Chapter 132: The Emperor of Great Qian Abdicates (1)

The next morning, Lu Yang arrived at the Imperial Prison as usual.

The sky was clear, and the streets of the Imperial Capital were already bustling with activity. Merchants opened their shops, carriages passed along the broad avenues, and cultivators could be seen walking through the crowds.

Everything appeared no different from any other day.

However, just as Lu Yang entered the Imperial Prison, a sound suddenly echoed throughout the entire capital.

*Dong!*

The deep toll of a bell reverberated through the streets.

Lu Yang stopped walking. Before he could determine its origin, a second toll sounded.

*Dong!*

One after another, nine tolls rang out in succession.

The sound grew increasingly profound, passing through walls and buildings as though nothing could obstruct it. Even the distant districts of the Imperial Capital seemed to tremble beneath its resonance.

Each toll was loud and clear, carrying a solemnity that could be felt even by ordinary mortals across hundreds of miles, clearly not a mundane object.

By the time the ninth bell rang, the entire Imperial Capital had fallen into a brief silence.

Lu Yang raised his head, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Having spent years working in the Imperial Prison, he had witnessed numerous official ceremonies and important announcements, naturally familiar with the Imperial Capital’s various bells and their meanings.

However, nine consecutive bells of this magnitude were not something that occurred casually.

He was momentarily stunned before quickly understanding the situation.

"So, it has finally happened."

At such a time, it could only be an announcement regarding the throne.

He was not particularly surprised, though.

After all, the current Emperor had ruled Great Qian for a hundred years this year, being the second longest reigning Emperor in the history of Great Qian.

For an ordinary dynasty on earth, a century was a long period of time. Even for Great Qian, whose emperors were powerful cultivators rather than ordinary mortals, it was still an exceptionally long reign.

Nevertheless, no ruler could remain on the throne forever.

Eventually, the day of succession would arrive.

The Imperial Prison quickly became lively.

Guards emerged from their posts, while the various Guard Leaders gathered in the courtyard. Even the four Prison Wardens arrived, their expressions noticeably more solemn than usual.

Not long afterwards, Wen Fanghong appeared.

His gaze swept across the assembled officials before settling briefly on Lu Yang and the other Guard Leaders.

Lu Hai also arrived soon after.

Unlike his usual stern appearance, there was a hint of gravity in his expression.

He walked towards his grandson and spoke in a low voice.

"The bells have rung nine times. There should be an important announcement at the Gate of Heavenly Peace."

Lu Yang nodded.

"Grandfather, do you know what it concerns?"

Lu Hai glanced towards the distant Forbidden City.

"Most likely, the abdication of His Majesty and the succession of the Crown Prince."

Lu Yang’s expression shifted slightly.

Although he had already guessed the answer, hearing it confirmed was another thing.

Lu Hai continued, "His Majesty has ruled for a hundred years. The Crown Prince has been waiting for this day for a long time. If the announcement concerns the succession, the enthronement ceremony will probably take place within the next few months."

He paused before asking, "Would you like to go and see?"

Lu Yang considered it briefly before nodding.

"Yes."

He had lived through two previous lives in this cultivation world, yet he had never personally witnessed the abdication of an Emperor of Great Qian.

Such an event was not something that occurred every few years or even decades in this world.

The current Emperor had ruled for a century, and that alone was enough to make his abdication a major event in the dynasty’s history.

Moreover, the succession of an Emperor was not merely a change in the person sitting on the throne. It also affected the entire political structure of Great Qian, from the Imperial Family and the great cultivation forces to the countless officials who served the Imperial Court.

For some people, it represented an opportunity, while for others, it meant uncertainty.

And for those who had spent decades building their influence under the previous Emperor, it marked the beginning of an entirely new era.

Lu Yang was somewhat curious to see how the Imperial Court would handle it.

After arranging the necessary duties and instructing his subordinates to maintain order in the Imperial Prison, Lu Yang left with Zhao Ming.

Several other Guard Leaders also departed, each accompanied by one or two subordinates.

There was no requirement for every low ranking official to attend the announcement.

The Imperial Court had not summoned the entire bureaucracy, and the ordinary civilians were certainly not obligated to appear.

Nevertheless, few people wished to miss such an occasion.

Some were curious and hoped to hear the announcement firsthand so they could discuss it with their families and colleagues, while some understood that an event of this magnitude might influence their future and wanted to observe the atmosphere surrounding the Imperial Court.

Consequently, the streets leading towards the palace became increasingly crowded.

Carriages rolled along the main roads as pedestrians poured in from the surrounding districts.

Even many cultivators who were only staying in the capital temporarily emerged from their residences.

Zhao Ming walked beside Lu Yang, occasionally glancing at the growing crowds.

"This is considerably livelier than the Imperial Examinations," he remarked.

Lu Yang nodded.

"The Imperial Examinations take place every three years. This is different."

The examinations determined the future of countless scholars, but the abdication of an Emperor concerned the entire dynasty.

The difference was obvious.

By the time they approached the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the number of people had become astonishing.

Countless figures filled the broad avenue before the palace gates. The crowd stretched into the surrounding streets, and new arrivals continued to pour in from every direction.

From a distance, the scene resembled an immense sea of people.

Even Lu Yang found the scale extremely impressive.

The Imperial Capital was enormous, yet on this day, its people seemed determined to gather in one place.