Chapter 627: When the Four Symbols Cult and the Demon Suppressing Bureau Merge

Chapter 627: When the Four Symbols Sect and the Demon Suppression Division Converge

Before my eyes, a thousand miles of rivers and mountains…

Indeed.

With Old Xia dead, either everyone washes their hands of it and returns to the martial world, watching as Xia loses its stag and the realm contends for it, waiting for a new enlightened lord to unify the land.

Would they do that?

If not, then they must take over and clean up this mess themselves.

No corner of the realm recognizes Great Xia anymore—even the capital has few who do. Whether it’s Zhao Changhe or Xia Chichi trying to take the throne, they likely couldn’t even summon the court officials; no one would pay them any mind.

Once, many thought of Crown Prince Zhao Changhe? The realm is in rebellion, the imperial capital no longer acknowledges him—what crown prince?

Xia Chichi? And who might you be?

A commoner’s dream shattered, a thousand miles of rivers and mountains before their eyes, but all of it must be reclaimed by their own hands.

There is almost no political legacy to inherit—in fact, using the name of Great Xia to clean up the realm is more troublesome than starting a new territory and conquering the world anew, because Old Xia left behind nothing but negative influence.

Take Li Shentong, for example. He knows he lacks the ability to govern and has no personal ambitions. If a righteous army with a decent reputation came along, he might join them. But if it’s Xia’s forces offering amnesty? The Divine Radiance Wind-Thunder Palm might greet your face instead—the name alone changes the entire mindset.

On the contrary, it’s Zhao Changhe who has given Great Xia a “legacy”… If Li Shentong wouldn’t strike, it’s only because this person is Zhao Changhe, and he’d show some face for his sake. The same goes for Jiangnan, the Cui family, the Cao Gang, Jingxiang, and Miaojiang—they wouldn’t acknowledge a Xia crown prince. If they hold their noses and do so, it’s because that person is Zhao Changhe.

Unknowingly, Zhao Changhe’s own political significance surpasses everyone else’s, with the convergence of qi veins nearly spanning half the realm.

This was earned through his conduct… But face is face; it doesn’t mean everyone will heed his call with a wave of his hand. There’s much to be done.

The most absurd part is that the capital has no troops—just a bunch of good-for-nothings. If a “royal rescue army” suddenly arrived in the capital, they might as well be driven out.

Zhao Changhe and Vermilion Bird, Xia Chichi, stared at each other for a long while, these thoughts churning in their minds. Finally, Zhao Changhe sighed: “Honored One, a partnership?”

Vermilion Bird lifted her chin: “We support you as emperor, and we become the state religion, is that it? Even brothers settle accounts clearly. This matter is too important—even if you are the Room Fire Pig, we must discuss it plainly. For instance, after you ascend, the empress must…”

“Wait…” Zhao Changhe waved his hand: “I want to support Chichi to take the throne.”

Vermilion Bird: “…”

Xia Chichi glanced at Zhao Changhe, smiled faintly, and said nothing.

Zhao Changhe asked: “What’s your own opinion? If you don’t want it, then we’ll talk otherwise.”

Xia Chichi chuckled: “If you don’t want to do it, then of course it has to be me. Would I really retreat from the world, go fight the barbarians alone, and let others contend for the realm here? When did I, Xia Chichi, become a saint?”

“Emmmm…”

Xia Chichi gazed deeply at Xia Longyuan’s body, murmuring as if to herself: “And I want to do it. He entrusted you with his dying wish, like Liu Bei to Zhuge Liang… I want to ask him, who does he think he is? What right does he have to treat me like Ah Dou? Not only will I do it, but I’ll also repay the realm’s debts for him. One day, I’ll ask him: how did that daughter you refused to see in the end turn out? Perhaps the only valuable thing you did in this world was fathering this daughter!”

Zhao Changhe nodded: “Since you have this intent, I will surely help you.”

Vermilion Bird asked: “It would be simpler for you to do it yourself. Why don’t you? Because of Xia Longyuan’s entrustment?”

Zhao Changhe said: “Old Xia owed others, but not me. In public matters, I think he was wrong; in private, his entrustment is something I ought to fulfill out of righteousness.”

Vermilion Bird fell silent.

Turning down the throne laid before you for the sake of righteousness… No wonder you and that Tang family hoof see eye to eye—you’re truly a perfect match.

Hmm, then how did I end up seeing eye to eye with you?

“More importantly…” Zhao Changhe said quietly: “I’m not cut out to be an emperor, and I need to campaign on all fronts, and later deal with gods and demons. If I took this seat, I’d become a second Xia Longyuan. If a martial artist can truly be peerless, why bind oneself as a sovereign? Someone’s eyes are blind, but their heart is truly clear…”

Blind Man: “…”

Vermilion Bird didn’t dwell on it and said directly: “Since you both feel this way, then let’s discuss Chichi. That bloodline of hers, the so-called succession to the throne—on closer inspection, it’s all negative influence. It would be better for my Four Symbols Sect to conquer the realm ourselves, openly and legitimately.”

“That’s the idea—you establish yourselves, and I’ll help you conquer the realm.”

Vermilion Bird’s eyes widened behind her mask.

Zhao Changhe tilted his head slightly. Damn, even with the mask, that look is too much like Huangfu Qing’s surprised, cute expression. Be more aloof, or I won’t be able to resist tearing off your mask…

He collected himself and said seriously: “The capital has no decent troops; the last elite force was taken by Huangfu Shaozong to Puyang. What’s left that can fight are a few parts: first, the private guards and thugs of various families—the capital’s special nature means they’re not like local landlord militias, not an army, and you or I could break them alone. Second, the Demon Suppression Division under Wanzhuang’s command—these are true elites, and most still obey Wanzhuang…”

Vermilion Bird said flatly: “Wanzhuang.”

Zhao Changhe looked away: “Third, what Qing’er the Honored One once boasted to me about…”

The words “Qing’er” and “Honored One” had no pause between them, and the word “boasted” was stressed in a way that hinted at something else.

Vermilion Bird wanted to tell him to watch his language, at least make a clear pause, but Zhao Changhe continued: “The Four Symbols Sect has deep latent power—many court officials are infiltrated, and a large number of followers lurk among the people. They can be organized into a strong army at any time. I think Qing’er has already organized them, just waiting for Old Xia to die to take control of the imperial city. With this announcement from the Chronicle of Chaos, they might already be at work outside.”

A smile curled at the corner of Vermilion Bird’s mouth: “You’re not stupid.”

Of course, I’ve prepared thoroughly! As long as Tang Wanzhuang doesn’t get in the way, we can directly seize the capital and declare ourselves—not necessarily like Dong Zhuo, but pulling a Li Jue or Guo Si to control the hundred officials would be child’s play.

The biggest difference from the late Han is that the Han’s legitimacy still held; messing around would lose moral authority. But this Great Xia—you can declare yourself however you want, as long as you can subdue people by force.

Just as they were speaking, orderly footsteps sounded from above, and someone reported: “Report to the Honored One, all four gates of the capital and all gates of the palace are under control. The hundred officials have been escorted by our brothers to the palace gates, awaiting the court assembly… Well, not all were escorted—some are already our brothers.”

Truly, Dong Zhuo enters the capital.

The Four Symbols Sect, lurking for years, had finally bared its fangs completely.

The three left the underground of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and swiftly made their way to the palace gates, where they saw a sea of officials standing, staring at the approaching trio with unreadable expressions.

Many “insiders” believed Zhao Changhe was the hidden crown prince and were waiting for him to announce his succession. If it were him, many had mentally prepared themselves over time and could accept it. But there was a serious problem: the realm had rebelled, and Xia Longyuan had no dragon qi left, meaning these officials had also rebelled. If the crown prince truly ascended, would there be a purge?

And many here were from great families, or their protégés and former subordinates—basically all of them.

So Old Xia had left behind nothing but negative influence. Even knowing you’re the crown prince and expecting you to succeed, few wanted you to.

Better to simply use absolute force and establish a new order. The Four Symbols Sect had its own officials, army, and high-level leadership—the foundation was there, though it might require a brutal purge.

Before the hundred officials, an old man slowly spoke: “I am Lu Jianzhang, serving as Chancellor. Your Highness the Crown Prince once met my nephew Shouyi…”

It sounded like an attempt to build rapport, but the sarcasm was thick—a “crown prince” about to declare his succession didn’t even know what the Chancellor looked like.

Zhao Changhe smiled: “Greetings, Chancellor Lu.”

Lu Jianzhang said: “If Your Highness wishes to succeed the throne, why collude with the demonic sect and coerce the hundred officials?”

Zhao Changhe replied: “Who said the crown prince is succeeding? My surname is Zhao.”

The officials were stunned. What does that mean…

Then Xia Chichi spoke, her voice clear and cold: “The tyrant was unrighteous, and the realm rose against him. The Four Symbols Sect, bearing the mandate of heaven, sends the Azure Dragon into the world to establish a human kingdom. Chancellor Lu, with your deep learning, surely you know where the human emperor of the last era resided?”

Lu Jianzhang was taken aback. The human emperor of the last era really was the ancient Azure Dragon. Because of this mess, the Four Symbols Sect had even mistaken Xia Longyuan for him…

Legitimacy, tradition—if you look for them, great scholars can debate endlessly. The Four Symbols Sect’s legitimacy traced back to antiquity—why would they need to inherit from Xia Longyuan?

Many minds raced. This was a convenient way out—why should Lu Jianzhang stand here as the officials’ representative? Couldn’t they be the first to pledge allegiance? The main thing was to consider: besides the capital, the Four Symbols Sect’s power extended to Jianghuai; after that, could they succeed?

Many were just protégés of great families, not members themselves. If they followed the right master, couldn’t they become a new great family?

Just as they were deliberating, orderly ranks appeared at the palace gate, ascending the steps.

Xia Chichi looked coldly and saw Tang Wanzhuang leading a group of Demon Suppression Division elites striding forward.

The two locked eyes, sparks seeming to fly.

The officials who had been about to speak fell silent, thinking the real show was about to begin. Tang Wanzhuang’s prestige and influence in court and among the people were no joke. If she voiced opposition, and the Four Symbols Sect had to bloodbath the Demon Suppression Division, they would be seen as a demonic sect in the eyes of the realm, losing all popular support—worse than Dong Zhuo.

Under everyone’s gaze, Tang Wanzhuang stood before Xia Chichi, staring at her for a long moment, then suddenly shifted her body slightly, knelt on one knee, and saluted: “Tang Wanzhuang, along with my colleagues from the Demon Suppression Division, pays homage to the Crown Prince.”

No one noticed that the direction of her bow was slightly off—in truth, she was only willing to kneel to Zhao Changhe.

In the eyes of others, that was the first blatant, unequivocal declaration of support for Xia Chichi's claim to the throne!

Everyone was dumbfounded. Tang Wanzhuang's persona had crumbled... From the previous announcement in the Book of Chaos, everyone knew that the one who ordered your clan's extermination was a puppet impostor, not the true Emperor. And now you rebel? If Tang Wanzhuang's persona collapses into being the first to support a demonic cult rebel, then her halo would fall off... Why are all her colleagues in the Demon Suppression Bureau silent, no one opposing?

Wait... she said 'Hail the Crown Prince'—what Crown Prince is she hailing?

Xia Chichi gave an almost imperceptible pout, then bent down to help Tang Wanzhuang up: 'Though I am the orphan of the Xia Emperor, I am no Crown Prince. I am even about to change the dynasty. Chief, do not mention that again.'

The crowd erupted.

Connecting it to Zhao Changhe's earlier 'My surname is Zhao,' and here stands one surnamed Xia!

This is the true bloodline of the Xia Emperor!

Now this gets interesting. Whether one supports the change of dynasty or upholds traditional legitimacy, both can find their answer in the same person. The complex reactions interweave, impossible to sort out for now. First and foremost, this Crown Prince herself is rebelling—she won't settle scores!

Tang Wanzhuang said: 'Your subject has received great favor, and wishes to assist in fulfilling your desires—this is personal. Your subject is a citizen of the Divine Land, not belonging to any dynasty—this is public. I only hope Your Majesty will take past events as a mirror and place the hearts of the world at heart.'

The essence is in the first half... It sounds like she received the late Emperor's great favor and wishes to assist his daughter, but why not say it directly...

Vermilion Bird remained silent, watching askance from the corner of her eye at the direction where Tang Wanzhuang knelt. 'You sly vixen, just say outright that you unconditionally support your man, instead of beating around the bush...'

But turning to look at everyone's stunned expressions, she had to admit that Tang Wanzhuang's endorsement was far more useful than the coercion and threats of her Four Symbols Sect. It was worth a hundred thousand soldiers... This is righteousness and popular sentiment—who says such things are useless!