We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 606: Who Buried Gold Beneath My House!

Sword-light erupted from Qingyue Pavilion, tearing through the evening clouds, illuminating the entire palace.

Fierce sword-qi swept through the palace like a rushing wind.

Every soldier locked in combat throughout the palace could not help but turn their eyes toward Qingyue Pavilion at once.

Zeng Qiang, having just finished his own battle, withdrew his long blade from Yuan Xiaʼs heart.

Yuan Xia clutched at his chest, collapsing to the ground, his eyes never closing again.

Before Zeng Qiang lay the bodies of Yuan Xia and fifteen other Left Divine Might Army soldiers.

Yuan Xia had never imagined, not for a moment, that Zeng Qiang would betray the Chancellor, and moreover, that Zeng Qiangʼs cultivation had already reached the middle stage of the Cave Mansion realm.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Zeng Qiang did not even spare Yuan Xia a glance, only leading his Right Divine Might Army hurriedly toward Qingyue Pavilion, wanting to reinforce His Majesty.

Though His Majesty had always insisted he could handle Yan Shanʼao alone, Zeng Qiang genuinely feared something might go wrong but by the time Zeng Qiang led several Right Divine Might Army soldiers to arrive before Qingyue Pavilion.

The array covering Qingyue Pavilion had already begun to dissolve.

The doors opened.

Xiao Mo walked out from within Qingyue Pavilion.

At this moment, Xiao Mo was covered head to toe in blood, his hair disheveled, his dragon robe torn and tattered, the sleeve of his right arm entirely gone, blood still trickling ceaselessly from his wrist, running down along his sword, dripping onto the ground yet not a single person present felt that Xiao Mo looked disheveled or defeated.

Quite the opposite. Watching this scene, the Right Divine Might Armyʼs soldiers felt their hearts racing.

To their minds, this was truly their sovereign!

A sovereign with real courage and spirit!

The rumored emperor, weak and utterly consumed by cultivation, had vanished entirely from their minds!

No small number of the soldiers even sensed a strange, magnetic charisma in their emperor, that even though this was their first time laying eyes upon His Majestyʼs face, they would gladly lay down their lives for him at a single word but before long, Zeng Qiang and the othersʼ attention was drawn to His Majestyʼs left hand.

His Majestyʼs left hand held a severed head.

When Zeng Qiang looked closely, his expression froze in shock.

It was Yan Shanʼaoʼs head!

To Zeng Qiangʼs mind, His Majesty only needed to hold out long enough for him to arrive with soldiers to surround and defeat Yan Shanʼao yet he had never expected that His Majesty would, in the end, simply behead Yan Shanʼao himself!

Watching this man, once so utterly untouchable within the Zhou Kingdom, now lying dead.

Zeng Qiang, too, felt a certain sense of unreality settle over him.

He felt almost as though he were dreaming.

His own sovereign, wielding nothing but the sword in his hand, had personally slain this treacherous minister, reclaiming power for himself!

”Where is the Right Divine Might Army!” Xiao Mo called out to Zeng Qiang and the dozens of soldiers not far off.

”This humble general is here!” Zeng Qiang knelt on one knee.

”The Divine Might Army pays its respects to Your Majesty!” The Right Divine Might Armyʼs soldiers, too, knelt on one knee, following Zeng Qiangʼs lead.

Xiao Mo tossed Yan Shanʼaoʼs severed head forward.

The head rolled down the steps, tumbling to a stop before Zeng Qiang.

Right after, Xiao Mo tossed out a list as well, “Every treacherous official on this list is to be seized and thrown into the imperial prison! Spread word of Yan Shanʼaoʼs death throughout the entire capital, as swiftly as possible!”

”Yes! Your Majesty!” Zeng Qiang, who had waited so long for this very day, felt his eyes redden. ”If this humble general lets even a single one escape, I will bring you my own head!”

Zeng Qiang gathered up the list in one hand, the severed head in the other, leading the Right Divine Might Army away from Qingyue Pavilion.

”Thereʼs nothing more to be done here. Go and rest.” Xiao Mo said to the nine death-sworn retainers behind him.

The nine women exchanged glances with one another.

At last, the one leading them stepped forward, “Your Majesty, Commander Zeng instructed us to protect you.”

”Itʼs all right now. Who could possibly threaten me at this point? Go on, youʼve all worked hard tonight. Rest and recover from your wounds. I will reward you all in due time.”

”Yes, Your Majesty. Then this humble servant and the others will take our leave.”

The nine women bowed, embracing their swords.

To their minds, they had genuinely contributed something to tonightʼs efforts, but in truth, not a great deal.

By comparison, they had personally witnessed His Majesty fight Yan Shanʼao from beginning to end, overcoming an entire major realmʼs gap between them, ultimately beheading him.

They had not even clearly seen that final strike His Majesty had unleashed.

They only knew that the strike had been extraordinarily fast, far faster than any ordinary Cave Mansion realm cultivator could possibly manage.

Once everyone had left, only Xiao Mo remained before Qingyue Pavilion.

Xiao Mo slowly crouched down, sitting upon the steps, gazing up at the stars above the palace, feeling a calm within his heart unlike any he had known before.

Never mind anyone else, even Xiao Mo himself felt a certain sense of unreality in this moment.

Though he had run through this day countless times in his mind already.

Now that it had truly happened, it still felt somewhat unreal but Xiao Mo also understood that Yan Shanʼaoʼs death was merely the beginning of everything. Much more work still awaited him.

”Your Majesty...”

Just as Xiao Mo sat lost in thought upon the steps, Qin Siyaoʼs voice came from not far off.

Xiao Mo looked up, and saw Yan Ruxue and Qin Siyao hurrying toward him, with Jiang Rou, her face veiled in gauze, holding her sword, following close behind.

Qin Siyao came to Xiao Moʼs side, looking at his wounds, her eyes nearly overflowing with heartache.

Yan Ruxue took out a handkerchief, gently wiping the blood from Xiao Moʼs face, her eyes full of tenderness.

”Your Majesty is so severely wounded. Who knows how long it will take to heal.”

Qin Siyao reached out a slender hand, wanting to touch Xiao Moʼs wounds, but worried it might cause him pain, dared not press down too hard.

”Just a few surface wounds, nothing serious.” Xiao Mo said with a smile, glancing toward Jiang Rou not far off. ”Though I did overcome an entire major realmʼs gap to kill Yan Shanʼao. I hope I havenʼt embarrassed Sword Fairy Jiang.”

”Hmph.”

Jiang Rou turned her head away, biting her lip tightly, saying coldly.

”Men are all the same, always so eager to show off their strength.”

Beyond Vermilion Bird Gate, the Right Feathered Forest Army and the Vermilion Bird Army were locked in fierce combat.

Zhang Haishen, wielding his great blade, struck at Xi Shanfeng again and again, as though hammering a stake into the ground.

Xi Shanfengʼs hands went numb from the impact but his mind was not truly on the battle beyond Vermilion Bird Gate at all.

He could only worry about the Chancellorʼs safety.

Of course, this did not mean Xi Shanfeng harbored any deep loyalty toward Yan Shanʼao.

Rather, in his years serving under Yan Shanʼao, he had committed no small number of evil deeds.

Under his own hand, who knew how many loyal officials had lost their lives.

Now that something had happened to Yan Shanʼao, he naturally felt panic because if Yan Shanʼao truly had fallen, then he himself surely could not escape the consequences either!

And just as Xi Shanfengʼs anxiety mounted, Zeng Qiangʼs voice reached everyoneʼs ears, “By His Majestyʼs decree! All soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Army, lay down your weapons!”

Hearing the words ”by His Majestyʼs decree,” Xi Shanfeng felt a wave of dread wash over him, yet he still shouted almost simultaneously, “Zeng Qiang, how dare you forge His Majestyʼs decree! What have you all done to His Majesty?!”

Zeng Qiang glanced at Xi Shanfeng flatly, as though looking upon a dying fool struggling futilely, beyond all hope of saving.

”Lord Xi, youʼd best not continue this desperate resistance.”

With these words, Zeng Qiang tossed forward the severed head he carried on his back.

The instant he saw Yan Shanʼaoʼs head, Xi Shanfengʼs mind went entirely blank. He knew, then, that he was truly finished.

”The traitor Yan Shanʼao oppressed the common people, disrupted the order of the court, and persecuted the loyal and righteous. Today, His Majesty invited Yan Shanʼao to a banquet, and Yan Shanʼao harbored treasonous intentions against him. Fortunately, Heaven protected His Majesty, and in the end, Yan Shanʼao was slain by His Majestyʼs own hand!”

”Vermilion Bird Army Commander Xi Shanfeng and Deputy Commander Zhou Qi attempted to force their way into the palace, intending harm against His Majesty, disloyal, unrighteous, and unfilial. Heaven and earth cannot tolerate such conduct. Their positions as Vermilion Bird Army commanders are hereby stripped, and they are to be seized, imprisoned, and dealt with accordingly.”

”As for everyone else, having merely been deceived by this treacherous minister, lay down your weapons, and your past actions will be forgiven!”

Hearing Zeng Qiangʼs words, the Vermilion Bird Armyʼs soldiers exchanged uncertain glances.

The moment one Vermilion Bird Army soldier laid down his weapon, the others followed suit, one after another, like a wave.

”Seize him!”

Zeng Qiang said coldly toward Xi Shanfeng.

Xi Shanfeng, by now utterly broken in spirit, could hear nothing more, only standing blankly in place as his weapon was taken from him, his spiritual apertures sealed.

The residence of the Minister of Works.

The sky had only just begun to lighten, and Minister of Works Jin Fugui was fast asleep in the bed of one of his concubines but at that very moment, a commotion erupted beyond the door.

”Master! Master!”

The household steward did not even bother knocking, bursting straight into the room.

Jin Fugui startled awake, sitting up abruptly, while his concubine hurriedly pulled up the covers, shyly hiding herself behind him.

”Shouting like this in the dead of night, whatʼs the matter with you? Donʼt you know how to knock?” Jin Fugui said angrily.

”Master, terrible news, master!” the steward said, nearly in tears. ”The Left Feathered Forest Army Commander, heʼs already burst into our residence...”

”...What?” Jin Fugui said furiously. ”The Left Feathered Forest Army Commander? What does Zhang Haishen want? Has he gone mad?”

”Wait, somethingʼs wrong! Quick! Get me dressed!”

Jin Fugui thought for a moment, and quickly came to a realization.

He knew that his own daughter Jinlian had, for years now, been repeatedly cuckolding Zhang Haishen but this son-in-law of his had always been too afraid to say anything about it, swallowing his anger in silence.

If he had truly summoned the nerve to act now, why had he waited until now? Something must surely be wrong!

Once properly dressed, Jin Fugui hurried to the front courtyard, and found Zhang Haishen there, directing his men as they carried away various items.

”Ah, my good son-in-law! What wind has brought you here? Coming without so much as a word beforehand.”

Jin Fugui hurried forward, wanting to take hold of Zhang Haishenʼs arm, hoping to appear friendly but Zhang Haishen quickly stepped back, keeping his distance, extending a hand toward his deputy officer instead.

The deputy officer respectfully handed over an imperial decree.

Zhang Haishen unrolled the decree, announcing loudly, “Minister of Works Jin Fugui! Receive the decree!”

”Receiving the decree... this subject receives the decree!” Jin Fugui froze for a moment, then hurriedly knelt.

”Minister of Works Jin Fugui, you achieved fame in your youth, passing the imperial examination at twenty-five, earning the deep trust of the previous emperor, ranked among the six ministers of state. Yet you formed factions for personal gain, abandoned your original convictions, and colluded with Yan Shanʼao. In your years of office, you brought calamity upon the nation and suffering upon the people, squeezed the common folk of their wealth, and sold official positions for profit. In every matter of state construction, you meddled and manipulated, falsely inflating costs of labor and materials, embezzling sums of silver beyond count. Your countless offenses fill me with deep sorrow and disappointment. I hereby order the relevant authorities to confiscate your entire estate into the imperial treasury, and your family and servants shall be dealt with afterward according to the laws of Great Zhou!”

Zhang Haishen read the entire decree in one breath, and Jin Fuguiʼs face turned deathly pale.

To his mind, His Majesty had used every possible term for a corrupt official, and applied every single one to him.

”What are you standing there for, Lord Jin? Receive the decree!” Zhang Haishen barked. Not since his own wedding day had he felt such deep satisfaction.

”No... impossible, I am a loyal official! How could I possibly have done such things!” Jin Fugui hurried to his feet, grabbing at Zhang Haishenʼs arm. ”Good son-in-law, you know full well, I... though I may not be the most upstanding official, I would never dare do such things, I...”

”Wouldnʼt dare do such things? Heh heh, Lord Jin, is there truly anything in this world you wouldnʼt dare do?” Zhang Haishen stamped his foot on the ground. ”This spot should do, shouldnʼt it? Someone, dig here!”

”Wait! Wait a moment...”

Jin Fugui, startled, tried to rush forward, but was immediately restrained by Zhang Haishenʼs men.

In less than half an hour, the men had dug three chi deep into the earth, until a hollow ”thud” sounded out.

”Commander, weʼve found several large chests.” the deputy commander reported.

”Open them!” Zhang Haishen ordered.

”Yes!”

The men forced open the chests one after another.

Inside were glittering gold ingots, spirit stones after spirit stone, along with various famous treasures and finely preserved calligraphy and paintings.

”So, Lord Jin, is this what you call ʼnot daringʼ to do such things?”

Zhang Haishen picked up a gold ingot, walking up to Jin Fugui, tapping it against his face.

”Who? Who buried this gold, these spirit stones, these paintings beneath my house! Who!” Jin Fugui shouted at those around him, repeatedly.

”Enough, Lord Jin, thereʼs no need to keep acting. Save it for His Majesty.” Zhang Haishen swept a hand. ”Take him away!”

”Zhang Haishen! You canʼt do this! What right do you have to take me away! Have you gone mad? The Chancellor will not let this stand!” Jin Fugui shouted, even as he was dragged away.

”The Chancellor?”

Zhang Haishen gave a cold laugh, his next words plunging Jin Fugui into an icy pit of despair.

”The Chancellor is already dead!”

At the same time, similar events were unfolding throughout the residences of high officials across the Great Zhou capital.

After Zeng Qiang took control of the Left Divine Might Army, and Yue Qianzhi took control of the Left Feathered Forest Army, they dispatched soldiers to arrest members of the Yan faction one by one.

Among these members of the Yan faction were both those on the list Yan Ruxue had provided, and those Wei Xun had compiled over the years at Xiao Moʼs instruction.

Whether or not evidence existed, all were taken into custody without exception, better to arrest wrongly than let one escape.

At first, these Yan faction members resisted fiercely but upon hearing that Yan Shanʼao was dead, they all abandoned their resistance.

In truth, they understood well enough that His Majesty dispatching the imperial guard to arrest them meant that Yan Shanʼao had already lost his power, otherwise His Majesty would never have dared act so boldly.

They simply could not, for the moment, accept it.

Some of these Yan faction members even felt that Yan Shanʼaoʼs fall from power did not matter so much.

The Yan faction still remained, and given a little time, they believed they could reorganize themselves, and confront His Majesty once more but everything now had happened far too suddenly.

In the span of a single night alone.

The sky over Great Zhou was truly about to change.