The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 487 - 299: Face-to-face Instruction

Chapter 487: Chapter 299: Face-to-face Instruction

Within the Imperial Palace.

The Empress and Feng Qiwu, mother and son, had waited from left to right but still had not seen Qi Sibo and Tao Qiucui arrive with the head of Feng Chaonan. Instead, they had heard from their subordinates that members of the Azure Dragon Association were slaughtering people all over the Divine Capital, attacking princes everywhere.

"Could it be that the two Tribute Masters have failed for a moment and let that despicable bastard escape?" the Empress muttered to herself.

However, this could be good news.

The Empress thought to herself that if Feng Chaonan went mad and assassinated all the princes, it would eliminate troubles for her son’s future. Moreover, the more it happened this way, the more it proved that Feng Chaonan was at the end of his rope, now indulging in his final madness.

"Mother, could it be that Sixth Brother was killed and the assassin from the Azure Dragon Association seeks vengeance for him?" Feng Qiwu asked.

"Yes, it’s possible," a hint of joy flickered in the Empress’s eyes.

If that was the case, then it would be the best outcome. Feng Chaonan would be dead, and the other princes would be killed by his vengeful subordinates—hopefully including Feng Jiu.

Then, the person who would ascend to the throne would definitely be her own son.

Thinking of this, the Empress solemnly said to Feng Qiwu, "My son, you must diligently improve your governance from now on and cannot be negligent anymore. You must let your father the Emperor see your accomplishments when he awakens."

"Yes, Mother," Feng Qiwu reluctantly responded.

In his heart, he rather admired the concept of ruling through inaction and was not too fond of exhausting himself with every matter.

"I’m not dead yet, and you’re already in such a hurry for someone to ascend the throne?" A cold voice suddenly came from the entrance of the hall.

"Your Majesty?!"

"Father!"

The Empress and Feng Qiwu hurriedly bowed.

"This servant greets Your Majesty."

"Your son pays respects to Father."

Assisted by the Cold Eunuch, Feng Tianming stood straight, his face showing an unusual ruddiness, as he walked slowly into the hall.

"Empress..." His cold gaze fixed on her, "good job you’ve done there."

"This servant knows not what has angered Your Majesty so," the Empress hurriedly said.

"Dispatching Tribute Masters privately to capture Sixth Brother, causing him to take desperate actions and killing six of my sons— isn’t that enough?" Killing intent seemed to emanate from Feng Tianming’s eyes, aiming straight at the Empress.

At this moment, he truly wanted to kill this woman who wreaked havoc. If it were not for his mistaken cleverness, the situation would not have deteriorated to such an extent.

Nine Phoenixes Facing the Sun had suddenly turned into a wild delusion—it was only possible now to save seven at most to bear the burden of the Nirvana Ceremony, among whom was the yet unaccounted for Feng Jiu.

"This... Your Majesty, it was all this servant’s fault. This servant will surely have the two Tribute Masters capture Sixth Prince and personally deliver him to Your Majesty for questioning," the Empress said, gently lifting her skirt and kneeling gracefully.

"Capturing him is no longer necessary. Tao and Qi, the two Tribute Masters, are now confirmed dead at the residence of the Sixth Prince," Feng Tianming said indifferently.

"This... Feng Chaonan, does he really have a True Pill Realm master secretly protecting him?!" The Empress said in disbelief.

"There indeed is a True Pill Realm master in the shadows, but whose man he is, that’s hard to say," the Cold Eunuch said with a sinister smile.

"Bring him in."

As the Cold Eunuch spoke, two guards carried a half-tael thick ice pillar into the hall.

Inside the ice pillar was Feng Chaonan, dressed in a black robe. Beside him, frozen as well, was a bronze mask, the symbol of the Azure Dragon Association’s Dragon Head Young Master Yu.

Of course, that wasn’t what shocked the Empress and her companion.

What truly astonished them was the charred wound on Feng Chaonan’s chest. The wound pierced from front to back, directly destroying Feng Chaonan’s heart—a fatal blow.

Quick, precise, and vicious, the killer did not hesitate for a moment when he killed Feng Chaonan.

"The Emperor never imagined that among his thirteen sons, the one with the deepest schemes was not the ruthless Sixth Brother, nor the eldest who secretly colluded with outsiders, but the always quiet and seemingly invisible Ninth Prince."

Feng Tianming caressed the ice pillar, his thin hand resting on the dead Feng Chaonan’s heart, murmuring, "This Phoenix Sky Strategy requires at least thirty years of practice for the average Feng Family member. I never thought that my least accomplished son would be so scheming. Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother, you really have given me a huge surprise."

His fingers curled, his thin fingers resembling ghastly claws, digging fiercely into the ice pillar. At this moment, Feng Tianming’s eyes were filled with intense killing intent.

Feng Jiu’s actions today showed that he had been well-prepared. This bastard had long set his sights on the Dragon Throne. Moreover, his evading Cold Eunuch’s Divine Sense search proved him to be a significant variable in the Nirvana Ceremony.

Not to mention, the current Nirvana Ceremony desperately needed Feng Jiu as one of the sacrificial offerings.

"Feng Jiu..." the Empress murmured the name.

Ever since Ouyang Yan had supported Feng Jiu, the Empress had begun paying attention to this previously unnoticed Ninth Prince. But now, it seemed her attention was still insufficient.

"Ninth Brother has eliminated Gong Ziyu, who has been causing a bloodbath in Great Zhou. This is a great achievement, one that is hard to match with numerous political merits. Logically speaking, I should appoint him as the Crown Prince..."

Feng Tianming, with his back to the Empress, continued to gaze at Feng Chaonan inside the ice pillar, "But I do not like Ninth Brother, not at all. I would rather confine him to the palace for life than see him ascend to the position of Crown Prince or even Emperor later. So, Empress, do you know what needs to be done?"

"Your Consort will spare no effort to capture Feng Jiu and leave his fate to Your Majesty," the Empress said through gritted teeth.

She really was ready to give her all. With Feng Jiu’s cunning, if he were to ascend to the throne, Qiu Wu’s fate would undoubtedly be dire.

Even, it’s highly likely that she and her son might end up accompanying their eldest son.

’This matter seems to require seeking elder brother’s help.’ The Empress thought to herself.

"That would be excellent." Feng Tianming nodded in satisfaction, "In ten days, I will announce the new Crown Prince. During these ten days, let Qiu Wu stay with me in Yangxin Hall. There are some matters I need to pass on to Qiu Wu."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Empress ceremoniously gave thanks.

This was about instructing the future Crown Prince personally. In the Imperial Family, there are matters that only the Emperor and the future Emperor are privy to. Feng Tianming was evidently making his decision.

With such joyful news, how could the Empress not be overjoyed?

Qiu Wu also gave his thanks, "Thank you, Father Emperor."

"Mm," Feng Tianming placed a hand on Qiu Wu’s shoulder, his eyes complex, "In the coming ten days, your father will teach you all you need to know. Are you prepared?"

"I am always prepared," Qiu Wu responded.

"Good, if so, stay with me in Yangxin Hall from today. Cough, cough, cough..." Feng Tianming suddenly pulled out a golden handkerchief, covering his mouth as he coughed repeatedly.

"Father Emperor!"

"It’s nothing," squeezing the handkerchief, Feng Tianming’s complexion didn’t seem like it was an onset of an injury, still ruddy. "Let us go now."

"Your Majesty, please take care."

The Empress watched as the father and son slowly departed.