In the Imperial City Square of Dongsheng Kingdom, the air seemed to have solidified into lead.
The Royalist Faction, led by Murong Bai, and the Grand Council, led by Zhu Wuyuan, stood at opposite ends of the square, facing each other with tensions running high.
In the past, the Sheng Family had the Alchemy Legion directly under the Imperial Family to keep them in check, so no matter how powerful the Grand Council was, they could only obediently bow their heads.
But now, with the Alchemy Legion unusable, the only remaining pillars of military strength are the private soldiers and experts of the Four Great Families: Murong, Bai, Li, and Wang.
The situation is delicate and dangerous.
Zhang Yu calmly to one side of the Raised Platform, but his mind was racing with calculations—
The key to breaking the deadlock lies not in force, but in the hearts and minds of the people.
Just then, Zhu Wuyuan stepped forward, facing Murong Bai and the heads of the Four Great Families, his tone earnest, his voice booming like a bell echoing across the square:
"Old Master Murong, esteemed family heads, you are all citizens of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom. You know how the Sheng Family has acted in the past."
Are we really going to stand by and watch such an immoral and incompetent person seize the Imperial Throne and wreak havoc on the world?
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly raised his hand, and a ray of dazzling Golden Light condensed at his fingertips. His Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi soared into the sky, like the sun breaking through the clouds, illuminating half of the square.
"I, Zhu Wuyuan, hereby swear that all my actions are for the public good, for the sake of the country, and without the slightest selfish motive!"
"Zheng--"
An invisible Sword Cry seemed to resound between heaven and earth, and the Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi transformed into tangible golden ripples, spreading out in circles, causing everyone present to hold their breath.
"It's Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi..."
"The Prime Minister is indeed fair and selfless, and wholeheartedly devoted to the country!"
"Your Prime Minister, is truly righteous and awe-inspiring!"
The public was in an uproar.
Throughout history, scholars who cultivate Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi have been seen as symbols of fairness and selflessness.
At this moment, Zhu Wuyuan exuded righteousness, as if he was born to stand at the pinnacle of morality and power, receiving the reverence of all people.
The heads of the Four Great Families, including Murong Bai, were deathly pale, with beads of cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
Sima Sheng stood at the front of the crowd. Even though he had a thousand reasons to say something, he could only remain silent in the face of this overwhelming Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi.
Because everyone knows that Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi represents absolute justice, the people will believe it unconditionally.
Murong Qiushui's eyes lit up as she gazed at Zhu Wuyuan's retreating figure, murmuring, "Prime Minister... so handsome!"
Not only Murong Qiushui, but many of the younger generation from the Four Great Families also looked at Zhu Wuyuan with admiration.
Even the pillars of the Four Great Families are showing signs of restlessness.
Seeing that the Royalist Faction were being suffocated by Zhu Wuyuan's Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi, Zhang Yu quietly stepped forward and said:
"Your Prime Minister, you say the descendants of the Sheng Family are unworthy to be emperor, then I ask you—what would it mean to be worthy?"
Zhu Wuyuan looked down at him with disdain in his eyes. "An emperor must have the world in his heart, be virtuous enough to match the common people, possess the wisdom to stand tall and upright, and have the ability to bring blessings to the people."
"Stop with the empty talk."
Zhang Yu interrupted him, his gaze intense, "Just draw a specific standard, and maybe I can meet it?"
He already had a plan in mind—since you say I'm not worthy, then I'll prove you wrong.
Zhu Wuyuan scoffed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, "Everyone knows that the Sheng Family have low cultivation aptitude and are easily distracted by women. How could you possibly be qualified to become emperor?"
"Exactly! The Sheng Family is born with bad luck and is of inferior talent. How could they possibly be worthy of being called emperors?"
The people echoed his sentiments, as if they had long forgotten that the reason the Sheng Family Ancestor did this was entirely to suppress the Demon Grotto and protect East Sheng.
"I told you, stop talking nonsense."
Zhang Yu wouldn't budge an inch. "Just draw the line. Whether I can pull it off or not is my problem."
His tone was calm, yet it exuded an undeniable confidence.
Murong Bai hurriedly tugged at Zhang Yu's sleeve and whispered, "Your Highness be careful what you say."
He knew in his heart that with the Sheng Family's talent and bad luck, how could they possibly meet the Prime Minister's standards?
The other members of the Four Great Families also silently rolled their eyes, thinking to themselves: My Your Highness, please don't make things worse.
Murong Qiushui made no attempt to hide her sarcasm. "He brought shame upon himself."
Even Sima Sheng was worried for Zhang Yu.
With the Four Great Families involved, and Sima Sheng, representing the Twelve Immortals, secretly mediating, they can ensure your ascension to the throne no matter what.
Why would a First-Rank Martial Artist like you deliberately invite trouble?
Before boarding the Flying Boat, Zhang Lingyun taught Zhang Yu a method to control his aura in order to keep a low profile, suppressing his Cultivation to the level of First-Rank Martial Artist, in order to fit the persona of "the Sheng Family having low aptitude".
At this moment, in everyone's eyes, Zhang Yu was nothing more than a useless Princes with the Cultivation of First-Rank Martial Artist, yet he dared to spout nonsense in front of Zhu Wuyuan, which was utterly laughable.
However, Zhang Yu's mind was completely clear.
He knew that the real contest had only just begun.
Zhu Wuyuan looked at the First-Rank Martial Artist before him, a smug smile playing on his lips, and slowly spoke:
"Since you insist on trying... then so be it."
"I will set five challenges. If you can pass them all, I will personally help you become emperor."
"Okay, it's a deal." Zhang Yu said without hesitation.
"If you cannot meet the requirements, then the Sheng Family will abolish the imperial system and return power to the people," Zhu Wuyuan said again, his tone as cold as frost.
"No problem," Zhang Yu agreed readily.
"No!" Murong Bai couldn't help but interrupt sharply, but it was too late.
He knew that if Zhang Yu failed, the Sheng Family's century-old foundation would be destroyed.
More importantly, he had absolutely no confidence in Zhang Yu —no, in the Sheng Family bloodline.
In Murong Bai's view, the Sheng Family's Fortune have declined, and they are not even as good as ordinary First-Rank Martial Artist, let alone someone like Zhu Wuyuan who can cultivate Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi.
Sima Sheng was now sweating profusely with anxiety.
His previous incitement of public opinion to pressure Zhang Yu was merely an attempt to create momentum and pave the way for future plans; he had no intention of truly jeopardizing Zhang Yu's path to the throne.
Because he knew that with the support of the Four Great Families, and his apparent "political enemy" but actually an ally secretly plotting against him.
Even if Zhang Yu were of mediocre talent, he could still comfortably sit on the throne.
But now, Zhang Yu actually agreed to Zhu Wuyuan's test without hesitation.
You must know that Zhu Wuyuan's test questions were not just ordinary difficult ones; they were strict standards that would give even the most outstanding geniuses a headache!
Sima Sheng was practically numb, as if he could see himself being torn into eight pieces by the Twelve Immortals.
Zhu Wuyuan talented, and his Literary Dao Cultivation unparalleled. The challenges he sets are not easily overcome by ordinary people.
Murong Bai watched from the sidelines, shaking his head inwardly, cursing Zhang Yu for his impulsive and foolish behavior—wasn't this just courting death?
The people in the square didn't care about any of that; they only knew that Zhu Wuyuan was the Incarnation of Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi, a just and selfless Prime Minister, so they cheered him on.
Haha, that's great!
This member of the Sheng Family brought this upon himself; he has no one else to blame but himself!
"Isn't that right?"
The Prime Minister's examination standards are so high that even the most outstanding geniuses might not be able to pass them. Sheng Yu is simply courting death!
"To be honest, the Sheng Family is stupid. They dared to answer such a brutal test. How can such people be worthy of being our Emperor?"
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, a mixture of mockery and schadenfreude.
Sima Sheng listened to these discussions, his palms sweating, feeling that he was doomed this time.