The once-prosperous streets were still brightly lit, but fully armed Imperial Guards now stood along both sides.
Ming Capital had not fallen into chaos because of the emperor's death.
On the contrary, the entire city resembled a killing formation with its bowstring drawn, waiting only for someone's order to crush all who refused to obey.
"Let's enter the palace first." Xu Tianyao lowered the carriage curtain. "I will not ascend the throne before my imperial brother is buried."
Kong Deming frowned slightly. He hesitated before finally asking, "Are you not planning to inherit the throne?"
"If I ascend the throne now, it will instead give many people an excuse to use the state mourning and the new emperor's accession to conceal what they have done," Xu Tianyao said calmly.
"The imperial decree left behind by my brother is still here, and so is the Imperial Seal. As long as I govern the Empire as a prince, they will have no excuse to stop me from purging the imperial city."
"Once Ming Capital is stable and the front lines are secure, we can discuss the matter of ascending the throne."
Kong Deming watched him for a moment before nodding. "As long as you have thought it through."
The carriage proceeded onward. The Imperial Guards outside the palace had already formed several defensive lines. Upon seeing the banner of Prince Ming's Estate, everyone straightened at once, their spears striking heavily against the ground.
"Greetings, Prince Ming!"
The voices pierced through the curtain of rain and carried deep into the palace.
Xu Tianyao stepped down from the carriage and raised his eyes toward the palace gates, washed by artillery fire and torrential rain.
Kong Deming followed closely behind him, with Wang Yiheng and more than ten Level-9 Soul Engineers behind them.
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