The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 1046 - 581: Turning a Dead Game Alive, the Tides of Offense and Defense Reversed

Xu Jingtang is dead... just now...

In the corridor of the old building, Zhao Douan reported the latest battle results in a deep voice, while raising his head to appreciate the Empress’s dazed expression, as expected.

Xu Zhenguan’s mind went blank for a moment, and the few chaotic thoughts just now vanished in a blink of an eye.

Her body instinctively leaned forward, almost sticking to him, somewhat anxiously, with a tone filled with uncertainty: "Mu Prince... is dead?!"

This result, to some extent, was beyond her expectation.

Though, in recent days, she had speculated about this possibility, considering Zhang Yan Yi’s mysterious disappearance, this possibility undeniably existed.

But she didn’t dare to hope for it too soon, to avoid disappointment. After all, if the Heavenly Master Mansion was willing to help her, why wait until now?

And the Vassal King stationed in Yunfu was even more the one she was wary of, aside from Prince Jing, Xu Wen.

The best result she originally imagined was merely to drive him back to Yunfu, but before winter arrived, Zhao Douan brought back the result of his death.

"It’s really true, it was Heavenly Master Zhang who acted." Zhao Douan explained earnestly.

Then, under Xu Zhenguan’s puzzled gaze, Zhao Douan started recounting how that night, he led his team to infiltrate Jingchuan City, first entered the Huai’an Prince Mansion, then encountered the fierce resistance of two skilled monks from the Divine Dragon Temple, and finally, a fierce battle erupted in the Hundred Generations Garden.

He continued to narrate until he escaped to Zhengyang Mountain, where Zhang Yan Yi subdued the Sorrow God, leading to Xu Jingtang’s "accidental" death, and the entire plan of the Old Heavenly Master afterwards.

Due to the many events that occurred, even though Zhao Douan had refined his account a lot, he still spent a considerable amount of words.

"So, Zhang Yan Yi went along with the flow, using you as bait to set this all up?" Xu Zhenguan’s expression changed, finally understanding what those two sensed waves of heaven and earth corresponded to.

Zhao Douan responded, "Yes, it’s also some sort of mutual benefit. Honestly, Xu Jingtang brought it upon himself; if only his ambition were smaller, and he had withdrawn to Yunfu quietly without attaching to the Sorrow God, Heavenly Master Zhang wouldn’t have intervened. Well, this could be considered skirting the edge of the Heavenly Agreement?"

However, Xu Zhenguan didn’t care about these; instead, she only felt a heavy rock on her heart suddenly lighten!

No great joy, more of a relief, like a bucket hanging in a well finally hoisted up, and the arm drawing water relaxing, feeling only the exhaustion after soreness.

With Xu Jingtang dead, the Yunfu Rebel Army would no longer be a threat, and completely defeating them, reclaiming Yunfu seems almost unobstructed now.

The only thing left is the eldest son stationed in Yunfu locally, who is said to be someone exhausted by indulgence...

And with taking half of the Huai River and stabilizing Yunfu, one could say the court’s greatest crisis has been half resolved.

Even more...

With Xu Jingtang’s death and the news of Prince Huaian’s alignment spreading, the Eight Princes’ alliance is very likely to waver.

Just like a game of chess where, during the midgame, a decisive move could completely turn the tables, changing the dynamics of attack and defense.

"Good, very good, extremely good." The Empress uttered three words of approval, her emotions surging.

Nonetheless, Zhao Douan didn’t forget to report another crucial piece of information: "By the way, Heavenly Master Zhang seems to know that the Dragon Essence is with me..."

He also narrated the conversation in the academy.

After the Empress listened, she was momentarily stunned and furrowed her brows: "I did not reveal it; then he must have figured it out."

Zhao Douan continued, "What catches my attention is his final reminder, clearly suggesting to me that the Dragon Essence can be controlled."

Just now, Zhang Yan Yi said the Dragon Essence is a nascent form of the "Martial God," not much different from the Divine, combined with how Xu Jingtang controlled the Sorrow God, Zhao Douan naturally picked up on the underlying implication.

Control the Dragon Essence? This possibility was attempted during the first "honest exchange" between the monarch and minister, but both ended in failure.

To date, neither has explored how to control the Dragon Essence, making it seem as if this inheritance left by the Grand Ancestor Emperor is in a dead slumber.

"Judging by his words, only when I’m in life-threatening danger, on the brink of death, could the Dragon Essence possibly awaken." Zhao Douan shook his head with a wry smile.

He couldn’t truly conduct an experiment, right?

Even if relying on Zhenbao, if there’s any mistake and the Dragon Essence doesn’t awaken before death, and the person can’t be saved, it would indeed be a big mess...

"Perhaps the timing isn’t right," Xu Zhenguan pondered briefly and reasoned: "The Dragon Essence is left by the ancestor, and so is the Human World; perhaps the method to control the Dragon Essence is hidden within. Let’s do this: first, accompany me to inform the ministers, after that, I’ll venture into the Human World to find that Zhang Hui and ask clearly."

"..." Zhao Douan hesitated: "Today?"

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him: "Is there a problem?"

"...No." Zhao Douan reluctantly agreed, starting to think about how to bluff her once they entered the Human World.

But before that, the Empress still needed to convene a Court Meeting.

...

...

Sunshine spilled over the deep red palace walls, and the white jade railings shimmered softly in the daylight.

Outside the Meridian Gate, following the Empress’s orders, the prominent officials of the capital’s court hurriedly gathered from various government offices.

A large group of officials almost arrived one after the other, their hearts tense, discussing animatedly.

"Mr. Wang, do you know what happened? Why has Your Majesty suddenly summoned us urgently and called so many court ministers?"

"Mr. Zhou, you’re asking the wrong person; I’m just as puzzled. However, it’s likely related to the Huai River conflict."

"Not necessarily, the situation on Xiping Road and Iron Pass Road isn’t settled either? Ah, trying times indeed."