Chapter 97: A Decree Against Lu Fan

The Emperor severed his palm, letting his blood flow to feed the Black Jiaolong. Witnessing this, Lu Fan was indeed somewhat astonished—Yuwen Xiu was truly audacious in his ambitions. The black carp, having been enlightened by him, transformed into a Black Jiaolong, yet it remained merely a Jiaolong. To ascend into a true dragon required the nurturing of a Dragon Breeding Ground. Yuwen Xiu had once absorbed a wisp of spiritual energy atop the preaching platform, making him, in essence, a half-cultivator. His blood carried a faint aura of spiritual energy, subtle yet exquisitely delectable to the Black Jiaolong in that moment.

The Black Jiaolong craved the spiritual energy rather than mere blood. Naturally, the Lake Heart Isle brimmed with greater spiritual energy, which held even more allure for the creature. Yet, the Jiaolong dared not trespass into the island—it was the stronghold of Bai Yujing, under the oppressive spiritual pressure of Lu Fan. This small Jiaolong was utterly terrified. Thus, the spiritual essence within Yuwen Xiu's blood became an irresistible temptation.

Human blood too harbored spirit, though Lu Fan harbored some disdain for Yuwen Xiu's method of luring the dragon with blood. Nourishing spiritual beings through blood was perilous, prone to fostering corruption. Yuwen Xiu, however, was exhilarated, gently caressing the cold body of the Black Jiaolong, his heart trembling with excitement. He… had succeeded!

Nearby, the old eunuch swayed precariously, nearly falling, his cries filled with despair. "Your Majesty…" The Emperor's blood was priceless, yet Yuwen Xiu had so readily spilled it...

"Your Majesty, this must not be repeated," Lu Fan said softly, tapping his fingers lightly from his wheelchair.

"All beings possess spirit; their nature is pure. It depends on how they are nurtured and evolve..." he continued.

"Should they stray, spiritual beings may become malevolent. When the darkness grows too strong, it may even backfire on its master. Your Majesty, be cautious," Lu Fan warned.

Yuwen Xiu seemed to sense the displeasure underlying Lu Fan's tone. He nodded, unable to conceal his joy as he stroked the dense frills encircling the Jiaolong's head.

"Sir, you say you have tamed the Black Jiaolong. Might I receive this spirit beast as a gift?" Yuwen Xiu inquired.

Lu Fan rotated his wheelchair, turning his back to Yuwen Xiu as the solitary boat rocked and thick mist gradually enveloped them.

"There are eight Dragon Breeding Grounds set by the immortals; the Emperor's residence is one of them. The Black Jiaolong placed there may ascend to true dragonhood. Your Majesty, treat it well," Lu Fan said calmly.

"As for the matter previously promised to Your Majesty, rest assured it is well in hand."

"Miss Ning, see the guests out," Ning Zhao, who had been standing quietly on the lake, bowed slightly.

"Of course," she responded, then turned to Yuwen Xiu and the old eunuch. "Please, gentlemen."

Yuwen Xiu's expression tightened slightly as he glanced at Lu Fan. He said no more. Clearly, Lu Fan disapproved of his cunning act of feeding the Black Jiaolong with blood. Yuwen Xiu pressed his lips, offering no explanation nor regret. He needed the Black Jiaolong; he needed an ally. Once, the Imperial Advisor was his pillar of support. But when the Advisor became entangled in the late Emperor's death, Yuwen Xiu lost his anchor and was left to rely solely on himself.

Yet he remained but a minor emperor, helplessly toyed with by his ministers. Before, the Imperial Advisor's presence subdued the court, forbidding audacity. Now, the Advisor had secluded himself in the library, seemingly ashamed before the late Emperor. The ministers had become unruly.

Yuwen Xiu stood at the prow, bowing respectfully to Lu Fan. The Black Jiaolong coiled around him suddenly rose, eager to charge toward Lu Fan. But an invisible force made it recoil.

"Go," Lu Fan uttered—a command, perhaps for Yuwen Xiu or the Black Jiaolong.

The lone boat pierced through the mist, returning to shore.

At the banks of Bei Luo Lake, Yi Yue bore a whip at her waist, while Nie Changqing wiped blood from his pig-killing cleaver and glanced toward Yuwen Xiu.

Their eyes were immediately drawn to the Black Jiaolong coiling about him.

"That is… the legendary dragon?!" Nie Changqing's gaze narrowed. The young lord had truly gifted the Emperor a dragon?

Lu Changkong was equally stunned. A dragon—such a divine creature chronicled in ancient tomes. Even Lu Fan had conjured such a beast?

A dragon's symbolism was profound and unmistakable.

Yuwen Xiu was jubilant, sensing the tide turning in his favor.

"Lord Lu, I have been away from the capital for two days. Now I must return immediately. Thank you for your company," Yuwen Xiu said with a bright smile. His mood was evidently high.

He glanced at the bloodstains on the lake's stone slabs, wondering where those ministers had vanished. He paid no mind—what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve.

He climbed into the carriage, ordering a return to the palace.

The old eunuch took a deep breath and saluted Lu Changkong.

"Lord Lu, please dispatch a squad of elite guards to escort…"

Lu Changkong nodded and arranged for a contingent to safeguard the Emperor's carriage back to the capital.

The gates of Bei Luo City opened wide. The Emperor's carriage, drawn by six steeds, galloped forth, stirring dust in its wake.

As the Emperor departed Bei Luo City, news spread like wildfire.

Thirty li outside the old city of Chi, Dantai Xuan squinted, clutching a letter.

"Lu Ping'an has not left Bei Luo and entered the imperial capital with the Emperor…"

"The Emperor failed to summon Bei Luo's Lu Ping'an?"

Dantai Xuan murmured. This was favorable news to him.

Beside him, strategist Mo Ju, dressed in a green robe and silk headscarf, gently fanned himself, contemplating:

"My lord, I dispatched agents into Bei Luo to learn about the young master Lu.

"This man's temperament is eccentric and ruthless—he slays at the slightest provocation.

"Vengeful and spiteful, yet boasts of a good temper…

"But he is like a mysterious vortex, impossible to fully fathom…"

Mo Ju spoke.

Mo Beike sat silently, absorbing the assessment. Though Mo Ju's appraisal was moderate, Mo Beike was acutely aware of Lu Fan's dreadfulness.

Bai Yujing's influence already surpassed many factions.

The Yin-Yang sect personally intervened, aided by Mo family assassins and mechanists, yet none emerged from Bei Luo City.

"Governor, since Lu Ping'an has not left Bei Luo, we must seize this chance to pressure the imperial capital," Mo Beike rose, his hoarse voice echoing through the tent.

Dantai Xuan also stood, eyes sharp.

"Grandmaster, it is easy to say press the capital, but Jiang Li commands a formidable army. If we cannot take it swiftly, disaster will befall us!

"Latest reports say Xiang Shaoyun leads the western forces north, closing in on the capital. If we are attacked from both front and rear, our Northern forces will be utterly crushed by the Xiliang cavalry!"

Dantai Xuan's tone was grim.

Mo Beike clasped his hands behind his hunched back.

Xiang Shaoyun's advance meant Mo family's Mechanist City had fallen.

The supposedly impregnable fortress was breached.

Mo Beike felt a tumult of emotions. Though he had anticipated this, reality was hard to accept.

Now, he had no choice but to fight with his back against the wall.

He closed his eyes slowly.

"Governor, I shall handle Jiang Li's matter…"

In the imperial capital, the Emperor's carriage rushed toward the palace, six steeds galloping fiercely.

Yet the entire capital seemed like a pressurized cauldron.

Before the palace stairs, ministers clad in court robes stood motionless, as though a dark cloud hung above their heads.

The six steeds halted before the palace gates.

The old eunuch glanced at the gathered ministers, his expression faltering. He drew back the carriage curtain.

Yuwen Xiu emerged proudly, the Black Jiaolong coiling upon his arm.

At the sight of Yuwen Xiu clutching the Jiaolong, the ministers' faces turned pale, disbelief overtaking them. To their eyes, this Black Jiaolong was indistinguishable from a black dragon.

The Emperor returned bearing a dragon… what omen did this portend?

Draped in royal robes, Yuwen Xiu's lips curled in self-satisfaction. The ministers' expressions delighted him inwardly. Bearing the dragon's symbol, he was the true Dragon Emperor—who would dare defy him now?

Though the Black Jiaolong's presence shocked the ministers, they assembled before the palace, unyielding.

Since the Imperial Advisor was implicated in the late Emperor's demise, many court officials of his faction feigned illness and stayed home. These ministers present now were not of the Advisor's faction.

As Yuwen Xiu ascended the final stair, the ministers all knelt in unison.

Minister He Shou stepped forward, wielding a decree with the resolve of one who faced death.

"Your Majesty!"

"The late Emperor died unjustly. As his son, how can Your Majesty not avenge him? How can the regicide wield military power? Lu Ping'an of Bei Luo city has scourged and slaughtered court officials—can such villainy be tolerated?"

Minister He Shou handed the decree to the old eunuch, who unfolded it and glanced over it. His pale face darkened in disbelief, and he stared at the minister, trembling uncontrollably.

"Bring it here!" Yuwen Xiu's face grew cold. He saw the eunuch's change and accepted the decree.

It was a manifesto: "Proclamation Against the Lu Clan Heretics," six bold characters emblazoned across the page.

Yuwen Xiu's face turned pale with fury. Though the manifesto condemned Lu Fan, it in truth implicated the Imperial Advisor and Jiang Li as well.

He suddenly tore the paper to shreds.

Yet Minister He Shou remained composed.

"Your Majesty, this proclamation has spread throughout the capital and across the realm… If the heretics remain unpunished, the realm will surely collapse!"

Yuwen Xiu growled, "Seize him! Arrest all those who conspire with Lu Ping'an and Jiang Li!"

The ministers rushed forward, drawing their swords. But the Black Jiaolong suddenly roared, unleashing a burst of spiritual energy that sent them sprawling backward.

The Emperor's voice rang with menace:

"This decree is signed by Your Majesty! Anyone who resists shall be executed without mercy!"

Chaos erupted in the palace.

Lu Fan, seated in his wheelchair in a shadowed chamber, heard the commotion but remained unmoved.

Outside, Ning Zhao stood firm, guarding the passage.

The battle for the throne had truly begun.