Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Now, the stability of our country relies entirely on my efforts, yet you say that I am trying to plunge Jiangshan into chaos?"

Jiang Li confronted them head-on, "These Nine Provinces and eighty-one counties of Great Zhou rest upon my shoulders, the phrase 'Great Zhou's Jiangshan' is not for you to utter!"

"Impudent boy!"

King You's robe sleeves fluttered as a surge of eerie Yin energy suddenly rose, evolving into a vision of the netherworld.

At the same time, eight sceneries emerged around Jiang Li, the grand visions condensed in a tiny space, like eight portals spinning around his body.

The two powers clashed suddenly and fiercely, with the netherworld vision colliding with the Innate Eight Sceneries. In an instant, Ziwei Hall darkened then brightened again, as shadows and lights intertwined, and a fierce wind arose, sending a figure retreating violently.

It was King You!

He staggered back three steps, and his eyes suddenly streamed with two streaks of pitch-black blood. Then, he sprayed out a breath of Yin energy, scattering it like blood.

"Prince!"

Some officials among the crowd immediately cried out in alarm, and then saw King You's figure sway, seemingly about to collapse.

At that moment, they couldn't care less about being injured by the shockwaves. The officials loyal to King You rushed to support him, but to their horror, King You appeared as if he was about to faint.

In contrast, Jiang Li's expression remained unchanged, except for a flash of electrical arcs appearing on his right arm, which disappeared in an instant.

"Quick, quick, quick! Send for the Imperial Physician!"

However, King You was a Ghost Cultivator, and an Imperial Physician could not treat the dead.

Sure enough, the clever ones immediately shouted to send King You to the Yin Law Department for treatment.

Hence, a strange scene unfolded in Ziwei Hall, as a crowd of officials hustled King You out of the hall amid noise and commotion, while outside, a surge of Yin Qi appeared—it was the Yin God from the Yin Law Department coming to take King You back for healing.

An emergency like this during a court meeting left the officials looking at each other, unsure of what to say.

In the end, their gazes fell on Jiang Li and the Princess.

"Why look at me? King You was the one who struck first," Jiang Li said indifferently.

The Princess sitting on high seemed somewhat weary as she waved her hand, "King You has suddenly succumbed to a hidden illness. We will discuss the corresponding matters after King You has recovered. Court is dismissed."

As for the matter of the Princess returning governance, that, of course, was to be discussed later as well.

Grand Commandant Meng Jun, who had been feigning sleep, now seemed to finally awake, stood up to salute, and the other officials followed his lead, then orderly took their leave.

Jiang Li lingered until the end, but he did not leave with the others. Instead, he turned to the side, entering a side hall with the Princess, and then exited Ziwei Hall.

The Princess waved gently, signaling the maids to dismiss the carriage, and she walked with Jiang Li, followed from a hundred paces behind by a procession of palace maids and eunuchs.

"You were quite imposing today, forcing King You to resort to such a measure."

Dragging her long skirt, the Princess's luxurious palace attire accentuated her graceful figure, glowing a bright red like fire, with a vivacious grandeur. She laughed softly while walking alongside him.

Jiang Li walked beside her, seemingly unsurprised by King You's actions, and responded, "Although it was a desperate measure that hurt his reputation, it was effective. It not only stopped me from seeking the Regent's power but also prevented the Princess from continuing as the acting ruler."

King You appeared to have been provoked, and indeed he was, but his decision to strike was driven by reason rather than rage.

His reckless act earned him an injury, suspending today's discourse midway.

The Princess had not returned governance, nor was the continuation of her regency confirmed. The key was that a naturally evil Jiang family brat had not become the Regent King to take control of the court.

"He will come prepared tomorrow," said the Princess, her face showing disdain, "He drags his feet in quelling rebels but is eager in a power struggle, even going so far as to willingly take a hit. It's laughable, He didn't shed a single drop of blood to pacify the Taiping Sect, but instead got wounded by a meritorious official."

"Because in the eyes of Earth Uncle and King You, the Taiping Sect poses no threat to Jiangshan, but the innate rebelliousness of the Jiang family can," Jiang Li said with a smile.

He seemed utterly unconcerned about King You's targeting, displaying a broader magnanimity than the Ji family.

But was Jiang Li truly broad-minded?

Upon hearing this, the Princess's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at Jiang Li, "Did you hit him hard?"

Her certainty turned the question into an affirmation; the Princess was convinced that Jiang Li had struck a heavy blow. She had realized long ago that this young man, just like her old adversary, was petty-minded. Although he had the ability to endure for a long goal, the notion of him having a broad mind was utterly impossible.

To believe that this master and disciple were broad-minded would only mean they had already vented their spleen.

"King You sought benevolence and received it, how could I, as a junior, not oblige?"

Jiang Li smiled faintly, "So I applied a bit more force, to ensure he's not fit for court tomorrow."

Truly just a bit, Jiang Li extended two fingers to make a gesture, indicating that he had not hit too hard.

Thinking of coming prepared tomorrow? Well, that assumes you can come at all.

King You, demanding to be struck, only to have Jiang Li readily oblige. As for whether King You's injuries were real or feigned, it was truly hard to say. He might not have been unconscious from the severity of the wounds, but it was definitely severe enough to be close.

Moreover, King You's attack might well have been within Jiang Li's expectations.

And since he had anticipated it, naturally he wouldn't be annoyed by King You's move against him.

The Princess burst into laughter upon hearing this, her joyous laughter ringing like silver bells for a long time.

"Bringing trouble on oneself."

This she said, eyeing Jiang Li, "Also, you don't seem to think of yourself as a junior at all, do you? Do you speak to Tianxuan in the same manner?"

As someone who had experienced an older partner, the Princess felt a familiar sensation. Perhaps this young grass had already been grazed.

"Of course it's different," Jiang Li replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "The Princess is my sister-in-law, and my master is my master. My filial piety towards my master is evident as day and night, without any disrespect."

Even just last night when entering Tianxuan, Jiang Li had called out "Master." You tell me if that's disrespectful.

"Is that so?"

The Princess was clearly skeptical.

She had seen the records on the predestined affinity scroll and knew about the red thread between this master and pupil.

Perhaps the young grass had not yet been grazed, but there were definitely feelings involved.

To say there was no impulse between the master and pupil was impossible.

"Let's just say you are someone who respects and values their teacher. I hope you won't betray your master's trust."

The Princess's expression softened slightly, her words seemingly laden with deeper meaning.

Like Tianxuan, she supported Jiang Li and had even decided on the Jiang family's return. But as for surrendering the Jiangshan Mountain, the Princess was not one to give up her family's assets that frivolously.

Fortunately, Jiang Li had no such intentions.

Being a Regent was one thing, but becoming the Emperor was quite another.

"If I harbored such desires, I should wait until after the Princess has returned from regency to make my move," said Jiang Li.

Yet the Princess ominously added, "Sometimes it doesn't matter whether or not you have the desire, there will always be people pushing you along."

People?

Who?

Jiang Li's brows furrowed slightly, his mind turning to a certain affiliated son-in-law.

'He wouldn't want me to become the Emperor, would he?'

On further thought, it wasn't impossible.

Letting Fuxi Bloodline bear the Emperor Dao Fruit and come into contact with Heaven, what would happen next, perhaps only the Great Venerable knew.

At this point, Jiang Li glanced back at the Princess, not sure what to say.

Because even he couldn't fully fathom how far his good brother would go for the Fuxi Dao Fruit.

For a moment, both fell into a somber silence.

...

...

Outside the Imperial City.

King You, who had just been removed, suddenly opened his eyes and stood up.

He addressed the gathering officials in a grave voice, "The Jiang lad has been plotting for a while, already cultivating his own faction within the court. I could only delay things at the cost of feigning injury. You must find the Second Prince and tell him to bide his time. I already have a plan, and Jiang the traitor won't be pleased for long."

Seeing King You awake, everyone felt reassured. They bowed at his command, then left to inform the Second Prince of the situation.

With the departure of his subjects, King You presented a confident demeanor before turning to command, "Back to the department."

As he turned his back on the Imperial City, King You grabbed the hand of the Judge who had come to greet him and whispered, "Take me to Earth Uncle."

After speaking, blood began to seep from all seven of his orifices.

"Quick!"