After the battle, the Capital City was in a grand celebration, with the Emperor hosting a banquet for all the officials. The court and the marketplace were both bustling with excitement.

Chen Tang became famous from the battle and naturally became the main focus of the banquet.

Some officials came forward to offer their congratulations, and there was a continuous flow of wine and food during the banquet.

Of course, the majority of officials remained relatively cautious towards Chen Tang, neither warm nor cold, seemingly keeping something in mind.

The conflict between Chen Tang and the Profound Celestial Sect was not really a secret up and down the court.

In the eyes of some officials, this Chen Tang might just be a pawn placed by the Emperor to fight for power against the Profound Celestial Sect.

If any situation arises, he could be discarded at any moment.

More importantly, Chen Tang was not some indispensable Grandmaster-level top expert.

The reason he achieved such honor and rose through the ranks was due to a series of coincidences, with various forces fanning the flames, ultimately allowing him to benefit and gain fame.

At the banquet, Chen Tang did not pay much attention to the intentions of others.

He himself did not wish to be an official within the court.

Spending every day plotting and scheming with these officials full of cunning was truly exhausting.

This time entering the Capital City, it was just a coincidence, avenging Changsun Ming while also helping his senior brother Ming Yuan with a favor.

Chen Tang focused solely on drinking large gulps of wine and eating big chunks of meat.

The wine in the Imperial Palace was indeed good, though not as good as Monkey Wine, it had a unique flavor.

After the banquet ended, Yuan Qingmo took Chen Tang to temporarily stay at Prince Wei's Mansion.

Today, there was no curfew in the Capital City.

Even at midnight, the streets and markets of the Capital City were bright with lights.

Grand General's Mansion.

"What do you think of today's matter?"

In a dim room without a trace of light, an old voice suddenly sounded.

"The Emperor is being a bit impatient."

"Oh, how so?"

"The Emperor is not wrong, many of Qian Country's problems indeed stem from the Profound Celestial Sect. But he has no foundation, and not even half a year after ascending the throne, he began implementing new policies."

"Every one of the new policies can be considered wise rule, and they are good for the people. This Emperor can also be considered an enlightened lord. But another purpose of the new policies is to weaken the influence of the Profound Celestial Sect."

"For instance, in rectifying official administration, the Emperor has arrested many people recently, all with unforgivable charges, but most of these people have a common trait…"

At this point, the person paused slightly.

The old man continued for him: "Most of them are followers of the Profound Celestial Sect."

"Indeed."

The person continued: "The establishment of the Qilin Bureau by the Emperor, its most important purpose is probably to use your hand to purge the court of people from the Profound Celestial Sect. The first step is to start with the Four Symbols Bureau."

"The struggle over the Qilin Ranking seems like a victory for the Emperor, but in fact, his situation is becoming increasingly dangerous."

"When the country of Qian was founded, the Profound Celestial Sect had the most merit. Initially, public sentiment was in their favor; a significant reason was the True Dragon of the Profound Celestial Sect selected Emperor Qian. This means that if the new Emperor is out of control, the Profound Celestial Sect can select another by the name of the True Dragon."

The old man asked, "Would the Profound Celestial Sect assassinate the Emperor?"

The person replied, "Assassination is a notorious act, and the Profound Celestial Sect might be wary of its reputation, so they might not directly act. However, they have many methods to make the Emperor lose public support and then achieve their goals through others."

"Should I save him?"

"That depends on what you truly desire. If you just want to be a loyal minister, saving the Emperor will undoubtedly lead to a high position and honor in the future. But if you wish to touch the world, then there's no need to save him."

The old man asked, "How are the two related?"

"In these days I've observed in the Capital City, the current Emperor is entirely different from the old Emperor's unpredictable wrath and brutal tyranny. Through the new policies, you can see he is indeed an enlightened ruler concerned for the people."

"Without the constraining Profound Celestial Sect, in less than ten years, Qian Country would flourish, the nation will be stable, the people secure. What opportunity will there be for you?"

The room fell into a prolonged silence.

After a long time, the old man spoke again: "If the Profound Celestial Sect chooses another, there are really only two candidates: one is Prince Qinghe who is imprisoned in the Capital City, and the other is the current Crown Prince. Neither of them is a benevolent ruler."

"Oh?"

The man was a bit surprised and asked: "The Crown Prince has followed the Emperor since childhood and suffered hardships outside. His temperament is different from the Emperor?"

"Nine sons of a dragon, each different."

The old man snorted gently: "It's said that initially upon entering the Capital, he was normal, but recently, perhaps his true nature is being revealed, becoming increasingly unruly. His temperament, I see, is more like the late Emperor."

The man said, "That would be ideal. With the Crown Prince ascending the throne, the people in distress, thieves emerging, and the world in chaos, it would be your opportunity."

"How are your old connections?"

"I've contacted several members of the Dragon Tiger Guard; they are gathering people, with over ten thousand currently assembled. However, many are old and lack combat power."

"Keep contacting; the number from the previous dynasty isn't just that."

...

Profound Celestial Temple.

In the deep night.

In the courtyard of the Sect Leader's palace, two figures sat at a table, drinking tea under the moon.

One of them was the Profound Celestial Sect Leader, and the other was Grand Commandant Yuwen Mao!

Yuwen Mao asked, "Arhat is a fruit status in the Buddhist Sect. The Lion-Tiger Arhat conferred by His Holiness today is likely intended to use the influence of the Buddhist Sect to suppress the Profound Celestial Sect."

"Moreover, I just heard that His Holiness intends to use this influence to have someone compile a volume of the Great Cloud Treasure Rain Scripture, to spread the Buddhist Teachings and also to prove he is the reincarnation of the Buddha, descended to the world to save all beings."

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader frowned.

The Emperor was increasingly overstepping.

The Emperor of Qian Country had always been designated by the True Dragon of the Profound Celestial Sect.

Yuan Qingshan's move seemed ordinary, like just creating momentum for himself, but actually, he wanted to use the influence of the Buddhist Sect to break free from the shackles of the True Dragon Emperor, to rid himself of the Profound Celestial Sect's influence!

Even if one day the Profound Celestial Sect says that the True Dragon chooses another, Yuan Qingshan could still prove himself to be destined by mandate.

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader said indifferently, "I originally intended to use the Barbarian Race to destroy the Qilin Ranking and give him a lesson. Now it seems I underestimated him."

Yuwen Mao said, "Not only that, the new policies His Holiness has been implementing during this period may also be targeting the Profound Celestial Sect."

"Like the edict of lightening punishments seems on the surface to be a lenient wise rule, but in essence, the focus is on amending the laws. By revising the laws of Qian Country, targeting members of the Profound Celestial Sect, in the future, when they violate the law, they too will face punishment from the court."

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader smiled slightly and shook his head, "Just ascended the throne and so eager to act against the Profound Celestial Sect, truly overestimating oneself, like an ant trying to shake a tree! It seems the old Emperor didn't teach him not to provoke the Profound Celestial Sect."

"Want to fight me in a contest of strategy, then I shall play with him."

"What plan will you put forth?"

"The Emperor implements benevolent rule to win the people's hearts; then I shall make him lose the people's hearts!"

"What if he still refuses to submit?"

"Then replace him."

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