NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1266: Ignored
The eldest prince committed suicide by poison, and the fourth prince died by his own hand. With the loss of these two leaders qualified to challenge and inherit the throne, the originally turbulent situation immediately calmed down.
However, due to the scheming of the Great Zhou Mountain Sect, Zhou Maochang now held much less power, especially after the deaths of those imperial guards, causing his control over the capital's situation to become stretched thin.
Fortunately, at this time, those astute civil officials saw his weakness and flocked to his side, seeking to preserve their own lives.
And Zhou Maochang, due to the words of the eldest prince before his death, planted seeds of doubt in his heart. To prevent the Great Zhou Mountain Sect from gaining overwhelming power and turning him into a puppet, he reluctantly accepted this group of civil servants.
At the same time, he also urgently sent messages to the generals at the border, instructing them to withdraw some soldiers to replenish the imperial guards, without affecting the situation.
In this way, the situation in the capital became one of various sides confronting each other in a balance of power, and Zhou Maochang managed to secure his position on the throne.
As for whether he can control the entire Great Zhou Dynasty afterwards, it depends on his ability.
...
"Who would have thought that this prince was hiding so deeply, with such abilities in strategy, scheming, and manipulation!" Li Zhirui said with a sigh.
Zhou Maochang's series of actions were not hidden from others, all were legitimate and aboveboard, but this only made people feel he was open-minded and look at him with new eyes.
"Yes, we all thought we had deeply influenced him, but now it seems, all his past behaviors were just acts for us to see." Bai Liang felt very conflicted inside.
The Great Zhou Mountain Sect's investment this time was a success, but also a failure.
They successfully pushed Zhou Maochang onto the throne and can now enter the court and seize power, but their ultimate plan to transform Great Zhou into a Human Dao Kingdom might not succeed!
This new Emperor about to ascend the throne will definitely not sit idly by and watch the Great Zhou Mountain Sect's machinations without taking action to stop them.
If the Great Zhou Mountain Sect goes too far, perhaps a great war will break out!
But these are matters that have little to do with Li Zhirui.
"As for me, this matter is over, it's time to say goodbye." He stated his next plan.
He didn't want to waste decades more within the Great Zhou borders, as this held almost no benefit for him!
The constant suppression by the Human Dao Law Net, even after Li Zhirui had been here for so many years, he still hadn't adapted, or rather, this was simply not where he should stay.
"Since you have already made your decision, we naturally will not obstruct you. Moreover, you have contributed a lot over the years, according to the previous agreement, you should receive two more Earth Immortal Level Spiritual Items."
Clearly, Bai Liang had already received instructions from above, just waiting for Li Zhirui to bring it up.
After speaking, he took out two sealed Jade Boxes.
Li Zhirui, without hesitation, opened the Jade Boxes in front of him, checked them, confirmed they were indeed Earth Immortal Level Spiritual Items, and then accepted them.
"Mountains and rivers meet again; may my wishes be fulfilled and your Sect achieve its desires."
After saying this, Li Zhirui stood up without hesitation and left, heading out of the capital.
At this time, the capital was still under a degree of martial law, allowing people out but not in. However, due to his identity, he was permitted to leave after a brief inspection.
But due to the chaos caused by those two princes, the people of the capital dared not go out for long periods.
Thus, this city, which was once the most prosperous in Great Zhou, became quite desolate.
"Master Bai, you're really going to give him those two Earth Immortal Level Spiritual Items just like that? He hasn't done much over the years, so why such a generous reward?" A nearby junior disciple said, unwillingly.
"Ancestor Lingxi's instructions, do you dare disobey?"
Bai Liang glared at him, warning, "Even with his strength suppressed by the Human Dao Law Net to less than a tenth, he is still not someone you can provoke. Behave yourself, or even if you die by his hand, the Sect won't avenge you."
Only then did those few disciples suppress their anxious and unwilling hearts.
——
On the other side, Li Zhirui, who had already left the capital, didn't notice anyone following him, but still employed methods to hide his tracks, avoiding being pursued and eventually fighting.
He genuinely did not want to fight within the Great Zhou, as here he had to exert all his strength, but ultimately only half, or perhaps not even that much, could be wielded.
It was really detrimental to him, so he avoided it whenever possible.
It wasn't that Li Zhirui feared he was not a match, but predominantly he didn't want to provoke trouble.
After all, there would be no benefit in winning, but losing would require a considerable price.
After leaving the capital, he noticed the power of the Human Dao Law Net weakened significantly, possibly due to the transition of the throne, as Zhou Maochang had yet to officially ascend.
This is a very complicated and meticulous ceremony, not something that can be casually held.
Thus, it must be scheduled on an auspicious day and time, and more than a thousand kinds of offerings and sacrifices must be prepared, with every step and procedure executed without the slightest mistake.
There was a time in the Great Zhou Dynasty when the throne inheritance could not find a suitable day, leaving the throne vacant for several years, and only the Crown Prince could oversee the government.
However, at such times, the Great Zhou becomes stricter, and any hint of adverse events is immediately extinguished!