NOVEL NEXT Chapter 374: Is There No One Left in the Junyan Empire?
Chapter 374: Is There No One Left in the Junyan Empire?
Luo Xue’s expression was complicated. “She’s a good girl. Find her again in a thousand years and continue your relationship.”
Lin Fengmian chuckled bitterly. “Are you sure she won’t cut me to pieces by then? I think even being skinned alive might not be enough to quench her hatred.”
After all, he and Luo Xue were practically demons to Jun Yunshang.
The poor girl had no one to rely on and was just trying to survive when she met an exceptionally talented genius who accompanied her all the way to the imperial city.
She thought she had found her true love, only to have her father killed and forced onto the throne.
Even Lin Fengmian, who considered himself a scoundrel, felt ashamed when he thought about their upcoming plans.
After they killed the Sword Saint and fought the supreme beings, the mess they left behind would still fall on Jun Yunshang to clean up.
With external enemies like the supreme beings bearing grudges and internal factions vying for power, how could a young princess who had lived a carefree life in the palace, who had just come of age a few days ago, and who was only in the Foundation Establishment Realm, possibly handle it?
“What a disaster!”
Luo Xue also realized that they were the ultimate villains, even worse than the legendary rogue cultivators.
After all, rogue cultivators might only steal a few hearts, but they had stolen Jun Yunshang’s heart, caused trouble, and then ran away, leaving her to remember them for a thousand years. It was truly unforgivable.
If it weren’t for their precarious situation and the knowledge that Jun Yunshang would become the ruler of the world as Empress Fengyao, Luo Xue would have considered confessing the truth and taking her back to Qionghua.
But now, Qionghua was like a sinking ship, barely able to save itself. Bringing her back might only lead to her death alongside Qionghua.
If the future changed like this, would it really be the future they wanted?
Lin Fengmian felt guilty. “Luo Xue, please take care of her and the Junyan Empire.”
Luo Xue solemnly replied, “I will.”
That night, not only Lin Fengmian and Jun Yunshang couldn’t sleep, but many others in Junlin City also tossed and turned.
—
Former Residence of the Fourth Prince
Jun Chengye and Ding Fuxia were hiding in a secret chamber, extremely cautious for fear that Lin Fengmian might come knocking.
Ding Fuxia looked at Jun Chengye and hesitated, but finally asked, “Xiaoye, are you sure we should take such a risky step?”
After all, even Jun Aoshi, a Half-Step Saint, had fallen to this young man.
Jun Aoshi was once a renowned sword Saint, one of the great mountains in their hearts.
Jun Chengye’s face was somber. “Uncle, I have no choice. Would you be willing to go to that godforsaken place in the south?”
Of course, Ding Fuxia didn’t want to go to the south, because that would mean that the Ding family would be completely cut off from the center of Junyan’s power.
He sighed. “Xiaoye, the Heavenly Fiend Hall is willing to support you as the new emperor, but they demand that Junyan become their vassal. Not only must we let them establish a subordinate branch in Junyan, but we must also offer them seventy percent of our annual income. Only then will they agree to intervene.”
Jun Chengye clenched his fists but nodded. “I have agreed. Where are they? The girl will be enthroned in three days.”
Ding Fuxia replied gravely, “The Heavenly Fiend Pavilion says that the Netherworld Sword Saint is on his way and will arrive in two days. He will come to negotiate with you then.”
Jun Chengye was overjoyed, but he also sensed that something was wrong.
Even for a Saint, the Netherworld Sword Saint shouldn’t be able to arrive so quickly without the use of teleportation arrays.
Unless he was already lurking in Junyan. It seemed like the Heavenly Fiend Hall had coveted Junyan for a long time.
Unfortunately, Jun Chengye had no room for negotiation. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so passive.
Ding Fuxia sighed deeply. “I hope everything goes smoothly.”
However, Jun Chengye smiled. “Even if the Netherworld Sword Saint is no match for that brat, there are still the highest beings, right?”
“Uncle, we are guaranteed success this time. Have someone keep an eye on the Holy Emperor’s Palace to see if this guy has crossed the Tribulation.”
Ding Fuxia nodded. “Understood.”
Jun Chengye’s eyes gleamed with malice as he tightly clenched his fists. “This throne is destined to be mine, and no one can take it from me!”
—
Over the past few days, the news had been announced to the world that Jun Yunshang was about to ascend the throne as the new Holy Emperor of Junyan.
According to the official statement, the Heavenly Emperor had passed the throne to Princess Yunshang before his death, appointing Ye Xuefeng as the Guardian Saint King to protect the Junyan Empire.
The news shocked the world and caused a massive uproar.
The news of the Heavenly Emperor’s demise made everyone uneasy, while Jun Yunshang’s ascension left everyone stunned.
No one had expected this most unpopular princess to inherit the throne of Junyan.
It was as if absurdity had reached its peak – ridiculous beyond belief.
What was even more intriguing was that the Junyan officials had no objections whatsoever, showing an unusually unified stance.
Under the influence of certain individuals, rumors spread among the populace that Ye Xuefeng had committed treason, assassinated the Heavenly Emperor, and installed his own woman on the throne.
Ye Xuefeng was now portrayed as a cunning usurper who had seized power and manipulated the court.
But no matter what the people thought, they could not stop the inevitable course of events.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. On that day, Jun Yunshang, or rather Jun Fengyao, officially ascended the throne.
The entire Holy Emperor’s Palace was solemn and dignified. The civil and military officials stood in orderly rows in the square in front of the Imperial Hall.
Jun Fengyao was wearing a specially designed crimson dragon robe. Already breathtakingly beautiful, she now looked even more majestic and dignified, exuding a subtle aura of authority.
Her face showed no sign of nervousness or discomfort. Instead, she walked through the plaza calmly and composedly.
She was well aware of what people thought of her, but she didn’t care about the rumors or how others saw her.
After all, they were right. Indeed, she had led a group to kill her father and ascended to the throne of Junyan, relying on his affection for her.
She hadn’t risen through talent or merit, but through her looks and favor.
However, they were wrong about one thing: he didn’t even desire her.
All those rumors about them indulging in pleasure every night – none of that existed.
As Jun Fengyao let her thoughts wander, she accepted the greetings of the officials and slowly made her way to the altar in the center of the plaza.
On this altar, she needed to perform the ritual of offering sacrifices to the heavens to declare her ascension to the world and gain the recognition of the Dragon Aura, officially becoming the Sacred Emperor.
She slowly climbed the stairs, walking toward the position that countless people had dreamed of.
But just as she reached the top, her expression changed slightly as she turned to look toward the sky.
Almost at the same time, a sharp sword light descended from the sky and crashed heavily into the formation protecting the Holy Emperor’s Palace, causing the formation to tremble.
A savage laughter echoed through the air. “A woman who rose to power as the Holy Emperor through her body? Is there no one left in the Junyan Empire?”
Zhao Ban immediately stepped in front of Jun Fengyao and shouted urgently, “Protect the Emperor!”
Countless Golden Feather Guards reacted quickly, swiftly taking their positions to protect Jun Fengyao, fearing that she might be in danger.
However, Jun Fengyao remained calm and composed and walked to the altar without any haste. Only then did she turn around to look at the sky.
Her gaze was icy cold, and her voice was calm as she said, “Who dares to trespass into my Junyan Imperial Palace?”