"I want them to see with their own eyes what the Nine Great Demon Caves, suppressed for ten thousand years, would look like without the Imperial Family exhausting the national treasury to Sealing Grand Formation."
A hint of almost cruel calm flashed in Zhang Yu's eyes.
"As for those twelve Immortals..."
Zhang Yu's sneer deepened, carrying a mocking, cat-and-mouse-like quality.
"Don't they dream of breaking their Oath and regaining their freedom?"
The Imperial Decree to Protect the King was indeed the key.
But previously, this key was held by a group of domesticated puppets.
These puppets were Mind Hypnosis and were never used.
But now, I have the key.
"Not only do I dare to use it, but I also know how to use it to maximize its value."
Zhang Yu's eyes were deep and unfathomable.
"A single Imperial Decree to Protect the King them to serve the emperor is enough to make them go through fire and water for me, at least once."
"You mean...?"
Zhang Lingyun understood Zhang Yu's plan and was deeply shaken.
This plan uses the Eastern Sheng Kingdom as a chessboard, with himself as bait and the player, to drag the powerful ministers, the deceived citizens, and the bound Immortals into a grand game orchestrated by him.
He was determined to take a risk and carve out a bloody path out of a desperate situation.
"The risk is too great."
Zhang Lingyun said in a deep voice:
"If you're not careful, you'll be playing with fire and getting burned, and you'll be torn to pieces by all the forces."
Those Immortals aren't fools; do you think they'd willingly let you use them?
"It's alright..."
A calculating glint flashed in Zhang Yu's eyes:
"They have been bound for thousands of years, their Resentment Qi to the heavens, and their yearning for freedom has long surpassed reason."
They are willing to gamble as long as there is even a sliver of hope.
What I need to do is give them hope, but not something they can truly grasp.
At the same time, they need to be convinced that working for me is the best, or even the only, way for them to gain freedom.
This requires skill, resources, and even more importantly... timing.
What I have in abundance right now is the determination to stir up the situation, and a little... inside information from my Ancestors' memories.
He looked out the window, where the outline of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom was already clearly visible.
Mountains and rivers, cities and towns, unfold like a giant scroll before your eyes.
This is not a peaceful and tranquil picture, but a chessboard filled with undercurrents, murderous intent, and desire.
"Democracy?
Free?
They will soon realize that some choices, once made, can never be reversed.
Zhang Yu's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable resolve. "And I will teach them a lesson they will never forget."
"Regardless of the circumstances, the first step is still to inherit the Imperial Throne; otherwise, there's no way to reclaim the Fortune our Ancestors used to suppress the world."
Even if Zhang Yu was unwilling, he still had to inherit the throne of Dong Sheng Kingdom in a legitimate and legal way.
However, he knew perfectly well that with the Imperial Throne vacant for three years, the Grand Council had already built an impregnable fortress in the Imperial Court.
For Princes who had been "sent away from home, with extremely poor aptitude and no foundation," to suddenly return and smoothly inherit the throne was like snatching food from a tiger's mouth, an impossible Ascension to Heaven.
As my thoughts raced, another question arose in my mind.
Just now, in the Memory Crystal, the terrifying mental imprint almost killed him.
"I was almost Mind Hypnosis just now. It seems like the monks and Daoists saved me. How could their Soul Power be so strong?"
Unaware that Qin Xuehua had intervened, he became even more curious about his two Incarnations.
"Your Highness, we have arrived."
Murong Bai's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Zhang Yu's thoughts.
The Sky Patrol Flying Ship can travel 100,000 li a day.
In just one day, they crossed the Prefectural Border and arrived in the heart of Tiannan Prefecture.
The imperial city of Dongsheng Kingdom—Tianqi City—is now within reach.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lingyun waved her hand and removed the Soundproof Barrier.
Zhang Yu also had a slight thought, and restored the Energy Supply to the Alchemy Doll in the Core Cabin, and the hatch slid open silently.
Murong Bai bowed as he entered, followed by Murong Qiushui, who still had a stern face and looked unwilling.
At this moment, however, Murong Bai's face no longer showed the excitement he had before, but instead carried a hint of solemnity.
"Your Highness, look, your people... have come to 'welcome' you."
Murong Bai's voice was somewhat hoarse as he held an Image Jade Token in his hands and infused it with a trace of Spiritual Power.
The Jade Token plaque shone brightly, projecting a clear image.
The scene depicts the majestic and magnificent Tianqi Imperial City, seemingly connecting heaven and earth.
However, at this moment, the huge square in front of the Imperial City, which could hold a million people, and the dozens of main roads extending out from the square, were densely packed with people.
Countless surging heads, like a black tide.
As far as the eye can see, there is no end in sight; a rough estimate suggests there are at least a million people.
Even through the images, the sheer volume and noise of the crowd was palpable, creating an astonishing sense of chaos and turmoil.
"Welcome?"
Zhang Yu looked at the surging crowd, which resembled a black ocean, and a barely perceptible sneer even appeared on his lips:
"I don't think they've come to welcome us."
Based on the information gleaned from the Memory Crystal, it's clear that over the years, the dissatisfaction and disgust towards the Imperial Family in the Eastern Sheng Kingdom, fueled by those with ulterior motives, has reached its peak.
The sudden gathering of a million people was by no means a spontaneous welcome for a Princes who had been "lost for many years and whose fame was unknown" to return to the country.
More likely, it's a carefully planned Show of Force, or even a prelude to a long-planned coup.
"At least you have some self-awareness."
Murong Qiushui couldn't help but mutter something under her breath. Although her voice was very soft, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet cabin.
Murong Bai immediately glared at his granddaughter, but a hint of worry also flashed in his own eyes.
Your Highness,
Murong Bai stepped forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with obvious concern and admonition:
Those who come with ill intentions will not come; those with good intentions will not come.
Judging from this situation, it seems someone is deliberately inciting public opinion to Your Highness, or even... prevent you from entering the city to ascend the throne.
For safety's sake, we should activate the Concealment Formation our Flying Boats and land directly on the Dedicated Landing Pad inside the Imperial Palace, avoiding these ignorant people.
"It's not too late to make plans after Your Highness has officially entered the Imperial Palace and taken control of the situation."
Zhang Yu gently shook his head, his gaze returning to the sea of people in the image, a flame seemingly burning quietly deep within his eyes.
"No need."
His voice was clear and steady, carrying an undeniable power:
"Since they are citizens of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom, how can I, Princes with the blood of the Sheng Family, turn a blind eye and take a detour?"
That's not a returning Imperial Heir; that's a coward fleeing in panic.
He took a step forward, as if trying to pierce through the images and look directly at the millions of All Beings.
They want to see me, and I want to see them too.
Look at just how far this misled and incited "public opinion" has surged.
I also want to see what kind of generous gift the person behind this has prepared for me.
Let's go.
Zhang Yu turned to face the hatch, his back ramrod straight, like a sharp sword about to be drawn from its sheath.
"Go and meet my 'enthusiastic' subjects."
Since they've put on such a grand show, I, as their 'master,' can't possibly let them... down."
Murong Bai opened his mouth, looked at Zhang Yu's calm yet resolute profile, and ultimately swallowed back his words of persuasion.
This Your Highness seems to be somewhat different from the down-on-his-luck Princes he had imagined, the one who needed careful protection and guidance.
Murong Qiushui glanced at Zhang Yu with slight surprise, seemingly not expecting him to have the courage to face this surging "public opinion".
Zhang Lingyun quietly stood half a step behind Zhang Yu, like the most loyal shadow.
She knew that on the chessboard of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom, the first piece had already been placed by the opponent.
Zhang Yu chose the most direct, but also the most dangerous, way to receive this piece.
The Sky Patrol Flying Ship slightly adjusted its direction and lowered its altitude.
With an imposing and undeniable presence, it landed smoothly in front of the crowded square in front of the Imperial City.
The storm is about to collide head-on with the undercurrents.