The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 715 - 467. The Cycle of Fate (5k)

Capital, deep inside the Heavenly Master Mansion.

The verdant branches of the large banyan tree gently swayed in the wind as Zhang Yan Yi held the Heavenly Book Jade Scroll, deducing again and again.

"Heavenly Dao" is difficult to accurately glimpse the future, but the "past" that has already occurred is different.

When the latest divination omen reflected in the eyes of the Old Heavenly Master, the priests throughout the Heavenly Master Mansion heard a mourning cry.

"What happened?"

"What was that sound? It came from the direction of the Imperial Palace."

Priests emerged from their respective buildings, staring in surprise towards the Imperial Palace.

In the sky above the palace, specifically the direction of the Grand Temple, a phantom dragon shadow was seen coiling, then slowly dissipating.

"The Dragon Qi of Yu Country is declining, the nation’s fate is in turmoil; she failed the Sealing." Zhang Yan Yi sighed with a complex expression.

The large banyan tree swayed, and a wind-like voice echoed: "Something happened to Xu Zhenguan?"

"Not dead yet, but at least seriously injured."

The Old Heavenly Master furrowed his brow deeply, looking doubtfully toward the Divine Dragon Temple, certain that Xuan Yin had not left recently.

Could it be Wu Xiankui? Is he that powerful? Or is it some hidden existence outside Yu Country?

Zhang Yan Yi sensed something amiss in the situation, but the battle of "Sealing" involved three Heavenly Humans, and he couldn’t deduce who exactly was involved merely through the omens.

Zhang Yan Yi suddenly raised his hand to grab, and sheets of correspondence suspended in the air, with writing appearing on them of their own accord.

He was swiftly writing letters to six disciples traveling outside the Capital, including the Little Heavenly Master.

On each letter, there was only one command:

"Find Zhao Douan and bring him back."

The Old Heavenly Master already realized that with the Empress’s "demise," the Eight Princes would surely rebel, putting Zhao Douan in grave danger. By not engaging in the Yu Country’s royal familial strife and only saving Zhao Douan, it would not count as breaching the vow.

Suddenly, six white birds flew from the banyan tree’s crown, each grasping a letter with their red claws, flapping their wings towards the heavens, soon transforming into cranes.

"Send an order," the Old Heavenly Master said to the priest who knocked and entered the small courtyard, "from today onward, seal off the Heavenly Master Mansion."

Not participating in the struggle for imperial power is the fundamental principle of the Daoist order’s main altar.

...

At the time Xu Zhenguan was ambushed and fell into the sea of clouds, failing the Sealing.

The "Eight Princes" scattered across Yu Country’s Nine Roads and Eighteen Prefectures, all sensed the outcome of the battle at Luo Mountain through their royal blood’s resonance with Dragon Qi.

Huai River, Huaian Prefecture.

The wealthy and renowned "fence-sitting" Prince Huaian looked extremely displeased, turning to see his son and daughter.

"Father, the situation..." The refined Commandery Princess, Xu Junling, asked softly.

Prince Huaian shook his head: "I’m afraid the assassination attempt against Her Majesty has succeeded."

Among the Eight Princes, Prince Huaian, who subtly aided the court at the Hu Ting market, didn’t partake in the assassination.

But given his intelligence capabilities, he knew it wasn’t difficult to observe that the other princes were conspiring and making arrangements.

The Imperial Sister dead? Or seriously injured? No, that’s not the crux, the crux is, the world is about to fall into chaos... Xu Junling’s face turned pale:

"Father, what should we do?"

Prince Huaian calmly said:

"Order to consolidate our forces; we have no troops, so we shall not participate in this chaotic war. Anyone wishing to pass through Huai River, do not obstruct them, let everything develop naturally."

At the start of raising an army, the "Seven Kings" had a common goal: capture the court and seize the opportunity to enter the Capital and ascend the throne.

At this moment, no one would act against Prince Huaian, so they are temporarily safe; once the world is settled, the time for "reckoning" will come.

"Father, sister, what are you talking about? I don’t understand?"

The Princely Heir, Xu Qian, looked perplexed, his eyes clear and naive.

Prince Huaian and the Commandery Princess ignored him.

...

Iron Pass Road. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The Yanshan King stood on a section of the northern city wall with his hands behind his back. Even in summer, it was still not warm here.

Though Iron Pass was not affluent, the troops of the Yanshan King’s Mansion were few but elite.

"Send the order, prepare for the march south," the Yanshan King said calmly.

The advisor behind him hesitated:

"Your Highness, although we are close to the Capital, heading south means we cannot bypass Jubei City. Currently, that Northern Border Army is entirely under Luo kedie’s command, I’m afraid..."

Luo kedie... The Yanshan King’s eyes were gloomy and filled with anger. If not for Duke Cao being captured at the end of last year, how could they be in such a passive situation?

"March south. Luo kedie? Ha, we’ll see if he remains loyal once he learns his master is gone."

...

Qingzhou.

In a wealthy mansion, Prince Heng’s laughter caught the attention of everyone in the manor.

As the Princely Heir, Xu Zudi hurriedly ran to the inner house, asking:

"Father, why are you laughing?"

The fair-skinned Prince Heng couldn’t contain his joy, his steps hurried:

"The Sealing failed disastrously, your Imperial Sister is likely in trouble, quickly order the troops to move; the Yanshan King is blocked by Jubei City, and Prince Hejian is held up by Tang Daren, while Mu Prince and Prince Jing are far, and Prince Chen and Lingnan King lack ambition...

As it stands, our Qingzhou Army is the closest to the Capital, with an unobstructed path, we might be the first to ’rescue the king’ and enter the Capital! Once we ascend the throne first, you will be the Crown Prince in the future!"

Huh? I am going to be the Crown Prince?

Xu Zudi’s heart burned with excitement, as he hurriedly walked out but suddenly remembered something, saying:

"Father, the court is currently as precarious as a stack of eggs, that Mrs. Xiao previously was insincere..."

"Hmph, ignorant of the big picture, the priority right now is entering the Capital!" Prince Heng was greatly discontented, "That Xiao family still holds value for now, once we gain the realm, we can annihilate them."

Xu Zudi patted his forehead, nodding in agreement, his eyes filled with resentment:

"That wretch Xiao Donger, colluded with Zhao to toy with this Princely Heir, once the dust settles, they will be dealt with one by one."

...

Xiping Road.