Read Novel Full Chapter 507: Could This Be the World-Honored One?
Chapter 507: Could This Be the World-Honored One?
Lu Yang’s act of killing one to warn the others was undoubtedly extremely effective, especially after the disciples of the Three Dukes confirmed that the “evidence” he provided was indeed authentic.
“What investigation? This is clearly just eliminating dissenters!”
At the Junior Mentor’s residence, Junior Guardian Li Taian slapped the table, his face filled with disbelief: “How could Ning Haohe possibly be a demonic sect spy who attempted to assassinate His Majesty?”
Yet no matter how much he questioned it, the “evidence” presented by Lu Yang lay right before them, clearly bearing the divine sense imprints of Chen Yuanli and Ning Haohe. These imprints could not possibly exist without being cast by the individuals themselves. With such proof, it was indeed ironclad.
“Could it be a forced confession?” the Junior Mentor asked in a low voice.
The Junior Guardian instinctively shook his head: “Highly unlikely. Haohe is my close friend, always strong-willed. He wouldn’t succumb to torture—”
His words came to an abrupt halt.
Wouldn’t succumb to torture? Then how could the ironclad evidence be explained? For a moment, the Junior Mentor, Junior Guardian, and Junior Instructor could only look at one another in shock.
It was the Junior Mentor who finally broke the silence:
“This time, the Royal Guard Division scoured the entire capital. Not only was there evidence, but also endorsements from the Empress and the Crown Prince. The procedure and ritual were flawless.”
Li Taian slammed the table: “I knew that demon dragon had ulterior motives!”
“I don’t think so.”
The Junior Mentor shook his head: “The Royal Guard Division is just a blade. The real hand wielding it—those targeting our people—should be the Empress and the Crown Prince.”
If it had only been the Royal Guard Division, they would never have tolerated Lu Yang apprehending officials in this way. Even if the evidence was solid and the procedure lawful, they would have intervened. But with the Empress and Crown Prince involved, they had to tread carefully and refrain from rash actions.
Just then, Li Taian’s expression subtly changed.
Even while conversing, he had been using his divine sense to monitor the Royal Guard Division’s movements, and now he sensed something unusual: “This is bad. That demon dragon is heading to the Capital Garrison Command!”
Inside the Capital Garrison Command.
Lu Yang entered the spacious hall with a calm expression, unceremoniously taking the main seat. Below sat the five Capital Garrison Commanders appointed by the Empress.
“Greetings to Lord Duhuan.”
“You may rise.”
Lu Yang smiled faintly. He could see through the little thoughts brewing in the five commanders. Empress Xiao had mentioned them during their previous discussion.
Simply put, three of them were die-hard loyalists of Emperor Jiayou, while the remaining two were disciples of the Three Dukes. This represented a tacit understanding between Jiayou and the Three Dukes. Thus, it was obvious that even with backing from the Empress and the Crown Prince, Lu Yang couldn’t truly command these five commanders.
Fortunately, he had no intention of doing so.
The Five Capital Garrison Commanders, along with the imperial token, could combine to form the position of【As If in My Presence】, which could override even the Crown Prince.
Quite formidable indeed.
But only within the Dao Court system. Beyond that, these five were merely third-rank officials, peak Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Bluntly speaking, strong only within their own house.
Experts at infighting, but useless in real conflict.
Dealing with them was even easier than handling the Minister of Military Affairs, Dutian Division. At least for the latter, Lu Yang had to form seals and cast spells. For the former, he only needed—
“【Puppet on Strings】!”
With a dazzling flash of divine light, like a fierce wind brushing the face, all suspicion was instantly blown off the faces of the five commanders—only loyalty remained.
Just then—
“Stop!”
A light streak descended from the sky and crashed into the Capital Garrison Command, dispersing with a burst. From within stepped none other than Junior Guardian Li Taian.
“Isn’t this Junior Guardian himself.” Lu Yang smiled faintly, proactively rising to salute. “What brings you here, my lord? Is there some issue with how the Royal Guard Division is investigating demonic sect spies? Rest assured, if you point out any problem, I’ll personally ensure it’s corrected!”
At those words, Li Taian’s expression immediately darkened.
“Duhuan, the Capital Garrison is of vital importance. To be a Commander here requires unwavering loyalty and valor. Do you truly believe they would collude with the demonic sect?”
“Of course not!”
Lu Yang looked shocked and quickly waved his hands. “You misunderstand, my lord. I only came to deliver the Empress and Crown Prince’s orders to the Commanders.”
“Orders? The Capital Garrison answers only to imperial edicts, not to palace commands!”
Unwilling to waste more words, the Junior Guardian turned directly to the two Commanders who were disciples of the Three Dukes and said solemnly: “Come with me to the Junior Guardian’s residence.”
He turned to leave—
Only to freeze in the next instant.
Because the two Commanders showed no intention of moving. When Li Taian turned back, he saw expressions on their faces that he had never seen before:
“Junior Guardian.”
“Since we’ve been entrusted with guarding the Capital’s five garrisons, we must fulfill our duty to the nation. Now that His Majesty is absent, we naturally follow the Empress’s orders.”
Li Taian was dumbfounded.
“You!”
For a moment, a chill rose from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. His gaze, filled with horror, fixed on Lu Yang, and after a long pause, he cautiously asked:
‘World-Honored One?’
Lu Yang: “.？”
Who are you calling that?!
Yet on the other side, Li Taian became increasingly convinced of his own theory.
He couldn’t help it—it all fit too well!
Whether it was Ning Haohe or these two commanders, they were people Li Taian had once trusted without question.
And yet, Ning Haohe suddenly confessed, triggering a city-wide arrest operation. Even these two commanders had defected to Lu Yang. These sudden, drastic personality and loyalty shifts were far too reminiscent of that infamous World-Honored One.
Not to mention… the World-Honored One had priors!
He’d done this once before! Although the current Tianwu royal family had benefitted, the former Zouyu royal line probably had a lot to curse about.
“Boom!”
In the next second, Li Taian’s figure vanished from the spot.
If he stayed any longer, he feared the next moment he’d “suddenly realize” and exclaim: “Ah! Who would’ve thought—I am the World-Honored One’s incarnation!”
Lu Yang couldn’t be bothered to give chase.
‘With the Capital Garrison in my hands and the imperial token held by the Empress, their synergy means Tianwu City is already under my control.’
“Boom!”
Lifting his head, Lu Yang suddenly saw a glimmer of starlight burst in the heavens. Though faint and fleeting, it still appeared briefly:
【Heavenly Fire Above】！
Lu Yang understood.
Now that Tianwu City—the core of Jiangdong—had fallen into his hands, the attention from【Heavenly Fire Above】had intensified. It was far from reaching the level of Gold Position attestation, but the trend was positive.
To advance further, he would need to control all of Jiangdong.
However, to do so, the Three Dukes remained an obstacle.
‘Unfortunately, killing alone won’t help.’
Lu Yang shook his head. The essence of the Dao Court lay in official positions. Individuals were meaningless. Just now, even if he had killed Li Taian,
The Junior Guardian’s position would not disappear.
In the Dao Court’s system, such positions were passed down through generations and required no imperial decree to fill. A new Junior Guardian could take over seamlessly.
This was the terrifying aspect of the Dao Court—no matter how strong one was, as long as one had not surpassed the entire system, one must still obey its rules.
It was what the Dao Court loved to do most: bring you down to their level, then beat you with their centuries of experience.
Of course, Lu Yang still had a way to break the system.
He had one more chance to impersonate【Overturning Lamp Fire】. If used here, he could kill all disciples of the Three Dukes and forcibly suppress their positions.
But what would be the point?
At best, he’d control Jiangdong alone.
To truly attest to【Heavenly Fire Above】, his target was the Four Realms of the world. Only then would it be time to falsely claim a Gold Position.
‘In the Dao Court, only name and instrument—or rather, one’s position in the official system—is of the utmost importance.’
Thankfully, he already had half of it.
‘With the Capital Garrison in my hands, and if I acquire the imperial token from the Empress, then without the Emperor or the Three Dukes appearing, I will be the highest authority within the Dao Court system.’
‘By then, I can round them all up in one fell swoop and declare all disciples of the Three Dukes as traitors!’
As for the evidence? Let the captured Minister of Military Affairs, Dutian Division, and the two commanders among the Three Dukes’ disciples handle the confessions...