The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

"Prince Gong, Cheng Qitian."

Song Zelin repeated it, his tone carrying a hint of certainty, yet also a hint of absurdity that he himself couldn't believe.

Zhang Yuan and Chen Tingshu looked at each other and saw shock in each other's eyes.

Cheng Qitian? How is this possible?

He was the Prince Gong appointed by the late emperor himself and held a large military force. How could he be associated with a cult like the Changsheng Sect?

"Sir Song, isn't this... a bit too arbitrary?"

Zhang Yuan hesitated and said, "Prince Gong is highly respected, how could he..."

"Highly respected?"

Little Liuzi sneered, his tone full of disdain, "That's all pretend!"

When I was working in the palace, I heard a lot of rumors about Prince Gong, saying that he was arrogant and extravagant, and formed a clique for personal gain..."

"Little Liuzi!"

Song Zelin interrupted him, "Don't talk nonsense if you don't have any evidence."

"Prince Gong is an upright man, but unfortunately he is too old-fashioned and pedantic. Your Majesty's actions now violate the ancestral system, which is enough to drive him into rebellion."

Xiao Liuzi curled his lips and said nothing more.

Song Zelin pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I know this matter is of great importance, but we have to be on guard."

"After being rejected by Qi Daokun, Chen Ling and Su Yuan were left with nowhere else to go. If they wanted to continue their conspiracy, they would have to find a new backer."

"And Cheng Qitian is most likely the most suitable candidate they have found."

"He holds military power and harbors resentment towards Your Majesty. If he truly colludes with the Immortal Cult, the consequences will be disastrous!"

After listening to Song Zelin's analysis, Zhang Yuan and Chen Tingshu couldn't help but gasp.

If that's the case, then things will be troublesome.

"Then what should we do now?"

Chen Tingshu asked.

Song Zelin's eyes glared. "The most urgent task is to report this matter to His Majesty as soon as possible, and at the same time, to stop the Changsheng Cult's Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony!"

He looked at Zhang Yuan and Chen Tingshu and asked, "Can the troops in Hexi still be mobilized?"

Zhang Yuan and Chen Tingshu immediately straightened their backs and said in unison, "The troops in Hexi are ready to be dispatched by Your Majesty at any time!"

Since Zhang Yuan took over Hexi, he has never stopped recruiting soldiers and training them every day. He can mobilize nearly 10,000 troops at any time.

"it is good!"

Song Zelin nodded approvingly, "Zhang Yuan, Chen Tingshu, you two will lead your troops immediately and surround the gathering place for the Changsheng Sect's Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony."

"Control everyone present and don't let the news leak out!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Yuan and Chen Tingshu took the order and left.

Song Zelin turned to Tiezhu and Xiao Liuzi and said, "Tiezhu, your Qinggong skills are the best. Return to the capital immediately and report this to His Majesty!"

Tiezhu responded in a muffled voice, turned around and ran away.

Song Zelin felt a little relieved as he watched Tiezhu's receding back.

With Tiezhu here, Your Majesty will be able to get news in time and prepare countermeasures.

"Xiao Liuzi, let's go see General He Sheng."

"General He Sheng? Sir Song, why are we going to look for him?"

Xiao Liuzi asked in confusion.

"General He Sheng is in charge of the defense of the capital. If Cheng Qitian really wants to take action, he will definitely not be able to avoid him."

Song Zelin explained, "We need General He Sheng's help."

The two of them rode at full speed all the way and finally arrived in the capital city early the next morning.

Song Zelin didn't have time to rest, and immediately asked Xiao Liuzi to lead the way to He Sheng's mansion.

The gate to the He Mansion was tightly shut, and the bronze beast on the doorknob grinned fiercely, as if silently warning the visitor. Little Liuzi stepped forward and knocked hard on the doorknob, the thud-thud-thud sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet morning.

Soon, a rough voice came from inside the door: "Who is it?"

"Prime Minister Song and I request to see General He!"

Xiao Liuzi shouted in a shrill voice.

With a creak, the heavy door slowly opened, revealing a burly soldier who looked at the two of them with vigilance.

After confirming that it was Song Zelin, the soldiers let them go and led them into the mansion.

He Sheng sat upright in the main hall, dressed in military uniform, with sharp eyes and quite majestic.

Seeing Song Zelin and Xiao Liuzi looking exhausted, he frowned and said, "Brother Zelin, what's wrong with you? Is the new policy in Hexi not going well?"

Song Zelin didn't bother with politeness and went straight to the point: "General He, something happened in Hexi!"

"What happened?"

He Sheng stood up suddenly, with a hint of nervousness in his tone.

"The Immortal Cult is rampantly defrauding people in Hexi, amassing countless wealth and causing panic among the people!"

Song Zelin said in a heavy tone, "And..." He paused and lowered his voice.

"We suspect that Qi Daokun and Prince Gong are behind this!"

"what?!"

He Sheng was furious when he heard this, like a lion with its fur standing on end. "That old bastard Cheng Qitian actually dared to collude with a cult! Is he planning a rebellion?!"

"General He, calm down."

Song Zelin quickly advised, "It's just a suspicion now, and further investigation and evidence collection are needed."

"Investigation bullshit!"

He Sheng was furious. "That Cheng Qitian hangs out with that old bastard Qi Daokun all day long. Anyone can see that they have a close relationship."

"Qi Daokun has long harbored rebellious intentions. How can Cheng Qitian be any good if he's with him?"

"I'm going to gather my troops right now and wipe out those monsters!"

"General, you must not act impulsively!"

Song Zelin grabbed He Sheng and said, "This matter is of no small importance. If we alert the enemy, the consequences will be disastrous!"

"What's more, Cheng Qitian has a large army under his command, and we don't know how far-reaching the influence of the Changsheng Sect is. We must proceed with caution!"

"Don't alert the enemy."

Little Liuzi also quickly chimed in, "General He, we have to find out their details first before we can hit them with one strike!"

Although He Sheng has a hot temper, he is not a reckless man.

After listening to Song Zelin's advice, he suppressed his anger and sighed heavily: "Then according to Brother Zelin's opinion, what should we do?"

"Don't alert the enemy, just wipe them out!"

Song Zelin was about to speak when he was suddenly interrupted by an extremely familiar voice.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Li Chengfeng walking in in casual clothes. Even so, he couldn't hide his aggressiveness.

Following behind him was a burly man, who was Zhao Sheng, the commander of the Hidden Dragon Guard.

"His Majesty!"

Everyone saluted quickly.

Li Chengfeng nodded slightly and walked straight to the center of the main hall. He glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Tiezhu has informed me of the situation in Hexi. I am already aware of this matter."

"Your Majesty, this Cheng Qitian is so audacious that he dares..."

He Sheng was filled with righteous indignation and wished he could tear Cheng Qitian into pieces immediately.

Li Chengfeng raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone calm but with unquestionable majesty: "I know."

"This matter is of great importance, and the forces involved are significant, but that doesn't mean I will sit idly by and wait for death."

He turned to Zhao Sheng and said, "Zhao Sheng, you and Tie Zhu must immediately infiltrate the Changsheng Sect's stronghold in the capital—the ruined temple to the west of the city—to investigate."

"Remember, be cautious and don't reveal your identity."

"According to the order!"

Zhao Sheng clasped his fists and accepted the order.

Li Chengfeng looked at He Sheng again and said, "General He, you will lead the garrison troops of the capital and ambush around the ruined temple. Be ready to assist Zhao Sheng and Tie Zhu at any time."

"If the situation changes, immediately apprehend the Changsheng Cult!"

"I accept the decree!"

He Sheng's spirits lifted, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"If possible, there should be a lot of money in their lair. Remember to seize it all."

Li Chengfeng smiled slightly. That was a considerable amount of money.

"Lord Song, you and Xiao Liuzi will secretly investigate the relationship between the Changsheng Sect and Qi Daokun and Cheng Qitian, and collect evidence."

Li Chengfeng instructed, "Remember, your own safety must be the top priority in all actions."

"The minister obeys the order!"

Song Zelin and Xiao Liuzi responded in unison.

Li Chengfeng looked around at everyone and said firmly, "This operation concerns the safety of our country. I hope that you, my dear ministers, can work together to completely eradicate this evil force!"

"We will definitely live up to your Majesty's high expectations!"

Everyone shouted in unison, full of fighting spirit.