Chapter 391: Imperial Decree Amidst Chaos

Crack, crack—pop!

Massive layers of dark clouds piled up, stretching for miles as spring thunder rolled like twisting dragons and serpents.

The booming sound, like divine authority descending, reached every corner of the mortal realm.

Above the Jade Plaza.

On the Empress’s serene face, her ruby lips parted and a cool, clear voice resonated continuously.

Listening to the resounding echoes, Li Che, holding XiXi’s hand, momentarily froze as his expression darkened.

His gaze turned as gloomy as dripping water, and from deep within his eyes flickered a razor-sharp glint.

A Crown Princess?!

A chill surged through Li Che’s heart, his previously gentle expression turning utterly frigid. He never expected that the end of the Paotao Festival would spin such a farce.

Bestowing upon XiXi the title of Crown Princess?

The worst part was that without even naming a crown prince, XiXi was destined to be the Crown Princess?

That lofty reward stirred a deep, explosive anger within Li Che.

Whenever his daughter was involved, his ire became uncontrollable.

After gaining the fledgling dragon leader and receiving such an award, did Li Che really have to show gratitude with his daughter?

At his side, XiXi furrowed her brows, clung to his leg, and looked up, “Daddy, XiXi absolutely refuses to become a Crown Princess!”

Lowering his head, Li Che’s expression softened as he replied, “Crown Princess? We don’t desire that. As long as I’m here, no one’s going to force you into anything you don’t want.”

At his words, XiXi let out a breath and placed one hand on her hip, her little belly puffing out as a delighted smile spread across her face.

No matter who uttered these words, as long as Daddy spoke, XiXi felt reassured and safe.

Because XiXi knew that her father would never harm her!

With the Emperor’s decree issued, the demeanor of cultivators across the Jade Plaza shifted.

Many heads of the great Divine Sects showed expressions that spoke of enjoying the spectacle.

Leaders such as Gu Changqing of Tian Dan Divine Sect, Ning Caishen of Seven Treasure Divine Sect, and Bai Buyi of Haoran Academy wore enigmatic, half-smiling expressions.

They speculated that the Emperor’s decree was aimed at suppressing the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Li Nuǎnxi, the young leader of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, held a significant position; if XiXi were to become Crown Princess, it would strike a blow to the sect’s prestige, effectively aligning her with the Great Realm Imperial House.

It would create an irreconcilable rift with the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Would Lü Taibai allow such a development?

Lü Taibai would most likely turn against them—this is Divine Capital. If he were to break ranks, could he even leave?

With someone like Li Nuǎnxi as a burden, could he possibly get away?

The leaders of various Divine Sects had long suspected that once Lü Taibai displayed the power of the Tao Calamity Sword while refining his Dao, the Great Jing Court would surely respond.

At the very least, National Teacher Xie Yunshen wouldn’t just stand idly by.

Stationed at the Lotus Pavilion, Xie Yunshen received letters daily from all corners along the Eleven Routes of Dajing, bringing news about the various great Divine Sects.

After all, the Lotus Pavilion was established by the Great Jing Emperor specifically to monitor the forces of the eleven Divine Sects.

And with Lü Taibai on the verge of stepping into his half-step divine tribulation, if the Qianyuan Divine Sect were to unleash a double divine tribulation, the threat to the Great Realm would be enormous.

As for the ancestral patriarch of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, everyone knew he hadn’t perished but was avoiding calamity within the Bizarre Temple.

Leaders like Gu Changqing expected the Great Jing Court would delay further, secretly deploying forces to confront Lü Taibai and keep him within Divine Capital.

Yet, barely had the Paotao Festival ended when the Emperor eagerly began to assert his authority.

Boom!

Lü Taibai slammed the cup down onto the table with force.

The jade-colored cup shattered into the table as spiderweb-like cracks rapidly formed and spread.

The explosive sound echoed like thunder from the heavens.

With his silver hair billowing and his sleeves swirling like raging waves, Lü Taibai’s sword aura roared, clashing with metallic force.

Yet he made no move or word, his cold, solemn eyes scanning the room as if awaiting something.

A turning point was inevitable—Lü Taibai seemed to have figured something out.

It appeared that the cunning National Teacher Xie Yunshen had whispered something into the Emperor’s ear, using XiXi as a pawn to force Lü Taibai into defiance during the Paotao Festival today.

But if defiance meant overturning the table, what did Lü Taibai care about?

This was the main banquet area of the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Everyone’s mind buzzed with anticipation.

Zhang Ya was ashen-faced, her delicate form trembling as panic glimmered in her eyes.

For many, their daughter marrying into the imperial family and becoming Crown Princess was destined to make her a paragon of virtue in the future.

It was the highest honor—a blessing earned over eight generations.

But Zhang Ya adamantly rejected such a fate!

Inside the Lotus Pavilion.

Lu Chi, as if struck by lightning, stood dumbfounded, his body frozen and quivering uncontrollably.

Beside him, National Teacher Xie Yunshen stroked his beard and smiled, his grin growing all the more meaningful.

Of course, there was a trace of surprise in his eyes as well.

His advice to the Emperor had never been to do this; he had only suggested that after the Paotao Festival, the Emperor publicly announce XiXi’s betrothal.

Yet nobody anticipated that the Emperor would promise a crown princess in advance—

Almost every gaze fixed on the two figures—a tall one and a small one—on the plaza.

The normally tranquil Jade Plaza became oppressively eerie and still.

Drizzling spring rain pattered on the white stone, creating a muted, rhythmic tapping.

After a long, quiet moment, as Li Che held XiXi’s hand and slowly looked upward, the silence was finally broken.

Li Che’s gaze shifted first to the Empress, then to the imposing figure of the inscrutable and awe-inspiring Emperor seated atop the high pedestal.

Yet Li Che remained silent.

The Empress turned her head and asked the Emperor, “Your Majesty, are you serious?”

Countless eyes shifted to the Emperor, whose austere visage loomed like a mountain.

The First, Second, and Third Princes began to breathe heavily.

They watched the Emperor intently, trying to decipher his true meaning.

Li Che, too, fixed his gaze on him.

Under the watchful eyes of all, the Emperor slowly rose, his towering figure exuding unbridled authority as his vibrant yellow dragon robe flapped in the spring breeze and the curtains of rain were torn apart.

Beneath his enigmatic, almost divine expression, his eyes shone like blazing stars.

When he spoke, there was no room for doubt.

“A promise is a promise.”

Whoosh!

The Emperor’s words hit like a boulder plunging into a lake, sparking tumultuous waves of uproar.

From the Jade Plaza to every corner of the Second and Third Cities of Divine Capital, whispers of shock and debate erupted.

Li Che exhaled; he could feel XiXi’s hand trembling against his as her grip tightened. With that shiver came a fierce throb in his heart.

His eyes, cold and unyielding, locked onto the Emperor, whose dark, flowing hair whipped in the wind as he glared indifferently.

He pulled XiXi behind him like a steadfast mountain, shielding her from every onslaught of wind and rain.

Then, in a voice as soft as a breeze, he declared,

“This reward is something my daughter and I decline.”

His words carried an undeniable finality.

In the face of the Emperor’s overwhelming authority and the crushing presence of the court, Li Che spoke calmly.

“My daughter has made it clear—she does not want to be a Crown Princess.”

“Then naturally—”

“She won’t be.”

With that, his words fell like a gavel.

The atmosphere across the entire plaza froze as strong gazes flickered among the assembled warriors.

This was… defiance of the imperial order!

Whoosh—

A ferocious sword intent erupted, its silver gleam clashing with the sound of storm-like winds, as the sword aura tore through the drenching spring rain.

With a flourish of his sleeves, Lü Taibai surged onto the Jade Plaza, arriving beside Li Che and XiXi in an instant.

“Your Majesty, my disciple does not wish this, so please do not force it,” Lü Taibai said flatly.

“Otherwise, defiance… so be it,” he added evenly.

“If you wish to target me, then come at me. What is the point of punishing a child?”

“And having a six-year-old Crown Princess? It’s utterly ridiculous. How can Your Majesty appoint a Crown Princess when a crown prince hasn’t even been named?”

“If you value XiXi so highly, why not let her sit on your throne for a change?”

With his silver hair fluttering and the Mud Pellet on his brow glowing ominously, the Tao Calamity Sword stirred with raging power!

“How dare you!”

“Lü Taibai, how bold!”

“Lü Taibai, you dare speak such treason!”

At his words, the scene erupted like a sudden thunderclap, causing an uproar.

Both the Second and Third Princes leapt to their feet, pounding tables and shouting in anger.

Some high-ranking officials also bellowed their disapproval.

The Emperor’s eyes darkened.

Lü Taibai’s words were indeed gravely rebellious—who would ever let a nation’s ruler be mocked by a mere child?

The tension mounted as hostile energy charged the Jade Plaza. The atmosphere became as though a thunderstorm were about to break loose.

Lü Taibai’s sword aura resonated as he gathered his sleeves behind him, his eyes burning with a lethal brilliance.

Without retreat, he fixed his icy gaze on the Emperor.

Amid this fierce confrontation, a small, spirited voice suddenly rang out.

XiXi tugged at Li Che’s sleeve and whispered curiously, “Daddy—can I really sit on the throne that the master of our sect spoke of?”

“Is it comfortable?”

“If I can, then XiXi doesn’t want to be a Crown Princess—XiXi wants to…”

Her voice was barely audible.

Yet in a gathering of fierce warriors and powerful figures, her words echoed like thunder, drawing a host of puzzled stares.

The phrase “Great Emperor XiXi” almost escaped her lips before she abruptly retracted it.

The icy, blade-sharp gazes of many intimidated XiXi.

Li Che’s brow tensed as the Heaven and Earth Soul surged around him.

He shielded XiXi from the oppressive stares and ruffled her hair gently.

This little girl had some nerve.

But Li Che no longer cared about saving face for the Emperor.

The enemy’s plan was now focused on XiXi.

Regardless of their intent—to force Lü Taibai to defy the imperial order or to get a pretext to attack Qianyuan Divine Sect—the moment XiXi was targeted, severing ties was unavoidable.

When it came to imperial power, Li Che had never been one to cower or revere it; deep in his bones, he felt no innate fear of sovereignty.

With a slight smile, he said, “That seat—rotates among the virtuous. If XiXi wants it, she must earn it.”

At these words, XiXi’s eyes immediately lit up.

“So, does XiXi still have a chance?” she asked.

Lü Taibai, listening to this unusual exchange between father and daughter, burst into hearty laughter.

Though it came from the smallest of sparks, it showed no fear of imperial power—even daring to discuss the possibility of sitting on the throne in front of the Emperor’s overwhelming presence was sheer insolence!

Truly, an act of treason!

But it was unmistakably the style of Lü Taibai’s own disciple!

Atop the high pedestal, the Emperor’s eyes turned cold and his brows furrowed. For some inexplicable reason, XiXi’s words made his heart skip a beat.

“How dare you!”

“Lü Taibai, Li Che—are you defying the imperial order?” the Emperor thundered.

“Do you even know the price of defiance?” Li Che glanced at Lü Taibai.

“As the leader, one must bear the consequences. This matter is my personal affair with no connection to Qianyuan Divine Sect.”

Li Che declared, not wishing to implicate Lü Taibai.

Their goal was clearly to force Lü Taibai into action, but Li Che knew that with his current strength, he could easily flee with XiXi and Zhang Ya.

He possessed that confidence.

With a flick of his sleeve, Lü Taibai retrieved the Taibai Sword as it slid from his grasp and into his hand.

“Enough talk. To be honest, it is Qianyuan Divine Sect that has dragged you down, not the other way around—

“The Court has been scheming against the sect for days now. Today it’s Qianyuan, tomorrow it might be Xuanzhu, Seven Treasure, or Tian Dan—the list is endless.”

Lü Taibai remarked coldly.

Then his gaze shifted toward the National Teacher at the Lotus Pavilion, whose black and white hair marked him out.

“Xie Yunshen—this must be yet another of your schemes, right? Trying to provoke me into defiance so that the Great Jing Court will have an excuse to attack Qianyuan Divine Sect—”

“And in doing so, you won’t ignite resistance from other sects, since we instigated this defiance first, correct?”

Lü Taibai said icily as his sword aura grew ever more intense, its silver radiance nearly cleaving the air like a slicing moon.

His words caused even the leaders of the various Divine Sects to shift their expressions subtly.

Xie Yunshen, however, slowly stood up. His worn cloth robe was damp from the spring rain as he opened his oil-paper umbrella, exuding a fragile air—yet none dared underestimate him.

With an innocent look, Xie Yunshen said, “The head of Qianyuan Divine Sect is overthinking this. Let Li Nuǎnxi become Crown Princess—it’s the Emperor’s reward! What a tremendous honor! In the future, she could even serve as the junior director of the Western Queen Mother Bizarre Temple!”

He continued, “She’ll have an unprecedented opportunity for Temple Spirit Resonance with that very temple, maybe even a chance at the Millennial Paotao!”

This was an enormous favor—how can you misread the Emperor’s intentions?

Xie Yunshen shook his head and sighed, “Lü Taibai, your reckless words, your blatant insubordination—these are the gravest of sins.

After all, the Emperor is the sovereign of the Eleven Routes, the man who sits over the mountains and rivers of our realm!

How can you spout such nonsense?”

By the end of his words, a potent mix of noble aura and fierce pressure emanated from him, belying his modest cultivation.

Lü Taibai laughed, well aware of Xie Yunshen’s tricks. The silver-tongued National Teacher never uttered a word that could be wholly trusted.

Xie Yunshen’s eyes then swept over to Li Che, tinged with regret.

“Li Bansheng, you shouldn’t have defied the Emperor—”

Xie Yunshen murmured, patting the stupefied Lu Chi who stood by his side.

Lu Chi shuddered visibly.

“The Fourth Prince already told me everything—”

Xie Yunshen squinted and added, “Back in Feilei City, the Fourth Prince spent some time with your family, so he knows your real identity, Li Bansheng. He told me all about how you wore your mask—Lu Chi, the Fourth Prince, conveyed it all.”

“Should I address you as Li Bansheng or as… the Underworld Divine Monkey?”

Suddenly, the spring rain pounded down fiercely on the Jade Plaza!

It clattered on the black-tiled roofs of the myriad buildings in Divine Capital, cascading like countless shrouds of mist.

As Xie Yunshen finished speaking, the once lively Jade Plaza fell into a deathly silence. Glares filled with shock, numb disbelief, and greedy intent were fixed upon Li Che, who stood like a barrier against the storm for his daughter.

“Li Bansheng—so you really are the Divine Monkey?!”

“The Underworld Divine Monkey? Could it be that Li Bansheng truly is the Underworld Divine Monkey? It might just be possible—after all, the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff was seized from Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Shendiao Ridge by that very Divine Monkey, and Li Bansheng was there at the time!”

“And I’ve heard that after the Divine Monkey took the Divine Eagle, he even received help from Li Bansheng!”

“Yes, Li Bansheng aided him—so how could he possibly be a Divine Monkey?”

“Heh, you surely underestimate the Divine Eagle skills of the Divine Condor Half-Saint. Crafting an almost indistinguishable duplicate isn’t difficult—just like the Three-Life Body in the Buddhist sect, each incarnation as lifelike as the real person. Isn’t that what the Divine Eagle created?”

As suspicions spread like wildfire, whispers swelled into an all-consuming storm.

The murmurs grew louder, expanding like a raging tempest.

In the heart of the Jade Plaza,

Li Che’s face remained calm, yet behind him, XiXi’s complexion suddenly turned ashen as every trace of color drained from her—she stared in disbelief at Lu Chi, whose only hint of blood had been completely wiped away.

Even Lü Taibai was visibly shaken, his heart stirring uneasily.

For Lu Chi had once lived with Li Che’s family—this incident, he had indeed heard rumors about it.

That Lu Chi… had betrayed XiXi?!

XiXi clenched her fists and shouted furiously, “Lu Chi, you bastard!”

Li Che sighed, ruffling XiXi’s hair. The little girl had indeed been frightened by Xie Yunshen’s machinations.

Lu Chi had only ever been known by his Ogre identity, not as some Divine Monkey. Xie Yunshen was merely deceiving XiXi.

But regardless—even if that were true—

Lu Chi must have mentioned Li Che’s Ogre identity to Xie Yunshen at some point.

Lu Chi had once sworn he wouldn’t speak of it.

But now… he had finally let it slip.

And so… betraying six-year-old XiXi was inevitable. A child’s emotions, uncontrollable as they are, are altogether human.

Xie Yunshen smiled thinly.

XiXi’s look said it all.

Meanwhile, Lu Chi trembled uncontrollably, anger, confusion, and disbelief etched on his face as he glared at Xie Yunshen.

Xie Yunshen simply reached out and gently ruffled Lu Chi’s hair.

“Don’t worry—you’re not betraying anyone. You’re simply making the right choice.”

“This choice might even become your strongest bargaining chip when it comes to the crown prince selection. Don’t you want to be the crown prince?”

“Only as the crown prince can you have the qualification to marry the Crown Princess—”

Xie Yunshen continued softly, still caressing Lu Chi’s head as conflicted expressions crossed his face.

Marrying the Crown Princess—

the Emperor had just offered her in marriage—

“I— I—”

Lü Taibai’s heart fell into utter disarray.

Back at the Jade Plaza,

Li Che exhaled and cast a steely glance at National Teacher Xie Yunshen. What a crafty scoundrel—stooping so low as to manipulate a child’s heart.

Yet Li Che showed no mercy toward Lu Chi.

“National Teacher, without evidence, don’t recklessly pin identities on me. When the Divine Monkey obtained the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff in Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Bizarre Temple, I too was being tested. Alas, I faltered—”

Li Che spoke calmly.

“There were many sect members present, so let there be no baseless accusations. How can a child’s words be taken seriously?”

“Besides, Lu Chi and XiXi had already quarreled like children—it’s normal to exchange angry words.”

Xie Yunshen, holding his oil-paper umbrella, smiled lightly, “Oh, perhaps it was merely a spat among children. Nevertheless, let Li Bansheng stay for investigation by the Temple Guardian Division.”

“Investigation—ha.”

Lü Taibai burst into hearty laughter.

“In the end, you’ll twist black into white with your words!”

“Disregard them,”

Lü Taibai’s eyes sharpened as his sword aura coalesced into a cloud that enveloped Li Che and XiXi.

“Let’s go!”

Boom!

Like wild grass lifted by the wind, his sword aura pierced the skies as it shot upward into the clouds.

The Emperor, standing on the high pedestal, though his face was obscured, clearly wore an expression of inky gloom.

His bright yellow robe billowed as his eyes grew steadily colder.

National Teacher Xie Yunshen’s earlier remarks—could it be that Li Che is truly the Underworld Divine Monkey?

The prophecy of the Grand Inspector foretold that the one holding the Freewill Gold-Iron Divine Staff would ascend the battlements of Qitian City and wreak havoc upon the Great Realm!

“What National Teacher said is reasonable. Keep Li Bansheng for now so that Governor Ye of the Temple Guardian Division can investigate. If Li Bansheng isn’t the Underworld Divine Monkey, I shall grant compensation,”

the Emperor declared, his voice growing cold.

“And during the investigation, you will not be imprisoned or harmed. Consider it an extended stay here in Divine Capital.”

The Emperor swept his sleeve dismissively and spoke.

With those words,

Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped in the wind as he retorted, “If you wish to pin a crime on me, you’ll find endless pretexts.”

“Furthermore—”

The Emperor’s already tight-lipped offer regarding the Paotao Festival rewards seemed miserly to Li Che, who sneered, “Do you honestly think that as the esteemed Divine Condor Half-Saint of the Imperial Watch, I care about your paltry compensation?”

With that, Li Che finished his sentence.

The Emperor’s face darkened further.

But the Emperor said no more; with a simple gesture of his hand,

A formidable aura surged skyward.

An overwhelming force erupted, as if an ancient monstrous beast had awakened, its swirling blood and energy tearing through the air.

Then, three massive, awe-inspiring surges of energy emerged from the four corners of the Jade Plaza, intertwining to form the spectral silhouettes of divine beasts. The sheer pressure made even the spring rain freeze mid-fall.

These were the Four Supreme Guardians of Divine Capital—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise!

The four top warriors under the Great Jing Emperor’s command!

This was the might of the Great Jing Court!

Though there were eleven Divine Sects along the Eleven Routes, the true power lay with the Great Jing Court, whose arsenal of top-tier experts far surpassed any single sect.

Boom!

At the forefront, a robust warrior clad in azure armor—each plate forged from true dragon scales—initiated the assault.

This man was none other than the leader of the Four Supreme Guardians, Azure Dragon!

At the Emperor’s gesture, Azure Dragon struck!

Amid the drumming spring rain, a cacophony of crackling thunder rang out!

Azure Dragon extended his arm in one swift motion, his energy dispersing until it formed a tangible hand. With fingers curled, it transformed into a sharp, spear-like dragon claw!

Crushing the swirling currents and shattering the rain with an ear-splitting boom, it swept across the Jade Plaza, bearing the terrifying presence of a top-tier expert!

It came from Azure Dragon, the Sixth-Ranked Supreme of Tianmen Pass!

“Lü Taibai, if Your Majesty speaks, then keep Li Bansheng here.”

The calm words emanated from Azure Dragon’s mouth.

Lü Taibai made no objection; in that instant, the flesh around his brows split open, blood streaming as the Tao Calamity Sword was unsheathed in a dazzling display, slicing through like a divine storm.

That dragon claw slowly shattered under the sword’s might!

Azure Dragon’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening with shock—

The Tao Calamity Sword was indeed terrifying!

Boom, boom, boom, boom!

Continuous explosive bursts reverberated over the Jade Plaza as turbulent energy roared overhead,

Leaving the cultivators in Divine Capital’s Second and Third Cities trembling in panic.

The force swept over Divine Capital’s Third City gates, sending onlookers tumbling and shrieking in disbelief.

Back at the main banquet area,

Ji Mo Li laughed heartily as he slowly stood, his dark, heavy armor clanging robustly, the very air around him trembling under the weight of his presence.

“If the Underworld is linked to Consort Ji’s demise, then if you are indeed connected with the Underworld, the suspicion is too great. Li Che, you must be detained!”

“Li Che, you shall remain!”

Ji Mo Li declared.

Behind him, along with Zhou Chiguo and three other disciples, they donned their armor, their bodies swelling like mountains.

Ji Mo Li then turned towards the Emperor and, clasping his fists, said, “For my late son Ji Haihui and Princess Ao Yuxin who died at the hands of Underworld fiends, I must detain Li Bansheng. I need answers about the Underworld malefactors.”

“To avenge my deceased son and wife!”

The Emperor cast a complex, indifferent look at the imposing Ji Mo Li.

“Very well,”

Ji Mo Li smiled softly.

In the next moment, with a swift motion of his fingers,

A ceremonial umbrella spear was promptly handed over by one of his mountain-like sons from behind.

Boom!

He gripped the umbrella spear.

Almost immediately, his aura soared to greater heights, roaring like a towering mountain, as if a lightning storm were about to break out.

Pointing decisively with the tip of the spear,

He aimed at Li Che, who was enveloped in Lü Taibai’s sword aura.