Xu Chengjing, You Dare Rebel?!

Tonight, not a single cloud hung over Mingdu. Only a bright moon was suspended high in the sky, its radiant light illuminating the road for those still walking at night.

There was a folk saying: if there was not a trace of cloud in the sky on the first night, the next day would be a clear, sunny day filled with brilliant sunshine.

Xu Chengjing stood beneath a corridor in the Purple Radiance Prince's Manor, looking toward the brightly lit Sun Moon Imperial Palace in the distance. Today was Crown Prince Xu He's hundred-day birthday banquet.

The current emperor of the Sun Moon Empire had many children, yet for some reason, they were all girls. Xu He was his first son so far. Thus, he favored Xu He greatly. Not only had he named him crown prince at birth, but he was also holding an exceptionally grand hundred-day banquet for him now.

Important nobles and officials from more than half the Sun Moon Empire had been invited, along with the Empire's powerful Soul Engineers and Spirit Masters. It could be said that apart from people from the former Three Douluo Kingdoms and Shrek, everyone in the Sun Moon Empire who could attend had come, excluding only legion commanders stationed across the realm and generals guarding the borders.

Xu Chengjing should have attended as well, but he had refused on the grounds that he was ill and unable to go. However, Chen Songting, the current prime minister, had gone, along with Wang Yiheng, to attend the banquet.

Wang Yiheng was a Level 91 Title Douluo and a Rank-9 Soul Engineer, known by the title Mad Bull. He was one of Kong Deming's disciples. As they had discussed, once this coup succeeded, the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Legion would be handed over to Wang Yiheng as its legion commander. After all, the original commander of the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Legion was fiercely loyal to the current emperor.

He was naturally well suited to the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Legion, which excelled in high-explosive attacks, and Kong Deming's group had agreed with the decision. Of course, that was a matter for after the coup succeeded.

Inside the imperial palace, eunuchs and maids carried food and served tea. The great hall was packed with people, filled with music, dancing, and festivity. In a side hall, gifts were piled as high as a small mountain. Xu He, the star of today's banquet, crawled around the base of the mountain of presents, looking utterly delighted. The emperor and empress standing nearby smiled happily at the sight.

They played and laughed without a care, completely unaware that before long, their circumstances would undergo earth-shattering changes.

"Your Highness, Elder Kong and the others have arrived."

Steward Zhao had appeared behind Xu Chengjing at some unknown time, utterly silent in his arrival. His voice lacked the warmth he showed Xu Tianchen. It was cold, as though it belonged to a machine.

"Good. Let's go."

Xu Chengjing turned and returned to the discussion hall within the prince's manor. Pushing open the doors, he saw that aside from Chen Songting, who had gone to the banquet, everyone else was present. They sat in their chairs, waiting for Xu Chengjing's arrival.

Xu Chengjing strode in and took his seat at the head. His gaze swept across those present as he said,

"Is everyone ready? Once we make our move, there will be no turning back. If anyone wishes to change their mind now, speak up immediately. I will certainly let you leave."

"Rest assured, Your Highness. None of us here are children. Since we have already made our decision, we will not regret it." Jing Hongchen's voice sounded beside everyone's ears as soon as Xu Chengjing finished speaking.

Seeing that no one objected, Xu Chengjing rose directly to his feet.

"Good. Since no one intends to withdraw, we will proceed according to the original plan."

"Luan Feng, lead the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion under your command to persuade the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Legion. If reason fails, then use force. Do everything in your power to stop the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Legion from coming to interfere with us."

Upon hearing this, Luan Feng immediately rose from her seat, clasped her hands in salute, and replied, "Luan Feng accepts the order."

Xu Chengjing nodded, then shifted his gaze to Ye Yulin.

"Elder Ye, I will have to trouble you to accompany Luan Feng. We must prevent the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion from suffering heavy casualties."

"No problem. I will go with Luan Feng when the time comes."

Ye Yulin, who had been seated, rose as well and indicated his agreement to Xu Chengjing. Seeing this, Xu Chengjing's gaze fell upon Zheng Zhan.

"Zheng Zhan, Elder Kong will accompany you to command the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Legion. There must not be the slightest mistake."

Zheng Zhan stood and said, "Rest assured, Your Highness." Kong Deming, seated nearby, nodded to Xu Chengjing as well.

Next, Xu Chengjing's gaze settled on Jing Hongchen, who still appeared rather relaxed off to the side.

"Hall Master Hongchen, you must properly organize and arrange Virtue Hall and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy."

Seeing that he had been called upon, Jing Hongchen put away his leisurely manner and, like those before him, gave Xu Chengjing his assurance.

"Tianyuan, Mengkai, are you both ready?"

When Xu Tianyuan heard Xu Chengjing address him, he immediately replied, "Rest assured, Uncle. I have persuaded my uncle. The entire Purple Radiance Soul Engineer Legion is now at your command."

"The Dreadclaw Soul Engineer Legion is the same. We await Your Highness's command." Liao Mengkai responded immediately after hearing Xu Tianyuan's answer.

"Good!" Xu Chengjing shouted, then looked toward Ye Xishui. "Your Eminence Death God, what about you?"

Ye Xishui still wore that languid expression as she replied, "I can begin at any time."

"Everyone, since we are all prepared, begin!"

"By your command!" Everyone stood at once and answered in unison.

The banquet in the imperial palace remained filled with song and dance. Those in the great hall ate fine food, drank fine wine, and watched the dancers sway before them to entertain them.

Boom!

A deafening blast shattered the palace's decadent revelry. The great hall instantly fell silent, and everyone turned to look outside.

"Someone, go out and see what happened," said the Sun Moon Emperor, seated upon the dragon throne.

A soldier clad in armor then walked out of the hall. Seeing this, the emperor said to the ministers who were still staring toward the doors,

"What are you looking at? It won't be anything serious. Continue the music! Continue the dancing!"

Hearing this, everyone lowered their guard and raised their cups again, drinking and exchanging toasts. Only Chen Songting and Wang Yiheng, seated in their places, exchanged a glance. The corners of their mouths lifted into matching smiles.

They knew that Xu Chengjing's forces had arrived. During this time, they needed to keep this place under control and ensure that not a single person could leave.

Before long, those seated in the great hall seemed to faintly hear cries of battle coming from outside. Some ministers with somewhat higher cultivation had just risen, intending to report what they had heard to the emperor.

Bang! The great hall's doors were violently thrown open. The thunderous sound immediately drew the attention of everyone inside, who had been lost in drunken indulgence.

As the doors opened, five armored soldiers flew into the great hall like dead leaves and crashed hard onto the floor. Blood trailed through the air along their paths, splattering across the ground.

A figure stepped into the great hall over shattered wood and bloodstains. When the dust settled, the emperor seated upon the throne finally saw who it was.

His pupils suddenly contracted as he shouted down at the figure,

"Xu Chengjing, you dare rebel!"