Chapter 211: When to Ascend?
“Father!”
“Your son has not failed your expectations! I struck down the Great Zheng traitor and upheld the Great Evil’s heavenly might!”
Within the Great Evil Dynasty, inside a grand hall, Lu Zuo stood before the dragon throne in splendid brocade robes, brimming with smug satisfaction.
On the dais, Lu Tianzhu’s face was pale, his expression devoid of emotion.
“Your Majesty! The Second Prince fought for the nation this time, toiling and rendering great service. He deserves reward!”
“Indeed, Your Majesty! The Second Prince may not be the legitimate son, but his talent is extraordinary. He will surely lead our Great Evil Dynasty to glory!”
“This old minister begs Your Majesty to reward the Second Prince.”
…
Below, a crowd of ministers knelt and offered congratulations.
Hearing this, Lu Tianzhu’s eyelids lifted slightly.
He looked at Lu Zuo.
“You… what reward do you want?”
His voice was low and hoarse.
It revealed nothing of his emotions.
“This victory was entirely due to Father’s divine might. How could your son be so shameless as to ask for a reward?”
“Your son only hopes for Father’s Dragon Body to remain in good health.”
Lu Zuo spoke with feigned humility.
Yet a gleam of heat flashed through his eyes.
Clearly, he was unwilling to let this opportunity slip.
“Your son not only does not want a reward — I even beg Father to punish me!”
“Oh? Why should I punish you?”
Lu Tianzhu raised an eyebrow.
“In this battle, Third Brother lost his life. It was all your son’s fault.”
“And Eldest Brother was unwilling to go to war. That too is because I, as his younger brother, failed to persuade him properly. Your son is unworthy of Father’s nurturing.”
“Your son begs Father to punish me!”
As Lu Zuo spoke, he actually slammed his forehead to the ground, his attitude utterly sincere.
Lu Tianzhu looked at Lu Zuo, and deep within his eyes flashed a meaningful gaze.
Then he no longer placed his attention on Lu Zuo.
Instead, he turned to look at the assembled ministers.
“How do all of you view what Lu Zuo has said?”
“This minister does not agree. The Second Prince possesses both virtue and talent, and is loyal to his sovereign and loves his nation. He is a pillar of our imperial clan and should receive great reward!”
“This minister also does not agree. The Crown Prince devotes himself solely to cultivation and never shares in affairs of state.”
“Now that the Second Prince is such a dragon among men, how could he possibly be punished!”
“This minister dares to suggest deposing the Crown Prince and installing the Second Prince as the new Crown Prince!”
…
Voices rang out through the entire hall.
And the corners of Lu Zuo’s mouth curved upward.
This was exactly the result he wanted.
His so-called Eldest Brother was far inferior to him.
His scheming over these past days had truly been flawless.
As long as he became Crown Prince.
The foundation he had accumulated over centuries of war could all be put to use.
At that point, within the imperial household, who could still block his path?
The throne would be his sooner or later!
“Oh? Depose the Crown Prince.”
“Since all of you share this intent, then we may as well summon the Crown Prince and see what he has to say.”
Lu Tianzhu neither agreed with the ministers’ proposal, nor opposed it.
Soon, palace attendants headed to the Eastern Palace to inform Lu Qingyang.
And Lu Zuo stood there, waiting for the news.
He was very confident in himself.
The ministers below were equally determined to install a new Crown Prince today.
Half an incense stick’s time later.
A figure in azure robes stepped in from outside the hall, one step at a time. His figure was tall and upright, extraordinarily handsome, his aura imposing. It was Lu Qingyang.
Lu Qingyang wore the full regalia of the Crown Prince, a golden medallion at his waist, his hair bound with a jade crown. His bearing was majestic, his elegance outstanding.
Seeing this, Lu Zuo sneered inwardly.
Still putting on airs! In a moment, everything on you will belong to This Prince!
The corners of his mouth curved upward, his mood quite pleasant.
Watching Lu Qingyang approach step by step, Lu Zuo planned to add more fuel to the fire.
“Father! Do not listen to these people!”
“Your son is willing to accept punishment on Eldest Brother’s behalf!”
“In your son’s heart, Eldest Brother will always be the Crown Prince!”
“That position is only fit for Eldest Brother to sit in!”
He was filled with righteous indignation.
As he spoke, he actually rushed forward and knelt before Lu Tianzhu.
The ministers nearby also chimed in to assist.
“Your Majesty! The Second Prince is benevolent and filial, willing to risk himself! You should install the Second Prince as Crown Prince!”
“Indeed! If Your Majesty feels the First Prince is unsuitable to inherit the throne, then the Second Prince may serve as a temporary substitute!”
“Your Majesty, please make your decision!”
…
This time, Lu Tianzhu did not stop them. He quietly listened as the ministers below chattered on.
Only after a long while did he place his gaze on the calm-faced Lu Qingyang.
“And you? What do you think? My Crown Prince, do you have anything to say?”
Lu Tianzhu spoke slowly.
Lu Qingyang lowered his eyelids slightly, and the corners of his mouth seemed to curve into a faint arc.
A moment later, he slowly raised his head.
His eyes were pitch-black, like the darkest, most profound night sky.
“Then just give it to him.”
He slowly uttered five words.
Hearing this, Lu Zuo’s eyes flew wide open.
The ministers below had not expected Lu Qingyang to answer this way either. For a time, they were stunned.
In an instant, an uproar broke out!
“Eh, what’s going on with this Crown Prince?”
“Could he have cultivated himself stupid? Doesn’t he know that once the Second Prince ascends the throne, the only thing waiting for him is death!”
“No! I say it’s eighty percent likely this Crown Prince knows he’s no match and is currying favor with the Second Prince in advance!”
“Tsk tsk tsk, this Crown Prince is truly brilliant beyond compare!”
…
As for Lu Zuo, looking at Lu Qingyang, his pupils contracted.
For some reason, in this moment, he suddenly felt an inexplicable unease in his heart.
Lu Tianzhu’s expression slowly shifted from astonishment to confusion. He stared at Lu Qingyang.
“You’re certain? Nothing you want to say?”
“No.”
“Truly nothing?”
“No.”
“Very well then, in that case…”
As Lu Tianzhu spoke, a trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes.
But just as he was about to announce it.
Lu Qingyang suddenly spoke again.
“Father.”
He parted his thin lips lightly.
“Your son suddenly has something to ask you.”
“Hm?”
“What is it?”
Lu Tianzhu’s confusion deepened at Lu Qingyang’s interruption.
Beside him, Lu Zuo was eager to put on that Crown Prince’s robe right now.
In his heart, he resented Lu Qingyang for insisting on asking some question at this moment.
The ministers below also looked at Lu Qingyang with dissatisfaction.
Their master was about to ascend, and yet he had been blocked at the last moment.
Was this First Prince truly unafraid of losing his head?
But Lu Qingyang paid no heed to the reactions of others.
His voice was cold and clear as he spoke faintly.
“Your son wishes to ask — when does Father plan to ascend?”
Lu Qingyang spoke, one word at a time.
At the same time, an aura of Supreme Great Vehicle slowly spread from within his body.
In that instant, the temperature within the entire hall plummeted.
It was as if even the air had frozen.
Lu Zuo’s eyelids twitched madly. He could not believe this aura was emanating from Lu Qingyang.
The ministers below stood there dumbstruck, like sculptures.
And within this frigid atmosphere, only Lu Tianzhu remained composed.
His gaze narrowed, fixed tightly on Lu Qingyang.
“You have already reached this realm?”
“Yes, so your son wished to ask when Father plans to ascend.”
“Your son would like to courteously yield to Father, to let Father be the first to ascend to immortality.”
“Father need not worry. After you leave, I will… take good care of Second Brother.”
As Lu Qingyang spoke, he slowly turned his gaze onto Lu Zuo.
“Second Brother, what do you think?”
His voice was low, carrying a pressure that made one tremble.