NOVEL NEXT Chapter 371: Heavenly Evil
Chapter 371: Heavenly Evil
Jun Yunshang stared blankly at the three figures being led away – some pleading, some struggling, some calm.
But the blood flowing from her hand betrayed her apparent composure. She was just like Jun Lingtian back then, with no place to retreat.
Looking at the unmoved Jun Yunshang, both Jun Fengya and Jun Chengye felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.
This was the King of Anxi, who loved her the most besides their father. How could she throw him into the Heavenly Prison and have his cultivation destroyed?
Was this really the naive and clumsy girl they knew?
Had she been pretending all along?
Jun Yunshang took a deep breath and continued to carry out Jun Lingtian’s pre-arranged plans, giving orders in an orderly manner.
Trusted generals were summoned and sent to guard the territories of the Southern King and the King of Liaodong, preparing for any possible uprisings.
At the same time, a nationwide search was launched for the remnants of the Three Kings, and all of their families were arrested and escorted back to the capital.
Everyone knew that the Junyan Empire was about to undergo a major upheaval, and a storm was brewing.
But looking at Jun Yunshang, who calmly issued her orders, and Lin Fengmian standing silently behind her, everyone felt a sense of reassurance.
This new Empress had seemingly put down the rebellion of the Three Kings with ease, proving to be more capable than anyone had imagined.
As Jun Chengye and Jun Fengya looked at this unfamiliar Jun Yunshang, their suspicions grew.
Was this calm and strategic woman really their shy and fearful sister?
Had she perhaps been possessed?
When Jun Yunshang finished her business, the Celestial Master of the Astronomical Bureau stepped forward with a forced smile.
“Your Majesty, I have something to report.”
Jun Yunshang nodded. “Speak.”
The old Celestial Master said, “Your Majesty, the coronation ceremony is approaching, and the titles of the kings and marquesses should be decided.”
Jun Yunshang calmly replied, “Celestial Master Zhang, since you’ve spoken, you must have already chosen the titles?”
The Celestial Master nodded. “I have discussed it with the Ministry of Rites, and the titles should follow the Emperor’s previous decree.”
“So Prince Chengye will be the King of Lieshan, Princess Fengya will be the King of Tianhua, and Prince Yutang will be the Marquis of Chenghe!”
Lin Fengmian frowned slightly upon hearing this and couldn’t help but speak up. “What about Yunshang’s title?”
As soon as he spoke, the Celestial Master quickly replied, “Your Majesty, the Empress’s title is Fengyao.”
Lin Fengmian was confused. Except for Jun Yunshang’s title, all the other titles were different.
If his memory served him correctly, Jun Chengye was the King of Tianze, Jun Fengya was the King of Pingyong, and Jun Yutang was the Marquis of Anle.
Had they changed history somehow?
Seeing that he didn’t press further, Celestial Master Zhang continued, “Your Majesty, what about the fiefdoms of the two kings?”
Jun Yutang was a marquis who received a stipend but no fiefdom, so only Jun Chengye and Jun Fengya needed fiefdoms.
Jun Yunshang calmly said, “The fourth brother will take the fief of the Southern King, and the ninth sister will take the fief of the King of Liaodong. What do you all think?”
The crowd couldn’t help but think that it was a brilliant move, each one praising her decision.
After all, both territories were substantial, suitable for a king’s fiefdom. The Junyan Empire wouldn’t have to cede any more territories.
With the King of Liaodong and the Southern King gone, these two regions would undoubtedly be unstable. Putting the two princes in charge would quell the unrest.
This move was a classic case of “driving out the wolves to scare away the tigers,” preventing rebellions in the two major fiefdoms while keeping Jun Chengye and Jun Fengya away from the capital.
This way, despite their remaining power, the two kings wouldn’t be a threat to Jun Yunshang in Junlin City.
Jun Fengya’s face remained calm. After all, she could accept being granted a kingship and a fief.
However, Jun Chengye’s face darkened considerably.
As an outsider, the Southern King wouldn’t have a good fiefdom. The Nanlu region, bordering the Dongwang Mountain Range and the Eastern Wilderness, was notoriously barren.
Going to such a desolate place would be like disappearing from the world.
Furthermore, the Southern King had almost become his father-in-law. Now, not only was the man captured, but he was also tasked with taking over his fief.
What would the Southern King’s remaining loyalists think?
This was like putting him on a spit to be roasted.
But he had his own plans and didn’t say anything, instead bowing to Jun Yunshang with Jun Fengya.
Celestial Master Zhang of the Astronomical Bureau looked at Lin Fengmian hesitantly. “The title for the Saint Lord hasn’t been decided yet. What are your wishes, Saint Lord?”
Jun Yunshang glanced at Lin Fengmian, who waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t care.”
He didn’t have the heart to think about titles anymore. In a few days, he would probably be on the run for his life.
Jun Yunshang said softly, “Then let it be Heavenly Evil.”
Lin Fengmian was surprised to see her give him a title.
However, “Heavenly Evil Saint Lord” sounded quite good, so he readily accepted it.
Of course, the courtiers didn’t have any objections, and some even regretted that Jun Yunshang hadn’t married Lin Fengmian.
Wouldn’t the reign of the Junyan Empire be eternal and unshakable if they were together?
After the court was dismissed, the courtiers left, and even Zhao Ban quietly retired, leaving Lin Fengmian and Jun Yunshang alone.
Jun Yunshang sat quietly, obviously still shaken. She remained motionless for a long time, her small hand still clenched tightly.
The two of them sat in unprecedented silence.
“You have done well. It seems that I can retire soon.”
Lin Fengmian said before leaving, leaving Jun Yunshang alone in the vast Imperial Hall.
He knew that she needed time to process, so he didn’t disturb her. Besides, he had other matters to attend to as well.
He had just dealt with Jun Aoshi and the others, and his power was at its peak. With this illusion, no one would dare to cause trouble for a while.
With Zhao Ban and Wei Ting protecting the Holy Emperor’s Palace and the Junyan Dragon Qi guarding Jun Yunshang, she should be safe for now.
Therefore, Lin Fengmian planned to secretly leave and cross the Tribulation of the Saints in order to ascend to the rank of Saint and prepare for the imminent arrival of Saints and Supreme Beings.
He didn’t choose to cross the tribulation here in order to avoid attracting attention and ensure a swift victory in the future.
Lin Fengmian returned to Red Wutong Garden first. Like Luo Xue before him, he left an illusion that could deceive spiritual senses in his room before departing quietly.
He thought that his departure would be unnoticed, but he was wrong. An unexpected person had sensed his absence.
Jun Yunshang, who was sitting blankly in the Imperial Hall, suddenly sensed Lin Fengmian’s departure from the Sacred Emperor’s Palace through the Junyan Dragon Qi.
She stood up in panic, “Young Master Ye?”
But from around her, there was no response. She rushed back to Red Wutong Garden and saw the familiar figure.
But when she reached out to touch it, her hand passed through the illusion.
She froze.
Recalling Lin Fengmian’s words about accomplishing his mission and retiring, Jun Yunshang sank helplessly to the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Of course, after eliminating the last threat, he should have felt no need to stay.
Then why was she so heartbroken? Didn’t she already know that he would leave?
She sat on the ground, weeping uncontrollably as if a part of her had been ripped away, leaving an emptiness within her.
Jun Yunshang, you are now the Holy Emperor of Junyan, you can’t cry anymore.
If you cry, no one will comfort you.