76. Atop the Royal Court
Baili Yue, from the fact that he suddenly launched a two-year slaughter against so many noble families, one could see his nature.
He believed his authority could not be challenged, and for that, he would not hesitate to use any means necessary.
Because he was that kind of emperor, an emperor who would do anything for power.
“But what does this have to do with what you want us to do?” Gong Yiling, after hearing this, was puzzled by Yue Huasheng’s inflammatory words.
“Because you don’t know what he’s planning next.” Yue Huasheng smiled. “Today’s events were a trigger, confirming for him that the Baiyao family and the Sword Emperor’s descendants still have the means to resist. So, his throne is not secure.”
“So, just before I came, he made a decision, a decision I knew about but couldn’t prevent.”
“What decision?”
“In two days, at his thirtieth birthday banquet, he will kill all the cabinet officials and military leaders, and replace them with his own royal kin.”
“Huh?”
Miss Gong was shocked.
She could only say that Baili Yue was a true talent.
The court officials were his right and left hands. Even if a few were disloyal, it was inevitable. You couldn’t guarantee that no one had found any clues about the past.
Once the entire court was reshuffled, not to mention whether the new officials were reliable, it was almost impossible for them to grow into their roles in a short time.
With such a drastic reshuffle, the Baiyao Dynasty would probably collapse from his reckless actions before the Eight Desolations Sword Alliance even had a chance to act.
“This guy must be crazy.” Gong Yiling said what she thought. “If he really dares to do this, then who knows who will be cleaning up who.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Seeing that Yue Huasheng just shrugged and didn’t seem to want to answer her question, Gong Yiling suddenly realized something.
—This guy, could he be thinking…
“In two days?” she couldn’t help but ask. “Brother Yue, are you planning to turn the tables on him, to kill him before he can react?”
Ha!
Before, his stance was ambiguous, but now, it was clear.
“The Kyushu – Eight Desolations Wind and Cloud Sword is already in your hands. That means the things Baili Yue fears will completely spiral out of control. If we can’t take him down the day after tomorrow, who knows what dangerous things he will do.”
Hearing Yue Huasheng’s words, her own intentions became clear.
“Besides us, who else have you found?”
“Naturally, the so-called ‘fish that escaped the net.'” Yue Huasheng smiled. “They all have their own arrangements. Now, everything is ready, just waiting for the east wind.”
“The ‘fish that escaped the net’?” Gong Yiling looked at him with surprise. “You’re not just a simple executioner, but you’ve also managed to preserve this fighting force?”
But how could a State Preceptor be willing to take such risks?
And on the contrary, while saving many, he had also committed many cruel acts against the noble families.
But looking at him now, once his purpose was clear, Gong Yiling felt that this man was someone she could work with.
Before, she thought his motives were strange. If she rashly worked with him, she might be backstabbed one day.
But now it was different.
His words had revealed his stance.
All that was left was—”Brother Yue, I have a question.”
“Please speak freely.”
“It’s like this.” Gong Yiling said, “My father is suspected to be the Eight Desolations Sword Master, so if we really do as you say, it’s all reasonable.”
“But what about you?”
She sized up the so-called State Preceptor. He looked composed and calm, even though Baili Yue was about to launch an unpredictable purge the day after tomorrow. He acted as if it had nothing to do with him.
If so, his reason for acting against the Baili family was very questionable.
“Me?” Yue Huasheng smiled. “Just betting on both sides. But this time, I think you have a better chance of winning, so I used this method to trick that guy.”
Was he really just betting on both sides?
Gong Yiling looked at his usual tea-drinking gesture and felt it was similar to someone she had met before, but she couldn’t quite remember who.
After a moment of thought, she decided to leave the choice to the one who should have the most say.
“To be honest, I didn’t really understand what you were just saying.” Qin Huaiqiu had felt strange from the beginning.
The Sword Emperor, the Baiyao family, what was all this nonsense? It just gave him a headache.
“However,” he continued, “the Grand Elder ordered me to investigate the Sword Control Technique. Now that I know the identity of the user, I can’t just leave.”
“This matter, it’s up to the girl to decide.”
Miss Gong’s head immediately started to ache.
She had intended to let her dad handle this, but who knew he would kick the ball back to her so quickly?
And if she were to decide, then it would be simple.
—She couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.
If she had to find an opportunity herself, the Baili royal family was deeply rooted in the Baiyao Dynasty, and they had the four major Sword Alliances protecting them. It would be a very troublesome matter.
But now—
“Ding, notification: You have successfully received the automatic quest [Atop the Royal Court]”
“Note: This quest is vastly different in form from all previous quests, and the success conditions have also changed. The host needs to open the quest interface for details.”
“Note 2: The Baiyao Dynasty’s reputation system has been activated. A new Baiyao family reputation has been added. Currently, the Baiyao family’s overall reputation in the dynasty is 0.03%, while the Baili family’s is 91.7%. The host is expected to reverse the situation.”
