Volume 9, Chapter 610 – Empress (Part 4)

The survivors looked upon the scene before them, one that resembled a hellish slaughterhouse, and recoiled in terror. No one dared take another step forward.

“Who else refuses to submit?”

Qi Huang’s gaze swept across the hall, her tone cold and commanding.

Everyone trembled in fear, not even daring to glance at Qi Huang.

“You… you may be powerful, but so what? To be a ruler… a ruler must win people’s hearts… must make others sincerely submit. Doing this… at most you can force their mouths to obey, but never their hearts!”

The third prince, Lin Tai, who had barely survived, spoke with a trembling voice. He knew well that after committing such deeds, if he compromised now and allowed Lin Ran to ascend the throne, his fate would surely be worse than death.

“Th… third brother is right! Sixth sister, after committing such unfilial and treacherous acts, even if you became empress, you’d never win the court’s support.”

The fifth prince, Lin Min, braced himself and echoed him.

“That’s right! With such ruthless methods, even if you forcefully push sixth sister onto the throne, the people of the Western Radiance Dynasty will see her as nothing more than a tyrant!”

Seeing his elder brothers speak out, the seventh prince, Lin An, grew bolder, his voice no longer stuttering.

“I had thought to spare your pitiful lives, yet you still dare to stir trouble? Then go and meet your imperial father!”

A look of disgust appeared on Qi Huang’s face.

“W-wait! Please spare them… although they plotted against me, we have no evidence… if we start killing recklessly, it’ll be hard to win the court’s approval.”

Lin Ran hesitated and tried to persuade her.

“Who said I have no evidence?”

Qi Huang replied, her voice icy.

“Y-you… what evidence do you have?”

The third prince’s composure faltered slightly as he asked.

“Of course I have evidence. It’s just that the three of you clowns are unworthy of seeing it. Take your questions with you to the grave.”

Qi Huang’s divine sense erupted violently. In the next instant, the bodies of the three princes exploded like overripe tomatoes. Flesh and blood splattered everywhere, and on the ground bloomed three glaring, crimson “flowers”. Their life souls were feeble, and the Heavenly Dao’s will erased them in an instant.

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With this, including Lin Tu, five members of the Lin royal clan had now perished at Qi Huang’s hands.

“She’s gone mad! Completely mad!”

The onlookers were terrified beyond belief, retreating as shrieks echoed through the hall. Several civil officials collapsed to the ground in fright. If this demon could butcher imperial princes as if slaughtering chickens, what chance did they, lowly officials, have?

“I’m short on time. Whoever else refuses to submit, step forward now. I’ll settle all of you at once!”

Qi Huang’s gaze swept the room again. No one dared make a sound.

“Good. Since there are no objections, from this moment on, Lin Ran shall be the next empress of the Western Radiance Dynasty.”

Qi Huang declared firmly.

Lin Ran felt uneasy. She hadn’t yet seen any evidence. If Qi Huang truly had it, then all would be well. But if not, even if she ascended the throne, she might not be able to secure her rule.

Qi Huang naturally understood Lin Ran’s thoughts. She pulled out the Shadow-Retaining Mirror and addressed the assembled ministers: “Everyone, these four princes conspired for the throne. They deliberately drove the sixth princess out of the palace, then framed her with false charges of treason and filial betrayal. This is an intentional fabrication. The proof is here.”

Qi Huang finished speaking and activated the mirror, projecting the recording of her surveillance at Consort Jin’s chambers.

“That’s… that’s the Shadow-Retaining Mirror? She actually has one!”

“So that’s the truth! These princes, as members of the imperial clan, committed such vile deeds… they’ve shamed the late emperor’s legacy entirely! Such people have no right to inherit the throne!”

“Indeed! The sixth princess has always been loyal and virtuous, caring for the country and its people. I support her becoming empress of the Western Radiance Dynasty!”

The ministers, already fearful, now understood the full truth and submitted wholeheartedly.

Thus, the struggle among the royal heirs for the throne was finally brought to an end.

Qi Huang didn’t leave immediately. She needed to clarify Lin Ran’s situation within the palace; otherwise, all her efforts might go to waste.

After the court dispersed, Qi Huang followed Lin Ran and her mother into the imperial chambers.

“Thank you! You are truly the savior of my daughter and me!”

Consort Jin expressed her gratitude repeatedly, nearly falling to her knees. She knew that without this mysterious figure in black, she and her daughter would have been doomed.

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Lin Ran didn’t reveal Qi Huang’s identity to her mother, since Qi Huang hadn’t removed her disguise yet.

Qi Huang nodded politely before asking Lin Ran, “How many people in this palace can you truly trust?”

“Why are you asking this?”

Lin Ran frowned slightly, puzzled.

“If you don’t have enough loyal people, what will you do once I leave? Forget ruling after your ascension, you might not even make it to the throne.”

Qi Huang warned.

“You… you’re leaving?”

A trace of reluctance appeared in Lin Ran’s beautiful eyes.

“Why should I stay? To act as your wet nurse? You’re about to be the empress. If you can’t even handle this, then I’ve misjudged you.”

Qi Huang shook her head.

Lin Ran’s cheeks flushed slightly with shame. After a moment’s thought, she said softly, “I’ve been cultivating at Poyun Peak since childhood and never imagined becoming empress. So, I haven’t built any influence in the palace. The only ones I can trust are a few servants in Consort Jin’s chambers.”

“That’s troublesome. Even if you ascend the throne, without trusted people, it’ll be difficult to govern properly. You can’t handle every matter personally.”

Qi Huang frowned.

“I do have many fellow disciples at Poyun Peak whom I trust!”

Lin Ran’s eyes lit up as she suddenly had an idea. “What if I ask my senior and junior brothers and sisters if anyone’s willing to serve in the palace? I could place them in important positions, giving me at least a foundation to secure the throne. Later, I can slowly nurture my own confidants.”

“Now that’s more like an empress.”

Qi Huang’s lips curved in satisfaction.

Lin Ran acted immediately, writing a letter to her master at Poyun Peak and sending it without delay.

Qi Huang knew Lin Ran was vulnerable for now, so she decided to remain temporarily as her protector until the reinforcements arrived.

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The very next day, a group of cultivators from Poyun Peak entered the palace. Some came seeking positions, but most were there simply to help Lin Ran.

Only then did Qi Huang feel at ease, and she went to bid farewell to Lin Ran.

“Remember, as long as it benefits the country and the people, act boldly. If anything stands in your way, tell me and I’ll clear the path.”

Qi Huang handed Lin Ran a Thousand-Mile Communication Tube.

“You’ve helped me so much this time… I don’t even know how to thank you!”

Lin Ran said, her voice tinged with emotion.

“I’m not helping you. I’m helping the people of the Western Radiance Dynasty. So from now on, never do anything that betrays them. Otherwise…”

Qi Huang’s voice carried a chilling warning.

“Don’t worry. If I ever do anything to wrong the people, you have my permission to kill me just as you killed my father.”

Lin Ran promised solemnly.

“Good. Remember your words.”

After reminding her once more, Qi Huang turned to leave.

“There’s one more thing. I’ll ascend the throne on the sixth of next month. I hope you can attend.”

Lin Ran invited earnestly.

Qi Huang assumed Lin Ran wanted her presence to intimidate potential dissenters and nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there on time for your coronation. Also, do not reveal my identity.”

“Then… how should I address you in public?”

Lin Ran hesitated slightly.

“My surname is Li.”

Qi Huang replied casually.

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“Understood, Mr. Li.”

Lin Ran responded tactfully.

Having settled these matters, Qi Huang returned to the Honghua Sect. She wouldn’t allow herself to slack off despite recent events.

Upon her return, she informed Cheng Hongling of everything. Cheng Hongling offered no objections; indeed, the Western Radiance Dynasty needed a wise and virtuous ruler.

Qi Huang then resumed cultivating diligently, aiming to ascend to the Immortal Realm by the sixth of June the following year. With that, she would secure a stronger body; after all, her current Spirit Gathering Realm physique was far too fragile.

Time passed swiftly, and soon the sixth day of the third month arrived, the day Lin Ran was to ascend the throne as the first empress of the Western Radiance Dynasty.

Qi Huang attended as promised, heavily disguised to avoid attracting attention.

Her presence alone, combined with the intimidating cultivators of Poyun Peak, ensured that none of the civil or military officials dared to voice dissent.

“Who’s that person? Why hide their face on such a solemn occasion?”

“I heard that’s Lin Ran’s friend. Back when the princes tried to frame her, it was this person who saved the day.”

“Sigh! How shameful… we disciples of Poyun Peak actually needed an outsider to intervene.”

“Well, they just happened to be there at the right time. Look at him now, though, acting like he has achieved some grand merit!”

The disciples of Poyun Peak, unaware of Qi Huang’s true strength, whispered discontentedly among themselves.

Fortunately, the coronation proceeded without incident. Lin Ran successfully ascended the throne, becoming the first empress of the Western Radiance Dynasty.

After her lengthy coronation speech, Lin Ran said, “All of you know that without Mr. Li’s assistance, I would likely be in prison now. To express my gratitude, I hereby appoint her as the National Preceptor of the Western Radiance Dynasty. From this day forth, she may enter and leave the palace freely, exempt from the formalities of court etiquette.”

“National Preceptor?”

The civil and military officials were stunned. The Western Radiance Dynasty had never had such a position before.

Qi Huang, too, was caught off guard. She had assumed Lin Ran invited her merely to provide silent support. To be suddenly given such a prestigious title… it was an unexpected yet pleasant surprise.