The Unruly Immortals

Hearing Gao Zhijian still speaking like this at such a moment, Li Huowang immediately felt a surge of inexplicable anger in his heart.

"How many times have I said it! I am not sick!" Li Huowang suddenly stood up, "Do you believe me or not? If not, I'll go at it alone!"

"I believe you." Gao Zhijian tried his best to calm Li Huowang, then shifted the conversation, "But this matter is of great importance and cannot be known only by the two of us. The White Lotus Saintess and other dragon veins along with the Astrological Bureau should be informed of this news."

This reason, Li Huowang could not refute, as this matter concerned the entire realm and must surely be made known to others.

If everyone here could help him and become his support, it would undoubtedly be more reliable than relying solely on Zhao Shuangdian and Qingwang.

These people were dispersed across the country, and gathering them again in the Capital City would be very troublesome, but now with Li Huowang, they were quickly brought into the Capital City.

Among them, not only Bai Lingmiao was included, but also dragon veins from various countries, including the abbot of Zhengde Temple, the leader of the Mo Family, the head of Bright Wheel Hall, the six elders of Ao Jing Sect, and the sect leader of Luo Sect.

All sects and factions came; one could say that, unless there was some special reason, representatives from all sects in the whole realm were present.

Even Da Liang's early morning assembly hall was packed at this very moment.

The movement caused by the Prime Minister was not small; anyone not blind naturally knew what was happening.

Before Gao Zhijian spoke, everyone was whispering among themselves about the current situation, with many casting their gaze towards Li Huowang.

After all, he didn't conceal his identity as Xinsu; he displayed it openly.

But compared to before, it was clear that no one dared harbor any malice now; they stood below, while Li Huowang stood above, which proved the point.

With Gao Zhijian's slight raise of his hand, the old eunuch beside him waved a golden horsetail whisk towards the air, "Silence~~"

The hall quieted down, and everyone looked towards Gao Zhijian on the Dragon Throne, as well as the other emperors on the dragon thrones surrounding him, which suddenly made the atmosphere in the hall very solemn.

"Why I have gathered everyone here today, I believe you are already aware; our realm stands at the brink of survival!" The hall was utterly silent, with everyone listening intently.

Gao Zhijian did not continue speaking but waited for the eunuch to deliver a golden Imperial Edict, picking up a pen to write as he spoke.

"The realm's military has already been consecrated, and with the external threat looming, to protect the people, I hereby declare as Emperor of Da Liang, to issue the Blood Imbued Order."

After finishing this final sentence, Gao Zhijian took out the Da Liang Imperial Seal and placed it heavily upon the edict.

The other dragon veins said nothing but stood up simultaneously, each taking out their country's seals, and likewise pressed them onto the edict.

Yet it did not stop there; all the emperors next dropped their own blood upon the edict.

Many among them did not understand what this signified, though there were some who lived long enough to realize the significance of the Blood Imbued Order.

An old woman with a phoenix-head cane, her body covered with patterns that resembled ceramic blue and white porcelain cracking, asked shakily, "Your Majesty, must you go this far? Even when the Dharma Sect caused such trouble, the Blood Imbued Order wasn't issued. Must this measure be used now?"

"The Dharma Sect? The Dharma Sect could hardly even cross Qingqiu; how could they compare to the current situation?"

"When ere the wind was calm and life was good, it was thanks to the Astrological Bureau and Senior Li holding the line. Since there's no intent to hide it now, I shall dispel the truth to all of you today: the Dharma Sect affair was merely an external probe!"

Gao Zhijian's words were like a mountain pressing upon everyone's hearts. Some might not understand, but when the Dharma Sect stirred such trouble, everyone knew.

If that extent was merely a test, then how strong are the foreign enemies?

Seeing unease spread below, Li Huowang stepped forward at once, trying to stabilize everyone's emotions.

"Don't panic! We can win! They aren't as powerful as you might think, as long as everyone works together wholeheartedly! We will surely overcome the crisis!"

"Brother Li, dare ask with what authority do you speak these words?" Ao Jing Sect's great elder Yan Jianxi asked.

"Me? What authority?" Li Huowang took out a waist plaque from his bosom and held it up, "I am Da Liang's Astronomical Bureau! How about it, do I have the authority to say this now?"

Gao Zhijian was evidently unaware of this news and, like everyone else, stared in shock at the waist plaque in Li Huowang's hand.

The plaque belonged to Xuan Pin, taken from her corpse.

"They aren't that formidable! Their elephants are about the same size as ours! We don't need to fear them!"

"No matter what happens next, bring forth your bottom drawer methods! We join together, figuring out how to eliminate them!"

Li Huowang's words did not resonate with others much, but with the backing of the dragon veins behind him, they clearly acknowledged Li Huowang's position as Da Liang's Astronomical Bureau and his statements.

All the emperors rallied the realm simultaneously; everyone understood the weight of this.

Now the situation was clear; whether success could be achieved depended on the final outcome.

Following the issuance of the edict, officialdom and sects across the realm began to act, all bustling for the Blood Imbued Order.

Even some evil cultivators, though not offering help, dared not stir trouble at this moment.

"Will everyone in the realm be imbued with evil qi?" Li Huowang asked, looking up at Gao Zhijian on the Dragon Throne.

"Everyone." Gao Zhijian, expression dignified and solemn, rested his hands on the dragon heads at the armrests of the Dragon Throne.

Li Huowang's voice began to tremble. "Including the brothers from Niuxin Village?"

Dogwa, Yang Xiaohao, Zhao Wu, Sun Fulu, Scholar Lv, Chun Xiaoman, his former companions flashed through Gao Zhijian's mind one by one, yet as a good emperor, he steadfastly repeated his earlier words, "Everyone."

Bai Lingmiao had been imbued with military evil qi, and Scholar Lv had also been imbued, knowing the consequences.

Should the entire realm be imbued with evil qi, it was almost like an artificial calamity.

Li Huowang felt suffocated, but he couldn't voice it. With the realm under crisis, he decided to wait and see.

"Let's avoid action first and save the Prime Minister's methods as a last resort. Use them only if we really can't win." Li Huowang said in a low voice.

Having help was difficult to come by, which logically was good news, but the cost of using such aid was exorbitant.

"Naturally, they are my subjects, it's my country and order; I cherish them more than you do." Gao Zhijian replied.

Just as Li Huowang was about to speak further, a woman's voice came from behind, "Not solely reliant on the people!"