In the deepest cell of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Imperial Prison, Crown Prince Wanli had released the prisoner. Not with an imperial decree, but with his own authority.
Lan Daoxing, the Great Ming’s Imperial Astrologer, or rather, Zhong Gu, the loyal subject of the Xia Dynasty, despite his injuries, knelt before Wanli.
“Your servant, Zhong Gu, bows before his Emperor. Ten thousand years!”
Wanli accepted the grand kowtow without hesitation.
Once the formalities were complete, he spoke.
“Zhong Gu, ten thousand years of reincarnation, you have endured much hardship.”
Even friendship, familial love, and romantic love were rarely able to withstand the test of time. But loyalty, it seemed, remained unwavering even after ten thousand years.
Zhong Gu knelt before him in humble posture.
“Years ago, Your Majesty, together with Cheng Tang, used a secret technique to protect my soul from the cycle of reincarnation. For ten thousand years, my physical body has experienced countless cycles of life and death, but my memories have remained intact.
I have fulfilled my mission. I have waited for Your Majesty’s reincarnation, and now, I can finally help you merge your past and present lives.”
Wanli seemed touched. He helped Zhong Gu to his feet and spoke softly.
“Zhong Gu, you and Guan Long Pang are truly my most trusted subjects.”
Zhong Gu’s face flushed with excitement.
“Your Majesty has returned to rule the Nine Provinces. You also possess the identity of the Great Ming’s Crown Prince. Once you ascend the throne, reestablishing the Xia Dynasty will be a simple matter!”
Wanli smiled. “I fear… it will not be so easy.”
Zhong Gu’s expression turned grim. “Indeed, Your Majesty. Given Emperor Jiajing’s cultivation, he should have already broken through to the Tribulation Crossing Realm. He should have either ascended to the immortal realm or perished.
Even I didn’t anticipate this. It seems he’s become enamored with earthly pleasures, clinging to his throne, using the excuse of ‘national ascension’ to suppress his cultivation, even at the cost of hindering his successors.”
Wanli narrowed his eyes.
“You served Emperor Jiajing as the Imperial Astrologer. Are you certain of this?”
Emperor Jiajing was the strongest man in the world. It was reasonable to assume he would attempt national ascension.
At least, he had made that promise to the Great Ming’s citizens.
“Absolutely! Emperor Jiajing has been hoarding the nation’s wealth, purchasing rare spirit herbs and immortal roots.
He doesn’t use them to refine pills that enhance his cultivation. Instead, he repeatedly commands me to refine pills that increase his lifespan.
A person’s lifespan, regardless of whether they are mortal or cultivator, is finite. This is Heaven’s decree.
Emperor Jiajing’s desire to achieve eternal life in the mortal realm… it’s a transgression against Heaven!”
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“However, I have benefited from this.”
Zhong Gu’s face lit up with excitement.
“Your Majesty! I have three strategies that can help you ascend the throne!”
Wanli nodded. “Speak freely. I am eager to hear your plans.”
“The first strategy: I have used my position as the Imperial Astrologer to gather rare poisons from across the land. I have refined a single ‘Other Shore Pill.’
This pill is incredibly potent. Even a Great Vehicle Realm cultivator wouldn’t be able to withstand its effects. And there will be no visible signs of poisoning. The victim will simply appear to have died of old age.
Emperor Jiajing consumes a vast amount of pills every day. If we can trick him into consuming the Other Shore Pill, Your Majesty can ascend the throne according to the Great Ming’s laws.
Then, you can reestablish the Xia Dynasty!”
Zhong Gu looked at Wanli expectantly. Wanli smiled with approval.
“Excellent plan. But you were imprisoned, your residence searched. Where is this Other Shore Pill?”
“Please look, Your Majesty!”
Zhong Gu raised his hands, using his right hand to twist his left pinky finger.
The finger detached! It was a prosthetic!
“A mechanical creation? Truly lifelike. Even I was deceived,” Wanli chuckled.
“This prosthetic finger was crafted by the Gongshu Clan, renowned mechanism masters. I acquired it at great expense.” Zhong Gu smiled. “A Gongshu creation is truly indistinguishable from the real thing.”
He crushed the fake finger, revealing a pill within.
Wanli examined the pill. It was round and delicate, its color golden.
“So this is the Other Shore Pill. It resembles Emperor Jiajing’s Nine Transformations Golden Elixir.”
“Their appearance is identical. It will be easier to trick the Emperor into consuming it.”
“Only Emperor Jiajing will die. The Great Ming’s strength will remain intact. Your Majesty will inherit the throne, becoming the ruler of the world’s most powerful nation.
This is the first strategy I offer.”
Wanli clapped and showed a genuine smile.
“Excellent plan. You have put much thought into this.”
But then he changed the subject.
“I am eager to hear your second strategy.”
Zhong Gu was startled. He was puzzled, but he didn’t dare question his Emperor.
“The second strategy: Lure Emperor Jiajing into leading a military campaign.
If he leaves the Great Ming’s borders, he won’t be able to utilize his divine ability, Pangu’s Giant Body. Then, we can gather Great Vehicle Realm experts from across the land and assassinate him.”
Wanli seemed disappointed.
“To lure an Emperor out of his kingdom… It will not be easy.”
“Indeed,” Zhong Gu smiled. “But what if Empress Yao Guang offers herself as bait?”
“Yao Guang is the world’s strongest female cultivator. She has also mastered Pangu’s Giant Body. As long as she remains within the Great Ci Dynasty, even Emperor Jiajing is powerless against her.
But if Emperor Jiajing learns that she intends to leave Great Ci on a specific day, to journey to an ancient hidden realm… If we provide him with the time and location, will he not be tempted to personally assassinate her?”
Wanli’s interest was piqued, but after a moment’s thought, he shook his head.
“Empress Yao Guang? Given her status, why would she agree to such a plan? And even if she did, how could I possibly collaborate with her on such a matter?”
Zhong Gu seemed to have anticipated this question.
“Your Majesty, two of Great Ci’s Sage Rulers are currently hiding within the Great Ming’s imperial palace.”
Wanli’s expression changed.
“I have used the ‘Spirit Possession’ technique to determine that Jiajing’s new consort, Consort Rou, is the Painting Sage of the Great Ci Dynasty.
Her maidservant, Ah Chang, is the Archery Sage.
Empress Yao Guang has sent them to infiltrate the Great Ming… Surely they intend to assassinate Emperor Jiajing!”
The second strategy seemed plausible now.
Zhong Gu waited expectantly for Wanli’s decision. But after a long silence, Wanli spoke.
“Zhong Gu, tell me about your third strategy.”
The first and second strategies hadn't satisfied him.
Zhong Gu was surprised, but he remained loyal.
“The third strategy: Kill Xu Jie.”
Assassinate the Junior Grand Secretary?
It would be a difficult task, but far easier than directly assassinating Emperor Jiajing.
“Explain yourself,” Wanli demanded.
Zhong Gu answered, “If Xu Jie dies, the “clear stream” faction will be defeated. The court will be filled with Yan faction officials. Corruption will run rampant. The people will suffer. The Great Ming will collapse from within.
Then, when rebellions erupt across the land, countless examples Chen Sheng and Wu Guang will rise up.
Emperor Jiajing, having lost the people’s support, will lose the Mandate of Heaven. He won’t be able to utilize Pangu’s Giant Body.
Then, he will simply be a powerful cultivator. Strong, but not invincible.
If Your Majesty prepares in advance, gathers loyal and capable individuals, you can eventually kill him, even if it means sacrificing countless lives.”
“However, the Great Ming will be in turmoil. Its strength will be depleted. Your Majesty will also bear the stigma of regicide. Even if you ascend the throne, your rule will be unstable.
Therefore, this is my least favored strategy.”