Swords emerge from Mount Hua, sweeping across the heavens from the world of Swordsman.

"Lord Cao...Lord Cao is dead! Quick...run away!"

The Eastern Depot agents around were stunned for a moment, their bodies trembled, and after realizing what had happened, they hurriedly tried to escape.

But at this moment, the ground continued to shake, and the main street outside the Eastern Depot's office was illuminated red by the torchlight.

bang, bang, bang...

Heavy, orderly footsteps echoed as a large number of soldiers clad in armor and wielding spears and halberds surged in.

Imperial Guards!

The leader was a young man who held a gold medal in his hand and shouted, "Cao Zhengchun has committed treason and framed loyal officials."

By order of the Emperor, arrest the traitors of the Eastern Depot; those who dare to resist will be killed without exception!

Wow~

The members of the Eastern Depot collapsed to the ground, their faces deathly pale, utterly despairing.

The Imperial Guards quickly apprehended them, put them in shackles, and took them away.

The young man holding the gold medal approached Yue Zhuoqun and said with a grin, "This must be the great hero Yue Buqun. I am Cheng Shifei, and I greet the great hero Yue."

Yue Zhuoqun glanced at him with surprise and nodded: "So you are Prince Consort Cheng. No need to be so polite."

"Oh, I didn't expect that I, Cheng Shifei, am so famous. You've even heard of Hero Yue." Cheng Shifei's eyes lit up, and he grinned so hard that the corners of his mouth stretched down to his ears, looking both funny and comical.

By chance, he met Princess Yunluo and became the emperor's son-in-law. However, he had been a street urchin since childhood and had not yet changed his carefree and unruly personality.

He has an innate admiration for people like Yue Zhuoqun who have high prestige in the martial arts world.

After all, becoming a chivalrous hero was his wish when he was living among the common people, and he longed for that kind of scene of being admired by others.

Now that he knows that even Yue Zhuoqun knows of his existence, he is naturally extremely excited.

"It seems that I, Cheng Shifei, have gained quite a reputation in the martial arts world. Even if I can't be called a great hero, I should be able to call myself a middle-level hero."

He first gave himself a smug self-praise before saying:

"By the way, Master Yue, the Emperor is still waiting for news in the palace. He said that after Cao Zhengchun is dealt with, he will invite you to the palace for a meeting."

Yue Zhuoqun pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, let's go!"

……

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Prison has nine levels.

Iron Claw Flying Eagle rushed in, panicking: "Lord Divine Marquis, something terrible has happened."

In a solitary cell, Zhu Wushi opened his eyes and laughed, "Did Cao Zhengchun take action against Zhang Haiduan's faction?"

Although he was imprisoned at the bottom of the imperial prison, his martial arts skills were extremely high, and he could faintly hear the lively shouts of battle in the capital tonight.

And this was the day he had been waiting for.

His voluntary entry into the prison was not, at all, to prove his innocence, but rather part of his plan.

Having fought with Cao Zhengchun for so many years, he had long since figured out the other's personality.

Previously, Zhu Houzhao used a balancing act to make the two sides compete in the court. It seemed that both sides had the upper hand, but they were never able to make any further progress.

His voluntary entry into the imperial prison was to give Cao Zhengchun an opportunity to seize control of the government.

Without him as a threat, Cao Zhengchun would definitely be able to eliminate dissidents without restraint, which would indirectly help clear his way forward.

When Zhu Houzhao's power was stripped away and no one was available to use him, they had no choice but to bring him out again to deal with Cao Zhengchun.

At that time, the throne was within his grasp.

However, Iron Claw Eagle's next words made his heart sink.

"Lord Shenhou, Cao Zhengchun did make a move against Zhang Haiduan, but Yue Buqun stopped him."

Zhang Haiduan was unharmed, but Cao Zhengchun died at the hands of Yue Buqun.

After escaping from Zhang Haiduan's residence, he first went to observe the area near the Eastern Depot. Seeing Cao Zhengchun's death and the Imperial Guards entering the scene, he hurriedly ran to report the news.

"Cao Zhengchun died at the hands of Yue Buqun?" Zhu Wushi's voice rose eight octaves, unable to recover for a long time.

Cao Zhengchun and he fought for most of their lives, but it ended in this way.

"In addition, I also saw Duan Tianya, Shangguan Haitang and Liusheng Danma Shou in Zhang Haiduan's mansion. They have also joined Zhang Haiduan."

Bang!

Zhu Wushi stood up abruptly, his emotions no longer able to be suppressed.

Cao Zhengchun's death left him slightly disappointed, but not panicked.

However, the nature of Yagyu's betrayal of the horse head is different.

This confirms that he colluded with Japan and rebelled to seize the throne, and Zhu Houzhao will definitely take action against him next.

The plan to gradually seize the throne could not continue.

Zhu Wushi clenched his fists, his eyes dark and menacing: "We can't just sit here and wait to die. We must start an uprising immediately!"

Iron Claw Flying Eagle's expression shifted, and excitement appeared on his face: "Divine Marquis, what should we do next?"

"We will leave the prison now and send someone to deliver a message to the ten generals, instructing them to raise an army and come to the capital."

Go and find me a few people; I need them to keep Yue Buqun in check.

Yue Zhuoqun first overwhelmed Shaolin with his strength, and then killed Cao Zhengchun. This strength was enough to make him wary.

Although he had enough confidence in his Absorption Technique, he still needed to find a few top experts to help him to ensure complete success.

Only in this way can a smooth ascension to the throne be guaranteed!

Chapter 82 Battle of the Capital

When Yue Zhuoqun and Cheng Shifei arrived at the palace gate, Zhang Haiduan and his entourage also arrived.

Apart from the escaped Iron Claw Flying Eagle, Pi Xiaotian and all the other eunuchs from the Eastern Depot were killed.

"Master Zhang!"

"Haha, Sect Leader Yue, our plan is going smoothly." Zhang Haiduan walked forward with a big smile.

He was in a great mood after getting rid of Cao Zhengchun, the powerful eunuch.

He grabbed Yue Zhuoqun's arm warmly and said excitedly, "Come on, let's go into the palace together."

Zhu Houzhao is destined to be sleepless tonight, pacing back and forth in his study, anxiously awaiting news.

The Imperial Guards stood guard outside the Imperial Study, with each guard on high alert.

As the third watch of the night passed and still no news arrived, he grew increasingly anxious, repeatedly standing at the window and peering out.

"Your Majesty, I have invited Master Yue to the palace for you." At this moment, Cheng Shifei's shout came from outside.

There are many rules in the palace, and shouting like that is absolutely not allowed.

Ke Cheng was never a law-abiding person, and even after becoming a prince consort, he didn't learn any rules.

At any other time, he would have been reprimanded for doing such a thing.

At this moment, Zhu Houzhao could not care about such trivial matters. He paused, his face beaming with joy: "Quickly, invite him in."

At the same time, he straightened his dragon robe and took a few steps forward to greet him.

Soon, Yue Buqun, Zhang Haiduan, Duan Tianya and others entered the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject pays his respects." Zhang Haiduan was the first to bow in greeting.

"I love you, no gift!"

Zhu Houzhao first waved for him to rise, then looked eagerly at Yue Zhuoqun.

Looking at Yue Zhuoqun's young and handsome face, his otherworldly demeanor in his Taoist robe, and the ever-brightening light in his eyes, I couldn't help but sigh:

"Having met Master Yue today, I now know what a divine being truly is."

He had already learned about Yue Zhuoqun in detail and knew that Yue Zhuoqun was nearly fifty years old.

I had assumed he was an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard, but he looked to be only in his early twenties, even younger than me.

I was deeply moved; he truly was a master of Taoism.

"Your Majesty flatters me!" Yue Zhuoqun said with a smile, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.

According to his status, he was a Grand Master of the Palace, a third-rank official appointed by Zhu Houzhao. Given that this was his first audience with the emperor, he should have performed the kneeling ceremony before Zhu Houzhao.

However, being a person from the future, he did not have much reverence for imperial power.

In addition, he possessed martial arts skills and was arrogant, so he disdained to kneel down and pay homage to Zhu Houzhao.

In fact, according to the established etiquette during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, civil and military officials were required to kneel and pay their respects when they met with the emperor, during important events such as the morning court session on the fifteenth of the lunar month, the grand court assembly, and sacrifices.

On days other than the first day of the lunar calendar, when attending court or presenting memorials, kneeling is not required.

Zhu Houzhao already regarded him as a divine figure who had mastered Taoist arts and possessed the art of preserving youth, so he would not make any demands on him.

"Someone, please give Master Yue and Minister Zhang seats."

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and gave instructions to his personal eunuch before turning around and sitting back down on the dragon throne.