World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 910 - 426: Zhi Li’s death date is set!_3

Chapter 910: 426: Zhi Li’s death date is set!_3

They originally thought that Zhi Li’s campaign against Suo Lun was a sure bet, with no room for any unforeseen events.

Because Suo Lun had already become a target of public criticism, besieged by all under heaven.

However, what they didn’t expect was that in the end, the scandal that erupted pointed to none other than Zhi Li himself.

What was even more unexpected was that Zhi Li, with an army of nine hundred thousand, suffered a crushing defeat!

This news, for the high-ranking officials left behind in the capital, was like a bolt from the blue. After confirming Zhi Li’s defeat, almost all the high-ranking officials were ready to switch allegiances.

In an instant, the once deserted residence of Duke Zhi Ting became bustling like a marketplace.

In just two short days, the tributes Duke Zhi Ting received exceeded a hundred thousand Gold Coins!

After all, Zhi Ting was the only representative of the Zhi Yan faction in the capital.

As the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Yan Wujie, along with Turing Tuo, was known as one of the two pillars supporting the heavens of the Kingdom. Even Shaojun Zhi Li would refer to him as "Teacher" every time they met!

Usually, Yan Wujie wouldn’t even give a second thought to this prodigal Duke.

But after the news of Zhi Li’s defeat came, Yan Wujie personally visited Duke Zhi Ting with a banknote worth ten thousand Gold Coins, repeatedly calling himself a student and showing the utmost respect.

Duke Zhi Ting, with a pig-like face but a clear heart, knew whose gifts to accept and whose gifts to decline.

Suo Lun already had Yan Wuzhi in his grasp, so naturally there was no place for Yan Wujie. Moreover, Yan Wujie had offended Suo Lun too grievously in the past—his students and grand-students spread too many vicious rumors about Suo Lun, so there’s no way Suo Lun would forgive him.

Therefore, Duke Zhi Ting was very courteous to Yan Wujie, but when the latter was leaving, returned the ten thousand Gold Coin note to him.

Yan Wujie’s heart turned ice-cold; he knew that he had no place and was unforgivable in Suo Lun’s eyes.

Thus, he spent his days in a state of anxiety, not even attending cabinet meetings, claiming to be sick at home.

Once Zhi Yan ascended to power, his position as Prime Minister was definitely not secure, and even his life would be in jeopardy.

However, tonight, the King was assassinated, sparking an earth-shattering change.

Prime Minister Yan Wujie felt his body trembling, his limbs ice-cold, without any warmth.

He smelled an incredibly dangerous scent, but also a hint of opportunity.

This opportunity, if successful, meant he would continue to serve as the Kingdom’s Prime Minister; if it failed, he would be shattered to pieces, and it wouldn’t only be him dying—his entire family would be annihilated, except for the line of Yan Wuzhi.

Moreover, the probability of success was merely twenty percent, with a failure rate of eighty percent.

And at this moment, a figure entered Yan Wuzhi’s presence, lifting the hood of the cloak to reveal himself to be Zhi Li?

Prime Minister Yan Wujie shuddered, instantly rigid, unable to utter a sound.

Zhi Li said: "The King has long been dead, only the news has not been released. Tonight, Suo Lun, driven mad, concocted the false appearance of the King’s assassination, and attempted to pin the blame on me. You, as the backbone of the Kingdom, must uphold justice."

Prime Minister Yan Wujie immediately understood Zhi Li’s words.

He wanted to use Yan Wujie’s influence over public opinion to spread the news, strong-arming the false as truth, whitewashing black as white.

Then, in the name of the cabinet, to invite Zhi Li to enter the capital and ascend the throne!

Yan Wujie closed his eyes in pain—such absurd propaganda, not even a fool would be fooled, right?

Zhi Li said: "Prime Minister, are you thinking that such an absurdity wouldn’t deceive a fool, correct?"

Yan Wujie nodded.

Zhi Li said: "It may not deceive a fool, but it can deceive the wise!"

Yan Wujie was startled; indeed, that was true.

The wise look only at advantages and disadvantages, who cares about truth or falsehood? The power of the entire Kingdom was in the hands of the wise.

But still, this path was fraught with mortal danger!

Zhi Li said: "Luo Ge Chief Judge has already expressed his stance to support me. The blood kin of Suo Lun is in my hands. Even if he is extremely furious, he wouldn’t dare to act rashly. And you, Yan Wujie, you have no choice! Everyone else could surrender to Suo Lun, but you cannot. Suo Lun already has Yan Wuzhi, there’s no place for you there."

Yan Wujie, with a trembling voice, said: "But... if I really do this, and if it fails, my entire clan will be exterminated."

Zhi Li indifferently said: "If you don’t do this, your entire clan will also be exterminated, and it will happen before dawn."

Such a naked threat left Yan Wujie disbelievingly staring at Zhi Li, the student who had always been respectfully deferential, now threatening to kill his entire family?

Prime Minister Yan Wujie let out a deep sigh, thinking that perhaps it was for the better, as he was already out of options.

Even if it was a road of certain death, he had no choice but to tread it!

"As your servant commands," Prime Minister Yan Wujie said: "I know what to do. I will expose Suo Lun’s despicable deeds to the world. AsYour Highness is currently in the southern border town, and the country cannot be without a ruler for a day, please return to the capital as soon as possible, Your Highness, to ascend to the throne!"

It was truly absurd and laughable—Zhi Li was actually in the capital at this moment, yet Yan Wujie claimed he was in a southern border town.

They were all Oscar-worthy actors!

Zhi Li seemed incredibly moved, saying: "I am now in the southern border town, so I entrust everything in the capital to the Prime Minister. I hope the Prime Minister can send word to me soon, so I may return to the capital early."

"Absolutely," Prime Minister Yan Wujie stated.

Zhi Li said: "My armed forces in the capital will follow the Prime Minister’s orders—whomever you say to kill, will be killed."

Yan Wujie thought to himself: "If I disobey, the ones to be killed would be my whole family, wouldn’t they?"

Zhi Li said: "Prime Minister truly is the backbone of the Kingdom. The Rage Wave Kingdom has always undervalued the civil and overvalued the military, which is abnormal. Why should Turing Tuo be a Duke, and the Prime Minister only a mere Viscount? After my ascension to the throne, I shall rectify the order and elevate the Prime Minister to a Duke, a title that shall be hereditary and never replaced!"

"My humble thanks for Your Majesty’s boundless grace!" Yan Wujie knelt in gratitude.

Zhi Li inquired: "So when might I enter the capital and ascend to the throne?"

Yan Wujie replied: "The nation cannot be without a ruler for a day. Tomorrow I will borrow a Griffin Beast from the Dragon Temple and fly to the southern border town to invite Your Highness back to the capital, and the day after tomorrow, I will respectfully request Your Highness to ascend the throne!"

Zhi Li sighed: "Ah! It feels too hasty, but the affairs of the Kingdom cannot be delayed for even a day! Very well, then the day after tomorrow!"

And Fang Qingzhuo had already made up his mind that the day Zhi Li ascended the throne would be the day of his death!

...

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