The Royal Palace, within the Dragon Arrival Hall!
At this time, the most furious of all was the retired Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin!
He had always been very close to Yinzhou. Previously, his ability to become the Holy Sacrificial Priest of the Nu Lang Kingdom was largely thanks to Yinzhou’s support.
This time, facing Zhi Li’s forced coronation, any Holy Sacrificial Priest with a brain would not wade into these muddy waters.
Yinzhou had spent tremendous cost to invite En Lin out.
En Lin had thought, at worst Zhi Li would be driven from the throne not long after his coronation. While this would be somewhat embarrassing, it would not harm a single hair on his own head.
However, he had not imagined that Zhi Li actually possessed demon blood.
This truly was enough to poke a hole in the sky.
Zhi Li was the proper Crown Prince, the Young Lord about to ascend the throne as King, yet he actually had demon blood in his body.
Opposing Dragon God power, opposing the Dragon God faith, this was a crime of monstrous proportions!
At this time, En Lin was not merely facing the ruin of his reputation in old age. Whether he could escape unscathed was itself a question.
Where did the demon blood in Zhi Li’s body come from? Of course it was obtained by Yinzhou from the Dragon God Holy Temple’s laboratory.
Once this case was opened, it would be a monstrous case. He, En Lin, a mere retired Holy Sacrificial Priest, would absolutely be torn to pieces!
Just now when Fang Qingzhuo exposed the truth, if there had not been many people around, of course they could have directly killed her to silence her.
But several hundred civil and military officials, nobles and feudal lords in the entire great hall had seen. Also present were sacrificial priests, inquisitors, and temple warriors who had all seen.
Wanting to suppress this was already impossible. So what En Lin should do now was still to kill to silence witnesses.
Only, it was not merely killing Fang Qingzhuo, but also killing Zhi Li!
As long as Zhi Li was killed, it would not implicate Yinzhou, and the monstrous case would not be raised. His own life, En Lin’s, could also be preserved.
In short, Zhi Li’s life absolutely could not be kept.
However, at this time with everyone’s eyes upon them, it was not convenient to kill him. After returning to the Zhi Capital Holy Temple, no matter what they must make Zhi Li commit suicide, or be suicided!
“Come, take Zhi Li and all his household servants away.” Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin ordered.
Instantly several dozen temple warriors stepped forward, about to take away Zhi Li, Li Chenglian, and the others. And Fang Qingzhuo was actually also among the targets.
“Madam, as a witness, please also come back with us for investigation.” Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin said.
Fang Qingzhuo knew too much. And after she reported that Zhi Li possessed demon blood, she had already betrayed her own family. So to avoid raising a monstrous case, killing her was also only right and proper.
“Wait!” Zhi Li said, “Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin, I know what you are thinking. But please wait a moment. I wish to see Suolun one last time.”
En Lin’s brows furrowed.
Zhi Li repeated again, “I will let you have your wish. But I want to see Suolun one last time.”
Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin nodded.
Then, the entire great hall waited for Suolun’s arrival.
…
Two quarters of an hour later, Suolun and Princess Zhi Yan entered the Royal Palace’s Dragon Arrival Hall!
Several hundred civil and military officials, nobles and feudal lords knelt filling the floor.
Zhi Li sat upon the King’s throne, surrounded airtight by several dozen temple warriors. Beside him was an old man with completely white hair and beard. This should be the retired Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin.
And Fang Qingzhuo, wearing the queen’s robes, still sat in her own queen’s seat, appearing very calm, though in a daze.
Seeing Suolun enter, Fang Qingzhuo asked, “Are Zhi Ning and the baby alright?”
Suolun immediately bowed deeply to Fang Qingzhuo and said, “Thank you, Sister-in-law, for saving my son’s life. I can never repay this in my lifetime! Zhi Ning and the baby, I have already rescued them.”
“That’s good, that’s good…” Fang Qingzhuo sat back in her chair.
Then Suolun came before King Zhi Bian and knelt on both knees, saying, “Suolun greets His Majesty the King.”
“Daughter greets Father.” Princess Zhi Yan knelt at the King’s knees.
“Uh, ha…” The King in the wheelchair was extremely agitated, desperately wanting to speak but unable to produce any words. So he desperately stretched out both hands.
Suolun and Zhi Yan hurriedly stepped forward to grasp the King’s pair of hands.
Truly a pair of skin-and-bones hands, truly as fragile as withered branches, and without any warmth.
King Zhi Bian was truly living with the greatest difficulty.
He could no longer speak at this time, so he desperately tried to smile.
He grasped Suolun’s hand with all his strength, as if wanting to express some meaning.
Unable to speak, he desperately tried through his eyes to express his absolute trust, and his affection like that for a nephew.
Suolun gripped the King’s hand tightly and said, “Father-in-law, rest assured. I will devote my full strength to protecting the Zhi family’s realm from invasion by any force. I will certainly continue expanding southward, making the Nu Lang Kingdom a top-tier hegemon. I will certainly purge the domestic situation, restoring the kingdom to health!”
He did not say anything like “I will certainly not usurp the throne,” because this was completely meaningless. In the future, his and Zhi Yan’s son would inherit the throne. Would he go and usurp his own son’s throne?
After hearing Suolun’s words, King Zhi Bian released his hand and tried hard to reveal a smile.
“Suolun, come over and talk.” Suddenly, Zhi Li on the throne shouted loudly.
Suolun patted the King’s hand, then rose and came before Zhi Li. Princess Zhi Yan followed closely, protecting Suolun’s safety.
“I lost, lost completely!” Zhi Li spread his arms on the throne and said, “Where is Duke Tu Lingtuo? Has he pledged allegiance to you?”
“No, he committed suicide.” Suolun said, “But at the final moment, he would rather commit suicide than maintain any connection with you.”
“What about Southwest Army Commander Jian Ze?” Zhi Li asked.
Suolun said, “This man cares too much about face, pushing his luck. I killed him.”
“Killed well.” Zhi Li applauded, “Jian Ze didn’t have much ability, but his airs were enormous. At that time I truly pinched my nose and stood in his courtyard for three days. I was thinking then, one day when I had completely controlled the kingdom’s situation, I would certainly kill him to vent this foul anger.”
Then Zhi Li asked, “What about Chu Ye?”
Suolun said, “The Dragon Guard Legion suffered heavy losses. I let Count Chu Ye serve as Dragon Guard Legion Commander, rebuilding the Dragon Guard Legion. After completing this work he will enter the Command Headquarters, serving as First Commander, relinquishing his position as Dragon Guard Legion Commander.”
Zhi Li said, “Then who will now command the Northern Legion and the Southwest Legion?”
Suolun said, “My father-in-law Lord Yan Yan commands the Northern Legion. City Lord Tu Liwen commands the Southwest Legion.”
“Not bad, not bad…” Zhi Li said.
Then the two fell into an awkward silence.
Suddenly, Zhi Li said, “Actually, everyone knows how politics should be done. But knowing how to do it is one thing, truly doing it is another. Wanting to persist in certain things is truly difficult. My entire life has been a tragedy. Never have I controlled my own destiny, never have I held true power. The only thing I could do was dance upon eggs. Even if you had not appeared and I had smoothly ascended the throne, my whole life would have been little more than a puppet.”
Suolun spoke no more.
Because Zhi Li had sought him out to speak at the final moment, actually wanting to vent alone. He did not necessarily need someone to listen. Only in his view, only Suolun was qualified to hear his final venting.
Zhi Li’s gaze turned toward his wife beside him, and he sighed, “However, I truly had not imagined that the one who would ultimately place me in a fatal situation would be my wife. Perhaps, I truly never understood this woman.”
Hearing Zhi Li speak of herself, Fang Qingzhuo’s gentle and beautiful face trembled, yet she did not say anything.
Zhi Li said, “This foolish woman, perhaps still thinking that after reporting her own husband, it equals betraying her own family. She herself is certain to die, because she must be buried with me. So until now she has been righteous and assured, without the slightest sense of being in the wrong.”
Fang Qingzhuo still showed no expression.
Zhi Li continued, “But she still has two daughters to care for. If she dies, who will the two daughters be given to? To Zhi Ning? It’s not that it couldn’t be done, but it is never as good as their own birth mother. So do you have a way to save her life? She still has two daughters to care for.”
At these words, Fang Qingzhuo finally could not hold back. Her delicate body trembled, and tears gushed forth.
Suolun thought for a while and said, “I will do my best. Hold on here a while longer. Someone will arrive very soon.”
Then the two fell into silence again.
After a long while, Zhi Li said, “I originally wanted to tell you, be careful of King Zhi Bian. He is the most dangerous old fox. But when truly facing defeat, my mind gradually cleared, and my perspective on things became different again. So I became somewhat unclear about Zhi Bian again. But as a loser, I must offer some warning to the winner. Let me think.”
Suolun shrugged his shoulders and said nothing.
After several minutes, Zhi Li said, “Be careful of the Dragon God Holy Temple. If I must add one more, then be careful of Zhi Yan. She received the Dragon God Holy Temple’s education from childhood. Her heart is without emotion or righteousness. Just now, facing a dying father, she showed no emotion and shed no tears. The people of the Dragon God Holy Temple are all perverts.”
And just at this moment, the doors of the Dragon Arrival Hall were opened once more.
Holy Maiden Ji Xiuning of the Sky Holy Temple, leading several dozen temple warriors, entered the great hall.
The retired Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin, seeing Ji Xiuning’s appearance, instantly his expression changed drastically. With this woman present, it truly was enough to poke a hole in the sky.
Holy Maiden Ji Xiuning came before En Lin and said, “The former Young Lord Zhi Li of the Nu Lang Kingdom, because he is involved in opposing the Dragon God faith and opposing Dragon God power, and very likely involves the corruption and degeneration of the Dragon God Holy Temple’s upper levels, I am taking custody of the prisoner.”
If Holy Sacrificial Priest En Lin were an active Holy Sacrificial Priest at the Zhi Capital Holy Temple, he could of course refuse Ji Xiuning’s demand.
But now, he was merely a retired Holy Sacrificial Priest, so of course he had no right to refuse Ji Xiuning.
And once Zhi Li was taken away by Ji Xiuning, what kind of monstrous case would be raised? Would it implicate himself, even tearing him to pieces?
En Lin truly could not guarantee.
Ji Xiuning came before the several dozen temple warriors and said, “I am Ji Xiuning of the Sky Holy Temple. Here I formally assume supreme command over you.”
The leading temple warrior hesitated slightly, then nodded and said, “Yes!”
Suolun stepped forward and said, “Your Holiness, Madam Fang Qingzhuo exposed that Zhi Li possessed demon blood in order to protect Zhi Ning and her son. Can you protect her safety?”
Ji Xiuning came before Fang Qingzhuo. Her gaze became gentle. She bent down and performed a half-bow, saying, “Many thanks, Madam. Your appearance has prevented me from being completely despairing of the people from the Four Secret Continents. Please live well with your two daughters. If there is any need, I will come to find you personally to inquire. Please do not heed any summons from the Dragon God Holy Temple.”
Fang Qingzhuo rose and returned the half-bow, saying, “Very well.”
Ji Xiuning had spoken very clearly. Unless she came personally, Fang Qingzhuo need not heed anyone. That is to say, if the Dragon God Holy Temple wanted to kill Fang Qingzhuo to silence her, this had completely become impossible.
This was equivalent to adding a protective talisman upon Fang Qingzhuo’s person.
Ji Xiuning of course understood everything clearly in her heart. She knew that within the Dragon God Holy Temple now, there were people who wanted to kill Zhi Li and Fang Qingzhuo to silence them.
Although utterly disappointed in and deeply loathing the Dragon God Holy Temple, Suolun at this time had to admit that Ji Xiuning’s noble sentiments were truly admirable. She was truly that kind of Holy Maiden who was wholeheartedly for the public good, wholeheartedly for the human kingdoms.
Suolun also did not know, was the Dragon God Holy Temple fortunate or unfortunate to have such a Holy Maiden? Were the human kingdoms fortunate or unfortunate to possess such a Holy Maiden?
“Take Zhi Li and all his household servants away.” Ji Xiuning ordered.
Instantly, several hundred temple warriors stepped forward and arrested Zhi Li, Li Chenglian, Li Zhuo, and the others. Whether they would first be escorted to the Zhi Capital Holy Temple or directly to the Yan Capital Holy Temple would depend upon her will.
After becoming a prisoner, Zhi Li was very calm. He smiled toward Suolun and Fang Qingzhuo, then was fitted with shackles by the temple warriors and escorted out of the Royal Palace’s Dragon Arrival Hall.
In merely one day, he had gone from King to prisoner.
At this time, Fang Qingzhuo finally could not hold back and rose, hurrying forward a few steps, gazing at Zhi Li’s retreating figure as tears surged forth once more.
Facing a Zhi Li who was worse than a beast, the kind Fang Qingzhuo felt no pressure.
But facing a Zhi Li who had returned to humanity, Fang Qingzhuo’s heart ached as if being cut by a knife.
Seeing this scene, Ji Xiuning raised her jade hand, and instantly the entire procession stopped, giving Fang Qingzhuo and Zhi Li their final farewell time.
Fang Qingzhuo walked before Zhi Li, gazing at him through tear-filled eyes.
“Take good care of the daughters.” Zhi Li reached out to wipe the tears from Fang Qingzhuo’s face and said, “Whether a puppet’s life or a mad life, both are painful lives. Now I am finally liberated, and there is nothing I cannot let go of. You are the best mother. Our daughters will certainly receive the best care and protection. I am not worried in the slightest.”
Fang Qingzhuo nodded forcefully with tears in her eyes.
Zhi Li smiled, then walked toward the outside.
Just as he himself had said, whether puppet or mad, both were incomparably painful.
However, once a person sets foot upon a path, there is no longer any possibility of turning back. They can only walk that path to the end.
Now with all hope severed, he was instead liberated.
This was not a kind of repentance. Neither Zhi Li nor Tu Lingduo had any repentance for what they had done, nor were they qualified to repent.
Because the two of them, for their own selfish desires, before committing certain deranged acts, had considered everything very clearly, making thoroughly well-considered decisions.
So, they had received their just deserts.
After all hope was shattered, after being left with absolutely nothing, Zhi Li was after all a man. His heart could be open-minded enough to return to some of his humanity.
For example, his most beloved wife, his most beloved daughters.
Thus, Zhi Li went from an enthroned King to a prisoner in the dungeon, taken away by Ji Xiuning and several hundred temple warriors. In this life, there was no longer any chance of turning things around.
Perhaps, before even reaching the Yan Capital Holy Temple, he would either commit suicide or be suicided!
…
And at this time, within the Dragon Arrival Hall!
Grand Eunuch Gao Yin glanced toward King Zhi Bian, revealing a final inquiring gaze.
King Zhi Bian nodded.
Gao Yin took out a scroll of imperial decree and unfurled it. This was perhaps King Zhi Bian’s final imperial decree, concerning Zhi Yan and also concerning Suolun’s fate.
“By the mandate of the Dragon, by the command of the King…”