Alright, alright, we're all family here

You and Li Chengqian sat on the floor.

At this moment, the decadence of the foolish ruler and the majesty of the emperor had vanished from him. It seemed he had reverted to that unloved prince who once crawled out of the river.

"I still don't understand. The Li family is so powerful. Even if Qin Rong is also a Martial Saint, dealing with him shouldn't be difficult, right?"

"If I do not seek aid from the imperial clan, they will not interfere in court affairs. This is an ancestral decree."

"Then you should seek their aid."

"Then they would think I cannot handle state affairs, that I am unfit for this throne.

The ministers would then propose changing the emperor, and the Li clan would not oppose it, as they would simply choose another from among the Li clansmen.

But how can the emperor be changed without the current one dying?

What awaits me would be drowning, poisoning, a grave illness...

I finally have this heaven-sent opportunity to become emperor. I am neither willing to let go, nor do I want to die an unclear death!

A foolish ruler is still a ruler, which is far better than being deceased!"

Looking at Li Chengqian, who had made himself appear so aged and wretched to feign weakness, you couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Being an emperor is not easy.

Later, you learned that Li Chengqian truly was at the Martial King realm.

He had been deceiving both sides all these years.

He deceived the Li family, making them believe the martial resources he diverted from the imperial clan were used to reward subordinates.

He deceived the powerful minister faction led by Qin Rong, making them believe he did not cultivate, when in fact, relying on his heaven-tier innate talent, ample resources, and guidance from renowned masters, he had long since climbed to the Martial King realm.

Li Chengqian's cultivation had never been exposed because his father, the Prince of Qianzhou, left him a treasure.

The Qi-Mixing Pearl. Held under the tongue, it suppresses one's own realm, making one appear only at the Body Refining or Spirit Gathering stage.

This is not concealing one's aura; it genuinely presses down the realm. However, once the Qi-Mixing Pearl is removed, the realm remains unaffected.

Therefore, no matter how many powerful experts Qin Rong or the Li family had, or how strong their spiritual sense was, none discovered Li Chengqian's little secret.

Sneaking cultivation sounds easy, but only Li Chengqian himself knows how difficult it truly is.

"In the court, it's not that there are no loyal or honest ministers. Within and outside the court, Qin Rong also has many political enemies and foes. So, I haven't been fighting alone all these years."

"But overall, the state has still been ruined by these power-hungry individuals. As the emperor, the people of the world will still criticize you."

"Therefore, this time is my only chance!"

Li Chengqian grasped your hand and entrusted you with a grave matter.

Your elder brother Chen Jing had already communicated with Li Chengqian via secret letter, explaining your relationship with Chen Jing.

Li Chengqian did not doubt Chen Jing's loyalty in the slightest.

He hoped you would take a message to Chen Jing, telling him to intensify his offensive and fight all the way to the capital!

At that time, Li Chengqian would appoint himself as the Grand General Who Guards the Nation, personally lead the expedition, seize the opportunity to establish military prestige, and seize control of the military!

As for your elder brother, he only needed to have his troops put on a show outside the capital, feigning defeat in a few battles.

"Benefactor! This matter is of utmost importance. You must deliver this message! If I were to send a secret letter to your brother using my previous method, I fear it would cause too much delay!"

You gave Li Chengqian a reassuring look.

"Your Majesty, rest assured! I will definitely deliver it! To help you reclaim your rightful authority and eradicate the treacherous! But..."

Your map of Yan wasn't long; you stated your purpose directly.

"Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil..."

"Your Majesty, is it inconvenient? It's alright. If you cannot give it, I will still help you all the same!"

You thumped your chest resoundingly, sincere as a double agent.

"Benefactor, you saved my life, a debt I can never repay in my lifetime. What is a mere catty of Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil?

However, the Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil is located inside the imperial mausoleum. I can only enter to pay respects during the annual ancestral worship ceremony, when it might be possible to retrieve some.

Right now, the ceremony is still half a year away."

You still needed to go to the Northern Frontier to fetch the "Grass of the Northern Frontier" and to Xiliang to fetch the "Water of Xiliang."

And you also needed to deliver Li Chengqian's message to your brother promptly.

Staying here waiting wasn't an option.

Therefore, Li Chengqian promised you that once he obtained the Imperial Mausoleum Nethersoil, he would send someone to deliver it to you.

For this purpose, Li Chengqian gave you a gold token.

With this token, Li Chengqian's people could always know your whereabouts. Holding this token, you could also enter and leave the capital and the imperial palace without hindrance.

You and Li Chengqian chatted a while longer about personal matters, solidifying your connection.

"Who would have thought that the unloved prince who fell into the water and called for help back then would end up becoming the Great Qian Emperor. The world is truly unpredictable."

"To be honest with you, Benefactor, even I often find it unbelievable. So I always tell myself, since heaven has given me this opportunity, no matter how bitter or difficult, I must seize it! I will never let it slip through my fingers!"

You could see that although Li Chengqian had been in a semi-puppet state these years, the disposition of an emperor had already been forged through years of endurance and hidden struggle.

What he lacked now was just an opportunity to reclaim his power.

The struggle between imperial authority and ministerial power, before the position of prime minister was abolished, was the main theme of an emperor's entire life, unavoidable in any dynasty, even in any world.

Finally, you informed Li Chengqian about the impending demon invasion.

Li Chengqian already knew.

The court was fully aware of the movements in the Southern Border.

"Qin Rong has already diverted the troops originally meant to defend the Southern Border to Cangqiong Ridge to cooperate with the Limitless Sword Sect. The necessary war resources are also being transported.

The imperial clan also has Martial Saint realm experts heading there. More personnel and resources will be added later depending on the war situation.

Benefactor, rest assured. With our advanced preparations and the net we have laid, the demon race won't be able to stir up too great a storm."

"Old Scoundrel Qin is actually this decent? I thought he would find excuses not to dispatch troops or provide resources."

"Qin Rong is treacherous, but not stupid. Even if someone overthrew the imperial clan, who would he, Qin Rong, serve as prime minister for? It's all the same to him.

But the demon race is a different matter entirely.

The demon race doesn't need any prime minister. The demon race would only want his life!"

You left the imperial palace.

Li Chengqian continued pretending to be his foolish ruler. You needed to go to the Northern Frontier to deliver his message and, along the way, search for the "Grass of the Northern Frontier."

The fifty-eighth year, seventy-six years old.

With Li Lingyue carrying you in flight, you soon arrived at the Northern Frontier and saw your elder brother Chen Jing again.

This was the first meeting between Chen Jing and Li Lingyue.

The two had campaigned north and south, pinching the Central Plains between them. Though they had never met, heroes still admired heroes.

Seeing the relationship between the Empress and you, Chen Jing threw his head back and laughed heartily, his eyes nearly disappearing from joy.

"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent, excellent! They say the elder brother is like a father. This marriage has my approval as your elder brother!"

His own younger brother marrying an Empress was practically equivalent to the family directly gaining the entire territory of the Southern Border!

Good heavens, what kind of empire-building could be this easy!

Li Lingyue displayed a rare hint of shyness, though it lasted only a moment.

In her words and demeanor, however, there was an added layer of respect towards Chen Jing.

["Our Northern Border pledges allegiance to the emperor. You, my fourth brother, have saved the emperor's life. The female emperor is also betrothed to you, and the Sword Master of the Eastern Wasteland is your teacher!

Once His Majesty regains power, we'll all be one big family. Why fight?

Good! Good! Good!

The only place missing is Xiliang, but over there, there are all kinds of strange spiritual artifacts and cults. We don't need it anyway!"]

[You think to yourself:]

[Soon, Xiliang will also be part of the family. You're not just a link between the big shots. You also have your own territory!]