Chapter 544 - 361: The Old Emperor Possessed by Demons?

Chapter 544: Chapter 361: The Old Emperor Possessed by Demons?

Lu Xuan outwardly listened respectfully to the old emperor’s "praise," but deep down, his heart was in turmoil.

In the original memory, this "Lu Kaijing" old emperor was the iron-blooded ruler who went by the name "Emperor Zhenwu."

In his youth, his Martial Arts Realm nearly touched the mortal pinnacle, and he single-handedly broke through the allied forces of fifteen tribes in the Northern Territory, seizing the throne with his martial prowess and prestige.

Everyone in the court knew that the former emperor had intended for the prince to be the third prince.

He was too fierce, relying solely on his martial strength to open up a bloody path.

Facing the fourth prince, Lu Kaijing, whose power overshadowed the court and threatened his master.

Even the former emperor had to submit to reality.

When the wind of the former emperor’s intention to make the third prince the heir first broke out, it set off a shockwave in the court.

Led by Duke Wei, twelve elder statesmen knelt before the gate through the night, and the Minister of War, as well as the commander of the imperial city troops, directly dispatched forbidden troops to seal off the nine gates.

Under these circumstances, the former emperor’s edict appointing the heir would likely never leave Qianyuan Palace, intercepted by a group of officials in the court.

Because the prestige of the fourth prince, Lu Kaijing, had long surpassed the scope of royal authority.

He was not only a prince of the Wenjing dynasty but also a living War God of this Empire.

The major tribes of the Northern Territory trembled at his name, and the three Western Region countries submitted upon seeing his banner.

When he returned victoriously from the frontier, the people knelt and welcomed him for three hundred miles along the way, a scene more magnificent than any ancestral worship by past emperors.

Ultimately, the former emperor could only tremble as he wrote the edict to appoint the fourth prince, Lu Kaijing, as the Crown Prince.

It was said that night, the lights in the third prince’s residence burned brightly until dawn.

Meanwhile, in the camp belonging solely to the fourth prince, Lu Kaijing, the soldiers drank heartily till the eastern sky was white.

A prince’s prestige forcing an emperor to change the Crown Prince was unheard of in all dynasties.

And now, this once formidable Emperor Zhenwu was rambling about succession matters like an ordinary elder, how could Lu Xuan not harbor suspicion?

Odd... Lu Xuan pondered privately.

The memory indicated that young Emperor Zhenwu indeed had many hidden injuries from his battles.

But given his Martial Arts Realm back then, living for two hundred years was no problem.

Now, at barely over fifty, how could he deteriorate to this extent?

More suspicious!

A once iron-blooded emperor, yearning for power amidst mountains of corpses, suddenly becoming so... amiable, just like a common elder in the city?

Emperor Zhenwu kept rambling on about "heir," "succession," and "throne."

Lu Xuan, however, did not believe a single word.

He knew too well about this kind of hero emerging from a sea of blood!

——These people would never easily relinquish all power in their hands.

When truly depleted, the first reaction would be to exhaust all efforts.

To pursue those elusive miraculous elixirs, Immortals, immortal arts... in hopes of longevity.

Rather than like now... letting him inherit the supreme position of power with just a word!

"I respectfully heed father emperor’s teaching," Lu Xuan responded calmly, unfailingly with reverent tone.

"Alas..."

Emperor Zhenwu suddenly sighed, a sigh seemingly filled with endless fatigue and vicissitudes.

His withered fingers lightly flicked in the air, abruptly changing the subject:

"My son..."

This call carried an inexplicable intimacy, yet it made Lu Xuan’s back shiver.

As the old emperor slowly lifted his clouded eyes, his gaze seemed to physically sweep over him.

"The Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance bestowed upon you recently was tainted by those malevolent things, presumably losing effectiveness."

Just as Lu Xuan began to speak, Emperor Zhenwu gently waved his hand.

"Summon someone."

Emperor Zhenwu’s voice suddenly raised a few notches: "Bestow the Crown Prince the Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance protector against evil spirits!"

With the sentence barely finished, an elderly eunuch in a scarlet python robe swiftly stepped forward.

He hunched over, his hands holding high a gold-embossed brocade box.

The box, no bigger than a palm, intricately carved with dragon patterns, flashed dazzling golden light in the sun.

"I thank father emperor for the favor!"

Lu Xuan responded loudly without hesitation, reverently accepting the gold-embossed brocade box with both hands.

Emperor Zhenwu nodded with satisfaction, a peculiar smile appearing on his withered face: "My son, as the heir of the Wenjing dynasty, my...... good Crown Prince....."

As he uttered the words "good Crown Prince," his tone suddenly became exceedingly gentle, yet made Lu Xuan’s spine chill.

Those cloudy eyes fixated on Lu Xuan, a hidden undercurrent seemed to flow in their depths.

"Now...... you too should share some of the burdens for the Empire and its people......"

Those words were profound, each one meticulously chosen.

Lu Xuan lowered his eyelids, alarm bells ringing in his heart.

The words outwardly entrusted heavy responsibilities, but concealed deeper intentions.

What exactly does the old emperor want him to "share"?

Is it the state power... or... some other more terrifying thing?

When Lu Xuan looked up again, his father was watching him with a chilling gaze.

"Southern Domain Jinming State, Qianfu Town!"

Emperor Zhenwu suddenly elevated his tone, his clouded eyes gleaming with an unusual light.

"Yesterday, the governor of Jinming State reported an urgent matter!"

"Half a month ago, Qianfu Town was ravaged by mysterious forces."

"The entire town of three thousand seven hundred and twenty-five mouths vanished without trace, no remains......"

The hoarse voice starkly contrasted with Emperor Zhenwu’s visage, making it appear particularly ferocious.

He slowly raised his hands with bulging blue veins, stretching and tightening his fingers.