Although Ju Zi swiftly ordered the information sealed in the name of the imperial consort, news that Xu Tianran had urgently summoned Prince Ming back to the capital and ordered him to act as regent still spread throughout Ming Capital in an extremely short time.
As soon as this news emerged, nearly every force within and outside the imperial palace began reassessing the current situation.
Some speculated that His Majesty might already be at death's door, merely not having breathed his last.
Others claimed that His Majesty had actually died in that great explosion, and that this was information deliberately released by the imperial family to test the attitudes of the various factions at court and pave the way for Xu Tianyao's formal succession to the throne.
But regardless of who they were, nearly everyone was certain of one thing: the next rising ruler of the Sun Moon Empire would be His Majesty's younger brother, the most dazzling new star upon the Sun Moon Empire's crown—Xu Tianyao.
Soul tool vehicles still flowed endlessly through the streets of Ming Capital, but the city's patrols had increased severalfold.
Atop every soul tool watchtower in the city, cold soul tool cannon barrels slowly rotated.
Those Soul Engineers responsible for guarding the imperial city were no longer merely watching for foreign enemies.
They were also keeping an eye on the nobles, imperial relatives, and ministers within the city.
After the emperor's assassination attempt, a vacuum had emerged at the center of imperial power.
Everyone understood that what erupted first might not necessarily be an invasion by foreign enemies, but more likely internal strife.
Holy Spirit Cult Headquarters.
Within the underground hall, black braziers burned soundlessly, their flames flickering.
Ye Xishui sat at the very top, her pale face hidden in the darkness, making her