Intermission – New Emperor and Appointment of Imperial Chancellor
"Ugh…"
As the pain emanating from where his eyes should be subsides, the Hong Xiao Emperor grinds his teeth together in frustration.
Glancing at the Hong Xiao Emperor, Bujian Yue remarks—
"You wish to ask—why did things turn out this way, do you not?"
"…Why?"
"Taking what was originally someone else's—means you should have been prepared to deal with the consequences. This is simply karma, something that can only be fought back against with enough strength. You were simply… Too weak, too naïve, too stupid—thinking that you would be able to avoid paying a price for your success."
"…"
If the Hong Xiao Emperor was asked who he hates the most right now, then he would definitely say that it was the 114th concubine. Had he not given his seeds over to the latter, then Bujian Yue wouldn't have been born, and he would have been able to maintain his lofty status as the emperor of this star region.
"I… I've never once-"
"Never once mistreated me? Do you seriously expect me to believe that?"
Raising a sigh, Bujian Yue goes on to ask—
"It was quite exhausting for you to put on the act of a caring father in front of a blind man, wasn't it? And you could hardly wait to put that same blind man out of their misery, correct? Hmm, what else was there? Ah, "regardless of who it is, since they dare to get in my way, I'll definitely let them experience something worse than death. Even if they were my own kin," that's what you said back then, right?"
"…"
Towards these questions, the Hong Xiao Emperor turns pale.
Maintaining a venomous smile, Bujian Yue remarks—
"You mentioned something about seizing the Lingchen Star Region's destiny as well. Did you honestly think that doing so—would have allowed you to become a Half-Monarch? A person like you, who thinks with their lower half—even if you had a trillion years, you wouldn't be able to become a Half-Monarch."
Tired of talking, Bujian Yue swings the blood sword—severing the Hong Xiao Emperor's head.
Snapping his fingers, all the heads from before flew out of the audience hall, and positioned themselves around Bujian Yue.
[…]
[…]
Seeing the imposing figure of the Imprisoning Heaven, the souls sealed within the heads can't help but tremble.
And rather quickly, all the sealed souls directed a glare at the 114th concubine.
[…]
Being subjected to these glares, the 114th concubine's soul seems to shrink.
"…"
Drawing the Hong Xiao Emperor's blood into the blood sword, Bujian Yue sweeps his gaze across the field of palace officials, guards, maids, and what remains of the imperial household.
As a suffocating force of Dao will emanate from Bujian Yue, he orders—
"Kneel."
*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!* following Bujian Yue's command, all but a single individual falls onto their knees.
(This is…?)
(Dao of the Emperor?)
Ignoring the people's astonishment, Bujian Yue states—
"Henceforth, I am the emperor of this star region. And if there are any who objects… My sword is quite thirsty for sacrifices."
"…"
"…"
Unable to raise a single word—even if they wished to do so, all eyes eventually turned towards the only person, who was allowed to remain standing.
"…"
Turning towards the purple-robed figure, Chen Yuqiu, Bujian Yue declares—
"Chen Yuqiu—henceforth, you are the imperial chancellor."
"…?"
"…!"
"…!"
Towards this abrupt declaration, all eyes widen in shock.
Ever since the previous Hong Xiao Emperor took over the throne, the position of imperial chancellor—the position that is just beneath the former in power, has been left vacant.
"…"
Recovering from her state of daze, Chen Yuqiu clasps her hands together, and bows, while replying—
"…Understood."
"I want everything sorted out by the time I return from the Lingchen Star Realm."
Having said this, Bujian Yue steps into the air, and taking a few steps forward, the former merges with the Imprisoning Heaven, causing all traces of gold on its body to turn crimson.
Taking the heads with him, Bujian Yue—in the form of the Imprisoning Heaven, vanishes from sight.
Following Bujian Yue's disappearance, the palace associates remark—
"…46th prince, he- No, his majesty… Does he plan to wipe out the Lingchen imperial household?"
"This…- What about the marriage?"
"Did you not see the heads of Princess Xiao Kui's guards in his collection?"
"Something must have happened during his majesty's meeting with the princess…"
"In the first place, the entire engagement deal between his majesty and the princess was strange, it was probably some sort of scheme devised by the Lingchen Emperor."
"His majesty had hidden his cultivation base so deeply, I highly doubt the Lingchen Emperor was in the know about it…"
"His majesty's trip to the Lingchen Star Realm, it can't possibly be for peaceful reasons…"
Ignoring the palace associates' conversations, Chen Yuqiu mutters—
"…Sort out everything by the time he returns...…?"
Contemplating her first assignment as imperial chancellor, Chen Yuqiu can't help but frown, as she feels a headache welling up.
(The citizens, they must be in a state of panic right now… Spreading the news that the emperor had died, and that a new one has taken over, all of this is going to incite more chaos… Uh…)
As all eyes turn to her—who had suddenly become the second most powerful figure in this star region, Chen Yuqiu snaps out of her chaotic state of mind.
"Imperial chancellor, what now?"
Drawing in a deep breath of air, Chen Yuqiu answers—
"First, let's pacify the citizens' panic. Seeing the Imprisoning Heaven, it can't be good for their state of mind. After that…"