In the world of "Covering the Sky": An Analysis of the Ancient Sacred Body at the Start

"The Ye family is willing to unconditionally support Your Highness..."

Ye Liuyun didn't mention any conditions, which was his smartest move. After all, if he had mentioned conditions, it would have been a pure transaction.

"I will remember the Ye family's contributions."

"Besides that, there is one more thing. I hope that Master Ye will secretly sneak into the palace at the appropriate time to do something for me..."

Yu Yi gave Ye Liuyun a deep look. As for what he asked Ye Liuyun to do, it was to secretly bring out Li Chengru's birth mother, Ning Cairen.

The main concern was that Emperor Qing might be driven to desperation and use Consort Ning to threaten him. After all, Consort Ning was his birth mother, and if he ignored her, what would others think of him?

……

"Your Majesty, Master Ye is requesting an audience outside..."

Inside the Imperial Study, Emperor Qing was summoning important officials such as Chen Pingping, Fan Jian, and Lin Ruofu.

"Uncle Liuyun is back? You seem like a clever servant, how come you're so clueless? Hurry up and invite Uncle Liuyun in!"

"promise!"

Why did Emperor Qing address Ye Liuyun as "Uncle"? Because the Ye family was a prominent family in Southern Qing, and they frequently intermarried with the Li imperial family, so they were somewhat related.

However, the main reason is that Ye Liuyun is a Grandmaster, and the status of a Grandmaster is extraordinary. Emperor Qing calls him Uncle, which is also a sign of respect.

"Uncle Liuyun, where is my rebellious son? Bring him here! I want to ask him face to face who gave him the audacity to raise an army in rebellion?"

When the topic of rebellion came up, a cold glint flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes, clearly indicating that he had already decided to kill.

"I have disappointed Your Majesty. I have failed in my mission and have not been able to bring the Crown Prince back..."

"That rebellious son has a Grandmaster protecting him? Is it Si Gu Jian or Ku He? No wonder he dared to rebel; it turns out he has someone backing him up..."

"No, it was the Crown Prince who broke through to the Grandmaster level on his own. I fought with him, but we were evenly matched, so I had no choice but to retreat..."

"That rebellious son broke through to Grandmaster? How is that possible? What makes him think he can break through to Grandmaster?"

Emperor Qing lost control of his expression and could no longer remain calm. Chen Pingping, Fan Jian, Lin Ruofu and other important officials of the Qing Kingdom present all looked on in disbelief.

However, the others were genuinely incredulous, while only Chen Pingping and Fan Jian were faking it, because they already knew that the eldest prince had broken through to the Grandmaster level.

It was Chen Pingping who suggested asking Ye Liuyun to capture the eldest prince, in order to confirm whether the eldest prince had truly broken through to the Grandmaster level.

……

Thanks to the deliberate spread of certain individuals, the news of the Crown Prince's breakthrough to the Grandmaster level spread throughout the capital at an astonishing speed, causing a huge sensation.

"The boss has broken through to the Grandmaster level? No wonder he dared to rebel; this is his source of confidence..."

While shocked, the Second Prince Li Chengze couldn't help but feel a little schadenfreude. Right now, the most anxious person must be His Highness the Crown Prince.

"I have no grudge against the boss. With him taking over, at least I still have a chance to survive..."

Li Chengze knew very well that although he seemed to be deeply favored by the emperor and was the first among the princes to be granted the title of king, he was actually just a whetstone for the crown prince.

But he had no choice. This was the path His Majesty had laid out for him, and he had to fight for it. Otherwise, once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would surely settle scores with him.

He knew the Crown Prince very well; he appeared to be courteous and respectful to scholars, but in reality, he was cunning, ruthless, and cold-blooded, much like His Majesty.

……

"Thump thump~"

Inside the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian had already smashed countless vases, but he still felt unsatisfied.

"Chengqian, it is precisely at times like these that you must remain calm and not lose your composure..."

"Mother, do you think Father will compromise with Li Chengru? Will he remove me from the position of Crown Prince and then make Li Chengru the Crown Prince instead?"

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and looked at the noblewoman beside him, who was none other than the current Empress of Qing Kingdom.

What Li Chengqian feared most was that Emperor Qing would compromise with Li Chengru, depose him as crown prince, and make Li Chengru the crown prince instead. This possibility was not small.

"Given his personality, even if he compromises, it's only temporary. I know him best; he's capable of anything to protect his rights!"

As Emperor Qing's bedmate, the Empress understood him better than anyone else. He was a power fanatic who would sacrifice everything for power.

"Mother, are we just going to sit here and wait to die? Is there any way to get rid of Li Chengru?"

What do you think?

That's a grandmaster, someone who defies conventional wisdom. Even when facing a massive army, he can charge in and out seven times, moving freely and effortlessly.

Unless several other grandmasters can be invited to join forces to attack Li Chengru, there is almost no chance of killing him.

……

"Deng Li, at the current marching speed, how much longer will it take to reach Kyoto?"

Since the start of their campaign, their army has been unstoppable, conquering cities and seizing territories. Now, one-third of the Qing Kingdom's territory has fallen into their hands.

In particular, after the news of Yu Yi's breakthrough to the Grandmaster level spread, the garrison troops in various places surrendered without resistance, which greatly increased their marching speed.

In the world of Joy of Life, Grandmasters possess extraordinary deterrent power; in the modern world, they would be comparable to nuclear weapons.

"Your Highness, at our marching speed, we should arrive in Kyoto in five days at most..."

"By my order, the army must advance at full speed! I intend to reach the capital within three days!"

"promise!"

Three days passed quickly. The army marched at breakneck speed and finally arrived in Kyoto on the evening of the third day. With the city at its gates, the entire city was plunged into a tense atmosphere.

Emperor Qing and his civil and military officials stood on the city wall, looking solemnly at the massive army below.

Many officials looked terrified, after all, most of them had never seen such a scene before.

"Let's set up camp right here!"

Yu Yi did not order an attack on the city, but instead ordered the army to set up camp on the spot, because there was no need for it. When the time was right, someone would naturally open the city gates.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has not ordered an attack on the city, which means there is still room for negotiation. Should we send someone to talk to the Crown Prince...?"

"you go?"

Upon hearing Emperor Qing tell him to go, Mei Zhili, the Prefect of Kyoto, gave an awkward laugh and immediately fell silent.

After all, Mei Zhili's name was on the First Prince's proclamation against the traitors, and he was afraid that if he went there, he would be beheaded by the First Prince, which would be too unjust.

"Minister Mei's suggestion has some merit. Which of you ministers is willing to make the trip?"

After Emperor Qing finished speaking, the scene fell silent. No one volunteered. After all, no one was stupid; whoever wanted to go on such a suicide mission could go.

"What's wrong? Has everyone gone mute?"

Seeing that none of the civil and military officials stepped forward, Emperor Qing's face gradually grew darker and darker.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

Seeing Emperor Qing's gaze fall on him, Fan Jian felt helpless. He wanted to stay out of the Crown Prince's rebellion, but now it seemed he had to make a choice.