When the bell rang, Oni Yunjie had already changed back into her Imperial Robe and dressed in full finery. She set out from her bedchamber with her guards.
When she reached the palace gate, Yuguang Kaori and Tsukikage Hoshi were already waiting there.
The sisters didn't speak. When Tsukikage Hoshi saw Oni Yunjie, she glanced behind her before asking, "Your Highness, where's Fang Cheng?"
Before Oni Yunjie could answer, Yuguang Kaori said, "Do you think he belongs at an event like this?"
The King Selection Assembly was an internal matter for the Iron-Cast Palace. Fang Cheng had already revealed his identity and was no longer Qingxue's husband. He was a complete outsider and couldn't get involved, or even watch.
Tsukikage Hoshi opened her fan. "I wasn't asking you."
"Hmph."
Oni Yunjie was used to the sisters taking jabs at each other every chance they got. "Mr. Fang is resting somewhere safe. If you miss him, you can see him after the assembly."
"Your Highness, don't say things that are so easy to misunderstand."
"Fine. If you need to see him, you'll have to wait until after the assembly, too. Let's go."
Along the way, many Monsters appeared and fell in behind Oni Yunjie. Before long, they had formed a long procession.
They were all officials who supported Oni Yunjie. Few of them had the right to vote; the rest were there to bolster her numbers and show their support.
The King Selection Assembly was being held in the Council of Elders. When Oni Yunjie arrived at its gates with her followers, she happened to run into Oni Rakshasa and his supporters, who had just arrived as well.
Behind Oni Rakshasa were two generals, Tsui Tanlang and Iwagong Liu.
Tsui Tanlang had almost recovered from his injuries, but he was far