The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 502 - 314: The People’s Choice and the Grand Wedding

Chapter 502: Chapter 314: The People’s Choice and the Grand Wedding

"Hold on."

Zhuge Longsu suddenly bellowed, "My lords, let’s not forget that there are other princes at this moment. The late Emperor favored the Eighth Prince the most, thus having him succeed to the throne would be an excellent choice. My lords, do not forget the late Emperor’s grace!"

The late Emperor’s grace? Sorry, whether the late Emperor did it willingly or not, the moment he nearly blew us to pieces, his grace was gone.

This was the thought in the minds of many officials present.

Of course, such thoughts could not be voiced aloud.

Feng Jiu, hearing Zhuge Longsu’s speech, also secretly sneered. Fortunately, this situation had been anticipated.

"The late Emperor’s esteem and affection do not justify handing over the throne of Great Zhou to someone unworthy."

An aged voice gradually filled the space as an elderly man with white hair entered the Taihe Palace.

"Imperial Uncle, how come you are here?" Feng Mingxiao asked with concern.

This Imperial Uncle was a descendant of the previous generation of the royal family and currently the Head of the Imperial Clan Court. Due to his advanced age and poor health, he had not been active for many years.

"Any descendant of the royal family who wishes to ascend the throne must be trained in the Phoenix Sky Strategy. Eighth Prince, as you are now, you have no right to vie for this chair," the Head gravely said to Feng Qiwu.

"The Great Formation requires the Phoenix Sky Strategy to be activated, and without sufficient cultivation in it, one cannot even enter its core. Eighth Prince, even if you abandon your Vast Righteous Qi and begin cultivating the Phoenix Sky Strategy, it will be too late."

Originally, according to Feng Tianming and the Empress’s plan, it would not be too late for Feng Qiwu to focus solely on the Phoenix Sky Strategy once he became Crown Prince. But they never anticipated Feng Tianming’s death; there was no need for a Crown Prince any longer, and one could go directly from being a prince to being the Emperor.

At that point, Feng Qiwu completely lost his opportunity.

Even if he began cultivating the Phoenix Sky Strategy now, his power would be insufficient, far from being able to activate the Nine Dragon Sky Array.

Moreover, Feng Jiu’s control of the Great Formation and the allegiance of most officials meant he was only missing the title to become the Emperor. This was why the Head would advocate for Feng Jiu.

The appearance of the Head of the Imperial Clan Court undoubtedly kicked Feng Qiwu out of the running for the next Emperor. After Feng Qiwu dropped out, the only one left was Feng Jiu.

However, under these circumstances, Feng Mingxiao still refused to give up.

"Feng Jiu, are you still deluding yourself?" Multicolored radiance faintly appeared, and a formidable, silent presence once again filled the Taihe Palace.

"Auntie, it is you who are deluded," Feng Jiu slowly shook his head, with Dragon Energy subtly emerging behind the Dragon Throne.

Above in the Taihe Palace, dragon patterns flickered faintly, and the Nine Dragon Sky Array began to operate.

"Princess, please don’t be rash," a cold chill abruptly arose, and a sinister figure flashed in front of Feng Jiu, blocking Feng Mingxiao’s momentum.

"Cold Eunuch, are you intent on repeating your mistakes?" Feng Mingxiao challenged upon seeing the old eunuch suddenly appear.

"My princess, please do not speak so hastily. I am only serving the Emperor; this cannot be considered an error," Cold Eunuch replied with a smile, shaking his head.

"Cold Eunuch, if you are serving the late Emperor, why act in such a manner?" Feng Qiwu stood forth and asked.

"The late Emperor has died, so naturally, I pledge loyalty to the next Emperor. Clearly, the next to inherit the throne is none other than the Ninth Prince, not you, Eighth Prince."

Cold Eunuch glanced at Feng Qiwu and spoke without reservation.

Cold Eunuch only pledged loyalty to the Emperor of Northern Zhou, but as a warrior of the Divinity Realm, he was not someone without his own thoughts. Clearly, Cold Eunuch favored Feng Jiu more than Feng Qiwu.

"Auntie, do you still wish to persist?" Feng Jiu looked at Cold Eunuch and then addressed Feng Mingxiao.

With the Hundred Officials, the Great Formation, and the old eunuch Cold Eunuch—who guarded the royal family—all on Feng Jiu’s side, Feng Qiwu no longer had a sliver of hope.

"Alas," Zhuge Longsu sighed, "Qiu Wu, you should come back with your mentor and devote yourself to studying at the Mountain River Academy."

He turned his gaze toward Feng Jiu, "Ninth Prince, would that be acceptable?"

"If the Eighth Prince wishes to pursue scholarship, as his younger brother, I naturally have no reason to stop him," Feng Jiu nodded.

He also did not want to push Zhuge Longsu too hard.

"However, in three days, I will have my grand wedding. At that time, I would like my aunt, prince brothers, and princess sister to grace the occasion with their presence," Feng Jiu continued.

"A grand wedding?" Feng Qiwu was startled.

"The Ninth Prince and my daughter have fallen in love and agreed upon their marriage a month ago. In three days, they are to be wed," said Si Family Head Si Yunxin, who had arrived in the hall at some point.

Of course, the marriage agreement was not really set a month ago, as Qing Yu was still in seclusion refining her Qi and blood at that time.

However, Si Yunxin certainly could not let it be known that he was selling his daughter, so he had shifted the time the marriage agreement was set to earlier.

Should Feng Qiwu ultimately prevail, his marriage agreement with Si Qingwei would also appear to have been determined a month earlier.

"Qingwei... and Feng Jiu... getting married?!"

Feng Qiwu suddenly felt dizzy, the world spinning around him, his vision blurring, and himself drifting further and further away from this world.

"Qiu Wu, Qiu Wu..." Zhuge Longsu steadied his disciple, calling out repeatedly.

Even the disconsolate little princess at this moment was clutching her brother’s arm, tears cascading down her cheeks.

"Imperial Physician, quickly call for the Imperial Physician!" Feng Jiu called out urgently.

"There’s no need, Ninth Prince. Qiu Wu has merely fainted momentarily; he will be fine after some rest," Zhuge Longsu said, before vanishing from the hall with Feng Qiwu.

After Zhuge Longsu departed, Feng Mingxiao also said, "Han’er, let us leave as well."

With a flick of her sleeves, she too departed.

Upon leaving Taihe Palace, Feng Mingxiao came upon a white-haired Daoist walking toward her.

’Tsk, those in the Divinity Realm sure are fast,’ thought Qing Yu, who had rushed from Fenglai Mountain to the Imperial Palace, as he observed the stunning sights approaching him.

He, Qing Yu, had simply drawn a prize in a small grove, spending the remainder of his time journeying here, only to arrive now.

Meanwhile, Feng Mingxiao and Zhuge Longsu, who had just flown over from the skies, had finished their conversations in Taihe Palace.

One can only say that being able to fly certainly has its advantages.

Qing Yu mused with a smile, yet greeted Feng Mingxiao with a calm nod as they passed by each other.

"?" Feng Chuhuan looked on in confusion as Feng Mingxiao suddenly came to a stop.

"It’s nothing, let’s go."

Touching Feng Chuhuan’s head, Feng Mingxiao glanced once more at the somewhat peculiar white-haired Daoist and remarked.

’That white-haired Daoist is no ordinary person.’

Carrying a slightly strange feeling, Feng Mingxiao left with Feng Chuhuan.

On this side, Qing Yu, having just passed Feng Mingxiao, stepped into Taihe Palace, just as Feng Jiu had agreed to the officials’ urgings to ascend the throne.

There were no rigid adherence to thrice-refusing the offer—how could Feng Jiu really adhere to proper etiquette when he was planning a grand wedding just three days after Feng Tianming’s death?

Besides, among all the civil and military officials present, only a small portion still harbored different intentions, but their obstinate resistance had dissipated. In such a situation, to play the game of thrice-refusing the offer would have seemed exceedingly hypocritical.