Chapter 713: Rebellion of the Seven Kings

Following the emperor's death and the promulgation of a single decree, the Imperial Court descended into chaos.

No one could understand why an emperor who had been shrewd his entire life would make such a foolish decision on his deathbed.

Some had already foreseen the great turmoil to come.

This impending chaos was terrifying. It threatened to shatter the nation and ruin families—a risk no one could afford to bear. Yet the ambitious saw hope in that very decree.

Officials were stricken with fear, Consort Ping panicked, and everyone feared for their lives.

After a period of blind panic, key court officials gathered to discuss countermeasures.

Yan Ruchu had undeniably planned everything to perfection. He had even selected the flawless candidate to deliver the edict. He knew Wang Ping'an was an unfailingly honest man—the only one who would actually read the final decree aloud under the glaring eyes of the court.

At the same time, this task doubled as a protective talisman for Wang Ping'an. Out of all the ministers, he was the only one in whom Yan Ruchu saw the true essence of an "official." By explicitly naming Wang Ping'an to read the decree, the emperor signaled his profound regard for the man, ensuring no one would dare make trouble for him.

Everything had been meticulously planned from the start.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, a massive organization gradually roared to life—the culmination of everything he had built over his decades on the throne.

Though he was dead, his formidable influence remained.

He had single-handedly sparked this era of chaos, and he would single-handedly forge a new chapter of history. He had schemed against his officials, schemed against the world, and even schemed against himself, pushing every calculation to its absolute limit.

He would be reviled, but for the sake of Great Jing and the obsession in his heart, he believed it was all worth it.

He was an absolute madman.

Following the decree's publication, three long months of uneasy calm passed before the first person stepped forward.

Prince Xiao, stationed along the coast of the Southern Domain, was the first to declare himself king. He drilled his troops, recruited soldiers, and bought warhorses. The prince, who had long ago been dispatched to this fiefdom, now let his ambitions run wild.

This was, from the very beginning, a contest for power.

Amid the condemnation of the masses, another vassal prince raised his banner in rebellion.

One, then two...

The Seven Kings raised their banners!

When the officials and princes in Shangjing City heard the news, panic struck their hearts. Even though they had anticipated such a crisis, they still felt utterly helpless when it finally arrived.

"Chaos is upon us! Chaos is upon us!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!"

Someone wept bitterly, looking up at the sky. "Your Majesty, if your spirit watches from above, tell your subject why you left such a decree! Your Majesty!"

For the first time since Grand Ancestor Zhao Zhen of Xiang unified the realm, the Mortal World was plunged into another calamity.

An unparalleled great tribulation!

The court historians left a stark record of this event in the annals, naming it—the Rebellion of the Seven Kings.

Great Xiang was still Great Xiang, but it was already shattered.

And all of this had happened merely because a single decree was read aloud.

...

As the Seven Kings began expanding their territories, chaos also erupted within the jianghu.

Righteous individuals traveled to Shangjing, seeking only to stabilize the nation.

At the same time, many martial artists from the jianghu were recruited by the Seven Kings, becoming military retainers.

This turmoil would drag everyone in.

It was one thing to involve the jianghu, but even demons were drawn into the fray.

This was a rare opportunity. If they chose a wise ruler and that ruler eventually ascended the throne, they would become celestial officials, enjoying the human dao qi fortune and roaming freely through the Mortal World.

Thus, demons continuously sought out the rebels, revealing their identities and stating their intentions. How could the princes who had already raised their banners pass up such a chance? They all shared the same thought: with such inhuman power at their disposal, how could their cause fail to prosper?

The cultivators of the mortal realm also made their choices. Disciples of the Daoist Gate's Green Mountain Temple immediately set off for Shangjing to protect Great Xiang.

The Quanshan Disciples became honored guests of Prince Yan.

Other capable individuals and strange talents across the jianghu pledged themselves to chosen lords, all in pursuit of a bright future. Whether cultivators, demons, or martial artists of the jianghu, each had their own desires.

Meanwhile, in the Dragon Palace beneath the Tongtian River.

The Old Dragon King had long since seen through it all.

At this moment, he sat before a Go board, playing a match against the Lord of the Vast Sea.

"Clack."

A game piece snapped onto the board.

The Old Dragon King paused. "Why did you play there?"

Mo Yuan blinked. "I felt like it."

"No, no, I wasn't looking. I'm taking my move back."

"You're cheating, aren't you!"

"What nonsense!" The Old Dragon King glared at him. "You've already taken back three moves, yet you won't let me take back one?"

Mo Yuan chuckled. "Fine, take it back. Take it back."

There was absolutely zero fairness to be found when these two shameless characters played Go.

They were purely in it for the fun.

As they played, the Old Dragon King brought up the Rebellion of the Seven Kings in the mortal realm.

"I heard the Turtle Prime Minister mention it earlier."

Mo Yuan furrowed his brow. "This affair is definitely no accident. I know Yan Ruchu—he isn't this stupid. In fact, I suspect he arranged all of this himself, perhaps to achieve some sort of goal."

Hearing this, the Old Dragon King said, "That's highly unlikely. He worked diligently his entire life. Why would he ruin it all right at the end?"

"He probably had something he deeply desired, but lacked the lifespan to see it through, so he had no choice but to resort to such a desperate measure."

"How mad must a man be to do such a thing?"

The Old Dragon King sighed. "Who knows how much bloodshed this will stir up in the Mortal World."

Mo Yuan let out a soft sigh. "The Rebellion of the Seven Kings is merely the beginning. It won't stop at seven—more will join as time goes on. Not to mention the adopted sons he took in at the Imperial Palace; every single one of them harbors ulterior motives."

"If what you say is true, then these vassal princes really might end up sitting on that throne in the end."

"Why wouldn't it be possible?"

"Sigh..."

The Old Dragon King sighed heavily. "I just hope they don't take it too far. The human dao qi fortune is tied to my Dragon Palace to some extent. This is simply an undeserved calamity for us."

Mo Yuan smirked. "My Beicang won't be affected much at all."

The Old Dragon King rolled his eyes at him. "Just a hooligan from the Desolate Sea."

"Just a lapdog of the Human Dao."

"Such foul words. I have half a mind to slap you to death right now."

"What? Picking on the injured? Have you no shame?"

"When have I ever felt shame?" The Old Dragon King glared at him. "If it weren't for Chen Changsheng, I would have swatted you to death a long time ago."

Mo Yuan chuckled. "I know, I know. No need to get angry. Let's just play. The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. It has always been the way of things. Relax, relax."

"Besides, if Yan Ruchu had the guts to do this, he definitely made preparations. Since he dared to act, he must be confident in the outcome. We don't need to worry about it."

The Old Dragon King rolled his eyes at him. "Of course it's easy for you to say. This has nothing to do with your Beicang."