Chapter 495: Ruling the Realm, Yan Ascends the Throne

In the grand golden hall, officials stood tall, holding their official tablets.

Carved on the armrest of the Dragon Throne was a True Dragon clutching a jewel in its mouth, its eyes majestic as if bearing the authority of the Son of Heaven.

A figure draped in gold-trimmed Black Dragon robes bore the dragon’s image coiled upon it. Lifting one’s gaze revealed the man’s sharp, heroic features—a gaze unreadable yet radiating the dignity every inch a supreme ruler.

From among the rows of officials below, one stepped forward, seemingly reporting to the state advisor. Yet none dared raise their heads; their forms trembled nervously.

The figure upon the Dragon Throne pondered long before finally speaking, “This matter…”

“Shall be discussed later.”

The officials stiffened, relief fleetingly crossing their minds, yet tinged with secret disappointment.

“Is there any other business to report?”

The Son of Heaven upon the throne uttered this calmly.

Officials exchanged glances within the hall, but no sound emerged.

A momentary silence fell, the chamber now silent enough to hear a pin drop.

With indifferent eyes, the throne’s occupant commanded,”Court is dismissed.”

An official reacted first, declaring,”We honor Your Majesty’s departure!”

“We honor Your Majesty’s departure.”

The dragon robe dragged along the ground like a massive stone weighing on the officials’ hearts, shifting inch by inch.

Only when the trailing robe vanished from sight did the officials snap back to reality, slowly releasing their breaths.

Above the clouds.

Chen Changsheng watched with keen interest, murmuring, “This is the true bearing of the Son of Heaven…”

This emperor had already grasped the core of governing National Fortune—wielding it with restraint, suppressing the entire imperial court.

With a subtle Spell, Chen Changsheng vanished and reappeared within the imperial palace.

He brushed past palace guards unseen—none detected the Green-Robed Gentleman in plain robe.

Seizing the moment the Imperial Study doors opened,

Chen Changsheng slipped inside alongside the emperor.

It was precisely then

that the master of the Mortal World halted his step. A slight furrow crossed his brow, as if sensing something amiss.

“All of you, withdraw.”

The emperor commanded. Palace maids and attendants swiftly retreated.

In moments, only emptiness filled the Imperial Study.

The emperor spoke again,”The shadow guards may withdraw as well.”

Unseen figures hidden in darkness didn’t appear, but their presences gradually faded from the study.

Only then did true silence claim the Imperial Study.

The emperor walked to his desk and subtly palmed a Talisman.

Then he called out,”Which Immortal Elder honors my humble hall? With peace now restored, will you not reveal yourself?”

This mortal sovereign sounded utterly composed, as if accustomed to such events.

Pausing himself, Chen Changsheng dispelled his concealment Daoist Arts. He manifested before the Human Emperor.

The emperor stared before him.

Silence reclaimed the Imperial Study.

They were old acquaintances.

Chen Changsheng realized this man had changed greatly—eyes holding traces of mercy, yet layered with the unique detachment of royalty. A calm, untroubled indifference.

Yan Ruchu drew himself from brief remembrance. He cupped his hands, saying,”Yan Ruchu greets Mr. Chen.”

Chen Changsheng studied him and spoke,”I’ve journeyed far these years and remain unaware of worldly changes. Might Your Majesty enlighten me?”

Yan Ruchu nodded, then gestured for him to sit.

Their reunion brought no joy or excitement of old friends, merely quiet lamentation over years slipping unseen through their fingers.

Nothing more.

Chen Changsheng asked,”What year is this?”

“Mr. Chen, it is the eighth year of Succession. This domain remains Da Xiang, though its rulers bear a new name.”

Yan Ruchu recounted the past years.

Formerly, Zhao Zhen had swept across the land, merging Western Xiao to establish himself as the Founding Emperor of Xiang. All Under Heaven was truly unified.

National power surged, yet the Human Emperor Zhao Zhen succumbed to illness, never recovering fully. He entrusted all state affairs to Crown Prince Zhao Wushuang.

But fate proved unfathomable. When former Xi Xia warriors—once Northern Desert Tribes—stirred rebellion again upon the highlands,

and at this critical juncture, Zhao Wushuang insisted on leading the campaign personally?!

Despite court opposition, his will remained unshaken.

Zhao Wushuang declared no man could be a true prince without battlefield experience. Soon, he marched Northwest Land with the army.

“This shocked everyone.”

“Midway through the journey, his army met bandits.”

Amidst the chaos, Zhao Wushuang vanished. Dead or alive, none could tell.

The incident was suppressed.

Secret investigations commenced, for a crown prince’s kidnapping was no small matter—disclosing it could plunge the court into turmoil.

“After ascending the throne, I investigated myself,” Yan Ruchu revealed.”The affair was deeply suspicious, yet yielded no clues—as though deliberately erased. To this day, we know not whether the Crown Prince of Xiang lives.”

“It proved impossible to conceal the truth of the heir’s kidnapping. Sources leaked the news to Shangjing City.”

“The court fell into panic, unsure how to act.”

“Hidden ambitions began stirring.”

“With the recent unification, Zhao Zhen still alive, and his sons unassigned territories… you can imagine what followed…”

Chen Changsheng drifted back—a missing heir might delay schemes, but not forever.

The succession battle erupted!

“Six princes warred for the throne, plunging all of Shangjing City into chaos. Some even plotted treason, secretly rallying military commanders to rebel.”

Yan Ruchu continued,”It was then I was rescued from prison.”

“And that’s when I discovered remnants of Great Jing still moved among the Jianghu—all peerless warriors. After Great Jing’s fall, they once stormed an execution ground before disappearing, biding their time until now.”

“Rescued by these Jianghu People, their leader handed me a command token.”

“I knew that token intimately.”

Yan Ruchu raised a brow.”The symbol of the former Righteous Army!”

The princes’ vicious infighting consumed the capital,

drawing attention from the jailbreak.

Profiting from the chaos, Yan Ruchu slipped out of the city unnoticed.

“After months of secrecy, the moment finally arrived.”

Yan Ruchu recounted,”Fifth Prince Zhao Qing and Fourth Prince Zhao Chengren plotted armed rebellion, seeking to overthrow the throne!”

“They incited the Three Blossoms Army, leading twenty thousand troops storming the Imperial City. Smashing palace gates, they sought the throne.”

“Yet as fate would have it, that rebel force was the former Righteous Army absorbed from Qingshan City.”

“That very night, my Jianghu saviors urged me to take command immediately—act Remake Heaven and Earth.”

Yan Ruchu hesitated long before resolving, “…But everything felt unnervingly perfect.”