Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Confrontation

Upon hearing this, Qingchen threw his head back and roared with laughter. “HAHAHA… Treason? Rebellion? I am the legitimate heir of Daqian! You are the rebels! You are the traitors!

“You keep prattling on about rebels and traitors. Do you even remember your great ancestor, Emperor Chu Tian? He had been on the throne for a mere half-year when that traitor, Chu Ping, usurped his power! Now, who do you think are the rebels? Who are the traitors? Hmm?”

Qingchen scanned the ministers in the hall, who were all struck dumb with astonishment.

Some exchanged bewildered glances. So, this King of Qing is actually a descendant of Emperor Zhao He.

That period of history was rarely discussed in Daqian; Emperor Zhao He had been on the throne for only half a year before Emperor Zhao Ren usurped him.

Emperor Zhao Ren, the great ancestor of Daqian, was Chu Xiong’s great-grandfather.

Subsequently, Emperor Zhao He’s entire line was secretly executed, wiped out completely. It was truly unexpected that any descendants still remained.

When Qingchen first rebelled under the banner of Daqian’s legitimate succession, everyone had dismissed it as a mere publicity stunt.

Some ministers’ eyes flickered. Perhaps it is indeed right and proper for the King of Qing to reclaim his family’s throne, they thought.

But now, Qingchen was heavily outnumbered. Even those who might have supported him dared not speak out at this moment.

If this suddenly appeared Ninth Prince were to win, we would be branded traitors. Not only would we face beheading, but our entire clans, down to the ninth degree of kinship, would be exterminated.

They could only stand there in silence.

However, other ministers held a different view. Throughout history, it has always been ’the victor becomes king, the vanquished a bandit.’ A loss is a loss. To think of taking it back now? It’s not as simple as just wanting it.

Five generations of emperors had reigned since Emperor Zhao Ren. Talk of legitimate versus collateral lines was outdated; the realm had long belonged to Emperor Zhao Ren’s branch.

Besides, no matter who wins their struggle, Daqian will still belong to the Chu imperial family. As officials, our duty is simply to support the reigning Emperor. Whoever ascends the throne, we will serve loyally.

Lying on the long couch, Chu Xiong heard this and was filled with such regret that his innards seemed to twist. What kind of monster have I provoked? If Daqian is truly lost under my rule, I’ll have no face to meet my ancestors in the afterlife! He wanted to order Qingchen’s execution, the extermination of his entire clan! But a glare from Yun No. 12 beside him made him tremble, and the words died in his throat.

“So what? Take it back if you have the guts!” Xiao Yunjing retorted disdainfully.

“Heh-heh. Take it back? You think I lack the means?” Qingchen swept his gaze over the ministers below, then at Xiao Yunjing and Chu Xiong opposite him, and finally at the three Dowager Consorts and Xiao Yuling. A sinister smile touched his lips.

Suddenly, he flicked his hand, and a cloud of fine powder shot from his fingertips into the air.

“Poison! Yun No. 12, protect the Emperor!” Xiao Yunjing yelled the moment he saw the toxic mist, leaping in front of Qingchen.

When the ministers saw the mist, they immediately scrambled to the sides of the great hall.

But the mist spread rapidly, quickly filling the entire hall.

“COUGH, COUGH, COUGH…” Some who inhaled the mist began to cough violently. Breathing became difficult, and some even started to convulse.

Qingchen squinted at Xiao Yunjing, who stood unaffected before him. A brutal light flared in Qingchen’s eyes as he flung another handful of poison at Xiao Yunjing.

Xiao Yunjing watched coldly as Qingchen scattered the poison. I anticipated he would resort to this. He had already taken a Detoxification Pill.

Chu Xiong was also unaffected; the Detoxification Pill he had taken earlier was still potent.

Watching Qingchen’s crazed display, Chu Xiong felt a maelstrom of emotions. He glanced at the ministers in the hall, stumbling about, collapsing, some already convulsing on the floor.

He sighed. These are all the evils I have wrought. I am unfit to be Emperor; I am certainly not a good one. If I were a good Emperor, a wise Emperor, then no matter how formidable Qingchen might be, what could he possibly have achieved?

Qingchen leaped onto the emperor’s throne. Surveying the scene in the hall, he roared with laughter, pointing at Xiao Yunjing. “Well? The outcome is still uncertain! Let’s see who has the last laugh! Let’s see if I can reclaim my throne, my world!”

Seeing his frenzied state, Xiao Yunjing surmised that Qingchen likely had no other tricks up his sleeve. He said gravely, “Lunatic! Qingchen, let us end this today.”

As he spoke, he drew the Transcending Heaven Sword from his robes.

“Fine! Today, either you die, or I, your king, shall prevail!” Qingchen declared, also drawing a sword from his robes with a flourish of bravado.

That sword is no ordinary weapon, Xiao Yunjing noted, almost on par with my Transcending Heaven Sword.

The two men brandished their swords and clashed in the center of the hall.

Yun No. 12, seeing the ministers had suffered enough, beckoned to Yun No. 11 to keep watch over Chu Xiong. He then took out Detoxification Pills and first administered them to the three Dowager Consorts.

Xiao Yuling, like them, had taken a Detoxification Pill beforehand and was now vigorously cheering for her son.

After treating the three Dowager Consorts, Yun No. 12 proceeded to give the antidote to the Civil and Military Officials in the hall.

Once ingested, a Detoxification Pill neutralized the poison within about ten breaths’ time. Those who recovered leaned against the walls, watching the duel between Qingchen and Xiao Yunjing.

There were generals in the hall, and upon witnessing the martial prowess of Xiao Yunjing and Qingchen, they were utterly aghast.

This was especially true for Gao Changqing, recently promoted by Qingchen. I knew Qingchen was highly skilled, and I submitted to him because of his martial prowess. But seeing Xiao Yunjing’s skill today… it’s truly opened my eyes! This is what a peerless master looks like!

After several exchanges, a few bloody gashes appeared on Qingchen’s body.

From Xiao Yunjing’s posture, it was clear he didn’t intend to kill Qingchen with a single strike.

Indeed, Xiao Yunjing had no intention of finishing Qingchen off with one blow. I will cut him a thousand times, make him die in agony!

Chu Xiong watched their dazzling exchange, his fists clenched tightly. May Xiao Yunjing slay Qingchen with his next strike!

Having administered the antidote to everyone, Yun No. 12 summoned five men from the Secret Sect, instructing them to keep a close watch on everyone in the imperial court.

He then slipped out of the main hall, ordering the Secret Sect members to guard the Imperial Palace meticulously—not even a mosquito was to fly in or out. He also dispatched a message to the Secret Sect contingent laying siege to the Qing Royal Palace, ordering them to attack and secure it with utmost speed.

At this point, the people in the Qing Royal Palace were in a state of turmoil. Secret Guard No.1 had made several unsuccessful attempts to break through.

The moment he saw these assailants, he recognized them as Xiao Yunjing’s men. I’ve crossed paths with them numerous times; I know their methods well. Today was supposed to be the day of my master’s great triumph! I never expected such a sudden catastrophe. The Master took two-thirds of the Secret Guards, leaving one-third under my command to protect the Qing Royal Palace and await good news. I didn’t expect these gods of slaughter to show up instead!

Secret Guard No.1 was frantic but could think of no solution. Suddenly, he remembered Xi Chenqing, the expert in Gu insects and poisons, was in the rear courtyard.

He rushed to Xi Chenqing’s quarters and barged directly inside.

He found the room empty. Just as a sense of foreboding struck him, several figures leaped out and subdued him in a few swift moves.

Yun No. 14 was in charge of the assault on the Qing Royal Palace. Leading forty members of the Secret Sect, he managed to take control of the entire estate within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.

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