Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 223 - Argument

The implications of Liu Wuxie’s words caused a shift in the expressions of Prince Ruyang and his wife. Could it be that Prince Yongxian had begun usurping the throne?

“Kill them all!” Chen Yusheng, having a grasp over the Terrabreak Army, issued the command without hesitation. The officer behind them lunged forward, his blade aimed at the five guards. The officer was no pushover, possessing cultivation at the lower levels of the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

The five guards shared a glance, their eyes blazing with ferocity. They unsheathed their swords and released their Marrow Cleansing Realm aura.

“Sixth level of the Marrow Cleansing Realm!” Qin Biyu was shocked. At best, the palace guards' cultivation was limited to the Spirit Cleansing Realm. So, why were there five guards in the Marrow Cleansing Realm here?

The objective was clear: to stop anyone from entering the palace.

Chen Yusheng’s military officer was sent flying away in just one move. Their strength was massively different, and they weren’t on the same level.

The countenances of Chen Yusheng and Qin Biyu turned grim as the situation spiraled beyond their control.

“Prince Ruyang, our apologies!” The five guards turned their weapons towards Prince Ruyang, intending to kill him first and then frame him for attempting to breach the palace. Even if Prince Ruyang were to die, his death would be meaningless.

The situation was unfavorable for Prince Ruyang and his wife, and their chances of victory were slim against the five guards. These guards were likely experts trained by Prince Yongxian.

However, before Prince Ruyang could act, Liu Wuxie intervened. They were in a hurry and needed to enter the palace quickly, or it might be too late.

Prince Ruyang and his wife could protect themselves with no issue because the five guards’ main objective was to buy time and stop them from entering the palace. It was best if they could kill Prince Ruyang and his wife. If they couldn’t, they just had to buy time.

The five guards froze as Liu Wuxie unseathed and swung his Heratic Blade. A cut appeared on their necks, and they were killed instantly.

The group of four hurried into the palace and found five corpses behind the gate. It had already been some time since the death of these actual guards.

“You stay here and mobilize the army to guard the gate. Don’t let anyone enter!” Chen Yusheng took out a medal and handed it to the officer behind him, instructing him to mobilize the nearby army to station at the gate in case Prince Yongxian suddenly rebelled.

“Roger that!” The military officer fired a signal arrow visible in the entire Imperial City.

This was Liu Wuxie’s first time in the palace, and the construction was magnificent, but it was pale compared to the Jade Encounter Pavilion he lived in his past life. The palace was eerily quiet, exuding an unsettling aura. Chen Yusheng was filled with a sense of dread.

“Everything will be fine!” Qin Biyu reassured Chen Yusheng as the tension mounted with each step they took.

After all, if Prince Yongxian were successful in his coup, he would be the first to be purged and stripped of his military power. Those who had opposed Prince Yongxian over the years would also face a bloodbath, and the Imperial City would be transformed into a sea of blood and bodies.

Navigating through numerous halls, they finally reached the Emperor’s chambers. A multitude of officials were gathered outside the room, all anxiously awaiting news.

When they saw Prince Ruyang’s arrival, some came over to greet him, but most remained in place.

“How’s the situation?” Chen Yushang asked an old man. This old man was Minister Wen, known for his integrity, and had served in the Imperial Court for three generations. Thus, he wouldn’t do anything against the Great Yan Dynasty’s interest.

“The situation is bad. The imperial physicians are doing their best inside!” Minister Wen shook his head with concern. Officials like them weren’t allowed to enter in case they disrupted the imperial physicians, so they could only wait outside for news.

Upon Liu Wuxie’s arrival, he could feel numerous hostile stares aimed at him, most of them unfamiliar. However, one person stood out: the Vice-Minister of Revenue, Xue Chunyu.

Liu Wuxie had crippled his son, Xue Baisheng, leading Xue Chunyu to storm the Treasure Pill Pavilion with over a hundred men, all of whom were slain by Mu Yueying. It was clear that Xue Chunyu harbored a deep-seated grudge against Liu Wuxie.

The moment Liu Wuxie made his appearance, Xue Chunyu unleashed a chilling, murderous intent towards him, not expecting Chen Yusheng to bring Liu Wuxie along.

“I’ll go take a look!” Chen Yusheng said and entered the bedroom. As Qin Biyu didn’t have the qualifications to enter, she could only wait outside.

Liu Wuxie also stepped forward but was immediately stopped and forbidden to enter.

“Who are you? Why are you attempting to intrude on the Emperor’s bedroom?” A burly man, towering over Liu Wuxie by two heads and bearing a resemblance to Bai Zhan, stood in Liu Wuxie’s path.

“Bai Lin, his name is Liu Wuxie. He’s someone I brought over to treat the Emperor. Let him through!” Chen Yusheng reprimanded. It turned out that Bai Lin was from the Bai Clan, just like Bai Zhan.

The Bai Clan boasted numerous military officials in the Imperial Court, and Bai Lin was no ordinary figure, commanding the Terrabreak Army’s Earth Battalion. His rank might not match Prince Ruyang’s, but it was not to be underestimated.

“Prince Ruyang, you dare to bring just anyone here. Can you shoulder the consequences if the Emperor’s condition deteriorates?” Xue Chunyu stepped forward, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

This was the imperial palace, and Liu Wuxie wouldn’t resort to killing there. If he were to act rashly, he would merely fall into Prince Yongxian’s trap, providing the latter with a pretext to mobilize the army and eliminate him.

“Men! Cast this man into the dungeon!” Bai Lin commanded sternly as two guards advanced, positioning themselves behind Liu Wuxie, ready to act.

“How dare you lay a hand on him! Try it if you dare!” Chen Yusheng was incensed, aware that every second wasted could further endanger his royal cousin.

The situation was peculiar, and all the neutral officials withdrew to the sidelines, not wishing to get embroiled. After all, the identity of the monarch was of no consequence to them.

“Yusheng, are you suggesting that this individual can treat the Emperor?” Minister Wen inquired

“I can’t make any guarantees, but he possesses exceptional medical skills. He should be capable of treating the Emperor.” Chen Yusheng refrained from expressing too much confidence, given that Liu Wuxie hadn’t yet examined the Emperor.

“Chen Yusheng, who isn’t prone to exaggeration? There are numerous imperial physicians inside, yet they’re all at a loss regarding the Emperor’s condition. What’s your intention in letting a youngster in? Are you trying to hasten the Emperor’s demise?” Xue Chunyu accused.

“Indeed. Allowing a stranger in could exacerbate the Emperor’s condition, and who will bear the consequences? I propose we have him removed!” Several officials stepped forward in support of Xue Chunyu.

The situation was increasingly turning against Liu Wuxie. Forcing his way in wasn’t an option given the numerous experts present, and any rash action could lead to his death. Moreover, it would also implicate Prince Ruyang.

The commotion outside had alerted everyone in the bedroom, but Liu Wuxie remained silent.

He had already anticipated that gaining access to the Emperor wouldn’t be easy, especially with someone like Xue Chunyu attempting to block their entry and seize this opportunity to eliminate him.

Chen Yusheng was anxious about Liu Wuxie being stopped, but he was powerless to intervene. He could gain entry, but not Liu Wuxie.

“I’ll bear the responsibility if anything happens!” Chen Yusheng said with a determined look. He was willing to take full responsibility if something happened to the Emperor because of his decision.

“Hmph, who are you to take responsibility? He’s an outsider, and it’s against the rules to let him enter the Emperor’s chamber. You can give up on that!”

There was no precedent about letting an outsider enter the Emperor’s bedroom. Aside from the imperial physicians, even court officials weren’t allowed to enter and could only wait ten meters away.

Liu Wuxie could only enter if the Emperor summoned him. But the Emperor was unconscious and couldn’t summon Liu Wuxie into the bedroom.

Many people were in the bedroom, with over ten-odd imperial physicians surrounding the bed to examine the Emperor’s condition.

A frail old man lay on the bed, his eyes shut as if in severe discomfort. Alongside the imperial physicians, several individuals were present, including the Emperor’s children. Chen Ruoyan’s eyes were swollen from crying, and the Emperor’s two sons stood by her side, one with a foolish grin and the other expressionless.

“Who’s causing a ruckus outside!” An old man in his fifties stepped out. He looked dignified, and anyone could tell he wasn’t ordinary. Just by standing there, he gave off a strong sense of superiority, making those around him feel pressured.

Chen Ruoyan stopped crying because the commotion outside had also alarmed her.

“Xue Chunyu, are you trying to rebel by stopping me from treating the Emperor?” Liu Wuxie smiled at Xue Chunyu, questioning Xue Chunyu’s motives for stopping him from seeing the Emperor.

“Liu Wuxie, what nonsense are you talking about? How dare you spout nonsense here! Do you think I won’t kill you on the spot?” Xue Chunyu was livid. He had been present when Qin Shi was killed and refused to believe that Liu Wuxie could have been the killer. He attributed it to Liu Wuxie’s extraordinary luck, which allowed him to summon lightning at the opportune moment.

Upon hearing about the Emperor’s unconscious state, all the officials had hurried to the palace. Chen Yusheng, having spent an hour in Liu Wuxie’s courtyard, arrived late.

“Then what are you afraid of, and why are you stopping me from entering?” Liu Wuxie questioned, asking Xue Chunyu to explain.

“Brat, you can’t enter the bedroom no matter what you say. You might as well give up!” Xue Chunyu, having previously experienced Liu Wuxie’s cunning, knew he would be at a disadvantage if the argument continued.

With Bai Lin guarding the entrance, Chen Yusheng was helpless. Liu Wuxie also didn’t dare to make a move, knowing that it would provide Xue Chunyu with a perfect excuse against him.

Just then, the bedroom door opened, and a frail figure emerged. Upon seeing Liu Wuxie, a smile graced her face. “Third Princess!” Everyone bowed upon seeing this woman. The Third Princess was the only one among the Emperor’s children who was considered normal, not to mention her exceptional talents.

After all, the crown prince was mentally disabled, the second prince was as unresponsive as a log, and Chen Leyao’s status was low, being the daughter of a palace maid.

“Why are you here?” Chen Ruoyan inquired as she approached Liu Wuxie.

“I’m here to examine the Emperor’s condition and see if I can provide treatment!” Liu Wuxie responded with a sneer upon seeing Chen Ruoyan. His sneer was a taunt aimed at Xue Chunyu because his divine sense had already penetrated the bedroom. He had remained silent earlier to fully comprehend the situation.

Once he had a clear understanding of the circumstances, he raised his voice just enough for Chen Ruoyan to hear him.