Free Web NovelChapter 1339: Chapter 518: Empress: Someone Plans to Rebel, But I Won’t Say Who_2
The protective array instantly shattered, the force of the arrows not diminishing in the slightest as they slammed straight into the Observatory!
Boom—
In that instant, golden light burst forth, rubble exploded in all directions, and the roar of the blast was deafening!
The Observatory had been personally constructed under Master Zou’s supervision, representing the pinnacle of Great Yuan’s artifact craft. Every brick and stone upon it had been reinforced with arrays; even after enduring two earthquakes, it had not wavered in the slightest.
Yet now, before that terrifying power, it was actually broken in half!
Like a giant beast whose spine had been snapped, its colossal body plummeted with unstoppable momentum, crashing down toward the Imperial Palace as if toppling golden mountains and overturning jade pillars!
Sun Senior Palace Lady’s pupils shrank to pinpoints. The Observatory was a hundred zhang tall; once it crashed into the Imperial Palace, the casualties would be beyond counting, and it might even implicate the Inner Court!
"Run!"
"Not good, the tower’s going to collapse!"
Staring at the towering structure bearing down on them, the Palace Attendants were scared out of their wits, screaming as they scattered in all directions.
"All soldiers, hear my command—guard the throne with me!"
With a fierce shout, a dozen figures shot into the air. The leader was none other than Ji Jingyu, Commander of the Divine Strategy Army.
Behind him, a giant Dharma Image manifested, and he spread his arms wide, forcibly propping up the collapsing structure. The others took the opportunity to fly into the tower and carry out the officials who had not managed to escape in time.
Rumble—
Even though Ji Jingyu had done his utmost to slow its fall, the moment that massive building hit the ground it still triggered a thunderous quake!
Fortunately, the direction had been altered, and it did not reach the Imperial Palace.
Seeing the crisis averted, Sun Senior Palace Lady finally let out a breath, lifting a hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead.
"This is definitely Consort Yu’s handiwork. Her way of solving problems really is simple and brutal—she nearly smashed the Imperial Palace to pieces... Then again, if more than half the Heavenly Shadow Guards hadn’t been taken away, this protective array wouldn’t have been so fragile..."
As the billowing dust dispersed, the Observatory that had originally risen to fifty-nine floors now had fewer than thirty left.
It was a scene of utter devastation, wreckage everywhere.
Though it had not caused many casualties, the collapse of this high platform that symbolized Da Yuan’s Destiny inevitably filled people with grief. Cries and wails rose one after another, and a bleak mood shrouded the entire Imperial Palace.
"What on earth is going on?"
Lady Jin Yun looked utterly dazed.
Just moments ago everything had been peaceful and serene; how had the Observatory toppled in the blink of an eye?
Could this be the "crisis" the Empress spoke of?!
"Elder Sister..."
She turned her head, only to see the Empress gazing at the remaining half of the high tower, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips. Her vermilion lips moved slightly as she murmured:
"The stars fall, the terrace decays, the national veins will be severed... Haha, what an excellent omen..."
???
Lady Jin Yun’s expression froze, her mind turning to mush.
The national veins about to be cut off is an auspicious omen?
Could it be that the one plotting rebellion is actually the Empress!
...
...
Qilin Pavilion.
On the top floor, Wei Xuan sat by the window, looking at the swaying, crumbling high platform, his expression still as calm as an unruffled lake.
"The previous Director of the Astronomical Observatory left a prophecy on his deathbed—sixteen characters in all: ’The Heavenly Observatory above, the people’s hearing below; when the high terrace topples, the national fate will end’..."
"Back then, Da Yuan Country was at the height of its national fortune, and no one took it seriously. They all thought it was just the old Director’s dying ravings. Now it seems everything was long ordained in the dark."
"I already tried to overestimate Chen Mo as much as possible, yet he still manages to ’surprise’ me again and again!"
The black-clothed girl beside him lifted the teapot and poured tea into the cup before him, then said, "This should be Consort Yu’s doing, right? What does it have to do with that Chen Mo?"
Wei Xuan tapped his fingers on the table and said, "You have to look past appearances to see the essence of things. Without Chen Mo holding the line, would Yu Youhan dare to act so recklessly? Besides, she’s merely someone with higher cultivation. Chen Mo is different—that brat has the fate of heaven and earth behind him."
The black-clothed girl asked, "Should we do something about it?"
Wei Xuan did not answer directly. He held up his teacup, took a sip, and asked softly, "You have studied under me for more than thirteen years. When you first acknowledged me as your master, I told you that once you chose this path, one day you would inevitably stand opposed to your own kin, blades drawn against each other... How did you answer me then?"
The black‑clothed girl did not hesitate in the slightest and said decisively, "This disciple said that I will use what I have learned to purge the Remnants of the great clans to the last!"
Wei Xuan’s lips curved in a faint smile. Narrowing his eyes, he said, "Good. Then that time has come... As far as I know, the heir of the Sikong family is currently in Tiandu City. Go and bring me her head."
The black‑clothed girl’s heart skipped a beat, but she did not show any emotion. She lowered her head and said, "Yes."
She set down the teapot and rose to walk toward the main door.
Just as she reached the door, Wei Xuan’s ethereal voice sounded behind her:
"Qing Lin, don’t disappoint me."
The black‑clothed girl’s steps paused slightly. Without turning her head, she said, "Rest assured, my lord."
Exiting the room and shutting the door tightly, she stood at the top of the stairs and reached into her bosom, taking out a sachet. Her fingertip brushed over the ruyi pattern embroidered on it, and a trace of complexity flashed through her eyes.
This was something Chen Mo had especially brought over to her before going to the drill ground.
Why had Sikong Zuiyue sought him out?
Just what was the relationship between those two?
The black‑clothed girl put the sachet away, took a deep breath, cleared her mind of distractions, and lifted her leg to walk down the stairs.
"It’s time to bring this to an end."
...
...
In the southeast corner of Tiandu City, within a residence that had stood empty for many years.
A flourishing century‑old locust tree shrouded the courtyard, rendering the surroundings secluded and quiet. Yet at this moment, shadowy figures crowded the yard—dozens of men and women in robes of various styles stood silently, as though waiting for something. A killing chill permeated the air.
Side room.
The heirs of the four great clans sat around a table.
Placed before them was a round bronze mirror, on whose surface light flowed, projecting an image—the very scene at the Capital Camp’s drill ground.
This was the Jiang Family’s supreme treasure, the [Taixu Mysterious Light Mirror]. It could reflect images from thousands of miles away and survey rivers and mountains, essentially an enhanced version of Heavenly Vision.
Watching those members of the Demon Clan flying toward the drill ground, Wanqi Shuofeng folded his arms and sneered, "This is the method you spoke of? Leaving aside that cooperating with the Demon Clan demeans the status of the great clans, just these shrimp soldiers and crab generals—are they enough to pin down a Daoist Venerable and Consort Yu?"
"Uncle Wanqi, don’t be hasty. The real show is still to come." Jiang Wangye snapped open his folding fan and said with a smiling gaze.
Seeing how confident he looked, Wanqi Shuofeng forcibly suppressed his impatience and continued watching.
They saw that once those Demon Clan members drew near the drill ground, they began to Self‑Destruct one after another. Blood mist filled the sky, covering the air above, and immediately afterward, the distant Demon Extermination Crossbows flared with radiance as brilliant golden Dragon Qi began to gather.
"Hiss—"
Wanqi Shuofeng and Qi Kaihai exchanged a look and both sucked in a cold breath.
Only now did they understand what Jiang Wangye was scheming. The Demon Clan were merely the primer; the key was that Demon Extermination Crossbow capable of opposing an Ultimate Venerable!
"I didn’t expect your Jiang Family to have raised so many Demon Clan death warriors." Qi Kaihai’s eyes narrowed. The auras of these Demon Clan members were not weak, especially that Eagle Demon, whose cultivation clearly surpassed Third Grade.
Getting this many demons into the Capital City was no easy feat, and it would have taken a huge amount of Evil Suppressing Jade to suppress their Demon Energy. This was absolutely not something that could be assembled in a short time. It showed that the Jiang Family had begun preparations long ago!
"The blood of these Demon Clan members has been modified in advance. It can fuse with the Primordial Qi in the air and then be drawn in by the Spirit Gathering Array. It won’t dissipate for days—more than enough for them to suffer a good while!" Jiang Wangye said with a squinting smile.
"The problem is, how were you sure the Daoist Venerable would refine pills within the city? If she went outside the city, wouldn’t the plan fall apart?" Sikong Zuiyue asked aloud.
"Refining the Creation Golden Pill requires massive preparations and cannot be interrupted midway. Outside the city, there are too many uncertainties; it is actually less safe than the Capital City." Jiang Wangye said calmly, "Even if they didn’t refine the pills in the Capital City, it wouldn’t matter. I would simply send these Demon Clan members straight to the Chen Family; the effect would be the same."
Looking at this seemingly frail, scholarly young man, the other three withdrew the contempt from their eyes, their expressions turning solemn.
No wonder this collateral branch had been able to overcome the strong with the weak and seize control of the Jiang Family—his methods were indeed ruthless enough!
As the Demon Extermination Crossbows and Tribulation Thunder were unleashed together, Yu Youhan was indeed forced to reveal herself. But the techniques she displayed next made their hearts jolt—like using four taels to move a thousand catties, she effortlessly resolved the crisis, fully demonstrating how terrifying her strength was!
The wrist with which Jiang Wangye was shaking his folding fan paused. He cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, there’s no need for concern, everyone. Once the Demon Extermination Crossbow is fired, it won’t stop. She can’t possibly catch every single arrow..."
Before he finished speaking, they saw Yu Youhan catch the second Crossbow Arrow and fling it back with a backhand throw, directly blowing the Observatory into two pieces!
???
Everyone’s eyes bulged round, and the room fell utterly silent.
Wanqi Shuofeng’s mouth twitched. In a dry voice, he asked, "Worthy nephew Jiang, was this... also part of your plan?"
