Hearing this, Chu Yun's expression immediately turned grave. "The Prime Minister is moving against people from the Empress Faction..."
"If I'm not mistaken, Father Emperor and he likely planned this together."
"The Prime Minister has now taken my side. By moving against those people, he most likely intends to stir up unrest in the Eastern Palace."
After thinking calmly, Chu Yun immediately came to a rough conclusion.
The Prime Minister had clearly possessed evidence of those officials' crimes long ago.
Revealing it at this time was nothing more than a declaration to the world that he, Great Xia's foremost powerful minister, had completely severed ties with the Empress Faction—and had even become its enemy!
And with Meng Changzhong entering the fray, the Empress and the Crown Prince could never simply stand by.
"Since the Prime Minister and Father Emperor have opened the game for me, so be it."
"Then there's no need to keep pretending."
"Enter the game!"
After making up his mind, a confident smile appeared on Chu Yun's face.
"Your Highness, what should we do next?" Luo Feng asked solemnly as well.
"Go summon Wan Lei," Chu Yun said.
"Yes!"
Not long after, Venerable Wan Lei entered the room. "Your Highness."
Chu Yun nodded. "Wan Lei, I called you here because there are matters that require you to leave the city and handle them."
"Please give your orders, Your Highness," Venerable Wan Lei replied respectfully.
"The Empress Faction has many forces within the Imperial City, but it also has quite a few in other prefectures and commanderies."
"I want you to find a way to uproot every force on this list. Leave no one alive."
"And torture them however you see fit. Make sure they know you are my man. Understood?"
Chu Yun handed Venerable Wan Lei a list densely packed with the names of at least several dozen clans and factions.
The foundations and strength of these forces were no weaker than factions such as the Nine Splendor Sect and the Ye Family.
Some of their sects even had ancestors at the Nirvana Realm Peak. They were all pillars of the Empress Faction!
After taking it, Venerable Wan Lei replied, "Rest assured, Your Highness. I understand what to do!"
Chu Yun had two purposes in ordering Venerable Wan Lei to do this.
The first was naturally to strike at the Empress Faction.
The second was to use the forces of the Empress Faction to obtain the corresponding Editing Points for himself.
He could not keep his sights solely on the Imperial City. If he wanted to obtain Editing Points in large quantities, the other prefectures and commanderies were instead good targets for now.
After Venerable Wan Lei departed, Luo Feng could not help asking, "Your Highness, what about us?"
Luo Feng knew that His Highness had already sent Venerable Wan Lei to destroy the Empress Faction's forces in other prefectures and commanderies.
Then the Imperial City could not possibly remain peaceful either.
"Commander Luo, come with me to the Prime Minister's Residence first."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Both of them understood that once they went there, their connection with the Prime Minister's Residence could no longer be concealed!
Of course, that was exactly what Chu Yun wanted.
If he wanted to recruit people into his camp, he first had to display the strength of his own side.
The Prime Minister publicly taking a side had truly provided Chu Yun with the greatest help!
Inside the Eastern Palace.
Crown Prince Chu Rong sat in the seat of honor, his face dark and gloomy.
Chu Yuan, the Black Iron King, Wang Han Cuo, King of Beishan Commandery, and many of the Crown Prince's retainers were all seated in the hall. Every one of them wore an unpleasant expression.
"Meng Changzhong's actions are a public declaration that he intends to tear all pretenses apart with us!" the Black Iron King said in a cold, stern voice.
Wang Han Cuo's gaze shifted, his eyes turning faintly cold. "The Empress has sent word. The two consecrated experts she dispatched could not even enter the gates of the Prime Minister's Residence!"
"It seems he no longer wishes to explain himself to us."
The Crown Prince's face was grim. "I still cannot understand why he would do this."
"What benefit does becoming enemies with us bring to the Prime Minister's Residence?"
The Prime Minister's Residence had lived in peace with them for many years. Meng Changzhong's sudden outburst this time had caught everyone completely off guard.
King of Beishan Commandery, the Black Iron King, and the others were all baffled as well.
They could not understand what Meng Changzhong was doing this for.
"I went to the Heavenly Prison and examined their charges and case files."
"Meng Changzhong has dealt a killing blow. They are doomed. Even if Mother Empress and the Imperial Advisor personally intervened, they would not be able to save them!" Chu Yuan said coldly.
"Clearly, Meng Changzhong had prepared long ago. So much evidence could not possibly have been gathered in a day or two," Wang Han Cuo said with a frosty face.
"Brother, do you think this matter could have something to do with Chu Yun?" Chu Yuan suddenly asked.
Just as Chu Rong was about to speak...
An elderly man in a black robe slowly stepped in through the hall entrance, holding a dragon-headed staff.
His triangular eyes sent chills down one's spine. Though he had restrained his aura, his presence alone made everyone in the hall feel a trace of pressure.
Upon seeing the elder, everyone, including Crown Prince Chu Rong, stood up. "Greetings, Imperial Advisor!"
"Imperial Advisor, why have you come? You did not even inform me in advance."
The Crown Prince immediately descended from his seat and approached the Imperial Advisor.
Imperial Advisor Feng Tianzheng!
He was a figure from the previous generation. Strictly speaking, even the current Great Xia Emperor and Meng Changzhong were his juniors.
The Crown Prince treated him with great respect, which showed that his standing within the Empress Faction was unshakable.
"Such a huge matter has occurred. It would make little sense for me not to come."
"Crown Prince, I fear you still do not know that, on my way here, I received certain news."
"Not long ago, Ninth Prince Chu Yun entered the Prime Minister's Residence."
"This shows that Meng Changzhong's actions this time are also a declaration to us that the person he supports is Chu Yun."
The Imperial Advisor's words made everyone in the hall shudder inwardly.
"It really is Chu Yun!"
"Meng Changzhong actually chose Chu Yun..."
The Crown Prince looked stunned. Deep down, he was even more puzzled. Why exactly had Meng Changzhong chosen Chu Yun?
In cultivation and strength, he far surpassed Chu Yun!
In connections and background, he utterly crushed Chu Yun!
No matter how strong the Shi Family was, the Divine Sect could still hold it back.
And on his side, there was far more than just the Divine Sect.
Therefore, no matter how one looked at it, Meng Changzhong choosing Chu Yun was practically a choice doomed to fail!
Why would he do this?
"Perhaps it was not his choice, but His Majesty's choice," the Imperial Advisor said, striking straight to the heart of the matter.
The Crown Prince's body trembled. "Father Emperor..."
He seemed to have realized something, and his expression grew darker and darker. "I have occupied the position of Crown Prince for so many years. Whoever wants me to hand it over willingly is indulging in a fool's dream!"
"Whether he did it willingly or not, the matter has now become a foregone conclusion. Since they have made their move, we must naturally strike back!!"
The Imperial Advisor's eyes were profound. "With such resolve, Your Highness has not disappointed this old man."
"Rest assured."
"Since they moved against our people, they must naturally pay the price!"
"Chu Yun survived death once. He can die a second time!"
A cold glint appeared between the Imperial Advisor's brows as he continued, "Your Highness, come with this old man to the palace and meet the Empress."
"Very well, Imperial Advisor."
"Let us go at once!"
Their entry into the palace also signified that the Empress Faction's counterattack would soon arrive!
Before you continue