Chapter 370 - 279: Half a Year! (Part 2)
Chapter 370: Chapter 279: Half a Year! (Part 2)
The profound black cauldron was ancient and heavy, exuding an aura of mystery and immense power.
Without a doubt, this profound black cauldron was the most important artifact of the Great Xia imperial family—the Profound Bird Cauldron!
This Profound Bird Cauldron was the supreme treasure used by the founding ancestor of the Great Xia Dynasty, Xia Wuji, to prove his path, bearing an unimaginable ultimate power.
According to legend, Xia Wuji, relying on the might of the Profound Bird Cauldron, single-handedly swept across the eight directions, subduing countless powerful families, as well as some reclusive formidable old adversaries.
He forcibly carved out a prosperous and great nation in this vast expanse.
The Great Xia Dynasty!
With the power of the Profound Bird Cauldron, the Great Xia Dynasty was at its zenith, with Xia Wuji personally leading expeditions, and all nations submitting to his rule.
Those rebellious forces that once claimed parts of the land, along with various smaller countries, crumbled into pieces under the mighty power of the Profound Bird Cauldron, ultimately being completely annihilated.
The territory of the Great Xia Dynasty thus became unified, becoming the undisputed dominator in this realm.
Therefore, the Profound Bird Cauldron is not only the Great Xia Dynasty’s stabilizing artifact but also the ultimate power that dominates this domain for the Great Xia royal family.
As such, the Profound Bird Cauldron is usually guarded jointly by the ancestors of the Great Xia royal family, to ensure its safety.
Of course, if someone in the Great Xia royal family can resonate with the Profound Bird Cauldron,
then that individual is the chosen one for the next Great Xia Emperor, no other candidate!
So, sometimes the Profound Bird Cauldron is wielded by the Great Xia Emperor.
Coincidentally.
This current Great Xia Emperor, Empress Xia Mingyue, is the one who has been recognized by the Profound Bird Cauldron.
This recognition is unprecedented, even surpassing the founding ancestor of the Great Xia Dynasty, Xia Wuji.
This is why, after Xia Mingyue ascended to the throne, there was almost no opposition.
Of course, those who did oppose were secretly taken care of by the reclusive old monsters of the Great Xia royal family.
For this reason!
The Great Xia royal family only acknowledges the Profound Bird Cauldron, recognizing the cauldron, not the person; whoever can wield the Profound Bird Cauldron is the true master of the Great Xia royal family.
At this moment, within the Pilgrimage Hall, the civil and military officials stood solemnly, and the atmosphere was extremely dignified and solemn.
All eyes were unanimously focused on the elevated imperial throne.
The several hundred meters long profound black precious jade staircase resembled a road leading to the sky,
ending where a woman dressed in the Great Xia imperial robe was sitting on the imperial throne.
Her features were like a painting, her demeanor dignified, and she was the supreme ruler of the Great Xia Dynasty!
Empress Xia Mingyue of the Great Xia!
The profound black imperial robe of Empress Xia Mingyue was embroidered with the pattern of nine soaring profound birds.
At this moment, Empress Xia Mingyue’s gaze was deep and calm, as if she could easily see through the myriad things of the world, yet carried a sacred and inviolable majesty.
Beside her, stood two women solemnly, each wearing the robes of the Plum Blossom Guard and the Black Feather Guard, with an imposing aura, like two guardian deities.
The woman on the left, wearing a plum blossom-patterned robe, had her brows furrowed, and she was the Director of the Plum Blossom Guard, Man Qingqiu.
The Plum Blossom Guard controlled the most secretive intelligence and assassination agency in the Great Xia Dynasty, known for its sharp methods and deep trust from the Empress.
While the woman on the right, donning the Black Feather Guard uniform, was valiant and her eyes sharp as lightning.
She was Shangguan Yuqing, the Golden Envoy of the Black Feather Guard, responsible for monitoring everything in the Great Xia Dynasty.
Of course, the most important duty was wielding the power to distribute martial resources of the Great Xia Xuan Bird Guard, acting as a sword that restricts the Profound Bird Guard!
These three, one was the supreme Empress, and the other two were influential leaders of their guards, together forming the core of the power peak in the Great Xia Dynasty.
At this moment, the Pilgrimage Hall was dead silent, as if even the air was frozen.
Everyone knew clearly in their hearts that today’s assembly would decide the future fate of the Great Xia Dynasty.
Because!
The Spirit Ruins will emerge in half a month, right within the Gui Xu Forbidden Land in the eastern city direction.
Normally, the Gui Xu Forbidden Land is jointly guarded by the Great Xia royal family, as well as the eight major families and the five major transcendent forces.
No one is allowed to approach!
Violators, death!
Below the Pilgrimage Hall, the civil and military officials stood solemnly, and standing at the forefront were three key figures in the Great Xia Dynasty.
They were Left Minister Chang Mingsheng, Right Minister Bi Zhengzhi, and Duke Fu Shengyuan.
Left Minister Chang Mingsheng was the head of the civil officials of the Great Xia Dynasty, a minister serving three reigns, assisting the Great Xia Emperor in handling state affairs, and highly respected within the court and among the people.
Right Minister Bi Zhengzhi was promoted by the previous Director of the Celestial Rites Bureau.
And standing between them was Fu Shengyuan.
He was not only the younger brother of the former Empress but also one of the important ministers of the Great Xia Dynasty.
During the reign of the former emperor, Fu Shengyuan held the position of Director of the Imperial Guards, commanding the imperial city’s military, his power and influence were immense.
Due to his outstanding achievements, the former emperor granted him the title of Duke, elevating him to the peak of courtly rank, a position of supreme honor.
However, Fu Shengyuan’s identity was far more intriguing than this.
He had another layer of identity that was quite fascinating—he was the maternal uncle of Prince Xia Mingdao.
It is known that Prince Xia Mingdao was born to Fu Shengyuan’s own elder sister, who is today the Empress Dowager.
Reportedly, when Empress Xia Mingyue ascended to the throne, Fu Shengyuan vehemently opposed it, repeatedly advising the former emperor in an attempt to change this decision.
This was because Fu Shengyuan supported his nephew, Prince Xia Mingdao, believing that the throne should be inherited by the rightful elder prince, rather than the Empress.
This relationship made Fu Riyuan’s position in the court particularly delicate.
Although on the surface he showed great respect towards the Empress, many in the court were well aware that there was always an indescribable rift and conflict between Fu Riyuan and the Empress.
Moreover, his command over the Imperial Guards gave him considerable influence in the court.
At this moment, Fu Riyuan stood at the forefront of the Pilgrimage Hall, his expression solemn, his gaze profound.
His presence was like a hidden chess piece, poised to instigate unpredictable changes on this courtly stage at any moment.
Meanwhile, Empress Xia Mingyue sat on the imperial throne, her gaze sweeping over the assembled ministers below.
Finally, her eyes rested on Fu Riyuan, scrutinizing this high-ranking and powerful Duke, almost intentionally.
In an unnoticed instant, the corner of Empress Xia Mingyue’s lips lifted slightly, tracing an almost imperceptible curve.
It was not an ordinary smile, but one carrying a faint sense of mockery and cold contempt, as if looking down on a struggling ant.
Yet this smile vanished almost instantly, so swiftly that one might have thought it a mere illusion.
The Empress’s expression quickly returned to her usual majesty and dignity, as if that fleeting emotion had never existed.
At this time, within the Pilgrimage Hall, a minister stepped forward, his voice respectful and steady as he reported to Empress Xia Mingyue above.
"Your Majesty, when does Lu Xuan expect to return?"
"Now, six months have passed, and the Martial Arts Competition within the capital has reached its final decisive moment."
"In three days, the final battle will take place."
"At that time, the top hundred will be selected, and then proceed to the Gui Xu Forbidden Land."
This minister who spoke up was none other than the Director of the Celestial Rites Bureau, one of the six main directors of the court, Lv Ze.
As Lv Ze’s words fell, the entire court fell into silence.
The civil and military officials all directed their gaze towards the Empress, awaiting her response.
Lu Xuan’s name was not unfamiliar in the court, or rather, he was a renowned figure throughout the kingdom.
This young Martial Artist, almost unbelievably talented, had once stirred immense waves within the Great Xia Dynasty.
This young Lu Xuan, at such a tender age, was already the Deputy Director of the Profound Bird Guard, almost on par with the Director himself.
Seated upon the throne, Empress Xia Mingyue’s expression remained indifferent as she slightly lifted her eyes, her voice supremely authoritative as she spoke slowly.
"Regarding Lu Xuan, I have my arrangements."
"You all only need to act according to the usual practices!"
Though the Empress’s tone was calm, it was filled with undeniable authority.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"We obey the decree!"
The ministers below responded in unison, bowing in acknowledgment.
Yet most of the ministers harbored their own thoughts in their minds.
That Lu Xuan fellow was truly peculiar.
He had barely assumed the position of Profound Bird Guard Director for a few days before beginning to play such a disappearing act.
And even if he disappeared, he chose to do so at the most critical moment.
Wasn’t this a slap in the face of Her Majesty the Empress?
This young man truly did not know the immensity of heaven and earth!
While Empress Xia Mingyue, on the other hand, slightly closed her eyes, seemingly pondering something.
Her certainty that Lu Xuan would appear was naturally well-founded.
Because, as of yesterday, Lu Xuan already showed himself in the world and simultaneously communicated over miles with Li Chengxing.
"Very well!"
"A man half a step into the Void Realm, gone for half a year!"
"Truly intriguing!"
"Lu Xuan, you ought to bring me a surprise!"