World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 909 - 426: Zhi Li’s death date is set! _2

Chapter 909: 426: Zhi Li’s death date is set! _2

This made Zhi Li extremely uneasy. The main reason he dared to assassinate the King and forcefully ascend the throne was because of the support from the Dragon Temple.

After successfully assassinating the King, he immediately received an audience with Luo Ge.

Guided by a senior Judge, Zhi Li went to meet Luo Ge. However, rather than going to the main hall of Luo Ge’s Tribunal, they went to Fu Lingxi’s castle.

It seemed the rumors were true: the relationship between Luo Ge and Fu Lingxi was indeed ambiguous.

In the underground chamber of Fu Lingxi’s castle, Zhi Li met Luo Ge, a figure whose status was on par with the King.

The stunningly beautiful Fu Lingxi stood behind him, dutifully making tea.

"Luo Ge, I have never met you before," was Luo Ge’s first sentence.

"Of course," Zhi Li replied, "I am currently in the southern border town. Only tomorrow will I learn of the King’s demise and then enter the capital. Naturally, you have never seen me."

Luo Ge gazed coldly at Zhi Li, saying, "You truly are mad to dare assassinate the King! We, the Dragon Temple, will definitely not cooperate with a madman."

Zhi Li responded, "I did not assassinate the King. His Majesty had already passed away. It was kept secret to protect Suo Lun. Being in the southern border town, how could I possibly assassinate the King? With such heavy security around the King, how could anyone succeed in assassinating him?"

Luo Ge understood Zhi Li’s words and sneered, "Tonight, the entire capital was shaken. From the palace, the sounds of killing soared to the heavens, and countless eyes witnessed the assassin rushing out of the palace gates."

Zhi Li said, "That was all a play directed by Suo Lun himself. Now that he has won, the news of the King’s death can be disclosed. But by framing me with the crime of regicide, he has grounds to strip me of my title as the King’s junior and execute me."

Luo Ge said, "Your illicit affair with Turing Duo and the murder of Tuli Yang alone are enough to strip you of your title."

"True," replied Zhi Li, "but that wouldn’t be grounds for execution. My father, Zhi Lan, died under ambiguous circumstances, so Zhi Bian has been burdened with the infamy of fratricide all his life. Zhi Yan, being a woman, certainly should not bear such infamy. But if the crime of regicide is attributed to me, she could rightfully have me executed, justifiably and lawfully!"

"Are you not afraid of being ridiculed by the world for distorting the truth?" Luo Ge asked.

Zhi Li replied, "The world has laughed enough. Once I ascend as King, even if I am infamous, instilling fear is sufficient."

Luo Ge said, "Are you not afraid that Suo Lun will lead his army into the capital and tear you to pieces?"

Zhi Li replied, "Suo Lun’s son is in my hands. He cherishes his family immensely and dare not act rashly. Moreover, his army is thousands of miles from the capital, and at their fastest, they would still need a month to arrive. By then, I will have been enthroned for quite some time, and lords and nobles across the land will have had the chance to choose sides again. Between the tyrannical Suo Lun and the infamous Zhi Li, the lords and nobles, who have deep-seated rifts with Suo Lun, may prefer to stand with me. When the time comes, there could be a king in the east and a king in the west."

Indeed, as Zhi Li said, a king in the east and a king in the west, and the whole Rage Wave Kingdom could be split in two.

Thus, the Rage Wave Kingdom would quickly descend from one of the four major powers to a second- or third-rate nation due to constant internal conflict. After the Night Orchid Duchy has regained peace, it might even be able to bully the Rage Wave Kingdom.

By then, the foundation that the Zhi family had built over hundreds of years would be completely ruined, regressing back to where it was a century ago.

Even the kingdom’s title could be lost, reverting to a duchy.

But in Zhi Li’s tone, he no longer cared.

Luo Ge coldly said, "I’ll repeat myself, the Dragon Temple will not ally with a madman. After your forced ascension to the throne, until you have the support of most lords and nobles across the land, the Dragon Temple will absolutely not openly support you."

"I understand," Zhi Li stated, "After I ascend, my first decree will be to delegate more responsibility to the Dragon Temple in maintaining the stability of the kingdom. Therefore, it is essential to increase the Sanctuary Legion from fifty thousand to a hundred thousand."

Luo Ge’s gaze faltered!

A hundred thousand Sanctuary Legion troops could completely match the prowess of two hundred thousand elite troops of the Rage Wave Kingdom.

But Luo Ge still remained silent.

Zhi Li continued, "Moreover, it is essential for the Dragon Temple to own larger territories, which will support more followers. In some areas, a Holy Temple Special District could be established, where all governing powers would belong solely to the Dragon Temple!"

This time, Luo Ge felt his heart shudder.

To ascend as King, Zhi Li was relentlessly selling off the country.

Not only doubling the military power of the Dragon Temple but also starting to cede vast tracts of land.

Playing indifferent, Luo Ge said, "After you forcefully ascend to the throne, first get through a period of chaos."

"Then may I ask how long this period of chaos will last?" Zhi Li inquired.

"I still need to consult with the high priest and report to the Sky Holy Palace, but I believe about a month should suffice," Luo Ge responded.

"Thank you, Lord Luo Ge." Zhi Li bowed deeply!

...

At the residence of Prime Minister Yan Wuji!

Due to his old age and the need to handle state affairs, Yan Wuji, the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, did not accompany Zhi Li to campaign against Suo Lun.

Most of the cabinet and all six department officials also remained in the capital.

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