Chapter 416: Great Tong Dynasty

A month later, news of the complete collapse between the Great Wu court and the Yan Southern Army around the Meng River spread like wildfire across the entire Great Wu.

Both sides issued their own versions of persuasive “declarations against treachery,” placing all the blame squarely on the other.

Especially the Great Wu court, which directly painted the Yan Southern Army as a wicked rebel force committing all manner of atrocities—pillaging, plundering, raping—monstrous demons whose sins could not be absolved even by exterminating their entire clan.

Naturally, upon hearing such news, the common people felt as though the sky had fallen. After all, they were aware that the Great Tong Dynasty had once allied with demons. So everyone had hoped that once the Great Wu court joined forces with Yan Wuyong, they could finally drive the demons out of Great Wu.

But who would’ve thought that after years of alliance with little to show for it, the two sides would suddenly fall out…

Thus, the territory of Great Wu was now split in a tripartite standoff: the Great Tong Dynasty held the largest territory in the north, followed by the Great Wu court in the east, and finally the Yan Southern Army in the south.

At the heart of Changyang Prefecture stood a newly built palace, towering in majesty and radiating splendor and grandeur.

Before the palace stretched a broad and straight imperial road, flanked by railings carved from white marble. The railings bore intricate patterns of dragons and phoenixes amid swirling clouds.

The palace’s main gate was tall and solemn. Above the lintel hung a massive gilded plaque.

Crafted from top-grade sandalwood and overlaid with a paper-thin layer of gold foil, the plaque gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight, dazzling the eyes.

Three powerful words were inscribed on it: Great Tong Hall. The strokes were vigorous and flowing, conveying an open-hearted vision to embrace all under heaven.

Inside the grand hall stood four thick columns that reached up to the ceiling. Carved upon them were yin-yang Taiji diagrams, symbolizing the philosophy of coexistence and mutual complement between humans and demons.

At the center of the hall stood two imperial thrones side by side, both carved from whole slabs of premium rosewood, with inlaid gems and fine jade on the backrests.

Seated on the left throne was the former Fifth Prince of Great Wu, now titled Emperor Tongchu—Ye Kunxing, one of the co-rulers of the Great Tong Dynasty.

He wore a purple brocade robe and reclined against the throne back in a relaxed posture.

On the right throne sat a plump woman dressed in bright yellow robes—none other than the former Lustful Ghost, now restored to her original name, Liu Shi.

She also bore a new title—Regent Empress.

To recount, years ago on the day Northern Huangtian broke its seal, the Flood Dragon Emperor was caught off guard by the dying counterattack of Daoist Ling Xuan, which plunged him into an indescribable illusion.

Before entering seclusion to dispel the illusion, he appointed Liu Shi as Regent Empress to lead the demon army in his stead.

And thus, she ascended to a position even she had never imagined possible.

In the front of the hall, a clear dividing line ran down the center, splitting the officials into two sides.

To the left stood the human officials in white uniforms.

To the right were the demon officials clad in black, including several graceful female demons among them.

“The matter between the Great Wu court and the Yan Southern Army, I trust everyone has already heard of it,” said Emperor Tongchu.

“My foolish third brother—as I expected—grew wary of Yan Wuyong’s capabilities and attempted to control him.”

“Who would’ve thought he’d end up backfiring so badly, breaking apart the only stable alliance they had.”

At this point, Emperor Tongchu straightened up slightly and said seriously, “Now is a golden opportunity for our Great Tong Dynasty. Should we attack the Great Wu court first, or eliminate the Yan Southern Army? What say you, Regent Empress?”

Liu Shi responded calmly, “For the Great Wu court to suffer such internal strife at this moment—it clearly signals their fate has run its course.”

“We should first annihilate the Great Wu court, then move on to deal with Yan Wuyong.”

Emperor Tongchu nodded. “That aligns with my thinking. What say you, my dear ministers?”

On the left, silence reigned. None of the human ministers spoke up, as if whatever the rulers said was absolute.

From the right, a burly man stepped forward—once a tiger demon in his original form.

This demon was named Lei Zhen, nearly nine feet tall, with bulging muscles that made his wide official robes look tight and strained. His exposed skin was bronze-hued with faint traces of tiger stripes.

His eyes were sharp and bright, and beneath his short, dense black hair was a broad, determined brow and a sharply contoured face exuding untamed wildness.

“Emperor Tongchu,” Lei Zhen said, “aside from those two strong foes, I believe we must first eliminate Four Corners Town, and that damned Universal Temple.”

Just as his words fell, another man stepped forward—a sinister figure with a gloomy expression.

This man was You Ying, a serpent demon in human form. His skin was so pale it was nearly translucent, faintly revealing green blood and toxins flowing beneath.

He bowed toward Emperor Tongchu and said, “I second Lei Zhen’s opinion. The threat from Four Corners Town must not be underestimated.”

“That yellow weasel, and the human woman with the iron sword—both have deep-seated blood feuds with our demon race!”

“Eliminating them first would prevent further ambushes, and would also avenge the fallen soldiers of our demon army.”

Hearing this, before Emperor Tongchu could reply, Regent Empress Liu Shi interjected coldly: “I’ve said before—Four Corners Town and the Universal Temple are deeply entangled with Mr. Gu.”

“If the Flood Dragon Emperor does not appear, then Four Corners Town must not be provoked!”

“If we anger Mr. Gu, it will be the death of us all!”

Mr. Gu—again!

Lei Zhen clenched his fists and scowled. “Mr. Gu, Mr. Gu—how terrifying can he be?”

“If he’s truly so powerful, why did he allow us to march out of Northern Huangtian and seize territory unchecked?”

“That sword-wielding girl slaughtered thirty thousand of my kin! This blood debt haunts my every breath—just how long does the Regent Empress expect us to wait?”

At this, a strange glint flickered in Emperor Tongchu’s eyes. He raised his hand and spoke mildly, “Mr. Gu is a transcendent immortal living among mortals. I can personally attest to this. Though I am not a cultivator, I’ve never seen such apocalyptic techniques as he possesses.”

“But I am certain—provoking Mr. Gu is absolutely the wrong move.”

Hearing this, You Ying stared at Emperor Tongchu and asked seriously, “Why do even you fear him?”

“Fear?”

“More like respect…” Emperor Tongchu said, turning to look at the Regent Empress. He smiled faintly. “It seems these two demon generals wish to follow in my third brother’s footsteps and do something stupid.”

“Why not have the Regent Empress send word to the Flood Dragon Emperor of their remarks?”

Liu Shi’s beautiful eyes flickered. Meeting Emperor Tongchu’s gaze, she nodded calmly. “Very well.”

Thud! Thud!

Two heavy thumps rang out as the previously defiant demon generals dropped to their knees in unison…