan saw Li Wenbo and Zhang Feng standing together again, knowing that he wouldn't gain anything by continuing to entangle with them.

“Young people are young people after all. An old man makes a joke, and they take it seriously, even escalating it. That's why I don't like to talk much with you book-smart people.”

He laughed it off, then turned and left, planning to regain face later during the imperial court session.

Seeing Chen Jingyuan leave, Zhang Feng had no reason to continue the conversation, only saying faintly to “Zhou Yan”.

“If you have time, you can visit my mansion for a chat.”

“To this Prime Minister, talented young people are always worth appreciating.”

With that, he also departed.

After the two had gone far, Li Wenbo asked via Sound Transmission.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

It turned out that this “Zhou Yan” was none other than Song Yan, disguised as Zhou Yan with the help of a Magic Treasure.

Hearing the Sound Transmission, Song Yan replied calmly.

“I'm fine.”

“The Old Duke's Divine Sense isn't particularly strong to begin with, and this test wasn't at full power. That force was at most Nascent Soul level, and it couldn't affect me.”

Upon hearing this, Li Wenbo slightly relaxed.

“Your Majesty still needs to be careful.”

“Although I have some confidence in my Artifact Refining skills, this Magic Treasure was, after all, hastily made.”

“Because Zhou Yan faces greater pressure, the one you are wearing is far inferior in quality to his. I'm afraid it cannot withstand the impact of the Soul Transformation Stage.”

“ I understands.”

Song Yan had just finished the Sound Transmission and looked around, suddenly realizing someone was missing.

“Minister Li, where did Prince Kang go?”

He scanned the area but still didn't see Prince Kang.

Although today wasn't the day for action, if Prince Kang didn't even show up for the imperial court session, it was hard to say he wasn't secretly plotting something.

However, before he could think further, he saw Prince Kang slowly approaching.

Prince Kang was dressed in red, with one arm casually holding his official hat. Though he smiled, there was no hint of gentleness.

As he passed by Song Yan, his smiling eyes slightly opened, and his gaze was chilling.

Even though Song Yan knew he was “Zhou Yan” at this moment, no longer The Emperor whose fate had been usurped by his imperial uncle.

He still involuntarily took half a step back, his expression slightly changing.

But Prince Kang didn't care, merely glancing at him before walking past, as if he didn't even put Zhou Yan in his eyes.

As the three magnates gathered at the palace entrance, the atmosphere gradually became solemn. No one dared to converse, quietly awaiting the start of the imperial court session.

However, this silence made Li Wenbo's heart pound.

He couldn't help but transmit a Divine Sense message to Song Yan again.

“Your Majesty, is everything really alright with Zhou Yan?”

The plan had suddenly changed from impersonating The Emperor to impersonating Emperor Xianzong, and a cultivated Emperor Xianzong at that.

Such a deviation from the original plan always made him uneasy.

After all, he was the one who brought Zhou Yan into this. If he really got his Junior Brother killed, Master would probably refine him into a kite and hang him in the sky for a few hundred years.

Speaking of which, why did Junior Brother agree to such a tricky request?

Song Yan didn't know how to respond either.

This plan was a spur-of-the-moment idea. Although he believed Zhou Yan was extraordinary, due to limited contact, he couldn't guarantee absolute infallibility.

But at least in terms of strength, there shouldn't be a problem.

“Don't worry, no matter what, the cultivation of a Half-Body Integration Stage cannot be faked. With that strength, no one in the court would dare to disobey.”

Li Wenbo felt a little relieved, though still nervous, upon hearing this.

Unfortunately, both of them had oversights due to insufficient information. Zhou Yan had not timely shared the relevant news provided by the Joyous Union Sect.

So they didn't know that the seemingly frail Duke Zhenguo could actually unleash Body Integration Stage combat power.

Of course, if Zhou Yan knew they were unaware of this, he probably wouldn't have stated it explicitly.

After all, this news sounded too despairing. Even with the Joyous Union Sect's intervention, he couldn't be sure if the young Emperor and Senior Brother would simply surrender and flee rather than fight a Body Integration expert.

Just then, the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace Bureau quickly approached the officials with small steps, bowed respectfully, and then announced loudly.

“Esteemed sirs, today's imperial court session is different from usual. Yesterday, His Majesty visited the Imperial Ancestral Temple and invited a Holy Spirit from among the Former Emperors.”

“As His Majesty is young and unable to bear too much power from the Former Emperors, His Majesty's Sacred Body is currently guided by a Former Emperor.”

“When that Former Emperor descends, please, esteemed sirs, be sure to speak and act cautiously, and do not offend the imperial presence.”

His expression carried a hint of fear, and this unease spread.

The pressure brought by the unknown Former Emperor far surpassed the deterrence of the three magnates. The officials in front of the hall could no longer restrain themselves and began to whisper with familiar colleagues.

The hall became noisy for a moment.

“A Former Emperor? Which Former Emperor is it?”

“Why did The Emperor invite the power of an ancestor? Could it be to...”

“Mind your words! Mind your words!”

“A Former Emperor descending? Can the previously agreed-upon funds still be approved?”

“You too, mind your words!”

Initially, everyone's voices were soft, but the more they conversed, the louder the sound became.

They didn't deliberately avoid others' ears, simply because most of the officials present were from military or civil backgrounds, with few all-round talents.

Even if they intended to conceal it, encountering someone of a slightly higher Realm, they couldn't hide it at all and might even attract special attention.

It was better to just say it directly, only needing to be careful with their wording.

Amidst the clamor, Song Yan, Li Wenbo, and the three magnates remained silent, their expressions varied.

Li Wenbo was secretly pleased. Since Zhou Yan had even fooled the Inner Palace Bureau, who served The Emperor, it meant his acting was on point, proving he hadn't misjudged him.

Song Yan, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Zhou Yan's progress was smooth. With Emperor Xianzong's power, the subsequent plan should also proceed steadily.

Among the three magnates, Chen Jingyuan's face was unpredictable, a mix of joy and worry.

Prince Kang's expression was one of ruthless sorrow.

Zhang Feng's face was expressionless, but a difficult-to-discern look flashed in his eyes.

Under everyone's gaze, the palace doors slowly opened.

Officials tidied their attire, and those who looked tired used Spells to force themselves into a spirited appearance.

A high-pitched voice came from inside the hall.

“All officials enter the hall and pay respects—”

Hearing the summons, Prince Kang put on his official hat, his expression returning to normal, and he was the first to step in.

The Duke followed half a step behind, and the Prime Minister followed the Duke by another half step. The rest of the officials entered the hall in order of their rank.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the empty Dragon Throne.

Finally, another high-pitched voice sounded, making everyone's hearts leap to their throats.