Wei Wuxie rushed inside with a single bound.

Emperor Mingkang had already opened his eyes and even sat up, asking in confusion: “Master Zhang, what happened to me?”

Master Zhang’s face was full of joy: “Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

“Congratulations for what?” Emperor Mingkang had never seen Master Zhang looking so openly delighted, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curved upward.

“Your Majesty was supposed to emerge from seclusion two days ago, but you have been in a dream until now, which is why this humble Taoist congratulates Your Majesty.”

“I slept for so long?” Emperor Mingkang was greatly surprised.

Master Zhang’s expression became serious: “Your Majesty was not sleeping, but in deep meditation. You have already entered the realm of unity between Heaven and man.”

“Master Zhang means—” A strange light flashed in Emperor Mingkang’s eyes.

Master Zhang cupped his hands toward Emperor Mingkang: “Congratulations, Your Majesty. You have already achieved a semi-immortal body. In about a quarter-hour at most, immortal messengers will come to escort you to the immortal realm to receive teachings from the Immortal Lord, learn immortal arts, and then return to govern your vast kingdom.”

“Is what Master Zhang says true?” Emperor Mingkang could barely contain his joy.

“How would this humble Taoist dare deceive Your Majesty? If Your Majesty has any doubts, you might try holding your breath and concentrating to sense whether your entire body feels light and buoyant, with a feeling of wanting to soar like an immortal?”

Emperor Mingkang indeed followed Master Zhang’s suggestion, holding his breath and concentrating. He felt his entire body was warm and comfortable as if bathed in a warm current, with a sensation of wanting to float and fly.

Emperor Mingkang couldn’t help but be overjoyed: “Haha, after twenty years of devoted cultivation, I have finally waited for this day…”

Only then did he notice Wei Wuxie’s disheveled appearance, and he couldn’t help but frown: “Wei Wuxie, my finally achieving immortality is a momentous occasion. Why do you look like this?”

Wei Wuxie wept bitterly: “Your Majesty, that you have succeeded in cultivation truly makes this slave so happy he could go mad, but somehow news of your delayed emergence from seclusion spread. Now, Prince Mu has incited the Jinlin Guards and Feathered Forest Guards with a testament, and they’ve killed their way in. At this moment, they’ve already breached the palace gates and will soon reach here!”

“What!” All joy vanished from Emperor Mingkang’s face, replaced by rage. “Where did that beast get a testament?”

Wei Wuxie took the opportunity to accuse: “Liu Chun claims you wrote the testament in advance and gave it to him, instructing him to pass it to Prince Mu.”

Your Majesty, please hurry! There isn’t much time left for you.

“Nonsense!” Emperor Mingkang’s face turned iron-blue with anger. “Follow me out. I will properly discipline these beasts!”

“Yes!” Wei Wuxie suppressed his joy, exchanged a glance with Master Zhang, and followed on Emperor Mingkang’s left and right as they walked out.

With the palace gates breached, the noble officials who had been watching from a distance could no longer restrain themselves and followed, watching the fierce combat from not too far away.

The Inner Drill Army was ultimately too few. After two days of bloody battle, they had been mostly depleted, with only those remaining barely holding on.

Under the combined assault of the Jinlin Guards and Feathered Forest Guards, the Golden Guards were similarly unable to support themselves alone.

Throughout the originally magnificent palace buildings, corpses in terrible states of decomposition could be seen everywhere. Mottled bloodstains splattered the exquisitely carved palace walls, and those guards whose eyes had turned red with killing trampled over corpses and fresh blood as they pressed step by step toward the depths of the traveling palace.

Night had grown deep, with countless stars filling the sky. Together with numerous palace lanterns, they illuminated the traveling palace as bright as day.

Liu Chun shouted: “Wei Wuxie, at this point, stop hiding in the back like a cowardly turtle! Quickly tell us where His Majesty is!”

Prince Mu followed with a loud cry: “Yes! You’ve concealed news of my father’s death with murderous intent. If you persist in your delusion, this prince will certainly have you torn to pieces!”

“Who are you going to tear to pieces?”

The sound of clashing swords and blades suddenly stopped upon hearing this voice, and the brutal slaughter instantly froze.

Emperor Mingkang strode out, his towering rage visible under the bright lamplight.

“Fa-Father—” The moment he saw Emperor Mingkang, Prince Mu was scared out of his wits, staggering backward several steps.

Emperor Mingkang surveyed his surroundings and asked in uncontainable fury: “What’s this? Are you scoundrels trying to rebel?”

As soon as Emperor Mingkang spoke these words, people collapsed to their knees with a rushing sound, and the continuous clatter of weapons hitting the ground rang out.

“His Majesty is alive! His Majesty is alive!” Many of the kneeling ministers covered their faces and wept.

“We subjects pay our respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live!”

Countless voices merged into one, so loud that even the bright moon in the sky was startled and frightened into hiding behind the clouds.

Emperor Mingkang raised both hands, and instantly, there was complete silence.

Emperor Mingkang looked coldly toward Prince Mu.

Prince Mu, kneeling on the ground, had already been frightened into mental disorder, continuously muttering: “How is this possible? How is this possible? Father passed away—how can he still be alive?”

The scene was completely quiet at this moment, and everyone around heard Prince Mu’s incoherent rambling. The looks they gave Prince Mu were no different from looking at a dead man.

Seeing Prince Mu cursing his death right in front of him, Emperor Mingkang became so angry that his vision swam with dizziness, and his body involuntarily swayed.

Seeing this, Wei Wuxie quickly supported Emperor Mingkang from behind with swift reflexes.

Emperor Mingkang steadied himself, glared furiously at his son kneeling on the ground, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

He was about to achieve immortality. When that time came, he would have an endless lifespan and could return to youth—how many sons could he not father then? Why keep such a beast who wholeheartedly hoped for his death and committed rebellion?

“Your Majesty—” Wei Wuxie quietly called out as a reminder.

There isn’t much time left! Whatever you need to arrange, please hurry!

Emperor Mingkang thought of this point as well, silently resolving to settle this family mess properly before going to roam the immortal realm, so he could peacefully listen to the Immortal Lord’s teachings. He cleared his throat: “Prince Mu, the sixth imperial son of Yu, harbors evil intentions, forged a testament, and attempted to force the palace and usurp the throne. His crimes are unforgivable. I hereby demote Prince Mu to commoner status and order his immediate execution…”

Upon hearing this, Prince Mu collapsed limply and cried out: “Father, your son was wrong! Your son was wrong! Your son was deceived by treacherous people! Please spare your son!”

Amid Prince Mu’s tearful wailing, he saw only Emperor Mingkang’s expressionless face. His heart completely plunged into an ice cave, and he frantically pointed at Head Eunuch Liu Chun, shouting: “Father, it was him! He deceived your son! The fake testament in your son’s hands came from him, and the news of Father’s death also came from him. Father, your son is innocent—it was all his scheme!”

Listening to Prince Mu’s heart-rending cries, Emperor Mingkang’s heart remained unmoved as calm water, saying indifferently: “The crimes committed by Prince Mu and Liu Chun are both unforgivable. Execute them both immediately!”

“Father, please spare your son! Please spare your son! Your son was truly framed!”

Emperor Mingkang glanced indifferently at Prince Mu and turned to walk inside.

Time was almost up. He should go in first to prepare. As for the foolish actions of the Jinlin Guards and Feathered Forest Guards, he would deal with them after returning from the immortal realm!

After taking just two steps, Emperor Mingkang’s steps halted. He let out a scream and then fell forward.

Everyone was shocked. Looking carefully, they discovered an arrow had penetrated straight into Emperor Mingkang’s back.

This cold arrow came from an unknown source.