Holy Qilin City was in absolute chaos. The entire city was surrounded by the golden guards, putting the entire city under curfew.
Imperial Palace, The Emperor simply sat on his throne, gazing at the court with a serene expression.
" Grand General Zhao, Grand General Gu, Step forward."
" Greetings, Your Majesty."
" Greetings, Your Majesty."
The emperor looked at General Gu. " I am really glad that you manage to protect the Southern Fortress City. Without you, the Pale Moon Kingdom might have succeeded in infiltrating our empire."
" I just did my duty, Your Majesty. As long as I am alive, I won’t let those bastards cross our borders." General Gu cupped his fist before the emperor.
The emperor gave a slight nod. " Very well. You may receive a hundred thousand high grade spirit stones along with rank six pill from the treasury."
General Gu got on a knee before the emperor. " I shall gladly accept the rewards of Your Majesty."
" General Zhao, Do you know why I called you here?"
Grand General Zhao cupped his fist and bowed. " Your Majesty, As Grand General Gu complained, I have been investigating the movents of the Dark Guards."
" The High Elder of Dark Guard has committed suicide."
Grand General Zhao’s words made a ripple in the court. Both the court officials and military mbers felt tense when they heard General Zhao’s news.
Who was the High Elder of the Dark Guard? He is an expert of Nine Transformations of Soul Realm and a trusted mber of the emperor!
If he committed suicide, then one can only guess the depth of this conspiracy.
The emperor’s expression didn’t change when he heard that. " And? I don’t believe the dead is any use of us?"
" I tracked all the mories and letters of the Dark Guard.’ Grand General Zhao took a deep breath and produced a scroll.
" This is a morial to move the army mbers. And it was stamped by the Holy Qilin Sigil."
" What?"
" Impossible! Marked by the Holy Qilin Sigil?"
The crowd exploded with murmurs when General Zhao revealed it. However, The emperor rely raised a finger and everyone beca silent as before.
" I believe it’s sufficient to prove treason." The emperor said coolly. " Who is behind this?"
" Imperial Teacher Cao."
Suddenly, A man wearing a purple robe and silk leather cap adorned by crystal beads walked forward.
He knelt before the emperor and placed his cap on the floor.
" Great Emperor, may your rule remain brilliant as the sun. Cao Yuanzhi is here for your command."
" Cao Yuanzhi, Are not the Imperial Teacher?" The emperor asked in a cold voice.
Cao Yuanzhi’s voice was calm yet quivering. " I am no longer worthy of that position, as I have done sothing far worse."
" Yes, I was the one who allowed that morial. I perfectly replicated the Holy Qilin Sigil and sent out that order."
" I believed that the Holy Qilin Empire has remained far too steady from a long ti. After all, no matter how peaceful, the stagnant water is bound to rot."
" Not to ntion, The Pale Moon Kingdom has always been our adversary. When a war happens, we could use this chance to upgrade our military, weed out the rotten branches and make the empire grow."
Then Cao Yuanzhi looked at General Gu. " General Gu, I did a grave mistake. I know you won’t accept my apology, but still, I would like to apologize to you."
" Everything was done by and the High Elder of Dark Guard. I plead guilty, Your Majesty."
" For my years of loyal service, I selfishly ask you to allow a swift death."
The emperor didn’t sayt anything, but Cao Yuanzhi pulled out a pitch black dagger.
" Damn it! You dare!"
General Gu almost pounced on Cao Yuanzhi, trying to stop him. But it was already too late.
Just a slight graze on Cao Yuanzhi’s skin and his entire body filled with pitch black veins.
With a kick, General Gu flung the knife from the hands of Cao Yuanzhi. However, it was already too late.
The lifeless body of Cao Yuanzhi fell on the floor, slowly withering like a snowflake under the sun.
" That’s...Soul Obliterating Poison?"
" Damn it! We can’t even perform soul searching on him." General Gu grumbled.
The emperor rose on his feet and gave his final command. " Bury the body of the Cao Yuanzhi and seize all his properties. Pri Minister Li, I hope you inform t he scholars of Royal Academy and allow us to select the new Imperial Teacher."
" Yes, As you wish, Great Emperor."
Then the emperor’s gaze fell on another person.
" First Prince Qin Zhen..."
" Qin Zhen is here, Emperor." Qin Zhen stood up and bowed.
" Cao Yuanzhi is officially your supporter, Is it not?"
Qin Zhen instantly knelt before the emperor, pressing his forehead on the ground. " Your Majesty, I didn’t know such a vile creature was under my shelter. I should have known his character earlier."
" Whatever you give as punishnt, I shall accept it."
The emperor snorted when he heard that. " Very well, For an entire year, You shall not step outside of Serenity Garden and live the life of serenity."
" I...I accept it."
Qin Zhen’s face contorted but he didn’t dare to say anything else.
Although the place is called Serenity Garden, it’s actually a small garden that’s surrounded by the tightest surveillance. It’s just a nice way to put imperial family mbers in the jail.
As for the life of serenity, that indirectly ans Qin Zhen can’t et anyone and will focus on his cultivation with minimal resources.
" Your Majesty, I would also like to report about the mbers of the sects who helped us to resist the enemies." General Gu stepped forward.
" Among them, the most was done by the Four Seasons Valley. Especially their true disciple Long Ming. Without him, Perhaps this old general might have long dead."
The emperor nodded. " Very well, I shall write an imperial morial to him as a reward."
" Today’s court ends here. Everyone may disperse."
As the emperor returned to his study room, An old man appeared before him.
" Haah, To think Qin Zhen will make such an idiotic move." The emperor sighed. " Allowing wolf inside your own house?"
" Well, struggle for the imperial throne can be very dangerous, no?" The old man gave a mild smile.
Most people knew that Qin Zhen was the mastermind behind the Dark Guard’s coup. However, it would be portrayed a bad light if Qin Zhen was accused.
So, the emperor didn’t pursue deeper into Cao Yuanzhi’s death and confined Qin Zhen as punishnt.
" But a year of confinent, I am sure Prince Qin Yong is going to like it."
" It’s indeed an opportunity for him." The emperor nodded." The Heavenly Fountain Palace is soon going to open. Bastards from Central Province and others will sure co here."
" We should remain prepared." The emperor looked in the distance.
" No matter what, the Qin Family will return to its rightful place."
The old man bowed. " I truly hope you beco the beacon of light, guiding us back to our holand."
" Speaking of which...That Long Ming brat is really stirring up things, huh?" The emperor chuckled.
" What do you say? Shall I talk with Wanxue about marriage?"
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