Chaotic World Book

Before my eyes lie thousands of miles of Jiangshan...

Indeed.

Old Xia has passed; either everyone lets go and returns to the Worldly Society, watching as Great Xia loses its deer and the world gives chase, waiting for a new wise ruler to unify the land.

Would they be willing to do so?

If not, then they must take it upon themselves to clean up this mess.

Not a single place in the land acknowledges Great Xia anymore, not even a few in the Capital. Whether it's Zhao Changhe or Xia Chichi seeking to take over, I'm afraid they wouldn't even be able to gather the court officials; no one cares.

Zhao Changhe, who many once thought of as the Crown Prince? The whole world is in rebellion, the Imperial Capital does not recognize him—what claim does he have to the title of Crown Prince!

Xia Chichi? And you are...?

Waking from a commoner's dream, before my eyes lie thousands of miles of Jiangshan, but all of it needs to be claimed and cleaned up by oneself.

There's hardly any political legacy to speak of; one could even say that the difficulty of using the name of Great Xia to tidy up the land exceeds starting anew elsewhere, for all that Old Xia left behind has a negative impact.

As for the likes of Li Shentong, who knows he has no governing ability and is not driven by personal desires, if an army with a decent reputation came calling, he might join them. But if it were Xia's forces trying to coax him? The Divine Brilliance Wind and Thunder Palm might just be thrown in your face—the mentality brought about by the reputation is completely different.

Instead, it was Zhao Changhe who left a "legacy" for Great Xia... If Li Shentong doesn't slap a greeting across your face, it's only because this man is Zhao Changhe—he might give some face for that. Jiangnan, the Cui Family, Cao Gang, Jingxiang, Miao Region—it's the same principle; they wouldn't recognize a Xia Crown Prince, and if they held their noses and did, it would be because this man is Zhao Changhe.

Unknowingly, Zhao Changhe himself has taken on a political significance greater than anyone else's, nearly half the land is drawn to his cause.

This is what he has achieved as a person...but respect is respect, and it doesn't mean that everyone will heed your call, so there's much to be done.

The funniest thing is that there are no able soldiers in the Capital – those who are there are nothing but wine sacks and rice bags. If there were a "loyal army" to suddenly appear in the Capital City, they might well be directly driven away.

Zhao Changhe and Vermilion Bird Xia Chichi exchanged glances for a long while, all these issues turning in their minds, and eventually Zhao Changhe sighed, "Venerable, cooperation?"

Vermilion Bird cocked her chin, "So we support you to become the Emperor, and we become the National Religion, is that it? Brothers should settle accounts clearly; this matter is very important. Even if you were the Room Fire Pig, we need to clarify some things. For instance, after you ascend to the throne, the Empress must..."

"Wait a moment..." Zhao Changhe waved his hand: "I want to support Chichi to take the throne."

Vermilion Bird: "..."

Xia Chichi gave Zhao Changhe a glance and smiled faintly, without speaking.

Zhao Changhe asked, "Your own opinion? If you don't want it, then we'll talk about something else."

Xia Chichi smiled, "If you don't want to do it, then it has to be me. Could I truly retreat from the world and face the barbarians alone, letting others fight over the world here? When did Xia Chichi become a saint?"

"emmmm..."

Xia Chichi gazed deeply at Xia Longyuan's body, murmuring lowly as if to herself: "And besides, I want to do it. He entrusted his legacy to you before he died, his will like Zhao Lie to Marquis... I want to ask by what right, what a damn Zhao Lie he thinks he is, and why he treats me like an incompetent ruler? Not only must I do it, but I also have to settle his debts with the world, and one day ask him, what about your daughter you never wanted to see to the end? Perhaps the only valuable thing you did in this world was having this daughter!"

Zhao Changhe nodded, "If you so desire it, I will certainly help you."

Vermilion Bird questioned, "It would be simpler if you did it yourself, why not? Because of Xia Longyuan's last wish?"

Zhao Changhe replied, "Old Xia owes others, but not me; I believe he was wrong in official matters, but since he entrusted his personal concerns to me, of course, I should do my utmost to fulfill them—this is also a matter of principle."

Vermilion Bird was silent.

Shunning the throne laid before you, for the sake of righteousness... No wonder a person like you would catch the eye of someone from the Tang family. Truly a match made in heaven.

Eh, what exactly caught your eye about you and me?

"Another important point is..." Zhao Changhe spoke softly, "I am neither suited to be Emperor nor do I have the desire to be. Besides, I am needed to fight battles far and wide and will be busy dealing with God Demons. If I were to also take this position, it would be like another Xia Longyuan. Why confine oneself to being an Emperor if one is truly a peerless Martial Artist... Someone is blind, but their insight is truly remarkable..."

The Blind Man: "..."

Vermilion Bird didn't dwell on it and went straight to the point: "Since both of you are inclined this way, let's discuss Chichi. Her bloodline and the so-called right to succession, upon careful consideration, are all negative influences. It would be better for my Four Symbols Sect to start our own reign, to establish it upright and proper."

"That's the idea, you establish your own reign, and I'll help you conquer the world."

Vermilion Bird's eyes widened behind the mask.

Zhao Changhe tilted his head slightly; damn it, even with the mask, those eyes are too much like Huangfu Qing being surprised and cute. Stay a bit colder, or I won't be able to resist unmasking you...

He composed himself and said earnestly, "There aren't many decent troops in the Capital, the last of the elite forces has already been taken to Puyang by Huangfu Shaozong. Now, there are a few factions that can fight. First, there are the house servants and thugs raised by various families; the jurisdiction of the Capital is special, not like the armed landlords elsewhere, and they do not form an army – either you or I could defeat them on our own. Second is Wanzhuang's Demon Suppression Department; these are the true elites, and most of them are still loyal to Wanzhuang..."

Vermilion Bird expressionlessly: "Hmm, Wanzhuang."

Zhao Changhe tilted his head: "Third is the honorable Venerable Qing'er and me... blown together..."

There is no pause between the words "honorable Venerable" and "me", and the word "blown" is strangely emphasized.

Vermilion Bird wanted him to be careful with his words, maybe pause a bit more for clarity, but Zhao Changhe had already continued, "The Four Symbols Sect's covert strength is immense, infiltrating many officials in the court and amassing a large number of followers among the people, ready to form a formidable army at any moment. I see that Qing'er has already organized everything, just waiting for the inevitable death of old Xia to take control of the Imperial City. With the broadcast of the Chaotic World Book, it's possible that they're already making moves on the outside."

Vermilion Bird's lips curled into a smile, "You're not that foolish."

I've certainly prepared everything thoroughly! As long as Tang Wanju doesn't get in the way, we can directly claim the Capital City for ourselves. It's not about emulating Dong Zhuo but rather, emulating Li Jue and Guo Si's abduction of the officials—that's as easy as playing.

The biggest difference from the end of the Han Dynasty is that while the Han's legal system is still in place, creating chaos would result in a loss of significant righteousness. In the Great Xia, however, anyone can claim the throne as long as they suffocate others. It's that simple.

While they were talking, uniform footsteps echoed from above, and someone reported from overhead, "Reporting to the Venerable, all four gates of the Capital, and all gates of the Palace have been secured. All officials have been brought to the palace gates by our Sect brothers, waiting for the imperial assembly... Uh, not all were brought forcefully—many indeed are our brothers."

True · Dong Zhuo enters the Capital.

The Four Symbols Sect had lain in hiding for many years and finally bared their fangs fully.

The three left the underground Temple and hastened towards the palace gates, only to see a mass of officials standing there, their gazes difficult to discern as they looked at the trio approaching.

Many "in the know" considered Zhao Changhe the hidden Crown Prince, all waiting for his announcement to continue the great rule. If it was him, in fact, many have long been psychologically prepared in their hearts and wouldn't find it unacceptable. But there was one serious problem. Previously, when the realm was in rebellion, Xia Longyuan had been stripped of all Dragon Energy, which meant that these people had actually rebelled too. If the true Crown Prince was to ascend to the throne, would they be purged?

And here, many from the Aristocratic Families, as well as their scholarly retainers and officials… were essentially all complicit.

Thus, the only legacy left by old Xia is a troublesome one; people know you are the Crown Prince, they are psychologically prepared for you, but few actually wish for your accession.

It may be better to simply establish a new regime with absolute military force. The Four Symbols Sect has its own officials, army, and high-level cadre—a foundation is there. However, it might require a rather cruel purge.

Before the crowd of officials, an elder slowly began to speak, "This humble one is Lu Jianzhang, entrusted with the role of Prime Minister. The Crown Prince and my nephew Shouyi once met..."

It sounded like an attempt to forge a connection, yet the irony was rich—the "Crown Prince" now preparing to ascend the throne didn't even know what the Prime Minister looked like.

Zhao Changhe smiled, "I have seen Minister Lu."

Lu Jianzhang said, "If the Crown Prince wishes to continue the great rule, why associate with the Demon Sect and coerce the officials?"

Zhao Changhe said, "Who said the Crown Prince is to continue the great rule? I am surnamed Zhao."

The officials were shocked by his words...

Then Xia Chichi spoke calmly, her voice crisp and stern, "A tyrant without virtue, the world revolts against him. The Four Symbols Sect acts upon heavenly mandate, brings forth the Azure Dragon into the world, and establishes a nation among men. With your family's profound scholarship, Prime Minister, could it be you are unaware of the location of the Human Emperor in the last epoch?"

Lu Jianzhang was taken aback. The Human Emperor from the last epoch seemed indeed to be the Ancient Azure Dragon. Because of this, the Four Symbols Sect had even mistaken Xia Longyuan once...

When it came to legal principles and legal succession, there were learned men complexly debating scriptures. The Four Symbols Sect traced their succession to Ancient Times; there was no need for them to connect to Xia Longyuan...

Many pondered rapidly, this step down was rather intriguing; it seemed not unacceptable... Why stand stubbornly as Lu Jianzhang, representing all officials? Couldn't they first declare allegiance to the ascending force? What was crucial was to consider carefully whether, beyond the Capital and the Jianghuai regions, the Four Symbols Sect could really succeed?

Many were merely old retainers of Aristocratic Families, not nobles themselves… Aligned with the right master, could they not become the new nobility?

As they were calculating, a disciplined formation suddenly ascended the steps beside the palace gates.

Xia Chichi looked coldly, only to see Tang Wanju leading a group of elite warriors from the Demon Suppression Department briskly approaching.

The two locked eyes, sparks seeming to fly between them.

The officials intent on speaking fell silent, their minds whispering that the drama was about to unfold. Tang Wanju's prestige and influence were no joke—should she voice dissent, the Four Symbols Sect would be seen as nothing more than the Demon Sect if they decided to purge the Demon Suppression Department, losing all public support, a fate worse than Dong Zhuo's.

Under scrutiny, Tang Wanju stood before Xia Chichi, locking gazes for a moment, then suddenly tilted sideways, dropping to one knee in salutation, "Tang Wanju, along with colleagues of the Demon Suppression Department, are here to see the Crown Prince."

No one saw her salutation drift a tad off course, in truth, only willing to kneel to Zhao Changhe.

To the bystanders, it appeared as a blatant first endorsement of Xia Chichi claiming the throne!

All were struck dumb. Tang Wanju's persona had crumbled... The Chaotic World Book's broadcast had made it clear that the one threatening to slaughter her clan was a puppet pretender, not the true Majesty. Then, isn't this rebellion? If Tang Wanju's persona collapses into the first supporter of the Demon Sect rebels, her halo would surely fall... Why are the Demon Suppression Department colleagues so silent, with no one objecting?

Wait a second... she mentioned seeing the Crown Prince, but which Crown Prince was she referring to?

Xia Chichi faintly curled her lips and, bending down to help Tang Wanju up, said, "Although I am a remnant of the Xia, I am not the Crown Prince, and I am even prepared to overthrow the dynasty. Chief, do not bring this up again."

The crowd erupted.

Given Zhao Changhe's previous declaration, "I myself am surnamed Zhao," and the one surnamed Xia was right here!

This was indeed the true bloodline of the Xia Emperor!

This added interest to the proceedings; regardless of whether they supported a dynastic change or the traditional legal system, both could find a representative in the same person. The complex interplay that emerged would take a while to untangle. The first realization was that this very Crown Prince had revolted, meaning no purges!

Tang Wanju said, "Your subject owes great debt to one's benefactor, and wishes to support her will; that is personal. As a citizen of the Divine Continent, I serve not for any dynasty, but for the people; that is public. I only hope Your Majesty will take past events as lessons, and hold the world's heart as your own."

The essence was in the first part of her statement... Sounding as if she owed the late Emperor a debt of gratitude to support his daughter. Yet, why not say it outright...

Vermilion Bird, having been silent all along, cast a sideways glance, her eyes narrowed, thinking, Just say outright you support your man unconditionally, why beat around the bush...

But, looking back at the slack-jawed expressions of all those present, she had to concede that Tang Wanju's backing was far more effective than the Four Symbols Sect's abductions and coercion, like one person could be worth a hundred thousand soldiers... This was the power of righteousness and the hearts of the people, and who could say such things were useless!