"Besides, modern weapons are useless against them, but a human who is a Grandmaster of Divine Intent can have their physical body blasted to bits by a single cannonball, perishing completely."
Yuan Mu Fei fell silent. He suddenly understood why his father had been so alarmed earlier when he heard the news about that giant snake.
He also suddenly understood why the Daxia New Country had been so fearful of Westerners all these years.
It was all because their firepower was just too overwhelming.
A single cannon blast, and it wouldn’t matter if you were a Grandmaster of Divine Intent or a Grandmaster of Huajin. The only result would be death.
’Damn it all. The weapons of mass destruction created by humanity have now become weapons for the Outer Celestial Demons. What’s the point of even fighting? We might as well just surrender now.’
Yuan Datong twisted the knife. "Even if Emperor Zulong and his cohort were resurrected now, they’d be blown to smithereens by those Western planes and cannons."
A long silence fell over the living room. Yuan Mu Fei carefully asked again, "Father, are we still going to use that snake for publicity?"
Yuan Datong glanced at him, his eyes burning with two balls of fire.
"Yes. Why wouldn’t we?"
He was now completely captivated by that position. Since ancient times, the supreme status of the Emperor of Daxia was a position countless people dreamed of but could never attain.
Who in the world wouldn’t want to sit on that dragon throne? After all, even being emperor for a single day would be enough to be immortalized in history!
Yuan Datong felt that even if he died after being emperor for just one day, he would be willing!
And besides... he lowered his head to look at his own hands. The slightly aged pair of hands was trembling faintly.
It wasn’t from fear, but from excitement. Yuan Datong could feel the bottleneck at the Peak of Huajin, which had held him back for years, beginning to stir within him.
He was so close, just a little bit more. All he needed was a catalyst, and he could break through to that coveted realm: Grandmaster of Divine Intent!
And that catalyst would be the day he ascended the throne!
"Oh, right, Father." Yuan Mu Fei’s voice interrupted his reverie.
"Those people from Purple Qi City have also agreed to attend the banquet tonight, including that Regent Prince of the Yin Court, Yin Fusheng."
Hearing this, Yuan Datong narrowed his eyes and said nothing, merely letting out a cold sneer.
Although the Daxia New Country had been established for thirty years, a group of Yin Court remnants still lived in the Imperial Palace in Purple Qi City.
These descendants of the former dynasty’s royal family still occupied the Imperial Palace, a symbol of supreme power.
Why?
This was a condition the Western Countries proposed when they withdrew their troops. It was simple, really. They just wanted to leave something behind to vex the Daxia New Country.
Just then, a servant’s voice came from outside the door. "Sir, Advisor Sun Niangu from the Bureau of Antiquities requests an audience."
Yuan Datong was slightly taken aback.
’Sun Niangu?’
’Isn’t that man putting all his effort into tracking down that highly significant Dragon Robe? How does he have time to come here?’
’Could it be... he found it?’
Yuan Mu Fei had the same thought. He quickly stood up and said urgently, "Quick! Have him come in!"
A few moments later, a figure in a gray tunic suit strode quickly into the living room.
Sun Niangu walked into the center of the room. He first gave a slight nod to Yuan Mu Fei, then turned to Yuan Datong and bowed deeply. "Sun Niangu greets His Excellency the President!"
Yuan Datong didn’t put on airs, making a gesture to help him up. "Yes, have a seat and speak."
Sun Niangu was not just a Grandmaster of Huajin; he was also a member of the reclusive Sun Family, an Ancient Martial Family.
The Sun Family had only emerged from seclusion in recent years, and their choice to cooperate with the Yuan Family carried enough weight to warrant his courtesy.
Sun Niangu sat down on a side sofa, his expression solemn as he began, "His Excellency the President, the Bureau of Antiquities has essentially finished interrogating the Yinting Palace Attendants who fled the Imperial Palace back then."
He paused, then added with regret, "Most of the artifacts and jewels have been recovered, but the Dragon Robe is still nowhere to be found."
Yuan Mu Fei immediately grew anxious. "Advisor Sun! Didn’t you say you had a lead?"
Sun Niangu nodded, unhurried. "Yes. I previously received information from Chu Chongxiao, the son of an Imperial Guard."
"His father, Chu Baoshen, was digging in the backyard one night back then. The son inadvertently glimpsed a garment with something like a dragon pattern being stuffed into a box and taken away."
"Furthermore, Chu Chongxiao revealed several possible suspects. After investigating them one by one, we finally zeroed in on the Lu Family of Yun Port City."
As he spoke, he looked up at Yuan Datong. "Specifically, the current advisor for the Yun Port City Divine Land Martial Arts Demonstration, Lu Yun."
Yuan Mu Fei’s expression changed, and he blurted out, "What? It’s him?"
Sun Niangu looked at him, raising an eyebrow slightly. "What’s this? Does Eldest Young Master Fei know him?"
Yuan Mu Fei quickly waved his hands. "No, no, I don’t know him. I’ve just heard some news coming out of Yun Port City, that’s all."
Yuan Datong finally spoke, his eyes fixed on Sun Niangu. "So, what are you implying?" he asked gravely.
Sun Niangu shook his head helplessly. "I made a trip to Yun Port City previously and sounded out that Advisor Lu. The results showed nothing out of the ordinary."
"I was originally planning to return and ask for His Excellency the President’s opinion, but who would have known? Today, my subordinates reported that the informant, Chu Chongxiao, son of the former Imperial Guard, has been killed."
"The murderer... was none other than this Advisor Lu."
"What?"
Yuan Mu Fei shot to his feet, his face flushed with agitation. "Then he must be the one who hid the Dragon Robe! Father! Should I take some men and drag him back here?"
Yuan Datong ignored him, simply looking at Sun Niangu and asking slowly, "How confident are you?"
Sun Niangu was silent for a moment before shaking his head. "I have no confidence. This Advisor Lu’s strength is unfathomable. I don’t believe I am his match."
Yuan Mu Fei was stunned. ’Who was Sun Niangu? A Grandmaster of Huajin! An expert from the Sun Family!’
’And he was actually saying he was no match for some so-called advisor from the Yun Port City Martial Arts Demonstration?’
Yuan Datong’s brow furrowed slightly at Sun Niangu’s firm assertion.
After all, the threat posed by a Grandmaster of Huajin could vary. If you encountered a truly ruthless one, they were basically a living weapon.
If one were to go on a rampage, killing indiscriminately with modern weapons, the consequences... would be simply unimaginable.
He thought for a moment before finally shaking his head. "Forget it. Let the matter of the Dragon Robe drop."
Yuan Mu Fei grew anxious. "Father! But—"
Yuan Datong cut him off. "No buts. In any case, the Heirloom Seal of the Realm is in the hands of our Yuan Family. Go and have a new Dragon Robe prepared."
He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and gazed out the window at the vast sky. "Since it is a new imperial system, let everything be made anew."
"Yes, Your Excellency the President!" Sun Niangu bowed and took his leave.
Only the father and son, Yuan Datong and Yuan Mu Fei, remained in the living room. Yuan Mu Fei’s expression changed instantly.
His earlier urgency now twisted into a look of gloom and resentment. "Father, what about the candidate for Military Governor of Yun Port City?"
"Didn’t you say last night that you were going to choose from the four advisors at the Martial Arts Demonstration?"
Yuan Datong glanced at him and said unhurriedly, "Of course. Everything proceeds as planned."
Yuan Mu Fei was a little confused. "As planned? But that Lu Yun doesn’t know his place! He actually dares to oppose our Yuan Family!"
Yuan Datong didn’t answer directly. His gaze was distant as he said, "Send people to notify those four. Oh, and since this Lu Yun happens to be here, send him an invitation as well."
"Tonight’s banquet will be the perfect opportunity to ask this Advisor Lu his thoughts face-to-face."
He paused, a cold smile touching his lips. "Also, remember to spread the news. Make sure everyone in Yun Port City knows that the position of Military Governor is about to change hands."
Yuan Mu Fei’s eyes lit up as he instantly understood his father’s intention. "Father, you mean..."
Yuan Datong said coldly, "That traitor Zhang Cheng’an... if I can put him in power, I can just as easily crush him."
Zhang Cheng’an, the current Military Governor of Yun Port City, had been personally installed in that position by Yuan Datong.
But after only a few years, the man had gotten it into his head that he could stand on his own. In recent years, he had started to feign compliance while acting defiantly, all while making moves in secret.
Since he was unwilling to be obedient, Yuan Datong didn’t mind replacing him.
This was an open gambit!
As long as the four advisors in Yun Port City agreed to be candidates, the news would inevitably reach Zhang Cheng’an’s ears.
Would that traitor take this lying down?
No, he wouldn’t. He would surely jump out and use every means at his disposal to stop it.
Then, all the Martial Artists of Yun Port City would be pitted against Zhang Cheng’an, the Military Governor who held a powerful army in his grasp.
No matter who won, they would suffer heavy losses, and he, Yuan Datong, could then step in to take control of the situation. It was a plan to kill two birds with one stone!

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