Chapter 118: Several Ways to Become Emperor

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Several Ways to Become Emperor

The atmosphere in Jinluan Hall grew heavy at the Marshal’s words.

It wasn’t for any other reason. While the old Marshal was only a Third Turn and his individual martial prowess was unremarkable, he held command of the one hundred thousand Imperial Guards.

With their inherited battle formations, supported by several Second Turn and over a dozen First Turn experts, even a Fourth Turn powerhouse would have to avoid a direct confrontation with them on the battlefield.

A century ago, it was this army of millions that convinced the late Emperor he could conquer the world. Believing he had to secure the interior before expanding outward, he initiated the tragic campaign that trampled over the martial world.

Although their numbers had now shrunk by over ninety percent, the highest Realm present was only Third Turn. Anyone would shrink back in fear.

"Ahem, Marshal Yang, please don’t be so agitated."

Prince Qing let out a light cough, easing the tense atmosphere in the hall. "I have already consulted the Supreme Profound Sect, but even the National Preceptor cannot identify the true culprit. Therefore, while we search for the perpetrator, it is more important to first settle the matter of the throne and stabilize the people’s hearts."

"If you can’t even find the culprit, who’s to say the chosen heir won’t be in line with the traitor’s wishes?" Facing the Prince, Marshal Yang finally softened his tone, becoming less aggressive.

"It’s quite simple. I have consulted the Sect Leaders of the major sects, and after a serious discussion, we’ve come up with a method that no one can find fault with." As Prince Qing spoke, his brows furrowed involuntarily.

At these words, everyone in the hall held their breath. ’The decision of those Fourth Turn experts? It seems we must consider it seriously.’

"According to the Martial Limitation Edict, and after excluding those of unsuitable age, there are a total of seven eligible candidates in the current court, all of whom are the Emperor’s legitimate daughters."

Prince Qing paused mid-sentence. "Therefore, those Fourth Turn experts have decided... to choose the next Emperor by drawing lots."

Drawing... lots?

The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a massive uproar.

"What the hell did you just say?!" Marshal Yang roared. If not for the other man’s status as a Prince, he would have smashed his face in with a single punch.

"Absurd! This is an insult to decency! How can the matter of succession be handled so carelessly!"

"This is infuriating! Absolutely infuriating! Is this something you can just joke about?"

Besides the Marshal, all the civil and military officials in the court looked righteously indignant.

’This is too much! Choosing an emperor by drawing lots—so this is the conclusion those Fourth Turn experts came to. They really are just crude martial world ruffians.’

If they weren’t outmatched, they probably would have launched another campaign to trample the martial world themselves.

An emperor chosen by drawing lots is a complete farce! It’s the greatest insult to the dynasty!

Faced with the furious glares of the entire hall, Prince Qing said awkwardly, "While it is indeed farcical, the Fourth Turn experts did provide a relatively reasonable explanation."

"Since we don’t know who the murderer is, their goal must be to support one of the seven princesses to ascend the throne. In that case, by choosing one of them through the most random method possible, even the murderer will be caught completely off guard."

There was another reason, but Prince Qing couldn’t say it aloud.

’The fact is, the election of the emperor isn’t actually that important for the stability of the realm.’

’The court officials present might look young, but they’ve all practiced martial arts. They’re all hundred-year-old veterans of the Heaven-Ascending Road, with lifespans of two to three hundred years.’

’At least a dozen of them have the glorious track record of outliving three mortal emperors.’

’And when you’ve lived that long, what haven’t you seen?’

’Watching themselves live on year after year while the supreme emperor is replaced every few decades like a crop of chives, their respect for imperial authority has long been eroded by time.’

’To be blunt, the thought that being the emperor isn’t as good as being themselves even crosses their minds sometimes.’

’In the hands of these long-lived court officials, as long as the emperor isn’t a lunatic, the nation can be governed in relative peace.’

’Besides, in the current state of the Great Derivation Empire, where major powers hold sway and imperial authority is infinitely weakened, does it really matter who is chosen, as long as they have royal blood?’

"Unacceptable, unacceptable! The ascension of the Emperor cannot be so haphazard. It should be by popular acclaim! I recommend Princess Jiang Li. She is the eldest among the princesses and the most experienced. She will surely lead the Great Derivation to prosperity."

A court official jumped forward, only to be met with looks of collective disdain.

The speaker was none other than the Patriarch of the Jiang family, and his move blatantly revealed his intentions.

Furthermore, the eldest princess would normally have absolutely no right of succession. With the deaths of the Emperor and the Crown Prince being so suspicious, the Jiang family was, in fact, the prime suspect.

After this opening, the officials began to speak over one another, self-righteously recommending their own candidates for their own benefit.

With their interests at stake, the entire hall immediately descended into a ceaseless argument.

A large portion of them had risen to power by backing a successful claimant to the throne, so of course they understood the importance of a change in imperial rule.

Who the emperor was didn’t matter to them, but the power the emperor wielded mattered a great deal.

Now, with this group of Martial Artists arguing in the great hall, the clamor was like a torrential river, endless and overwhelming.

The sound was so loud it made the golden roof tremble.

But the more they argued, the further they got from a resolution.

The more reasonable an argument sounded, the more its proponent looked like the true murderer of the late Emperor.

The officials who knew themselves to be innocent grew genuinely furious amidst the shouting matches. ’I, a loyal subject, can afford to lose,’ they thought, ’but that SOB who murdered the Emperor absolutely cannot win!’

Amidst the endless debate, the idea they had previously dismissed began to creep back into their minds.

’Could it be... that we really have to draw lots?’

...

Leaving the debate in Jinluan Hall aside, inside the sedan chair, Ye Qingshi watched Fang Can fiddle with the broadsword. "Ah Can," she asked curiously, "what are you doing?"

"I’m thinking about whether I can melt this sword down and reforge it," Fang Can said, playing with the broadsword.

"I’m considering how to forge it into a spear or a staff. A broadsword doesn’t quite suit my taste; it’s too clumsy."

According to Li Xiangyang, a Martial Artist’s inheritance won’t easily change as long as their will remains intact.

Even if mountains shift and dynasties change, the will of a Martial Artist endures through the ages.

Therefore, even if this Sacrificial Artifact is melted down, its effects won’t change. Since that’s the case, I might as well just melt it and reforge it.

The only problem now is the melting point of this broadsword.

’I hope it’s not like Edman Alloy, which is difficult to change once it’s been forged.’

Just as Fang Can was fiddling with the broadsword, a knock suddenly came from outside the sedan chair.

"Open the door," Fang Can said, looking up. A few of the attending maids at his side naturally stepped forward to open it.

"Master, we have arrived at Cangren City. Would you like to get out of the sedan chair and stretch your legs?" Ye Yonglie asked respectfully.

"Sure. I was getting tired of being in the sedan chair anyway," Fang Can readily agreed. He turned to Ye Qingshi and smiled. "My dear Miss Ye, would you care to join me for a stroll?"

Being asked such a question so suddenly under her father’s gaze, the young woman’s ears turned a shade of pink.

"Mm, then I’ll be in your care," the young woman said, giving a deliberately stiff little nod. She gently extended her fair hand, which Fang Can took, and said obediently to Ye Yonglie, "Well then, Father, Fang Can and I will be going out now."

"Remember to be careful, and don’t be a bad influence on the Lord Deity," Ye Yonglie replied, naturally having no objection.

’Since this jade cabbage of a deity is intentionally lowering himself to pursue my own little cabbage, I can only support it.’