Chapter 2301: Chapter 2300: The Emperor’s Burden

The golden Buddha dissipated, and Ci’en Temple returned to its tranquility.

Wang Xiaoya happily returned to the temple, and no one dared to make any plans against her anymore.

A group of people retreated one after another, not daring to step into this Ci’en Temple.

Especially Wu Chengzong, who was so frightened by Long Fei’s words that he lost his soul, went home with a pale face and fell ill on his bed.

Everyone in the Capital City soon heard about this, especially the faction of the Li Imperial Clan, who were all excited.

They secretly thought Wu Chengzong deserved it for messing with the Head of the Five Clans for no reason.

It was confirmed that Long Fei was alive, and the Five Clans would have to obey him in the future.

If he were to come out and really wanted to kill Wu Chengzong, even Empress Wu would have to think it over carefully.

The next day, Wu Chengzong went early to his uncle’s house to discuss with his cousin Wu Shansi.

Wu Chengzong and Wu Shansi were about the same age, and Wu Shansi’s father was Wu Chengzong’s uncle.

In terms of closeness, Wu Chengzong had a closer relationship with Empress Wu.

Empress Wu and Wu Chengzong’s father were of the same mother and father, while Wu Shansi’s father was the same father but a different mother.

As nephews of Empress Wu, they were both heavily relied upon by her.

Wu Shansi already knew about Wu Chengzong’s situation yesterday, but instead of being anxious, he remained at home drinking tea and leisurely watching the dancing girls’ latest performances.

When he was pleased, he scattered a handful of Spirit Stones in front, causing the songstresses to scramble in merriment, all trying to win his favor.

At this moment, Wu Chengzong rushed in without notifying anyone, bowing continuously to Wu Shansi, saying, "My good brother, your sibling is in trouble, yet you’re not concerned at all!"

Upon his words, all the songstresses present quieted down.

Wu Shansi waved the women away, then stood up and smiled lightly at Wu Chengzong, "So it’s Brother Chengzong, why did no one inform me?"

A servant hurriedly reported, "Second Master rushed in, I was just about to report to you!"

Wu Shansi waved for the servant to step back.

He invited Wu Chengzong to sit opposite him, and brewed him a cup of tea, "No need to rush, brother, I knew about your issue since last night."

Wu Chengzong wiped the sweat off his brow and pleaded to Wu Shansi, "Then I hope my brother can show me a way out! The King Yama is about to come out, if I don’t plan early, this life of mine will surely be taken by him! He even said he’d wipe out my entire family!"

Wu Shansi slapped the table and cursed, "Dare he!"

Seriously addressing Wu Chengzong, he said, "How dare a mere country bumpkin utter such wild words, does he really want to rebel against the heavens? Who are we? We are the Empress Dowager’s nephews, born of noble blood. With aunt supporting us, does he truly dare to wreak havoc in Chang’an City?"

Wu Chengzong frowned tightly, "That’s easy to say, but that young man is powerful, even the Five Clans’ Ancestors are no match for him! You weren’t there, the Mahayana Realm expert Daoist Nanxuan you brought for me was instantly slapped to death by him. Just relying on aunt might not be enough to suppress him, right?"

Wu Shansi sipped his tea, comforted him, "Rest assured, the Great Tang Empire has many experts, and it’s not his place to act wild here. I’ve long been recruiting experts from the Cultivation World, and my subordinates include a few defiant figures. To ensure safety, today we’ll post recruitment papers throughout Chang’an City, hosting a ’Slay the Dragon Assembly’. Whoever kills Long Fei, we’ll sponsor for them to split land and become kings."

Wu Chengzong hesitated, "Will this work? Will those experts heed us?"

Wu Shansi laughed, "Rest assured, I have what they care about. The path to the Ancient Heavenly Court has been opened, but to enter the Celestial Palace, one needs a Nine Dragons Command Token. This token, passed down from the Ancient Heavenly Court, is guarded by the Imperial Family in the Human Realm. Passed down to our generation, it’s the perfect time to use it. If they wish to seek fortune in the Ancient Heavenly Court, they have to lower themselves to ask us."

Wu Chengzong was surprised, "Is there such a thing?"

Wu Shansi nodded, "This is something aunt just informed me of, previously known only by emperors of past generations. These tokens are usually enshrined in the Grand Ancestral Temple, nourished by the Imperial aura. They carry the sound of the Great Way, numbering less than a hundred, all rare treasures in the world."

Wu Chengzong slapped the table, excited, "With these words from you, brother, I can be at ease. This countryside man dares to provoke the dignity of our Wu Family, we must show him what’s what."

"Exactly so!"

Wu Shansi smiled, took a sip of tea, and instructed Wu Chengzong, "This ’Slay the Dragon Assembly’ will be organized by you, make sure it’s grand and lively, so aunt will see us in a new light. With Long Fei removed, the Five Clans will be under our control. By then, won’t the Great Tang Empire be ours to command?"

Wu Chengzong laughed heartily, "Brother, your consideration is thorough, I admire you deeply. Don’t worry, brother, I’ll ensure it’s done splendidly and won’t disappoint you and Aunt."

Wu Shansi nodded, and they shared a cup of tea in lieu of wine, toasting Wu Chengzong’s advance success.

Feeling a fiery zeal within, Wu Chengzong couldn’t afford to linger in chit-chat. He bade farewell to Wu Shansi, and upon leaving, headed straight to the Ministry of Military Affairs to have his subordinates draft public notices, which he then posted at four directions of Chang’an City.

In less than a day, Chang’an City knew about this "Slay the Dragon Assembly".

Especially the last part of the notice, whomever participates in the "Slay the Dragon Assembly" and achieves merit will be rewarded with a Nine Dragons Command Token from the Ancient Heavenly Court. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Whoever obtains this token will enter the Heavenly Court.

The entire Cultivation world was stirred by this incident.

The public, the court, the Cultivation World, all had various opinions.

Some said Empress Wu was finally going to act against the Li royal family, wasn’t this dragon a member of the Li Imperial Clan?

Some said this dragon referred to Long Fei.

Some even boldly claimed the dragon referred to the newly enthroned New Emperor Li Shiru.

The previous Emperor Gong Li Shihong hadn’t even secured the throne firmly before dying mysteriously.

Now with the New Emperor just ascended, this "Slay the Dragon Assembly" was openly posted.

Even if it wasn’t targeting the current Son of Heaven, it was still an affront to imperial dignity.

In the Daming Palace, New Emperor Li Shiru secretly summoned his brother, the Second Prince Li Shixian.

He raised a glass, personally offered it to Li Shixian, choking on his words, "Second brother, take care. The Li Imperial Dynasty’s realm relies on you to safeguard. As for me now, I’m just a fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of the Wu Family!"

This "Slay the Dragon Assembly" had already reached Li Shiru’s ears, filling him with such anxiety he couldn’t sleep, prompting him to have his brother Li Shixian brought over immediately.

In any respect, Li Shixian was more suited for the throne than him.

He was by nature timid, never inclined to compete for anything.

Yet, ironically, his mother pushed him to this position.

Each day he sat on the throne, it felt like years, akin to being a puppet.

All major governmental and military affairs still required Empress Wu’s decision from behind the curtain, leaving him with no power at court.

Speaking of these grievances, he couldn’t help but hold his forehead and cry longingly.